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The Bagpiper - Michael McClanathan Bagpiper from Scottsdale, AZ

Will travel up to 100 miles

  • Avg 5.0 | 11 Reviews
  • 34 Verified Bookings
  • Member Since 2018
  • 4 Awards & Badges
  • Virtual Services Offered
  • Accepts Online Payment
  • Starting at $100 per event

About Vendor 

Learn more about this vendor for your event.

Michael's family came from the Isle of Tiree, off the west coast of Scotland, over to Canada, then down to Michigan. He first heard the pipes in Kincardine, Ontario where some of the family had settled, and the sound touched him, and he started lessons at 10 years old. The passion for piping started then and has only grown through the years. Michael has passed on the tradition to his son, and is now teaching his Grandson who is 9, and has taught hundreds of students over the years. At 16 years old, Michael was playing with a Grade 2 Pipe Band, traveling around the country and Canada competing and won many medals and trophies in both solo and band competitions. Michael has studied under some of the best pipers in the world at the College of Piping and the National Piping Centre in Glasgow, Scotland, at Ceolas, the premier Gaelic and Piping school in Scotland on the Isle of South Uibst, and at the Gaelic College in Nova Scotia. Michael's solo Bagpipe CD "Come to the Hills" has sold thousands, and features Michael playing the Great Highland Bagpipes made by David Glen in 1860, the Cauld Wind Bellows pipes made by Hamish Moore and the Low Whistle in D. They are available for purchase at Michael says that the greatest compliment he received on his CD was when George Benson bought one. He said "I remember buying his CDs back in the day, but who could ever imagine that he would buy mine!" He has been recorded in the studio and on stage to be featured on CDs of 5 different bands. He plays an antique set of pipes made by the legendary pipe maker Peter Henderson. They are African Blackwood, ivory and hand carved Sterling Silver, made in 1880. The sound is truly from another time when things were crafted by hand, and now mellowed with age. Also, Border Pipes, from the Scottish Border area are available and have a lower pitch and less volume, or Parlor Pipes can be played indoors and are quite quiet. Michael has been a featured Piper in a Hollywood movie with Burt Reynolds and Raquel Welch, and also an Indie movie where he was the wedding Piper. He has also played for celebrities like Dick Van Dyke, Cheryl Ladd and Canadian hockey legend Don Cherry. He was featured as the Piper for the Tilted Kilt on the reality TV series "Undercover Boss". Michael has played on stage with the Chieftains at the Mesa Center for the Arts, at the Orpheum Theater with the Jimmy Dunn Band, at Symphony Hall for President George Bush and opened for Celtic Women at the Dodge Theater. He did a one man show on stage at the Scottsdale Center for the Arts called "Bagpipes 101", played at ASU Stadium for the Pat Tillman Run, and played a concert at Tim's Toyota Arena in Prescott. He has opened several times for Scottish singer Jim Malcolm, formerly the lead singer for the Old Blind Dogs, and played jam sessions with the same group. He has played at the Capital Building for the opening of the legislature in Arizona, as well as for the last 5 Governors of Arizona and the wedding for one of their daughters. Michael's Piping adventurers have taken him to far flung locations. He was flown to New York to play a funeral for a prominent attorney and former assistant to John D. Rockefeller, Governor of New York, flown to Tahoe to play for the opening of a private Golf Course, then to Las Vegas twice for celebrity weddings. He played destination weddings in Napa, Peter Island BVI and in the Scilly Islands off the Cornwall Coast in England. He played the pipes at sunset to close the day on a cruise in the British Virgin Islands, was asked to play a concert at the College of Piping in Glasgow for the Charter Members and played from the crow's nest of a tall ship for the closing ceremonies of the Tall Ships Race in Greenock, Scotland. Most recently, he just returned from Italy where he played the wedding for Drew Scott, one of the Property Brothers on TV. It was featured in People Magazine and on his TV show. The Westin Kierland Resort in Scottsdale Arizona has picked Michael to be their resident Bagpiper, playing every night at sunset on the golf course to close the day. He has been there 15 years and is an integral part of the hotel experience. They even have his image on a beer tap called "Piper's Pale Ale". He also finds time to donate his Piping skills for the Maricopa County Sheriff Department Honor Guard. Michael played for a wedding the first time at 14 years old, and that was over 50 years ago and has played over 1,000 weddings since, so you are getting an experienced Piper. He has supported himself and his family as a professional Piper for over 30 years, and has owned and run a Scottish import shop and kilt rental facility for over 20 years. His dedication to Piping, and his professionalism will ensure your event is perfection.

Services 

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Reviews 

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Avg 5.0 | 11 Reviews

See all 11 Reviews

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Review by Julia S.

Birthday Party (Kids)Reviewed on September 13, 2021From Seattle, WA

Michael was very accommodating and easy to work with. He showed up on scheduled time and was very professional. I would hire him again.

Review by Courtney J.

Memorial ServiceReviewed on August 30, 2021From Cave Creek, AZ

Michael was very experienced playing at the National Veterans Memorial Of Arizona. He was a HUGE help before my papas service in what to expect based off his prior experience. He arrived at the perfect time the day of and remembered to play what we discussed weeks prior. If you are looking to make an impact on your mourning family in remembrance of a loved one, Michael is the guy to do it! Our whole family thoroughly enjoyed Michael’s talent and his respectful presentation. Forever thankful for you(Michael) to be part of my Papas one wish, to have bagpipes played at his final resting place!

Review by Scott S.

FuneralReviewed on August 28, 2021From Cave Creek, AZ

Awards & Badges 

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Song List 

Get a feel for the songs performed by this vendor. Contact them directly for special requests.

  • - | Most Requested:
  • Perfect | Ed Sheeran
  • You Raise Me Up | Josh Groban
  • Outlander Theme
  • Amazing Grace
  • Going Home
  • Flowers of the Forest
  • Scotland the Brave
  • Danny Boy
  • When Irish Eyes Are Smiling
  • The Wedding March
  • The Irish Wedding Song
  • Canon in D
  • Ode to Joy
  • Highland Cathedral
  • Highland Wedding
  • Happy Birthday
  • - | Patriotic - Military Tunes and Hymns:
  • America the Beautiful
  • God Bless America
  • The Marine Corps Hymn
  • The Army Song
  • Anchors Aweigh
  • The Navy Hymn
  • O Canada
  • Eternal Father Strong to Save
  • God Save the Queen
  • Hava Nagila
  • The Battle Hymn of the Republic
  • The Star-Spangled Banner
  • Yankee Doodle Dandy
  • You're a Grand Old Flag
  • Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing
  • In the Garden (He walks with Me)
  • Morning Has Broken
  • - | Irish Tunes:
  • Brian Boru's March
  • Cork Hill
  • For Ireland I'll No Tell Her Name
  • Galway Bay
  • Garryowen
  • It's a Long Way to Tipperary
  • Kelly the Boy from Killane
  • Minstrel Boy
  • My Wild Irish Rose
  • On Raglan Road
  • Paddy's Green Shamrock Shore
  • Paddy's Leather Breeches
  • She Moves Through the Faire
  • The Black Velvet Band
  • The Fields of Athenry
  • The Gypsy Rover
  • The Wearin of the Green
  • The Wild Rover
  • Wearin' o' the Green
  • - | Scottish Tunes:
  • 42nd Highlanders
  • 79th Farewell to Gibraltar
  • A Hundred Pipers
  • All the Blue Bonnets Are Over the Border
  • A Man's A Man For A' That
  • Angus MacKinnon
  • Atholl Highlanders
  • Auld Lang Syne
  • Balmoral
  • Barbara's Jig
  • Blue Bells of Scotland
  • Bonnie Dundee
  • Bonnie Prince Charlie
  • Cabar Feidh
  • Captain Colin Campbell
  • Captain Norman Orr Ewing
  • Castle Dangerous
  • Colonel MacLeod
  • Come to the Hills
  • Crossing the Minch
  • Cullen Bay
  • Dalnahassig
  • Dawning of the Day
  • Donald MacLean's Farewell to Lewis
  • Dovecote Park
  • Dream Angus
  • Duncan Johnstone
  • Duncan MacInnes
  • Farewell to the Creeks
  • Flower of Scotland
  • For All Those Endearing Young Charms
  • Gardens of Skye
  • Ghillie Calum
  • Glendural Highlanders
  • Hector the Hero
  • High Road to Gairloch
  • High Road to Linton
  • Highland Laddie
  • Jimmy Findlater
  • Jock Wilson's Ball
  • Kilworth Hills
  • Leaving Port Askaig
  • Lochanside
  • Loch Lomond
  • Loch Maree
  • Loch Rannoch
  • Lord Lovat's Lament
  • Loudon's Bonnie Woods and Braes
  • MacCrimmon's Lament
  • Maggie Cameron
  • Mhairi's Wedding
  • Mingulay Boat Song
  • Miss Ada Crawford
  • Monymusk
  • Mrs Joy Cairns
  • Mrs MacPherson of Inveran
  • Murdo's Wedding
  • My Home
  • My Lodging's on the Cold Ground
  • Road to the Isles
  • Molly Connell
  • Morag of Dunvegan
  • Mrs. Joy Cairns
  • Mull of Kintyre
  • My Love She's But A Lassie Yet
  • O'er the Bows to Ballindalloch
  • Pipe Major J. K. Cairns
  • Rakes of Mallow
  • Robin Adair
  • Scots Wha Hae
  • Skye Boat Song
  • Stop yer Ticklin Jock
  • Teribus
  • The Atholl and Breadalbane Gathering
  • The Badge of Scotland
  • The Balmoral Highlanders
  • The Barren Rocks of Aden
  • The Battle of Waterloo
  • The Bells of Dunblane
  • The Black Bear
  • The Brown Haired Maiden
  • The Caledonian Canal
  • The Cock of the North
  • The Cradle Song
  • The Dark Island
  • The Devil among the Tailors
  • The Devil in the Kitchen
  • The Earl of Mansfield
  • The Glasgow City Police Pipers
  • The Green Hills of Tyrol
  • The Heights of Dargai
  • The Highland Cradle Song
  • The Highland Wedding
  • The High Road to Linton
  • The Jig of Slurs
  • The Liberton Polka
  • The Little Spree
  • The Marquis of Huntly's Highland Fling
  • The Mason's Apron
  • The Meeting of the Waters
  • The Mist Covered Mountains
  • The Mucking of Geordie's Byre
  • The Northern Lights Of Aberdeen
  • The Nut Brown Maiden
  • The Parting Glass
  • The Piper of Drummond
  • The Piper's Waltz
  • The Piobaireachd of Donald Dhu
  • The Road to the Isles
  • The Rowan Tree
  • The Siege of Delhi
  • The Sweet Maid of Glendaruel
  • These Are My Mountains
  • Waltzin' Matilda
  • Welcome the Piper
  • We're No Awa' Tae Bide Awa'
  • Westering Home
  • When the Battle's O'er
  • Whistle O'er the Lave O't
  • Will Ye No Come Back Again
  • Wings

Booked Events 

: The Bash Verified Bookings

Upcoming Events

No upcoming events

Past Events

October 13, 2024 • Wedding
Sun5:00 PM - 6:30 PM Gilbert, AZ
November 12, 2023 • Corporate Function
Sun11:00 AM - 2:00 PM Scottsdale, AZ
October 22, 2022 • Funeral
Sat2:30 PM - 3:00 PM Phoenix, AZ
June 14, 2022 • Wedding Ceremony
Tue5:30 PM - 7:00 PM Mesa, AZ
March 12, 2022 • Funeral
Sat11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Queen Creek, AZ
February 19, 2022 • Funeral
Sat2:00 PM - 2:15 PM Chandler, AZ
January 14, 2022 • Bachelor Party
Fri8:00 AM - 8:15 AM Scottsdale, AZ
December 29, 2021 • Wedding
Wed4:00 PM - 5:00 PM Phoenix, AZ
November 12, 2021 • Celebration
Fri9:00 AM - 9:30 AM Tempe, AZ
September 11, 2021 • Birthday Party (Kids)
Sat1:30 PM - 2:00 PM Seattle, WA
August 27, 2021 • Funeral
Fri10:00 AM - 10:30 AM Cave Creek, AZ
August 13, 2021 • Memorial Service
Fri12:30 PM - 1:00 PM Cave Creek, AZ

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