Professional bagpiper Fred Payne has won three Western United States Championships and many awards as a bagpipe soloist and bagpipe band member. He believes that the competition is the best way to build skill. Fred returned to contests in 2019 after 8 years of playing only for clients.
2019: Solo Contests (Grade 2)
August 3 – 4, Monterey Scottish Games
- 2nd Place – March/Strathspey/Reel
- 2nd Place – Hornpipe/Jig
- 2nd Place – 6/8 March
- 3rd Place – Piobaireachd
Costa Mesa Scottish Games
- 3rd Place – Hornpipe/Jig
Woodland Games and Festival
- 2nd Place – Piobaireachd
2019: Band Contests (With Silicon Valley Pipe Band, Grade 3)
Monterey Scottish Games
- 1st Place – March/Strathspey/Reel
- 1st Place – Timed Medley
Costa Mesa Scottish Games
- 3rd Place – March/Strathspey/Reel
- 2nd Place – Timed Medley
Woodland Games and Festival
- 2nd Place – March/Strathspey/Reel
- 2nd Place – Timed Medley
2011: Solo Contests (Grade 2)
June 4, Mt. Tamalpais Solo Piping and Drumming competition
- 1st Place – March/Strathspey/Reel
- 1st Place – Hornpipe/Jig
May 7 – 8, Sacramento Valley Scottish Games and Gathering
- 2nd Place – March/Strathspey/Reel
April 16 – 17, Las Vegas Celtic Gathering & Highland Games
- 3rd Place – Hornpipe/Jig
February 18 – 20, Queen Mary Scottish Festival
- 3rd Place – March/Strathspey/Reel
- 3rd Place – Piobaireach
2011: Band Contests (With Bushmill’s San Francisco Irish Pipers, Grade 3)
February 19 – 20, Queen Mary Scottish Festival
- 1st Place – Timed Medley
- 2nd Place – March, Strathspey,Reel
2010: Solo Contests (Grade 2)
September 4 – 5, Pleasanton Highland Games
- 1st Place – 6/8 March
June 19, Northern Branch Contest
Overall 1st Place Winner
- 1st Place – Piobaireachd
- 2nd Place – Hornpipe/Jig
- 2nd Place – March/Strathspey/Reel
June 12, Mt. Tamalpais Piping and Drumming Competition
Overall 1st Place Winner
- 1st Place – Piobaireachd
- 2nd Place – Hornpipe/Jig
- 3rd Place – March/Strathspey/Reel
2010: Band Contests (With Bushmill’s San Francisco Irish Pipers, Grade 3)
September 4 – 5, Pleasanton Highland Games
- 1st Place – Timed Medley
April 24 – 25, Sacramento Valley Games
- 1st Place – Timed Medley
- 1st Place – March/Strathspey/Reel
April 17 – 18, Las Vegas Highland Games
- 1st Place – Timed Medley
- 3rd Place – March/Strathspey/Reel
February 13 – 14, Queen Mary Scottish Festival
- 1st Place – Timed Medley
- 1st Place – March/Strathspey/Reel
2004: Solo Contests (Grade 3)
WESTERN UNITED STATES CHAMPION
based on total points won
September 25, Dixon Games
- 1st Place – 2/4 March
- 3rd Place – 6/8 March
August 7 – 8, Monterey Games
Overall 1st Place Winner
- 2nd Place – 2/4 March
- 2nd Place – Strathspey/Reel
- 3rd Place – Piobaireachd
June 26, Campbell Games
Overall 1st Place Winner
- 1st Place – Strathspey/Reel
- 2nd Place – 2/4 March
June 19, San Diego Games
- 2nd Place – Strathspey/Reel
- 3rd Place – 2/4 March
- 2nd Place – Piobaireachd
April 24, Sacramento Games
- 2nd Place – Strathspey/Reel
- 4th Place – Jig
February 24, Mesa Games
- 1st Place – 2/4 March
- 2nd Place – Jig
February 14, Queen Mary Games
- 3rd Place – Strathspey/Reel
2004: Band Contests (Playing with the Monterey Bay Pipe Band, Grade 4)
August 7 – 8, Monterey Games
- 1st Place – Timed Medley
- 1st Place – March Medley
May 29 – 30, Coast Mesa Games
- 1st Place – March Medley
- 2nd Place – Timed Medley
April 24 – 25, Sacramento Valley Games
- 2nd Place – Timed Medley
- 4th Place – March Medley
2003: Solo Contests (Grade 3):
WESTERN UNITED STATES CHAMPION for 2/4 MARCH
October 5, Las Vegas Championship
- 1st Place – 2/4 March
September 27, Dixon Games
- 4th Place – Strathspey/Reel
- 5th Place – 6/8 March
- 5th Place – 2/4 March
August 2, Monterey Games
- 3rd Place – Strathspey/Reel
June 21, San Diego Games
- 4th Place – 2/4 March
May 3, Loch Prado Games
- 2nd Place – Strathspey/Reel
- 4th Place – 2/4 March
April 26, Sacramento Games
- 2nd Place – Jig
April 19, Las Vegas Games
- 5th Place – 2/4 March
- 5th Place – 6/8 March
- 5th Place – Strathspey/Reel
2003: Band Contests (Playing with the Monterey Bay Pipe Band, Grade 4)
October 4, Las Vegas Championship
- 3rd Place overall
September 27, Dixon Games
- 1st Place – March Medley
- 2nd Place – Timed Medley
August 30 – 31, Pleasanton Games
- 2nd Place – March Medley
- 4th Place – Timed Medley
August 2 – 3, Monterey Games
- 2nd Place – March Medley
- 3rd Place – Timed Medley
June 21, San Diego Games
- 1st Place – Timed Medley
- 2nd Place – March Medley
June 14, Campbell Games
- 1st Place – March Medley
- 1st Place – Timed Medley
May 24 – 25, Costa Mesa Games
- 3rd Place – Timed Medley
April 22 – 23, Sacramento Games
- 1st Place – Timed Medley
- 2nd Place – March Medley
2002: Solo Contests (Grade 4)
WESTERN UNITED STATES CHAMPION
based on total points won
October 5, Loch Lomond Games (CA)
Overall 1st Place Winner
- 1st Place – 2/4 March
- 1st Place – Slow March
September 28, Dixon Games
Overall 1st Place Winner
- 1st Place – Slow March
- 3rd Place – 2/4 March
August 31, Pleasanton Games
- 1st Place – 2/4 March
September 21, Fresno Games
- 1st Place – 2/4 March
August 3, Monterey Games
Overall 1st Place Winner
- 1st Place – 2/4 March
- 1st Place – Slow March
May 25, Costa Mesa Games
- 2nd Place -2/4 March
- 3rd Place – Slow March
April 27, Sacramento Games
- 4th Place – 2/4 March
Band Contest (Playing with the Monterey Bay Pipe Band, Grade 4)
October 5, Loch Lomond Games (CA)
- 1st Place – Timed Medley
- 1st Place – March Medley
1969: Solo Contest (Novice)
May, Santa Monica Games
- 4th Place – 2/4 March
