Boybugle63

Same here -- received the DVDs this afternoon -- first stop, Cadets high camera -- WOW!

PRICELESS!!

Ok, that made me laugh! I had forgotten about Phantom's Director doing that in 1992. I’m happy I have the “live” PBS broadcast. Need to pull that out and watch again. Thanks!

And you're getting sexier every posting, Ms. Blue Devil :P Seriously -- I've always love one thing about Drum Corps -- the different styles of each corps. I heard the same questions during the 70s regarding the Bridgemen and in the 80s regarding the Velvet Knights. "Serious/Traditional" Drum Corps" vs. all "Entertainment" Drum Corps. It's funny how issues come full circle and start again.

It’s going to take a while for my faith to come back – I’ve always consider myself a Drum Corps Fan First. One of the elements that I’ve enjoyed each season is the differences of each Corps. Whether it's been style or productions, etc., I’ve always appreciated the dedication. The venom and division within the Drum Corps community that has grown over the past 10 years is troubling, but I will always have hope. No fair weather fan here, so here’s looking forward to 2008 and Indy! Congratulations to all the 2008 Performers – you brought “Joy’ to my challenging and busy (work) summer. I will always appreciate your devotion to an activity that I love.

I can see the Crossmen!! and the sounds is better!!

August 1993 -- Jackson, Mississippi -- that's where I heard it.

Just a comment -- In 2006, the Atlanta Regional was on July 29th -- the last weekend in July 2006. This year, the Atlanta Regional was 2nd weekend of July .. two weeks earlier. San Antonio maybe a better year to year comparision -- 2006 third Saturday in July -- 2007 third Saturday in July :)

First, why is this thread still open??? I have never read such cynical and bitter postings since I signed up for DCP back in 2002. To interpret (if you call such delusional rantings) the artistic program performed by a talented and committed group of young adults as promoting anyone’s “political” agenda is petty and boorish. Such a warped worldview overlaid on a youth group such as The Cadets can only come from someone with notable insecurity issues and serious self-doubt in their moral and political choices. Must we now live in fear that performance art will be interpreted by the “chosen few” (read 16th Century Inquisition) to contain heretical messages that it must be condemned and stopped at any cost. What next, book burnings?

You know who Buck Owens is and Hee Haw!! Now I don' t feel that OLD!!!! :P

Because his Daughter marches (or marched) Blue Stars?

At this point, no posting surprises me now :P Buy the "DCI Summer Music Games 2007 Souvenir Yearbook!!!' Referencing the 2007 Yearbook, page 47 ... "Act 3 - Choice, representing choices that must be made to achieve a goal." Seems pretty straight forward to me! :)

Yes, Jacksonville, AL is in the Central Time Zone.

In the 70's and 80's, it was important to make Finals because it was a great marketing tool for your Corps. Making that All important DCI Finals Video (VHS) -- which before 1998 was only the top 12. Yes, videos of Quarter Finals were produced, but tapes were often much higher in costs and many of us could not afford both sets. Something else to keep in mind, many of the fans in attendance at Championships only attended Finals on Saturday night. With internet access now and the availability of DVDs, I think it’s more of a competitive issue to make the Championship Finals – not the down fall of a Corps.

At this point in the season, there are two answers, YIKES If it's silks -- Phantom all the way! If it's performance -- Blue Devils! Going with the Devils at this point.

Agree, "Clueless People" is rarsh and that was not my intent. I got the humor! Heck, when you get as old as us, you've got to have some humor!!!

Hey Buddha Bellies!! Glad you had a good time in the Boro and enjoyed the Show. Just for the record, I turned 44 this past Thursday! Yikes!!! but, I don't have a Buddha Belly and still have all my hair which is not gray :P Laughter during a corps show is wonderful -- ie -- Crown moving into the William Tell ... but laughter at the expense of a Corps is another issue -- I will say the laughter around us during the Cadets' pemformance was more of uncomfortable laughter. During the closer -- it just happens that I was that young man back in 1978 who didn't fit it and was over weight -- My instrument and the joy of performing got me through that time :) Be good!

Bottle Dance Kick!!! Awesome!!!!!!

Great Evening for Drum Corp in my Hometown of Murfreesboro and it’s wonderful to have DCI back in the Boro for 2007. Middle Tennessee State University has a wonderful facility. Although the stadium worked in 1999 and 2000 for the two day Mid America weekend, the stadium is just not larger enough to hold an all day Regional Contest like Atlanta. Crowd size was down compared to 2005 (2006 in Cookeville). I think it had lots to do with today’s Regional in Atlanta (less than 4 hour drive away) and the fact the Masters contest was two weeks early. Seats were 1RR – upper middle chair back section – 4 rows from the top – on the 50. Agree with another Reviewer – crowd was generous with cheering and applause – lots of hands up in the air when a Corps would something exceptional. Weather was perfect for this time of year in the south – we’ve been a drought, but for the past few days have had showers. Slight chance last night, but all worked out. This year, I had a choice of staying close to home or travel to Atlanta as I did last year. For 2006, I felt lucky with my decision to travel down to the Peachtree state for the weekend because of the rain in Cookeville. For 2007, I decided to stay in Tennessee for the main reason of seeing the Corps perform outside. Atlanta’s stadium is a great facility, but it’s just not the same under the Dome compared to the Stars. Only two live shows for me this season with the Master’s show being the last – Thank goodness for the Internet and DVDs!!! Blue Knights – “Dark Dances” The Sun was setting when the Blue Knights took the field – the glowing shades of red, pinks and orange in the sky perfectly matched the colorguards silks – it just amazes me how wonderful year in and year out the beauty of those painted flags. Love the build up in the opener – can you say Shostakovich?!! Appreciated the first sets of drill -- had the Contras up front, then the corps proper moved through them for the first be push. Yes, the show is very dark, but they are pulling it off. Lots of work to be done, but think I’ll be listening to this one many times during the off season. And now it was “Welcome to the Top 7” time: Carolina Crown – “Triple Crown” 2nd viewing of Crown! After seeing the draw for performance order for this weekend, I knew Crown was up for a challenge. I LOVE THIS SHOW :P !! Hornline, Hornline, Hornline, Guard, Guard, Guard!! Felt the guard won the night. Just amazing and add so much to the show. The first big push of the show got the crowds attention and everyone appreciated it. Lots of tweaking of the show over the past three weeks. Drumline is much improved from last year. William Tell Overture brought at laugher and smiles to close out their show. Fans were quickly on their feet at the end. Great job, Crown! Bluecoats – “Criminal” Funny how kids can see and understand so quickly – my 9 year old nephew was pointing out accepts of the Bluecoats show – “that’s security lasers, etc. etc.” Performance levels for the ‘Coats are incredible – solid up and down. Narration through the show is a nice touch. The back and forth of the Criminals and the Officers was great – Wow moment was the silent drill when the colorguard moves from the right side of the field through the corps proper is Awesome!! Santa Clara Vanguard – “!” VANGUARD b**bs !! Well, only a hand full of us got the cheer tonight ;-). Have to be honest here – I was personally hoping the Vanguard would take Championship this year – but what a monster drill book! Watching the corps march backwards in a diagonal – just thinking – how on earth are they going to clean that? Yikes!!! The show screams romance and passion. CHILL MOMENT of the show for me was the “Bottle Dance Kick” that the Corps proper performance!! Phantom Regiment – “On Air” Flow, Flow, Flow – it’s the best way to describe Phantom’s show this year. The Build up of the Glass piece was tremendous. I’m not sure if I like all the PRANCING the Corps proper performance, but I appreciate what they’re doing – walking “On Air!” Just a bump during the duet performance, but no biggie – Overall, Horns, Drums and the Guard are at the top. Drumline had a great response from the crowd. The mellophone runs during the closer are REMARKABLE ! The arrangement of Firebird must have been tweaked this week, because I thought it was wonderful. Blue Devils – “Winged Victory” Memo from the Devils – “You are going to pay attention to us and you are NOW ^0^ !” Folks, they grab you by the throat and go. Thought their Horns were the best of the evening. All I can think of is EXCELLENCE! At one point, the Drumline snakes through the Corps (while the Corps was in a huge diagonal) proper -- very cool! My 9 year old nephew said, “They’re champs!” The Cavaliers – “Billy Joel: Music of an American Icon” Cavies are still at the top with it comes to visual innovations – especially how they integrate elements into their shows. When the Corps proper is in two arches, the back line places their horns on the field, then, they slowly lowers the front line (individually) to the ground – then, each member on the ground rises their hats – very simple, but very affective. Show seems (as it is) not completed – especially the ending. Will be great to see what the Green Machine pulls out for Championships. The Cadets – “This I Believe. Truth, Value and the Personal Experience Called Drum Corps” ‘This I Believe’ I believe in The Cadets . I have for the past 27 years and this is no exception. Hornline is fantastic – overwhelming (in a good way) at times. Drumline was rockin’ tonight. Guard much improved from three weeks ago, but still lots to do. Addition of the new silks is very affected. Easily, the Best GE of the evening and best overall crowd reaction of the evening. I’ve seen the show twice in person and know what to expect from the narration – so no surprises here. Didn’t really notice much adjustments during their closer, so don’t know if they included the adjustments in last night’s performance. Overall Reaction to the Cadets No walk outs, etc. etc. In our section, 1RR, there were obviously a few who could not get beyond the narration of the Cadets show. Many of the folks sat on their hands at the end of the performance. What was sad for me is too see at times, these same folks were paying no attention to the performance and just laughing among themselves – at times, distracting to others. After the Cadets finished, I was hot. I was going to find some weakness in these folks – What did these folks have in common?? Most were: Male Middle age Buddha Bellies And Bald or Balding!! Time to get revenge!!!!! I pulled out my mobile phone and started taking photos of the top of these guys heads! Yes, it was going to be SWEET to post their baldness on DCP!!! When I finished up my last photo of the Evil Doers ^0^ , my older Sister looked at me and said the following: “You’re taking this way too serious.” “Think about what you’re doing.” “You know that some people will never accept change and that’s life.” BHAM! A bag of bricks just knocked me in the face. It finally hit me – there are Devoted Drum Corps fans just like me who love the activity, but they will never be able to accept or enjoy a production like the 2007 Cadets show. And with that, it was like a switch. And you know what, I’m fine with that -- now that’s not to say that if someone using venom during criticism, I won’t push back and speak up, but it’s time to get back to just enjoying Drum Corps – one of my Summer’s Joys! The folks in Atlanta (heck, and Indy and Denver and …) are about to see some great shows come together before hitting the west coast. Get out there and cheer for your favorite corps or all of them like me and my family! Lots of time left in the 2007 season, so ENJOY!!!

You are correct -- 2004 season. In 2005, Cadets won the contest, with the Cavies marching in Columbia, Missouri on the same Saturday night. Really miss having the Louisville contest in June on a Saturday night. Seems the attendance has decrease each year from 2003.

Hey Folks -- I just had this email exchange with a good friend of mine -- we went to High School together. He typed the words that I've been thinking --- enjoy: Hear you with regard to fan reaction. I guess it is to be expected, though, same as any other "sport". You certainly won't find Red Sox fans cheering the Yankees...I’m afraid we have a lot of narrow-minded Folks following the corps activity. Too many people have their identity wrapped up in a corps. I mean, SCV will always be my favorite and my bias, but I certainly recognize and acknowledge better corps and lesser corps just the same. I don't always think they should win; they aren't always good enough to win. I get tired of the immature behavior, too. There are more constructive ways to express an opinion, and certainly not to the kids that are out there doing what they've been trained to do at the request of the leadership. That is just so unfair and wrong. My own bias at this point at least with the corps I've seen: Cavies, Devils, Cadets, Bluecoats...is that the Cadets has the more engaging and entertaining show. Cavies are enjoyable but break no new ground. I think the narration is a little over the top,but I can appreciate the concept and my oh my do they move and play with passion and do they ever command the field from the opening statement to the closing remarks. Attributes that I didn't pick up at all from any of the aforementioned corps. Crown and Crusaders who have programs that engage the audience to a higher level than some of those above them in scoring. so, at the end of the day, we should be asking who is OUR personal winner and let the judges have their own little party. I mean, do we go and watch to associate ourselves to a winner only? Or are we there to appreciate the diverse offerings and efforts of all the corps respecting their differences with regard to concept, talent, and of course, leadership? It would seem the former is all that is in play and being lost on the audience is truly what these groups are doing to challenge not only their own members but our thinking as an audience. Will I ever see a show that I'm as partial to as the 1980 SCV? Probably not. but there are plenty of programs better, right? They didn't even win or come close...but that show that year was my winner. And it has stood the test of time....how often I pull that show out to watch and marvel, and of course, let it take me back. I fear that people are losing the ability to appreciate the activity for what it is and while competition is certainly what has advanced the activity, it shouldn't be also what kills it.

Phantom's performance time was pulled with the Bluecoats and SCV -- 4th, 5th and 6th group from Allentown. Cavies, Cadets and Blue Devils were grouped together -- Crown and Blue Knights were grouped together. Agree that Phantom has a good time, but Crown does not. During the day, tough time for Spirit!

Correction -- Bluecoats are only in Tennessee on the 13th

Here's housing information that I've found so far -- it anyone has a question about the Middle Tennessee area, just send me a PM. The dates I'm including are listed as days at those sites. Blue Devils -- Fred J. Page High School -- Franklin, TN -- July 11th, 12th and 13th Bluecoats --Independence High School -- Franklin, TN -- July 12th and 13th The Cadets -- Station Camp High School -- Gallatin, TN -- July 12th and 13th The Cavaliers -- Middle Tennessee State University -- Murfreesboro, TN July 12th and 13th Phantom Regiment -- McGavock High School -- Nashville, TN July 13th Santa Clara Vanguard -- Riverdale High School -- Murfreesboro, TN July 13th Does anyone the sites for Carolina Crown and the Blue Knights??? Thanks!

From Master's Contest information -- The Cavaliers and The Cadets will perform the Finale with The Cadets performing an Encore! Going to be a great Friday night!!