Rory Calhoun

One of the joys of attending DCA championships weekend is all the corps that I don't get to see regularly throughout the summer. One of those corps is always the Renegades. Every year they've been at DCAs I've sat at the edge of my seat as they presented their show to the crowd, ooh'ing and ow'ing every time the hornline threw down in my face. To say I was disappointed with how the judges scored them on Sunday is an understatement. Now, while I'm no judge, I know what's good and what isn't good and the Renegades as good!!!! Everyone around me was speechless when they were announced in last. Was this the result of a true East Coast bias? Is it because they don't play by the rules like all the east coast corps that they got dumped? MBI used to be a real "renegade" corps but ever since they started "playing the game" they've been a championship contender. Is this what the Renegades need to do? This was the biggest travesty of the entire weekend if you ask me (next to my Ole Miss Rebels losing to JSU, but that's another story). What needs to happen before the Renegades get any respect!!!!!

I don't understand why members and alums of Empire are getting rattled over this. The guy said the 2008 version of the Empire Statesmen didn't move much. He gave you an honest opinion of every corps he saw. You had a very nice season and finished a very respectable 3rd place, and winning high brass. I think the Statesmen moved a heck of a lot more this year than they did in 05 (or was it 06), when the corps played as a back up band to the 2 soloists who stood in the pit, and that piano was pushed all over the field. Great job this year Statesmen. My hat goes off to you guys.

The gov would probably pardon crunchy frog because he can't see the performance.

"It is time for the entire Drum Corps Community to lend a helping hand to the Skyliners." Why? Are you asking people to leave their corps and come to Sky? Are you saying the drumcorps community doesn't do enough as it is? I'm just curious as to what you are asking from us? Money, members, advice????

Ace, let me preface this by saying I am a huge fan of your writing in DCW (and what I've heard on your radio show). With that said, I think there is a reason you are a journalist and not a judge. No offense to the Statesmen, who have put together another entertaining and all around effective show, but Ace, your bias is showing. Good luck to the Statesmen this weekend. It's gonna be a real shoot-out for that top spot.

Amazing job Laura. I was able to make it to the show and my buddies and I all agreed that you honored the Hawthorne tradition on Saturday night. It was very appropriate that the winner of this award at the Grand Prix was a member of "America's Corps". I know Cos was probably smiling upon you from upstairs on Saturday night.

B12. It wins every time. Good luck guys. You have a big fan up here up here Massachusetts.

Wow. Can't wait to see them. I'll be at the Lewisburg show so hopefully i'll be able to get up close and see those bad boys. Brigs, as Cory Hart used to sing "Never Surrender".

Watch out for Phantom. They will be bringing it to Southern California.

It was mentioned that Reading's guard wasn't at the performance. Did something happen to them? Seems a little odd that the World Champs took only 2/3s of their corps to a big showcase like the Tournament of Stars. Just a fan wanting to know if everything is ok.