The moment Jeffrey Bryan received a one-sentence email asking if he'd like to play keyboards for Survivor, his musical journey took another unexpected turn. But this wasn't the first time opportunity had knocked without warning – it's been the pattern of his entire career.

Growing up in Los Angeles, Bryan found his voice before his instruments. By age 12, his father was sneaking him into clubs around town for open mic nights where the underage singer could perform before quickly exiting the premises. While many musicians start with an instrument and eventually learn to sing, Bryan reversed the journey, picking up guitar and piano at 14 only after realizing he wanted to write his own songs.

What makes Bryan's story particularly fascinating is how his musical pursuits accidentally launched his acting career. After joining a youth variety show that performed at the Roxy, he landed a segment on the Merv Griffin Show, catching the attention of agents who insisted he audition for film roles despite his protests that he wasn't an actor. "Well, you are now," they told him – and suddenly, he was cast in Hot Moves, followed by what was supposed to be a brief two-week role in The Karate Kid that expanded into an eight-month commitment.

Bryan takes us behind the scenes of the iconic film, revealing how director John Avildsen (fresh from directing Rocky) deliberately created tension on set, keeping the actors in character even when cameras weren't rolling. He shares warm memories of Pat Morita's constant jokes and friendly demeanor, contrasting sharply with Mr. Miyagi's serious screen presence. Perhaps most entertainingly, he recalls how the cast members who played rivals on screen would gather at Frankie Avalon Jr.'s house after filming to jam together and let off steam.

Despite his success in film, music remained Bryan's first love. Now touring with Survivor and performing their classic hits like "Eye of the Tiger" and "The Search Is Over," he approaches each performance with reverence, describing himself as "a steward of history" responsible for recreating sounds that transport audiences back to formative moments in their lives – while still finding opportunities to express himself through his own compositions and projects.

Join us for this candid conversation about navigating the entertainment industry, the responsibility of performing beloved hits, and finding your authentic path even when life takes unexpected detours.