Portland Metro Pipe Band – Band Member Profile
Name: Chris CahoonPiper or Drummer? Piper
When did you begin playing pipes or drums: I started playing bagpipes in 1979 at the age of 8. I played for about 7 years and quit in 1986. I took off 20 years and made my glorious return to piping in 2006 and have been hard core into bagpiping since then.
Provide some info about your piping/drumming background, musical influences, and other bands you’ve played with: I was a founding member of the Colorado St. Andrews Pipe Band (now a part of the Denver and District Pipe Band) from 1981-1986. I have also played with High Desert Pipes and Drums in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the Stuart Highlanders Grade 4 band in Massachusetts, and the Keith Highlanders Grade 3 Pipe Band in Seattle, Washington. I was taught by Roddy McDonald in the 1980’s and now take lessons from Jori Chisholm in Seattle and had a lot of influence from my former Keith Highlanders Pipe Major and current SFU member, Keith Paton. My greatest musical influence is Frank Sinatra.
High point(s) of your band and/or solo career, including awards or trips: My first trip to Scotland in 2007 with High desert Pipes and Drums was great, even though we didn’t qualify in grade 4A. In 2008 I played with the Keith Highlanders at the World Pipe Band Championships and got 3rd in grade 4B which was pretty sweet.
Funniest band moment(s): My Spinal Tap bagpiping moment occurred with High Desert Pipes and Drums on St. Patrick’s Day in 2007. We were supposed to play for a group of hospital doctors who were having a nice quiet dinner at a an upscale hotel. We came in blasting the pipes and drums and I think the people in the front row jumped out of their skin because it was so loud. One lady was so upset she stormed out of the room. Yes ma’am, these bagpipes go to 11!
Misc. facts about you: I do a pretty good karaoke version of Frank Sinatra and I own almost every Frank Sinatra recording I can get my hands on. I also play death metal guitar. Is that weird?