Merton (pianochatimprov), Ben Folds & Chatroulette

While I don't enjoy going on chatroulette, I find it infinitely fascinating, especially when someone finds such a creative way to use it. So when I first heard about Merton (known as pianochatimprov on YouTube) I was very impressed. He has a great way of entertaining people and making funny songs in the process. He set up his piano and a camera, hopped on chatroulette and had some fun. And fortunately for us recorded it. I doubt he really expected the viral nature of what he was posting (his video is currently around 4.5 million views.)

That's where popular singer songwriter Ben Folds comes into the mix. He apparently saw the video and quite like the idea. So at a concert of 2,000 people in Charlotte NC he did the same. Set up with a jumbo video screen and a laptop, Folds improvised songs for each new chatter that popped up in the style of Merton.

Some are speculating that Merton is Ben Folds, but Merton asserts he is not Folds. Blogger Bex Schwartz messaged Merton, and he denied the connection. You can see that exchange here. I also grabbed this picture from Merton's page where he denies it again. Either way, it's a cool way to use chatroulette, and quite funny.