This week’s band finds us again all the way across the country from last weeks. This week I talked to Mike Nelson, Lead Tip for the Camden County Emerald Society Pipes and Drums. Camden County is perhaps one of the more established bands I have interviewed so far. What did I find in Camden you ask? In reality the same thing I have been finding all across the country, a dedicated group of people who love to play the music of a Pipe and Drum band. I talked on the phone for about an hour with Mike just getting a feel for what Camden is like and a small sampling of what kind of people make up the Camden County Emerald Society Pipes and Drums. I have to be honest; it was more or less a solid hour of laughter.
I would encourage everyone who reads this interview to visit their website and pay particular attention to the “About Us” section of the band website. You will find a band that has been called upon by many people and traveled to many places and they have paid their respects to our fallen Public Service Brothers no matter what uniform those people were called to wear.
Band Website: www.ccespd.org
Your name and Position?
Mike Nelson, Vice President & Drum Sgt
What do you play?
Snare Drum.
How long have you been with the band?
11 years
Camden County Emerald Society Pipes and Drums is made up of Police, EMS, Fire, and Military can you give us a quick rundown of the departments and branches that are represented in the band?
The band is represented by the following agencies- Camden City PD & FD, Camden County Prosecutors Office, Cherry Hill FD & PD, Voorhees PD & FD, Waterford PD, Gloucester City PD, Runnameade FD, Camden County Sheriffs Dept., Delaware River Port Authority, Pennsauken EMS & PD, Mount Laurel FD, Pennsville FD, Wilmington Delaware FD, DEA, Camden County Police and Fire Dispatchers, North Wildwood PD, Woodbury FD, Woodbury Heights FD, Deptford FD, Westmont FD, Glassboro PD, Washington Twp FD, Upper Darby FD, North Brunswick FD, Bellmawr FD, and Pennsauken EMS and all of our nation’s armed forces are represented in the band also.
Is there any inter-band competition between any of the groups represented? Or is all just good natured fun?
There's always your fireman and cop ball-breaking but it is in good fun, ball-breaking is a BIG part of our band.
Did the formation of the Pipes and Drums happen after the formation of the Emerald Society or did they happen simultaneously.
After, the Chapter came first, our Drum Major Rich Desmond (Dezi) formed the chapter around 1994, and the band was formed the following year.
I know you part of the Emerald Society but how does that work, are you a separate entity or are you one in the same?
To be a member of the band you have to meet the Emerald Society's standards for example- Irish descent, and an active or retired member of the Emergency Services or US Military. As for the band you have to meet those requirements and of course the bands requirements (musical ability). As for organization, we come under the chapter as our sponsor, but both the band and chapter have there own executive boards and bank accounts.
You guys have been around since 1995 was there an event that caused the pipes and drums to take off?
The band's first appearance was scheduled to be the North Wildwood Irish Festival, but that was not to be, we had two Police Officers murdered and another one seriously injured in Haddon Heights and the bands services where requested, so the band made it's first appearance at what we were formed to do, Honor Our Fallen.
Was it a simple bringing together people who could already play or that were already playing in other Pipe Bands or was there a lot of people who had no experience?
The history of our band is a little different than most bands in our area. A bunch of the original members of the band played in a civilian band called the Lovat Highlanders and when Dezi brought up the idea about a band for the Emerald Society it was a no brainer, just change the name, and that's how this thing all got started for us. The band had a good base of pipers, drummers and equipment so the band was off to a good start. Dezi went on a recruitment campaign of people he knew who had musical experience or wanted to get involved.
THANK'S DEZ!!!
Do you guys take people who have no prior experience?
Yes, what we do with the pipers is we run a class every other year. We do recruit, when we are getting ready to run the pipe class we advertise it, and if we open the rank's for drummers. We have been lucky someone knows somebody. We hire an instructor whose sole job is to get the students ready to audition for the band. The class starts in January and we have been averaging about thirty interested individuals who show up on the first night and after we get done explaining to them what it takes to learn the pipes the class ends up with about fifteen students and we get about eight to ten new pipers within a year and half. As for the drummers, we only open the line up when we need to replace or when the pipe to drum ratio permits it. We only take drummers with prior experience.
What is the audition for the band like?
For the pipers you will first go before the Pipe Instructor and Pipe Major, and if you get past those two, you then go before the band, and it's pretty much the same for the drummer's with the Pipe Major and Drum Sgt. doing the audition.
Are there members of the Emerald Society Pipe and Drums that play in other Fire or Police Bands?
No
How many members do you have in the pipes and drums?
We are around 55 members at this time and about 12 students (pipers) not counted in that 55.
After doing a little research I have found you guys are playing some incredibly high profile events, what was the biggest one you have played so far?
I have been so lucky to play some awesome events with my time in the band, but I have to say for volume of people has to be the Savannah Ga. Saint Patrick’s Day Parade, anyone who has been this knows what I am talking about. As for events for what this band was formed has to be the National Police Memorial week in Washington DC, we have been down to this many times and were honored to be the host band a few years back which was really special to us to march behind our Own Drum Major Rich Desmond who was at the time the National Emerald Society President, and the band has been a regular In Emmitsburg MD the last six years for the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend.
Personally what was your favorite?
Savannah!
Can you tell me a little bit about playing in the Capitol and how you guys made history by doing so?
We where contacted by then National Emerald Society President Patrick O'Brian who was also a Capitol Police Officer. Two Capitol Police Officers were shot and killed in the Capitol Building; Patrick contacted Dezi to see if the band could be the host band at the National Memorial service for these two fallen officers. The day of the service Dezi asked Pat if the Pipe Majors could play Amazing Grace in the Rotunda (where the officers were lying in state) next thing you know the President gave his approval and five pipers were escorted to the caskets where for the first time in the history of the United States of America, music was played. The pipers played "Going Home" and "Amazing Grace".
How many events, memorials, etc are you guys playing a year?
The band does about fifty performances year. This #'s include LODD funerals parades and memorials. There are many more requests for single piper jobs, funerals, wedding's and just about anything!
Is there a must play event every year for your band? The one that everyone loves to go to or play at?
I don't know if there is one single event, I will name the top three; the first one has to be the North Wildwood Irish Festival. The bands St.Patty's Party, this is a great money maker for us and always a great time. Last but not least, The Upper Darby Firefighters MDA Benefit, this event always kick starts our St.Patt's season and it's a great cause
Is there an event you guys have yet to play but want to?
I'm sure if you ask the brothers in the band they could come up with a lot of things, these guy’s are always looking for something new to do, which is awesome. One of pipers brought up Chicago's South Side parade that would be a good one for sure. After going down to Savannah with 65 degree weather it would be hard to be cold on the big day.
You guys are about to release your second CD as a band, what is the release date?
I don't want to jinx myself, so we are hoping within the next two weeks, as of now all looks good.
What’s the Title of the CD?
THE BROTHERHOOD
Care to give us a peek at the Track List?
The CD is more on the traditional side, with some up beat tunes and guest vocals.
Who does the guest vocals?
The vocals where done by Michelle McCormack and Tom Brett. Michelle was a local TV News person who is big in the Irish community (Philadelphia and South Jersey) and over the years we formed a pretty good friendship (the band and Michelle) at many events we both were at, so when we approached her about being on our CD she right on board. Tom Brett- he did the opening track for us, he is part of a Irish Duo- Blarney, and he is a big supporter of the band as we are of him.
Who was the mastermind behind the album?
The mastermind, that's a funny one because when you get done with the CD you don't have much of a mind left, and I am sure anyone, who has ever done one knows what I am talking about. To answer your question, we knew it was time to do another CD, our members and supporters were asking so we took the step. It was put in the hands of me and our pipe major. I did all the set-up work like contacting the sound engineer and all the other small details while the pipe major took care of the tunes. I cannot forget one of our pipers who did all the art work for the CD cover- thanks bro!
How long did it take you guys to complete the Album?
We pretty much did it in one day with the whole band present, about twelve hours of hard work, I'm sure if you ask the brother's they will say it felt like twenty four hours. Then all the behind the scenes things started, mixing, re-do's, etc. It seemed like it would never end, so again to answer your question about a year, the reason being we took a break from it for a little bit before we killed each other.
How much did it cost to make the album?
After all is said and done around $4,000.00
Do you guys hold fund raisers to help with costs?
No, we didn't do anything special to raise funds for this project
Will the CD be available through your website?
Yes, we will have a link on our web-site when the CD is released.
www.ccespd.org
Is there anything other than fund raisers you guys do to raise money?
As for fundraiser's we hold two a year for our big boost to our operating account and we do parades and other pay gigs to keep the money coming in.
Is the band able to help with the purchase of uniforms, equipment or travel?
The band buy's it all, except your instrument, even the drummers buy their own drum. Our rule is it will be issued to you by the band at no cost, but if you lose it… you bought it! As for travel, the band will always pay half, whether it’s the hotel rooms or transportation, that's for the away trips, which works well for us.
What can a person expect when they walk into one of your practices for the first time?
You should be asking the new members that question! I would also like know what they are thinking (I have a few ideas). All kidding aside, we have a great group of guy's and I don't think anyone feels alone for long. But not many new members come to the band without already knowing someone in the band, so that makes it a lot easier.
NJ has a unique way of coordinating Pipes and Drums for funerals across the state can you give us a little insight on how that’s done?
NJ has a big number of pipe bands, almost every county has a band, and so when ever there is a LODD funeral all the bands come together. But before 9-11 it wasn't coordinated to well, the phone chain was used, when 9-11 came upon us we along with FDNY and NYPD Pipes and Drums had our hands full. The NJ Bands played all of the NYNJ Port Authority Police Funerals I believe the number was 32,so that is how the NJ United Pipe Band was formed along with a web-site to get the details for the funerals, and that is how we still do it today.
Do you guys have a home Pub?
Yes we do, our favorite pub would be Schileens Irish Pub.
Is there a band out there you guys love to play and hang with?
Yes there is actually a couple, our sister band across the river in Philadelphia - The Philadelphia Police & Fire Pipes and Drums, we do a lot of events together, and the Brian Boru Pipes and Drums.
You guys are pretty involved in several Police and Fire Charities can you give us a rundown of the Organizations your involved in?
Sure, they are The Ronald McDonald House, Special Olympics, Police Survivors, and National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.
Can you give us a little background on how you guys came to have a relationship with Maureen Faulkner?
The brother of one of our pipers is a police officer in Deptford Twp. and asked if we would be interested in taking part in the book signing Maureen was in Deptford. When it was brought to the band it was a no brainer and that is how it all got started.
What are the big plans for 2008?
This is going to be a pretty big year for the band; the band is going to Ireland for St.Patricks Day (County Cork, the town of Macroom). We are holding our first Irish Festival on May 17th and of course the release of our CD.
What tartan do you guys wear?
We wear the Emerald Green (solid) tartan
What’s the pre gig drink of choice?
Pre -Gig drink are you crazy the pipe major won't allow that, no just kidding, our drink of choice would have to be Miller Lite and Tullymore.
You guys are a well established band, do you have any advice for bands out there right now who are just starting or recently started?
My only advice is be patient, it takes a long time to build a good band. There will be plenty of ups and downs but you have to stay the course, people will come and people will go, and good leadership is important. Most pipe bands like the one person rule system, that didn't work for us, so we changed it, it was a gamble but it worked! In our line of work one person can't do it all we know that, use the team work approach and the chain of command and you will be fine.
What is one thing that you want people to know about The Camden County Emerald Society Pipes and Drums?
That we are just a bunch of regular guys who are cops, firemen, military guys and emergency service brothers who play the pipes and drums, and who like to have a good time. I like to think anyone who we have had the chance to throw a couple back with will say the same thing.
What is the overall attitude of the band?
We like to have fun, probably to much sometimes, but we know that we have a job to do first and foremost, and nobody needs to be reminded of this. When our Drum Major Rich Desmond dismisses the band, his last words are TO THE BAR BOY'S!! We would not dare disobey a direct order!!!
Stay safe and well brothers!!!
