Burch Ray Palmer was Pipe Major of the Sierra Highlanders, of Reno, NV for 16 years. He was born and raised in Miles City, Montana and is a great grandson of Scottish immigrants, Hugh and Margaret McKay. Burch wrote "Ballad of Hugh Duncan McKay" in their honor. "Manu Forti" is the McKay clan motto. Burch showed an early aptitude for music and took up the violin at nine years old. His school system didn't have a string program, so he played tuba in the high school band in order to perform music with other musicians. When rock'n'roll came out in the fifties, Burch was drawn to the guitar. He was drawn to rockers like Eddie Cochran, Buddy Holly, Buddy Knox, Rick Nelson, Duane Eddy and Chan Romero, who was a friend from nearby Billings, Montana. Burch started his own band, "The Walkers." in 1961. After many recording sessions and twelve years on the road, he and wife, Linda bought a night club in Miles City, Montana. He and friends played many shows at The Alta Saloon. Burch had honed his skills on several instruments for his shows on the road, including guitar, harmonica, 5 string banjo, violin, mandolin and his singing. During the years in their night club, Burch, Linda and Son, Ray began a bagpipe band and began a new chapter in their musical lives. Burch and his family moved to Reno in 1991 to be closer to an entertainment center and to be closer to large highland games on the west coast. Burch still loves the old rock and country music of his roots and it is only natural for him to blend all of his music into full, driving and creative tracks, steeped in rock, country, folk and Celtic influence. Burch and Linda have their own studio where they are free to take their time to create music that everyone loves. "Manu Forti" is a CD filled with many favorites and and classics that are timeless. Burch has also produced and plays on two CD's for "The Sierra Highlanders Pipe Band" in Reno. He sang a track on each CD and played several instruments besides the pipes. 　　It is rare to find such a talented and versatile entertainer.