SoloSop420

??? Be a man............take off that mask! :mmm: Got Beer?

Speak when spoken to, have another beeah, speak again.

The front row section set aside for the drumline, is reserved for percussionists who can play a consistent 3-stroke roll. Sorry El CheezyPoof.

I saw the yellow paper as well. The THUNDERBIRDS were penalized 2 points for rippin' too many notes above Double "G." (#### THOSE CONTRAS!) Congrats to our Drum Line for their "tickless" show. Didn't say who won though. :ramd:

Believe it or not, I'm going to say this: No matter who wins, it's going to be a great competition. I am hoping that the Renegades, Golden Eagles, Mass Brass, ect.....have a good show. T-Birds have a good show. We think that we have a chance at getting another medal. However, if that's not the case, it is my objective, being on the MCA committee, to have a legitimate competing venue where there is little, or no question about who should have won. There will always be sore losers. (I could be one of them.....I hate to lose.) I think everyone involved in the Minicorps competition will be pleasantly surprised this year. GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE!

Maynard Ferguson at the THUNDERBIRD Banquet? Go figure. Does he drink Labatt Blue as well?

You do matter. Your posts are just as important as mine. We need both sides of the "spectrum." You called me the "weakest link." I say: "SO." You are entitled to your opinion. We have a member named Ralph, we always thought that he was the weakest link. I promise to do better. I stand corrected strutta and capt. Now that the "Fog" has cleared, I do remember that you two tried your best to keep up with me, Gary, and Chris. Keep up the good work! No reason to feel bad though, the THUNDERBIRDS are used to winning the party.

ABSOLUTELY!! You should be a Judge.

Wrong answer. I just figured that since you displayed yourselves as novice drinkers and the fact that the Bartender made ya mad because he wouldn't accept foodstamps, a friendly bet might liven things up a little bit. How's the water in Baustin?

Only reason I bet against the Patriots is that I knew you were from Boston, and, it looked like you needed $20. LMAO

I can answer your question strutta. The answer is: "YES." You HAVE to like me. You have no choice. I ain't goin' anywhere. Love me, hate me.....(I enjoy Love/Hate relationships.) Here are some reasons why you must like Nick: 1. I am good-looking 2. I know how to play Soprano 3. I drink Beer 4. I am funny 5. My "Sir" name is: Nicolini Vincenso Don Juan/Giovanni "el Guapo" Filia..... .........CASANOVA is my Title. 6. Most importantly, I am good-looking These are just a few reasons why to like/love Nick Filia. I have references if needed. Again, strutta, you must remain on my "buddy list" or you may/may not see that $20 I owe you. lol BTW - Patriots/ Red Sox Stink

All of my quotes are my opinion...and my opinion only. The T-Birds do not necessarily agree with all of my opinions. If you want to call anyone names, I suggest you take it out on me, not the Thunderbirds. Call me a whiner, a sore loser, a jerk.......call me whatever you want. Do not blame the Thunderbirds for my remarks. Some people like me, some don't. I usually let my playing do the talking. I get a more positive response. I won't posting anything from now on in regards to last years minicorps competition except for this: "I think Mass Brass shoulda won." Thank you...........Thank you very much

Quotes like: "T-BIRDS ARE READY.......BE AFRAID!" - are quotes to make trouble for fun. I like to "stir up the pot" - However - My main objective is voice the opinion of the unbiased majority. It seems like last years Minicorps competition will never end. I took DA's advice, and now last years CD from the Minicorps competition is my new Frizbee. See, DA, I do listen to you. (#%@%) I realize that I react "Harshly" at times. I do apologize if I offend anyone. This still won't stop me from responding to a post in which I firmly believe is a strike against me or the Thunderbirds. And now, at this time, I would like to recap: "T-BIRDS ARE READY............BE AFRAID!"

I have to agree. I just get so angry every time I hear the CD from last years Minicorps competition. It is so clear to me, and OTHERS, which Corps sounded the best that night. I do take this stuff seriously. (Maybe too much) I love Drum Corps. I love the "thrill" of competition. I even love the "agony" of defeat. I'm just trying to "stir up the pot." This Minicorps thing ain't no game! Take it like a Man!! BTW - Here's my point: T-BIRDS ARE READY.........BE AFRAID!!

It's posts like this that really f$#$%%^^ P$#$^& me off. I could lash out and get my posting rights suspended.......AGAIN. I am over it DA. I am just still confused.....and I'm not the only one. Oh well, I wasn't going to say anything, but, now that DA has ###### me off, I will say this: I can understand how the Golden Eagles won. That Ballad they played was beautiful. However, here is what is going to make alot of people mad........ There is NO WAY ON GOD'S EARTH THAT WE LOST TO THE "GHOSTBUSTERS." NO WAY! I will never get over that. I just have to deal with it and accept it. Ever hear of the phrase: "Miscarriage of Justice." #### DA, you never fail to #### me off. WTF??? I am not a sore loser. I firmly believe that the cleanest, best sounding corps should win. Get out of your "fantasy land." See what you started DA?

At this juncture, the Thunderbirds have little, or no desire to march on the field. Most of us are too old or fat! lol However, 2006 is the Thunderbirds 50th year of existence. There is some rumbling goin' around about a field corps next year. If T-Birds go on the field, I'm there. If the T-Birds do not go on the field, I'm there. If the T-birds go to Bb, I'll learn the Clarinet. THIS IS MY STORY AND I'M STICKIN' TO IT!

I am not saying that DCA members should not compete in the Minicorps competition. I'm saying that it is two different venues. If DCA members want to compete in Minicorps, that's fine. One should not reflect on the other. Again, it is 2 different competitions. To some organizations, one is just as important as the other.

The THUNDERBIRDS, right now, with our 17 selected horns for Minicorps, can, and do sound like and awesome 50 man hornline. Trust me. I promise you, if you hear us, you will agree 100%. (No exaggeration.) We could follow ANY Corps in DCA and NOT be embarrassed. A few of us were listening to the CD from the Minicorps competition last year. We are still confused. However, we accept it.

Since 1993, the Thunderbirds have had the "uncomfortable duty" to cut members from our Minicorps ensemble. We won't take penalty points or disqualification because we take it seriously. "We ain't goin' to Scranton, or anywhere else, to lose!" We have had members quit because they were cut. (One person was so upset that he threw his horn case at Tom "Davencouch" and handed a "nastygram" to our horn instructor, Jeff Gibbens.) That year we won. We can't always take our best players. We have to factor in Attendance and Committment. I am all for the winner of the Minicorps venue to play exhibition at the night show. I'm not saying that we WILL win, but, if we do, and play during the night show, the crowd would not be disappointed. Money isn't, and shouldn't be, an issue. I also believe that any possible conflicting of schedules of DCA corps in the Minicorps competition is a moot point. There is DCA - and then there is MCA. On a final note, I would like to say: T-BIRDS ARE READY......be afraid!

I only "cracked" 2 notes. But that was after playing my azz off during our show. Tommy "Davencouch" musta had the other 3. I will admit that 1 crack is too many. "Crack Kills!"

The show was excellent! The party was "fan-tab-ulous!" The rain, thunder, and lightning was an issue at first, but, Mother Nature was on our side for the majority of the show and party. All who stayed got their money's worth. Mar-Jean, I was looking for you at the party. Had to go, huh? Congrats to Empire for winning. Congrats to Sky for coming back. Good show Cru. Keep at it Mon Valley. Your soloist was darn good. Good Job Ben with the White Sabers. Like your show Brigs. It's OK D.A. - I "cracked" playing Taps too!(so did Tommy D) Remember Poopsie. T-Birds were on. We had a very impressive show. Great reviews from all. My mother-in-law said I played my solo well. So, I musta did good. Drumcorps Rocks!

When ever I play Double "C" (or any "C") I don't use any valves. Getting the note is not the fingering, it's the "Chops" and your ear. It is possible to play any note above High "C" w/o any valves at all. My opinion is that any time you play a "C" in any register - unless there are about 6 Flats, or a couple of Sharps, or an accidental, any "C" needs to be played open. That's my story and I'm stickin' to it Thank You - Thank You very much - SoloSop420

Yes. Jimmy Russo was DM that year. He also has a video of '76 Cabs. (I've seen it at his house in Fairlawn, NJ.) Without a doubt, '76 Cabs is the best Senior Drum Corps show I have ever heard. I am a Sop soloist. I learned ALL the solo's from a cassette tape back in 1982. I can still play them by memory. Echano rocks!! SoloSop420