🎙️ In this episode of the Irish Snug Podcast, we sit down with legendary bagpiper Joe Brady —a cornerstone of Irish-American piping and a key figure in New York City’s rich musical and firefighting traditions.

Joe shares his journey from learning the pipes as a young boy in the Bronx to becoming an elite open-level piper by age 17. He reflects on decades of experience with the FDNY Pipe Band, founding the FBI Pipe Band, and his remarkable 33-year run leading the iconic Fighting 69th Regiment up Fifth Avenue in the NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

We dive deep into:
• The legacy of Irish piping in New York
• The history and honor of the Fighting 69th
• Performing with world-renowned groups like The Chieftains and The High Kings
• Playing at historic events, including for Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin Dempsey
• The rise and fall of the Hunter Mountain Celtic Festival

This episode is packed with unforgettable stories, humor, and insight into a lifetime dedicated to music, tradition, and service.

👉 Whether you're a bagpiper, firefighter, or fan of Irish culture, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

🔥 Episode Highlights
• [00:00:02] Introduction to the podcast and Joe Brady
• [00:00:16] Early days with the FDNY Pipe Band
• [00:01:38] Becoming an open piper at 17
• [00:02:22] Leading the Fighting 69th for 33 years
• [00:03:10] Joe Brady Sr. and Irish roots
• [00:05:44] First trip to Ireland at 17
• [00:07:26] Winning a drum major competition in Kilkenny
• [00:08:59] Stories about his father
• [00:11:24] Learning the pipes as a kid
• [00:13:30] Worcester Kiltie Pipe Band & flying to practice
• [00:15:50] Founding the FBI Pipe Band
• [00:19:10] Joining the Fighting 69th
• [00:20:46] First NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade
• [00:22:30] Marching up Fifth Avenue
• [00:24:03] Playing the entire parade route nonstop
• [00:25:10] History of the Fighting 69th
• [00:26:49] Teaching the FDNY Pipe Band
• [00:29:51] Training FDNY drum major Liam Flaherty
• [00:33:04] Playing with The Chieftains & The High Kings
• [00:34:18] Performing for General Martin Dempsey
• [00:35:25] “The Parting Glass” performance story
• [00:37:20] Behind the scenes at The Jay Leno Show
• [00:43:14] Hunter Mountain Celtic Festival origins
• [00:44:53] Massed bands marching down the mountain
• [00:46:17] End of the festival and legacy

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