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I'd like to personally thank everyone that performed on May 25 in Erie, PA. Many times over the years the board has assembled a superior staff only to be met with a small turnout which led to a small burnout. Whatever made everyone turn out for this event,it was absolutely amazing and I am eternally grateful. In 4 reheasals you made yourselves proud, you looked and sounded great, everyone noticed, and it was actually recorded. You are appreciated in so many ways. Thank you for your valuable time and efforts. It certainly was not wasted and you are left with a positive memory of how wonderful you were. Steve Cooley

John I'm glad they arrived. I hope they're OK. There's some funky sounds at the beginning, but just have some patience and they should play OK.I'm not quite sure what those sounds represent or what caused them. They've been untouched in over 30 years. Steve

Yes...Congratulations to all and welcome to the club. You are all so deserving! Steve Cooley

John Today...5/13/13 It's on it's way. US Customs #LC474063485US I don't know if you can track it once it gets into in Canada...but to track in the US go to USPS.com/tracking. Steve

John All done...I just have to get them in the mail on Monday. I'm excited for you and I hope they come through OK for you! BTW John...I have to give the Imperial Knights tons of credit for what they were able to accomplish.All of us marveled at how you got to the states for shows in those school busses. It wasn't until Erie bussed it to Sudbury for a show that I came to fully appreciate the distance that you traveled...Plus all of you would stay late at the party and then go home.We had a good time with your corps. That's true dedication. Props to you and the Imperial Knights!! All the best! Steve

I've got your address now John...Thanks! I'm recording it right now and I should have it off in the mail on Monday. BTW...You can't buy cassette tapes anymore. There doesn't seem to be any available, but I still have plenty.

No I didn't get it from JohnJohn...LOL...Actually my old girlfriend (Previous to my wife...LOL) recorded it for me from the stands while imbibing with some friends. Hence the Emmaus Sentinels were not recorded as they probably had nature calling or needed a refill. Those RCA shows were pretty wild!I think you'll find the comments entertaining too! I can make a copy for you John...Please send me your address and I'll send it to you! All the best! Steve Cooley

I have an audio recording of the 1975 RCA Championships. It is not of very good quality and was recorded from the stands with a portable cassette tape recorder in Ivor Wynn Stadium in Hamilton, Ont. Canada. It's on 2 cassette tapes...Here are the corps: York White Roses Johnsonburg Diplomats Sudbury Imperial Knights Dunkirk Patriots Kingston Grenadier Yardmen Hamburg Kingsmen Brass Inc. Erie Thunderbirds Guelph Royalaires Rochester Phoenix

Welcome to all of our worthy inductees. You have set the standard for so many of us. It's a wonderful organization and I am so proud and honored to be a member. Steve Cooley Class of 2011

AND...We have the pictures to prove it! BTW...They are taking it off the air this year...

What great times we enjoyed...and the success...the achievement...and all of the friendship, fellowship and enemies that we picked up along the way. Believe it or not...it still is ongoing...I talk with people that were in some of my hornlines that now teach the Buccaneers, Santa Clara, Boston Crusaders...and the Dansville White Sabers among many others...and they still have the excitement, enthusiasm,and love for this idiom.It has evolved and is still in control of it's own destiny by those who are successful. What makes it successful is the competition.The joy of playing and teaching is a side benefit.

Irv and Sandy can come out and play anytime...I only wish...I remember when the Rockets sent Irv, Dave, and Sandy into the judges meeting after a show when they didn't especially agree with the drumming mark. The minute they walked in the door, the chief judge got really scared and announced "This meeting is officially closed. Everybody out!" Now THAT's intimidation...They never even said a word.If the judges had even talked and listened to them, they would have found out what reasonable, kind, and gentle people they were...they looked pretty dangerous...and if a fight broke out...they had your back. Looks sure can be deceiving, but they had hearts of gold.

Holy Cow...(used by permission of "The Scooter") John, Jonesy and Hagelburger are in too!

You've got that right!

Wow!...I haven't been on this site for awhile...and Lo and Behold!! My very own fan club? Won't Justin Bieber be jealous? ...By my count...It's an even dozen...LOL...thank you so much...I am humbled...I didn't even know some of you could write...AND SPELL! All kidding aside...that was very nice of you to start it Keith...and Roger, Gary, Jim, Tom, John, Eddie, Steve, Ironlips, Donny, Mike and Gene. Happy New Year! And all the best to all of my friends! Thank you! Steve Cooley WDCHOF, BHOF, PADCHOF...and Grandpa

The Yamaha is significantly lighter and counterbalanced...and plays easier with better intonation.

All the best to one of the greatest drum corps in DCA History.Carry the banner high on a storied tradition and know that there are many who wished they could have done what you did. FIRE UP!!

My condolences to Chuck's family and friends. I knew Chuck as a respected judge through my many years competing in DCA.

That Crusader team just keeps on building. Congrats on a great coup! You are definately going to benefit from one of the best in the business.

My old marching buddy from the Geneva Appleknockers, Jim Roth, still marches and plays with this great group. All the best to him and all of the Florida Brass! Steve Cooley

Hey Al Larry is doing very well and developing the Cincinnnatti Tradition. We have collaborated and he is in there every week guiding them on. I hope he gets the chance to read your nice praise. Good luck in Europe and perhaps we'll see you sometime. BTW-Larry's working on his second Doctorate... All the best! Steve Cooley

Speaking of years and old...Isn't it Fran Haring's birthday today? Happy Birthday Fran!

Ira "Ike " Chatley is the Drum major for the Hamburg Kingsmen Reunion corps at the Hamburg, NY BiCentennial Parade on June 16. Ike is 90 years old.

What a great group of inductees1 Welcome to the club!

BTW...I believe that it actually happened...in 1963....Anyone ever hear of the Balantine Brewers?