The Bagpipes in Kansas City: Charlie
My first time was on Oak, by 51st. The 51 bus was parked nearby. Second time was the Plaza. I noticed there was a bus close by. And there was the parking lot by 74th and Wornall. The Max was alongside on Broadway, due to depart in 18 minutes.
His name is Charlie. He’s a bus driver and he plays the bagpipes during bus layovers. Oak is where I mostly see him, though I really like listening to the pipes in the dark. The first time I saw him actually step off the bus with his pipes was so great as I realized it really was the bus driver who was playing them.
Even though I haven’t seen (or heard) a bus driver at home play the bagpipes, it still reminds me of home because of so many things that bus drivers there do, even though they may not be in the job description.
Me, my life + infrastruture has a photo of Charlie in action, which I found through Tony’s Kansas City, who shares his own memory. But forget our websites, and go catch a bus.
See also:
• Majoring in Bagpipes
• John McSherry: Uilleann Piper
• Kansas City Scottish Festival
Eolaí gan Fhéile:
I really like your recollections of the guy. He’s truly one of the great people in this city.