About Tom Crawford

Three things to keep in mind if you are considering hiring me for your event: I started playing music in 1966; I’ve played with the best pipe bands in Georgia since 2000; and I’ve owned and operated my own business since 1984.

Well that’s nice, you might say, but why should I care about that stuff? How does that impact Tom playing at my event?
First, I have been a musician for 60 years (I still find that hard to believe)! It is my passion, my avocation, the thing that makes me who I am and keeps me feeling young. For the record, I also play acoustic and electric guitar, bass guitar and double bass, mandolin, Irish bouzouki, and a bit of tin whistle. I have played, but have not kept up, the banjo and the pedal steel guitar. I’ve performed with such diverse groups as Salt Marsh Blues Band; Jim Howard and the Southern Swingsters; The Love and Mercy Band (now the Merci Brothers); Sheri Kling, singer-songwriter; and the Lutheran Church of the Resurrection Praise Band. Currently I perform with Keltic Kudzu, the Atlanta Pipe Band, the North Georgia Bagpipe Ensemble, and of course as a solo piper. In all that, I’ve learned quite a bit about musicality, focus, and performing in public.

Second, I am immersed in Celtic and Scottish music. I attend frequent rehearsals and practice sessions with both the North Georgia Pipes & Drums and Keltic Kudzu. So I am playing before other pipers and musicians several times a week, and they can be your toughest critics when you don’t do your best! Combined with my daily practice regimen, you can rest assured that I will arrive at your event prepared and ready to go.
Let me interject here for a moment that these two points put me in the somewhat unique position among my peers. I am an avid student of the ancient art of Piobaireachd (pronounced pee-brock) the classical and original music of the bagpipes, and I love the dance music of the pipes – strathspeys, reels, jigs and hornpipes – not to mention the great marches. But I can also break out into Rocky Top, Tara’s Theme from Gone With The Wind, or a random Elvis tune. In other words, I take the bagpipes and performance very seriously, but still remember that a fun event calls for just that – FUN!
Finally, I’ve been successful in my business for 30 years because I am detail oriented, focused on customer service and quick to adapt. I bring these traits to my performances as well. You and I will go over all the details beforehand so you will have no unpleasant surprises. I will arrive on time or early and be ready to go at the appointed time. And if (when?) things change, I’m ready and able to adapt. You have enough details to keep track of – I can make at least my portion of your event trouble-free!

A  few additional points to consider:

Unlike many part-time musicians, my hours are flexible so I can be available at almost any time of the day.

I am usually available at short notice. Weddings normally have a long planning time; funerals do not. Last minute is not a problem, I will make every effort to be available, or help you find someone who is available. If I am unavailable, already booked, or fall ill, I am part of a strong network of musicians who back each other up. We will see to it that you will have what you need.

I operate as a business – that means I am fully insured, and can provide W9’s, invoices and a complete paper trail for you.