The Music Man

Brian Gray shares his life in song.

Famous TV host Dick Clark used to say, “Music is the soundtrack of your life.” In Brian Gray’s case, he creates his own soundtrack, playing the accordion, keyboard synthesizers, organ, guitar, baritone, trombone, bagpipes—and he also sings!

His enchantment with music began in the second grade when he joined the children’s choir at his church. In fourth grade, he began taking baritone lessons. He wanted to play the tuba, but the instrument was too heavy for him to hold at that age.

Years later he attended Edinboro University and majored in trombone and euphonium, which is like a baritone with a “sweeter, more melodic sound,” says Brian.

After graduation, he realized there wasn’t a huge demand for euphonium players. This led to several unfulfilling jobs before he decided to follow his dream of playing music full time.

Brian plays in several bands and teaches band students at Harbor Creek High School. Music even led him to his wife, Jill, who is an English teacher at the school.

He doesn’t just teach kids, however. He’s also the director of the Millcreek Area Community Band for adults, where the average age is about 68 years old, with the oldest band member being 93! The band is open to anyone with some playing experience, and is made up of woodwinds, brass and percussion. In the winter months the group plays music in area nursing homes. Brian especially loves this because it means so much to the residents.

He’s also a talented keyboardist and is the church organist at Faith Lutheran Church in Harborcreek.

Brian’s music reflects his Celtic heritage. He recently traced his family history and found he’s almost 100 percent Scottish on his father’s side—and one of his ancestors was a bagpiper. Brian is the first piper in his family in six generations. He plays the pipes at weddings and other events. In fact, he even played them on the bow of a sailboat in his kilt as he wed Jill (the photo featured on our cover).

Brian also plays in a punk rock band, The Tradesmen, which combines the sound of electric guitar, bass and bagpipes.

On his mother’s side, he is part Irish. He has YouTube videos that feature him playing the guitar and singing traditional Irish folk songs. You can almost close your eyes and imagine you’re on Grafton Street in Dublin when you hear his authentic Irish style. He has even learned one song in the notoriously difficult Gaelic language.

Brian plays in an Irish band as well, called the CraicJacks. The name is a play on the Irish Gaelic word “craic,” which means having a good time. These talented musicians play the cajon (a type of snare drum), guitar, violin and accordion. All four members sing, combining sweet melodies with more raucous renditions. You can follow them at facebook.com/CraicJacks.

Anyone at any age can learn to play an instrument. Brian says, “Anybody who is thinking about learning to play an instrument, it will be very hard for a very long time. But then, suddenly, things will click. And it’s so worth it! There’s just nothing like having people singing and dancing along with you.”

He feels at home onstage: “It’s where I’m happiest. It’s not about me, and it’s not the size of the crowd—it’s about the music and the people I’m playing with.”

You can also find Brian online at facebook.com/briangraymusic.