mvbailey12

I think it would be a great idea! Especially if they put on the entire finals, not just the edit showcase that it became.

Well, that really stinks! Does anyone know if DCI's viewership was better with PBS or ESPN 2? I know that $$$ of course is a big factor. I am curious as to what the cost is to be able to put a show together to view. It would have to be a ton. Also, has the finals broadcast been used as a recruiting tool? I know that youth that want to march will march because they know of someone or a program somewhere already, but have there been any corps directors that can use it as a tool for recruitment or would it be more personal corps vids and such? Just curious.

I was just wondering, is there going to be a broadcast on ESPN 2 or PBS or anything else of finals this year? I have been out of the loop for a while and was wondering if there is going to be anything. I would love to see it, but was the only way to see it this year by webcast or wait for the videos to see it? I know that this will bring up reviews on how people feel about the production of it, but I just wanna see the corps. Thanks!

what was unanimous?

Today is my birthday too! What a great day...Jim Courier(tennis player), Mae West, Donnie Wahlberg (NKOTB), Robert DeNiro, Maureen O'Hara, Davy Crockett, Jiang Zemin (President of China), Sean Penn, Roman Blenski and me! Very cool! If you want to see who famous was born on your day go to: www.famousbirthdays.com - It is pretty neat.

I spaced on them...MY BAD!

So, I have been watching some old Alumni corps reunions that have happened at DCI finals weeks...27th Lancers - 1994, Madison Scouts - 2006 (and I was watching 88 & 92 VK) but I was thinking, looking at the emotion and fan appeal that these groups did for that "One Night Only" what if DCI were to have a special night - just once - in the perfect world - during all of DCI finals week - that all these corps could perform - would you go to see it and who should be included? I listed a few in the poll above, but who would you love to see in this as an alumni performance again? Please don't go on about the DCA corps - I'm talking the best selections from throughout the years from these Alumni corps and such. Man, I think I would be drained emotionally! I was just after watching Scouts and 27. I would love to see VK do an Alumni Corps like these groups - that would be cool!

I was trying to remember if a corps has ever done any AC/DC tunes. I did not look on corpsreps.com but I cannot think of any. If you had your way, choose the following: 1) What songs they would play? - Top 4 2) What corps would do it? 3) What would be the order of songs? 4) Could there be any design to it? I would pick Pioneer (just to step out for a moment - Angus & Malcolm Young are from Scotland - there is the correlation) There guard uni's could be all short pants, school blazers & beenies. I would choose the following for songs: Opener - Back In Black Drum feature - Thunderstruck Ballad - Whole Lotta Rosie Closer - Shook Me All Night Long If Phantom ever went "Back in Black" uni's - this would be a cool way to open the show! Just my thought!

Give me a break! The economy started to go down hill when there was this thing that Ross Perot wanted done called NAFTA. Look it up. Jobs have been leaving this country since Clinton was in office. Plus, it doesn't help when the greedy, lazy American worker has become so dependent on Unionized ways of labor. Don't get me wrong, Unions have served a purpose at one time and for what they have done labor laws have become better, BUT the rest of the world has a six day work week and we cry if we have to put in over 40 hours. We are spoiled and selfish when we don't get our way and then we have these things called "strikes" or "protests". What happened to being thankful for just having a job. I guarantee that there are people out there in other countries that are willing to work their tails off for even 1/2 of what an American worker makes. That's one of the reasons that these companies pull out of here. They can pay the foreign workers less money and get just a good of product as they have over here and they don;t have to worry about upsetting the ACLU or labor law enforcers. Do the rich keep getting richer? You bet! Do the poor keep getting poorer? Only if they choose. These are just my personal opinions and rants.

Back to the original post - what was with the "Bears" & "Colts" drumlines during the creepy pre game show. I, for one, thought that it sucked that Cirque Du Soliel or whatever those flying freaks call themselves had to ham it up and use the stage and mics and have that shreiking chic singing "One Dram, One Life, One Game" over and over and over and over... It would have been ok if she wasn't there and the "drumlines" if you will weren't wearing stupid helmets and the such. I do agree that I bet Hoppy is just steaming mad at the Superbowl for stealing his idea for next years show theme - "Freaks in Pastel" I like Cadets, I really do, but there becomes a time where you go from "pushing the envelope" or "innovative" to downright wrong.

So, I was surfing the web and I came across this great new video... Music for One Apartment and Six Drummers This could take electronics and amplification to a whole new level. I actually kind of liked it though.

I just found this link to JMU, it is pretty cool. http://www.jmu.edu/music/mrd/media/2004/16.mp3 I like it anyways. There's this one too: http://www.jmu.edu/music/mrd/media/2003/08.mp3 Not bad for a marching band - just a little different arrangement

I gotta few other comments too... When I was watching the Rose Parade, I thought that USC was supposed to be spectacular, but I was not impressed. But wehn I heard the first chords of Hail to the Victors coming from the U of M Marching Band it gave me chills. Also, the Northwestern Marching Band has a great program too. I remember seeing their opener about 15 years ago and the tubas/sousaphones would hoist their sousas above their heads flat out and make a run from the end zone to the fifty with them raised. It was INSANE! HIgh stepping the whole way! Of course, becuase our high school band director went to NU we would up doing that too! It was INSANE for us to do that. I have heard that the James Madison Marching Royal Dukes are pretty badd### too! They used to be anyways. There is an old story that I heard that one of the football games got cancelled for some reason, but their stadium still sold out because the marching band was going to perform. That is rockin the house!

I too prefer "corps - style" marching, BUT THE MOST ENTERTAINING COLLEGE MARCHING BAND IN THE LAND (TMECMBINTL for short) has got to be the Badger Band from Wisonsin! ON WISCONSIN! Any marching band that can do the Chicken Dance, Beer Barrel Polka, You've Said It All and Hot Time Old Town Tonight - That rocks my world! Plus, I know some of the kids that are in there. I absolutley love them!

I know that Marquis out of Fond du Lac, WI did a David Foster show back in the early 90's and he actually critiqued them and helped them with their show a little. I think he came and saw a performance or practice, something like that.

So, what songs do you think that they will do for this? Will they do some more of his eclectic side B stuff or Mr. Joel's popular tunes? Am I sensing a New York State of Mind? Maybe Scenes from an Italian Restaurant? How about Piano Man for the Ballad? That would be pretty cool! B) Keeping the Faith, Uptown Girl, My Life (Theme from bosom Buddies with Tom Hanks & Peter Scolari), Movin' Out (anthony's Song), It's Still Rock'n'Roll to Me!, Big Shot, Only the Good Die Young, Goodnight My Angel: A Lullabye, Just the Way You Are, She's Always a Woman to Me, You May Be Right, Allentown, Tell Her About It, She's Got A Way, Don't Ask Me Why, The Longest Time, You're Only Human, Pressure, We Didn't Start the Fire, And So it Goes, The River of Dreams, I Go to Extremes... Man, I know all these songs and more, but I guess I didn't realize that he had soooo many hits! Most groups are lucky to have one hit, much less 20 + hits throughout their lives. Amazing! Go to www.billyjoel.com and look/listen to all of the different songs that could be possible. This could be a very entertaining show. We will have to wait and see.

First off - The original post was not meant as a slam towards any corps, including Troop & VK. I just had a few questions and I also was concerned. With this though, I am glad that some questions were raised and answered for the knowledge and betterment, I feel, for all involved. Many of us, I think, have been confused by VK. After clarification, I do understand what VK is trying to do. I do wish them blessings in all they do. It will be great to have a "Not-So-Serious" corps on the field again. (Is Impluse out there still? - I know they are - settle down!) Just a question - has VK been granted DCI approval for competition for this next year? If so, great! If not or not yet, when do they come out and what is it going to take? As far as Troop - welcome back! By the way, did I miss something. I thought that they would have to drop a division because they were out for a year. I thought that if you had to step out for a year, that you were to do this. Didn't DCI make Magic do this a few years ago? Not that it makes a difference for them now. Back to VK for a moment - I do know that you have to get the best advertising for your dollar out there, but using up 1/2 a page + of new topics with posts that are pretty much covering the same thing just seems a little overnboard. Also, I realize that there are a lot of people that are on DCP, but we are all geeks that love this sport of musical pageantry anyways. I think that to at least 75% of the folks on here, you are just preaching to the choir. Wouldn't it be more fruitful to spread seeds in the local area? I know that you are in the thicket of some great corps out on the left coast, but wouldn't that make more sense for now? Plsu, I talk about DCP to a lot of peple that I know that love drum corps, but even the ones that I know that still march, only maybe 1 outta 25 MAYBE know of DCP. So, I don't know if your average high school/college student would know to check out recruiting on DCP. God's Blessings to all that you do!

Please, let me explain first! I am not trying to bring down the mood in the room. I, too, am very excited about both of these great organizations getting a fresh start and bringing out new corps. I understand that VK is not Velvet Knights - I have seen the postings and such from their staff and board members. I understand that Troop has all new management and direction and have new visions. I am just concerned that everyone could be overhyping! Please understand! I do understand that we shoud celebrate them both being wanting to field a corps and do well at it. Especially after seeing the likes of Magic, ECJ and others not being able to. But, I see thread after thread of continual VK info and what is going on. With all of the hype of everything from "The Red Chuck T's are back" to "Bring back the Shark!" It will be great if they can field a Div II corps! It will be great to see their rep and if they can perform it well. It will be great to see a new corps on the field. Troopers - they have had 350 people sign up for auditions, so far. They have a great staff in place already. They have their new hall and have new instruments. They have a great tradition and they are America's Sweetheart and everyone is planning their summer around where Troop will be. This is fantastic for both corps! REALITY CHECK - IT IS THE MIDDLE OF NOVEMBER! All the reviews will be great from the fans at first, but they still have to compete on the field! Some of the hype that I have seen on here is that we should crown them Grand National Champions of All Time before the season even begins. Also, here is what concerns me most, what happens next year? What happens when the "mystique", the "drama", the "prestige" of these corps wears off a bit? What if there is some great controversy that happens this year? (I hope that it doesn't, by the way) From what I've read, so far, both corps seem to have everything in place. They both seem to have a strong foundation. But, is everyone going to be jumping ship from other corps to be running to Troop if the don't make Semi-finals or Finals? What happens, just to say, they don't rank any higher than 19th? Just from what I've seen, like I said before, some people are making it seem that Troop is going to win Div 1 without any serious competition. If they don't, then what? VK - NOT Velvet Knights, THAT has been pointed out. Those of us not on staff or on the inside think that we are gonna see the '92 Knights out there. I, personally, can't wait to see them and what they play and what they do. But once again, I think too much hype. I know that this has been a long post and that people are going to be ticked at me for being such a downer early in the party. But, I am also waiting to see what happens on the field. I really do hope that both corps have extremely successful seasons! I would love to see both in Finals for their divisions. I hope that they stay financially sound for decades to come. I hope that every year they have to turn away people at camps. I hope that people are cheering them before they even enter the field. BUT - I hope this for all corps - big and small!

What if you went as George Hopkins and Roman Blenski's love child - you would be a hairy little man with a funny hat and a big ego!

Great job ladies! That was a great spot! Good luck this next year Kilts!

So what is the word on the Cano's? I was trying to look at their website and it is no longer available. Have they just gone the way of the Marquis, Northern Aurora, Coachmen and others that have had good pasts but just figured that it wasn't worth it anymore? That's a shame if they have. I know that it is hard to get a corps going agin after being out of the loop even for a year, especially in the corps-rich area that they are sandwiched in. I hope that they come back - Viva Americanos!

This is one of our pastors at my church!

Ahhh... the cruel things we do to those who sleep!

How about the Velvet Banana Hammocks? Imagine the uniforms!

The Valuptuous Knights? Vagabond Knights? Vixen Knights? Vanguard Knights? Va va voom Knights? Velvet Kashizzles? Velvet Killers? Victorian Knights? Very Knights? Venturing Knights? Viscount Knights? Viking Knights? Valley Knights? Vanquished Knights? Valiant Knights? Velvet Kingsmen? Valley Fever Knights? Velvet Kilties? Velvet Kitties? Velvet Knickerbockers? Velveteen Rabbits? Velvet Revolver?