Chief Guns

My wife and I attended DCI Finals for the first time ever last year. We had the time of our lives, and judging by the multiple standing ovations the corps got from the rest of the 22,000+ that packed Lucas Oil all three nights, I would say they would be inclined to agree with me. Maybe i missed it, but I don't remember seeing or hearing anyone demanding their money back. In fact from what I saw, most people where doing what I was doing, and that was ordering their 2024 Finals packages from their phones on the spot. And as bad*** as last year was.......2024 will be even better. Can't wait.

Idk brother, based off what you described, I think we still see that to a degree. Crowns rise in the placements from 2006 till they won it all 2013. Bloo's rise from when they first medaled, in 2010 till their first title in 2016. Boston's surge over the last 6-7 years. Mandarins steady climb since 2017, that now has them sitting in the catbird seat of top five going into this season.

Nailed it. I could be wrong, but I have a hard time believing that BDs current staff doesn't have their respective successors either identified, and/or already attached to the hip, and they are mentoring and grooming these people to eventually take over at some point. Not saying this will happen, but who here would be shocked if 5-10 years from now, Brandon Olander takes over for ScoJo and leads BDs percussion into the 2030s-2040s.

Unfortunately, we live in an era where someone can take a comment, flip it, and conform it to whatever narrative they want to convey and take the original comment completely out of context. But I agree with you wholeheartedly. I don't see it as a diss towards Mandarins or any other corps either. Honestly, it's nothing more than keeping it real whether some like it or want to accept it or not. And the reality is BD will be the favorite to win it all every year until proven otherwise. Someone might step up and win DCI this year, and it will be exciting, well deserved, and earned. But guess what, BD will still be the favorites for 2025. They earned that over these last 17 years.

I can't remember who it was, but the quote was........... "Every few years it might be someone's SEASON when they win DCI, but make no mistake, it's BDs WORLD we are living in, until someone can prove they can consistently beat them year in, year out."

Hope your son has safe travels this weekend brother. Dre is catching his flight to Sacramento this afternoon. Getting excited! DCI Season is almost upon us!

I agree. BD shouldn't even be worried about them at the moment. NOW.......... if/when the Mandarins continue on this upward trajectory, who knows, this could be a conversation in 2026-2027. But there are levels to this.

Safe travels to everyone headed to Sactown for the Mandarins first full corps camp. The time to validate and plant that flag as a legit top five corps starts today. Let's get after it Mandarins!

Is it too late to add Spanish Fantasy to our wish list?

I haven't heard anything so far. My son has been very hush-hush. All he told me was that Sinnerman is only the beginning. Mandarins have their first full ensemble this weekend.

LMAO!

If BD was going to bring back any music from the 70s-80s, might as well bring back the single baddest piece of music to ever grace a football field. La Fiesta, BD 1984. Game over. Everybody go home. See you in 2025. No one is topping that. BD throws down La Fiesta in Indy, the heck with throwing babies. We will see grown adults getting tossed around Lucas Oil.

Can GH get eaten by the shark in the closer.........a real one?

I will be right next to you cheering for BAC as well. If another corps is better than BD, I have zero issues showing them love and support. 2018, I cheered SCV all the way across the finish line. Babylon has one of my favorite closers ever. 2016, You best believe I was all aboard the Bloo hype train. And that was a sweet train to be on. 2013, Crown was here in SoCal housing at my kids Alma Mater Vista Murrieta High School. BD was also housing a few miles away from my house as well. Guess what? I went to more Crown rehearsals than BD. I can support my favorite corps (BD), be a Mandarins Dad and fangirl their historic rise..................but also show love to other corps without tearing them down, spreading lies and false narratives because I don't like some scores and placements.

This is me every time I watch that Methods of Madness opening drill. 150 human beings are not supposed to move that effortlessly across the field. No one moves like BD. No one.