Seán Cummings, “The Tahoe Bagpiper”, brings over 30 years performing experience and seven generations of clan tradition to play the music and tell the story of Scottish Highland Bagpipe.
biography
In the 17th Century, the Cummings were hereditary pipers to the Grant clan chieftains in Badenoch and Strathspey, Scotland. Twenty-five years after picking up the bagpipes, Seán Cummings learned he’d unwittingly followed Clan tradition. He is now engaged full-time in Nevada areas and can be found playing weddings, memorial services, sporting events, busking on street corners and giving educational presentations in schools.
Seán is an award-winning solo competitor. He is a Sergeant Piper and Vice President of the Sierra Highlanders Pipe Band, the first band from Nevada to compete at the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow, Scotland and is a member of “ShinKickersUSA”, a SanFrancisco based “Celtic-Punk” band featuring former members of “Ol’ Cheeky Bastards” including editor in chief of Guitar Player magazine, Michael Molenda, on lead guitar.
Other Mentions:
- Quoted in “Musician’s Guide to Brides”
- Veteran of Gordon Highlanders, Black Bear, Monterey Scottish
- Balmoral School, College of Piping
“I love the tradition. Bagpipes have been played at celebrations for thousands of years. When the pipes are in tune and singing, I’m connected to generations of pipers who’ve done the same thing. As a result, I have a personal expectation that my playing and deportment honors those pipers.”
Bands
Ol’ Cheeky Bastards
Sierra Highlanders Pipe Band
Discography
Calvary Episcopal Church Choir under the direction of Peter VanDyke – “Requiem” Maurice Durufle, 1975
Sierra Highlanders Pipe Band – “Back From Scotland”; Yellowstone Records 2006
Ol’ Cheeky Bastards – “Bag O’ Tricks” Vagrant Records 2008. Listen/Buy
Ol’ Cheeky Bastards and others – “Murder, Death and Prison” compilation
CD, Lude Boy Records 2008 – Listen/Buy
Ol’ Cheeky Bastards and Lewis Swan – “Working Class Heroes and Truths” – Rotten Egg Records 2009 – Listen/Buy
Ol’ Cheeky Bastards and others – “Sheena is a Folk Rocker?! An Acoustic Tribute to The Ramones!!” – Compilation CD, Acoustic Fury Records 2011 – Listen/Buy
Tinker’s Dam – “Catharsis” Yellowstone Records 2011