J. Miller

Chuck and George: Since I know you guys and you were there when the policy that I speak of was first implemented--your insight is invaluable. (Ahh Chuck the days when Gene (that is the person who is the leaf on the Fruit of the Loom commercials) and I were in the gymasium lobby in Fort Madison in early June 1983 calling all leads to fill up the ranks in 83 and counting all the people who use to march now marching with another (top 12) corps was frusterating--yes the Colts were a stepping stone to make it in the big time. Like George said, when you and Jeff got on board the Colts moved up and I was very proud. And yes George I remember the 89 season and the implosion--just like it was 10 years earlier in 79.) My last question is--and maybe I missed it, but is the policy still the same regarding if a vet tries out with another corps are they barred that year to return to the Colts? I think (after aging out 19 years ago) that is a great policy--would have not set well when I marched when I tried out and made the cut with a top 12 corps, only to return back to the Colts in 82 from the prodding of some great vets (thank God that they did)--and am so glad that I did (that is come back to the Colts.) My experience in drum corps in general, but the Colts specifically, has aided me gargantually in my professional life. Jason--give us a kick ### season this year. Though I live in far west Texas (the last frontier) I am going to make it a point this summer to see the Colts as many times as I can. I have a real good feeling about the Colts this upcoming year. I spoke with my Dad yesterday, who lives in DBQ, and who is not a drum corps conneissuer (sp?), who mentioned the Colts camp this past weekend and what he heard. This from a man who does not mention anything until he sees the Colts over Memorial Day Weekend. Something is up. J

Since they have taken off the discussion boards for each section and each corps-- Does anyone know where Keith "Ping" Dawson who worked the Pride of Cincy, Colts, anc Glassmen Colorguard is these days?

I just checked out the Colts website and it says that all spots are open for auditions. Did they not have a policy where a returning member retained their spot and any newbies would only be trying out for vacant positions? If true, does that mean the Colts are playing with the big dogs and may move up a position or two with better talent in the ranks since nothing is guranteed to returning members (whom may not be the best talent)?

Skippay should know.

Bartyount?Why do you have a picture of PR when you nmarched Sky and Blue Coats?

The BLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Coats are the first corps to make the top 12 from Texas. Way to GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Que?

Howl711 it is time to go to bed. I have told you time and time again, it seems as we have been telling you this the past 59 years. Drum corps will go on.

When ever did Pantom Regiment have a guy in the guard?

Before we go any further: E veryone S hould P lay N icely with one another 2 day

For the love of God! Did you folks sign some contract with your corps after you aged out, quit, were cut, etc. etc. that you cannot tell us your affiliation for the fear that your alma mater would fail to send you monthly requests for $$$$? All I am asking on behalf of those who read these posts is to know any potential bias that one may have when reviewing a corps' performance when posting. This lends credibility to the poster and the overall review. Is this not what you would expect of yourself--legitimacy and self-respect? When a person starts writing a review and glows about one corps (which is suspect) when flaming another (which makes it doubly suspect) shades the overall review. The assumption, on my part, is the review is taken with a grain of salt--if read at all. If you want to spend the time writing a review and not heed the advice given then don't expect your written word or your overall credibility in other posts to be given any weight. I have, and reading most of the responses from others, strongly suspect that the folks here appreciate candor. Would you not expect the same in return?

Is it just me, but DCM_ALUM nailed this review. First spoke of vantage point, corps affilitation, the positive and negative for this particular performance and the potential each corps has in the very near future. Going to Naperville?

Allow me to first state that the show reviews this year have been OUTSTANDING!!!! Secondly, do not be afraid to state your corps affiliation or allegiance to any particular corps-- BUT, please state in clear and specific terms your corps affiliation and allegiance, i.e. my son, daughter, neighbor, student from band, lover, my third cousin from my step-mother's side of the family brother-in-law's, sister's, third son daughter's mailman's sister's nephew marches third from the left cymbal line in XXX corps in the third movement. OR how many years since you marched such and such corps and the extent of your involvement as an alumni since then. This allows US as readers to gauge your assessment of the evenings performance and truly assess your review. (Is there not a contest each year as to the best review?) Keep up the good reviews! Living out in the hinterlands where the sheep run scared makes for a pleasent divergence!

From the late 70's until his age out year in 1982 with the Colts would be (hands down) Gene Steichen. Many many funny moments with Gene, but the one that sticks out in my head is during/after the corps performed in Madison in early June 1982 (Drums on Parade?) Gene had collapsed on the field in the closer, apparently due to dehydration. But Gene, like always seized the moment. Two staff members ran out onto the field to pick him up and carry him off the field as the corps paraded the stands. The audience seemed occupied as to Gene's condition and you could hear the murmur of the crowd as their attention was diverted to the field where Gene lay. The staff members picked him up ala a football player being helped off the field with a leg injury with Gene's arms around the shoulders of the accompanied staff members. They got Gene over to the 50 yard line as they walked him towards the front of the field. On the fifty, suddenly, Gene collapses and the crowd in unison screach out with a wall of "OOOOOOOh!" Then suddenly Gene jumps to his feet with his arms outstretched like the Blue Devils mascot/symbol of old and the crowd erupts with the loudest applause of the night. Gene can now be seen in the Fruit of the Loom commercials--he is the Leaf. This is just one of many commercials he has been in (Snickers, Ameritrade, Subaru, Subway, SBC, to just to name a few.)

Ding, ding, ding!!! We have a winner. This is the best review I have read. Great positive review with CONSTRUCTIVE criticism without flaming anyone! Even better--it came to be a review of the core of drum corps--division II/III

Harvey: Well rounded review! I like Colts and BK's uni's though. J.

Jeff thy Sooner Thank you for the review!

Thanks gents: Your advice and info has been very appreciated and has led me in the right direction. Maybe in a few years my son will be interested in marching corps, heck he might even win individuals. J.

The drum instructors that I had that influenced me the most were in the bigger picture of life were: Carl Roucco: "Play the f-ing part or I'll break your f-ing face!" His in your face approach made me stand my ground and stick to what I believe. Jay Webb: From my understanding he is or was a DCI judge. Though he only worked our line for a brief period he gave me the ability to hone my ability to focus on details. Eddie Argenziano: How to listen. Pete Wyatt: How to play from one's heart. Robb Mueller: He made a white boy "play that funky music." Tom Flowers: He had patience with me and allowed me to have patience with others.

All drum player connesuiers: My nine year old wants to learn how to play and I am about to venture to the big city to get a pair of sticks and a pad so he can begin. My son is about 4'5'" tall and is slender. I want to pick a pair of sticks that will not be too big or too small, but as baby bear said, "just right." something that he can grasp so he can prepare his way to march corps some day. I would also like to know what is the best pad out there and good beginning level books to use. I have been out of active drum corps drumming since 1985, so I am a bit rusty as to what technology has brought us this day and age. thanks!

Maedrhros wrote: Colts Here's where I find myself without much to say. My girlfriend had been at camp all last week, and we hadn't talked all that time. She got back home, just in time to catch me as I was leaving for the Dome. She had tickets as well, though a few sections away from me. Colts was the corps that I ducked out of and went to go find her. No offense to the Colts, but I would do it again in a second . It was good to see her again. I do remember hearing the Colts, and recognized it as a Gillingham show rather quickly. However, that's as much as I can say, since I wasn't giving them my full attention. I then replied to Jhiatt's response that I did not think it was a good review-- (Yes, I was a bit slighted by Maehdros comments--Not because he did not do a review on the Colts, but because he was disingenuous to all the readers of this forum. A review is a review of all the corps--he did not review all the corps and I believe that his comments regarding why he did not see the Colts was disingenuous-- Hear me out on my rationale and what Maedhros stated: How much of a girlfriend was she? a. She caught you as you were walking out the door to go to the dome. You must have been in a rush to get to the show that you could not speak with her then, but then all of a sudden you decided to speak with her during the show? That does not pass the goofy test. b. You had not spoken to her in a week and the urge just came over you during the fourth corps of the competition to go speak with her. My daughter went to cheerleading camp (I hate to admit that, but I have to address this point). She spoke to her boyfriend while she was gone more than she spoke with me or her mother. I am assuming that the band camp that your girlfriend went to must have been run like the Navy Seals training session. No contact with the outside. h###, criminals I put away get daily phone privileges and have more access to a phone than your girl friend at band camp--I should inform the judicial system that we are treating our students in band camp in Indiana more harshly than the inmates in federal prison. In other words, if you were in such a rush to get to the show then to speak with her, then what came over you to speak with her during the competition. Why did you not go look for your girlfriend before the show even started? How much of a girlfriend is she that she never called you or you her? c. If she is so much of a girlfriend why did you 1) not go to the show together and 2) have seats together. It reminds me of the scene in "Field of Dreams" were Ray Kinsella is looking for Terence Mann and Kinsella goes up to a gent on the street and asks this guy for the address of where Mann lives. The man asks Kinsella why he wanted to know-Kinsella says he, Mann, is a friend of mine, then the guy retorts, "If he is friend of yours why didn't he give you the address." Why do you just not come right out and say the Colts bore the h### out of you and decided to go get a hot dog. (When I marched with the corps it was not uncommon to see the mad dash of folks to the concession stand as we entered the field of competition--it was rather entertaining to see the people run over each other to get to the exits). You can't bs a bs'er. The problem with your post was that you were not being truthful. Maehdros, yes, I am upset with you, but just tell it the way it is--the truth hurts, to lie or couch what you really mean or did in uncertain terms will get you hurt or in trouble in the long run. We are all big people on this board. Call a spade a spade. If the Colts suck, say so. If you went to go get a hot dog, say so.

Jlhiatt: I beg to differ. Read Adregon's review of the afternoon show and I bet that his evening shows review will match if not surpass his afternoon review.

Aderagon: The best review I have read this year. Cannot wait to read your finals review.

Your review left me wanting more: I see that you did not do a review of the Colts. That tells me one of two things: 1) the Colts show was not rememorable or 2) it was so late at night that you were not thinking straight. I hope to God that it is Number 2. Just my two cents worth