About
Brief Bio
Born in Markinch, Fife, Scotland I began learning pipes at age nine from my Grandfather, Pipe Major John Mitchell Kay, Royal Navy – my Grandfather insisted that one should learn to play just one instrument proficiently not two instruments poorly, even though he himself was an accomplished fiddler. I eventually did learn the rudiments of fiddle and mandolin from my grandfather. It was my Granduncle Pipe Major Thomas Imrie, Black Watch, who become my mentor and gave me and my younger brother Brian pibroch lessons . Piping brought me to Canada in 1976 and I emigrated in 1977. Competitive piping was thriving in Ontario with great players like Bill Livingstone, Colin McLellan, Scott McCauley, John Walsh and many others. The music in the piping competitions was growing and changing to match the high energy influences of Irish and Scottish bands like The Bothy Band, Plantxy, The Tannahill Weavers and The Battlefield Band. These new sounds were exciting fans and players alike. I started to play in sessions with penny whistle and mandolin and found myself in a four piece band, Cromdale, which led to recording two albums “Time to Spare” and “Pipe Dreams”. Playing with Cromdale allowed me to venture into the Ontario Folk Festival circuit where I met many more tremendous musicians. A serious injury caused permanent disability to my right hand and I found I was unable to continue playing the pipes. I continued to play music and looked at other instruments. I found that the Irish flute worked well for me. I play flutes made by Peter Noy. I also continued to play my AKAI EWI (Electric Wind Instrument) which utilizes digital sampling and a library of synthesizer sounds. For strings, I now play Ovation guitars and an Ovation mandolin. New hand surgery technology became available in 2002 and I elected to undergo finger joint replacement surgery. After several months of rehabilitation I returned to piping before finally retiring. I still play sessions and enjoy accompanying my wife Sheri on big old ballads with plenty o' murder, treachery. Recordings coming soon.
Personal
I live in Oshawa Ontario with my wife Sheri. We enjoy our time with kids and grandchildren. We're both retired from our respective careers and fortunate to be able to travel quite a bit, often including getting some music in along the way.
The "Axe"
My choice of instruments has changed over the years. Musical instruments are of course very expensive so a lot of thought has to go into your investment. Take a look in the instrument gallery and see some of my instrument family...