^Michael^

As Southwind's founder and first executive director, I'm pleased to report that Chris Campos, Gary Holly, and all the other incredible Southwind alumni who are spearheading the comeback effort have their heads and their hearts in the right place. The effort is being executed in a realistic and organized way to insure the long term future health and stability of the reactivated corps. This effort is fully supported and endorsed by both myself and Dave Bryan, who served as my original assistant corps director and later was executive director for most of Southwind's most successful competitive years to date. The new Southwind is an autonomous, self-sustaining organization governed by an active board consisting of members from all eras of the corps (original grey/white, red tean, yellow team). Please help to support these efforts by making a pledge of financial support via the "Kickstarter" campaingn Southwind Kickstarter Campaign or a direct donation at the corps Alumni Association website at Southwind. Thank you! Michael D. Terry

Sentimental pick - Southwind 2000. After struggling to 15th - 22nd place finishes traditionally since reactivating in 1989, Southwind just misses the big show by two tenths in 2000, finishing in 13th under the leadership of corps director Pat Seidling (later of Phantom Regiment). I often wonder if we could have slipped by Bluecoats for the Saturday night appearance if it would have changed the course of the corps history....

Terri - I absolutely LOVE Ron White! We go to see him any time he performs in or near Atlanta! By the way, my son Michael Patrick says the Troop's horn line was ON FIRE at the recent camp! He's excited about the prospects for the upcoming season! We'll be doing about 3 1/2 weeks on the road with them again this year and can't wait! We take our own 45 ft Prevost bus conversion with us on tour and the horn staff always comandeers it as their own personal staff bus while we're with them! The overnight drives are a hoot listening to the staff's analysis and the creative process!

A 501©(3) nonprofit is exempt from federal income tax if it has one or more of these purposes: charitable, religious, educational, scientific, literary, testing for public safety, fosters amateur sports competition, prevents cruelty to children or animals. So while Mike doesn't technically "own" Southwind, I believe that his responsibility/accountability as Executive Director would translate roughly to a kind of "ownership" of the corporation for all practical purposes.

I know him, too. I've been disabled/unemployable since a catastrophic motorcycle accident in May 2004 - which means I no longer have the funds to take on a project like this. If I did, I'm just crazy enough to give it a shot!

As the founder and original Executive Director of Southwind, all I can tell you is that I would give my eye tooth if Southwind was still active! I can't answer the question as to whether making finals in 2000 would have changed the course of history, but as the corps was funded for the first two years largely out of my back pocket and from member tuition, the path was not easy from the very beginning. My asistant director, Dave Bryan, who eventually took the reins when I moved on, did a great job of solidifying the corps financial standing over the years and I know the corps actually had no debt and substantial cash reserves when it moved under the Madison Scouts umbrella in 1997-98. From there, I'm of the opinion that the move to Lexington to qualify for participation in Drum Corps Midwest never paid off for the corps and eroded its traditional Alabama base. When Dave finally ended severed his ties to the corps, I believe that was the beginning of the end, even though it took a few more years to die....

Citings, please?

2000 Cadets during "Clocks".

1971 Alabama Charioteers - 1st competition - American Legion National Championship prelims, Houston, TX 1972 Charioteers - formal portrait on the steps of the Alabama State Capitol 1973 Charioteers - drummers prepare for Bluegrass Nationals in Louisville, KY 1974 Charioteers - concert formation - Tiger Rag 1972 Charioteers - Jim Jones (Troopers) consults with the corps during a rehearsal at Fairfield HS in Fairfield, AL Jim Jones shows young Charioteer soprano Mike Wilson proper elbow contact

Highlights of my drum corps background: - Alabama Charioteers D&B Corps - Charter member 1971-1975, Percussion staff 1976 - Imperial Guard D&B Corps, Evansville, IN - Percussion Staff 1979-1980 - Southwind D&B Corps, Montgomery, AL - Founder/Executive Director 1980-1982 - Memphis Blues Brass Band D&B Corps - Public Relations Director, Tour Staff 1982-1983 - Southwind D&B Corps, Montgomery, AL - Management Consulant, Tour Staff, Driver 1989-1997 - Cadets D&B Corps, Hackensack, NJ - Driver, Tour Staff, Transportation Coordinator (Buses) 1998-2004

The '07 Cadet ageout you are referring to is my son, Michael Terry, who marched with Cadets for eight years, 2000-2007. He was a baritone soloist who also served as baritone section leader in 2005, horn sargeant in 2007, and also was named "Cadet of the Year" for 2007 (his ageout year). During his first few years in the corps, he carried the nickname of "Fetus" because of his young age (he was only 13 when he auditioned and made the corps and was the youngest member in the corps for his first three years).

I have literally dozens, if not hundreds, of favorite drum corps moments over the last 37 years. For the sake of this thread, I'll just mention the top four "moments" from my drum corps "career." As a performer - August 17, 1972 - the inaugural DCI World Championship Prelims at Warhawk Stadium in Whitewater, WI where we earned DCI membership (22nd place) with a new corps from Alabama - The Charioteers. As a staffer/manager - August 11, 1992 - at the DCI Division II/III World Championship finals at Warhawk Stadium in Whitewater, WI where I witnessed the corps that I had founded - Southwind - being crowned the DCI Division II Champion on the same field where I had marched in the first DCI Championship almost exactly 20 years earlier. As a drum corps Dad, there are two: First - August 12, 2000 - at the DCI World Championship finals in College Park, MD - being on the field to see my son win his first DCI World Championship as a rookie after making the corps at age 13. Second, August 10, 2007 at the DCI World Championship Semi-finals at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA - watching my son age out of the Cadets after 8 consecutive years as a marching member. Along the way, he was a soloist several times, baritone section leader, and the horn sargeant in his age out year.

I noticed that you "conveniently" forgot your impressive fall and recovery on the slick field at Allentown! I can't even remember the year, but don't forget - there is video documentation of that one! And didn't you have another fall in Pittsburgh (maybe a different year) where your horn flew out of your hands and stuck up in the ground by the lead pipe?

I understand having your sights set on Phantom and you should get the audition packet and go for it, if that's where your heart is leading you. However, Lee Beddis and staff at Crown are also top notch and would provide you with an extratraordinary experience. As far as Open Class, Teal Sound is relatively close and their percussion program is awesome, too. Bottom line - MARCH SOMEWHERE! Don't squander your eligible years looking for the perfect situation. Just DO it! I'm sure my son will tell you the same thing.

Stranger things have happened!

Based on my observations here and employing the same "leap of logic" style, I sense you may be overcompensated for this "skill."

Congratulations to Crown! Well deserved victory for a great corps and a first class organization! Best Regards, Michael Terry (the elder)

Jim - Jimmy Dinkins was my percussion instructor when I marched in the Alabama Charioteers (1971-1975) and Ray Eyler was our horn instructor. Later, Ray Eyler served as my first horn caption head and arranger when I founded Southwind in 1980. I owe a great deak of my drum corps experience to those two gentlemen.

Marietta, GA at Merchant's Walk Stadium Cinema

Good eye/ear JustABandMom! Yes, the bari solo was Mikey in 2004. You know he aged out in 2007, right? After 8 years (2000-2007), it's going to be strange to see the Cadets on the field without him in uniform!

And yet - here you still are.... Sheesh....

I'm totally with Aaron! I would drop DCP long before even considering dropping DCI. I used to participate here regularly and enjoyed it. However, in the last few years the negative posters who think that it's only drum corps if it reflects the style of the activity when they marched have taken over with increasing frequency to the extent that I now only come back on the rare occassion to read and laugh at the lame, closed minded rhetoric spewed by the vocal minority. I know I'll regret speaking my mind because I've had the audacity to disagree with those who feel that drum corps belongs only to them as they define it, but I couldn't resist this time. Oh well... bring on your insults and meaningless arguments. They're only words that hurt me none because drum corps will be here long after you (and I) are long gone! Do I agree with all the changes? No, but I still find plenty of characteristics that I love about the activity and am open enough to recognize and accept that the activity is not mine to define. It now belongs to the current generation of members, designers, instructors, and managers to oversee as they deem best. I, for one, feel that they are doing a fine job. If you can do better - DO IT - instead of lobbing criticism from the peanut gallery. Talk is cheap! And before you bring it up - YES, I've done it. I've founded, fielded, and managed Division II and Division I drum corps. Permanent physical disability currently prevents me from participating at the level I'd like, but I'm working towrd getting back on the road and still partipate to the extent I'm able financially, as an advisor, and a fan. If your negativity and outdated arguments make you feel good, then by all means - carry on. However, don't expect to be taken seriously by those out there doing it every year! Sincerely, Michael D. Terry Woodstock, GA (Drum corps member, instructor, founder, director, BoD member, volunteer, contributor, consultant, and fan in the stands since 1970)

I got mine this afternoon - no prior shipping notification. (Who cares - they're here!) :-) From what I've seen and heard so far, they're great! Thanks to DCI for exceeding expectations! My son is jealous! I told him by phone a little while ago and he's pi$$ed because he won't be able to see them until next week when he comes home from college for Thanksgiving! LOL!

Contact George Hopkins with the Cadets at hop@yea.org . Tell him that I referred you.

Pat, Thank you for posting the "story behind the story." You know, as Southwind's founder and original Executive Director, Southwind will always have a very special place in my heart. What you accomplished with the corps in 1999 and 2000 was nothing short of astonishing. I feel that the corps success in that period is respresentative of your dedication and leadership skill. The members, staff and volunteers responded to your positive , "never say die" management style with accomplishments at a level unprecedented in the corps' history. It broke my heart to see the disconnect develop between you and Dave Bryan, but Dave was blindly loyal to Scott in those days and that influenced him in a very negative way, IMHO. Honestly, Scott's influence over Dave was the primary reason that I decided to end my involvement with Southwind at the end of 1997. That is not to imply anything bad about Scott or Dave - the simple fact is that Scott and I have very different styles and views and my continued involvement could have been potentially counterproductive. When I had to resign as director in 1982, due to a failing marraige and resulting relocation - Dave Bryan was the right man to take over the young organization. Likewise, when the organization had outgrown Dave's vision and desire in 1997, you were exactly the right man to take Southwind to new heights beginning with the corps reemergence in 1999. I have no doubt that Southwind would have continued on a steady climb upward had you seen your way clear to stay as director beyond 2000. One has to look no further than your success in leading Phantom Regiment back to the top tier to find evidence of your skill in maximizing the potential of a competitive drum and bugle corps. You're a total class act, Pat, and I miss you leading a top drum corps. In fact, it was my plan to work for you on a volunteer basis at Regiment last year until you "disappeared" on me! :P If I can get my personal injury suit settled early in 2008, it's my desire to buy another entertainer coach (my girlfriend is totally into it!). I may call on you to help me select a nice one! Thanks again for posting your Southwind story. I'm sure that few people (if anyone) here know most of the facts you disclosed. If you see this, PM me and let me know what you are up to and how to contact you! Best Regards, Michael D Terry Woodstock, GA Alabama Charioteers D&B Corps - Charter member 1971-1975, Percussion staff 1976 Imperial Guard D&B Corps, Evansville, IN - Percussion Staff 1979-1980 Southwind D&B Corps, Montgomery, AL - Founder/Executive Director 1980-1982 Memphis Blues Brass Band D&B Corps - Public Relations Director, Tour Staff 1982-1983 Southwind D&B Corps, Montgomery, AL - Management Consulant, Tour Staff, Driver 1989-1997 Cadets D&B Corps, Hackensack, NJ - Driver, Tour Staff, Transportation Coordinator (Buses) 1998-2004