Gauchos77

I remember my year at Fulton (1977) ... what an amazing time. Especially when we did beat the "other corps that ended with an 'os'" at Butler, PA. But Keith how can you forget that amazing hornline of the Grenadiers from Apalachin? Ken Turner - led they finished as high as 8th in horns in '74 I believe. Their hornline was one of the best to watch and listen to. Another great Upstate corps that was great to "watch" was the Mello-Dears ........ but we won't go there

AWESOME Camp !!! The intensity is amazing. I hope those crowds can dance - "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" will have them jitterbugging in the stands. The only bad part about this weekend? - having to wait two whole weeks to do it all over again !! Thanks for a great time ......... come and be a part of it all at the next camp. Kenny R.

Keith, AGAIN you fail to mention another Upstate New York powerhouse that practiced by a "lake" .... (Lake Neatahwanta) ...... the Fulton Gauchos !! Did we beat up on you guys that much to not warrant inclusion !! LOL And don't forget our neighbors the Oswego Black Knights. Unfortunately for me I was only able to march with the Gauchos for one year - 1977. I started in 1976, but the need for a job forced me to stop. At the end of the 1977 season I went into the Navy. Sometime during my enlistment the corps merged with someone and then just went away. I still see a few of the members at different shows. You mentioned the Castlemen from Conklin, NY. I remember them ..... but by then they were just a small parade corps that just vanished. The Apalachin Grenadiers had one of the best horn lines to ever come out of New York thanks to Ken Turner. I believe they finished 8th in horns at Ithaca in 74 but couldn't march or drum (remember those red/white/blue drums?) to match it. But, oh boy - no one can forget the Mello-Dears !!!! In response to another of your topics (Buffalo Show) - don't apologize. I would take a day with my son over a drum corps show ANYTIME. I'm just fortunate enough this year to be able to march next to him with Empire. We need to get together sometime though to take our trip down the "Upstate Drum Corps" memory lane Ken Roe Fulton Gauchos 1977 Empire Statesmen 2009 - ?

Kris, At least NOW I know why your Mom is always shaking her head and quietly saying "why me ..... why me" as she is standing next to me in horn arc !! All this time I thought it was due to my playing !!!! Kenny R.

Yeah Keith ... and that is the tail end of a GREAT weekend. Friday night I get to watch my daughter at D.C.I. East (mellophone for Bluecoats), then on Saturday I have the privilege of performing along side my son with the Empire Statesmen for the crowd at Scranton, and finally on Sunday trekking up to Buffalo to cheer on "BLUUUUUEEEEEEEEE" again with some Statesmen friends !!!! Could not think of a better way to spend a summer weekend. Ken Fulton Gauchos 1977 Empire Statesmen 2009 - ?

One of these days I will figure out how to work these stupid "smiley's". Of course that's AFTER I memorize my music !!! Kenny R

WOW .. what a camp !!! I even managed to get the "forward 16 backwards 8" down pat !! http://www.drumcorpsplanet.com/forums/styl...efault/w00t.gif Great attendance and the music just gets better with every change and every camp. Can't wait until the next camp. Kenny R

I too had a super time. The members of the U.B. Band were very appreciative and receptive towards those of us that took the time out of our schedules to make the trip. Dave, if you figured out the "language" fill me in during the next camp please. I thought about some of that "mumble jumble" during the ride back to Binghamton !! Out of the four mellophone players I had the pleasure of accompanying one also was some type of engineering major, one was a member of Spirit of JSU and the other two I personally can't remember (there is that ###### age factor again). Hopefully my recruiting efforts brings a couple of them to the next camp. Thanks to all that made the trip possible. The ride out and back in the corps van was interesting while listening to the "war stories". The staff and students of the U.B. Pep Band definitely went out of their way to make us welcome. I hope to see many of them on the 15th. Kenny Roe

Another GREAT camp !!!! David Orser what an amazing arrangement - thank you for taking the time to explain the tempo count to me. That tune is going to have the crowd standing and screaming. The music teacher from our local school district that I am taking private lessons from and who marched with the Cadets LOVES the arrangement and is looking forward to hearing the full corps version. I invited him to one of the upcoming one day camps. Tom - just to let you know - I asked help from my "phenoms" !! They worked hard with me so that I can now count to 16 and 8 !!! Marissa said that since that took some time she wanted to wait a few days and let that sink in before she explains "forward" and "backwards" to me !!! Can't wait until the next camp !!! Ken Roe Mellophone

WHAT A CAMP !!! The music is amazing. The swing chart is going to be difficult to march to when my brain is telling me to "Jitterbug" !!! Great short performances for the corps members and support staff by the Guard and the Battery / Pit. Enjoyed myself very much and love the "Family Atmosphere" that immediately surrounds you as soon as you walk into that school. Jimmy, David, Allen, Jamie ..... thank you for a great time. Can't wait until next camp. Ken Roe Gauchos 1977 Empire Statesmen 2009

I have enjoyed my weekend by watching my Christmas present - 2008 DCI World Championship DVD. (so I opened it early !!) Anyway, watching the retreat portion of the DVD I noticed the two Phantom Regiment drum majors dragging the lead "dead" drum major to the line. AWESOME !!! My question - when did he stand up during the announcement of the scores? Ken Roe Fulton Gauchos 1977 Empire Statesmen 2009 - ?

And yet AGAIN no video recording of the Muchachos ........ java script:add_smilie("","smid_64") Looks like an awesome collection. Will be pretty close to the top of my Christmas list for this year. Ken Roe Fulton Gauchos 1977 Empire Statesmen hopeful

Keith What memories !!! I could also check the Castlemen out of Conklin but at the time it was just a small parade corps. I miss those days. I hope to end up with the same memories after this summer. I'm dusting off the old marching shoes and giving it a try again with the Empire Statesmen. Even taking private lessons with one of the high school marching band directors that marched with Bergan County Cadets (I think that was their name during his years !!!). Should be fun !! Hope to run into you at a couple of shows. Ken Roe Fulton Gauchos 1977 (Castlemen 1976 ..... man I hated that school bus !!!!!) Empire Statesmen hopeful

Where the hell did he or she fit !! They had to be the skinniest members of the guard. Now I'm trying to keep with the theme of the show ...... which member was the second person and why would he or she have to "re-appear"? Very interesting show. Ken Roe Fulton Gauchos 1977 Hopeful Empire Statesmen 2009

Last night I was enjoying different shows on the Fan Network. One of the shows I was enjoying was the Russian Themed 1987 SCV show. I was wondering if someone could answer a question for me? What happened at the very end of the show that raised the vocal response of the crowd? The guard member that appeared after the shroud was raised on the prop that was wheeled out brought one loud response but as you continue watching near the end the video showed a side view of the corps and I can see them pulling down the shroud over the framework again. Did another guard member appear or did something else happen? Thanks for any helpful response Ken Roe Fulton Gauchos 1977 2009 Empire Statesmen Hopeful