Piper Johnny

Piper Johnny is an enigmatic and some would say legendary figure. His origins are shrouded in mystery. It is known that he spent his early years in an area noted for its glens, moors, and dales. Rumors are that he was raised by wolves, a story that perhaps came from those who saw his boyhood carnivorous consumption of raw red meat. Howling at the moon certainly foreshadowed the droning of the pipes.

The story of his conversion to the ways of piping starts in his late teens when the lad was in church of all things. Unbeknownst to him, the old Presbyterian minister had lined up a Canadian pipe band to play for the 125th Anniversary Sunday it was. As they came marching down the aisle he was overwhelmed by the ringing truth of Amazing Grace as it cored a shaft through his heart like a claymore swung in the heat of battle. His knees began to buckle and he hung on to the pew in front of him for support. The raw glory and power of the pipes laid claim to him. He knew not when or how, but a date with piping destiny was made then and there. By now, over 41 years of piping are under his kilt. Hundreds of performances and parades before hundreds of thousands of spectators. A very cool musical journey with many great times along the way. Summer parades with wool clothing, no shade and temps in the upper 100s are definitely not cool times, but as they haven’t killed Piper Johnny, they musta made him stronger. May the scotch rise to meet ya, as he says.