My interest in my Scottish heritage began when my uncle, Wayne Wallace, told me about our ancestry. My uncle was a genealogist and was very proud of our name. My interest sparked even more when the movie, Braveheart, came out in 1995. After watching this blockbuster movie, I wanted to travel to Scotland. I finally got the chance to go in 1997. I saw bagpipers on the street corners in Edinburgh. I told my mother that I wanted to learn how to play the pipes. My mom laughed and said, “Who is going to teach in Somerset County?”
I grew up on the Eastern Shore of Maryland and I had never heard a bagpiper play in our area. I was so thankful to find out that a man named Jim Frye from Ocean Pines was giving lessons. Mr. Frye had moved here from Long Island, New York. He started the Ocean City Pipes and Drums Band! I started taking lessons from him in 1997 and have been playing in the band ever since!
I have many fond memories over the past 25 years. My son, Payton, started playing with us when he was 10 years old. He is now in the Navy and only plays with us when he has time. It was a privilege to play with The High Kings and The Chieftains on stage in Ocean City, Maryland. I will always cherish the memories of those members of our band that have retired or passed on. They will always be a part of the band.