wishbonecav

Please add the words "DCA Finalist" to all letterhead and outgoing communications. If you can back it up, it ain't braggin'

Given the amount raised and the number of donors, the corps need 56 more people to give an average donation. 56 people. That's it. Let's get the word out. This is going to happen. Let whoever it is know that they will be part of a drum corps success story...which is pretty cool. Fundraising is part of EVERY CORPS' annual effort to hit the field. This is nothing new. Naysayers about corps management can zip it. Corps need funds. After this year, I expect to be emailed and called, to donate again as a friend of the corps...and I will. That's pretty much how it works. In fact, if I don't get that call or email, I'll be disappointed. Make no mistake: these are reasonable people on both sides. This kitty will solve 8 out of 10 problems. That will leave Bob some time and a clear head to spend on the other 2.

Given the amount raised and the number of donors, the corps need 56 more people to give an average donation. 56 people. That's it. Let's get the word out. This is going to happen. Let whoever it is know that they will be part of a drum corps success story...which is pretty cool. Fundraising is part of EVERY CORPS' annual effort to hit the field. This is nothing new. Naysayers about corps management can zip it. Corps need funds. After this year, I expect to be emailed and called, to donate again as a friend of the corps...and I will. That's pretty much how it works. In fact, if I don't get that call or email, I'll be disappointed. Make no mistake: these are reasonable people on both sides. This kitty will solve 8 out of 10 problems. That will leave Bob some time and a clear head to spend on the other 2.

Troopers '84 is a must have, if you can find it.

Having heard from Jay, Bob and Dave....and still not necessarily able to make perfect sense of everything....i did what I thought was right.... I hit the Bushwackers website, clicked on Donate and put a little in the PayPal kitty. I didnt want to miss out on an opportunity to be part of the solution. This drive toward a solution has a REAL chance at being a drum corps success story.

HA! Very funny. My therapist suggested it. Took the conversation to facebook. My therapist also thought that made sense. She's pretty smart. (Hot, too). jc

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This cant happen. DCA 2013 is already on the calendar. There's no reason for any of us to wait to get the word out. Word of mouth is free, of course.

love it

What's up Kyle? I took a valium since the last time i talked to you. We good?

How close to goal? (Bob G) How much flexibility do you have (Dave K)? What's the contingency? (either) Please provide an update outside the conversation of previous threads. Time is of the essence....how much is left? (Bob G) Yoda like wisdom is appreciated too (Jay M)...your opinion really matters here, sir.

Please tell me this is true.

this is dirty, too.

dirty

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A parade, by the way, is an idea. Not every idea is a GOOD idea. Carry on.

Parade = coverage, announcements in the newspaper, tv cameras, hype for the event, an opportunity to reach out and touch... Look beyond the first layer of the onion. What draws more viewers? A 30-second tv spot or a parade? How about TEN 30-second tv spots or a parade? "Honey, what's that thing on tv?"; "I think its a commercial about some band show." "Oh. I wonder what they paid for that. pass the salt" People make PLANS to go to a parade...."hey look, honey....there's a parade tomorrow with the drum corps....let's take Mikey and Susie to it....and call the McGillicutty's....see if they want to go, too". Making plans to actually see the drum corps in person is the concept. And the news crew that does a 90 second story with a few interviews (and airs it for free) is three times the attention for lower cost. Awareness = opportunity. Parade leads to the Dock....that leads to a big party where we are the host....that leads to an opportunity for us to make an introduction...that leads to conversation and invitation.....that leads to a few of those comps outside the 20's.....that lead to upgrades...that lead to an opportunity to impress with our field product...that lead to satisfied customers.....that lead to repeat customers. I nominate Vice President Biden to be the Grand Marshall. PS it would be a real shame to have a conversation with actual drum corps fans in Baltimore/Annapolis/DC after the fact and hear the words "I didnt even know it was here...I would have gone." A FREE parade announcement in the Baltimore Sun would alleviate a bunch of that. Vince didnt miss too many drum corps fans in Rochester96...EVERYONE knew the corps were coming. You'd have had to be on Mars to miss it.

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The real audience for this discussion has been here the whole time taking it all in. When the time comes to put the cards on the table, I'd be aware of insulting their intelligence; showing up with a smile as if they weren't in the loop. I covered a lot of ground with my StarU post...even called them a freak show and a Frankenstein...out loud. Said they did stuff without really asking; May have taken things too far. No one agreed. No one disagreed. So its still the white elephant in the room. It gets pretty sensitive to talk about the Star thing, I get it. I can pull it off for a couple of reasons, but mainly because I am confident that my friendships there arent going to be hurt by a little honesty. In fact, those friendships demand it. They wouldnt be friendships without it. Can we at least be honest with ourselves and decide what this is really about, rather than pussyfooting around about tapes? Maybe I'm off base. I dont think so. If I am wrong about it, I dont mind standing corrected and apologizing. I for one hopes Star shows up next year and plays "Dont Let The Sun Go Down On Me", with the Edge showing up from behind the curtain as Elton John to their George Michael. I'd want to hear that judge's tape, trust me.

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Donny...it's not about mini corps. This is about attitudes. I didnt make the original post. I didnt drop a bunch of garbage in the judge's or DCA's lap. I didnt insult a host of people who have everything to do with DCA and creating a successful event. I didnt call minicorps and the Alumni show a placated effort (that was the icing on the cake). I didnt tell someone to clean their ears out. I didnt say the judges need to "get their act together". I did say: wait just a second. (And I hit StarU and the people who take this thing too seriously about evenly....guilty) What the OP said was not ok. Justify it til the cows come home. Shoot the messenger. Its not ok, and I'm not afraid to say so. If that makes me the heavy, oh well. As far as I'm concerned, that guy owes some people an apology. If you dont see it that way...fine. Excuse his stuff as unchecked enthusiasm and tag me for pointing it out. And as far as "I've never...therefore"....let me say this. Being a FAN is plenty of resume. I'm a FAN of mini corps. One of the biggest and over plenty of time, and as boots on the ground, too. If that isnt enough for me to participate in the conversation, if the FAN isnt invited to the table, then that speaks volumes about where the focus is in the discussion. I "never had anything to do with it" and just wasted my time rooting and cheering for you. Awesome. I'll give you this: I have done I&E; I have put in the work it takes to be good; I have competed against World Class (Ron, Danny, Frank, Billy Jr, Billy III, Roger, Kevin, etc). I got my sheet....and 3 comments....and had some fun, made some friends and turned a few people on in the process. Then I went into the stands and cheered for the same people that thought enough to cheer for me. That's I&E. No more and no less. Apparently, DCA was just using me to get a crowd. I'll have to think about that. Like I said...you cats can have at it. You pointed out it means a whole lot more to you than it does (or even should) to me. And shut up is what I should do from here forward. Done. DCA...please give them their tapes and their commentary. If tapes is all you want...if tapes fix whats broken for ya'..if tapes get more mini-corps to DCA..then give 'em the tapes. What more can you do?