Everyone here in Chilli HQ and each and every member of the Red Hot Chilli Pipers is a huge admirer of the wonderful Strathclyde Police Pipe Band. We need you support in asking you please to sign a petition.

Strathclyde Police Pipe Band, one of the world's great bands, with a history dating back over 100 years, is under threat. The Piping Times magazine is leading the campaign to have this iconic institution safeguarded from the cuts that are threatening its future and they are calling on the Chief Constable Mr Stephen House to reverse the policy which will see the band reduced. Only a strong reaction from the piping public and our politicians can get the message across. If sufficient numbers of signatories are obtained the petition will be presented to Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond and the leader of the Strathclyde Police Board.

We are calling on all of our loyal fans and supporters to please go immediately and sign the petition to try to save the band.

 

If you would like to sign the petition then please click on this link. 

 

Thanks for your support.

 

And even more special when you see this. With sincere thanks to our friends at Footstompin' Music for bringing this tremendous achievement to our attention. It's a huge thank you to all of our fans for the following:

 

Here is the latest top ten sellers (April) from one of our main distribution companies:

1. Red Hot Chilli Pipers - Bagrock to the Masses
2. Red Hot Chilli Pipers - Blast Live
3. Phil Coulter - Scottish Tranquillity
4.Red Hot Chilli Pipers - Red Hot Chilli Pipers
5. Eddi Reader - Songs of Robert Burns (deluxe Edition)
6. Runrig - Long Distance: Best of Runrig
7. Transatlantic Sessions 1 - Vol 1
8. Great Wee Tartan Album
9. Pure Bagpipe Magic
10. Corries - Traditions: 18 Scottish Favourites.

 

 

11am on Saturday 16th May - it's an early start for the Chillis at Inveraray Castle where they have been given the honour of opening 'The Spirit of the West Festival' a spectacular weekend event on Saturday 16th & Sunday 17th May 2009 in the stunning grounds of Inveraray Castle, Argyllshire.  The event will celebrate Scotland’s west coast whisky and the rich culture in which it is created.  The tastes, sights and sounds of the west will take place in themed marquees, including Whisky, Food & Drink, Music & Drama, Heritage & Culture and Arts & Crafts.  Whether whisky novice or enthusiast, this is a unique opportunity to meet 16 world famous west coast whisky distilleries.  There are also 12 masterclasses taking place with key industry figures.  As well as an amazing opener from bagrock sensation The Red Hot Chilli Pipers who will have you rocking on your feet, the festival also features celebrity chef Nick Nairn, Food from Argyll, trails and tales of whisky’s turbulent past, performances by whisky folk singer Robin Laing, the Argyll Gaelic Choirs, the golden voice of Islay Norma Munro, pipes & drums tribal group Clann an Drumma, a range of family outdoor entertainment, genealogy advice, tartan fashion show and much much more. 

For more information please look here

More info on Spirit of the West 

Spirit of the West tickets are available to buy on the following link

or on 0871 230 5580. 

 

Heads up Chilli fans. Our Gleneagles show on 14th March is now a total sell out and the 'House Full' signs are appearing all over the country at our shows. If you want to see the Chillis in concert in the first half of 2009, you need to get your skates on and get along to the box office before it's too late. To everyone who has bought tickets, it's a huge thank you. We can't wait until we rock into your town. Some of the dates dates below are totally sold out - sorry - but if you click on the red ones, it will take you to the booking page on Ticketweb.

 

Saturday March 21 -  Festival Theatre Pitlochry (Sold Out)

Saturday March 21 - Pitlochry Matinee

Sunday March 22 -  Festival Theatre Pitlochry (Sold Out)

Friday March 27 - Corran Halls Oban

Saturday April 4 - Webster Theatre Arbroath (Sold Out)

Friday April 10 - Volunteer Hall Galashiels (Sold Out)

Saturday April 11 - Carnegie Hall Dunfermline (Sold Out)

Friday May 08 - The Arches Glasgow

Tickets for all shows are available through TicketWeb

08444 77 1000

 

So here is our latest Chilli superfan Chloe Rooney meeting the G-Man and Willie after the Hogmanay show in Oban. 2008 was not a good year for Chloe and her family as Chloe lost her wonderful dad David so what better way for a fresh start in 2009 than to bring in the New Year with the Chillis. Chloe is proudly wearing her new Chilli hat and sweater which Santa personally brought round to her house a few days before Christmas to cheer her up. Come to think of it, Santa looked remarkably like our own Chilli Willie. Could it have been? Naw - there's only one Santa as we all know.

So let's hope 2009 is a great year for Chloe and her mum Becki down there in Kirkintilloch and of course for each and every one of you too.

 

So how are you intending to celebrate the arrival of 2009? We can think of no better way than doing it in Oban. Great people, brilliant hospitality and a warm welcome for every Chilli fan awaits. The Chillis turned down offers from some of the biggest street parties in Scotland's capital cities and decided to join their fans, family and friends in Oban. Want to know why? Get yourself down there and you will see for yourself. It's the place to be when the New Year bells start chiming. Click on the picture below for tickets. Looking forward to seeing you there.

 

Friday 14th November 2008 is the date for this year's BBC's Children in Need TV Appeal. The Chillis will be making a wee special appearance so please remember to tune in. More details on timings will be posted here as soon as we have them.

 

 Thanks to you all Chilli fans! The new DVD has blasted its way straight into the BBC Charts this week at number 7. We are so very grateful for your support and for going out and grabbing the DVD off the shelves. The Chillis are delighted.

News flooding into Chilli HQ suggests that today - launch day for the new Chilli Blast DVD and live CD - has been a huge success with fans flocking to get their hands on the new releases. Click on the image below to see the news report on the launch from HMV in Stirling