I picked up a copy of the Flagstaff counterculture paper The Noise this weekend. But just read it.

In a column by a music critic is this:

"One of the neat universal things about subcultures is that there's always so much more than whatever most people are presented with....

Bagpiping is no different. In fact, bagpiping and punk go hand in hand. Both are often covered in tartan plaid; both are neat ways to express your hatred for imperialism. I'm pretty sure Guiness factors in well for both, too, bu that's just a solid beer for anybody. Thinly drawn comparisons aside, there's this kid named Michael Donelson that lives right her in our rapidly urbanizing city that can play the bagpipes like Milli Vanilli played the record industry. I never thought I would get to describe bagpiping as something that you could thrash to, bu this kid could convince me to stick a huge battleaxe into someone's face.

Remember the scene in Braveheart where everyone moons the British before they go completely nuts and lay waste to everything that stands before them? That's like Michael Donelson's playing.

On top of that, he's only fifteen! What were you doing when you were fifteen? You were trying to deal with hormone surges and awkward phases and you probably weren't doing a very good job. This kid could be inspiring armies, terifying SWAT units, and causing cars to spontaneously combust. He's been playing since he was nine and he shreds like Ted Nugent. Unlike the Nuge; however, Michael Donelson is playing the Arizona Highland Celtic Festival on July 15 & 16 in Foxglenn Park."

What the critic didn't mention is that Michael has also been winning awards for his piping since age 10.

Never heard his music...but this weekend....

If you were thinking about coming...this is one more reason.

Ron