San Angelo pianist Terry Mikeska has already checked an item off of his bucket list to start the year, by performing on perhaps his grandest stage yet— a black-tie event in Washington, D.C. that was among the largest leading up to the 2025 presidential inauguration.
“And they said, well, there'll be quite a few people you will probably recognize," Mikeska said. "So, I'm excited about it, playing in a room full of I guess you can say now, probably mostly billionaires, millionaires may be small change.”
Mikeska’s home piano is decorated with frames and photos of his family. He sat down to play the song “Last Date” by famed pianist Floyd Cramer, and his dog Sophie enjoyed singing along.
It’s a tune that has a special place in Mikeska’s heart, because it reminds him of a moment when he played in front of a different president — one that was running for Texas governor at the time — George H.W. Bush.
"When Governor Bush ended his speech, and of course, the crowd started going crazy and hollering. I thought, 'It's now or never,'" Mikeska said.
"So, I went into that song, and when I went into it, he was right next to me on the podium. He turned and pointed at me and said, ‘That is my song.'"
Moments like this have become a theme in Mikeska’s career. Waiting for an opportunity to present itself and then shoving his foot in the door. Sometimes help is needed to fully open those doors, and Mikeska thanks two San Angelo politicians for giving him that help.
Drew Darby serves in the Texas House of Representatives, representing San Angelo and other parts of West Texas, and long ago connected Mikeska with Greg Abbott.
At inauguration weekend, Mikeska reunited with the Texas Governor.
August Pfluger is a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. His district encompasses San Angelo and his relationship with Mikeska started before his career as a politician did. That’s in part due to Pfluger’s mother, Cheryl, who asked August during his first campaign announcement to remember Mikeska.
“Cheryl said, ‘Now August, now I want to tell you, as you know, your mom, when you get this, and you're going to get it, and you start moving up that ladder, we got to get Terry in the White House," Mikeska said.
Sure enough, Mikeska heard from Pfluger in June of last year, and the U.S. Rep told him that he’d be hearing from someone in Washington, D.C., soon.
Mikeska did receive that call, inquiring about his letters of recommendation and discussing his work. But it’d still be a while before any selections were made. After all, America had to pick its next president first.
When President Donald Trump won the election in November, Mikeska started to pay extra attention to any incoming calls. But a month went by, and nothing.
“I'm looking at my messages and my emails, and then there is one from DC that says, ‘Terry, congratulations. We are happy to let you know that we are going to use you for the inauguration weekend. We are so excited. We have decided that we want you to be part of the largest cocktail party that will include 800 guests’," Mikeska said. "They basically said, 'You're playing for the private jetters.'"
Mikeska was elated. Yet another door had opened in his career and he was thrilled to jump through it. He had come a long way from playing at church as a kid and attending Polka dances with his largely Czech family.
He started playing the piano when he was still in diapers thanks to his mom, and still prefers to play by ear to this day. As his talents progressed, so did his interest in pursuing a career in music. When he won an entertainment contest in New York City as a high school junior, he was convinced.
“I'm a workaholic. I love working. If I wasn’t working on the farm or helping my uncles, I worked at an amusement park and made 95 cents an hour. I saved my money, I bought my airline ticket, and did the entry on the competition," Mikeska said. "And winning that competition, I kind of thought, huh, I think I am gonna stick to my music for the rest of my life.”
And that’s what Mikeska has done. Though he’s been around the world, even living in New York for a time, he decided to settle down in San Angelo.
“I never wanted to be on television and all that kind of stuff. I just want to play for those kind of people. I never wanted to be one myself. And no, I never will be. I have no desire," Mikeska said.
"I'll let those other ones have the city life. I'll stick to my West Texas events and parties here. There's plenty of places in Texas.”