markdewine

Let's let DCI and DCA begin with small steps. If that proves to be beneficial to both parties, and the activity as a whole, then a serious look at further co-operation would be in order. I am cautiously optomistic. As far as the topic of "Championships" goes...let's not forget there used to be numerous championship shows, i.e. the Dream, CYO Nats, Leg. Nats, VFW Nats, World Open, US Open, DCI finals, DCA finals. The more championship shows there are, the more chances exist for any corps to claim one...or more.

Legend has it that some staff members from a certain corps in Illinois, were listening to a recording of the Syracuse Brigadiers. Someone asked, "Hey, what's the name of this march they are playing?" The answer was, "Oh, that's the Phantom Regiment March." Then came......"WOW !! What a great name for a drum corps....Phantom Regiment!!!" True story.

...when your corps jacket's were your "colors"...and NO ONE disrespected your colors...OR ELSE!!!

Anyone remember the Hershey Choclatiers from PA? Wouldn't their feeder corps be called the Hershey Squirts?

...going strictly from memory...I believe the first American killed in WWI; a member of the famed Lafayette Escradrille, was Lt. Norman Prince...namesake of the Princemen Drum & Bugle Corps. When asked, "What was the theme song of the Princemen?" , most tend to answer 'Someday My Prince Will Come'. I'm told by those wiser than me that the correct answer is "Stout-hearted Men" ( think Nelson Eddy, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police ) LOL That goes w-a-a-a-a-y back !!!

Well deserved...and LONG overdue. Congratulations sir!

Gotta go with the Hawthorne Muchachos. What a corps!!! Enough said...

1975 Madison Scouts !!! I got such a face-peel that for years people would mistake me for "Fire Marshall Bill" (Jim Carey)

Madison Scouts...by far. I believe that the Scout's shows have, throughout their history, been so entertaining because they have made it their mission to entertain the fans. Everything else is secondary to that premise. So the judges scored us way below where we thought we should be.....O.K. So we admittidly weren't as clean as those other corps...O.K. So there's probably some people in the stands who didn't like this show, or that uniform change...O.K But....after all else is said and done, the Madison Scouts have been true to the crowds in the stands. They have been ENTERTAINING !!!

Yes, there are openings for two solid percussionists in the Blousemen drumline, though not for the faint of heart. Apparently, after the recent 96 hr. "Long-roll" while marching around the track at the stadium, a couple of guys said it was "a little much" for them. Lightweights!!!

An important point of comparison, that many younger people are unaware of, is that many musicians BITD couldn't read a lick of music. That goes for brass and percussion. Not only did they do a phenominal job back then, considering that "handicap", but some of those same members are currently with various all-age or alumni corps, they play splendidly, and STILL can't read a note.

70 Troopers 71 St. Andrew's Bridgemen 72 Kingsmen 73 SCV 74 Muchachos 75 Madison 76 BD 77 27th 78 Bridgemen 79 Phantom .....to see these ten corps on the same field, on the same night......sorta like Master Card........ PRICELESS !!!!

I am an avid historian. Any history intrigues me. One of the important lessons I have learned on the topic is, that if it's not fact, it's potentially fiction. That's not to say that stories and legends don't become folded into the history of a people. Often times, it becomes necessary to filter through and sort out various interpretations of the same event, in order to get the "real" history. Sometimes memories are clouded by time. I don't remember who finished third at the first contest I saw, but I'm still very much in touch with the emotions I felt at that first show. No one can dispute someone's feelings regarding an event, and these are important in putting history in context, but it is important to have the who, what, when, where, and why all as accurate as possible when preserving a history of anything. I once undertook a project with a Civil War living history group when I lived in Wyoming. It was actually pretty simple. We advertised and invited any and all military veterans, from Wyoming, to be videotaped, while relating their thoughts, memories, feelings and opinions on their service. We promised their histories would not be censored or edited, and that when completed, the tapes would be donated to the Univ. of Wyoming. I think that recording the history of our activity is very important, and that any and all aspects should be preserved, catalogued, and displayed for posterity. Also, it's important to remember that history happens every day.....and the best time to preserve that history accurately.....is as it happens. I saw somewhere, that Drum Corps World is undertaking an endeavor with both DCI and DCA, to preserve drum corps history. Wonderful idea. I would like to see a depository of sorts....an actual museum, where all aspects of drum corps could be preserved and displayed for future consumption. Photos, videos, instruments, uniforms, guard equipment, interviews, programs, even ticket stubs. I would even go so far as to suggest a site somewhere in the midwest, like Madison or Racine, that is equally accesible to the east and west coast fans, as well as southern and midwest fans. I mention those two cities because obviously, they are already rich in drum corps history. Anyway, just my thoughts......

Could it have been Vicki Drummond from Blue Rock?

I once had a marching band director named Mr. Music. I'm serious. Wonderful personality, but not the sharpest knife in the drawer, if you know what I mean. One day during practice, I played a roll on the metal goalpost with my drumsticks. He ran toward his office, which adjoined the practice field, yelling, "Just a minute!!! I'll be right there!!" Poor Mr. Music...... When he came back outside, he said, "Gee, they hung up." Everyone in the band except him, knew it was me. We had a good chuckle. Regarding recruiting....let me just throw this out there..... BITD, many corps recruited poor disadvantaged, or inner-city kids, of all makes and models and colors. Sure, it was Legions, VFW's, and churches.....but, are there any charitable organizations left out there, or possibly one huge corporation (like WalMart, for example) that might sponsor corps for KIDS...like 10-16 yrs. old. Medium sized, local/regional model only. Groups that can remain independant enough where they don't need DCI messing with how they do things. Bill Gates.....are you listening? Just some thoughts....

Brasso- Never knew you were an ankle guy! Woo Hoo!!!

Did anyone notice that's a "right-shoulder" contra the young lady is carrying? Always thought they were all carried on the left shoulder. (Shows ya what I know, huh?)

I'd like to purchase the 3'x5' ariel photo of the Blousemen's entire 248 member drum line. Gotta save my pennies!

KGTech- All excellent ideas! You should be on DCI's Board of Directors.

I started thinking of an analogy to the G7 situation, and likewise an analogy to the responses from DCP'ers. So, the analogy is that for each of us, our home (drum corps) IS ON FIRE !!!!! A BLAZING INFERNO!!! And here's the analogy to the responses..... "Who started the fire?" It was George! Oh, that's a shame. It will probably burn to the ground. Too bad. It was a nice house. Maybe we could build a new house with some old ideas! That's a stupid idea! People HATE old houses! (my favorite, from the kool-aid drinkers) Oh, it's okay. I have more wood in the attic! Wow! They actually got rid of the fire chief? Man!!! That sucker's really burnin' ! Yup, the other 6 poured the gasoline, and 'you-know-who' threw the match. 'course I've known for years he liked to play with matches. He was just trying to "Light the Way." Fine...let it burn. I don't care. Well, really, it was spontaneous combustion. Started smolderin' way back when they brought in amps and stuff. I seen the smoke. I cried, "FIRE!", but nobody believed me. Well, MY house is better than YOUR house! SO THERE!!! PEOPLE!!! When are we gonna quit standing around gawking at the fire, and DO SOMETHING??? What would YOU, personally, be willing to do to help preserve drum corps? Me? I would help any fledgling young drum corps within a 100 mile radius, with marching basics. Free. No charge, no ego, no BS...just help to an activity that needs all the help it can get.

ALLOW THEM BACK IN??? "I'd just tell them, "Sorry. This is drum corps. No bandos allowed!!!"

INT is apparently the Junior Corps version of "The Blouseman." Check with donnymusic for details, but I heard they just had 875 people try out for DM. Only 50 made the cut. The rest will be stuck on finger cymbals or triangles. The 100 man tuba line IS full, and the bass line was expanded this year from 40 to 45. Would really like to see a clash between Blousemen and INT. Apparently some issues over the 40 acre competition field. Couldn't see the lines? Show was delayed? Something....I don't know....

I was against it 2 weeks ago, when I first heard murmurs of rumors. I was against it when I read the proposals. I am still against it. I will always be against it. Oh, and watch for this....... Next time the "7" meet.....and discuss the angry back-lash, what do you bet they change at least some of the proposals with the excuse, "That's not what we really meant." (Translation: "We'd better remove or craniums from our rectal cavities...QUICK!")

Great news that Herbert's "March of the Toys" will be part of the show!!!

Wonderful show for a band to put on the field....now all they need is a bunch of 12 yr. pld spectators.