hairbear

An excellent source for your project would be "A History of Drum and Bugle Corps",published by Steve Vickers. contact Steve at:www.drumcorpworld.com

Thank you for your kind statement,but I have never felt "comfortable" with the title,you know?It is alot to live up to.I just did ALOT of drum corp,like about a bazillion other people,I suppose............in the "little known fact" department,buy the way,my only DCI year was 1974 in a color guard......on silks !!!! WAY out of my comfort zone !!!!

The name does sound familiar.......was there a westshore connection,or eastern PA.?Any way,moving on........I have been,in the past, called a ring chaser by certain parties.......while winning certainly is BIG fun it is not the be all,end all.My personal history includes 1 junior and 6 senior corps. Anyone who knows me knows my reasons for moving at various times.Well,yes 96 Westshore was my only championship year.But ....even though I live in Cincinnati,Ohio,alot of my friends think I am from Pittsburgh.Steek City Ambassadors was the best hornline I had ever played in!! I,and my friends,went to Brigs in 93.It was not at that time the 5 time champion corp we witnessed in recent years but We had a great time while there,and the people were happy to have us.I went to Kilties in 94. I went because I missed my chance to go in the junior days,due to "THE DRAFT", and a tour season in Viet-Nam.Certainly not to "chase a ring"!! any way,in my humble opinion,DCA is all about "fraternity",and the Friday night I and E,and the whole social scene which,by the way is a good time and well run....... so, have I been shunned? no,but I have been accused on occasion,in the past...............OH WELL! Hairbear,out!!

Steel City Ambassodors,1987 did a performance at a steelers home game (old stadium).nothing eventful,just played the show.It was not RAINING,though !!!!!

trying again,here.........I got it all wrong on so many levels!! sometime in the past Sandy went to serenade,and I forget what year.But....... we will be there,in 08. I could not go cause I was recovering from surgury,but dont ask me what years we are talking about!!!!!!! God I HATE GETTING OLD!! HAIRBEAR,OUT.that is all.

HEY......Mr.Z !!!!!!! GOOD TO HEAR FROM YOU,TOO! I am just learning this "computer"thing. You are correct about the "same arguement" comment. I do feel that a corp like Ohio Brass Factory,could suceed in "todays" DCA. We all wanted to see senior (all age) corp,west of the allegheny mts. suceed.TUNNELLLLLLLL !!!!!!!!!!!!!(private "animal bus thing,you know")! What is really funny to me,while reading this thread,is the mention of drive times to shows. #ell, I drove 6 hours,EVERY SUNDAY,one way,just to get to rehearsal,in Pittsburgh !! 9 hours to westshore,14 hours to syracuse,6 hours to Racine. IF YOU WANNA DO DCA,YOU GOTTA DRIVE.............................ALOT!!! all of us non north easterners seem to be dealing with it,quite well,thank you.We are present,and accounted for!! But,hey,.....that was 20 years ago.I whine today,if Ihave to drive across town,to get to a gig!!!!! Change of subject...........Watching you with Corp Vets,in 06,heading to prelims,in the rain brought back memories.We marched many a soggy show,back then.Sandy McNeal says hello,btw.He plays congas in my band,from time to time.Dave Hurt got married.Debbie Kutch still wears a crown!! The reunion was fun.You missed a party,you know.Go do some drum corp in 08. Your new corp needs you.Of course.........YOU WILL HAVE TO DO SOME DRIVING!!!!!!! Hairbear,out.that is all.

HEY BABY!......I know you! souvie lady,boom boom!whats up? I am not too good at this computer thing but ........I keep trying!we accept your invitation,and we will bring a grocery cart to transport Bee Sharpley in!!!!!!! He WILL need it!Sandy went to foroum,07,and told me a bunch of westshore dudes asked about me.I am doing fine.go to smokehouselive.us to see and hear what I have been up to!! It will be the first time you have seen me with short hair! ..............see you in april! HAIRBEAR.

HEY,JEFF REAM.......Hear is one for the history book! Reguarding the birds that would not fly,I was,at that time a member of Ohio Brass Factory,sitting back field,having failed to make finals,watching the show,when westshore released the birds.God it would have been beautiful!!! Any way,Iwas in my mid 20s back then,and just stupid enough to stand up.......... and wave a rubber chicken in the air,exclaiming loudly that "I GOT ONE"!!!! I GOT A GREAT RESPONSE FROM ABOUT 30 PEOPLE SITTING AROUND ME! The rubber chicken was used by a bass drummer in Ohio Brass during our pre-lim show.It is ironic that years later,I would become a member of Westshore,and still have that infamous chicken,in a closet in my home!History is a funny thing,huh?Sandy,Dave and I are looking forward to Forum Show,in 08. Guess we will see you dudes,then!...........HAIRBEAR,OUT.that is all.

GREETINGS ALL! I havebeen following the thread about drum corps in the south,west etc............well I remember the old days of DCA when I was a member of Ohio Brass Factory,from Alliance,Ohio.....1980,81,82and 83.we never made the cut!!Then,later (1987)...I went to Steel City Ambassadors.Steel City had a flag they carried around to shows,that said DCA WEST! Those were interesting times.A corp from anywhere else was a novelty,in those days!(non-north east).These days...well I get a smile on my face every time I see Minnesota Brass place higher in DCA! In my humble opinion,MBI made it possible for "other corps" (those not from eastern states) to be sucessful in DCA! They sorta opened up the proverbial floodgates!I have been away from the activity for a while,and to see all these corps from all over the country,has been a GAS! DCA seems to be growing,and thats a good thing.It is too bad there is not a "smiley face"with 15 inches of black hair on it,to "click on"! Then you all might know who I am,or better yet........was. WWBD!