Piper of the Corn: why you should never bagpipe in the corn at night

          Because it's really loud and people are trying to sleep! Also have you ever tried running through a densely packed corn field? Not nearly as much fun as it looked like when Mel Gibson gave it a go in "Signs". 

          With nothing more than a barely working 3G phone (thanks Consumer Cellular!!) and a personal GPS satellite in space I found myself standing in full uniform in the middle of a field in Krueger's farm at Sauvie's Island. A dark limo carrying a bride and groom was greeted by the scurl (squirrel? I think you may be wrong, autocorrect) of the bagpipes. 

          To my surprise, the wedding reception was actually being held at a big oak tree nearby (pictured above) as opposed to the middle of some random field. Special thanks to Mary K. who agrees that bagpipes sound great anywhere, even in the middle of the field. 

PS: Do not play bagpipes at nude beach on Sauvie's Island. 

PSS: "Gentlemen, I bring you...CORN!" 

Bagpiper marches out of the ocean playing to surprise couple

          Alright so maybe I didn't march OUT of the ocean, but I was REALLY close to the water and I got sand in my gillies. If I HAD TO I think I could probably pull off a quick march completely underwater before Neptune swam over and angrily threw his trident through my bagpipe.

          As I marched out onto a very populated section of Canon Beach I was greeted by very confused stares from the MANY beach-goers on that day. I met their stares with a half-witted salute or a meager "Hi". 

          Striking up to Scotland the Brave I trudged through the sand and up the beach to the Corrado family's house, where a 60th wedding anniversary was being held. Grateful that I had somehow piped up to the correct house/group I played several sets and mingled with the extremely friendly and generous Corrado family! 

Special thanks to Missy Lowes who agrees that bagpipes sound best above water and in front of large groups of people.

Fun family reunion at the Oregon coast

          Some family reunions can be a pain- the Murphy family reunion was quite the opposite: it was a blast! Meeting annually for the past 46 years, the Murphy family reunion and golf tournament is an event so well known and respected that restaurants throughout Gearhart, OR cheers the family on their main advertising signs. 

          Starting with a well catered dinner at their family's beach house, the sound of the bagpipes entertained guests and soared across the beach. Stopping in at the Mcmenamins Gearhart Hotel afterwards for a drink, several complete strangers thanked me for the entertainment (which they heard from half a mile away)! The following afternoon was the golf tournament, and a thick fog had rolled over the green from the ocean. As the made their final strokes family members were greeted by the far off sound of the pipes, emanating from somewhere within the fog.

          I've honestly never met a family that is more friendly, generous, and a pleasure to be around. Special thanks to Peter Murphy for having me out and very generously setting my girlfriend and I up in a hotel room as well! 

Cheers to the Murphy family!

Oregon Piper plays at Celtic Wedding in Ohio!?

It was my pleasure to play at one of my best friend's wedding in Ohio. I played alongside my bff (and incredible bagpiper) Ben Peterson.

Viewer discretion advised: I cannot professionally guarantee that this much awesome will be had at your wedding! ;)

View fullsize

PS: This was a wedding for a long time friend. You are not required to include me in your wedding party photos in this fashion. I mean, if you WANT TO...that''d be cool...

...and poses like this are an extra $40. It ends when the song is over. Thank you ;)