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

My daughter and son had the wonderful opportunity to march with ES this past summer. It was my son's first experience marching and my daughter's third as she spent two summer with the Crossmen. As we were driving all night Sunday from Rochester to my son's midwest college, due to him having classes on Monday, my daughter, out of the blue, started to explain to me how fortunate she has been to be members of the corps she has. When I asked her what her reasons were she named three people - Jimmy Steele, Al Chez and Joey Pero. She first met Jimmy when he was brass tech at Crossmen and immediately liked his style. Al Chez ...... well, is Al Chez - he has ALWAYS been one of the main inspirations to her in terms of friendships and learning the PROPER way in drum corps traditions. Unable to march in dci this past summer she decided to drag her brother into the dca ranks and started out for Statesmen. I wish I could explain to you how excited she was when she heard Jimmy and Al were part of the instructional team !! When I asked her about Joey she smiled and told me that although she never really had the chance to really get to know him (dci = all summer, everyday vs dca = weekends) Just knowing that he was going to be at a show or rehearsal gave her inspiration to perform like she has never experienced before. When I asked in what way - her reply was that he had the ability to compliment you just by his smile, never had (as she put it) "an attitude" and everytime he put his trumpet to his lips and blew made you want to work just that much harder. Many don't understand how far something as simple as that goes. She is currently a Music Education student at Syracuse. To hear her say that she hopes one day that she can teach her students the values, professionalism and DESIRE TO PERFORM AT NOTHING LESS THAN YOUR VERY BEST the same way that these three individuals taught her is one of the best compliments these individuals could possible receive. I would like to thank each of these professionals for all they have done for my children. My kids are what they are today partly because of the hard work, ethics and sportsmanship you three have instilled in them. I am forever grateful to you. Ken

Cage, Hahaha ..... I wasn't "perturbed" !!! You scared the S**T OUT OF ME !!!! Like my daughter said at the end of the show - "you have some power behind those lungs". Thanks for explaining the meaning behind the yell at the end of the show. Missed you on Saturday night - you must have had different seats. It's a wonderful treat sitting around drum corps fans that respect the activity and the traditions like you do. Thanks for a great evening. Ken Roe Fulton Gauchos 1977

Here are the scores ..... got them just as his phone way dying.. Cadets .... 71.20 Bluecoats ... 68.80 Boston .... 67.10 Glassmen .. 63.00 Crossmen .. 62.40 Troopers .. 57.90 Pioneer .. 52.30 Hope I entertained everyone tonight with my son's updates. Ken

scores pioneer 52.30 troopers 57.90 crossmen 62.40 glassmen 63.00 boston 67.10 bluecoats 68.80 cadets 71.20 Thanks for letting me entertain you all tonight Ken

Hey BACMom ..... we all found out tonight that he doesn't know the difference between "slow drill" and "insane drill" and you want his overall impression ???? Hahahaa ...... I just talked to him on the phoone and he is going to call me back when scores are announced. I will ask him then for ya and get back.. Ken

My "higher educated son" sent the last text before scores .... Glassmen also have a great show. Really interesting and crowd friendly" Ken

Haha ....... good question !!! I will make sure I work with him on that Must have something to do with that "higher education" I'm paying for First report on Glassmen .... Their second song is very entertaining and so far they are doing great. They are the first corps so far that really features the guard ... the ballad is by far the best of the evening. Ken

His last text was just like this ..... "AWFUL ENDING !! NOT FAST OR ANYTHING. THE SHOW ENDS WITH TALKING. The music is nuts and the drill insane but the narration needs to go. Adds NOTHING to the show." He goes on to say that this stage is a circular platform smack dab in the center. On it is a man interviewing the girl with the cancer. Those two never leave the stage during the entire performance. Ken

Now he just said that a snare drummer went down because of this stage ...... !!!!!! Ken

My son just said a tenor player fell into the stage. He got bumped by into it and the drums fell off the harness ....... Ken