I play the Scottish Great Highland Bagpipes for the greater San Marcos, Texas area. I started playing in 2000 and joined the Capitol City Highlanders Pipe Band in 2008. I have the "great pipes" for larger functions and a set of "small pipes" I can play in more intimate affairs.
Robert was personable and professional from outreach, booking, coordination and performance. He came over to a small birthday party and played and conversed with the crowd. He was great with all ages including a group of 6-10 year olds that were quickly his front row audience. He stopped to share history of bagpiping, instrument details, and answer an array of questions from adults to kids. He was very personable and was able to be quickly accumulate to the crowd. He is so talented and we hope to hear him soon at one of his public performances.
Response from SMTX Bagpiper:
I always enjoy playing Happy Birthday for someone who's never had their own personal bagpiper at their party before. Such a delight!
He played for my husband’s celebration of life. The music was amazing especially when he played the “ army song and amazing grace”. Before the event, we discussed the order of songs and details of the day. Very accommodating and I would definitely contact him again for other events.
Response from SMTX Bagpiper:
Thank you Martha for allowing me to honor your beloved husband.
Photos from this event
My newly deceased friend requested a Bagpiper, we couldn’t have made a better choice. Weather turned nasty, procession was late, Robert was a trooper. If there could be a HIT at a funeral, he was it!
Amazing Grace...AMAZING!
Response from SMTX Bagpiper:
Thanks so much for having me out to honor your friend. I'm glad I was able to be a part of this. Very worthwhile!
My friend was so excited when the bagpiper whom I had hired played at her birthday party. It was a wonderful surprise and he was great.
Response from SMTX Bagpiper:
Thanks so much! What a great party. I hope that I can be of service again sometime.
Great to work with and will be inviting him back for the fall graduation.
Response from SMTX Bagpiper:
Thank you so much for letting me celebrate with Class 181. I look forward to 182!
The event went smoothly. Robert was professional, knowledgeable and excellent at his craft. Everyone enjoyed speaking with him and asking questions. He was on time and very responsive during the whole experience which made me feel confident all would go well. Highly recommend!!!
Response from SMTX Bagpiper:
Thank you so much for the kind words. I had an absolute blast and hope your party makes the "event of the year"!
SMTX bagpiper was a true delight at a party recently!! He was talented, his ensemble was to perfection, he was professional, and his conversation was engaging as we discussed the history of Scotland, the highlanders, the rituals, the language, the food, the relationship between the Scots, the Irish and the English, etc. He made our Robbie Burns party legit! It was a poetry inspired evening with haggis and tartan and much ceremony and ritual. The bagpiping was of course the highlight.
SMTX Bagpiper was the highlight of the evening as I surprised my friends at our annual celebration of Robbie Burns Birthday. Everyone was assembled in the house and I met him outside when he arrived. He was in full regalia and I opened the door as he marched in behind me playing the bagpipe. Oh, the expressions on my friends' faces was priceless! He was involved and well prepared for every aspect of the dinner, from "piping in the guests," to "piping in the haggis," and ending with "Auld Lang Syne." He also was a delightful conversationalist and well versed in Scottish history and the life of Robert Burns. He was a hired musician at the beginning of the event, and parted as a friend at the end of the evening. I highly recommend him if you are ever in need of a bagpiper!
Response from SMTX Bagpiper:
Thank you! This may have been the best Burns Night I have ever attended.
Dress was a little disappointing
Response from SMTX Bagpiper:
I dress to the occasion and as I was told this was a casual, outdoor, family event, I dressed accordingly. I discuss the details of the event with all my clients, including song and dress expectations, but I was not informed that I would be playing with another bagpiper in full military dress.
Price Range: $100 and up, depending on circumstances
Gig Length: 20 - 180 minutes
Languages: English
I can arrive from 45-minutes to 15-minutes early depending on the circumstances. My arrival can either be known to the general audience or a surprise. I can march in to the event playing and take center stage to play as long as desired. I can be incorporated into wedding and funeral services. I can also play while guests arrive to the event or as they depart. I am very flexible and will try to accommodate the wishes of the event coordinator.
I generally play by myself, without the aid of amplified sound, but if desired, I can pull from my band to add drum accompaniment or an ensemble up to 5 pipers and 5 drummers! Be advised, that adding more musicians will increase the hourly rate.
My name is Robert Eby. I grew up in the Dallas, TX area and started playing the Great Highland Bagpipes under the tutelage of PM Don Shannon around 2000. I attended Stephen F. Austin State University from 2001-2005 and played mostly for medieval re-enactment groups. After moving to Austin in 2007, I joined the Capitol City Highlanders Pipe Band and began to greatly improve my playing and my repertoire of tunes. I started playing as the SMTX Bagpiper in 2015 and have focused on providing bagpipe music to the San Marcos community since then.
| October 28, 2023 • 6:00pm - 7:30pm | Wedding Ceremony |
| March 19, 2023 • 1:00pm - 1:30pm | Birthday Party |
| October 07, 2022 • 7:00pm - 7:30pm | Wedding Ceremony |
| August 23, 2022 • 10:00pm - 10:15pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| March 17, 2022 • 7:00pm - 9:30pm | Nonprofit Event |
| May 30, 2021 • 11:00am - 11:45am | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| May 17, 2021 • 12:30pm - 1:30pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| May 08, 2021 • 6:00pm - 6:15pm | Birthday Party |
| March 13, 2021 • 8:00pm - 9:00pm | House Party |
| March 13, 2021 • 12:00pm - 1:00pm | Product Promotion |
| November 01, 2020 • 9:00am - 10:30am | Worship Service |
| October 24, 2020 • 2:00pm - 3:00pm | Wedding Ceremony |
| December 06, 2019 • 10:00am - 11:00am | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| May 04, 2019 • 4:30pm - 4:45pm | Wedding Ceremony |
| May 21, 2018 • 6:00pm - 6:15pm | Graduation |
| April 04, 2018 • 10:00am - 12:00pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| March 05, 2018 • 7:00pm - 7:45pm | Dinner Party |
| January 27, 2018 • 7:30pm - 8:30pm | Dinner Party |
| June 23, 2017 • 5:00pm - 6:00pm | Festival |
| March 17, 2017 • 12:00pm - 11:55pm | Saint Patrick's Day |
| February 25, 2017 • 12:00pm - 1:00pm | San Marcos Mardi Gras Parade |
EJ Jones
Gaelic Storm
The Scottish Rogues
The Chieftains
The Killdares
Enter the Haggis
Dallas, TX 
Bagpiper
83 Verified Bookings Rachel B. B. said “Texas Bagpiper was perfect for Military service at the National Cemetery and an at home Celebration of Life.”
Houston, TX
Bagpiper
59 Verified Bookings Kaleen M. said “Richard did a great job. I will be hiring him again for my next event. Thank you Richard!”
Baton Rouge, LA
Santa Claus
52 Verified Bookings Kamryn P. said “Santa was so so great! :) He was awesome with all the kiddos. We will definitely hire him again!”
San Marcos, TX
Bagpiper
27 Verified Bookings Jasmine B. said “Extremely professional and performed beautifully. His performance added that special touch to my mother’s funeral.”
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