MarineSandpiper Professional Bagpiper with 25+ years experience.

As a solo "traditional " bagpiper, I really don't need much at all. I just need to know the size of the venue. If it is rather small with low ceilings, I may recommend me performing on Folk Pipes instead of the Great Highland Bagpipe. They look very similar, but the Folk Pipes are designed for a more intimate venue and are far quieter and mellower sounding than the GHB.

If you are requesting my Rock Show, I need a 10'x10' or larger performance area and one standard 120v outlet. My sound system is battery powered, so the outlet is optional if one is simply not available.

If hiring me for an indoor venue where it is a shared space (i.e. a restaurant, bar, club, church, etc.), please ensure the management of the venue is comfortable with a bagpiper performing there.

Rock Show: I do have my own sound system which is adequate for small to medium sized venues. If it is a large venue, I would probably have to tap into the house system.

Rock Show: I can provide filler music between sets if required. I typically do not do sets. I have played a single 7 hour set before.

For Traditional Bagpiping Gigs, I have played for some very high profile clientelle, as well as "regular common folk". I treat them equally. As someone who loves to travel, the "best" gigs come from locations I never thought I'd ever visit on my own. Most notable locations have been Barrow, Alaska; Oahu, Hawaii; Panama City, Panama; Kulusuk, Greenland; Rekjavik, Iceland; Ramadi, Iraq; and Nassau, Bahamas. I'm always thrilled to discover where the pipes may take me next!

The most notable gig I've done is when I played Amazing Grace with the 400 member Saluting America's Band Directors Marching Band at Ground Zero, World Trade Center, New York City in conjuction with the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade back in 2024. That song, on that instrument, with that band, at that location is something that left an indelible mark on me.

For Rock Shows, my most notable gigs have been at Scottish Fest, Costa Mesa and The Longs Peak Scottish Irish Festival in Estes Park, Colorado.

Any time I can get on stage is my favorite type of event - especially if it is in a location I have never been to before!

I was a tuba instrumentalist and conductor in the United States Marine Corps for 20 years. During those years, the bagpipes was more of an interest and hobby. I occassionally played with the band's accompaniment and even composed a few pieces for Bagpipes with Band. Once I retired from the Marine Corps in 2012, I went full-time professional bagpiper and haven't looked back nor slowed down!

I first saw the Celtic Band called Brother in Pleasanton, CA back in 1997. It was my first exposure to mixing the bagpipes with rock music. It was that band who inspired me to learn the bagpipes in the first place. Fast forward to 2024, and I actually got to share the same stage with Angus of Brother at the Costa Mesa Scottish Festival. The circle had come full round!

Depending on the gig and it's formailty level will dictate which uniform I wear.

Traditional Jobs: It is my goal to always arrive to the venue at least one hour prior to start time. That gives me plenty of time to do any last minute coordination and logistic tasks with key personnel ensuring a seamless ceremony/event.

Rock Shows: If using my own system, my setup usually only takes 10 minutes. Again, I will arrive in plenty of time to perform setup and sound checks prior to doors opening.

Indoor or outdoor - it makes no difference to me!

I will always do my best to accommodate special requests. But especially with my Rock Show, the bagpipes are a very limited instrument in that they only have 9 notes available. There are many rock/pop songs out there that simply will not translate over to the pipes.

Traditional Bagpipe Jobs: One of the most common responses I receive after a Memorial Service is when the clients want to say how much they were moved by the music, but often they don't have to words to express their emotions. I tell them, "You don't hear the pipes with your ears. You hear them with your soul."

Rock Show Gigs: My favorite comment that I hear quite frequently is, "I didn't know you could do that with the bagpipes!"