K2SMA

Yes, definitely looking forward to a four-day "working vacation" in the ATL. Georgia may be on our minds but it will NEVER be the same!

Chicago/Des Plaines Vanguard also appeared in prelims sometime in the mid-1970s, but never made an appearance in finals. Remember?

That weekend was SO much fun, from the moment he arrived at rehearsal in Upper Darby Saturday morning and proceded to drink PBRs out of MY cooler, to the performance at finals. It certainly took the edge off of missing finals...

Hmmm... I was thinking Chicago Connection was next in 1977... 11th place if memory serves me. But not high enough for voting membership in DCA.

Was that REALLY a fire hydrant in the field? Did I really see that? That tower looked cool...

Yep, that's right. I just finished reading 418 posters. Alliance is on every one.

Someone PLEASE tell me where to sign up for that. I can even bring my own batteries! Or would I have to play on a Bb?

One obvious one, Jim, the Kilties -- the ONLY corps to make finals in both DCI and DCA! I'm not sure about the Pine Tree Warriors, Maine's Marching Ambassadors, either. But I DO remember it was a LONG ride up to their contest and back with a bad radiator in my '75 Olds "measle-mobile". The OYB Lampliters from Smiths Falls, Ontario competed as both a junior corps and a senior corps, but I'm not sure if they ever competed in DCA prelims in the mid-1980. Who has the scores from 1986 or '87 prelims? Yes, it was changed before the 1975 season, when DCA membership was reduced to 10 full/voting "Member" corps and four "Associate Members". That would HAVE to be Minnesota Brass assuming you mean "longest run" to be construed as an "active DCA finalist" with the most CURRENT consecutive appearances in finals "without winning the DCA championship". After that I believe then it's currently CorpsVets tied with the Renegades. Crusaders by a wide margin if you mean "non-consecutive appearances". Trivia is a delicate thing, ya know...!

Fran, I have been watching this thread since first called to my attention by Vic Kulinski. But I've not had the words to express my feelings; certainly not to the level of eloquence as has been written here in the previous 241 posts. Having been only "reintroduced" to Barbara just months ago, her recent health problem came as quite a personal shock. Good gravy, I have probably known her longer than you have! But clearly, her progress has come as a result of all the well wishes you and she have received here -- and lots of help from above. We will miss you both in Nashville this coming Saturday. What remains is the question of whether I, as the replacement announcer, will also be required to wear something resembling your normal attire at these affairs... So simply, I add my very best wishes to both of you!

When DCA established the 4-judge panel this past spring, it was decided that it would NOT be used for August shows. It is an option for new contest sponsors and an incentive to attract new sponsors, particularly in the early part of the season. Thus, Nashville and Alpharetta will have full panels even though these are new contests on the DCA schedule.

Hmmm... Let's see. Miss Amana was there, right? Okay. So it must have been some other one, right? Toastmaster? Waring? Jenn-Aire? LOL! Tom, send me a private e-mail when you get a chance!

I agree with Tom, that line IS good, and I may have to use it myself sometime...! With your permission, of course, FananaFanaFoFeesa...

Yes, our concept of "the west" was fairly limited at the time, excepting the appearances of Brass, Inc., Boys of '76, Chicago Connection, Chicago Vanguard, etc. Just about anything west of Berks County, Pennsylvania (even Pittsburgh and Erie), was considered to be "out there". And Ohio was likely perceived as being in another hemisphere, somewhere close to Hawaii. Thus, you could infer that Westshoremen's and Steel City Ambassadors' pushes toward a DCA flag in the mid 1980's were the first "western" challenges to the DCA dominance of Bucs, Hurcs, Sky, Cabs, and Sun during the DCA championship's first 20 (or so) years -- and that Empire Statesmen were the first "western" corps to win the title. Okay, I may have pulled this off topic. No flames for doing so, please...?

They're merging the kids from 507 Hornets with Keystone Regiment? HA! I give 'em one season before the whole thing collapses. Those mergers NEVER work. (Yeah, I know, they're junior corps. You see what this DCI thing is doing?)

Oh yes, looking forward to it! Although, due to my commitments with MCL, I can't say for sure when or where I will be at a given time, other than that MCL-1 will be parked somewhere on the grounds during the shows. Brigs alum again want me to participate in whatever role they will have. Not counting my chickens yet, but I'll let you know what's happening when. For now, I am trying to squeeze in an appearance at the G.A.S. Reunion the same weekend as the DCA meeting in Newark. I know it's in Johnson City, NY, but I need to get some details -- times, hotels, etc. -- before I can file a flight plan with Continental and Avis.

Let me get this straight... A single piston valve, mounted HORIZONTALLY, that is played with the THUMB?!? What weirdo came up with THAT idea?!? The THUMB?!?

Could you be thinking of WFLN, "The Classical Music Station"...? 1955 -- probably was after Bob Mowrer... Maybe that will rattle loose a few brian cells!

Agreed, Tom, Joe has also performed well with the Brigs Alumni website, as well. Me? I have enough trouble with English, forget HTML! Just packing (and reloading the MP3 player) for the flight to Newark tomorrow afternoon... BTW, was amazed that my memories of Hanover were, well, that they even still exist. Lots of "medicine" in those days, as well as the better living through chemistry (yes, chemistry).

Okay, REALLY scraping the paint off the brain cells now... Hanover Lancers, usually the 2nd Saturday in July?? uh... Sheppard and Myers Field??? Hmmm... American Legion Post #14??? Trying but can't remember the names on the post charter. Dear God in heaven YES, they WERE good parties (despite the rivalries)! Tom, it's GREAT to hear you guys are keeping the name of the Interstatesmen alive.

Fran, I trust you will take it upon yourself to interrupt us from time-to-time with score updates? As you can imagine, I have my own reasons for wanting to know!

Congrats both to Harry on being chosen as Sky's new corps director and to Lee on his selection as program coordinator. (My mind is on overload imagining what Lee might be dreaming up! Talk about the mean streets...!) Could be the most interesting interesting year since the Bobby Hoffman days. Who's job will be tougher, Lee's or Harry's? :) Best wishes in '07!

Amazing where potential members and/or fans lurk. Sorry I won't get to see the corps when I am back up there next week.

Geez Jim, probably only a few of us left who remember that one, and the context in which it was uttered... Are you sure Spiro was not a drum corps guy? Seems to me they used to have a lot more corps and shows in Maryland when he was Baltimore County Executive and later Governor... Ooops, sorry, didn't mean to steal the thread, but look at the numbers! The March of Champions contests at the old Baltimore Memorial Stadium (34th St and Loch Raven Boulevard?) were perhaps the biggest DCA Contests ever held.

Much like at his memorial service in Troy, New York, a couple of weeks after his passing. But MY that was a LONG service...

Congrats on the ink, Tom. Any ink is good ink, as free promotion in the newspaper is becoming much harder to come by.