We recently connected with Harry Farrar and have shared our conversation below.
Harry, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. One deeply underappreciated facet of being an entrepreneur or creative is the kind of crazy stuff that happens from time to time. It could be anything from a disgruntled client attacking an employee or waking up to find out a celebrity gave you a shoutout on TikTok – the sudden, unexpected hits (both positive and negative) make the profession both exhilarating and exhausting. Can you share one of your craziest stories?
Am I a Secret Service Bagpiper? Maybe….
The duties of a professional bagpiper can be hidden between the lines. That certainly was the stunning revelation when I found myself as solo bagpiper for Charlton Heston’s VERY PRIVATE Church funeral service.
Let’s go back in time, 35 years before this overwhelming day at the funeral service in 2008. I began learning the bagpipes early at the insistence of my parents, who came from England and Canada. I suppose moving to Woodland Hills, CA in the early 60s, made them homesick for the lovely sound of a 10 year old on a bagpipe? Anyways, I grew up with local families who had British and Scottish backgrounds and joined a couple of youth bagpipes bands. Most notably was “Glen Mor Pipes Band”, right in town. The band was founded by a true Scotsman by the name of James R. Gary, who started a famous reality company. Although he hosted (funded) the band at first, his connections with city leaders and private companies allowed for this bagpipe band and the young teenage pipers to become well known in the West San Fernando Valley. In the years following, Jim Gary was a kind mentor to me in everything BUT bagpipes.
At the age of 18 my life was all planned. I was enrolled at Cal State Northridge and would eventually become a mechanical engineer, designing medical bone saws and surgical headlights. However, at the same time, I began my “Plan B” (B for bagpipe)
My Father was kind enough to stand in line 1981, at ATT for three hours I am told. He secured me, a business phone number (818) 716-7522. And today, this number rings a couple of times a day now with inquiries about hiring a bagpiper. Most importantly, this meant I could have a business listing in the “Yellow Pages”. And this was a big deal for an 18 year old! Ambitiously, I also bought the phone book listing “Bagpipes & Scottish Drums”. That phone book advertisement paid listing turned out to be well ahead of it’s time. And, $2.14 a month was a lot. Cell phones were decades away. Indeed, a few weeks after the annual publishing of millions of phone books, I started getting phone calls. Amazing how fast things moved along. Before long there were countless weddings, golf course events, surprise birthday cameos. Even movie spots. And, rock band recordings as well as TV and commercials etc.
Meanwhile back at Plan A, career engineering became my full-time professional job. My 9-5 “day gig” as the years moved on. But, there was always time to sneak out at lunch and do a bagpipe job. And, of course weekends would involve lots of relaxation, blowing my brains on the bagpipe for extra cash. All of it was reported properly for tax filing purposes.
The formula for a professional bagpiper was pretty established and predictable as the years went by. Customers were interested in my performances with other past clients so that they could have the same pleasant bagpipe experience for their particular event. This was a good thing for the bagpiper and the client. No unexpected screw-ups.
Indeed, there were screw-ups over the years and most were fun and humorous to look back on. There were a couple events that had poor outcomes, like when the wedding coordinator scheduled my bagpipe performance for the Saturday- a week after the actual wedding! Bride is still pissed at me 20 years later.
Sounds nice Harry. So which event was the Craziest bagpipe gig for you so far?
One day in April 2008, my cell phone rings and I am hired to perform for a funeral service at some Church in Pacific Palisades. Seemed like a usual bagpipe job, just like the 700 or so funerals I have performed over the years. I accepted the invitation from the Church director and she would fill me in with the details of the music selection when I arrived early at the funeral service. Sounded normal. All good to go.
Really?
So, I left early for the church and arrived at the entrance. It was that moment that things were clearly NOT normal. The two large well- dressed men at the gate, insisted I get out of my car. They then proceeded to check if I had any concealed items. And in my kilt-it was somewhat awkward. Then they opened my car and went through with an inspection. They even found a couple of empty beer cans in the trunk. I explained that my mother borrowed the car a few weeks ago! Anyways, I was told to drive to the church parking lot and someone would meet me there. When I got to the lot and gathered my jacket and bagpipes for the service, I heard my name called out. “Harry!- over here, its Fraser.”
In fact, this was the same Fraser Heston I met so many years ago, at a Scottish themed St. Andrew’s Day party. Not just any party. James R. Gary was great friend with Charlton Heston. And in the early 80’s Charlton Heston hosted a party at his lovely home near Laurel Canyon in the Hollywood Hills. My youth bagpipe band was invited with family, and Scottish dancers from my mother’s Dance School. This was a big authentic traditional Scottish event. I particularly remember Charlton graciously greeting me and my family at the door and welcoming us personally, to his lovely home. And I met the rest of his family and friends that night including his son, Fraser.
Now back to the church, 2008. Fraser informed me that I was going to honor his father by performing solo for the funeral service. And, this service is not known to the public.
Ok, that is understandable. No need for a lot of press and such. However, in quick time, I learned that this was not a “quiet” or small service. Turns out that the guests were all celebrities and politicians. And they were arriving as I was standing there – from all over the country and beyond. And, unbelievably all this was kept from the public. Later, I learned of just some of the guests.
They included, a frail Nancy Reagan, Tom Selleck. Also present, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Olivia DeHavilland, Keith Carradine, Pat Boone, Oliver Stone and Rob Reiner. Three hundred people were there. And now I realized I was the only bagpiper.
Suddenly, I got my orders and immediately began bagpiping, leading the family and notables into the church. This is when I realized how CRAZY this experience had become for me.
Over the years of professional bagpiping, I gained a decent amount of self-confidence performing for audiences big and small. This was exactly NOT how I was feeling when I started up the bagpipes! In fact, I have never been so nervous in my life. And certainly, want to avoid this scenario ever again.
The bagpipes start, and I can feel the real risk. What will happen if I make a mistake? In front of all these seasoned personalities and famous people? Will Nancy Reagon be critiquing every note of Amazing Grace? Yikes. I specifically remember doing everything possible physically, not to tremble, so much that my fingers stopped working! The stage-fright was outrageous.
Somehow, I completed the mission without a mistake and did an honorable musical performance. But no! Yet again, I was also to perform another tune for the closing of the funeral.
Intermission For the Piper.
After my successful (Thank God!) first performance, I went outside to get some air and to try and stop shaking from nerves. At this time, a Navy Seal, who was on duty for security, walked over to me and complimented me on the effort. He joked to me that my face looked like Casper the Ghost! He seemed to understand clearly what I had just experienced. What he shared with me then was amazing.
This navy officer put his hand on my shoulder and said, “Believe me, I know how you feel. And its normal and OK”. He said that on his first secret overseas assignment, his team was positioned off the sandy shore of an unspecified country. The mission was to observe activity on the shore, of the “bad guys”. Without being seen, and breathing through a straw, while hiding underwater. He remembered to me how scared and nervous he was since the team was in such a risky position of being discovered. That’s a real hero.
Seems my little bagpipe challenge was nothing in comparison! That story he shared changed everything for me-right then. As a result, at the end of the funeral service, I lead out of the church, with the bagpipes, the entire congregation, feeling confident and accomplished. Happily, this unexpected mission was accomplished. It is a wonderful thing when people help each other so kindly, in situations like this.
Done for the day-Go Home
On my way home to Woodland Hills, winding through Topanga Canyon, I thought about the morning events, and how different it was being a young bagpiper in a band in the 80’s. I was caught by surprise by the significance of this event and the sudden personal challenge to perform as best as possible. Briefly, I was not sure if I would be successful. Now I am honored to have been asked to play at the service and proud of pulling it off. Moreover, I truly appreciate the words of encouragement from the Navy Seal.
This unexpected sequence of events was craziness in looking back. This was a super challenging situation. I fortunately made it through. Maybe one day, I can extend the same kindness that this fine Navy Seal extended to me, to reassure others, to overcome their challenges.
Harry, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
The following is an excerpt from my header for my website, https://Bagpipeplayers.com.
Harry Farrar ( ME! ) and “Scottish Pipes and Drums” performs for parties, weddings, and memorials in Southern California. Since 1981, Bagpipe Player Harry has accomplished thousands of events. And, is rated as one of the best bagpipe music performers in Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
Harry, as a solo piper, and his group have decades of experience. Reliability matters! With hundreds of great reviews, customers have a wide choice of options including Drummers and Dancers. Also, appropriate for weddings, funerals, parties and corporate events. Bagpiper Harry Farrar, is ready for your ideas. And, having top bagpipers perform for your special event.
Harry has been a bagpipe player for many clients including: American Housewife, Gordan Ramsey, Rod Stewart, Jim Carrey, Honda, “How To Tame Your Dragon”, Jay Leno, and Home Improvement. Additionally, Harry has played the bagpipes for the famous “Kids Songs” Around The World video, California Governor Pete Wilson, LA Clippers Guard Russell Westbrook. Also, actors Sean Connery, Cheers TV, and Russell Crow on set at Warner Brothers.
And now, thinking about times past, I find it is amazing to see the variety of events that bagpipes are well suited for. As I look back and reflect on the journey so far, I would say one thing is the same about each event. They are NOT the same! A special touch or consideration is needed for each occasion. Sometimes, there is an audience of 15-a family party, for example. Other times the audience is 26 million- playing the National Anthem solo for the opening LA Lakers game at Staples Center. Interestingly, one time I performed for a single elderly lady, at the graveside of her late husband of 65 years.
In every case- I feel there is an obligation to meet each performance with whatever it takes to fulfill the customer’s request.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
In regards to resilience, I believe there are physical and mental stamina considerations. For example, one parade was supposed to be 3/4 of a mile and turned out to be 4 miles. A couple of the bagpipers had to walk without blowing the bagpipes (out of shape!). I was able to keep going and play through to the end. A bagpipe band needs the noise of at least one bagpipe player!
In just a few cases, the mind can be troublesome. When I actually began performing the National Anthem live, on camera for the huge TV audience at the Lakers game, I really felt the mental challenge not to make a mistake on this world famous piece of music. During the performing of this piece, there were countless times I almost played the wrong note! Somehow, I was able to “pick” each correct note, from the very first of the Anthem, to the very last. Not sure I could repeat that again, with the same results!
What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?
Now at 62 years old, I have been professionally bagpiping for over 40 years. Imagine back in 1981. Rotary telephone. Maybe- an answering machine. A pretty lame business card. And in my case, a smart move getting a Yellow Pages listing.
Back then, when I entered the bagpiper services business, all clients were new clients to me. As time went on, gigs would be weddings, parties, funerals and unique private events. Churches for instance, would refer me to newly-weds. Forest Lawn Cemetery would have my phone number on file. Word of mouth with agencies like the well-known “Bob Gail Orchestra” and agencies.
In the early days, I was not fully thinking about the changes that were on the way. For example, I would later be invited to play a parent’s funeral- for a married couple I did wedding bagpipes for years back. Or, my inside contact at the booking agency quit. Maybe, a family friend decided on another bagpiper they knew. As the years went on, I was reluctant to accept that formerly reliable repeat gigs were vanishing.
Clearly, getting new customers to grow the business and replace lost past customers was requiring more attention and time.
And then the internet arrived. In the earliest of days, my first webpage was “bagpipes.com“. And later refocused on “Bagpipeplayers.com”, since I play the bagpipes-not a seller of them.
Ironically, I now spend the majority of my efforts on marketing online. I was caught off guard 15 years ago, and woke up one day to see a whole bunch of other bagpipe players-all over the internet! As a result, in the last few years, I have been striving to market to new customers online and-the old fashion way-by doing a great job!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bagpipeplayers.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/bagpipeplayers
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/bagpipeplayers
- Twitter: https://x.com/bagpipeplayers
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@bagpipeplayers
- Other: https://instagram.com/bagpipeplayershttps://maps.app.goo.gl/R9HdbW4drntvX4UPA
Image Credits
Langham Hotel, Pasadena
Person picture by Harry Farrar
13 Souls Ceremony Simi Valley
LA Lakers,