Going back into the pipe band circuit!

**NorCalPiper** · 29th August 11, 08:37 PM

After starting to get the itch for getting back into band piping, my old friend and mentor Pipe Major Len Wood invited me to join up his band "Phoenix Pipes and Drums". I'll be reuniting with 2 other great friends from my Atlanta Pipe Band days who are also joining. May seem strange to be joining a band in AZ being based in California, but the marvels of skype and air travel make it possible. I'll look out for rabble at all the games I'll be competing at next season!!!!

**OC Richard** · 31st August 11, 05:19 AM

That's cool! Will you and your new band be there at Pleasanton this weekend?

I'll be there with our band rebuilding project, what was the LA Scots G3, after a year's hiatus, debuting in G4 to test the waters.

Over the years I've spent periods, sometimes as long as five years or so, out of the pipe band scene. I still go to all the Games and hang out with the peeps and that itch keeps a-growin' until finally I bite the bullet and join some band. I've stayed in the scene since I returned after a long absence in the 2005 season, joining Misty Isle (G3).

That out-of-town thing is so common. Around half of the LA Scots G1 lives outside of the LA area. In the former LA Scots G3 band, most of the drum section commuted from Utah. In the RP Blandford & Son Pipe Band (later renamed Kevin Blandford Memorial Pipe Band after the untimely demise of its PM) we had pipers who commuted from Atlanta, Boston, and San Francisco. Currently several SoCal pipers are playing with The Irish Pipers of San Francisco.

A piper here played for years with the New Zealand Police Pipe Band, the longest commute to band practice I can think of.

Good luck with Phoenix! Richard

PS I take it that Phoenix will now be wearing cool diced hose...?

**Macman** · 31st August 11, 10:31 AM

I was going to ask if Phoenix was getting a new pipe band. That's great news!

**highland mafia** · 3rd September 11, 04:05 PM

getting back into competition after 10 year out was the best thing I could've done for my piping... You've made a wise move! All those dirty habits will fade faster then you could ever imagine when you're playing with a good band!