Dave Orser

Al, You can't kill Tigger! Pooh would be so sad.

Donny, My father is the king of Vibrato. In fact when he crosses the border, Customs makes him declare his vibrato. It's this new Homeland Security thing you folks have going on -- they think it is some kind of weapon of mass destruction or something. With his vibrato -- my brother and I are lucky we weren't born shaking! DO

Ryan -- as I told you last year -- when all 3 Allen brothers have "your number" you need to go into the witness protection program. Let me call my brother -- maybe he has a Canadian police shelter he can hook you up with ... hey desperate times ... Unfortunately for you though -- and the Allen Bros know this from experience -- we have vibrato on this side of the border so you might get tracked down whether you like it or not. God's speed young man.

Hey Joey, Congratulations. To be part of such an historic moment is incredible -- and I cannot think of anyone more deserving and to better represent the drum corps community than you my friend. Bravo and Break a Leg! Dave Orser

This is very sad news. I had the privilege of both writing and teaching with Rick -- he was a class act with an unparalled passion for the activity. Not only have I always had a great deal of respect for Rick's many talents -- but I have always admired his calm, very cool approach to everything that he did. Rick always had this quiet, reassuring way about him. Even in the "heat of the battle", he never lost his composure -- he was always very much in control. Cheryl, Josh, and Sara, my deepest, heart-felt condolences. I'm sure it goes without saying that everyone in both the drum corps and marching band communities has lost one of the best. I am proud to say that I learned alot from Rick. We are going to miss him dearly. And God bless and keep him forever. Dave Orser

Wow Ryan -- all this "attention" from all 3 Allen Brothers -- you may seriously want to think about the Witness Protection Program. Could Ryan have made the lead line "back in the day"? It may have taken a few tackles from Jamie Haffner at the 50 to get him in line but I'm sure he would have been fine. DO

Thanks again to Jimmy, Terrie, Paul, Erica, Tommy, Sandy, Brian, and Jennifer -- great job on a gargantuan task. I think the concensus was that this event was long overdue -- thank you for putting it together. It was great to see so many alumni celebrating the history of an unparalleled drum corps and Mr. B's influence on all of our lives. With Boots, Cardboard, and DA in the house -- I felt like it was "back to school" for the young punk who hated being late for rehearsals because I always had to do my father's push-ups in addition to my own. Thank you gentlemen for being so pivotal in my music and "life" education -- never underestimate your impact on a whole generation of us "porkchops". Thanks again everyone. SEE YA! Dave Orser

Sam, I have to agree that Finals 87 -- as nasty as that was -- was far preferable to '06. Speaking of Finals 87 -- remember Neil Mosher starting his "tuba tsunami" on the 50 just before we started Moonlight. Any "white" left on our pants was gone after that. My mother and Mrs. Bruni spent most of Sunday afternoon at the laundry trying to get our pants clean for Finals -- ended up there was no finals. Cheers. Dave Orser (Empire Statesmen: 1984-92/06-08)