Fred Payne, Champion Bagpiper

Fred was on time, ready to roll. Music was beautiful. He was polite and accommodating.

Fred was on time, very professional, and flexible.

I would definitely recommend Fred as your talented bagpiper. Fred was on time, mingle with the crowd, took pictures with the guests at the Photo Booth, and was very professional. Everyone enjoyed the performance and complement of this special occasion. I’ve actually seen a bagpiper. WOW it was very fun!
Thank You again Fred!

Fred was amazing and everyone loved it total surprised birthday girl only thing was I thought I had him for 1/2 hour but only played for about 15 minutes but he was truly amazing

Thank you, Fred, for the beautiful music you played at the burial service, Sacramento Valley National Cemetery. We appreciate you.

Fred was wonderful!

Fred was the highlight of our event - so professional, talented and easy to work with. So pleased to have had him be a part of such an important family event.

Fred was great. Professional, friendly. Music was perfect. We talked prior to the event and just prior so it was perfect.

Thanks Fred.

Fred’s performance was loved and appreciated by all!
Thank you Fred and gigsalad.

Fred was great! Very easy and professional to work with, showed up on time (early!) looking terrific in his kilt. His piping was awesome and he was a very special addition to our wedding day. Was also very helpful picking the right songs for the event. 10/10 would recommend!

From the first email to the last song played, Fred was an absolute delight. He helped me with music selection, provided ideas about how the event could flow and on top of it all, he’s a fine gentleman. Our event was a funeral and memorial service for my father and Fred’s contribution will be remembered by all as beautiful moments throughout the day.

Fred was the crowning element to my father’s Memorial service playing traditional Irish dirges. He was fantastic- bringing soulfulness and meaning to celebrate my Irish father’s well lived 90 year life.

Fred was fantastic to work with, responsive and accommodating. He really made the event.

Fred is a fantastic bagpiper. My residents, staff and I really enjoyed his beautiful performance and look forward to the next time we can have him playing for us. He was engaging with our audience and, enjoyed having questions asked. It was a perfect! Bravo to Fred and hope to have him come to Aldersly again soon!

Fred was an absolutely amazing bagpiper. Was very easy to work with, and just a great person all around. He knew we wanted to keep the bag piper a secret for our wedding reception entrance, and went out of his way to make sure our guests wouldn't see or hear him (even as he was warming up!). Fred is such a professional and I can't thank him enough for making our day truly special.

Fred was marvelous, playing for the cyclists at the Marin Century at glorious Alpine Dam. What a beautiful setting, and fitting music to befit the occasion! Thank you Fred!

Top notch, very professional and knows exactly what’s he’s doing. Fred was great!

We had a 50th Anniversary party (outside).
He gamely marched down the aisle leading the “bridesmaids” (granddaughters) and us. And of course, back up the aisle!! We all had so much fun! I think he did too!!!

Having Fred play at my mother in law's celebration of life was wonderful! He did a great job and everyone enjoyed the addition of his music to the celebration. Fred was easy to communicate with, friendly, prompt and overall great to work with. I highly recommend him for any event you are planning.

Fred was fantastic!!!

Fred did an excellent job and perform beautifully

There were venue changes things were added on and Fred was very receptable to all of it and very easy to work with and an excellent performer I would recommend him to anyone who would like to have a bagpiper

Great communication. Arrived before the memorial service started and followed along to be able to enter and lead the exit procession at the precise time. Wonderful playing. Precisely what I asked for and needed. Very pleased indeed!

Fred is truly a champion bagpiper! He is very professional and dressed so smartly. Communication was perfect and he kept me informed every time. His music is superb and reminded us of Scotland. His playing of “Amazing Grace” didn’t leave a dry eye. He made such a wonderful impression at my father’s funeral and added that special touch to bringing a combat veteran to his final resting place. Book Fred, it’ll be amazing!

Great piper. Well dressed in Scottish tartan. Was very cooperative at our memorial

The entire experience with Fred for my father's memorial was exceptional. From the pre-event planning and excellent suggestions he provided, the service was everything I could have asked for. Highly recommend

Professional, prepared, extremely talented!

Fred is a true pro. My close friend wanted a bagpiper for her father's funeral, but because of covid, only she, her husband and her mother could attend. I booked Fred for them as my gift since I couldn't be there with the covid restrictions. My grieving friend, kept trying to pay for it and Fred, true pro, just refocused her on the meaning of the day. Can't thank you enough!

Fred was very professional and was exactly what we needed. It was the perfect touch for my fiancé’s moms funeral. Highly recommend & thank you again Fred.

Fred was phenomenal. His performance made the evening very special and everyone commented on how great he was. Would highly recommend him!

Fred was very professional and very kind. His playing was amazing and so beautiful. Everyone really enjoyed him.

Fred played beautifully at my mother’s funeral! He made her service very special.

I would highly recommend Fred. He was on time, on point and completely made my friend’s birthday!

Fred provided excellent service for my father's funeral at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery.
Fred showed up early, followed directions, and played movingly before, during, and after my fathers committal service.

Fred played the bagpipes at my Father’s funeral. Besides his musical talents, Fred provided guidance on how many songs would be ideal and coordinated with the honor guard to ensure the best possible service for my Dad. Thank you for you professionalism and tenderness during such a difficult time.

Excellent job by Fred. He was very professional and flexible.

Fred was great!

This is quite the gentleman, and he arrived in attire within one hour of our event three hours away from his home. He was not only congenial but also understanding of what we wished for my mother's memorial: traditional and uplifting. Many people stopped to chat with him and methinks he will be up this way again for another event soonst with his wonderful music.
My daughters danced to pipes 25 years ago and my cousin, daughter of a lifetime piper, listened and cried as we quietly lamented her father's recent passing. It was so beautiful to have Payne's educated pipes in the background as we composed our thoughts and eventual spoken memories.
(Have him play "Skye Boat Song" and "Going Home!" Not a dry eye in The House!)
Mr. Payne, you were The Best honoring my beautiful mother!!! Bless you!!!

Prompt, professional, and flexible to party needs.

Fred came and played at our St. Patrick's Day party! He was amazingly talented, friendly, and wonderful!
Molly

Fred was a perfectly wonderful addition to our Father's Memorial Service. He looks smart in his full Scottish regalia - his playing is superb. We wouldn't hesitate to book him again for an event.

Fred was great to work with. Very accommodating. The Pinole Historical Society (PHS) hired him for its annual Veterans Day Memorial and Flag Retirement Ceremony. He arrived when he said he would, looked so natty in his attire, and performed beautifully. The PHS received several compliments about his musicianship AND his appearance. He is a nice man and a terrific piper. We highly recommend him.

Fred was awesome he made my retirement date very special I work in a large office building and everyone came out to hear him play and to cheer me on as I was leaving the building. I would hire Fred in a minute for my next celebration. Thank you Freda for making my special day great!

Mr Payne was very accommodating and we thoroughly enjoyed his music. Thank you very much. Highly recommend!

Fred’s bagpipe playing was a real hit at the retirement party. Friendly and professional. I recommend him.

Having Fred Payne play his bagpipes at the Wave Organ was just as we had imagined it would be...and to have friends & neighbors there to honor and share their remembrances of a dear friend made the day more memorable to everyone with Fred's reverent sound of bagpipes.

Fred arrived early and we discussed songs and I gave him the timing on when he needed to play. He was very engaging explaining even how the bagpipes work. My family and friends enjoyed his presence and he stayed after the memorial so my brothers' children could have a photo with him. Thank you again Fred. We are of Scottish heritage and Fred helped us send off my brother with the powerful healing of the pipes.

Very prompt and easy to work with.

Fred was perfect. He is a master with the pipes. There were few dry eyes during the wedding! We would recommend him to everyone.

Everyone at the wedding was commenting how Mr Payne's music created a dramatic and emotional touch while he led the bride along the beach front to meet the groom. Mr Payne is easy to work with, helped with the music choices, and arrived on time. He is a highly experienced musician and the music he played was beautiful.

Fred Payne is more than a Champion Bagpiper! He is world class! He was very personable and amenable to all my requests during the party. This was a private event that I hosted and I could not have succeeded without Fred or Gigsalad! Great experience! Hands down world class experience. Fred allowed me to go over how I wanted him to enter and address the group. The sounds that came from his bagpipes were truly amazing. He is a talented musician! Then I followed up with a full Authentic Irish National ceremonial Kilt. Yes! I wore a Kilt too. Everyone should try it. You can rent them from KiltRentalUSA.com. We took a small group picture with Fred at the end. (Not everyone is in the picture). I reccommend Fred, absolutely! Way to go GigSalad! Great experience!

Fred was personable, professional and on time.
His bagpipes truly pulled on the heart strings of many family and friends at my sons Memorial, I would recommend Fred for any event where a a bagpipe is welcome.

Best,
Gary

Fred played at my father's burial and did an amazing job. He is a very talented musician and kind person. We hope to have him play at a memorial for our father next month. I highly recommend Fred Payne.

Thanks you so much, you made our event so much more special with your meaningful performance. Everything was amazing and you are such a talented performer!

On short notice, on time, friendly, dressed in his kilt and looking very sharp, Fred coordinated with the USMC Honor Guard at the service and his playing of Amazing Grace and the Marine Corps Hymn was perfect. My family members and I thank you for adding a touch of class to my father's service.