Morristown, NJ -- A pianist from Morristown, New Jersey, is keying in on a serious goal: He's training to break the world's record for the longest piano playing session.

However, his friends are worried the stunt will be his requiem.

On December 24, 39-year-old John Conte will attempt to break the record for non-stop piano playing by tickling the ivories for more than 49 hours and 15 minutes, not counting potty breaks.

Conte, who describes himself as "overweight and out of shape," says he's taken up walking and changed his diet to prepare for the toll the challenge will take on his body.

But many loved ones don't think that's enough.

In fact, one of Conte's friends is taking out a life-insurance policy on him in case he drops dead at the keys.

But while Conte says he's astonished that people are lined up against him, in his words, "I feel strongly that I'll succeed; it's a mind over matter thing."

Solve puzzles and create your dream aquarium! Search through a dazzling trip down memory lane.

More Weird News From 2002-09-27 The day's offbeat stories from around the world. • Pat Boone: Ready And Willing To Play An Enron Executive • Around The Weird: Bizarre News Briefs • Flash Lites: Rip 'N' Read Pop Culture Recap • Cut Chemist Has Bone To Pick With Hip Hop Fans • Violent Femmes Singer: 'Lou Reed Is Not Grumpy' • Americans Don't Know Much, Except Music • Pianist In Training For Record-Setting Session • Vibrating Pen Gets Female Workforce Buzzing • Artist Goes From 1980'S Party Movies To Pimp Suits • Tony Danza: Scared But Swinging • Phish Drummer: 'Frank Zappa May Have Been A Phish Fan!'   « Current Weird News Stories