firstgenpiper Bagpiper from Paulsboro, NJ

So why should you hire me to pipe at your event? I have no "bits of tin" or fancy paperwork that says that I'm a great piper. I was not taught by Pipe Major "So And So" or have any medals. I have no music degrees. In fact, no CV at all. Just a lowly ex-street band piper who has worked very hard over the last 40+ years to try and honor and use the talent that God has given me. And my profile name is not a random one. I AM a very proud first-generation Scottish American with a passion for the pipes and Celtic music in general. The love of all things Scottish was instilled in me by my parents, who emigrated here in 1949, especially my father who played the melodeon just like his father did... and the two of them were lucky enough to play on the streets of Denbeath with the famous Jimmy Shand! Also, my aunt's father served as a piper in The Black Watch from 1910-1915 before being wounded and one of my cousins played tenor drum in the Dysart and Dundonald system in the 80's. Yes, my genes are very strong in this regard! And as some profiles seem to imply, when you hire me, I am there to serve you and add to your event, not to be "the show" and the center of attention. That stance derives itself from my Christian beliefs, my military experience and the years of training in the martial arts. Honor, loyalty, dignity. Pieces of paper and trophies don't give you that. I am not a "professional" piper. I am still a "working stiff." But my self-imposed practice regimen is at a professional level, as is my instrument and my appearance. My repertoire is strong and well-suited to weddings, funerals and ceremonial occasions. And to say in response to something that another piper posted on social media - if you ask me to play a tune and I know it, I WILL play it. This business of not playing tunes like "Amazing Grace" because it's "beneath" them is RUBBISH. And just to be honest, the reason that there aren't any videos in my profile as yet is that I'm rubbish at it and I am pretty much by myself and would rather be practicing or learning new tunes than figuring all that out. But once I can "coerce" someone into helping me with videos, I'll post them. Otherwise, if you find yourself at several of the parks in South Jersey (or even the occasional store parking lot!), you'll most likely find me practicing at one, usually kilted... trying to be "seen and heard." I am also very knowledgeable about the history of piping, Scottish history and customs and family genealogical research and I have been asked to do presentations on these subjects. Family research has been a particular passion of mine for a couple of years now since I was tested, not wanting to be that guy who "traded his lederhosen for a kilt". Although I had met most of my relatives, my DNA test confirmed my "Scottishness"- 82.7% Celtic and 17.3% Scandinavian... A Scot! A bit off-topic, but proof that when you hire me, you get someone passionate about his heritage and the way he has chosen to express it. Forget the "posers" and braggarts... hire a real Scottish piper. If you made it this far, you're no sae bad!