bagpipes4hire.com

Paul S. Palmer, Bagpiper
312-749-3940
Chicago, Illinois, USA

Bagpipes delivered anywhere in the USA

Starting at $595.00
Plus expenses

piper at sunsetOver the years I have had the pleasure to play in some very exotic places, Norfork, Arkansas, Elizabethtown, Kentucky, and someplace near Monroe, Louisiana, just to name a few. Each new place is an adventure and I love the opportunity to surprise someone in places they never expected to hear a bagpiper but it's often a bit complicated to pull off. When I start asking questions, I'm frequently asked could you write all that down, so I did.

What I need to know:

What is the destination and travel time? (total time involved)
Who am I playing for, the occasion and what time do I play?
Am I delivering a gift and how do I get it?
Where is the nearest airport and available ground transportation?
Can someone meet me and drive me to and from my arrival point?
Can you give me more than one contact person at my destination?
Is there somewhere I can stay before or after I play, either because I arrived early or had to wait for transportation out?

What you need to do:

You need to make my travel arrangements, air, ground transportation and room, if applicable.

bagpiperI always try and travel the cheapest way possible but often because it is last minute, I have to take what gets me there on time. I don't stay overnight if at all possible and I don't mind taking the "red eye" in or out of town. I don't eat at fancy restaurants or stay in expensive hotels. If I am performing on two separate days then there is the normal $595.00 per days. If I am unable to travel until the second day or I have to arrive a day early, my minimum fee of $250.00 applies for that travel day.

Why all the rules? Because often the people who want to hire me for an out of town gig never gave any thought to what it takes to pull off this travel thing. They think I magically appear, play the bagpipe and then magically disappear. More than a few trips fell apart because the present giver wanted a bagpiper but didn't want any of the responsibility of making it happen.

THE AGREEMENT: (the small print)
It hasn't happened yet, but...
In case, due to transportation breakdowns, (snowed in, fogged in, strikes, acts of God or a hijacking) I am not able to get to the job on time or not at all, here is what we need to agree on.
anglepiperFirst: If I arrive late, I will make every attempt to play in the most appropriate alternative manner to complete the job. (This has worked out very well twice.)
Second: If I am not able to reach the job at all or locate the recipient even with my best efforts, I still receive my fee.
How I get paid.
I prefer to be paid in advance. But, I can secure my fee by visa/master card and will accept cash or business check and then charge back the charge card.
How come I still get paid?
Because, I couldn't do these types of jobs and assume the risks involved in last minute arrangements, travel glitches and people not being where they were suppose to be.
Our agreement to go ahead means that you assume my travel expenses and fee even if I am stranded in Broken Toe, North Dakota and never take my pipes out of the box. I agree to make every effort to complete the job. If that sounds fair, give me a call. Home

Note: I'm hired to play a specific event, a birthday, a wedding, a funeral or a surprise party. The same amount of playing time applies as if I were in Chicago, 10 to 20 minutes, or what ever is appropriate. Because I might be at the location for an extended period of time (waiting to leave or waiting to play) doesn't mean I'm playing the whole time I'm there! I mean it! I was on one job where every time some relative found their way out of the swamp, they wanted me to play them something. No! I don't do that.

Thank you for your understanding.
Paul S. Palmer, Bagpiper

Call: 312-749-3940