Greater Scranton Black Diamonds Band Triumphs After Tragedy

The resounding notes of bagpipes can evoke a wave of emotion. “It’s just special,” shares Tony Gaynor. “There’s strong feelings… especially when the band gets together, and you hear multiple pipes going together.”

According to Mark Jenkins, “It’s the music that would lead the Scots into battle. And if you’re in a bar and you hear us come in, you can kind of feel it.”

Gaynor and Jenkins, long-time members of the Greater Scranton Black Diamonds Pipe Band, have witnessed the band’s journey through highs and lows.

After enduring a traumatic incident on their way back from a parade, the band has resumed its performances across Northeast Pennsylvania, including parades, weddings, and funerals.

One year later

On March 16, 2025, the group encountered a harrowing experience while returning from Milford’s St. Patrick’s Day parade. The bus they were on lost its brakes.

“I was right behind the driver, and I heard [the driver] say, ‘There’s no brakes, we’re going,'” Jenkins recounted. “We were going around the curve at such a high speed, went right over the embankment, hit a drainage ditch, went airborne and landed on the back of a parked tractor-trailer.”

Cheryl Kaiser suffered the most significant injuries from the crash. “I was in the hospital for a week, two of those days were in ICU,” she said.

Due to the accident, the band had to cancel their engagements for the remainder of the year and halt their rehearsals.

Lead drummer Andrea Leshock commented, “It really knocked the band down for several months. We had to really take some time to just heal.”

Despite the setbacks, the band has returned to performing in parades in cities like Pittston, Scranton, and Wilkes-Barre, and they are set to revisit Pike County for the Milford St. Patrick’s Day parade on March 21.

“We’re still not quite back to full strength,” stated pipe major Jimmy Losavich, “But I think our resolve and our mental capacities are even stronger than they were before. I think it solidified the group.”

Kaiser added, “I decided the best thing was to just get back with my friends and get back on the street and have fun doing it. Because that’s what we do in March. Come rain or shine or snow.”

‘That’s what we do in March’

In the days surrounding St. Patrick’s Day, the band is set to perform in parades throughout Pittston, Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, Stroudsburg, and Milford.

The group is also a staple at the Friendly Sons and Society of Irish Women banquets.

The band maintains a rigorous schedule, rehearsing weekly and performing at various events year-round.

Founded in 1995 with just five members, the Black Diamonds Pipe Band has grown significantly over the years.

Bill Hetherson, the business manager, notes, “The camaraderie in the band is terrific. People have come and gone over the years, but the band itself and the culture stayed the same.”

Keith Baylor, who joined in 1997, began by learning the bagpipes and later transitioned to bass drummer.

“I came into the band not knowing really anybody,” Baylor remarked. “It’s something I’ve always wanted to do since I was a kid.”

The band offers complimentary lessons for aspiring musicians.

“It is work. You do have to learn,” Hetherson emphasized. “We like to sound good when we play, but we like to have a lot of fun.”

Brigid Baylor, a ten-year-old tenor drummer, is Keith’s daughter.

“It’s really fun when we get to do parades and stuff because all of our friends and family get to be there,” she said.

Matthew O’Boyle has been learning for a few years and has quickly become adept.

“It makes me feel really good being able to play for people,” O’Boyle stated. “Everybody I know is really excited that I’m playing the pipes.”

“We’re all coming from different backgrounds, but we all have a common love for the music… even people who can’t read music, we’re here to help them learn. So it brings everybody together,” Kaiser expressed. “I can’t imagine not being part of the group.”

“We’re close-knit,” Baylor noted. “I think the accident we had last year… it brought the band even closer together.”

Rehearsals take place every Tuesday at Eagle Hose Company in Dickson City. Lessons start at 7 p.m., with the full band rehearsing at 8 p.m.

For more information, contact info@blackdiamondspipeband.com.