Mayhaps I'm sipping sweet tea by Lake Corpsdom, but my life sure got busy recently. My poor cell phone rang so much that I had to put it in vibrate mode to soothe folks around me. I haven't called so many people since I lost my li'l black book and had to replace all the phone numbers.

Suffice it to say, all is well now. There are plenty of people in the Peach State for DCInternational to thank for aid recently. DCI's Jeff Cox wishes to thank Terry Reilly of Alliance et al. who provided 105 needed names, and many Atlanta CorpsVets, such as Ian Edwards, RJ Scott, Tom Colgan, Bill Wear, Jerald Sheets...Several corps were helped with housing thanks to the efforts of the CorpsVets, Alliance and more.

I woke up after several days of phoning and text messaging to find I was still tired, especially when the alarm was my cell. Beware telling folks, "Call at any hour." They'll just do that! I got up that day to find my personal batteries still needed charging and my cell was hoarse.

Playing the trumpet the other night, I was pondering all the drum corps that toured this summer. While I played "Lonely Bull," "Georgia on my Mind," etc., I noticed I did not get any requests for "Appalachian Spring." Maybe the hot drought has folks thinking of anything but seasons.

'Georgia on my dome'

Last year, DCInternational packed 16,000 into a rain-delayed indoor show in Atlanta. I'm sure they had more this year, the day after Murfreesboro.

Jerry Carpenter, Boston Crusaders staff, told me near Peachtree Blvd., regarding Boston, "Lots of energy!" Carpenter couldn't sit still as he watched Cru's performance.

I never saw as many indoor falls in drill as I observed at the Georgia Dome. Advance forward to Pasadena -- There were lots of falls during quarterfinals at the Rose Bowl, especially in one section.

Spirit's home show at JSU

Corps nuts should try to do the Dixie trifecta of Murfreesboro, TN, Atlanta Georgia Dome, then cap it off with a fun Sunday evening at Jacksonville State University, AL. Spirit hosted a great show July 15.

Aaron Vanover, CorpsVets mello/past Memphis Blues, proclaimed, "It was a good show, full of energy, my personal best." Spirit and the CorpsVets both were rocking for the homies.

John and Tammy Hoekstra, sop/tech and pit, drive from Florida to do the CorpsVets. John said, "We worked all the rough sections from yesterday's show. I think it worked out tonight...Tammy and I, we drove from Gainesville to Birmingham to drop off the kids with mama and papa, then to the Georgia Dome, then to JSU, then back to B'ham to pick up the kids, then home to go to work Monday morning. That's just a tidbit of what we do for drum corps, but we do it."

In this insane politically correct world, some protest that "weekend warriors" is not a proper term. Just give me a better phrase to describe the Hoekstras.

Need your driver's license? Chris Inman, CorpsVets, did you connect with Tom Colgan? Report to the pressbox.

Jerald Sheets, CorpsVets sop, referring to Spirit, "This sure doesn't sound like a 12th place corps. It must be something else that is holding them back."

John Donovan flew out of the pressbox to seek out an old friend of his and his son's, Director Andre Feagin of Memphis Sound. Later, Donovan spotted Hans Kloppert of The Netherlands, snapping photos down on the JSU field. Kloppert jubilantly ran up to greet JohnD. So much for being incognito, Donovan.

Pedaling roses at the Rose Bowl

With a rose in my teeth like the CorpsVets during "La Fiesta," I arrived in Pasadena after recrossing the border into San Ysidro, CA, where I met Doug Wilson, Kingsmen snare alumnus '64-'69. We rode together to the Rose Bowl, where one of my first encounters was with a stone monument, engraved with, "1955, Ohio St. 20, USC 7." Okay, it was a concrete park bench, not a monument, but, for this TBDBITL OSUMB alum, this was an archeological treasure. I had the opportunity to march the Rose Bowl, and I knew how special this week was for all the DCI performers, thanks to DCI. When did I march? Hmm, I recall O.J. Simpson scored an 84-yard TD, completely leaving Jack Tatum in his tracks. However, Ohio State overcame a 16-7 USC halftime lead to win 23-16, and take an undefeated national title. I don't want to talk about another Rose Bowl game I attended, OSU vs. Stanford, QB Jim Plunkett or the Stanford Marching Band playing "Yellow River" while forming an outhouse...Back to dc.

Did ya' catch the Kingsmen Alumni Wednesday night or at the DCI Semifinals exhibition? All 283 were smoking. I've never heard of an alumni corps shacking up in college dorms for an intense week of 14-hour days. It showed. The Kingsmen marched the original 1972 marching tymps, reconditioned. For history buffs, '72 was the initial year of DCI and the Anaheim Kingsmen won!

The Kingsmen party afterwards was a blast into the past. Thanks to Charlie Groh for the invitation. It was wonderful to see Jim Sobacki, famed Kilties sop soloist, there, along with Doug Wilson, many Renegades pals and more. Tell me there is s future for powder blue on the field, Kingsmen.

I enjoyed the Pasadena performances more than any in the past...hmm, decade. Corps were allowed to let it loose, shows were more entertaining. Corps had these musicians that were far more familiar in eras before: Soloists! Thanks for reinventing lots of soloists, DCI corps! The reins were released on the thoroughbred performers. The Cavies had wonderful soloists and range. Blue Devils like Giovanni Laidler let me have it all summer with his high G; alas, in the midst of the Blue Devils forms, never featured. Laidler's father, a jazz musician, was one proud Pasadena papa. I predict Laidler will have a solo feature in BD in '08.

With upstanding citizens and members in BD like Luis Pena, middle horn, Pedro Ramos, lead high brass, David Reyes, bari, Kayla Nelson, bari and former Colts, the Blue Devils prevailed, didn't run out of gas in the final couple minutes as they did last year at the Madison Finals, and won. Aught seven will go down in DCI annals as one of the toughest, nail-biting years ever, when placements and caption wins were traded around like hotcakes by BD, Cadets, Cavies, Phantom, Bluecoats and more. I would love to have been in Centerville, OH, when Bluuuuuuuu upset both the Blue Devils and Cavaliers.

Bill Howard, recent SoCal Dream sop, is the chest-popping proud paternal parent of Brian Howard, a Blue Devils DM. Just ask Bill; he'll show you his Dream corps jacket with the embroidery: "Proud dad of Brian, Blue Devils DM 2006-20010."

Barbara Howard, Brian's mom, told me behind the BD trucks and buses after Finals a fitting story about BD's "Winged Victory" in the 50th year, "A rifle came down on one of the cg girl's head, Rebecca Warren. She was fine. I took her to the emergency room. The cut was in the shape of a 'V,' like 'Winged Victory.' They were going to put in 10 stitches. She asked for 12. She still has the staples. We owe our (12th) victory to Rebecca."

I wondered if BD could maintain the energy to win in Pasadena. I was told by Mac and JoEllen McEntire, "When the Blue Devils' buses arrived, each bus was rocking side to side with all their excitement."

Rehashing an old quarterfinals argument

A few folks love to bash George Hopkins, Cadets director. Hopkins pulled his corps off the field during quarterfinals, wanting the hash marks and other lines touched up. As this had been agreed to at the Wednesday night meeting, Hopkins was within his rights. One other director had complained about this need also.

Chris Rutt, '96 Cadets rookie, later with Blast!, now on VK staff, excitedly told me outside the Finals gates, "I believe George was well within his rights to have the field rehashed when you are marching at 205 beats per minute...I believe VK had the most entertaining show this year."

Anne Robb, SoCal band director, added, "It's great to have them (VK) back...Cadets all the way!"

Carolina Crown, a fan$' fave

Carolina Crown stands out from the starting gate. CC now belongs in my "To" box, not just "CC." Nothing could be finer than to have another Dixie corps who truly entertains. Narrate this: CC is one of my photo finishers. Fantastic show! Display your U.S. and Japanese flags proudly! With people like Doug Mador working in the background, staff like Rosie Miller Queen, Carolina Crown had their finest summer.

Hall of Fame for Kerchner and Vickers, it's about time

Steve Vickers, DCWorld publisher, and Larry Kerchner, Bridgemen and many others Grammy arranger, were inducted into the DCI Hall of Fame, along with other deserving inductees. Kerchner asked me late after Finals if he could catch a ride to the Sheraton. More used to gym floors, Comfort Inn rollaways and marinas, I hooked him up with Vickers, telling Kerchner he owed me a free arrangement, to which he replied, "I'll give you what this is worth." I'm still waiting on my two-measure arrangement. Don't forget the cymbal crash.

Some of my fave Pasadena moments: Visiting with Bob and Annie Sullivan, Whitney Eure, sitting next to Pop Ott, near Bonnie Ott, at the NAMM tailgate reception, introducing Larry Kerchner to Pop Ott, connecting Jim Centorino with Al Chez, hearing Jim and Jimmy Centorino play the National Anthem for the DCWorld luncheon banquet before Jim performed it for Semifinals, visiting with Mike Plachta, his wife, Cindy, and bubbly daughter, Madison, running into Mac and JoEllen McEntire, seeing lots of CorpsVets folks there, sans Jerald Sheets, Roman Blenski, Harry Heidelmark, Paul Collins, chatting with the Czapinskis, Joe Courtney, the entire DCI staff including the guy who doesn't like me, seeing the honor guards at retreat, getting to know Rose Bowl staff, making new friends like Terry and Lu Wilson of Pio souvies...Great to see everyone. Step up and say "hi" at DCA Rochester!

Bavarian La Banda in Mazatlan?

Flying out to SoCal for Pasadena, I made a side trip on an autobus for Mazatlan. Ignoring the roosters, but paying lots of attention to las chiquas, I had a soaring Sonoran ride down to the land of German oompah music crossed with mariachi. The result is combos that showcase sousaphones that rule, dos or tres trompetas, valve trombones, alto horns that triple tongue like a Tijuana la mesa dela baila senorita, rhythmic timbales y congas, and two clarinets...I'll only say, I had a "wunnerful" time. I got to sit in with several groups, las bandas and a drum corps, and now possess a la banda fake book. That's the reality of my life.

The hoi poi and corps nuts are set to enjoy more drum corps. Make plans to attend DCAssociates Championships in Rochester, www.dcacorps.org .

Publisher's Note: Cozy's Corpsdom features updates from the world of drum corps as only Cozy Baker can deliver ..... in his own unique style and presentation. A featured Drum Corps World reporter and contributing columnist for many years, Cozy travels the country as a competitive marching member, instructor, observer, and commentator on the state-of-the-activity. The opinions expressed in this column are strictly those of the author. (Cozy mug photo by Christina Mavroudis-Dempsey.) You may write to Cozy directly at mailto: This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it