GEVisual

Just read that American Airlines cancelled around 500 flights on Tuesday due to mechanical concerns and indicated that more cancellations could be possible on Wednesday. Hopefully this won't affect groups as they travel to Dayton. Hope everyone travels safely for the annual pilgrimage to the holy land of color guard. Best of luck to all performing units. May we show ALL OF THEM our appreciation this weekend!

Saw Warren Central in exhibition at the Tri-State Championship event this weekend and they were ON FIRE ! Weapons had a particularly impressive run, and the final flag ensemble statement brought the crowd to their feet. If they were "on the bubble" before, their performance on Saturday night moved them much more in the direction of "definite finalist".

Center Grove wins this caption by a LANDSLIDE ! ! ! !

1. Fantasia 2. Pride 3. NEI 4. Sac 5. SCV 6. Onyx 7. Zydeco 8. Corona 9. The Knights 10. Phantom 11. Black Watch 12. Sacred Heart 13. Code Black 14. Braddock 15. Fahrenheit Premonition, Signature, and Croatan will be waiting in the tunnel if Braddock or Fahrenheit should falter.

I'll throw my $.02 in: 1. Avon 2. Flanagan 3. Center Grove 4. Miamisburg 5. Choctaw 6. Rancho Bernardo 7. Shenendehowa 8. Beyer 9. Cheshire 10. Carmel 11. Arcadia 12. Northview 13. Stoneman Douglas 14. Warren Central 15. Diamond Bar I think once you get below 5th, it's anybody's guess as to who will finish where.

Couldn't agree more on this program! I still have this show on VHS and pop it in from time to time. Would love to see it a part of On Demand - maybe they could at least include the "A" medalists from the early years.

Sue - you are going to LOVE 1988 Final Analysis! One of the many Tommy Kennum masterpieces!

God, do I feel old. This will be my 23rd trip to WGI. I've been every year since it moved to Dayton (missed Phoenix, Milwaukee, and San Diego). I started attending even before I marched! It's been amazing seeing the activity evolve through the years. I even convinced the wife to make the trip with me this year!

Logan is not attending WGI this year as the entire band and guard are heading to China to appear during the Olympic Games.

I have a bunch of photos from the mid-80's that were taken in Dayton as well as some "candid" shots of 1984 Pride. I'll try to scan some of those in the next couple of days and post.

ARGH!!! Just once . . . just ONCE that season I would've appreciated the photographers not leaving me on the cutting room floor. Yep, if it would've panned over 1 more rifle spot to the right . . . that would've been ME! FYI - The rifle on the extreme left of this photo is Nick Charles who later marched Cavies and then taught at Choctaw for a number of years.

I've known Harvey a little over 10 years. We judged quite a few shows together over those years and the knowledge that I gained from him during that time can't even be put into words. I feel that I've lost a colleague, a mentor, and more importantly a great friend. Harvey always worked so tirelessly behind the scenes at WGI each year and always with a huge smile on his face. It won't be the same without him. I'm sure he and Bob Wiles are now together in heaven either coordinating some pageantry event or hitting the golf course. Rest in peace my friend - you will be greatly missed.

Ah . . . . Peggy Fitzgerald . . . . front and center. The Diva of all sabre divas. They don't make 'em like her anymore!

Carmel's version was performed by Greta Matassa. It's on her album titled 'Favorites From a Long Walk'.

DOH! You are correct - it was 1985. And yes, I thought they should've won outright vs. a tie for 1st.

Will - no one could ever hate you! :D IMHO, The blend, balance, and focus from the narrative to the musical (and back again) (and all points in between) was better than anything that had been done up to that point. If you haven't already done so, make it a point to view the interview with Mike Gaines as he discusses how that show was put together. A MUST for any designer!

Shows I thought should've won (based on both technical excellence as well as how these shows advanced the activity): Quasar 1983 Erte 1985 (vs. a tie) Odyssey 1987 Sac 1989 Emerald Marquis 1991 Pride 2003

With the spread from Cavies down to Regiment, me thinks the top 3 is all but written in stone for this season.

Ouch - brass member fell coming out of the straight file thingy

Cavies whole laid back opener mood just seems too programmed to me. They never convince me they are "in the moment"

I am so totally throwing babies at my monitor right now !

OMG - I think I just had a chordgasm

Scratching my head wondering how in the heck Crown's brassline hasn't been neck & neck (pun intended) with the other top brass lines this season. Such mature blend, balance, finesse, power, etc. etc. etc.

Holy Chordal Crap ! ! !

The climax of SCV's ballad where everyone in the hornline cuts out except the mid-voices. CLASSIC SCV ! ! ! ! And like everyone else . . . . Crown's chord