A piano lounge typically isn’t a place for a guitar player, but local veteran musician Peter Wainwright is setting out to change that. Wainwright will be playing the Firestarter Lounge at Casino Rama from May 27 to May 31. This is the second set of shows there and he is the first and only guitar player to entertain the lounge, but Wainwright is no stranger to playing spots where piano players dominate.

“When I get a gig in a lounge or a restaurant, I try to sound just like a piano player. Play things a piano player would.”

While Wainwright plays in the lounge, high-calibre acts such as Gloria Estefan, Don Rickles and Diana Ross will be performing on the main stage at Rama. With these famous acts performing, the casino becomes mobbed with people, all with varying musical preferences. Wainwright says trying to read the crowd is half the fun.

“At the casino you get people wanting to see the show that night and people who just want to gamble; it’s a harder room to read, but I like the challenge.”

Having played guitar for close to 37 years, Wainwright has amassed a huge repertoire of songs and can play just about anything you might request, although he has learned sometimes playing every request can ruin a show.

“Sometimes a request can just kill the atmosphere. And something I realized awhile ago, it’s totally an ego trip to play something just because you know it,” said Wainwright while playing his guitar. “I’m there to play for everyone.”

Wainwright has been playing gigs for over 20 years, but admits every show is different, depending on the crowd. The nights Gloria Estefan plays he will most likely add a few of her songs to the show that night. A Peter Wainwright show is constantly changing and being reshaped to fit the crowd, another challenge Wainwright thrives on.

“I often pick the toughest table, the table with 10 guys talking about the hockey game. I think, before my break’s over I’m going to get your attention,” Wainwright said with a grin.

He’ll do this by slipping in a little Ozzy Osbourne Crazy Train, or the theme song to Hockey Night in Canada to get the attention of someone who might not be there to listen to him play music.

Wainwright loves music and shares his love and knowledge to over 50 students, to whom he gives lessons. The one thing Wainwright loves more than anything else about playing music is the response.

“It’s so cool to see people start moving and reacting to what I’m playing . . . creating that ambiance is great.”

Wainwright has another set of gigs at the Firestarter near the end of July but is always open to more gigs and the chance to entertain.

“You hear about a practising lawyer or doctor, well I’m a practising musician.”