Tom Brier: YouTube's Forgotten Gaming Pianist 

Earlier this month, Tom became the 2023 recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Scott Joplin International Ragtime Foundation.

Tom was never a “gaming pianist”. He simply specialized in ragtime and enjoyed reading new pieces. Many tunes from early games were ragtime, so I showed them to him.

Forgotten is a strong word. Anyone who has been subbed to keeper1st's channel will NEVER forget Tom

Just a note from a lifelong pianist: what’s impressive about Tom Brier’s playing (and what caused his popularity to surge) wasn’t really his sightreading. Once you’re a fairly accomplished musician, sightreading isn’t really that hard, and if you zoom in on the scores he’s playing from, they’re not complicated at al. No, what’s impressive is actually everything he plays that’s *not* on the page. See, Tom Brier is a master at ragtime improvisation and embellishment, so he could take a fairly simple tune and add tons of runs, octaves, and embellishments to turn it into an incredibly complex and impressive bit of improv. Just thought it would be helpful to clarify that point.

The ragtime community would never regard Brier as forgotten. The guy is such a popular influence.

I've been following Tom Brier since around 2011-2012. I hope he's able to play piano one day again, but until then I'll be cheering him on through his long and slow recovery.

I have had the pleasure of calling Tom Brier my friend since a very young age. Many duets played between the two of us, I looked up to him greatly as a teenager. When he had his accident, I was 16 years old, I’m 23 now. I haven’t been able to see him since. Thank you for making this video.

Tom Brier was a huge part of my childhood, I remember hearing about his accident broke my heart.

He’s not forgotten, I still watch videos of him

Tom and I were best friends growing up in Oakdale - I can attest that visiting him at his house he would just play random songs from listening to them. We would play our favorite new music for each other and he would start playing the songs on his piano (he had one in his room) - Devil Inside by INXS is one I remember very well when he would just start playing it from hearing it. He was not only a genius at piano, but also at Math and was the Salutatorian at our high school graduation. He would just start playing current hit songs or even video game songs for fun. And he would start riffing at random and it was amazing to watch. I had a great knowledge for current popular music and brought it to Tom. He and I shared the love for not just current music, but the Dr. Demento show and Weird Al Yankovic. His love of humor in music went back to Spike Jones.

Fuck, i hate that it's been so long that people consider tom forgotten, and i feel bad for not having checked in on his progress for a while. Glad folk are still remembering him though!

I will never forget this legend, idk why this is titled this

Never forgotten, you can see comments asking about him from everymoth of every year, what an amazing archivement!!!!

The guy was also an inspiration to the Cuphead soundtrack. Redneck Rag by "Brian March" (presumebly Tom Brier and Eric Marchese) influenced the Funfair Fever level music. There's some undeniably strong similarities between the two pieces.

I will never forget Tom Brier! He is the reason I am interested in ragtime and sight reading. He is such an amazing person that I am currently trying to learn all of his pieces. I can tell you that some of them are not so easy😅. But anyway, he will live rent free in my heart and I hope he will feel better soon!

I still watch him to this day, his talent is so pure it’s beautiful.

Found out about Tom in August 2019. Thanks to him, Ragtime has become a part of my life. I listen to Ragtime and Tom everyday since then. There's no one like him. I had the pleasure to talk to many talented musicians that got to know him and played with him. They are all unanimous... There's no one like him. I'm so glad to be living in the same era as Tom, be able to experience his music. So glad that Ron O'Dell and many others were also so generous in sharing Tom's talent. Thinking of him fondly, kindly and positively, due to all contributions he has made and all the people he has inspired and keep inspiring. Thanks for the video.

Thank you for honoring Tom with this video, he's awesome and his music stays with me. He's that really brought the joy of music to life.

I've never forgotten this man

Tom is everything but not forgotten I personally think about him every single day

*Nobody forgot him* ❤

I had given up piano many years ago after playing it began to feel like a chore rather than something I loved. Then one day I accidentally clicked on the famous video of Tom Brier sight-reading Yoshi's Island Athletic Theme on youtube. That inspired me to pick up the piano once again and try learning that piece. After that, I kept learning all these ragtime versions of great video game pieces. One thing led to another and now I have fallen deeply in love with the piano and music as a whole. I even performed his version of K.K. Ragtime for my music GCSE performance (British high school exams). I'm going to study it an uni in a year. This is, in large part, thanks to Tom. Thankfully, a member of the Tom Brier discord community wanted to put together a video of people around the world wishing him a happy birthday a few months back and I was lucky enough to be able to personally thank the man who helped me find my passion in life. I love Tom Brier and all he has done for me and the wider community. I really hope he gets better soon.

I return to his Nintendo music renditions, Mario 64's Snow Mountain in particular, a couple times a year. There's no one else who captured nostalgia like Tom. Some of his improvisations were scored and cleaned up, but in doing so something was lost. The low fidelity recordings of him playing are just magical.

11:37 This kinda made me tear up a little, I should get to listening to his work.

ty for making this and bringin attention to his legacy and situation

Former piano player here, got into Tom's piano playing waaay back. So glad to hear others are getting a chance to hear this man's great work!

I was literally listening to Tom while cooking my dinner only a few mins ago 😢. This guy is my musical inspiration and has indirectly paved my path into music

as a long time fan of tom brier's, thank you for making this video

I didn't forget, I've been watching his videos for over 10 years! He inspired me to play the piano and I still watch his videos

Those recordings were always so fun to watch. He had such an upbeat effect on others, even on us online viewers. And it wasn't just raw talent, he got deep into whatever he was playing and made it his own. He never played songs for attention, despite his success, and that resonates with me. He added his own sappy happy endings, filling the room with laughter. This was clearly just something he loved to do. It was always his friends recording, in awe at his display of joy. To him, it was only a pastime. Tom Brier was true to himself, and that deserves respect. To those of you lucky enough to remember him in your lives, thank you for sharing.

This is a very touching tribute. Thank you.

Great Video ive been folowing Tom Brier and his work since 2013 or so and i thought of him as a magician.... The wonderfull works inspired me to learn the piano and today i am playing and never been better. He is one of my Pianist heros and i really hope he gets better enough to play. It would be great to see him back!

Thank you so much. By making this video, you can be certain that you've helped at least one person discover his works, allowing his memory to live on through just one more person, and just a little longer. I pray he gets better, and until then videos like these will preserve his legacy so that when the time comes, we'll be waiting.

Tom was a pivotal inspiration for me as a teenager learning to play the piano. I primarily play classical music, and (being 26 years old now) I don't play nearly as often as I used to, but he is the sole reason I decided to purchase the "Maple Leaf Rag." I don't know what it was, but Tom playing a rag on the piano just sparked something in me. He is truly extraordinary and one of the BEST pianists of our lifetimes.

I never realized how much OG video games and anime pianists forged the youtube scene: They got me into music and I now teach piano thanks to them. I'm sure I'm not the only one who always has memories of watching these videos years ago and have have them be a part of my music career. Thanks Tom Brier Thanks Video Game pianist Thanks TheIshter Thanks Kyle Landry Thanks Animenz Thanks Marcus Veltri Thanks Mario Verrehrer If you have any other old school pianists you watched leave them below :)

i'll never forget the time i discovered this person. so fun to listen to this person playing piano. it probably may never happen again, but it's nice it happened! i wish Tom and his family and friends the best

Tom Brier isn't forgotten at all. Everyone loves him.

I just want to say cheers to Keeper1st for not only making us know about the wonderful person that is Tom Brier, but also keeping us up to date, even to this day. Thank you.

11:18 I'm glad that my meme introduces you to Tom Brier, and made you create a wonderful video on his story, people should remember him. His tragic story had such a impact on me ; he losts what he had the most precious thing in his life, making people happy with his godlike hands. I'm still playing piano thanks to him, I'll tell that story to my granchildren.

Muchas gracias por hacer este video, soy fan de Tom y le mandamos mucho cariño.

life sucks, some people make it worse, but people like Mr Tom Brier make it better. there is no better legacy than that, his legendary playing will never be forgotten by those who had the pleasure of hearing it.

Poor title as Tom has definitely been NOT forgotten. I've watched his videos for a few years now and learn something new each time.

No uploads ≠ forgotten.

I don't know what RU-vid did to their algorithm, but I've been noticing old videos being recommended more and more lately. I'd never seen Tom Brier's videos before, but the Nyan Cat one happened to pop up and I decided to watch it. That, of course, led me down the rabbit hole of all this wonderful music. That's when I saw the video. An update. I didn't know what the update was about, and I was eventually sucked down another rabbit hole of these tragic events. I saw so much talent, and it got whisked away in an instant. I genuinely feel bad for Tom Brier, and I will definitely go back and watch the videos of him from time to time. He impacted a lot of people, and, while I was not among those fortunate, I still got to have knowledge of his story and accomplishments. I really hope he recovers.

Ever since I first heard his Super Mario World performances, I would often go back to listen to him play. Tom Brier was on a whole nother level. The day I found out about his accident, I was pretty devastated. I can’t imagine how he must have felt at the time. Knowing that, it has only made me frequent those old videos even more often.

I've been watching RU-vid since 2007 and have never seen or heard of this dude until tonight, and now i going down the rabbit hole

I used to listen to his YT videos daily to the point that when I made my first videogame I wrote the intro music as a ragtime just in the hopes to end up being played by him someday. Then a few months later, the accident. I was very heartbroken.

I was introduced to ragtime by Tom's videos. I absolutely adore his compositions, and I listen to them almost every day on my way to work and back. I learned to play some of his best compositions, including "Strollin'" and "Meditation". I can't imagine how one would come about inventing such complex yet perfectly in-place harmonies and rhythmic formulæ. I sincerely hope he'll soon be able to play again as well as he once did.

I will never forget the first time I heard his ghost 'n goblins theme like 3 years ago and was shocked by how he played it, and how he changed the original and added his own sweetness, and today I realized he played the theme without knowing it... wow, I hope to be like that some day.

I knew him this week, since then I'm watching everything about him.

We will never forget Tom. The greatest talent to grace video game composition

This is a good tribute to Tom. I liked when at the end you said, "None of us have forgotten you, although the name says 'RU-vid's forgotten gaming pianist'". Nobody who really appreciated Tom would ever forget about him. People should talk about him on RU-vid, so thank you for having done it.

Tom Briar is not forgotten

The ragtime community will forever cherish Tom Brier as much as Scott Joplin. He was truly a remarkable pianist and composer, and shaped the way for other modern ragtime composers today.

The younger generation may not notice him anymore, but in my heart and in the hearts of many other people he is still a legend. I can't really tell, since when I was listening to his music. God bless him and I wish him a good recovery!

Tom's not forgotten. The world's just starting to wake up to him.

Anyone who loves Tom Brier should definitely get into Derek Paravicini, another piano legend who thankfully is still able to play.

Forgotten? What? I've been listening to him for years, and he's famous among American ragtime pianists

I never forgot him. I still miss him and his music

Thanks for this video.

I'm a brazilian musician, although my musical language is north-american music, such as ragtime, blues, jazz and so on... and for this reason, Tom Brier has a very special place in my heart. He's not just a GREAT pianist, but he's a keeper of old-reliq ragtime sheets. I just love him. For me he's like a cool uncle I never had. And his beard is nice as well. hahahahaha TOM, YOU ARE GREAT, AND WE LOVE YOU!!!!! Cheers from Brazil, pal 🖤

Not forgotten...

"Forgotten"? Hardly. Tom is a musical genius who could create beautiful pieces of music on the spot from just a page or two. His improvisational skills are astounding. Just listening to him play Ragtime can create new fans of the genre. And the power and accuracy of that left hand...

For some reason I thought Tom had passed away so I am thrilled to hear that he is still with us, thank you so much for making this video

I have always watched and loved Tom's videos, and there are a certain 3 or 4 that are 100% in my rotation. I'm a piano player, and hope to eventually be able to sight read half as well as Tom did.

Never will be forgotten. I watch Tom Brier Daily.

I'll never forget Tom.

When Daniel T uploads a gaming video about a somewhat obscure topic, you know it's gonna be good

Tom was never forgotten, at least by some of us. Tom is one of my favorite pianists. I suppose tom has been “forgotten” after he was involved in a severe car accident in 2016. Tom is still alive, but isn’t capable of playing anymore as far as i know. I never actually knew tom for the game music he covered, i knew him for his compositions, my favorite being “Blue Lampshade”. I actually have two piano rolls that tom composed for my 1920s player piano. But Tom Definitely, has not been forgotten.

Tom Briar is what I miss about RU-vid from years gone by. Very talented and interesting people being recorded and uploaded because it was valuable in itself. Not as a consumer product, but as something that has value in itself. How much of RU-vid's content if taken off RU-vid and watched 20 Years from now would still have value?

Tom is an inspiration for me, what a legend!

I never forgot about him hes my inspiration for learning the piano as a guitar player, still praying for him

Following the accident, members of the community, such as myself, an amateur ragtime pianist, were encouraged to write to him or visit him after he woke up, and postcards and sheet music came rolling in for him. Particularly, I remember at some point, it came to light that he really liked chocolate, and from what I heard, his friends and fans kept note of this and sent him plenty. I myself sent a letter across the world to him to wish him well. All the best to Tom.

Not at all forgotten! I’ve followed him and enjoyed his talent long before his accident.

I have never forgotten this legend.

Never forgotten. Never. Tom Brier is quite literally one of the greatest musicians the world has ever known. And that is NOT hyperbole. I've listened to jazz legends throughout most of my life. I'm a huge fan of MOZART. I've taught myself how to play guitar, bass, drums, piano, and how to sing and read music. I've played scores of live shows. I'm telling you, Tom Brier will always be underrated. And only the greatest of the very greatest achieve that status. To be nearly unfathomably great. Flying through the stars and traveling through space and time. Playing in infinitude. Tom Brier is our MOZART. The improv is simply incedental towards that tempest of fun dreaming starlight playing in Tom's head. His music (which sets far apart the Paco De Lucias and Thelonious Monks from the regular virtuosos). And now it's here forever. He is here forever. A veritible giant with a strong and cheerful heart continuing the greatest tradition of humankind.

The legendary Tom Brier will never be forgotten

tom brier is a legend, and something history will remember for generations to come.

Not necessarily a gaming pianist, but god damn just a fucking stellar and immaculate piano player. Felt every key press, every sustain and every flutter like it was your first. Genuinely enthralled listening to anything he played to this day. My life is better with Toms music in it

Tom Brier is such an inspiration to me and pianists all over the world ❤

He is, without any room for doubt, not forgotten!

WHO has forgotten about him? he's a legend. i only found your video by specifically searching for his name because i wanted to hear his stuff today. people revisit his videos all the time.

He isnt a gaming pianist hes a ragtime legend.

i never forgot about tom 😭❤️

My Mom and I have been praying for you Tom! 🙏

I was extremely saddened when the accident happened.. I hope he recovers 100% I have been a fan of tom since I was a teenager

Every time I watch Tom work, I fuckin bawl like a baby. Idk what it is

i had heard of tom back in.... 2014?... i watched and listened to MANY of his covers. the day i heard he got into a crash that... almost killed him..... i was really sad. and when i heard that he was alive, i was glad but to hear that his cheerer ended.... i started to cry. the day of true rag time video game music was gone.

I remember hearing that he wasn’t getting the help he needed and that his family wasn’t making the process of getting him into rehab easy. Hearing that he’s been in rehab is pretty awesome.

Tom Brier is a Legend, a legend that will never be forgotten

Was literally just listening to his Casino Night Zone cover (my first and favorite video I've seen from him) when I asked myself "man whatever happened to him?" Needless to say, I've CERTAINLY not forgotten about him. He's been on my playlist for about a decade

Good video, thanks!

I never forget about him... And pray for him

I cried when I read about this. I hope he recovers.

So sad. Just discovered his video of mario 3 ending cover that's amazing a few days ago. Felt very thrilled and amazed at such incredible ability. And then few youtube clicks beyond that I learned about the tragic accident. World is unfair.... Very sorry for Tom and his family, I really hope Tom can find his way again... not to be forced to play like he used to, but be able to find his way just to be happy again.

Forgotten? Never! As long as there are people who enjoy ragtime and gamers who enjoy listening to unique renditions of popular game soundtracks, Tom Brier will never be forgotten.

Tom was never forgotten. The Internet remembers.

I was just thinking about him today and saw this was posted 2 weeks ago. Life is cruel, what happened to Tom is even crueler.

i check for updates about tom almost daily. found out on the caring bridge website that he is staying at his old family home. i checked the home on google maps and it looks to have caught a glimpse of him outside carrying something inside with another family member a few years ago :(

10:30 there has been an update, it's on their discord server.