I play the Great Highland Bagpipes (aka the Scottish bagpipes) in the Central Texas area. I've been playing since 1997, and have been a member of Austin's Capitol City Highlanders Pipes and Drums beginning in 1998.
I was honored to be the guest soloist for the Austin Symphony Orchestra's "Harmony in the Highlands" concert in 2024.
I've played every event imaginable over the years: funerals, weddings, golf tournaments, political events, school cultural days, Christmas and St. Patrick's Day events, parades, bar promotions, birthday parties, private concerts and more. I am willing to travel for events. My goal is for the audience to enjoy every event.
I'm located in a suburb of Austin TX.
I hired David to play Celtic songs, specifically Amazing Grace, at my grandson's funeral near San Antonio. He was traveling from the Austin area and throughout our multiple discussions about time, date, site and additional contact information, he assured me he would arrive on time. We paid an additional cost for his travel expenses and when the day came for his gig, everything he did was respectful and professional. His playing was moved everyone's emotions and my sons were pleased with his work. Did I say that I live in New York and all the arrangements were made through GigSalad? After payment was confirmed, I was able to communicate directly with David through email. My experience with GigSalad and David Shackelford was a positive one. Thank you David.
Our community event was certainly enhanced by Mr. Shackelford's performance! Prompt, professional, great communicator and very personable! We would certainly recommend and reach back out in the future for other events!
Response from David Shackelford, Bagpiper:
Thank you so very much, it was a pleasure :)
Photos from this event
Highly recommend working with David. He was a class act, punctual, and very personable. We booked him for a bachelor party and everyone was talking about how much of a core memory it was and the highlight of the trip. No better way to wake the fellas up!
Thanks David!
Response from David Shackelford, Bagpiper:
Thank you Gus for the great review! It was a fun time. Good luck to you.
When we buried my mother in Wimberley at the little Episcopal Church, family and friends came from Houston and Dallas and Austin and everyone was blown away (pun intended) with David's playing of the bagpipes. We are Scottish and so it was very poignant but I know everyone was moved to hear the sad and meaningful bagpipe rendition of Amazing Grace as he moved on the periphery of the mourners who were all without a dry eye. It is important to note that he was not on-time, he was early; the price was reasonable and the payment was super easy. I highly recommend hiring David Shackelford for any bagpipe occasion.
Price Range: Contact for rates
First and foremost, I have never missed a performance and have never been late.
Upon booking, I am happy to assist in music selection. Many planners and clients are unfamiliar with the pipes. I can offer suggestions on songs, and I am happy to meet with either the planner or client.
Depending on the event, I arrive 15 minutes - 1 hour before performance time to check in and tune up. Often at check in, some arrangements have changed; I'm happy to adapt to changing situations. Sometimes songs need to be added or cut. This is easily done, and I'm adept at playing impromptu.
At some events, such as funerals, the service may go longer than expected. I am almost always willing to extend the playing time within reason.
I wear full Highland regalia, including kilt and sporran. I have two kilts; one is a Black Watch kilt (navy and green), and the other is a Royal Stewart (red background, commonly seen at Christmas). The client can request which kilt they prefer; often at funerals I wear the more somber Black Watch, while the Royal Stewart is more festive.
Most importantly, I am committed to making the event go smoothly. Ask any questions you like; I'll do my best to answer.
I've played at almost every type of event imaginable. In 2024, I was guest soloist with the Austin Symphony Orchestra, performing "An Orkney Wedding, with Sunrise" as part of the "Harmony in the Highlands" concert. This was a great honor and privilege.
I have lived in Pflugerville, Texas (suburb of Austin) since 1994. I began playing the bagpipes in 1997 under the tutelage of Wade Harper of Silver Thistle Pipes and Drums in Austin and Anne Wemple (pipe major of Trinity School) of Midland, TX. I joined Austin's Capitol City Highlanders Pipes and Drums in 1998. I currently serve as pipe corporal for the band.
Besides many of the popular and traditional Scottish bagpipe songs, such as "Amazing Grace" and "Abide With Me," I also play non-traditional songs. Some of these include "The Eyes of Texas," "The Aggie War Hymn," all of the official songs of the US military (e.g. "Anchors Away"),"Taps," "Happy Birthday," and even "Hava Nagila." I also have a wide repertoire of Christmas songs. I strive to make each performance special to the occasion, so if there is a song requested by a client that can be played on the Scottish pipes, I'm happy to learn it. Just please keep in mind that the pipes only have 8 notes and no flats or sharps, so not all songs are adaptable to the pipes.
The wonderful thing about bagpipes is that they require no set up or additional equipment; they also can be heard for great distances without electronic amplification.
Dallas, TX 
Bagpiper
93 Verified Bookings Margaret D. said “He was so willing to do anything we needed. He was flexible on the schedule, we thought we were organized, we weren’t. He was gracious and stepped in…”
Houston, TX
Bagpiper
67 Verified Bookings Michael M. C. said “Richard was Excellent! His presence added a touch of class to 20+ year golf tournament by piping in the sponsors and then piping as the first golfers…”
San Marcos, TX
Bagpiper
45 Verified Bookings Turner G. said “Derek, I wanted to thank you again for doing a wonderful job at the Celebration of Life for my late spouse . You exuded a great deal of professionalism…”
Rogers, AR
Bagpiper
72 Verified Bookings Tammie D. said “He played at my dear sweet Mother's funeral. Everyone loved him and he spoke with the guest afterwards. No one had experienced a ceremony with bagpipes.…”
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