We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Wayne Francis a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Wayne thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

I learned the bagpipe from a Pipe and Drum Band in Towson MD. I always fancied learning guitar but it was never fluid or natural.
For some reason the Scottish Bagpipe, Whistle and Irish Bagpipe- just work for me.

A friend who was a very good guitarist once told me that you play string instruments with your mind; you play wind instruments with your soul.

Perhaps that is true, as the tune in my head and the execution of music to my fingers come from within.
Listening is the most important, from the very first lesson even until today, actively listening is essential.

Making music is really, really being in the moment big time.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

As a boy of 15 I became fascinated with radio, years earlier when I was 12 every kid in my neighborhood had a walkie talkie given to them at Christmas.

For my friends it was a novelty, for myself I sought different antenna’s to get further distance.

I learned about Amateur Radio, how one could talk with other countries and that sparked my imagination.

In 1992 on the air I met a fellow from Scotland, we exchanged Christmas gifts. I sent him a can of Old Bay and he sent me a cassette.

The pipe band was The Strathclyde Police Pipe and Drum Band, I played that everywhere I went in my car.

At that time I learned of a Bagpipe band in Towson who would give free lessons to increase their band roster.

I joined up and never looked back. I thank my higher power for putting folks in my path who told me to stay with it, even though I was going through a tough patch learning.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

Early on in learning the Bagpipe, I had a moment that spoke to me; it was that my music could help someone in loss and suffering grief. I worked for over 40 years and throughout I would play the occasional wedding or funeral. When I retired I became a full time bagpiper and specialize in Funerals.

So it all came full circle for me; as today I only play funerals. There is something about a bagpiper playing for a solemn gathering. It brings distinction and a sense of honor to the day. I conduct myself with military funeral decorum throughout the service. Family and friends will always remember the day.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Being included for a funeral is a honor for myself, as the family that hires me wishes something different and oft times the deceased instructed them to have a bagpiper present. I am told that my Grandmother played a concertina for family and friends, I think that perhaps genetics may be involved.

Perhaps not as one of the best Scottish bagpipers in Baltimore is Polish!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://[email protected]