The Life of the Wayward Keyboard Traveler | Chad Stockslager

In this episode of Your Dark Companion, Mike Rhyner welcomes Dallas music staple Chad Stockslager — better known as Mr. Chad — for a wide-ranging, funny, and deeply musical conversation about a life spent chasing the right notes.
Chad traces his journey from a childhood epiphany sparked by The Wizard of Oz to becoming one of the most in-demand keyboard players in North Texas. He shares stories from his early Terrell and Deep Ellum days, tribute projects like Buick Six, and playing legendary Dallas rooms including the newly revived Longhorn Ballroom.
Along the way, Chad reflects on the giants who shaped him — Ray Charles, Jerry Lee Lewis, Floyd Cramer, Nicky Hopkins — and explains why vintage soul and 50s rock still live inside his playing. He tells the unforgettable story of Booker T. Jones sitting in on his slightly “well-loved” keyboard rig, the technical dance of modern MIDI programming, and what it takes to replicate classic piano tones without hauling a 900-pound instrument.
There’s also talk of Dallas’ ever-evolving music scene, Pedigo’s Magic Pilsner, Bastards of Soul, soul nights at the Longhorn, and the unpredictable joy of song swaps at the All Good Café.
It’s a conversation about craft, community, and the strange beauty of being “everyone’s go-to keyboard player.”
And yes — the magical musical thing makes an appearance.
⏱️ Chapters
00:43 – Introducing Mr. Chad
04:50 – The Buick Six and playing Dylan like the records
09:08 – The “Magical Musical Thing” origin story
16:07 – From Terrell to Deep Ellum
22:00 – Ray Charles, Jerry Lee Lewis & early influences
26:54 – Rediscovering the Longhorn Ballroom
33:15 – Eric Nadel Birthday Benefit & Grant Halliburton Foundation
34:42 – CBD House of Healing sponsor read
37:24 – Valentine’s Song Swap at All Good Café
42:12 – The evolution of keyboard technology
46:02 – Booker T plays Chad’s “well-worn” rig
49:08 – Pedigo’s Magic Pilsner & future projects
51:07 – Pandemic variety shows & creative survival
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