Portland Metro Pipe Band – Band Member Profile

Name: Keith Robinson

Piper or Drummer? Piper

How long have you been playing pipes or drums? Early 1989. How could it be that long ago already?

Provide some info about your piping/drumming background and other bands you’ve played with: My sister Lisa (also a piper) got me piping during my 2nd quarter of college at Southern Utah University. There I played with the Scarlett & Black Highlanders until graduating in 1992. After taking a year off to complete grad school, I moved to the Portland area to join the illustrious Willamette Valley Pipe Band. When Willamette Valley disbanded in the fall of 1996, I joined Maple Ridge Pipe Band (now New Westminster Police) and played with them for the next 10 years. In early fall 2006, I helped found the Mighty Metros (Thanks for the nickname Jack!) and am still grateful to no longer travel 6 hours each way for band practice! Major influences for me include John Toohey, Angus MacPherson, John Osburn, and Mark Tomasetti. All great musical players and great (though hairy) human beings.

High points of your band and/or solo career, including awards or trips: With Maple Ridge – competing at the 2000 World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow and taking second at the 2005 North American Pipe Band Championships. With Portland Metro – playing the Schnitzer with the Chieftains in February 2009. An absolutely awesome experience I’ll never forget.

Funniest band moment(s): I can’t openly tell the funniest, Mark would be too embarrassed and Bruce would never publish to the web anyway. Most of the funniest moments fall into this category… Hmmmm

Misc. facts about you: I do love my IPAs (especially Hopworks), have two wonderful and highly energetic little boys – hopefully they start piping soon (or at least go the dark side – drumming…) – just try beating them on the Wii….

Send email to: keith@pm-pb.org