The DCAssociates Championships was earnestly the finest non-Ernesto weekend one could survive in corpsdom. Rochester rocked Labor Day weekend as we forced ticket salespersons, vendors, bartenders, fireworks setteroffers, blimp tether tacticians and Dinosaur BBQ waitresses like Emily from NYC to labor, serve us and keep us entertained. The only workers who got to relax around corps fan$ were the police, as we mostly behaved, thank you!

Sandy McNeal rode with Steve "Hairbear" Masters and me to Rachacha after we snatched him in Pittsburgh, visiting with Eugene "B" Sharpley. Hairbear, Sandy and B all performed with Steel City et al. Corps nuts, what an honor to ride in the Kiltie-decaled vehicle with two of the finest musicians who ever graced a corps field. The Showmanship award was invented just for McNeal, because of his phenomenal performance in 1985 with Steel City, according to Fred Windish.

For a moment, I'm putting down my quill pen. Let's chat -- Let's have a heart-to-heart about "All-Age" drum corps. DCA has generations intermingled on the field. Band directors teach, often perform with their school students in corps, as in the CorpsVets and many others. Fathers play with sons: Donny and Timmy Allen, Ghost Riders; John Uspruch Sr. and Jr., Sky; Jerald and Daniel Sheets, CorpsVets; etc. A mom, Phyllis Green, marches CorpsVets sop behind the mallets of her daughter, Jessie. In 2003, I marched next to 13 year-old Kiltie, Joey Madden, while his mom and stepdad, Beth and Dan Landbo also marched. Last year, I followed the Madison Scouts off the DCInternational Madison Finals field and had Renegades Executive Director (then) Chris Nalls take a photo of me with Joe Madden, handsome in his Madison uni. Tony Signorelli has marched with his son in the Renegades. Joe Murphy and daughter Lindsay got to march together in Rochester for Music City Legend. SoCal Dream had a husband/wife duet last year. The same couple had played a duet in drum corps 34 years before. '07 Dream had the Plachta brothers, Mike and Dave.

Seth Gambetty, Dream director, told me on the phone Tuesday, "If all goes well, my daughter, Alexis, will be in the corps next year. Alexis is 11 and carried sabre in the honor guard in all the Southern California shows."

The point -- DCA is family oriented. One of its differences with DCI, besides touring and rehearsal time, is that it is an all-age activity. When you mix youth with adults, lines must be drawn. In a free country, adults are "allowed" to be adults as long as guidelines are followed. Initial that you attended this briefing and read on:

Thanks to Matt Basey and Ed Mason of Derby City Knights for inviting me to wail with the DCL Minicorps. I got the e-mailed music on Monday after driving 35 miles to meet my brother, Joe, for the printed copies, and practiced ever so diligently :) up to Rochester between tall tales by Hairbear. I skipped a Dick Pronti/Clarion/convention folks meeting to rehearse with DCK, then barged late into a Mini-Corps Associates MCA meeting where Rod Keppel kindly accepted me. I'll have to do this again with Derby City Knights at least one more time.

Danelle, Excelsior's honor guard captain, did a fantastic job of singing both "O' Canada" and "The Star Spangled Banner." Lydia Plante, Excelsior assistant director of business, gave me her card. Send your publicity anytime.

Tom Breen and Rich Wardlow, Brooklyn United's director and lead sop, were a pleasure to meet. Tell me more about Brooklyn United.

Roger Grupp was a welcome sight to espy through a Bach 1-1/2C in Minne Brass Minicorps. I asked, "How does it feel to not be in MBI this summer?" Grupp smiled, "Well, I couldn't exactly stay away." Grupp and Dr. Ray Vasquez, Auburn University prof and Spirit staff, both dented approaching aircraft at Rochester International with their notes.

During SoCal Dream's Minicorps performance, I whispered to Grupp, "Watch this kid (Dave Vasquez). He plays triple-high Cs." Thom Willet, brass cap head, had told me, "The first time he let loose with a triple C in practice, he apologized." I met the young man during a tea time function. Vasquez is quite humble. Thanks to all for supporting him. I want to see this guy next to Giovanni Laidler in the Blue Devils line.

Running the high brass/mid-range venues, I found Dick Pomerleau, Shenandoah Sound, is a ham. He entered twice, on one-valve and two-valve sop. When I needed an act to fill time as we'd gotten ahead of schedule, Pomerleau hopped right up and performed. Judge Shawn Halquist was the most thankful; I was running out of jokes.

While Donny Allen judged mellos and one kanstul G flugel horn, we once again got ahead of schedule. I "replaced" Donny with two guest judges while Nick Caljean, Fusion Core sop and previous competitor, performed again, judged by our guest adjudicators. Donny graciously took a front row seat while we had a talent show. Next year in Clarion Venue 1 -- An extended talent show, maybe a margarita machine.

Gary Gomez, Toronto, told me, "Cadre (I&E percussion ensemble) took first for the second year straight!" Congratulations!

It was a delight to visit with Carl Ruocco, Buccs and Sky staff, Kilties Dan Landbo, Jeff "Fish" Trout, bari and a vet of Madison Scouts '74-'77, and Tim Lewis, sop but on bari.

Who is the Mirage who hid by the bunting in front of Bob and Annie Sullivan, Whitney Eure, Pop and Bonnie Ott, Kelly Paulis of Windsor et al., and yelled at Finals, "Thu, you're my Star, too! (Thu?)" It's easy to have a crush on Thu Powell, Renegades pit malleteer.

In Section 107, I also spotted Scott Rhodes, Joe Murphy and Vinnie Ciesielski, all of Music City Legend. Above them, I spied Scott "Tornado" Steward, another MCL screamer from the Blue Devils. Steward was up in the VIP area, where folks munch veggies, finger sandwiches and sip wine while they hold their li'l pinkie out.

It was wonderful to share my 1994 Empire photos with Donny and Tom Allen, Fred Ford, Dave from the lead line, LuAnn, Jimmy Steele et al. Great to see you, Roger Jones!

Joey Pero and his publicist, Charles, were seemingly everywhere. Too bad one can't buy a drink at 1:55 AM. asked if I knew Sara Julian; who doesn't know Sara? Charles said, "Sara and I know each other from Manhattan. She plays in a fantastic big band. She's 'Oh, my God,' so good trombone!" Yep, and Julian went to that Big Ten school in Hoosier Country. At least they didn't lose to Appalachian State!

Ritchee Price was right on, Maynarding away for Empire. I regret we didn't get to chat like in Bridgeport.

I didn't get to go to the museum with Irene McGrath and her Pittsburgh daughter this year. Maybe, next year. Bill and Tom McGrath are still looking for recordings of the Emerald Cadets, Aug. 22, 1964, Cavalcade of Music, Marion, OH. Tom's lady, "Maui," is with him. He told me in the Clarion bar. Tom might have been a li'l jealous of the way I was memorizing "Maui" on her top...What was her name?

A trio of menage a' trois in Rachachacha

After I&E, I was partying with Sky folks like Harry Eldridge, Jr., director, John Uspruch, Jr., etc., when two guys knelt down and kissed NanciD on each of her bare shoulders. NanciD historically shot off her ice chest seat, flying through the lobby, never to be seen. I turned to Eldridge and said, "That's the shortest menage a' trois I've ever seen."Later, I knocked at room 543, hearing what sounded like a loud party. It turned out I'd invaded las chiquas party of JoEllen McEntire, Blue Devils ring holder, and Emily, who marched Kilties, then Bush, now Golden Eagles. Asking where Mac McEntire was, JoEllen said, "Oh, he's in a (Renegades) staff meeting." Noting it was after 3 AM, I figured it was the perfect time for an immortals meeting. When Mac returned, I quipped, "Welcome to my menage a' trois."
Last year Ace Holleran, Hairbear, his pal gal, Lois, and I chowed at the Dinosaur BBQ. This year, after the Alumni Spectacular, it was Lois and Edna, both Rochester Crusaders vets and from Ontario. My new menage a' trois and I stood under the Jumbotron thumbing a ride from folks like Gil to strangers. Joe JAG Anthony, kindly pawned some of his video gear, maybe some of Baker Video's, too, to seat Lois and Edna next to him, stuffing me in the back. Hairbear joined us. Kenny Norman introduced me to a couple of 1960s Kilties, one a sop soloist. Jeff and Francesca DeMello, also Christina Mavroudis-Dempsey, had saved room at their table, but we liked our outdoor picnic table, where I could kid Jimmy Russo, on the other side of the bars, "When you learn to behave, we'll let you join the party." Lois and Edna wanted to dump Hairbear and I to join the motorcycle gang. I stopped by several times to congratulate Dr. David Kampschroer on his HoF induction, but he always had a cell stuck to his ear. Kampschroer and I are members of The Brass Shop's Paul collins' Red Cup Brigade, a stout stealth unit from Pasadena and other parts.

April Min will probably never send any Brigs' publicity to me after I greeted Lois and Edna with, "Ah, here comes my second menage a' trois of the weekend."

Mistress Kelli Giles -- The immortal drum major of the Renegades stepped outside the Clarion to join the impromptu party. To the coffinesque Francesstein I urged, "I'd like to connect two pieces of history. I'd like to introduce you to Sandy McNeal, The Showmanship man!" I hoped Giles would be kind enough to share a moment with McNeal...10 minutes later they were still deep in chat.

Last year, I tied up my multi-tasks too late to join my own CorpsVets in the final horn arc of the season after Finals. The Renegades made my day last year when they insisted I join their evil final horn arc. (Well, I did sorta remember the music from performing LMS 7 and LMS L.A.) This year, I pulled away too late for anything except to hear the last couple of Renegades charts. Gil and Eschenmann, I put the OT on my OTL timecard.

In the corps parking area, Willard of Music City Legend, introduced me to Lindsay Murphy. I told Murphy that I wrote several times last year that she played the finest DCI solo last year, her bari solo for Spirit, "My Mama Done Tol' Me." Her proud papa is Joe Murphy, MCL arranger and "dubba C" contra soloist, who runs LOUD Mouthpieces. Dad and daughter performed together in Rochester.

Sandy McNeal commented on Joe Murphy,"That (MCL) contra dude -- He sounded like Pepe (Notaro)! He played up there." Sandy trilled, "UeeUeeUeeUee!"

Not even a Tornado could mess up MCL's CD with the phenomenal performances by ringers Scott Steward, Vinnie Ciesielski, sops, and Murphy. Director Scott Rhodes has one of the finest Dixie corps ever.

Doug "Dugada" Pederson, Editor Kevin Gamin, Danielle, Jeff DeMello, John Donovan et al. were slaving away in the plush press box, providing online coverage. Charlie Groh snapped away on the sidelines, wearing his Kingsmen Alumni jacket. Check out Groh's stupendous photos.

Steve Vickers, DCWorld publisher, distributed 1,100 free DCWorlds. George Iacone, recently of A.J. Wright, assisted in various marketing projects. Francesca DeMello, Dan Scafidi and Richard Wersinger took lots of fantastic picutes. Read reviews by Bill Flaker, Hurcs, Ace Holleran, Park City Pride, Adam Burdett and moi.

Mahiri Cumming, an Ontario dynamo, was a delight. I'd like more time with Mahiri. Charlie Groh, thanks for the intro!

Doug Madar, a behind the scenes man from Carolina Crown and Crown Tickets, crowned me once again. Thanks, Madar. He is a patriotic man, commander of his local American Legion post.

Frank Dorritie and John "Grass" Uspruch are also quite patriotic, ready to stand tall and play when needed, even if it means leaving a Hall of Fame banquet.

Fran Haring -- I wrote last year that I'd never wear a Hawaiian shirt around Fran. Jeff DeMello's DCP request for all to wear Hawaiian to support Fran and Barb Haring made me dig deep into my closet for a shirt that survived Mazatlan. Fran told me at the emcee's throne as he munched on a hotdog, "I wore a my high-tech shirt this year." Wild it was, but not as bizarre as Ryan Turner's shirt from last year.

I found out who's last to leave the stadium. Never bum a ride with the video man. Joe JAG Anthony finally finished after a last minute chat with Gary Baker of Baker Video at late-dark-thirty. I'm trying to remember...Was that Rich Templin, chief judge and his son who helped me carry my junk out? Thanks!

SoCal Dream was celebrating a drum corps tradition in the after-Finals parking lot: The Crushing Props Ceremony. At Warp Speed, I managed to save the last Borg cube. Standing in the middle of the intersection, spinning the silver cube with a tribble sticking out of my Hawaiian shirt, corps folks dreamily gaggled and holding their sasparilla bottles, a Rochester policeman pulled up next to me, took in the whole scene, and simply drove off. Put that in your Lackawanna and stuff it -- Peashey keen! I love Rachacha for DCA!

Returning from Finals to the Clarion in JAG's video van, I spun Dream's Borg cube towards the entrance. Sandy played a Borngo solo, "Cuban Cube," sorta like a Glassmen gypsies moment. Too bad most of the audience didn't appreciate the silvery reflection of history: The 80s/90s star playing on a Borg cube. Cubism at its finest!

The SoCal Borg are the Masters. The cube showed up in the Clarion bar, the lobby, at the private Renegades party...The last I saw of the Borg cube, it had cozily reappeared in the lobby. It serves quite well to hold nachos and chicken fingers donated to the Renegades in a cozyabout way by the entire Skyliners Bob Holton family. Bob and Carol are the parents of Sean Holton, Sky pit member, who died in January. Also in attendace were Sean's wife and his siblings, Stacey and Jeff, both Sky, and Mary Jordan, Sky pencil pusher. Sandy, Mike Plachta and I levitated all the food up three floors and shoved cubism and cubed cheese amidst the Renegades Koolaid pitchers. Even a box of VIP food showed up. It must have been my aides.

Roland Garceau -- I shared a beer with you, but you still owe me that drink you offered. I shared a brew with Javier, Sky snare, while Sky performed an impromptu Clarion concert. Javier, you owe me nothing; I owe you after you jumped out of the stands in '05. Javier, you are tops in my book! Listening to your version of the story, then to Moon Johnson's separate version in the same hotel of the '05 tragedy made me realize how important corpsdom is to all of us. Truly it is a family activity to be enjoyed until one's later years.

Rick, Renegades sop, and Sandy hit it off all weekend. Sandy loved how Rick had written a "7" in his own blood when hit by a baseball during a DCI California show I worked last year. "That dude's cool!" Sandy stated.

Chris Genero and Rick are two young Renegades who appreciate the history of corpsdom and study it. It was special to visit with Rich Duarte, Larrie Dastrup, Greg and Keith Potter, Joe Lewis, Kelly, Carol and more.

Redeye News Flash: At the parties, not one person stepped on my Sheltie dog (Okay, I share custody with Kilties Jeff, Terri and Caitlin Erickson) thanks to the flashing red light Shadow was known to wear in Allentown and Scranton. That flasher did not stop Shadow from raiding Golden Eagles steak cookouts at '99 Allentown where Ponzo, Don and Sue VanEssendelft et al. marveled at Shadow's tricks.