Pipes are calling for Wight doc

Dr Kieron Cooney - giving bagpipe-playing a contemporary edge

"As soon as you mention bagpipes people back off. They're like Marmite - people either love them or hate them!" says Isle of Wight GP and lifelong bagpipe player, Dr Kieron Cooney.

Nevertheless, he was determined to give the traditional Scottish instrument a fresh, contemporary edge.

Under the name of 'Piping Hot Doc', Kieron, 48, teamed up with local vocalist Charlotte Barton-Hoare, keyboardist Julien Cooke and guitarist and producer Jamie Griffen.

Kieron recalls Jamie's initial reaction as: "It sounds a bit crazy, but lets give it a go!" and the Wight Hot Pipes were born.

The Road Ahead

Alongside the traditional bagpipe laments, they have recorded bagpipe versions of songs like Queen's We Will Rock You and Mark Knopfler's Going Home on their album, The Road Ahead.

The Isle of Wight Youth Concert Band were drafted in for the tear-jerker, Highland Cathedral.

Island resident Alan Titchmarsh read the moving war poem, The Fallen over the song, Flowers of the Forest played on the pipes as a culmination to the album which is being sold to raise funds for the Earl Mountbatten Hospice.

"There is a theme of hope and thoughtfulness, but also the fun and games of the pipes playing these new tunes," explained Kieron.

Of course, it's difficult practising when you have neighbours. I've been known to go up to Culver Down and practise on my own! Dr Kieron Cooney

Recording modern tunes on the pipes was a difficult musical exercise. He said: "It's very difficult because of the limited repertoire of the bagpipes - there is only one key and eight notes - it was quite a challenge."

The Wight Hot Pipes have only played together a few times outside the studio. They are preparing for a concert at the Medina Theatre in Newport but Kieron says they would like to stay together as a group.

"Huffing and blowing"

Despite not having a Scottish background, Kieron played the pipes since childhood and has played in pipe bands in Portsmouth as well as doing well in solo competitions.

The Wight Hot Pipes in the studio

Kieron's says his patients know about their village doctor's dalliance into the world of music. He says: "A bus of patients is coming from Bembridge and St Helens. They're very supportive, they're buying CDs and talking about it around the village."

As honorary piper for the Isle of Wight Caledonian Society and Royal British Legion, Kieron regularly plays as a solo piper on the Island, and is also in demand for weddings, parties and funerals.

"I find it very relaxing but there's a lots of huffing and blowing, it's hard work and quite a work-out when you are doing it for a couple hours.

"Of course, it's difficult practising when you have neighbours. I've been known to go up to Culver Down and practise on my own. It's funny how the cows come towards you rather than away from you!"

The Wight Hot Pipes are playing at Medina Theatre, Newport on 15 November 2009. The Road Ahead is available at Piping Hot Doc.