Welcome to the Big Rab Show Podcast. This episode is dedicated to the memory of the late Leslie Smyth, who sadly passed away this past week. In this our 389th Episode we bring you all my thoughts on my first time in the circle as a competitive bagpiper. From 30 years as a competing drummer, to finally having the pipes under my arm, it’s been a long…

Welcome to the Big Rab Show Podcast. In this our 388th Episode we bring you our wrap up of the 2024 Chicago Highland Games. This competition saw standards rise across the grades, and there were some amazing performances and some new initiatives we need to talk about. This plus we catch up on all the news and views from around the Piping Scene. Emai…

Welcome to the Big Rab Show Podcast. In this our 387th Episode we bring you our 2024 British Championship Wrap Up. We have crowned our champions, and we need to talk all about what happened at Forres. It made for a very interesting competition for many different reasons. This plus we catch up on all the news and views from around the Piping Scene. …

Welcome to the Big Rab Show Podcast. In this our 386th Episode we bring you our 2024 British Championship preview ! Taking place this weekend in Forres, we cannot wait to hit the grass and hear some good music. We give you our particular picks and talk all about the upcoming event. This plus we catch up on all the news and views from around the Pip…

Welcome to the Big Rab Show Podcast. In this our 385th Episode we catch up following the UK Championships and unpack all the results to date. We also catch up with social media sensation Piper Ally ! She has been touring all across the USA and recently has had a new tune go crazy viral ! This plus we catch up on all the previous couple weeks news a…

Welcome to the Big Rab Show Podcast. In this our 384th Episode we bring our our full on the ground report from the 2024 UK Championships in Ward Park, Bangor. The start of our Major Championships opens its gates, and we crown our new UK Champions. We hope you enjoy the sounds, and performances from this fantastic opener for the season. Email – bigr…

Welcome to the Big Rab Show Podcast. In this our 383rd Episode we talk all about the start of our Major Competitive season with the UK Championships. Grade by Grade, and band by band, we cover it all. With so much to look forward to, this is shaping up to be a fantastic weekend of Piping and Drumming. This plus we catch up on all the previous coupl…

Welcome to the Big Rab Show Podcast. In this our 382nd Episode we talk about my journey back to the competition circle. Announcing who I’m going to be competing with this in coming season, but not as a drummer, but as a Piper !! This plus we catch up on all the previous couple weeks news and views from around the Piping Scene. Email – bigrabshow@gm…

Welcome to the Big Rab Show Podcast. In this our 381st Episode we bring you all our coverage from the St Laurence O’Toole Inspired 2024 concert in Aberdeen, hosted by Bucksburn and District Pipe Band. This was such a special show, with plenty of highlights, we just had to dedicate a full episode to it. Special thanks to Stuart and Chloe Campbell fo…

Welcome to the Big Rab Show Podcast. In this our 380th Episode we chat with Ross Miller as we hear all about how things are going while on tour with the Red Hot Chilli Pipers, and of course all his brand new music ! This plus all the usual piping news and views from around the piping world. Email – bigrabshow@gmail.com Support us www.patreon.com/Bi…

Welcome to the Big Rab Show Podcast. In this our 379th Episode we chat with Eddie Bathish of The Sons of Holyland and Dist Pipe Band, as we hear how things have been for the band, and their plans for 2024. We also catch up with Andrew Douglas from the Pipers Dojo, as we hear of an interesting new project they’ve been working on. This plus all the u…

Welcome to the Big Rab Show Podcast. In this our 378th Episode we chat with Kate Dudek, inventor of the new Katenor tenor drum harness. Nominated for the 2023 Big Rab Show for best innovation or product, this has caused quite a stir in the drumming world. This plus all the usual piping news and views from around the piping world. Email – bigrabshow…

Welcome to the Big Rab Show Podcast. In this our 377th Episode we chat with Paula Braiden, as we hear all about The Force Drum Major Display Team. They have been in operation now for one year, and we hear all about where they were, where they are now, and where they hope to be in the future. This plus all the usual piping news and views from around…

Welcome to the Big Rab Show Podcast. In this our 376th Episode we hang out at the 2024 Kids With Cancer Charity Night. We have some amazing performances from Peoples Ford Boghall and Bathgate Caledonia, and some interviews with those in attendance. Including Matthew Shaw, Brian Hasson, Jacob Laird, Viki Singer, Paula Braiden and many more ! Thank y…

Welcome to the Big Rab Show Podcast. In this our 375th Episode we chat with the Chairman of the RSPBA Northern Ireland Branch, Alistair Patterson. We find out all about the work of the branch, and what all was involved in building the 2024 season. This plus all the usual news and views from around the Piping World. Email – bigrabshow@gmail.com Supp…

Welcome to the Big Rab Show Podcast. In this our 374th Episode we chat with Callum Douglas, as we hear about an exciting new development at ESSC. Check out their website for more details on where to get your hands on one of these amazing instruments - https://www.essessionchanter.co.uk/ That plus all the usual news and views from around the Piping …

Welcome to the Big Rab Show Podcast. In this our 373rd Episode we chat with Gold Medal Winner and author of Rhythmic Finger work, Jim McGillivray ! That plus all the usual news and views from around the Piping World. Get your copy of the charity album – Pipes For Peace, in celebration of the 100th episode of the Droning On podcast. https://droningo…

Welcome to the Big Rab Show Podcast. In this our 372nd Episode we chat with one of the biggest names in the Brittany music scene. An amazing Piper and, world renowned craftsman, Xavier Boderiou ! That plus all the usual news and views from around the Piping World. Email – bigrabshow@gmail.com Support us www.patreon.com/BigRabShow We have lots of am…

Welcome to the Big Rab Show Podcast. In this our 371st Episode we chat with European Juv Champion Drum Major Louise Smiton, (Closkelt). We hear how she first got involved in Drum Majoring, and why she believes that it is now the “cool” thing to do for young people. That plus all the usual news and views from around the Piping World. Email – bigrabs…

Welcome to the Big Rab Show Podcast. In this our 370th Episode we chat with Josh MacEachern, from the Chanter Rant Podcast, and also President of the Las Vegas Celtic Society. That plus all the usual news and views from around the Piping World. Don’t forget our Listener Survey. We want your views on our show, and how we can make it better. Here is …

Welcome to the Big Rab Show Podcast. In this our 369th Episode we chat with Sebastian Potgieter, a snare drummer from South Africa who tells us all about the South African scene, as well as his involvement with Auckland and District from New Zealand ! That plus all the usual news and views from around the Piping World. Don’t forget our Listener Sur…

Welcome to the Big Rab Show Podcast. In this our 368th Episode we chat with Liam Kernaghan as we hear all about what’s going on in the New Zealand Scene. That plus all the usual news and views from around the Piping World. Don’t forget our Listener Survey. We want your views on our show, and how we can make it better. Here is the link. https://surv…

Welcome to the Big Rab Show Podcast. In this our 367th Episode we chat all about the launch of our 2024 Listener Survey. We want your views on our show, and how we can make it better. Here is the link. https://survey.easyquest.com/Responding/8d40fc78-281b-320a-9d5c-393ea3565f4b/397c8a51-8bc7-4246-b346-6c7adebd48ed/Page/0 Please take a moment to fil…

Welcome to the Big Rab Show Podcast. In this our 366th Episode we bring you an interesting story on the development of a new pilot scheme, “Piping for Wellness”. Finlay MacDonald from the National Piping Centre tells us more about this exciting new venture, that could provide real benefit to those that need it. That plus all the usual news and view…

Welcome to the Big Rab Show Podcast. In this our 365th Episode we bring you our preview of Winter Storm 2024 !! Its shaping up to be another exciting event, with so much to choose from. We bring you our thoughts and highlights from this incredible event. That plus all the usual news and views from around the piping scene. Email – bigrabshow@gmail.c…

Welcome to the Big Rab Show Podcast. In this our 364th Episode we bring in the new year, as we chat with Glenfiddich Champion Callum Beaumont. We get to hear all about his tuition services, his work with Dollar Academy, and ofcourse that moment he won the biggest prize in solo piping. Happy New Year from all of us here on The Big Rab Show Team. Ema…

Welcome to the Big Rab Show Podcast. In this our 363rd Episode we have a chat with the voice of the Worlds, Bob Worrall.. Respected adjudicator, teacher, piper and broadcaster. It just wouldn’t be Christmas on our show without Bob ! We hope you are all have an amazing Holiday season, and we wish you all a very Happy New Year !! Email – bigrabshow@g…

Welcome to the Big Rab Show Podcast. In this our 362nd Episode we have a fantastic interview with Kerr McQuillan. Leading drummer with the World Champions Peoples Ford Boghall and Bathgate. Also Kerr is the 2023 World Solo Drumming champion. Its been such an amazing year for Kerr and we hear all his thoughts on this past season, and what the future…

Welcome to the Big Rab Show Podcast. In this our 361st Episode we break down one of the biggest news stories to hit the piping scene in a few years. Its very complicated and has drawn strong opinion from around the scene. Its also an emotive topic, with a lot on the line for those impacted. We’re here with you all in this, as we do our best to tack…

Welcome to the Big Rab Show Podcast. In this our 360th Episode we chat with Lissa Schneckenburger, an amazing composer, fiddle player, singer songwriter and educator in the Trad and Folk scene. That plus all the usual news and views from around the piping scene. Be sure to check out Lissa’s website for information on her music, and available traini…

Welcome to the Big Rab Show Podcast. In this our 359th Episode we bring you our annual 12 Products of Christmas show !! We list what we believe to be some of the best possible gifts for the Piper, Drummer, Drum Major or Piping Fan in your life. That plus all the usual news and views from around the piping scene. Email – bigrabshow@gmail.com Support…

Welcome to the Big Rab Show Podcast. In this our 358th Episode we chat with Red Hot Chilli Piper Snare Drummer and percussionist, and now new Leading Drummer of Shotts and Dykehead Caledonia Pipe Band, Grant Cassidy !! We get to hear all about the moment he was offered the job, and what he hopes the 2024 season will bring. That plus all the usual n…

Welcome to the Big Rab Show Podcast. In this our 357th Episode we bring youo a conversation with Simon Fraser University Bass Drummer Ali North. What does it take to lift the bass drum with a world champion drum corps? This plus we catch up with all the news and updates from this past week. Including the big story of the possibility of only two maj…

Welcome to the Big Rab Show Podcast. In this our 356th Episode we bring youo a great chat with Grant and J.Reid Maxwell as we hear all about their new project “taking no shortcuts”. https://takingnoshortcuts.com/ That plus, Rab has a rant !!... Don’t ask.. We finally announce the winners of the 2023 Big Rab Show Awards !! Congratulations to all the…

Welcome to the Big Rab Show Podcast. In this our 355th Episode we have a fantastic chat with one of the best Uilleann Pipers in the business, Conor Mallon. Including details of his new album “Unearthed”. That, plus we chat all about the usual news and views from around the Piping world. Be sure to place your vote now, and good luck !! www.thebigrab…

Welcome to the Big Rab Show Podcast. In this our 354th Episode we catch up on months worth of Weekly Drones. You folks have submitted some real food for thought, and we take our time to try and address each exciting topic. That, plus we chat all about the usual news and views from around the Piping world. Be sure to place your vote now for your fav…

Welcome to the Big Rab Show Podcast. In this our 353rd Episode we reveal our 2023 Big Rab Show Awards finalists !! You have all been nominating away for the past two weeks, and its finally time to announce our finalists. That plus we catch up on all the usual news and views from around the Piping world. Be sure to place your vote now for your favou…

Welcome to the Big Rab Show Podcast. In this our 352nd Episode we talk all about that situation at the World Pipe Band Championships 2023, that set the scene a blaze. Just what is going on? Will we ever hear what exactly happened? That plus we catch up on all the usual news and views from around the Piping world. Email – bigrabshow@gmail.com Suppor…

Welcome to the Big Rab Show Podcast. In this our 351st Episode we catch up following all of our content from the biggest week in Piping. We catch up on some of the big news stories, and of course our topic this week. We are launching the 2023 Big Rab Show Awards !! Nominations are now open, so feel free to send yours into us – bigrabshow@gmail,com …

Welcome to the Big Rab Show Podcast. In this our 350th Episode we bring you our live show at the 25th annual Piping Live festival. At the biggest piping festival in the world, we are back again to record another episode. Recorded LIVE from the Street Cafe at the National Piping Center in Glasgow, we have some of the biggest and best musicians light…

Welcome to the Big Rab Show Podcast. In this our 349th Episode we bring you a full on the ground report from the Saturday at the World Pipe Band Championships 2023. It’s another attempt to let you experience through audio, what it would have been like to stand there on the green, surrounded by such amazing music. Hopefully this manages to capture s…

Welcome to the Big Rab Show Podcast. In this our 348th Episode we bring you a full on the ground report from the Friday of the World Pipe Band Championships 2023. Its an attempt to let you experience through audio, what it would have been like to stand there on the green, surrounded by such amazing music. Hopefully this manages to capture some of t…

Welcome to the Big Rab Show Podcast. In this our 347th Episode we bring you all the goings on at the 2023 Belfast International Tattoo. This year was such a special event, with talent from all around the globe taking to the floor. Be sure to check out our social media accounts for photos and video’s from the event. Thank you to all the organising t…

Welcome to the Big Rab Show Podcast. In this our 346th Episode we bring you our on the ground coverage from the 2023 Drumm for Drinks event. Having been unable to open their doors for three years now, it was a triumphant return and in a new venue ! We attempt to capture the excitement and some amazing performances from some of the most talented dru…

Welcome to the Big Rab Show Podcast. In this our 345th Episode we bring you our thoughts on the 2023 World Pipe Band Championships. (please excuse the audio on this). We go through everything from the event itself, to the eventual prize winners. Including if we got our predictions correct or not? How did your predictions fair? Email – bigrabshow@gm…

Welcome to the Big Rab Show Podcast. In this our 344th Episode we bring you a chat with some of The Big Rab Show Team, as we attempt to predict the winners of the 2023 World Pipe Band Championships this weekend. Will we get any right or get them all dreadfully wrong. Why not have a go yourself before the big weekend and send us your picks. Good luc…

Welcome to the Big Rab Show Podcast. In this our 343rd Episode we bring you our preview for the Piping Live festival. We go through day by day and select some of the events we believe you should be checking out. We also catch up with Musical Director of the Festival, Finlay MacDonald. Be sure to check out their website for full listings. www.piping…

Welcome to the Big Rab Show Podcast. In this our 342nd Episode we bring a very important panel discussion on Mental Health. Getting the right support isn’t always easy, especially when problems are affecting your mental health. It’s not always clear where to go for help. For those in Northern Ireland, Inspire’s "Advocacy for All", is an easy first …

Welcome to the Big Rab Show Podcast. In this our 341st Episode we preview the third major championships in the season, the Scottish Championships! Plus, we have all the latest news and views from around the Piping World. This weeks episode is dedicated to the memory of the late PM Alec Brown. Email – bigrabshow@gmail.com Support us www.patreon.com/…

Welcome to the Big Rab Show Podcast. In this our 340th Episode we chat with folks from the Pipers Dojo, as they tell us all about their exciting new initiative the “Beginner Factory”. If you’re anyway curious, access the information on the following link. https://pipersdojo.com/make-your-own-pipe-band-beginner-factory-free-guide/ That plus we have …