ironlips

Yes, indeed! And the solo by Jimmy Ednie was just about the most soulful thing I ever heard. Many years later, I was consulting with the Glassmen at the behest of the impresario Cesario when they covered this piece. I believe it was arranged by that other avatar, Robert Smith. I brought a dub of the Skyliners version to a rehearsal and just said, "Try to capture some of this. If Gershwin were writing for drum corps he would approve of this treatment." The general reaction was, "Holy s..t! Those guys did that with one valve?" We must value what we did in those days. If we don't, who will? The current subject seems to be known to some here. Let's name him and give him his props. He played with one valve, too.

Yeah, that was OT...but not really. The Viet Nam war (over there called "the American War") and its aftermath were such devastating blows to our beloved activity in so many ways that I lose count. Even now, the mere mention of it gives me a creepy feeling, and I didn't even go there. But this man did, and he came back, and I'm glad. Now, who is he?

Hmmm. Colonel? Army? That's impressive, to say the least. I am most anxious to know who this is. How about a hint as to corps affiliation?

Pure speculation: Nanci says Viet Nam (could be), but he's not in a hostile zone. His rank insignia is not camo, and he carries no side arm. Not a pilot, either. Wrong glasses. And these fancy sun specs may even be prescription, in which case, definitely not a piolt. Right handed. (see watch, also a bit fancy for an action zone.) Administrative job, perhaps. Not Supply, as the uniform would fit better. My MOS guess: Recon Photo Analyst or Counter Insurgency Intel I suspect all of the above will prove quite funny when we finally figure this out.

Yes, I thought of Charlie at first, but he was a non-com, like yours truly. Maybe Ray Fallon knows this gentleman (by act of congress). They were in the same neighborhood, sort of.

"Good Morning, Viet Nam" I know only one of our drum corps boys who actually flew those things, dropping guys into the jungle and fetching them out. He went on to some fame as a drill instructor, but this doesn't look like him.

Yes, the Marines were miffed and considering reprisal options until I explained that Jack had just returned from active duty and was prone to sudden emotional outbursts. (This was, of course, a total fabrication and they knew it.) One of the girlfriends said, "Oh, Sweetie, just like you.", the Marines cracked up, and Jack lived to behave badly another day.

"... he failed to calm things down though and Grass ended up throwing $200 at him (DCA fine) and then leveling the brass judge ..." Andy, where was this anecdote when we recorded your interview for the Drum Corps Stories project a couple of weeks ago? At any rate, it shows that this was a kinder, gentler Skyliner, who threw cash at judges... instead of drumsticks.

Not the Cavs, but their cross-town rivals in blue.

"...they don't bother me" ... He was known for his economy of expression and poetic delivery. (Little wonder that Andy the Wordsmith appreciates that.) Anticipating a detailed lecture, I once asked him for some arranging advice, specifically whether he thought I had over-written a certain part of Garfield's book. "A tad.", was all he said. At that moment I realized the TRUE meaning of understatement.

"If I'm on to it, it was nicely played by Fish and Andy." You know, I think you are onto it. I just compared this to a photo from about 20 years further on: same eyes, same little pompadour, similar ears (which would serve him well throughout his illustrious career). I still say he looks like the Beaver, however.

Hmmm. Baritone...Did he ever wear a uniform with green highlights? Maybe even two (in succession)?

Retha Cilliers was the single most important force in Drum Corps in her hemisphere. Her drive and organizational skills were monumental, surpassed only by her compassion, heart and fierce sense of justice. Literally thousands of South African young people had their lives immeasurably enriched by this symphony woodwind player who took on the responsibility to direct the birth and nurturing of the Drum Corps activity in her country. Like Nelson Mandela, who honored her work with the South African Field Bands, Retha is irreplaceable. Though she has gone, the mighty spirit she left remains, unbroken.

Isn't that the Beaver, Ward and June's kid?

I told you all she was messin' with Photo Shop. First, she puts my head on Fish's body...now this.

Man, what recall you have, Glenn. I really, really wanted to play that solo, but John Kamerdin was a superb player and Mr. Sasso was wise enough to spread the features around. That, of course, was a smart move and a bit of insurance in the event someone actually did have to miss a performance. In fact, you subbed for me once back then, I seem to remember. All the leads knew all the solos. That bugger Kamerdin never missed so much as a rehearsal, but I did get to play that bit in a subsequent year. By that time, everybody thought it was he, though he had retired to become a Wall Street wolf. I don't know who that cat is that Ray is referencing. I'm going to put all that exaggeration down to some service-related affliction he brought home. You want to hear somebody who had real command of the horn? Check out anything Tommy Martin ever played. And then there was, Angelica, Riggie, Swan, Hightower, Gaff, Simpson, Ednie, Pepe, Hazelwood, Diliberto...

Good point. Many years ago, I told my mentor, the brilliant John Sasso, that I wanted to become a drum corps instructor. "Why would you want to do that?", he asked. I stammered, "Well...I...I love the sound and...the whole style, you know?" He replied, "Drum Corps don't need instructors." I was taken aback. "They don't? What do they need?" He answered without hesitation. "Psychiatrists", he said.

Nanci, Did you use Photo Shop here? If so, that's against the rules and you'll get a penalty.

DAvery makes a very valid point. And it was the drum corps members from the 60s and 70s who transitioned into music education and brought about most of this shift. I daresay that is an important part of our legacy, and we should embrace it Today's high school programs serve pretty much the same population as the local corps of yesteryear, and they tend to do so more efficiently and with a longer shelf-life. Of course, it still takes a very dedicated cadre of parents and some good management skills on the part of teachers and administrators. That said, there are places, like the inner cities, where the local drum corps model would still be viable, should anyone have the ambition and good will for it. School music there is almost non-existent. Perhaps there are still some missionaries amongst us.

Sending good thoughts his way on your behalf. FD

Thank you, Lindap. Proof, once again, that Alberta Girls still know how to bring it (and in the middle of winter, no less), and that, indeed, is "A Good Thing".

I was thinking the same thing. Since Andy knows the perp, maybe he'll drop another hint.

"...a childhood friend of Jimmy D'Amico..." Now you've got me. Does that imply a Holy Name affiliation?

"Entertainment Effect" has a chance. The other proposal, not so much. One thing for sure: The old "It Just Isn't Drum Corps Anymore" Super Bowl is about to be replayed, but hopefully not on this thread, for the love of Pete. Please, please with a cherry on top, let's avoid this trap and just keep having fun with the funny photos.

I learned more music riding shotgun to rehearsals with George Tuthill than in all my theory classes combined. He had what is known in the trade as "a heavy pen". Drummers often get less than their due, which, I suspect, is the reason they like to be called percussionists. And they tend to be high achievers in other fields, as well. Some have even "slipped the surly bonds of earth", like Chris Ferguson, NASA Space Shuttle commander who played snare in the Philadelphia PAL corps. http://www.dci.org/news/view.cfm?news_id=268e8c82-cf6d-4aee-a33a-a429721278b5