Dueling Hobbits: Dueling Pianos at The Grand!

June 28, 2024
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June 28, 2024
8:31 pm
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12:30 pm
Located at:
Salem's Historic Grand Theatre
RSVPGET TICKETS

Fri. March 8th | Doors at 7:00PM, Show at 8:00PM
Tickets: $25, ALL AGES, Please reach out for ADA Requests.

Hello Salem! Come experience 90 minutes of a one of a kind, audience interactive comedy musical show! The Dueling Hobbits will play from their catalogue of over 1,000 songs from numerous decades and genres, by artists including ACDC, Bon Jovi, The Beatles, Bruno Mars, Frank Sinatra, Garth Brooks, Journey, Justin Timberlake, Neil Diamond, Madonna, Michael Jackson, and…..pretty much any artist or song the audience wants to hear!

About the performers:

Jacob “The Maestro Kingcrusher”
(Portlandia Pianist/Vocalist)

Jacob Hoglund is a musician native to Portland Oregon. He has a degree in music composition from George Fox University. Jacob began playing in church at the age of 13. Now he regularly performs a wide range of styles from opera to jazz, and works with children and adults teaching piano and voice. In addition to being a dueling pianist he works as musical theater accompanist at George Fox University and CYT. Jacob enjoys fishing and hiking during his free time and is a competitive chess player.

Shannon “Shamwise” Bengford
(Portlandia Owner/Pianist/Vocalist)


Shannon Bengford is a musician and a die hard Packer Fan from Wisconsin.  He is one of the original Dueling Hobbits and owns Dueling Hobbits Productions.  Shannon received his bachelor of arts degree in classical piano and composition from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa.  Since graduating in 2001, Shannon has filled his days teaching music, directing choirs and musicals, composing, arranging, performing in various corporate cover bands and tribute shows featuring music by Queen, Elton John, Jimmy Buffett, The Bee Gees, Stevie Wonder, Buddy Holly, Johnny Cash, and Roy Orbison.  Besides doing dueling pianos he currently plays in the contemporary worship band at Athey Creek Christian Fellowship.

Shannon has been a traveling Dueling Pianist since 2010.  He would love to get you singing along to your favorite song request, celebrate with you, or better yet, get you up on stage with us during a show. If you like oldies, classic rock, 80’s hair bands, one hit wonders, cheesy versions of gangster rap, or country music, Shannon is the man for these requests.

He currently resides with his wife, their four little hobbits, and their pet turtle named "Shire" in Portland, Oregon.

Stanny “The Latvian Tiger” Nidbalski
(Portlandia Drummer/Percussion/Cajon)


Born in Riga, Latvia, Stanny is a well-travelled musician with enormous experience playing bars, clubs, county fairs, Blues, Country, Jazz and Rock festivals, as well as recording both in the US and in Europe.  He is an Oregon transplant from Moscow, Idaho, with his name linked to at least half a dozen popular Northwest bands of different musical genres.  Rock, Blues, Top 40, Country, Metal; he's done it all!  His impeccable meter and great ears combined with relentless drive for perfection has earned him praise and respect from his former and current band mates.

"…drummer Stanny Nidbalski is a solid, tasty and pervasive, no-nonsense performer who keeps out of the way.  He's almost invisible on a darkly lit stage, until you focus on the groove and let it carry you away, and then you realize his genius as rhythmic infrastructure…" (Pauley Styrene, Positively Entertainment & Dining, vol. 29, no 9)