December 20, 2025
I was asked to play for a show which I had not heard of, called “Not the Last Walt.” The venue was the Paramount Theatre on Congress Avenue in Austin, which is definitely one of the coolest places I ever played. I did read that “Not the Last Walt” began as a joke, but it has become an annual favorite in Austin.
At that point I had not heard of Walker Luken, the creator of the show… we travel in different musical circles. I asked a singer friend who does travel in the same circles as Walker if I should do the gig as it was such a departure for me, and loosely quoted she said “You should do it and consider it a great honor to be asked, he’s kind of a big deal.”
I wasn’t listed on any of the posters, programs, or promo materials, I was kind of an unexpected addition to what I would call a variety (and I stress the word “variety”) show. In this particular situation, being so “out of place'” kind of made me fit right in.
So, I did the show, and it was great! A theater full of musicians and their fans all singing Auld Lang Syne with the pipes is pretty moving. I’m hoping that maybe he’ll ask me back in 2026.
Auld Lang Syne Austin Symphony Orchestra bagpiper bagpipes Do I need a blog Harmony in the Highlands no regularly scheduled posts Not the Last Walt Orkney Wedding with Sunrise Paramount Theater Walker Lukens