Big Mac

The link doesn't work for me.

It was, and is, a priceless memory. Barbara Eden was just like you'd expect; kind and sweet. What a special lady! I remember George Kennedy being somewhat intense as he was rehearsing his lines in between scene shots off to the side of the set. Other people in the cast included Joe Namath (he wore his Super Bowl ring and even took the time to throw a few footballs to some members of the corps), Melissa Sue Anderson (Little House on the Prairie - absolutely beautiful, but not nearly as kind and sweet as Barbara Eden), the Double-mint twins, and a number of other actors/actresses you'd recognize, but I don't recall their names. I also remember LOTS of food on the set for breakfast and lunch (We had to wait for the "real" cast members to eat first before we got to swoop in and feast away with whatever was left). Being in the presence of Nelson Riddle was totally cool. What a great memory. And working with a Grammy winner (Frank) was a treat. As for payment, we all received a small amount of money for our services, but nothing too elaborate. I don't know what the corps received (if anything). But Frank said it best; it was a priceless memory we can all take through our lives.

Completely agree!

Perhaps the recent terrorist attacks overseas is a reason? I don't know the timing between the attacks and the change in plans for the organization.

If I remember correctly, there was a rumor going through the stands on this night that VK would not be performing. Then all of the sudden they appeared in jeans and white t-shirts and did a great performance. I didn't know who they got their equipment from. Great story.

No, DCI doesn't set the pricing of the shows. However, expenses associated with each show can add up. Major costs include appearance fees for all the corps (WC corps receive more than OC), stadium rental, housing for the corps, etc. Based on this the sponsors set their pricing.

I know cows aren't an unusual animals, but we had to stop for about 10 - 15 minutes for a cattle drive on a roadway in Colorado. You don't see that too often. At least not out here in CA.

I'd like to add my best wishes to all Mini corps competitors. But maybe just a little bit more to by Freelancer Alumni brothers and sisters. Wish I could be there to enjoy...

1979 Freelancers played "Ease On Down The Road" for a percussion feature.

Nope, no old sopranos. Just old soprano players. And good luck doing doubles with them/us! And it was a BLAST on Sunday.

I really enjoyed the Mandarin's show. Yes, I know, not even top 17, but I LOVED their music and the hornline pushed my hair back a bit. However, they've got LOTS (TONS!) of work to do on their drill, but their show really did it for me.

I THINK the answer is yes, they still get paid. Though I don't know for sure because I didn't have to deal with that when I ran a show (5 years). The show fees are typically due a couple weeks prior to the event, so DCI has the money on hand. As for the show sponsor, I think they're out of luck, with no way to recoup their funds. Again, I didn't have to deal with this sort of thing, but am bummed whenever I hear about shows being rained out. Especially with so many shows already this season.

When I watched them on the webcast, I thought they looked ok. But when I saw them marching forward and/or sideways (mostly forward), I thought it made their legs look short. Not that this is bad, but I thought the uniform designs were going in the direction of length and to make the members look tall and angular.

I chaired a DCI show for a few years and we used an usher with a rope on both ends of the stands to ensure people didn't enter the stands during the corps' performance. I've seen a couple of other shows do the same thing. Some people were a bit upset, but it's really only common courtesy. As for people leaving from the stands during a performance, I didn't feel there was much we could do on that end. If WE (the show volunteers) made a ruckus about it there, WE'D be the ones making noise during the performance. So we left it at that. As a spectator/fan sitting in the stands, I just hope I don't get near the people described by the original poster...but I've been there, too.

Here! Here! The coverage provided by the DCP staff was almost like being there. And the videos were outstanding. Please bring this feature back! Mark