Blake Garrison

Name: Blake Garrison

Age: 41

Where are you from originally? Palenville, NY

Where do you live : Palenville, NY

What is your job or major if a student? Fire Apparatus Sales Manager

Where did you learn to play? Took my first lessons from Marty Beaton while playing for Middlefort Pipe Band

Instrument: Tenor Grade 3 – Snare Drum in Parade Band (Played Bass in Grade 4)

How long have you been playing? 11 Years

What got you interested? My friend Pete Gallagher was a piper with Middlefort and I saw a few of their performances. They were in need of drummers so I went up one Friday night for a lesson. In my third week there, the Bass drummer was relocated for work and they were in need of a new Bass drummer. I was the only extra person sitting in the room doing nothing. Two weeks later, I performed my first concert at the East Durham Irish Festival.

How did you go about learning/finding – private teacher, class, band, parent or relative? Took lessons at Middlefort from Marty Beaton and Pat Breen on snare and Erin Harks helped me on Bass. After my move to Tara Hall, I took lessons from Dave Haughey and Sean Raleigh.

Teachers that had a big influence: Dave Haughey seemed to teach me the most on snare. He was laid back but also made you step up and play. Steve and Pinky Donnelly have both taught me a ton about tenor and bass, as well as reading music and drum maintenance.

How long did you take lessons? On and off over the last 11 years but bouncing between 3 instruments probably didn’t help me advance my snare skills to my potential.

How long did you play practice chanter/pad before moving to pipes/drum? How long from start to marching with the band? Four Weeks! I guess I was the exception to the rule but Erin Harks told me I had the feel for the music so if I could count to four, I could play bass. Years later, I realized there was much more to it but I got by and played Grade 4 bass within 2 months of picking up the instrument. Joining Tara Hall, I took lessons for about a year before hitting the street on Snare.

How long does it take you to get to practice? I am about 50 miles from practice so it takes just about an hour.

Favorite bagpipe player or drummer? In CRC, who doesn’t idolize Joe Leathem! Drumming, I’ve got to go with Steve Donnelly. Bass drummers have got to stick together! Outside CRC, I have enjoyed watching Harvey Dawson (spelling) play.

Favorite bagpipe band? I love the sound of Victoria Police. They stepped outside the box back in their day. I could listen to Master Blasters 7 days a week.

What other music do you like? I love Irish Traditional, Celtic Rock, Alternative, Polka, Reggae. Basically anything but country.

What other instruments do/did you play? I have dabbled with the accordion and played trumpet in grade school.

What is the hardest thing about playing? Solo? Band? Memorization!

Do you compete? Level? I have competed at Grade 5 on both bass and snare (not at the same time), Grade 4 on bass, and Grade 3 on Tenor.

What is the one thing you would tell a beginner about learning? Don’t be intimidated about learning around talented musicians. Even the best players in our band take lessons and are constantly learning.

Do you play solo events like weddings and funerals? Surprisingly for a drummer, I have played at a couple weddings with a piper or group of pipers. Not much call for a bass or tenor at funerals.

What hobbies or other pursuits do you have? I love to ski as much as possible, I am Assistant Chief of my local fire department, I like Deadliest Catch, Guinness, and I can’t get enough Irish Festivals onto my calendar.