Olathe singer-songwriter Max Cooper III will headline KKFI's Crossroads Music Festival on Sept. 12 at Lemonade Park in Kansas City. Cooper earned a four-chair turn on Season 28 of NBC's "The Voice" last fall.
His 4:15 p.m. set will feature his quartet: bassist Justin Neely, guitarist Ross Galler and drummer Blue Noyes. The group plans to play tracks from Cooper's debut EP "The Overthinker," covers from his run on "The Voice" and unreleased material. Cooper told Kansas City Magazine the new arrangements draw on jazz, in a profile published Sept. 4.
Cooper has played piano since age 3. He competed on "The Voice" Season 28 in fall 2025 with mentor Michael Bublé, advancing to the knockout round after opening with a cover of Mike Posner's 2010 hit "Cooler Than Me" that turned all four judges' chairs.
The experience changed him.
"It was a blast … Being around amazing musicians and songwriters for months, it really helped me open up as a singer," Cooper told Kansas City Magazine.
He earned a degree in music composition at the University of Kansas. His playing draws heavily from jazz, particularly pianist Art Tatum. On Instagram, where he posts as @mrpianoman, Cooper has built an audience of more than 300,000 followers with instrumental parodies and mashups.
He released "The Overthinker" shortly before his "Voice" appearance. The Kansas City Star profiled Cooper on Sept. 22, 2025, as the new season premiered on NBC.
The 22nd annual Crossroads Music Festival spans seven stages and features more than 25 acts. A free day party at Rock Island Bridge runs noon to 3 p.m. The ticketed portion begins at 3 p.m. across Lemonade Park, Stockyards Brewing, The Campground and Voltaire. An afterparty at The Ship follows from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. Children 12 and under get in free with a parent or guardian.
Lemonade Park is at 1628 Wyoming St. in the Historic West Bottoms. Wristbands can be picked up there after 2:30 p.m. Ticket prices and lineup details are available at cmfkc.com.
Upcoming community events
- Saturday, Sept. 12: KKFI Crossroads Music Festival, noon to 1 a.m., Historic West Bottoms, Kansas City. Details at cmfkc.com.
