GSNewell

It was a simple mistake, not a "staff decision." To suggest that without knowing any details is unfair and way off base. Here is the text from an e-mail sent by corps director Pat Seidling in reply to a concerned fan: "I am very sorry we did not have the national colors on the field. It was an honest mistake complicated by very difficult stadium logisitics. "The young lady in charge of bringing the flag forgot. Bad? Yes. But, alas, she's human. "Now ... here's where it got tricky: Truck with flag was 20-minute walk away and stadium security locked down quick access to truck lot. No time remained to get the flag. "Nothing more I can say but apologize and beg for at least some empathy and understanding from you."

No. Drums is the only caption PR has never won. Been close, but never won it. G

Sorry about the screwed-up subject line. I hit SEND before I should have. We want noise from rainsticks, not raindrops (the forecast isn't all that great). G

I've been told by some familiar with the stadium that pretty much everything within walking distance is owned by the stadium. $25 it will be. I suppose we could consider ourselves lucky -- it's $35 for Patriots games! G

Rainstick players needed Phantom Regiment wants you to participate in its production of "Rhapsody." No, you don't need to go on tour. You don't have to pay dues. And you definitely don't have to be younger than 22. All you need is a rainstick. As part of the "An American in Paris" theme, the entrance and introduction to Phantom Regiment's show involves rain and umbrellas. The corps provides the umbrellas; you can provide the rain. Here's the deal: -- Go to Phantom Regiment's souvenir trailer before the show and buy a rainstick (two sizes are available). Feel free to buy a T-shirt or baseball cap to wear as well! -- When Phantom Regiment appears in the tunnel and begins to enter the field, gently turn over your rainstick. -- Continue to make the rain noise until the umbrellas on the field are lowered. -- Cheer really loud for Phantom Regiment.

He's got a thing for the podium, I guess. :)

Yep, they may be traveling the country, but the power of the Internet (and cell phones) keeps them in touch.

Just an FYI ... Many of the comments posted here on Drum Corps Planet are being seen by the members. Phantom Regiment tour manager Brandon Stansbury e-mailed to say he has been posting them on the kitchen trailer for the members to see and that they really enjoy it. So, from Phantom Regiment to its many fans on Drum Corps Planet: "Thanks! We're looking forward to an exciting weekend at Foxboro." Greg

I'm sitting in the front row of the lower level... Hmmm... G

Marty Hurley is doing great. He was at Phantom Regiment's snare camp in June teaching the kids. It was very cool to see him in front of a snare line again! He also worked with PR a bit, too, as the corps plays Spartacus (using Marty's percussion arrangement) in concerts. Marty is still band director at Brother Martin High School in New Orleans. He's been there about 2,034 years - give or take a little.

With the exception of the traffic, we can fix just about everything that we saw that wasn't perfect, including the announcing situation. She was on a wireless mic with serious delay and then the mic started clicking in and out later in the show. Next year, the announcer will be in the press box on a regular mic. She (Nicole Ward from WOWK-TV in Charleston) did a commendable job considering the delay. I sat next to her for everyone but PR and the delay was about 3 seconds. I'm glad I didn't have to do the announcing! Greg

Oops, almost forgot The Herald-Dispatch in Huntington, which did a huge preview article on the show. Thanks for the support!

Drums Across the Tri-State's first time in Charleston went terrific! Media support was wonderful: Charleston Gazette and Daily Mail, WOWK-TV, WCHS-TV, WCHS Radio, 96.1 The Wolf, V100 FM ... Man, it was really cool. Lots of great drum corps fans in the area! Just a few folks under 2,500 were in the stands of Laidley Field, which had new turf that literally (totally serious here) was not finished until the afternoon of the show. The turf crew was still doing work on the field LATE Sunday night and Monday morning. Cleanup happened in the afternoon. Looks great, though. Kerr's Music World sold a ton of tickets in advance. Parking was a challenge, but other than that it was a great night for drum corps. Beautiful weather, lots of people, awesome drum corps. You name it! Thanks, West Virginia! Greg Newell Show Committee Drums Across the Tri-State

Sorry about the previous two posts. They belong under the Charleston topic. My apologies. Greg

Oops, almost forgot The Herald-Dispatch in Huntington, which did a huge preview article on the show. Thanks for the support!

Drums Across the Tri-State's first time in Charleston went terrific! Media support was wonderful: Charleston Gazette and Daily Mail, WOWK-TV, WCHS-TV, WCHS Radio, 96.1 The Wolf, V100 FM ... Man, it was really cool. Lots of great drum corps fans in the area! Just a few folks under 2,500 were in the stands of Laidley Field, which had new turf that literally (totally serious here) was not finished until the afternoon of the show. The turf crew was still doing work on the field LATE Sunday night and Monday morning. Cleanup happened in the afternoon. Looks great, though. Kerr's Music World sold a ton of tickets in advance. Parking was a challenge, but other than that it was a great night for drum corps. Beautiful weather, lots of people, awesome drum corps. You name it! Thanks, West Virginia! Greg Newell Show Committee Drums Across the Tri-State

There wasn't an ensemble judge in 1989 -- it was GE vis, perc and brass and PERF vis, perc and brass. The ensemble judge was added in 1990. PR won field visual in 1989, 1990, 1991 and 1993. I think maybe in 1979, too. Oddly PR was 3rd in visual performance in 1996. G

That's known within the corps as the "Iceberg." I know it was done for many consecutive years -- at least 1987 to 1992. G

FYI... http://www.dci.org/corps/corps.cfm?corps_i...32-1da6e5ab8a1d Madison has not updated their show information on DCI.org (the corps do this individually), which is where the reporter got the information. He called Scouts to verify and no one returned his call. G

Exactly, Mike. These stories were written about a show I'm helping to organize/promote and they include quotes from me. I'm not the least bit bothered by a technicality, relatively insignificant fact or a minor misquoting. Now if they had the stadium wrong, the date of the show incorrect or bad ticket information, I'd be irritated. G

Oh, BTW. I've done a bunch of interviews with newspaper reporters the past few years. The Huntington and Charleston papers have done BY FAR two of the best jobs of previewing the show. If anyone should be super-critical it should be me since it's me that's quoted and I work as an editor at a newspaper myself! G

Definitely not the case, Ben. He gave quite a detailed description of the elements of a drum corps. Is everything you ever wanted to know about drum corps in there? No. That's not practical. He's given a finite amount of words to write. Yes, there are a few factual errors, but nothing that matters to Joe Fan that's just thinking about going to see what this drum corps thing is Monday night. David Williams, the writer, is a long-time drum corps fan -- back to the late 70s. He was at last year's Drums Across the Tri-State and has purchased tickets for this year's show. He was very excited talking about the show (he interviewed me for the article). G

Charleston Gazette article from Thursday David Williams is the paper's classical music critic and a long-time drum corps fan. He has been a full-time composer for 25 years. Enjoy!

The mistake has been brought to their attention. I'm just excited that they used FOUR photos!!