My name is Paul Maine aka  “Piper Paul”. I am available for Celebrations, Special Occassions and Funerals. Please use the contact form on the website to contact me.

My Bagpipe Story

My journey with the bagpipes began through a deeply personal experience. A cousin of mine played the bagpipes at both my grandmother’s and my father’s funerals. The sound of the pipes during those moments was incredibly moving, and it inspired me to set a goal of one day learning to play them myself.

I began that journey in May of 2021 by taking online lessons with Matt Willis. In November of 2022, I purchased my Great Highland Bagpipes, which Matt personally assembled and set up for me. At the time, I was living in Austin, Texas, but as we began preparing for our move to East Tennessee, I decided to pause my online lessons.

We arrived in East Tennessee in July of 2023, and soon after, I discovered that Knoxville Pipes and Drums offered free weekly bagpipe lessons. I started attending lessons later that year and continued developing my skills. After reaching the required level of proficiency, I auditioned for Knoxville Pipes and Drums and was honored to pass the audition. In March of 2025, I was officially kilted, meaning I earned my place in the band and received the official band kilt and uniform accessories.

My first parade as a member of Knoxville Pipes and Drums was the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Knoxville on March 15, 2025.

Music has always been an important part of my life. I am a multi-instrumentalist, with the saxophone being my primary instrument. I have been playing saxophone for more than 40 years. Of all the instruments I have learned, the bagpipes have been the most challenging. The combination of precise grace notes, finger technique, steady air control, and the physical demands of the instrument make the pipes incredibly difficult to master. When I first picked up my new bagpipes, I could only produce a sound for about five seconds!

One of the greatest musical experiences of my life came in 2025 when I performed with Knoxville Pipes and Drums during The University of Tennessee Homecoming football game at Neyland Stadium. Standing on the field and playing the bagpipes in front of more than 100,000 people was an unforgettable moment and a highlight of my musical journey.

The bagpipes continue to challenge me, inspire me, and remind me that there is always something new to learn in music.

The pipeband starts playing about 4:34 into the video.