I know what you’re thinking...Eugene Fire Pipes and Drums? There is a reason you have not seen them around, the reason is they have spent the better part of a year honing their skills, practicing like mad and are just about to do their first public performance as a band. After corresponding through email and on the phone with Wayne the hard work, the dedication to the band and their Brothers in the band is about to pay off. Eugene Fire Pipes and Drums I predict are going to be a force to be reckoned with.
I was really impressed by the way the members in the band have stuck together and saw this band through; it speaks volumes about the members that make up this band. They are one of the key players in a virtual flurry of Fire Pipe and Drum activity in the North West section of the county. The next time you hear Eugene Fire Pipes and Drums you will really be hearing them it could be in Colorado, perhaps South Side Irish, or FDIC who knows for Eugene Fire Pipes and Drums the sky is going to be the limit on where they can go and what they can do.
Band Website: EugeneKiltedFiremen.com
Your Name and Position?
Wayne Morris, I'm a Firefighter / Paramedic for the city of Eugene, and the Pipe Major of the Eugene Fire Pipes and Drums.
How long have you been playing the Pipes?
I started about 16 years ago but I played off and on, with and without a band. I wouldn't say I'm a piper with 16 years experience, but rather that I'm a seasoned street performer. Due to my deployments in the Army I have gotten to play in some high profile situations and in some cool locations. When I got hired at Eugene they put me to work right away with the honor guard.
Is that what sparked the interest in forming the Eugene Pipes and Drums?
I would say so. There was the attempt earlier by the "Godfather" Tim Birr and there were still guys that remembered and supported the idea. So, it wasn't long before the idea was being talked about.
How long had you been thinking of forming a band in your department?
I think I started daydreaming about it before I finished the academy. I never told anyone about my playing the pipes until I graduated the academy. I waited until we had a big bash to celebrate, then brought them out and lit 'em up. So the word got around pretty quick that the union had their own piper for the honor guard, and I started thinking about a band.
What happened that turned it from just a thought to a reality?
Well, interest from the line guys mostly. I had a number of guys coming up to me after a gig and saying " Man that's cool! Is it hard to learn?" There were a couple that had decided to try to learn on their own after standing in on 9.11FDNY funerals but they hadn't gotten too far past basic chanter work. Anyways, I knew I had a good base of support. So, with permission from the chief and some help from my captain I sent out the first department wide recruitment. I started a regular dialog with Tim Birr, asking lots of questions. I got my list of interested folks and went to work.
Did you have an action plan from the start or know what you needed to do first?
We got everyone together that had replied to the recruitment and just had a sit down meeting at Station 1. We had four guys from the CDF pipe band that were coming down from a seminar in Seattle that sat in. We just sat and talked. I laid out what I thought would work, gave them some info on where to get chanters, and we made a plan for the first practice.
What was item Number 1 in your plan?
Number one was getting the pipers set in a regular practice schedule and instilling the importance of good chanter work. I took a lot of time to warn them of the monotony that was associated with chanter practice, but it's more important to me that they play well and learn right, than just try to BS it. I knew the band would fall apart if we didn't start it out right. So, number one was chanter practice. We started in the Green Book.
Where there any second thoughts at the very beginning?
Never. Maybe some guys did. Probably my wife did. But, I could see it was going to happen so I never thought of looking back.
Were you concerned that it might not be accepted gracefully by the "Line Guys?"
Not really. There's two kind of people out there. Those that love 'em and those that hate 'em. I think in the fire service there's a lot more "love 'ems" than "hate 'ems". Anyways, I think if I did have a concern; it was that we wouldn't be taken seriously. I wrote to a number of established fire bands from around the country and asked them to maybe send a letter regarding fire service pipe bands, and how they support their departments. I laid the letters out when I approached the union and our chief. I think it was helpful first to have an example of other places that have done it and succeeded and then also to show "Hey, he's already in contact with pipebands from Florida, and California, and Nassau County and look.... How the hell have they heard of a pipe band right here in little Eugene Oregon?!" Thanks to those who wrote by the way.
How did you get the word out in your department?
I sent that first recruitment out by department email. Later, I had guys that heard through word of mouth.
What was the initial reaction?
It was great. I still get asked about the band every day I go on shift. The officers are supportive. The line folks are always interested and if nothing else it gives more ammunition for joke telling at the kitchen table over coffee. I hear a lot of "Hey we heard so-n-so playing yesterday at Station 2 sounded pretty good !"
Did you approach the Chief?
We did. I set up an appointment with the chief of the department months after I got off probation. It was kind of funny. My captain at the time, who was also learning the chanter, came along to pitch the idea with me and give some moral support. We had prepared this big long presentation and were ready for whatever he might not agree with. He was completely supportive. He really showed genuine excitement in the idea and let us loose offering "in kind" support like use of the facilities, a group email account, and an open door policy to talk with him directly if there was anything the band needed. It was great and it just got us more motivated.
Was anyone surprised at what kind of time it was going to take to get the band going?
I was. I had the idea that I'd just get the guys up and playing and get some drums in there and then buy some kilts and bagpipes and yep, we'll be ready in 9 months. Yeah right. The guys took the appropriate time to learn. Which was longer than I planned. There was a 3 or 4 month delay on getting our pipes( we needed the time to practice anyway) We had no uniforms. We had no money. It just takes time and you have to be willing to wait it out and do it right.
You had to know that starting a band was going to be a huge commitment on your part getting everything organized how did you prepare yourself for that responsibility?
I got some expert advice and that was to delegate and spread the responsibilities. It would be just too much to handle on my own. Still, it feels like I have my hands full juggling teaching, finance, logistics, uniforms, being on shift etc. When I get overwhelmed I tell the band members and assign folks things to work on.
Looking back now was it more work or less work than you initially guessed?
It's about what I thought, but the time line was way longer. I guess I didn't plan for it to take so long to get ready. Over all I think we're going at it as a group and not just the Pipe Major trying to make "his" pipeband.
You had to have an expectation of what the band was going to be in the future has that expectation been met?
Its funny. Having been in other bands and seen what FD bands do gives me the ability to watch these guys just mold into something great. It started when I saw the first guy get his fingering right. Then they all played the scale. Then they were playing Amazing Grace and on and on until next thing you know I'm standing in the bay at the station calling "Eugene Fire Pipes and Drums! By the Center!" I honestly got chills the first time they nailed their first 4/4. I totally can see where its going. The band I think, doesn't know how great they're doing. There right where I imagined they'd be.
Did you guys have a idea or a plan on how you would raise funds for the band?
It's one of the harder things I'm dealing with right now. We're filing as a 501c3. The paperwork isn't THAT bad but it is killing me slowly. Oregon requires that you incorporate with the state so there's another pile of paperwork I'm in the midst of right now. Other than that we were thinking of doing a topless car wash. That was thrown out by my wife though because she says we would scare the children what with our pipe sgt looking like a gorilla and all.
Does the department give you any financial support or let band members off for practice or any other special arrangements?
The department doesn't fund us but they are supportive by letting us use rooms and e mail etc. Our union voted to fund money for start up costs and we spent it all on drums. We bear most of the financial burden ourselves. The members are buying all of their uniforms and equipment on their own outside of the drums.
How did you round up instructors or do you bring outside instructors in?
We had the hardest time getting an instructor for the drummers. I know nothing about drumming. I know what one is. I know what it sounds like. How to play it? Forget it. We searched and searched and finally came up with this young man named Andrew who is a student at the U of O, and has some good experience with highland drumming. That with the occasional assistance from Tommy Whitmire from TVFR has gotten out drummers on their feet. I'm instructing the pipers right now until I die or I'm replaced.
Is membership in your band limited to Eugene Fire Fighters?
It's limited to Eugene Fire and EMS personnel and their families. We have a logistics section, a civilian medic section, admin and such, but as the roster reads right now all but one are active Eugene Firefighters from the rank of Firefighter to Chief. I see the band being a nice place for the guys to have a tie to the department and the line after retirement. I should note that our one non-firefighter works five days a week for our department and is one of our strongest drummers.
How many people did you start with when the band formed?
We started with eight pipers and have eight pipers now. The drummers started out kind of fuzzy due to the fact that we had no instructor. I would say we started with close to five drummers and have maintained the same numbers with mostly the same people.
You guys have spent the last year practicing and are going to be appearing in public for the first time in a few short months is the band excited to see the hard work pay off?
I'm scared shitless. I was going to go with the " Get drunk and wear earmuffs" method but then I was reminded of youtube. Ah yes. Youtube. We're all very excited. I'm probably more excited than the rest because I know it's going to be fun and I'm a true Irishman who loves St. Paddy's.
Do you know what your first public appearance is going to be?
We're playing for a 5k / 10k run called the Lucky Clover. It should be pretty laid back.
www.eclecticedgeracing2.com/Lucky_Clover
Can you describe the level of dedication you have seen in the band members since the beginning?
I wish I could describe it. It's higher now than in the beginning, but there's a reason for that. I think you have to keep people motivated and excited about what’s going on. I remember how excited I was to first get my pipes. Well, we continue to introduce new things into the band to keep people excited. First it was the chanter, then the bagpipes purchase and the drums purchase. Then picking out the kilts. Then playing together with the drummers and so on. Just bring in something new to keep it fresh.
Have you had anyone get really discouraged in the past year?
Sure, one guy, then another guy, then me, then somebody else.
How did you reel them back in?
Mostly it's the pipers getting frustrated with the monotony of the chanter work and then hitting that damn brick wall when it's time to pick up the pipes. You can see it clear as day. They're doing good, getting better, learning tunes left and right then BAM! How the hell do I play this thing? So, you go back to basics. I just remind them that this isn't the guitar. It takes years to get it right. It's more like golf. You just practice on not getting it wrong! Then we sit down and play grace notes and start out slow on the pipes and don't expect to belt out Rakes of Mallow in your first month.
Was there any time over the past year where you wanted to walk away from the whole project?
What?! No way. Here's why. I have played too many funerals alone. I know how honorable the bagpipes and drums are at a service. Our brothers deserve nothing less. They deserve it at every graduation, retirement, and award ceremony. It is our tradition.
What was the biggest challenge at the start?
Definitely for us it was getting a drum instructor.
What is the biggest challenge right now?
Getting our finances straight. The 501c3 is taking a long time to complete.
Do you guys have the band set up Executive Board style?
We have officers P/M, P/S, and D/S, also a Manager position (held by me now) and a Treasurer. We have Bylaws, and a Mission Statement.
Do you have all of your uniforms ready to go?
Nope. I'm hoping the kilts will be here in a matter of weeks. Otherwise we're getting close.
Was each member responsible for his/her own purchases or was the band able to help out at all?
We are responsible for it all. That could be a motivator to keep people around also because they've invested so much money it'd be a shame to walk away now!
Did the members have to purchase their own instruments or was the band able to help?
As I said the drums were purchased by the band. Our bass drum was donated by TVFR. (What a class act) and the pipers just purchased eight sets of Wallace pipes.
What Tartan did you guys choose and Why?
We went with the Modern MacKenzie. The colors can associate to the fire service. Eugene has a river running through it called the McKenzie, and we wanted to be able to blend in with TVFR if we decided to play together in the future. The MacKenzie motto is 'Shine not burn" which seems appropriate in our line of work.
Is there an event you guys are dying to play for the first time as a band?
We're waiting for September to play in Colorado. That's a big one. Personally, I have to say I would love to open for the Dropkicks.
Do you guys hold fund raisers or sell swag to help the band?
We're selling shirts right now. We have plans for hats etc in the future.
If so where can someone buy a hat, shirt, patch, etc?
For right now if you're interested, write me an email at eugenefirepipers@yahoo.com I'll see what I can do to get you in on the order form. Shirts are $15. I should also note that we can be found on myspace. www.myspace.com/eugenefirepipesanddrums
If you had to do all over again what would be the one thing you changed?
I would plan more and try to get our finances figured out from the start. We have people left and right trying to donate but we're not set up yet.
What kind of attitude is forming in the band, are you guys going to be serious all the time or cut loose and be serious only when you have to be?
This is important. Have fun. It's the only way to survive. Who wants to come in every week and get yelled at for not playing a grace note right. To mimic the Bergen County folks: We're a street band. Piss off. When the time comes, of course it's time to work. That's really the reason we're here.
What do you think the future holds for the Eugene Firefighters Pipes and Drums?
Good things. I see a great relationship starting here in the North West between TVFR, Seattle, and ourselves. It's good to see less competition between bands and more cooperation. I hope in the future folks on the other coast will be talking about those Eugene Fire guys. Mark my words. This band will be marching in Colorado soon and we'll raise a pint to all you guys that helped us out.
Anything else you want to add?
Today following a Seattle tradition, I told my band they were required to memorize the lyrics to Minstrel Boy. I'll expect to hear you all singing with us! Cheers!
