Gary W

Kay, I'm sorry that you and the PV devotees feel slighted about not being able to come to an agreement with the Dyngus Day committee. The Blousemen understand the situation in Buffalo and are willing to accommodate their needs. We look forward to an exciting competition season with all the ultra corps. Just get prepared to get you butt kicked again... Wink

Attention all Blousemen: The Blousemen will again be the featured performers at the annual Dyngus Day parade in Buffalo New York on April 13th. The city of Buffalo has asked us if we could reduce the size of the corps this year. Because of the recession, Buffalo is unable to afford the extra police personnel for crowd control. Therefore we will only take 75 horns, 22 percussion and 30 guard members this year. Those of you that will be performing have been notified and have received the music and drill charts for the day. We regret that everyone will not be involved this year. At the parade this year, the corps will be performing an arrangement by the famous, our own Donny Allen, of "Yanni Plays The Hamster Dance" at 200 BPM along with several of our parade tunes. You are responsible to get yourself to this appearance! The parade begins at 10:00. Be at the start of the parade five minutes early in order to do a run through. This has always been the kickoff to the Blousemen season that we all enjoy. See you there! Wink

In my opinion, there has been some travesty over the years concerning the results at finals. I don't feel that anyone that has set foot on the field is capable of judging their own corps performance. It's only natural for them to judge with their heart. That being said, execution caption spreads have won or lost shows. I've always said that finals judging tend to be one tenth judging. ie: the 10th place corps gets a 9, the 9th place corps gets a 9.1 and so on. I believe that it's almost impossible to fairly judge GE without being influenced by one corps superior execution in one caption or another, over another competitor. Maybe that's what happened in 1996. In my years, I still feel that 1996 was way too blatant to be on the up and up. Just my opinion, I had no stake whatsoever whether Cabs or WS or whoever won the show. I watched the top five corps from a luxury box and put WS in 3rd. Drum Corps has been a very large part of my life. I started in 1957 and have marched with and instructed numerous corps thru the years. Over the years, I've had many friends in the Westshoremen organization. It's great that they had "the thrill of victory" and will carry it throughout their lives. I wish that for everyone involved in this hobby but it's not going to happen. There are no good solutions to the inequities of judging. Becoming non-competitive would ruin it for most involved. Let's face it, even the alumni corps walk away from alumni shows thinking they would have won that night. Sometimes you just have to shake your head and wonder what happened. Remember, "the other guys" sweat, sacrifice, strive to win and enjoy having a beer or two after the show just as much as you do. Enjoy the ride and what happens...happens. This all holds true in my opinion except when you're discussing The Blousemen. Gary Winkelman

I too am saddened by the passing of Sal. I have many fond memories of Grey Knight rehearsals at the old bingo hall. Sal made learning not only the music but the technique to play it right fun. The first show I marched with the Grey Knights was in June of 1963. The corps was getting bigger and ranks were being added. I was the odd man out until Sal convinced Al Tevels (Corp Director and Drill Instructor) to just add another squad with himself. me and Al. I knew some of the music, Sal knew all the music, Al couldn't even play. Al knew the drill, I knew kinda where I was going and Sal didn't have a clue. Out we went, we did remarkably well and laughed about it for years. Sal was a wonderful man that had a heart of gold. He'll be sorely missed.

I was there when the Jesters wore their very sharp Blue and Black uniforms on retreat. Everyone was wondering who was that corps? The Jesters had found a unique way to entertain that the crowd loved. I also remember when the Militaires came out with the striped coats and straw hats. The played a barbershop quartet music and ended tunes leaning on the person's shoulder next to them. It too was an interesting concept. In those days, it took guts to be innovative. Drum corps tended to be kind of "cookie cutter" back then.

You guys have to do a parade with the Empire Statesmen some time. Sometimes the drumline is in front...sometimes in the back...sometimes the horns are on the sides...sometimes on peoples front porches...sometimes behind the crowd on the side of the street. Needless to say, it actually makes a parade fun and it seems short no matter how long it is. Also it behooves each horn player to know the parade music because sometimes you're all by yourself and it would be embarrassing to do some gacking. I've marched in parades with a lot of corps, Empire was without a doubt the most fun!

I think cooler showers are a drum corps ritual that everyone should experience!

Roy's passing is very sad news. Roy was a terrific person and a great drum corps performer. I have many fond memories of my time with Roy and The Grey Knights. Roy Scranton was truly the backbone of the corps. Gary Winkelman 1963-1964 Grey Knights 1965-1968 Grey Knights Post Crusaders

So what was the real placements? Folks here have the Cabs in 2nd and Empire in 4th but "From the Pressbox" has Empire in 2nd and Cabs in 4th. The scores are as listed. Wink

You guys ever seen Tommy Igo at Birdland on 44th in NYC? He's also unbelievable on set. His Bayonne Bridgemen heritage is very obvious. I don't know if this will work but here's a youtube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxyejO7enLA If not look him up on youtube playing LaFiesta. Wink

It sure was a night o remember! I was with the Rochester Crusaders that year. We really struggled that year. After the big win in 1965, a lot of vets called it quits. From the first show in CT until the last show of the year, I'm guessing 80% of the show was changed. We were much smaller at the start of the year but Vince, as only he could, found players in the woodwork. He even recruited Steve Gad half way through the season! Anyways, Washington... We did our final run through before getting on the buses to go to the stadium for finals. Years after that, even Vince agreed that we won the parking lot and not the show. Then we got to the stadium. We were early...we had to sit on the buses for over an hour before we could get off and warm up. I think that killed us. The crowd was huge and loud. The Cabs were great and the Hurcs were so hot they didn't even touch the ground. Their intro to Stars and Stripes was so strong the stadium shook. Retreat was indeed a fiasco. We joined ranks with the Cabs just in case the Hurcs and Sky, who were waiting for us at the entrance to the field, decided to take things into their own hands. The DC police did a good job clearing a hole for us. What was my most memorable moment from that show? On retreat, The Yankee Rebels, instead of just marching off, went to the back corner of the field against the high concrete wall, and played Dixie. It was so cool, I almost cried... So that's my recollection. Other than poor Eddie gacking his short solo in Somewhere, that's it. Wink

I have no idea what the corps will have for the fans this year but I can speak from experience....Those fire extinguishers are dangerous to one's eyebrows!

We've been married 39 years now. We've had our rough spots over time but who doesn't? Drum Corps has never been a problem. I met my wife at a Drum Corps friend's wedding. She was a fan at that time because two of her sisters had married Drum Corps people. Anyways, I marched through the '60's and we were married in '69. I left Drum Corps in the early 70's and pursued my other love, drag racing. Through the early 70's until the mid 80's I raced professionally. She hated it with a passion! She said all we did was sit around in the sun and wait, it was the most boring thing she ever saw. Even though we were doing well and were financially solvent, we decided (my partner and me) to hang it up. We tried some other activities but I was bored. In '89, our kids got into school marching band. I couldn't resist helping. Finally in '91 I was talked into marching again with the Empire Statesmen. On one Saturday night in '91 I was marching in Michigan, My wife was watching a DCI show in Indiana, our daughter was marching with the Rochester Patriots and our son ws playing with the Air Force Drum Corps. The next year my wife played Cymbals with Empire. It was her only year but she loved it. Now I'm retired but think of Drum Corps all the time. It's in my blood... Wink

Let me take a shot at this one...

Seems like Kevin's name comes up often when to comes to skullduggery. IE: Rusty's passport in Heathrow airport on our way back from Sweden. Rusty was convinced he lost his passport and was going to have to stay in England.

Morbid...but it certainly would be a shock ending!

The Blouse BOD was having their monthly meeting today and cut it short to watch NASCAR at 3:30 but because of rain in California, we've been sitting around at Blouse HQ tossing around a few ideas and tossing down a few of our favorite cool ones. How would a parking lot concert after DCI finals sound? Some tunes that have been suggested are Cavie's "Gavorkna Fanfare", Star's "Star Spangled Overture", Madison's "Remembrance", Star's "Media Closer" and Phantom's "Fire of Eternal Glory". There's so much to choose from and we'd like to limit the show to a half hour or so and not want to interfere with the DCI corps. Anybody have any suggestions? Wink

The 1966 Crusaders was a corps that never gave up. After being 14 points down at the first show in CT, we came back to win in Lockhaven the week before the Nationals. My heart still sinks every time I hear "Somewhere" from West Side Story. I think of Eddie Wackerly gacking his five note solo at the AL Nationals in Washington. He must have played it perfectly hundreds of times that year. Not that a solo wins or loses a show but at that moment, I thought to myself "there it goes". We came in third. The Hurricanes were a power house that night and the Cabs weren't to be denied. PS I just heard "Somewhere" on the radio forcing me to wax nostalgic yet again...

I don't think so Don. I think I remember some of them as being staff at Wind Gap.

I'm afraid you hit the nail on the head! We don't need no stink'in gimmicks! The Blousemen stand for "in your face" Drum Corps. Many of our members have had some wonderful experiences when participating with corps that do use gimmicks. That brings to mind some of the best and worse such as the wedding, the tank, good 'ol King Rex and who could ever forget the flag at DCA Prelims by a certain corps? But with mature solid players, to name a few...Tommy Allen, John "Cupcake" Curren, Dave Linton, Gerome Kimbrow, Tim Campbell and of course, Donnie Allen, The Blousemen have no need to distract from the quality of these and many more top shelf players. What I'm saying here is, I guess you have to do what you have to do to make your mark in the extreme drum corps arena. Oh by the way, Blouse will continue their affiliation with a major American Brewery as in the past. Gary PS Nice horn angle in your avatar!

Gentleman... I personally regard these blasphemous accusations by the (?) Pantsmen as pure drivel. Who are the Pantsmen? Are they any relation to Scout House? (as our great friends from the north would say "Scoot Hoose") They probably play Bb horns and require amplification. Enough of them. As our mentor DA as stated "others have come and gone but Blouse is forever". I too have some questions about the Brigs logo. I'd keep a lookout for Joey G. and Tony (Bag-a-donuts). Some of us are proud of our past affiliation with the Brigs and wouldn't want their image to be besmirched. "Did you finalize with Herbie Hancock about the pit yet? I know he was busy last night, so he missed that conference call." There is a problem with Herbie. He insists that if he's to arrange for the Blousemen pit, he must perform in the pit. Of course we'd be honored to have Herbie with us, the problem of him being a union musician has arisen. Blouse pays it's members more than union scale but without the agent's cut. So you can see, there has to be some legal wrangling to clear up these issues. As always "Blouse!" Gary

Dear Friends, On behalf of the Blousemen Board of Directors, Instructional Staff and Distinguished Members, I'd like to thank everyone for their interest in our 2008 presentation. As usual, rumors are rampant this time of year. Blouse will soon resume activities after a well deserved rest from last year's demanding season. First, I should dispel any erroneous rumors concerning the corps and it's members. We laugh at the suggestion that we'll be using amplification. High School bands use amplification, not "real" Drum Corps. Next, we will not be a multi-key corps. Bands use Bb horns not Drum Corps. Besides, can you picture Tommy Allen playing a Bb horn? He'd blow the bell off that thing! And lastly, We've heard nothing about a break off of the Blousemen called the Pantsmen. I'm sure if there indeed was a corps like the Pantsmen and they were to stand in front of the Blouse hornline warm up, their pants would be full. There will be some new and exciting changes for 2008. Of course, Blouse will field a corps of "biblical" proportion but this year Blouse will also showcase a brass ensemble that will perform both with the corps and at other venues. We're looking out for the future of humanity by reducing some of our travel this year. Thus we'll use less fuel in our air fleet. So...we'll be performing more in the US and Canada than our usual itinerary. The schedule has yet to be finalized so hang on for future postings. Music...ah yes, the music! Blouse will continue to emphasize it's roots in ethnic music but this year DA has arranged it in a Count Basie/Rap flavor. We're sure that today's sophisticated Drum Corps fan will go nuts over this new exciting sound. So that's it for now. Stay tuned! Gary Winkelman Blouse Forever!

6. Betty and Joe did sell drum corps nut stuff that they purchased from this late Syracuse entrepreneur... John Laskowski? (sp) Joe and Betty were a trip! Colorful people are what makes Drum Corps the great family that it is. Yes Tom, Gary Winkelman.

Very nice... LOUD is good!