Deal Direct – 0% Booking Fees • No Middleman

Description

A professional bagpiper for over 20 years, Joel wanted to do something a little different than the traditional "Scotland the Brave" in a parade or "Amazing Grace" at a funeral (although he still does those from time to time). While searching "rock and roll bagpipes" on YouTube, he came across AC/DC's "Long Way to the Top" video and that sparked his new journey of taking the Great Highland Bagpipes out of their pigeonhole and putting them into mainstream music. Combining background tracks and vocals, he creates a high energy, one-man-show that leaves crowds scratching their heads saying, "I did ... n't know you could do that with the bagpipes!"
Covering such artists as AC/DC, Lady Gaga, Journey, Muse, Evanescence, and many others, he has entertained audiences at highland games, city festivals, private and corporate parties, social events, anti-social events!
Most recently, he has added an new facet to his show by utilizing the Scottish Small Pipes - a quieter, more mellower sounding instrument that is designed to be performed indoors - perfect for more intimate settings where the Great Highland Bagpipe may be overpowering. Read More

Set-List

1985 - Bowling for Soup
American Idiot - Green Day
Are You Gonna Go My Way - Lenny Kravitz
Basket Case - Green Day
Born This Way - Lady Gaga
Bring Me To Life - Evanescense
Brokenhearted - Carmen
Carry On - Fun
Chandelier - Sia
Come Out And Play - Offspring
Dancing With Myself - Billy Idol
Dark Horse - Katy Perry
Demons - Imagine Dragons
Dirty Little Secret - American Rejects
Don't Stop Believing - Journey
Dreams - Cranberries
Everybody Talks - Neon Trees
Fields of Athenry - Dropkick Murphys
Fight Song - Rachel Platten
Final Countdown, The - Europe
Fix You - Muse
Footlose - ... Kenny Loggins
Friday - Rebecca Black
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun - Cyndi Lauper
Happy - Pharrel
Hard To Handle - Black Crowes
Here's to Never Growing Up - Avril Lavign
Hysteria - Muse
I Love It - Icona Pop
I Love Rock & Roll - Joan Jett
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For - U2
I Wanna Be Sedated - Ramones
It's a Long Way to the Top - AC/DC
Kids Aren't Alright, The - Offspring
Madness - Muse
Marry You - Bruno Mars
Middle - Jimmy Eats World
My Bad Papa (medley) - Lady Gaga
My Own Worst Enemy - Lit
Never Gonna Give You Up - Rick Astley
Ring Of Fire - Johnny Cash
Rolling in the Deep - Adele
Royals - Lorde
Safety Dance - Men Without Hats
Sail - AWOLNation
Save The Last Dance - Michael Buble
Shake It Off - Taylor Swift
Slither - Velvet Revolver
Smells Like Teen Spirit - Nirvana
Still Into You - Paramore
Sweet Child O' Mine - Guns N Roses
Thunderstruck - AC/DC
The Tide Is High - Blondie (Atomic Kitten version)
Trouble - Taylor Swift
We Are Young - Fun
We Got The Beat - Go-go's
Whisky In The Jar - Metallica
White Wedding - Billy Idol
You and I - Lady Gaga
You Give Love a Bad Name - Bon Jovi Read More

Biography

Joel spent 20 years as a US Marine Corps musician (tuba, conductor). He retired from active duty in 2012. As a young, impressionable Lance Corporal, his first road trip with a Marine Band sent him to Pleasanton, California where they were the only brass band amongst the 1000+ pipers. Well, after a weekend of "dudes wearing skirts chucking telephone poles", it took over two weeks for the drones of the pipes to get out of his head. It was at that moment he knew he had to learn how to play them! He has been honing his craft during his entire military career having had the rare opportunity to play ... his pipes across Europe, Kosovo, and even in Ramadi, Iraq where he earned his stage name by playing in "The Great Sand Box". It has now been over 20 years from that first weekend and he's only getting better! Read More

Reviews     (6 Reviews)

Experience

I have been a Professional Bagpiper since 1999.
I started incorporating bagpipes into Rock, Pop, and Jazz in 2010.
Musical ensemble leader (USMC).
Musical ensemble logistical chief (USMC).

Previous Clients

I have performed for Highland Festivals, Weddings, Funerals, Corporate Events, and Private Functions all over the world. It often surprises me where the bagpipes may take me next - and I am always willing and eager to go!
Based in Southern California, USA, my bagpiping travels have taken me all across Europe, Iceland, Greenland, the Middle East, as far north as Barrow, Alaska, as far south as Panama, The Bahamas, and Hawaii.

Suitable for

Awards Ceremony Birthday Party (Adult) Casinos Club Party Cocktail Party / Drinks Reception Community Event Concerts / Tours Corporate Event Dinner Party Festival / Outdoor Event Funeral/Memorial Service HM Forces/Army/Navy/Military Event Holiday / Theme Parks Hotel Event New Year's Eve Party Nightclub Event Private Party Product Launch / Promotion Restaurant / Bar / Pub Event Retirement Party Social Club Trade Show / Exhibitions Wedding Ceremony Wedding Cocktail/Drinks Reception Wedding Reception

Physical Characteristics

Meet the Act

Hello. My name is Joel. In 1997, I was a tuba instrumentalist in the United States Marine Corps. My very first road trip with the band was to a Highland Festival near San Francisco. I never knew these Scottish/Irish festivals existed! Over that 4-day trip, I witnessed dudes wearing skirts, flipping telephone poles, and sights, sounds, and food that was "sensory overload" for me! It all came to fruition on Sunday evening for the closing ceremony. The Marine Band (a brass band of about 50) was center stage along with roughly 1000 pipers and drummers of all the competing pipe bands playing togeth ... er for the Massed Bands! That was an experience you "felt" more than heard! It was at that moment, I decided that I was going to learn to play the bagpipes! What started as an interest, grew into a hobby, then into a side business, and now that I am retired from the Marine Corps, it has become my full-time job where I have roughly 200 performances a year. I absolutely love my job and can't think of anything else I would like to do! It is a true pleasure of mine to meet new people and go to new places!
You don't hear the pipes with your ears
You hear them with your soul
The pipes called to me in 1997, and they still call to me each and every day!
When I am not performing or practicing, you can find me in the gym lifting heavy, practicing calisthenics, or leading fitness classes helping others in their personal fitness journey. Read More

Additional Information

Insured for Public Liability through RLI.