My wife and best friend, Sherry, the great and unequaled Donald MacPherson, Gordon Duncan (God rest his soul), Neil Dickie, Don Bradford, Ryan Canning, Chris Armstrong, Mike LeBoeuf, Alabama's first piper Iain Sturrock (God rest his soul), my first teacher the late Dr. John Richardson, and my dearest friend and mentor Charles Smith.
Sounds Like
I aspire to emulate the classical stylings of Donald MacPherson to which there is no equal, the technical precision and speed of Gordon Duncan, and the casual, jocular attitude of Neil Dickie. And with thanks to my friend and current mentor Mike LeBoeuf, I have discovered the beauty of Irish Piping a la The Great Terry Tully. Thank you my friend!
He's everything you look for in a professional bagpiper. -- Kevin Kline, Co-host The Tuttle and Kline Show
Welcome to the website of Ryan Morrison, the Birmingham Bagpiper, Alabama's ONLY fully Professional Ceremonial Bagpiper available for weddings, funerals, birthdays, anniversaries, and all other special events anywhere in the Southeast.
With nearly fifteen years of regional experience, Ryan is Alabama's premier Professional Ceremonial Bagpiper. Ryan is an accomplished award-winning solo bagpipe competitor, a competing member and the East Coast recruiter of the Bushmills Irish Pipers Pipe Band of San Francisco, the Pipe Major and Director of the Birmingham-based award-winning bagpipe band and City Stages headliner Heritage Pipes & Drums, as well as a talented musician, arranger, teacher, and composer.
Ryan has performed studio work for local Celtic Harpist Cynthia Douglass and Christian recording artist Jeff Sauceda and can be heard piping in a television advertisement for the Ross Bridge Golf Resort recorded by Airwave Recording Studios. He has been featured in numerous print articles, even appearing in Portico Magazine and the New Work Times, and can be seen doing television spots for various events on nearly every local network station throughout the year. Ryan was recently recognized by the Alabama Celtic Association and awarded an ACA Honors Award in recognition of his commitment to the Celtic cultural arts in Alabama.
Ryan has performed at over 700 events in his career as a Professional Ceremonial Bagpiper and has a virtually endless repertoire of music to suit the wants and needs of each and every client.
Ryan's primary concern is for the satisfaction of his clients. He is professional and punctual, and above all, genuinely interested in making your special occasion as memorable as possible.
The Bagpipes are without a doubt THE most memorable feature of any special occasion. You and your guests will always remember the Piper. Therefore, it is crucial to me to be a professional -- to make a lasting memory that people will talk about for years to come.
DON'T JUST SETTLE FOR SOMEONE WHO PLAYS THE BAGPIPES. HIRE A PIPER. HIRE THE BEST. HIRE THE BIRMINGHAM BAGPIPER.
PRAISE FROM FRIENDS AND CLIENTS ...
Ryan, we could not have asked for a more delightful wedding parade through the streets of downtown Birmingham. Thanks again for leading our procession to the reception space - all the guests waiting on the rooftop said they'll never forget watching - and hearing - us approach the building. Alan and I were so pleased with your professionalism, your talent, and your spirit of theatrical adventure - you said you'd play even if the pouring rain didn't clear, and even though it did, I believe you would have. I can't wait to work together on MUSE OF FIRE. You're a true gem.
-- Elizabeth and Alan Hunter
I just wanted to sincerely thank you for participating in Dad's funeral today. Your talent and professionalism were greatly noticed and appreciated by all. You added the perfect touch to the service and I just know Dad's spirit was there with us and he was made very happy. My family and I were deeply moved emotionally -- especially with the effect of your walking off into the distance as you played the second verse of Amazing Grace. So again, thank you so very much for being there.
-- Michael Bishop
You did a beautiful job as always. How do you top "perfect"?
-- Joanne McGlown
I just wanted to tell you how much I like the song you've written for
the wedding. It's perfect! I love the playfulness of it-it's just a
happy song. I can't wait to walk down the aisle to your piping. ... Thank you for allowing us to
name the song and for writing something so special for us. I truly love
it.
-- Liz Rhoades Carlson
We sincerely appreciate all that you have done for us, especially at the last moment. This is something that is so very special to all of the family, my mother most of all ... the beautiful sound of the bagpipes.
-- Dr. Rhonda Cornell
My name is Sherry Morrison and I am the proud wife of the Birmingham Bagpiper. Though this may not be an impartial review, I can say for sure that my husband is a serious professional when it comes to piping. It was his dream since we met over a decade ago to become a career ceremonial bagpiper, and it was me that encouraged him to do this. He has the skill, the drive, and the talent that it takes to do what he does. He is so good at his job in fact that he is the ONLY one in the state that can do what he does and make a living! He is ALWAYS on time, often early, dependable, and a talented musician. He always looks good in his uniform, and his playing will always move you. This is what you will remember most. Don't take a chance with any others. Hire a real Piper that you can trust to make your occasion special.
-- Sherry Morrison
Great to meet and hear such an amazing piper!
-- Sir Jeremy Bell, Knight of Toasting
NEW!!! FRIGHTENINGLY WHIMSICAL AD BANNERS ...
And now, from the amazingly witty mind of the Birmingham Bagpiper comes these clever banner ads that you can now display on your MySpace page. Help support the Birmingham Bagpiper in his quest to bring the Art of Piping to the masses! Sport these banners on your profile and be a Piping Prosthelytizer! Just copy the code and paste anywhere in your "About Me" section. Thank you for supporting the Birmingham Bagpiper!
Much thanks to my wonderful wife and biggest fan Sherry for all of the photos taken here and for all the wonderful support she has provided throughout the years to make this dream possible for me.
The birthday reminder came up and you were on the list and it said January 1. Is that right or has there been a glich somewhere? Well Happy Birthday or Happy belated Birthday.
You did an excellent job at Wes' wedding. It was good to see you again - miss seeing you around the office with Sherry! It's like a whole new place around there. Well... you know what I mean.
