I really had no idea what direction to take the site when it first started, mostly it was out of curiosity about the amazing number of Fire Service bands springing up all over the United States that this site came to be. Alabaster Firefighters Pipes and Drums is one of those amazing stories. I contacted Jim Golden to see if he would be interested in doing an interview and he agreed. I started doing a little on-line research only to find that Alabaster Fire District is not a huge department, perhaps one of the smaller ones with a pipe band I have interviewed thus far, however they have a band of 11 out of 57 members of the Fire Department. This figure alone is stunning and should serve as inspiration to other departments out there that think perhaps their department is not big enough to field a Pipe and Drum band. So, to Jim and the rest of the Brothers who make up the Alabaster Firefighters Pipes and Drums.....Keep up the good work!
Band Website: http://www.alabasterfirepipers.com
Your name and Position?
Jim Golden. My real job is a Lieutenant in the Training Division with Alabaster Fire & Rescue Service. Also, Pipe Major of the band.
How long have you been in the fire service?
11 years
How long has Alabaster Firefighters Pipes and Drums been around?
Technically since 2003 but we kind of “rededicated” ourselves in 2006.
Your website says it was shortly after 9-11-01 you guys recognized a need or a want for a fire service band in Alabama, how did it go from an idea to reality?
Playing the pipes was something two of us had wanted to do before we came to Alabaster Fire. Our previous department experienced a LODD in January 1977 and every year we would have a memorial service and every year we played hell trying to find a piper. We would discuss taking lessons each year but we never acted on. Then we moved to Alabaster FD and several years later 9/11 occurred. Seeing the services and how the band added to them we decided it was time to do something about Alabamanot having a fire department pipe band. We went to Vegas for the IAFF Convention in August 2002 and the FDNY Pipes and Drums and the California Professional Firefighters Pipes and Drums performed. Once we returned we ordered practice chanters. Two months later we went to New York for the Memorial. After the service we went down to see the site and on the way back we stopped into a bar named Suspenders for one beer. In the bar were the Cleveland Firefighters Memorial Pipes and Drums and the Boston band. After they played a few sets we hit it off with Phil Leslie and Bob Blake. We started telling them we were taking lessons and planning to put together Alabama’s first FD band. Needless to say one beer turned into many hours. We made friends that night that have offered us encouragement and advice throughout our process. That evening reaffirmed to us we had made the right decision to start the band and kind “added fuel to the fire.”
How long did it take from Idea to Reality for the band?
We purchased practice chanters in September 2002. We received our pipes from Murry Henderson on December 21, 2002. In February 2003 we made a presentation to our state association seeking financial assistance (i.e. we went to beg for help) and we were able to play Amazing Grace.
You said in the interview that you bought chanters in September of 02 and bought pipes and got them in December of 02???? Is that right you went from chanters to pipes in 3 months?????
Yeah, we got our pc in early Sept and our pipes came in right before Christmas. We went to weekly lessons with our instructor and was pretty much totally consumed with it. We were able to play Amazing Grace on the pipes by Feb of 2003. By the end of May, we played Marines' Hymn/Blue Bells, AG and Scotland the Brave at our state convention. We had a resolution on the floor of the convention for funding so we were busting our ass to be ready to play there hoping it would help the resolution pass (which it did).This was all done before having a kid and not working a part time job on the days off from the FD! That is probably the secret to that short time frame! Oh, I wish I could keep that same pace now!
What was the first event you guys played as a band?
The first event we played as a band was May 30, 2003 at the Professional Firefighters of Alabama Convention. We had three pipers (including our instructor), two snares, one tenor and a bass. At the time we didn’t have our get-up so we all wore jeans and polo. Our instructor wore his complete uniform. It was kind of like, “we look like this but we could look like that if you can help us.” We marched in playing Marines’ Hymn/Blue Bells, stopped played Amazing Grace and marched out to Scotland the Brave. To say the playing was not good is an understatement but as we formed up and started marching out everyone on the floor stood and started clapping. We were not sure if they liked what they heard or were just glad we were done. Turns out they liked what we did because the membership voted to adopt us as their official band and offered us financial assistance.
How many members do you have in your band?
We currently have eight pipers, ranging from the practice chanter to performing pipes, two sides and a bass. We have a drum major in training.
How many members did you start with?
We started with four pipers, two sides, one tenor and one bass. One piper gave it up, one of the snares saw the light and joined the pipe corp. and the other snare hired on at another department. Of the original eight, there are four of us left.
I always ask because I hope it gives someone a good idea but how did you guys raise funds when you first started out?
We all purchased our instruments (and the drummers bought their drums) out of pocket. The money we received from the PFFA bought each member a kilt, waist belt, sporran, hose, spats and flashes. Each member bought their glenn, shirt and shoes out of pocket. The Connecticut Firefighters Pipes and Drums donated some black sweaters they were no longer using to get us covered during colder days.
How could someone support your band now?
We are in the process of designing a band shirt. Once we get a shipment in we will have them and some other items available on our website. Females wishing to support us can contact me directly!
I have talked to quite a few people who had a hard if not impossible time starting a Pipe and Drum band in the Southern States because it was viewed more as a Northern thing, did you guys ever encounter any resistance when you were first starting out?
We haven’t encountered any resistance at all. As a matter of fact, it’s been quite the opposite. Everyone has been supportive. The thing we have going for us in Alabama is people don’t typically hear bagpipes. So when people see and hear us they are usually pretty intrigued.
Did your whole band start from scratch or did you have some experienced players to draw from?
We all started from scratch. The majority of us had no musical experience. A couple of our pipers are former saxophone players and they say that helped them. The rest of us were dumb white boys with no rhythm.
Who did the instructing for your band?
Our original instructor was Jim MacRae. His wife Judie did the initial drumming instruction. Their help was invaluable. Not only did they provide our initial instruction but they helped us understand pipe bands and certainly got us going. Our current instructor is Steven Giles. He is an incredible piper and instructor. He is the key for us being where we are now. We very fortunate to have him.
How does it feel to be the only fire service band in the State of Alabama?
We are glad that we are able to do our part to honor Alabama’s fallen firefighters.
Alabaster Fire Department seems to be a smaller fire department I am curious how you guys can field a band and departments twice or three times your size cannot….. what’s the secret?
Our department has 57 members. Although it would be nice to have a large pool to pull people from, sometimes I think it’s easier for us than others from larger departments. We all know each other very well and are real good friends. We pretty much see each other daily and this all leads to good communication. More than anything, I think we are real lucky to have a great group of guys who are all on the same page.
Being the only fire department band in the state do you guys get a lot of requests to play?
Actually not that many. We played about 20 events last year. This is probably more our fault than anything else though. In the past we have been more concerned with getting the entire band ready. This year we intend to be more visible and active.
You thank the Chief on your site so I assume he is a supporter of the band does the fire department offer any financial support?
Our Chief is a big supporter of us. He understands the good PR we bring to the department and also recognizes the need we are filling for Alabama’s fire service. The department offers us limited financial support; if we can use something from a vendor that the department purchases from we can get it. Essentially, they get uniform shirts and collar brass for us. The best thing our Chief has done for us is to approve a policy that gives us time off for gigs. We also earn comp time for our weekly practices.
Does the Union??
Yes, our local has been a huge fan! They have assisted us securing drums and our band banner. Our members are card carriers!
Is there a favorite event you guys get to play at?
Locally, our favorite events to do are the Alabama Fire College Recruit School graduations. There is a spring and fall graduation. It’s an easy, low stress event that typically leads to about a 12 hour after party! The pub crawl on St. Pat’s is a blast! The third weekend in September is the road trip we look forward to the most.
Any big plans for the band this year?
Our goals for this year involve increasing membership and repertoire. Our goal is in January 2009 to have two more pipers, two more sides and a tenor standing in the circle performing with us. We also want to have added three additional sets. We are planning our inaugural golf tournament for this spring. On the traveling side, we will be making the annual journey to Colorado Springs this fall for the Memorial.
You guys are wearing Modern MacKenzie why did you guys choose that particular Tartan?I would love to tell you that we choose the Modern MacKenzie because of the something special but the truth is we called J. Higgins and told him we were trying to decide between something red or something dark. He sent us swaths of several of each and we all liked the MacKenzie. One of the days we will come up with a better story.
What is the best response for when someone asks “Whats under the Kilt”?
If it’s some punkass we typically respond, “Your girlfriend’s lip stick.” If it’s a chick we typically act offended they would ask us such a question and then try to spin it into a trade: we find out what they are wearing-they find out what we are wearing.
Do you guys have a pre-gig drink of choice or what is the preferred “Piping Fuel”?
Hopefully not much in the pre category except Red Bull or water. Afterwards it ranges from Rusty Nails to Guinness to Jager Bombs to Bud Light to whatever we can get. Pre and post, a Marlboro or Camel is usually involved.
Anything else you want to add?
First off, thanks for doing the site. I look forward to reading each interview and learning about different bands. Thanks for including us. If you are taking requests for future bands I have a few. I would like to know more about the Charlotte Firefighters Pipes and Drums. They are a relatively new band and it appears they are doing well. We spent a lot time with some new friends from the Brockton (Mass) Firefighters Pipes and Drums in Colorado this past September. Peter and the guys are great and they are preparing for the dedication and unveiling of the Strand Theatre Firefighters Memorial Monument in May.Again, thanks for including us in the site. I look forward to sharing a beer with you in the Springs. Stay safe.
