Long time reader, first time poster here. I would like to thank everyone on the board here who has been gentle on the “new guys”, answering all questions from valid to ridiculous with great information and a twist of the usual humour I find here!
After much reading here, and a series of phone calls, I finally settled on my first set of pipes. I would like to thank Pat Sky for answering all of my rookie questions. I ended up ordering the Deluxe practice set with C nat. and F nat keys added.
Incidentally, we are forming an ITM influenced folk-rock band here in San Antonio just for fun, and we will be actively seeking a Banjo player, and Whistle player in the near future. After seeing the Pogues perform live (my 5th Pogues show!) with some friends who are also musicians, we decided that San Antonio needs a kick in the arse. We currently have one guitarist, bass, drums, mandolin, fiddle, accordion, and I dabble a little and own: mandolin, banjo, piano, guitars, tin whistles, and bass. I will do most of the vocal duty and be the switch hitter that plays the odd instrument that each song needs. I am sort of a jack of all trades, master of none. I won’t amaze anyone on any particular instrument (especially whistle 
), but play each well enough to write an entire song and print scores, sheet music, tabs for each person in the band. I guess my specialties are composer, arranger, referee, and professional consumer of Guinness, and 18 year old Glenfiddich single malt scotch.
The only requirements are that you love making music, are patient with the less skilled musicians, and have a sense of humour for Christs sake!
Anyway if you live in the San Antonio area and are interested, shoot me an email!
Trey