Jazzycat1

Very sorry for the overshare there. Had a couple of Cervesas tonight.

You just have to understand that San Antonio and Texas as a whole has a real butload of talent that are Happy Happy Happy to have the Crossmen here. I'm betting they are going to be a force this year. I of course will be rooting for Madison 1st and foremost! Go Scouts!!

1. Let it be me - Spirit of Atlanta - 1979? Not sure 2. Something - Crossmen - 1979? Again not sure 3. Jesus Christ Superstar - 1999 Madison 4. Carmen - Madison 2005 (first time to ever see the Scouts Live! - Houston TX) 5. Everyone (except the Cadets) 2006 in San Antonio! (Donning my flame suit) - Just really glad to be living in America again so I can see drum corps!!!!

1979 Drums along the Rockies - Denver Co. - My first exposure to Drum Corps! I'm sure there have been many many more memorable events in drum corps history but that was the day I got hooked. My band director took a busload of band members from a couple of Albuquerque schools up to Denver to show us what drum corps was and I was just in AWE! (lost my virginity on that trip too) :P Stayed at what used to be the Holiday inn (round building) right at Mile High Stadium!! Been hooked ever since!

Jerry Noonan - North Star - Pretty hard to beat! My personal favorite!

I agree - As long as it's not TOO loud. I think it allows the percussionists to play the instruments properly instead of banging the heck out of them. Unfortunately a few of the corps' systems made them sound more like armpits then amped pits...

And several other years as well. I believe this clip is from 1994. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ALpR7wBM34 Enjoy!!

OK - I got my flame suit on now but I think that was their best performance of the year!!! They were great!

1. Madison - This is my fantasy and I'll stick with it!! Go Scouts! 2. Phantom - Cause they'll probably actually win 3. SCV - They are due for a top three finish! 4. Cavies - Since they never fail to produce a quality product 5. Blue Devils - Got to be in the top 5 6. Bluecoats - Because one of their colorguard members serves up a mean cup of Starbucks to me every morning in Spring, TX! 7. Crown - I'm running out of comments - and they'll probably have a much better drumline this year 8. Crossmen - because they are WAY due to be in the thick of it again! 9. Cadets - because who wouldn't love to see the Crossmen do better! 10. Troopers! Troopers! Troopers! 11. Spirit 12. Academy! 13. Glassmen 14. BK 15. Bluestars 16. Colts 17. Cascades 18. Pacific Crest How's that for an uninformed fantasy answer! GO SCOUTS!!!!!

Well, I just picked up the sticks after a 20 yr break so I'm not sure my chops are up to that just yet but It's something I'd be interested in once I'm up to speed.

Yes, I'm sure they prefer it when I use the Xmute! So does my Siberian Husky!

I thought you were talking about putting that into a show like the Cadets or Bluecoats did. That was ridiculous. Sorry for the misunderstanding.

Yes - Don't do it.

Thanks! I thought about doing this for a while but was afraid I'd screw it up. After I read the other post here it inspired me to go ahead with it. I figured if I messed up too bad I could always recover it with new wrap. I was relieved. take care!

After viewing Middlename Kyle's beautiful project I went to work on my old Ludwig drum. I used a slightly different technique on my Ludwig challenger. After taking it apart I also removed the wrap and glue - sanded with ever increasing grits of 3m sandpaper. - Then applied Minwax pre-stain conditioner followed by two coats of Minwax Midnight Blue water-based stain. After a day of drying I applied my first coat of Minwax satin polyurethane varnish. After six hours I sanded again with fine sand paper - then all over again about 3 times - then one final thin coat. After three days drying I buffed it and put it all together again. New heads - Ludwig Silver dot (high torque) on the top and a Ludwig snare side clear head on the bottom. The thing sounds great!!! As purchased on Ebay Finished product

After viewing this beautiful project I got the nads to try it myself. I'll post a new thread with photos.

I graduated in 1982 - We had no local Drum Corps in Albuquerque so in 1979 my band director Steve Means and another local high school director organized a trip to Denver for Drums Along the Rockies. I can tell you those of us lucky enough to have gone on that trip were MUCH more into marching band than before. It changed my life forever. I guess the answer is Yes, My director loved DCI and our band was better for it!

Thanks, Man! I am doing just that! (much to the dismay of my wife, kids, and siberian husky) - oh well If this is the worst I get during my midlife crisis they should be thankful!!!

Well, Sir, I took yor advice and got the Ludwig Silver dot - it sounds really good! You wouldn't believe how FEW music stores in Houston have a decent selection of heads. You'd think in a town this flipping big there would be choices. I found a place called Houston Percussion - I was like a kid in a candy store! Anyway, they had every possible head in stock, and were very reasonable - price wise. Thanks for your help everyone!! Jeff - Houston TX

Good morning, A while back I ordered a SFZ from Music 123 and after 6 weeks they still could not send me the color I wanted. I cancelled my order, went to EBAY, and bought what I think is a good old snare drum. (Save 300 + $$ too) What I have is a Ludwig Challenger 12x14 12 lug snare with cast rims that is in great shape. It came with a "new" Remo Falams 2 smooth white head. New meaning never used, but had been in a box for years.... Anyway, when I tuned it up the white coating tore almost immediately. So I'm getting ready buy a replacement head and thought I'd ask the experts here what they think. The last time I marched (1983) I carried a 12x15 Ludwig with cast batter side rim and we used pinstripe heads. I am inclined to buy a pinstripe for this drum as well. I have never played on a kevlar head, and am wondering if it is a better choice considering the type of drum I have. Any suggestions?

What a fantastic job! I recently purchased an older Ludwig with white cortex wrap - I'd like to do very much the same as you did. Would you care to share the steps necessary to complete the project? Thanks!

Probably too much prancing and fru fru if anyone went that direction

To be honest - I've never been fond of the Cadets - especially lately but I'll be sure and watch that show when I can! Thanks!

Very funny!! I got hooked on drum corps in the late seventies when there were more musicians on the field. I'd just love to see (and hear) that again!

Discuss..... B)