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FESTIVAL 2009 NEWS |
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Next 'Pipes In The Valley' Festival
Saturday, September 26
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(Let's all pray for better weather!)
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| PIV 2008
RECAP |
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Despite the weather, we
managed to arrange two concerts for our die-hard fans!
Here's how
James O’Connell, MRPF bagpiper, remembers the
Red Hot Chilli Pipers show . . .
On Sunday, September 28th 2008 a crew of men wearing kilts began
the day by muscling a stage into place while caterers dashed about
preparing food and drink for the day’s event. Pepper shaped balloons
went up along with posters and banners. Anticipation filled the air
and smiles were as much a part of the uniform as the traditional
sporran. This was the long anticipated day for the Manchester Regional
Police and Fire Pipe Band to host the Red Hot Chilli Pipers in concert.
Old Burnside Brewery and the McClellan family have been the foundation
of support for this event and worked closely with the executive staff
of the MRPF Band to bring this event to the Hartford, Connecticut
scene. The brewery and McClellan clan are also the organizers and
driving force behind the annual Pipes in the Valley event that
provides a “major-fix” to the Celtic music fans of the New England
area. This family puts its blood sweat and tears into this fantastic
event and I think they actually bleed plaid.
The Red Hot Chilli Pipers are a rising star on the musical horizon and
you don’t have to be a piping or drumming aficionado to understand
this music is wicked hot! This band has played at events for Sir Sean
Connery, Sir Paul McCartney, Ewan McGregor and has received a platinum
award for sales in the U.K. Think Jimmy Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan,
Eddie Van Halen and then throw in bagpipes and you’ll have some idea
of what to expect.
Members of the Manchester Regional Police and Fire Pipe Band all wear
their new tee-shirt with the Gaelic phrase meaning One band, one
sound. Kevin Kerchaert (band President) and (Pipe-Major) Rick Beaulieu
orchestrate the efforts of the group and on this day it’s one band
with a laser like focus on success. There’s a lot at stake on this day
and from this writer’s point of view, every element was handled with
professionalism by the members of the MRPF band.
Steve Moore (band V.P) never one to miss showcasing his own scorching
bagpipe skills takes to the sidewalk in front of the building and
bangs out tunes that announce to the city that our event is about to
begin. Is this shrewd marketing or what?
New band member Ricky Cole works the door to hold back the swelling
crowd and ensures the roadies complete set-up before he allows the
people to fill the hall. Ricky looks like a bouncer, but he plays the
pipes like a Highlander. I know because I wish I played as well as he
does.
Ken Bain passes by carrying Ten Penney Ale beer kegs into the bar and
this isn’t the only heavy lifting he’s done on this day.
Suddenly, our Bag-Rock stars slip in under the cover of plain clothes,
going somewhat unnoticed without their famous kilts and red
accessories. The venue begins to buzz with their arrival.
Ricky now cards the people as they enter and drummer Jenn Winter
slings out the tickets like a poker dealer. Barry Brandriff scans the
list for names of those prepaid for the event and generally organizes
the business like only he can. I (your reporter) shuttled those with
pipes, drums, costumes, etc. to what has now become our green-room.
As I escort in new arrivals with equipment in hand I realize the Red
Hot Chilli Pipers are dressing out and preparing their own instruments
in the green-room.
Quickly realizing the importance of the moment, I switch roles and
become a sort of historian of the band by photographing the back stage
goings-on. Hesitating a moment to plan my shots, I sense the
professional attitude of the men in this band and how it's tempered
with a playful undertone. Gregor James A.K.A. G-Man the Chilli's bass
player comes at my camera with an Elvis like pose that lets me know
these pictures will be the candid expression of the boys from
Scotland.
I shoot away with my camera which captures what seems almost a bit
military...this is lock and load time. The expressions on the faces of
the Chilli Pipers is reminiscent of preparing for battle...one the
lads from Scotland intend to win by capturing the hearts of this
audience. I watch as drummer Steven Graham loads his hands with
drumsticks and begins a rapid counter-rotating motion intended to
loosen up his arms. Pipers Stuart Cassells, Willie Armstrong and Kevin
MacDonald attach tuners directly to their pipes and I can see this is
as much science as it is art.
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Continued from column 1. . .
James O’Connell, MRPF bagpiper remembers . . . |
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Youngest member of the Chilli Pipers, Chris Russell the keyboard
player seems a wee bit shy while Steven ‘Stav” Black is all smiles and
works the back-stage environment by moving in close for a photo when
MRPF’s own Pipe Sergeant “Melicious” Melissa McGeown jumps into the
shot. Adding his charisma to all my photos is drummer Malcolm McEwan
in his signature red-framed eye-wear. These guys are as entertaining
backstage as they are on stage.
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Slowly, many other MRPF band-mates slipped into the green-room for a
back-stage glimpse of the main attraction. Now, as much as I’m certain
we were a distraction for the performers, they allowed us an
opportunity to say hello and have a picture taken which showed the
gracious nature of our entertaining phenomenon. Even with our
star-struck behavior the Chilli Pipers stayed focused and steadied
themselves for the stage.
We all watched as they were given the two-minute-warning and the
Chilli Pipers looked like that pro football team standing in the
tunnel waiting to take the field. Their mood turned less serious and
there was no doubt they were ready to have fun. That fun was highly
infectious and had the audience dancing, clapping and cheering from
the first tune.
The Red Hot Chilli Pipers were all over every stage, bar-top,
table-top and chair they could jump on. You don’t just listen to this
band; you experience them because they have a sort of fusion with the
audience. When they’re not jamming with the crowd, they’re in synch
with each other during choreographed elements of the performance. If
you’ve never picked up a set of pipes before, you may race out to get
them after seeing this act.
Moving about the hall to get more pictures, I realized the music had
gotten to me and given me chills. It was the energy and skill of these
talented performers, the acoustics of the old cavernous bank building
and the thought that this made being a piper or drummer a very cool
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At times the band played while a group of drum-majors sent their maces
soaring and once again for Scottish Highland Dancers. Before I knew
what was happening, the word was passed to the attending pipers and
drummers that a mass-bands opportunity was coming for us to jam with
the Red Hot Chilli Pipers. Quickly our resident piper/tuning expert,
Melissa tuned all pipers and prepared them for what could be a
once-in-a-lifetime-moment.
We marched into the hall and Stuart Cassells of the Chilli Pipers
called out the tunes we were to play. I glanced around and saw the
realization that we were about to jam with the best in the business
was on everyone’s face.
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As we played, I watched in amazement as the Chilli Pipers came off stage and joined our ranks. For a moment my
brain forgot to tell my fingers what tune I was playing, because it
was shouting with every crazed brain-cell, “you’re piping shoulder to
shoulder with the stars of piping.” Regaining my senses I, for a
moment in time, felt like a star and know this is the way each of us
felt.
There are a number of criteria for star status, but from this writer’s
point of view, allowing others to step into your spotlight and
experience something above and beyond their current position in
life...this is what makes you great and deserving of star status.
I, as well as my band mates hope the Red Hot Chilli Pipers understand
how they’ve touched our lives. I believe we’ll strive to be better
pipers and drummers because in the back of our minds we’ll be thinking
of the day we meet again and perhaps share another spotlight where we
show that we’ve become better for having met.
Thank you James for putting the memories of that day into the
permanent record . . .
CHEERS!
Bob & Gail McClellan |
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