Drumdad

Stu- You seem to have lost something in the 20 pages of posting. I am not now, nor have I ever sought "support and sympathy" from you or the other members of this forum. I don't need it and don't want it. I came here looking for the answers I couldn't get in Indianapolis, and I got them straight from the horses mouth (post #19). I don't accept them, but I got them. Over the years I donated scholarships, privately paid the tuition of several kids (other than mine), donated food and provided shoes and clothing for some kids who needed it. Some of this turned out to be the result of money mis-management. Some of it was just kids who needed things that they couldn't afford and it wasn't the corps' roll to provide. I did this because I wanted to and because I could. But, after doing all of this, my son was one of the battery members who, had I not been there, would have been forced to find his own way home from Indy. This was not acceptable to me. If you think that Revo's problems exist because of me and parents like me, so be it.

A,B&C) My son's first year with Revo was in 2008. He wanted to get started in DCI and chose Revo, since they were 5 hours away from home. In that year, Revo came asking for money, mid-season, and I paid-up (as did other parents) because I wanted my son to experience OC finals. In 2009, my son returned to Revo solely because of it's percussion caption head and the rest of the corps' percussion staff. I wasn't thrilled with his decision, but he was 19 and was paying his own way that year. But, again, Revo came asking for money mid-tour. In 2010, he returned to the corps for the same reason as 2009. The difference this time was that Revo didn't come asking for money. Did they have financial difficulties? I really don't know, but they didn't come asking me for money. Then, in 2011 (his age-out year), my son went to a WC corps... didn't like it and decided to go back to Revo to finish out with the percussion staff he knew and loved. And, of course, Revo came asking for money again... except this time it was late in the season. Unlike before, this time I was not willing to pay-up. Could the case be made that parents who pony-up are acting as enablers to a corps administration that has management problems? It could. But, at the time, it's more about a parent doing what they have to do to help their your child than it is about bailing out a money "mis-manager". C) Revo is run by two men. If there is a board of directors, I am not and never have been aware of it. I actually had a parent tell me (at 2011 finals) that she paid her child's tuition this year... only to get word that it had not been paid. It turned out that the check had been lost. So, she canceled the first check and wrote another one. A short time later she got word that her child's tuition was still not paid. She refused to pay a third time. My son's tuition has ALWAYS been paid, in full, by March 1st. This year, my son was pulled aside during all-days and told that he still owed 500-dollars. We had to show the canceled check to prove that he had paid. These are just a couple of MANY examples of money mis-management at Revo. So, do I blame Revo's administrators for the corps' problems? Yes, I do. I certainly don't blame the parents.

Mid-tour financial issues are nothing new at Revolution. In fact, in 2009, there was a HUGE thread in this very forum on the subject. Someone (No, not me.) posted an internal email that was a plea, from Revo to it's parents, for more money. The email said (paraphrasing) that the corps had thousands of dollars in outstanding dues, and that Revo's tour was in jeopardy of ending in San Antonio rather than in Indianapolis. Parents, like me, ponied up extra money to "save the day". The exact same thing happened the year before. I suppose it's possible, but not likely that DCI was/is not aware of this.

I was done here, and you guys managed to drag me back in. Here is a piece of information that is relevant to this part of the thread. One day before this year's San Antonio show I asked a Revo senior staffer (who would know) why Revo was not participating in the Denton show, just up the road from S.A., as it did in 2010. He told me that, because of Revolution's heavy touring schedule (21 cities, not including Michigan City or Indy), DCI would not allow it. He said DCI told the organization that it had enough shows on it's schedule.

This is my final post on this thread. Last night, I was downloading Michigan City video from my camera to my computer. The video was of Revolution's last run-through, just hours before it's OC finals performance. Corps members responded as staff members worked to motivate them. If they were tired and worn down by the long tour, they certainly weren't showing it. After all, it was almost showtime... time to do what they'd spent a long, hard summer working toward. They ran through their entire show as their teachers applauded and cheered them on. As I watched this it occurred to me that, at this point in time, neither the kids nor their teachers had any idea of the chaos just around the corner. That's all. Dan Delgado

MC, My Revolution days are over. The events of the past week aside, my son aged-out this year and I do not live near San Antonio. That said, I hope those members and parents with years to go will get involved... on a level greater than making sandwiches and sewing uniforms... and that John Rodriguez and Mike Quigley will allow it. Afterall, when it comes to running a drum corps (or most other things), ten good heads are better than two.

I won't waste my time responding to what you think and don't think. It's of little consequence to me. I will, however, answer your questions without regard to your satisfaction. I was there, as these things were happening. It did not occur to me, as I don't believe it would occur to most people, to say, "Perhaps I'll wait until next week or send a snail mail to try and find out why the staff was fired, why the battery is protesting and why they are being left to fend for themselves as a result of their protest". I began seeking answers immediately. But getting those answers, directly from the horses mouth (so to speak), was not happening... despite the number of methods I used to try to obtain them. And, again, I was there... watching my son, his friends and certain staff members go through this mess. What's more, the people responsible for it were miles away... on their way back to Texas... accessible only to those to which they chose to be accessible. In my opinion (and there's nothing humble about it), they hit and ran. So, the morning after I returned to Texas, I went looking for answers and I got them... right here (post #19). Do I believe them? Not really, but that's for me to deal with. I knew what happened, but I know MUCH more now about how and why things went down then I did when I first wrote the post. So do other Revo parents who shared my outrage and cocern. It, in a sense, removed the muzzles from the mouths of a lot of reputable people. My son marched and played for Revolution, in 2008, because he wanted to get started in drum crops. My son returned to Revolution in 2009, 2010 and 2011, solely for Carlos Botello and the rest of Revo's now former percussion staff. Where he marched and who he marched for has always been his choice. That said, just about anyone who has been through Revolution can tell you it's not perfect... and no one should expect it to be. Revo had many of the same issues this year that it has EVERY year. It was what happened in the last four days of the season, and how it happened, that we had never experienced before and that I hope Revo members and their parents never experience again.

I have to agree with you. This is nuts! I started the thread, but never thought it would garner this much attention or stray into all of the areas that it has. I came here demanding an explanation, that I wasn't getting through the usual channels, and ended up getting a whole lot more... the beauty, and sometimes perils, of a free society. We don't all agree, but we all spoke our piece. Kudos!

I was at the truck when you guys (and girl) were getting your drums. Regardless of what I think of the things that happened and the battery's decision to protest, Kudos to you for stepping up. Dan Delgado

Your passion for your position is commendable.

'84BDsop, The major difference between my original post and your posts is that mine is based in fact and yours rely on hypotheticals. Anytime you preface your thoughts with phrases like "let's say..." or "what if...", you're not dealing in facts. If you care to take the time to go back and re-read my original post, you'll note that I accuse no one of anything. I do, however, demand answers. It is a time line of events and conversations of which I have first-hand knowledge. Events and the contents of conversations, I might add, that are confirmed in John Rodriguez's posting entitled "Clarification". Do I agree with what happened, or how it was handled? I most certainly do not. That's what prompted the posting, in the first place. Whether people share my feelings of concern, anger and disgust (at what happened) is up to them. But, it happened... all of it... and there is nothing hypothetical or accusatory about that.

I fail to see what your experiences in 2002 and 2003 have to do with what happened at the end of the 2011season, but you are certainly entitled to your opinion. I have known John and Mike, and been a Revo parent, for four years (08,09,10,11). I have put in my time and more than my share of money, over those years. There have been many times, off and on this forum, when I have sung John and Mike's praises as well as those of Revolution. I've been in Michigan City and Indianapolis every one of those years... as I was this year. What I wrote in my original post actually happened. Regardless of "why" it happened, the fact that it happened in the manner that it did is unacceptable to me and MANY others who have spent a varying number of years as part of Revolution. Kudos to you for speaking your mind. More power to you.

I would just like to point out that the quote above was posted by "DrumMERdad". I am the author of the original post, "Drumdad". I just wanted to make that clear. That said, I feel you Drummerdad.

It's good that you have been able to verify "about 65% of the post". Keep digging and you may soon verify the rest. As for a letter to DCI? It has already been done.

I run a television news department, for a living. In my world, the potential for a libel suit is always in the offing. We work closely with lawyers to make sure we are on the right path and are, as a result, well versed in the law. I foresee no problems here. Does that mean a person can't file suit? Of course not. Anyone can sue for anything. Meeting the burden or proof, however, is an entirely different and far more difficult matter. I have the truth and, if need be, the proof on my side. That said, I appreciate your concern.

While this strays from my original post, you are correct. In fact, I personally suggested a very similar policy to Revo's leaders two years ago. The difference was that I suggested that all dues be paid by or before move-in. This would allow the staff to work the show around the kids they know they will be touring with... as opposed to spending two weeks crafting a show then ending up with 15 holes, when it's time to hit the road. That suggestion never saw the light of day. In fact, during the corps meeting in which Rodriguez and Quigley resigned their day-to-day duties (Tuesday night, after OC finals), they sited as "part" of the reason their inability to crack down on kids who don't pay their fees.

I appreciate your concern. I have spent 23 years working in an industry where libel (or the possibility of libel) is regularly taken into account. Everything I have stated I know to be true and can be corroborated by other people.

You're "pretty sure"? Don't be. That is not how the contract reads.

Short of what he calls a "miscommunication", John Rodriguez's post was simply a confirmation of the facts in the original posts. A lack of confirmation on his part would not have made the facts less accurate and certainly not "unfounded". Those of us with first-hand knowledge of what happened don't need a statement from him to be concerned and/or angry.

As I write this, on Monday morning, there are still (former) Revolution staff members who believe they were fired (I have heard from some of them). As far as they know, they are no longer part of the corps. Why is that? IF it was nothing more than a misunderstanding, why has the record not been set straight? Texts, emails and/or the grapevine are not the way you handle things like this. And, when you realize things have gone awry, you step-in and fix them... immediately. The battery is like no other section in your corps. You had numerous veterans (which explains the average age of 20) who returned to the organization solely BECAUSE of the percussion staff. When you pulled that rug out from under them and didn't stick around the explain it, or clear-up the "misunderstanding", they lashed back in protest. That's what 20-year old men do when they feel they've been wronged and there is no one available to tell them otherwise. Did they have an obligation to march in the parade? Sure they did. But, choosing not to do so hardly compares with the corps basic obligation not to leave them stranded on the side of the road, 1,000 miles from home, regardless of their age. If for no other reason because they literally paid for the bus ride home.

After finishing 5th in last week's Open Class Finals, Revolution erupted. Just hours after the event, the corps chief administrators, Johnny Rodriguez and Mike Quigley, announced they would be resigning their day-to-day rolls with the corps. They pointed out, however, that they will retain control of the corps from behind the scenes. During that same meeting, they told the corps that their participation in the World Prelims was in jeopardy as the bus company was threatening to head back to Texas, for non-payment. Corps members were asked to each contribute an extra $100 to help pay the bus company. We've been part of the corps for years. Last minute financial solicitations, like this, are not uncommon at Revolution. I'm not sure how much "extra money" was collected, but an 11th hour deal was apparently reached and the buses rolled-on from Michigan City to Indianapolis. In the wake of that news, on Thursday... the day of the World Class Prelims... news came that revolutions entire percussion staff, as well as several other staff members, has been fired. Anyone who has followed Revolution knows that it has historically been a corps built around it's driving percussion section. Now, all of the professionals who were responsible for that drum line, are gone... just like that. In protest of the terminations, all members of the battery refused to participate in Friday's parade. They (especially those who had been part of the drum line for years) wanted answers that they could not get. To save face, Revolution gathered a few of the corps front ensemble members, strapped drums to them and had them play in the parade. As if all of this was not enough, on Friday morning a remaining staff member, who was put in charge, told me he was trying to get other corps (especially Crossmen, because they're from San Antonio too) to try and get the kids, who refused to participate in the parade, a ride home. When I asked why that would even be necessary, he told me that Rodriguez had left explicit instructions that those who did not participate in the parade would not be allowed on the buses and would have to find their own way back to Texas. When I asked where Rodriguez and Quigley were (I wanted to talk to them), he told me they had left back to Texas the night before. Make no mistake about it, John and Mike, this post is designed to both expose what happened and to call you out. I hope you will see it as an opportunity to explain your actions which, on the surface, seem neither rational or acceptable. Dan Delgado 4-year Revolution Parent

Don't count out Revolution. I don't know that they can win, but they are poised to be the spoiler with a strong show and a dynamic drumline. They have climbed 2-3 points, per performance, since getting back on the circuit last Saturday. If I'm not mistaken, they made a 3-4 point jump from semi-finals to finals last year. This is a solid, scrappy corps that is always in the hunt and cannot / should not be overlooked.

The DCI schedule shows the OC Championships starting at 6:00 p.m. If you figure 12 corps at roughly three corps per hour that would end things around 10:00 or 10:30 (with award presentations).

Just returned from the Southwestern Championships. Great stuff! As for this year's "top five", Revolution finished fourth last year, and after seeing their revamped 2011 show this weekend I believe they will return to the top five this year. As to who "falls out", I know better than to think that it's for me to say.

Thanks for that. I appreciate it.