year1buick

Chicken assembly has been ongoing in Rockford this spring, in preparation for the alumni corps.

Dude! (Just because I’m thinking it every time I practice doesn’t mean you have to say it out loud!) 52 years old hits different…

For me it started when we learned what music we’d be playing in Regiment’s Alumni Corps. I’m beyond hyped at the chance to play that stuff in front of an Indy crowd. It’s going to be so much fun.

I couldn’t find any back-to-back shows that I marched (in the early 90s) that were in the 600 mile range, but I did have a fair number over 300 and a couple over 400. For example: In 1991, Sky Ryders performed in Phoenix on July 9 and Albuquerque on the 10th, which was a little over 400 miles in travel. It wasn’t all the time, but we did on occasion.

#### sure wasn’t Sky Ryders.

I can help with that.

I remember one night when we stayed late, sitting in the parking lot after a show listening to critique tapes, when suddenly there was this horrendous crashing sound. Scared the hell out of me. Apparently what happened (as I recall the story) was the semi truck pulling one of the Cavaliers equipment trailers came uncoupled and the front of the trailer crashed down. (Because the flip down support was no longer in place.) I don't think there was any serious damage though. (Other than, maybe, the driver’s pants.)

I finally got a chance to read the press release. Uninformative word salad, IMO. It seems insane to me that, in the span of only a few days, they went from posting recruitment videos to this. At least it was before try-outs hit full swing, which would’ve compounded the suck exponentially.

Bummer news. I hope they can bounce back strong in 27.

He was on brass staff at Regiment during my years there. Super great guy and instructor.

Was that Frank? (RIP)

There was also a freak, accidental (drumstick related) chipmunk death at Beyer field during a rehearsal in 92. A small service was held. RIP little dude. There were also multiple chipmunk hole related sprained ankles that summer as well. But there’s no crying in drum corps.

If not fractured, those can often be replanted and saved. (Though they may need a root canal down the road.) They make little Save A Tooth kits that a tooth can be temporarily stored in that have saline. Some youth teams, schools etc keep them on hand just in case but I guess it makes sense for drum corps too. (In a pinch, milk will do.)

A couple years ago I saw in the news where a horn player (maybe at Broken Arrow?) had to have emergency surgery after a mid-show collision with a bass drum. (My guess is probably a fractured maxilla. Ouch.) I smashed the hell out of my upper lip during Finals week rehearsal in 94 during the 180 spin going into the crab step. The guiding of our line was off and I smashed my bell into the other guy’s head. He ended up with a headache and I had a bloody lip.

The sweet smell inside the buses in August, aided by uniforms hanging to dry. Made even sweeter by the occasional broken A/C system.