The Dandridge Scots-Irish Festival will be packed full of fun for the whole family.

I will be playing bagpipes with the Knoxville Pipes and Drums for the opening ceremony.  The opening will begin at 12 noon.  The Knox. Pipes and Drums will perform a concert at the Lowland stage at 12:30 P.M.  I will play a solo concert on the Celtic harp at 6:00 P.M.  At 9:10 P.M. I will be the Lone Piper on the Douglas Lake Dike with spotlight and perform Amazing Grace to close the festivities.

Other guest artists include:  Thistledown Tinkers, Colin Grant-Adams, Claire McMillan (Highland Dancer) and Mickle-A-Do.

I look forward to seeing everyone there.  It will be an event to remember!

Saturday November 7, 2009 I will be playing for the Christmas Open House at Proverbs: 31 Christian Book Store. The open house will run from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. The address is 270 East Broadway Blvd. Jefferson City, TN. A Victorian Christmas with a Victorian Santa and Christmas music on the harp. Come and enjoy, relax and get in the Christmas spirit! Event planned by: Simply Elegant. Decorations by: Savvy Soiree’

CEAD MILE FAILTEL

‘A Hundred Thousand Welcomes’

The Scottish Society of Knoxville, celebrated the 250th birth of Robert Burns.  The dinner was a total success with one hundred and seventy-five Scotts in attendance.  Congressman Duncan was among the distinguished list of guests. 

The evening began with the Pipers Call To Dinner at 6:00 P.M.  Following a short welcome and ceremony in honor of the Haggis, I played various selections of Celtic music on the harp.  Music filled the air and added a feeling of times past as guests enjoyed a lovely dinner followed with toasts to the lassies and the lassie’s reply. 

The Feature of the evening was Scottish Dancer, Clair McMillan I played the bagpipes for her to dance.  Clair performed the Sword Dance and the Earl of Errol Dance.  I played Ghillie Calum, the traditional Sword Dance tune and Simple Gifts for the Earl of Errol Dance.  This is the first time I have played for a dancer.  I look forward to playing the bagpipes for dancers in the future.  Clair and her Mother Jean are a wonderful pair!  The experience was a class act and I have found a new group of friends in the process.  

The Burns dinner was a great experience shared with good friends and new friends.

Every year I begin the season at Beaver Brook Country Club with a mix of all kinds of music with a touch of Christmas.  I look forward to seeing the familiar faces of the guests that visit every year.  Jim and his staff make me feel at home and I enjoy visiting with them.  I am looking forward to a great Christmas season. 

I will be playing bagpipes at the Episcopal Church of the Ascension in Knoxville with a few members of the Knoxville Pipes and Drums for their Kirking ceremony.  On Monday the 24th of November we will also appear on ”live at five at four” for a program with the band.  

 I am looking forward to a busy season as usual.  I played bagpipes at the Catholic football game tonight and we WON!  Go Irish.  I have several engagements coming up. 

 I wil be playing for the First Baptist Church in New Port, TN.  This is for the Christmas in the city festival that wil be going on December 5, 2008.  I am playing the harp for the living Nativity scene inside the church from 5:30-7:30.  It is always a festive event and sure to get you into the Christmas spirit.  The next day on the 6th, I wil be playing for the Women’s Tea to be held at the First Baptist Church in Oak Ridge, TN.  The next day on December 7th, my favorite church in the whole world, (Asbury United Methodist) in Knoxville, TN will be having a progressive dinner.  We will end the evening at our church with dessert.  I will be playing the harp for the “Sweet hour”.   I will be very busy the next Sunday on the 14th.  I am playing the harp at Eastminster United Methodist Church for the morning service and from there will go to Holly Gamble Funeral Home in Clinton to play for a memorial service held by the funeral home at 2:00.  I will end the evening at the First Baptist Church of Oak Ridge.  I am playing the harp for their Christmas program.

I have several parties and weddings coming up with the harp TIS THE SEASON!

Everyone, have a wonderful Christmas and spread the Holiday Cheer.

Peace

September 27,2008

It was a great day! 

      Beginning at 7:30AM and ending at 9:45PM as the “Lone Piper”

The day started with individual bagpipe competition with 2 events.  I grabbed a quick drink of water and off to the noon parade with the pipe band.  The Knoxville Pipes and Drums marched in strength through the town of Dandridge with Scottish pride!  We performed a 30 minute concert following the opening ceremony.  We all assembled on the dyke overlooking loch Douglas for another concert at 3:30.  I played a solo Celtic harp concert on the lower stage at 5:30.  Then I had a while to rest and take in the festive delights of the festival.  I had a chance to check out the vendors and the food!  I listened to the talented groups and watched the dancers with their colorful costumes.  It was a treat and makes me proud to be a part of this great heritage.  While watching the closing entertainers, I began to prepare for my solo bagpipe performance for the closing ceremony.  As Colin Grant-Adams introduced me, my heart began to pound with excitement.  I struck the pipes in and they started to hum, still in great tune even with the night air.  The spotlight flashed on and my fingers were playing the old familiar tunes, Scotland the Brave into Amazing Grace.  I could feel the quiet emotion of the crowd.  This is always one of my most exciting experiences with the pipes.  I am very blessed to be involved with an event of this kind.  Check out www.MainStreetDandridge.com