MikeZ

I think Troops pit may have caused me a slight bit of hearing loss. Z

I love the Crossmen and I love Pat Metheny, but Bones was a big disappointment for me today. Z

I wish Forging An Icon included Ol Man River, Miss Otis Regrets, Gone With the Wind, and Let It Be Me rather then a collection of Blue Devils tunes. That being said, Spirit is much improved from a few weeks ago. Z

I know its been a few years, but I really miss the purple Mandarins unis. Z

If I was a marching member there are plenty of words I would want to describe my show...cute would not be one of them. I do dig School For Scandal though. Z

Looks like its back to Reds baseball for a while. If they do finish the show, does anyone think we can really read much into the numbers tonight? Z

Am I missing the announcement of "drum major ________, is your corps ready" at every Phantom show or are they actually not making that announcement? Z

Holy hand Batman! Z

I know I am in the minority, but I am not digging BlueKnights this year. I miss knees and the dark shows. I feel like this years BK show could just as easily been performed by Glassmen or Academy. I know lots of people were not fans of the "dark" years, but at least they had carved out their own little niche in the activity. I DO really like the hornline sound though. Z

Colts may have the slowest developing drill in world class. NO velocity at all. Methinks Academy will beat Colts the first time they meet up. Z

Colts seem like they are doing some weird mash up of Toy Souldier/This I Believe??? Z

The only difference is that at the big chord in the intro for Star in 92 (at finals) the crowd sat on their hands. No crowd reaction at all on the finals videos/cd's. Z

I know there are lots of versions out there...BD, Boston, Kiwanis, just to name a few, but I would go with 98 Crossmen for the win. My favorite First Circle. Z

If the field is really wet, this could be a trend for a lot of guards tonight. I do agree though...a REALLY rough first half of the show for Bones guard. Z

I am pretty sure the phrasing used in the past was something to the effect of... "In third place....which is actually a tie for second place". Z

I was at the show, but the video on the fan network is great chance to see some drill that I missed last night. From a visual standpoint the first extended big chord for Madison = 92 Star first big extended impact. Just sayin... Z

My non-finalist corps vote would easily go to 1997 Colts. I don't remember all of the details of the Blood, Sweat, and Tears show, but I do remember them being loud enough that I could feel that hornline at various points throughout the show. Makes me wish Chuck Naffier was still arranging for some world class groups. Z

It seems we are all trying to make broad assumptions based on little information. It may be interesting to look back over the past few years and see if there any/some events that may have started the ball rolling on the (G7). Can we look at the Jeff Fieldler move to Vanguard from Cavaliers as something that could be tied to the (G7)? It appears the Cavaliers are not ready to jump into this New World Order with both feet, and maybe this could have led to a rift between Fiedler and Don Warren and the Cavaliers. Or maybe the G7 had not been discussed at that point. I do find it hard to believe that the (G7) is something that developed only in the past 3 or 4 months. I don't know how this will all shake out. I do know that I am going to get back into teaching and it looks like there will be a lot more job security teaching local high school bands rather than touring with a lower world class or open class drum and bugle corps. Z

My vote would go to Crew Stadium in Columbus. A nice enough stadium that I would go to the show regardless of who was performing. With finals in Indy you are guaranteed a late season show in a great stadium. Z

Another vote for 87 SkyRyders. If only picking from whats on the list it would be either 84 Garfield or 98 BD. Z

As a member of the 1996 Pioneer hornline I have to give a shout out to our ballad that summer "The Journey Home". That was easily the best hornline I was ever a member of, and by far my favorite thing we played. Also have to mention Southwind 2000 playing Legends of the Fall. Z

I second the love for Regina Spektor and the song Machine. I think you would be more likely to hear some of her stuff in a winterguard show...although I would love to see someone try to put some on a football field. Z

87 SCV Z

I agree on the shower shoes/flip flops. One of my more important items on tour. I always made sure I had flip flops that were an odd color. People would look at me weird as I had neon green or pink flip flops...until they walked in the locker room and saw 40-60 pairs of black flip flops. No one mistakenly walked off with my flip flops in the 9 years I was on tour. Z

Besides 93 Star and 01 Regiment, it is worth checking out 97 Center Grove's marching band. One of my favorite marching band shows and where I was first introduced to Concerto for Orchestra. Z