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An Interview Edward Channon, Piper and Author ( Appearing at the Left Coast Eisteddfod, Portland, Oregon August 2009 )
By Ceri Shaw, 2009-06-22
Edward Channon, a resident of Portland Oregon, has been playing the bagpipes for 35 years. He has recently completed his first book:- The Ballad of A Bagpiper . The book details the humorous stories of things Edward has observed over the years at weddings, funerals, events and a myriad of other gatherings around the world. Edward will be appearing at the Left Coast Eisteddfod where he will be giving a presentation and demonstration of his piping skills and signing copies of his new book. 
Americymru: How and why did you start learning the bagpipes? Edward: I didnt start with the bagpipes when it comes to learning a musical instrument because both of my parents are classical pianists, I started playing the piano at age four. My father learned in Austria and my mother in the USA. However,my mother being of German/Scotch decent, made me practice the piano at least two times a day ,for about an hour each time. She always gave me that image that comes from being German discipline, thats my mum. If I got something wrong she would yell at me, striking me on the hands with a ruler or just stand behind me yelling PRACTICE, PRACTICE , PRACTICE with a German accent ,looking like a Gestapo agent, which always scared the hell out of me!
My grandfather, who at that time was a Episcopal minister and loved classical music, also played the bagpipes. Since I was young he constantly told me how fun bagpipes were. So pulling me away from the piano he showed me the techniques in playing this weird looking and sounding instrument. Of course, I had to use smaller ones, his made me fall over because of its size and weight. He always joked that if you suck at playing the piano, you cant pick it up and walk out, at least with the pipes you can walk out. Didnt need to say more!
Edward: Ballad of a Bagpiper is the first of its kind in this wonderful world of ours. At least, in the bagpipe world. It's about the funny things that have happened to me, really, and the things I saw at weddings, parties, military events, and even funerals over the many years Ive been playing. It's not really a life story but more about small segments rather short stories of my life playing this instrument.
Americymru: Do you have a favorite humorous incident?
Edward: I once played for a funeral in England after a rain storm , so the ground was wet, muddy and just slippery typical Britain. Even though I was watching where I was walking, I also had to watch the funeral to get a sign from the minister or family that I had to stop playing, which I had been doing for a while. Walking and looking, walking and looking; finally I thought I saw the sign but it was false, so I kept playing but I didnt see where I was walking and fell into a newly dug grave. Yes ,it was deep and it was full of water.
Another story, I was doing a benefit walking down the street ,leading runners in a charity run, so that as I walked the runners would run past me. I was sure that they heard me, how can you not hear the bagpipes being played, but I was being bumped and pushed as they ran by. I didnt care, I was having fun. When I got to a corner, a few reporters came running out to ask runners questions, one of them came up to me to ask me something. I gave them that look like, Ah hello! Im playing, kind of hard to talk! I tried to tell them but I couldnt and they ran off....... Ive been in that situation a few times and each time I wonder if reporters ever get it!
Americymru: Where does your sense of humor come from?
Edward: I grew up watching British comedy shows like Benny Hill, Monty Python, Dads Army, Are you being Served?, Man about the House and more. But the comedians Spike Mulligan, Peter Sellers and my father were great influences on me and how I look at the world. Not to be a critic about things but seeing the funny side of any situation.
Americymru: Would you say that Celtic music has been your biggest influence in play the bagpipes?
Edward: To tell the truth, no. Growing up I listened to Chopin, Bach, Mozart but going to primary school one day I heard a band called Def Leppard. That was it, I was hooked on rock. Since then heavy metal, classical, pop have been influences on me. I personally find Celtic music kind of boring if not played with passion and many dont have it. Bagpipers are the same: if you dont have the passion or the state of mind, then you shouldnt be playing if it doesnt come from the heart.
Americymru: You reference some bizarre events in your book. Can you elaborate on these?
Edward: Well Ive played for a nudist wedding, a vampire wedding and so many more. I dont want to give to much away. These are just a just a couple of weird or interesting events that Ive done. Things that I guess a bagpiper probably wouldn't play for or be included in normally however they were interesting and weird, which made them fun to watch and be in.
Americymru: Do you have any book influences or writers you like?
Edward: That's a hard one, since I read all types of books and have since I was a kid. I love all genres but I would say my favorite is Jack Higgins. But I love Bernard Cornwell, Sergei Lukyanenko, Nigel Tranter to name a few.
Americymru: What kind of engagements do you play at?
Edward: Of course Ive played for normal events like weddings to funerals, a number of these have been very usual in themselves, but I have also played for parties including a fraternity initiation parties, hen nights and stag night parties as well as birthday parties; business events, and even a Bar Mitzvah. However, it has never been about the money for me, I love what I do. It's all about the people I meet, the joy in helping them and the experience of doing it. But, of course in doing so I got into situations where I couldnt leave or get out of!
Americymru: Youve played for some celebrities and even royalty can you tell us more about that?
Edward: When playing for politicians and royalty, it is like entering different worlds. Politicians like it to make them look good no matter what, Do it this way as long I look good. While royalty like it done very specific, conservative and old ways ways, tradition all rules their thinking. This is way weve done it for centuries, Celebrities such as movie or TV stars are really the most fun. Just have fun! is what theyve always tell me. Each person I play for holds a distinct memory for me, however, playing for Queen Elizabeth is kind of hard to remember as I was so young at the time. Princess Diana was one I remember as being the most elegant, because of her beauty and grace. Her loss was a terrible for Britain and the world. From Reagan to the local politicians I remember as being stressful because I have to be careful what I say. I have a tendency to say the wrong thing at the worse time, getting the politician in trouble. Im good at that, my wife would say.
Americymru: Any plans for a record deal or music CD of your own?
Edward: I do. I was recently approached by a record producer to set something up in the near future. Dont know what type of CD it will be as I find the normal bagpipe CD kind of boring and over done. So, who knows, but as with this book it will be a first of its kind.
Americymru: Any other message for the members and readers of Americymru?
Edward: Just that this book will give everyone a good laugh and for those musicians out there remember that all things are possible if you have a sense of humor when you look at something. Humor I think brings out both the worse and the best in people you just have to figure what to do in that situation. Of course having humor can get you in trouble.... as you will see. hehe!!
Americymru: Any public appearances in the near future?
Edward: I do have many are coming up. The Scottish Highland Games in Gresham, Oregon Ill be making an appearance there with Kathleens of Dublin . I also have a launch party at Kathleens of Dublin in Portland on 6 Aug. I will also have a launch party in Seattle on 30 July. I will be working with the Iron Mutt Coffee Company which has three cafes around Portland in doing signings, one this coming Saturday the 27th from 10-12 in Hillsboro. This is great place to bring your dog and get them high on caffeine. Ill be in Seattle, Los Angles as well later in the summer. I believe Ill be in Boston, London, England, New York, and Albuquerque, New Mexico as well. Then of course Americymrus big event the third weekend of August which I hope shows the world the funny world of Celtic music.
David Western will be appearing, speaking on the lovespoon carving tradition and showing his work, including the Left Coast Eisteddfod lovespoon - which David will award at the event - at the Left Coast Eisteddfod in Portland, Oregon on Friday, August 21 and Saturday, August 22, 2009. Get your tickets now.
As I've been compiling this little blog following the twists and turns of carving a lovespoon for the Left Coast Eisteddfod, I've received a number of emails from fellow carvers, lovespoon enthusiasts and a few people who are 'just interested' wanting to know how I got into this and what my inspirations are.
I can tell you that I basically fell into lovespoon carving. Although I have been aware of what they are since childhood, and have tinkered with carving them since my teens, the really serious obsession (or as I prefer to call it, professional interest) with lovespoons is about 10 years old now.
My main inspirations were, and still are, the lovely antique spoons housed at the National History Museum of Wales at St Fagans (near Cardiff). I always make time for a day or two at the museum studying these little gems of fervent workmanship whenever I am in Wales. A finer introduction into the craft cannot be found anywhere else (except maybe in my book The Fine Art of Lovespoon Carving - how's THAT for a shameless plug??). I encourage anyone keen on lovespoons who plans on visiting Wales to make time for this marvelous museum. Even if you could care less about lovespoons, the outdoor museum is chock-a-block with tremendous things to see. But if I were to single out one spoon which above all others has been my greatest source of inspiration and as acted as a beacon guiding me to strive to constantly improve both my carving and my design it would be this one.
For me, this spoon epitomizes all that is great about the lovespoon. Masterfully and elegantly carved, the spoon appears deceptively simple, yet every feature is flawlessly carved and the represents the very highest level of craftsmanship. If you want a spoon that 'has it all'...this is the one. Whoever the unknown craftsman was who made this brilliant offering, I sincerely hope that he won the heart of his intended and lead a long, happy and productive life! He deserves it!
After that masterwork, this little spoon may seem like the 'ugly duckling', but what I love and find so inspiring about this spoon is the passion which seems to almost emanate from its fibres! Lofty talk, I know, but despite its rather rudamentary craftsmanship and design, this spoon has tremendous emotion. Made with the simplest of tools by someone in the deepest thrawl of love, the bowl is exquisitely formed, showing an amateur carver giving it his very best effort . For 'feeling', this spoon has always rated as one of the most inspirational for me!
The last example from the St Fagan's collection is this completely over-the-top example of woodcarving virtuosity. A riot of chainwork, balls in cages, swivels and a fiendishly difficult diagonal chain pattern, this spoon was carved by a very, very serious professional. It would have taken months and months of patient and extremely nerve-wracking carving to create this magnum opus! Whenever I think I am getting fairly good at carving, I study this spoon and realize just how far I have yet to go!
But it isn't just ancient history which inspires. Recently, I had the very good fortune to meet carver Alun Davies of Wales, whom I believe carves the most technically perfect lovespoons I have ever seen. Alun's mastery of woodcarving is so complete that his spoons are almost unbelievable in their perfection. No single aspect of them is any less than stunning. In fact, the first time I laid eyes on them, I felt like I really needed to get some carving lessons and to practice a LOT more!! Alun's spoons aren't just technically staggering though, they have a soft and elegant charm which is really the root of lovespoon carving...they have feeling!!! It was Alun who told me something which has become my lovespoon carving mantra... "A lovespoon is not a lovespoon unless it is carved with love; love for the wood, love for the tradition and love for the person who will receive it." Hang that above the workbench and you have all the inspiration you'll ever need!!
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My last lovespoon inspiration has probably had the most profound influence on in my lovespoon carving as he has shown me that the possibilities for the tradition are vast, varied and exciting. Mike Davies is probably the most well known of all the Welsh lovespoon carvers and for many years has been a one-man promotion for this venerable tradition. Thousands of people around the world proudly display Mike's work on their walls and for good reason....Mike was one of the first to really realize the design possibilities for the lovespoon outside the 'antique traditional'. With dramatic Celtic designs, dramatic modern pieces and delicate foliage inspired spoons, Mike's work is always adventurous. Realizing that there were so many unexplored avenues available to the lovespoon carver was probably the greatest inspiration for me and I will always be grateful to Mike for so vividly pointing that out!
I have enjoyed great generousity, cameraderie and inspiration from many lovespoon carvers over the years and I know that like everything else, the more influences, techniques and ideas are brought to a subject, the better it gets. Hopefully, one day I will be an inspiration to a beginning carver or my designs will spark inspiration for someone to take the craft another step further and that will be a very happy day for me.
| In a blatant attempt to increase traffic Americymru has been reduced to playing silly Twitter games. If you have a Twitter account you can join in the "fun" here:-: |
Mike Jenkins describes his first blogpost thus:-"My very first blog.I'm a virgin blogger. I wonder if anyone out there will even bother to read it. Well, I'm used to that , being a poet!"In our humble opinion such modesty ill befits the author of this magnificent poem:- The Journey of The Taf ....first published on Americymru in April this year. We look forward to reading future posts. Mike must not blog in vain:)
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The Left Coast Eisteddfod will be the centerpiece of a program in the PDXposed television series on Welsh culture in Portland. The half hour long show, which will air on the FOX network in November, will include live footage and interviews from the Eisteddfod itself and will highlight the activities of the Welsh community in the Rose City. There is a possibility that the program will be available to viewers outside the Portland area "on demand". The producer and crew of PDXposed will be traveling to Wales in September to do a travel show on location to be aired here in Portland. Final locations and subjects aren't yet pinned down and this is still in the planning stage with some logistics and productions to be worked out. PDXposed has worked out this trip with the very able assistance of AmeriCymru member Paul Chibeba from VisitWales . Some past episodes of PDXposed are available on youtube HERE In addition to filming at the Eisteddfod, PDXposed presenter Jon Olson expressed an interest in filming a sports activity (rugby, of course!) and people in a restaurant or pub and we suggested meeting them at the Horse Brass on Belmont, if the owners are amenable. We need as many Welsh people and people of Welsh descent as are willing to show up. If you're in the Portland area, please tell us you're willing to drink for Wales at the Horse Brass during the week before the Eisteddfod. Volunteer in the comment box below. Uncle Dai needs YOU! We strongly advise anyone planning to travel from outside Portland to attend the Eisteddfod to buy tickets well in advance as we predict that demand will be high in the coming months. Visit the main Left Coast Eisteddfod page HERE .
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We are very pleased and proud to announce that a copy of "In Search of Gareth Jones" is being made available to us by its creator, Americymru member Kelvin Guy , for showing at the Left Coast Eisteddfod in Portland . The documentary will be shown in Lola's Room in the Crystak Ballroom on Saturday August 22nd ( precise time to be announced ). For more information about Gareth Evans see below or visit the film's website HERE .
About Gareth Hughes - From the Wikipedia
Born into a working class family in Dafen, Carmarthenshire, after undertaking some local amateur roles aged 15 he walked to London and joined a West End theatre based group of Welsh players. The group took a tour to the United States, and although not successful Hughes was spotted in New York, and left the group to take a series of minor roles on Broadway. Seen by the right people, they persuaded Hughes to get involved in the new-fangled picture business.
Hughes earlier screen work was with Clara Kimball Young in Eyes of Youth, Marguerite Clark in Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch. He was teamed with Viola Dana in The Chorus Girls Romance, and was with Famous Players-Lasky Corporation, in Sentimental Tommy, the picture which attracted immediate attention to his ability. Even though he had already appeared in many films before this,he always regarded Sentimental Tommy as his favourite and most successful. In total he made forty five films spanning 1918 to 1931.He was also the Welsh dialect coach, on The Corn Is Green made in 1945 starring Bette Davis (another Welsh connection). Ceil.B.DeMille called him a young idealist. Fulton Ousler describes him as the charm boy to end all charm boys
In 1929 like many others he lost his fortune in the Wall Street crash and was left penniless, but he carried on making films until 1931 when he appeared in Scarce Heads. He then decided to leave the world of film and return to theatre, which he had always been his first love. His last performance ran for 18 weeks at the Hollywood Playhouse in 1938, where he starred as Shylock in the Merchant of Venice.
In the early 1940s Hughes decided it was time to leave his full and exciting but also lavish and selfish lifestyle. Adopting the name of Brother David, in 1944 he became a missionary to the Paiute Indians on the Pyramid Lake Reservation of Nevada. Hughes spent almost 14 years with his children as he liked to call them.
In 1958 Hughes decided to return to Llanelli to spend his final years. But he longed for the sunshine of the West Coast, and after five months he returned to California. Later Hughes moved into the Motion Picture Country Home, in Woodland Hills, where he had his own cottage. He baptised silent film actress Clara Kimball Young prior to her death. There he died at the age of seventy, and his cremains were buried in a Masonic Cemetery at Reno, Nevada.
In 2008, Hughes relative Kelvin Guy made made the film Desert Padre , which premiered in Llanelli.
