Birmingham Bagpiper

I am Pipe Major Joseph R. Morrison, Professional Bagpiper available for hire in Birmingham, Alabama and throughout the southeastern United States. I am the proprietor of Birmingham Bagpiper LLC, a business with a 5-star rating on Google, and I have been serving Birmingham and beyond professionally since 2005.

I am available for hire to perform at a wide range of engagements, from funerals and memorial services to weddings, graduations, anniversary parties, birthdays, family reunions, recitals and educational demonstrations, and any occasion or event that may call for the services of a professional bagpiper. As Alabama's premier top-ranked provider of professional bagpiping services, I have performed throughout the Southeast for more than three decades and traveled tens of thousands of miles to serve clients all over the region.

In addition to providing professional bagpiping services, I also serve as an officer on the Board of Managers of the Saint Andrew's Society of the Middle South, a fraternal Scottish heritage organization based in Birmingham, and I have served as Pipe Major for the organization since 2007. Additionally, I am the Pipe Major and Director of the Ian Sturrock Memorial Pipe Band, a bagpipes and drums band sponsored by the Saint Andrew's Society. I am also a member of the Competition League for Amateur Solo Pipers (CLASP) and Overall Winner of the 2022-23 grade 2 competition season. I am currently competing at the grade 1 level.

I was first mentored by Pipe Major Charles Smith, a pupil of the founder of the pipe band Ian Sturrock of Kilmarnock. Since 2022, I have also received tutelage from Douglas Murray of Fife, a pupil of legendary piper Donald MacPherson BEM, and Donald McBride of Glasgow, a pupil of Pipe Major Robert G. Hardie and Andrew Wright.

During my thirty-year career, I have performed twice on stage with titans of traditional Celtic music The Chieftains, twice on stage with international YouTube sensation The Piano Guys, several concerts throughout the state with The Black Jacket Symphony, and competitively with pipe bands from the West Coast to the Gulf Coast. I have performed for international dignitaries, state dignitaries, Birmingham city officials, numerous annual graduation and commencement services, police and fire service memorial events, inumerable weddings, countless funerals and memorial services throughout the Deep South, and every Saint Patrick's Day parade in the city of Birmingham for the past quarter century.

"Duty above all" is the professional administrative principle by which I conduct my business. I see it as a privilege and an honor to be in the position to provide bagpiping services professionally to those who request it. When you hire the Birmingham Bagpiper, you are engaging the services of a piper who always makes his professional commitments his first priority and who will always conduct himself in a gentlemanly manner. Competent and professional performance of services is contractually guaranteed and you can be confident that you will receive 5-star service that will meet or perhaps even exceed your expectations. Respect and reverence for tradition are central to my professional code of conduct, and in all circumstances I will endeavor to discharge my duties with the utmost regard for the culture and traditions upon which the heavenly music of the bagpipe is founded.

As a professional bagpiper, performer, composer and arranger, tutor, award-winning solo competitor, director of a prize-winning pipe band, recording artist, and owner and proprietor of a small business with a 5-star rating on Google, piping is not just merely my livelihood, it is my life. Don't trust your special event to a mere hobbyist. Hire a professional bagpiper. Please let me know how I can be of service.

See reviews from clients...

You're a true gem.
— Elizabeth and Alan Hunter

I love hearing you play. You're a great musician. I know the work you've put in.
— Donald Beck

The town is still talking about your beautiful music. We will tell everyone about you. It was great to work with you. I can’t thank you enough. Perfect!
— Lisa Christensen

Everyone loved it and it was above and beyond my expectations. You did absolutely tremendously and the ceremony went so well! Thank you so much again for being part of my special day and helping bring some Scottish into my wedding! I am forever grateful for your help.
— Stephanie I. Prus

Thank you so much for making my husband's dream come true. He always loved the bagpipes and for a long time has wanted them with Danny Boy at his funeral. My tears will flow but please know you are making me and all his family proud of their heritage. Thank you so much.
— Jayne Ann Murphy

It was as close to perfect as a son could want and the family is forever in your debt.
— Joe Farley

Ryan, you really made the event. Everyone was blown away by you. Thanks for making this possible.
— Susan Picking

Your presentations were the hit of the night last night. Thanks so much for not only being willing to play for us, but for serving with such excellence. Your passion for what you do is so evident, and your ability to relate to children is quite impressive!
— Tracy Hanrahan
Children's Choir Coordinator, Dawson Memorial Baptist Church

Thank you again for playing for our wedding! John loved following behind as you led the processional and will never forget it! You were awesome and everything I imagined it would be!
— Robin and John Roberts

How do you top "perfect"?
— Joanne McGlown

You bring such magnificence and dignity and decorum to our programs. Thank you from our hearts for continuing to bless us with your music and your professionalism. You are the consummate professional and wildly talented and so flexible and a pleasure to work with.
— Claudia Reach
Life Enrichment Director, Kirkwood by the River

Professionally, you are unmatched! Outstanding by any measurement!
— Kevin Keith
Past President, St Andrew's Society of the Middle South

You're a gifted piper who has devoted your life to piping. God bless you brother.
— Roy Brook

Just a quick note to tell you how impressive you were on Saturday. I believe the music was enjoyed by all.
— Margaret D'Souza
Program Assistant, New College, The University of Alabama

Thank you for keeping this ancient and beautiful tradition alive—and most of all thank you for being there for us on this sad occasion so we could honor a very special man who would have loved it.
— Paula K. Lang

You did a great job! Everyone was so impressed with your talents. You were in all the papers the next day.
— Carla Swinney
Student Affairs, Calhoun Community College

We sincerely appreciate all that you have done for us, especially at the last moment. This is something that is so very special to all of the family, my mother most of all ... the beautiful sound of the bagpipes.
— Dr. Rhonda Cornell

My family and I want to thank you for providing the bagpipe music at my husband's funeral. It was a fitting beginning for one who so appreciated his Scottish heritage, and your entrance to "Amazing Grace" set a beautiful tone which touched all of us deeply.
— Leila Welch

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THE FINE PRINT: Payment in the form of cash, check, credit card & electronic payment via Venmo is accepted. Payment is required upon arrival prior to performance. A 3% convenience fee will be added to all credit card transactions. Please make checks payable to BIRMINGHAM BAGPIPER LLC. A mileage surcharge will be added to the base rate for all bookings outside of Birmingham. Advanced bookings of more than 14 days before the date of performance require a $100 non-refundable retainer to hold the date. The balance is due on the day upon arrival prior to performance of services. An invoice can be generated upon request.

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