Jamesdrum007

I thank you very much for sharing your experience. It is probably true that MANY of the top three DCI Corps members ( Cavies; Cadets; BD) have prior experiences elsewhere(other corps; bands?)

Viewed in the Northpark AMC in Dallas...attendance was WAY down...did having NO PHANTOM have anything to do with that?!? Bad, bad, bad idea!! I'm not against there being no PR in this one, even as alum, but from a "butts in the seats," marketing standpoint, this stands out along with Jackson 93 as a bad, bad idea in DCI history. What were they thinking?? SCV was da bomb. w00t. Cadets brought tears to my eyes. Twice. Very emotional. BD was masterful. They were very shrewd and successful; but yet they only drew only polite "golf" applause. Hmmmm...... But .... I have a question? Do you REALLY believe that nationwide attendance was down because PR was not in the production?

And in other years they had the likes of Johnny Mazarakos, Bill Boerner, Don Freising, Johnny Diamond, Don Quinn, Jon Bailey and on and on and on. Good memories. Ray Yep Ray, you've named some truly great snare drummers that preceded you there in Sky. Please remember that my dad, Joe Mallen, was also a fine snare drummer who marched with Skyliners in the early 50s. He did march with some of those greats!

It may be wrong, but I was told that Gary left the Cabs very early in the season. And .... he is now with the Hurcs. True?

Same here. I get no video. Is there something I could/should do to receive them? Thanks.

Ouch. My my my. Please know, kind sir, that I did research it, with inquiries on length of shows to John Phillips, Jay Kennedy, and George Hopkins. Hop was the only one to offer the scenario I stated. Perhaps he was wrong? Maybe so. Maybe you know better? If so, please enlighten us? And, WHEN it was changed isn't the issue of my reply ...my point is, I'd prefer a slightly longer DCI show. OK Sam?

George Hopkins is telling all no Z pull , it's great in the memory but it is slow to unraffle . We added a bit to the front - more time to cheer George actually meant UNRAVEL. Ah, the curse of crackberry.

Annie, I so loved you post. Yes, there is overexposure between Cadets and Crown schedules this year. Instead of (or after?) the usual pre-season draw for positions, Dan Acheson wisely stepped in and said that the two corps (Cadets and Crown) will alternate performance positions. So if it seems like they are alternating; they are. Seems like an equitable decision by Dan. Yes, they do have too many shows together. BUT ....... being of similiar ability, they really do urge each other to work harder. Bottom line for each member is a hopefully more meaningful experience. I believe too they'll both be equally prepared to be most competitive with Cavies and BD this year in part because of their restrictive schedule. Yes, Hop does promote interaction between the members; as you may know, most corps members are really similiar. I personally told Jim Coates last night how happy I was for the Crown kids and the organization. (and for him too)

IMHO Bandguy's reaction to the Cadets' show will be similiarly felt by a majority of people who see them live this year. As for performance placements, I'm told that Dan Atcheson just stepped in and arbitrarily told Cadets and Crown that they'll alternate their performance slots at the shows where the two of them are the only upper tier corps competing. I believe that they're together for a surprising 60-70% of their performances this year.

An excellent and insightful review. I appreciate you, richburgher, for your thoughts and opinions. Thanks!

I actually saw Jeff Sactig's drill pages; they sent them out via e-mail. I saw an HNC, then a G, then a CB (without a G) then a 75.

In NJ we too had transmission problems during Cadets and Crown. Those aside, I was also disappointed by the choice of camera work. There were times when they missed the key visual climax to instead focus on individual performers., or a specific section of performers. While such shots are interesting, they should be used judiciously, especially not at the conclusion of a production. It seemed that the production folks did some, but not thorough, prior research to be prepared for key effect moments in the shows.

This is WAY too funny. Perfect. Thanks for your wit and good sense of humor!!

I love the pix! This is VERY exciting! Go Ryan Santo, in his rookie year brass in Colts. He marched last year with Crossmen. I hope that they send pix of all the corps.

I was at Cadets' Johnstown PA camp all last week. Their show this year is going to be an awesome success. Great music; great drill; incredible demand throughout; and ..no vocals, and NO NARRATION! (Hooray) It is quintessential Cadets. Will they win? That depends on how good the other corps are. But... will you enjoy them? Unquestionably. This is a year when most people will love the Cadets. BTW Colin MC Nutt has written a delightfully attractive and enjoyable percussion book for them. They play well and will clearly be competitive in percussion. And 15 players in the pit; using only modest amplification, are musically superior.

Thanks to a lifetime of worthwhile drumming, Smitty does indeed have handsome chops! It is always gratifying to watch, and hear, a strong snare drummer.

I don't think I knew that about our flag. Thanks again. So ...who is the corps in the photo?

WOW! You can discern it's a 49-star American flag from the partial view in the photo? If so, you are VERY astute. I'm impressed.

Thank you very much.

Larry Kerchner's arrangement of "My Favorite Things" was played by St. Andrew's Bridgemen, in 1973 and 1974. (It is listed as 1976, on the Legend's website) (This is one of the best drum corps arrangements that I've ever heard...imho) And Larry's arrangement of the "Civil War Suite" was played by the 1980 Bridgemen. Not in 1979, as listed on the site. (The 1979 arrangement of "Civil War Suite" was written by Ken Turner.) Can't wait to hear a recording from that night! It's going to be really awesome!!! Jim, Your corrections are very much appreciated. Thanks for taking the time to visit the Legends website and offer your insight. I'll pass them on to Mike Cahill for revision.

Ray, You should consider playing this, if your schedule allows. over 100 brass are signed up. Good charts. Check out the Legends website. I saw 72 horns at last Saturday's rehearsal. Many major players in attendance. Yes, I went up and strapped on a snare drum. Well .....not really. We're using drum stands. I'm attending the dinner because my dear friend Mike Cahill is being induced. So .........since I'll be there anyway, I might as well play, and get my chops back in shape. (smile)

And then I believe that he marched in Garfield Cadets after The Kingsmen.

A big thank you to dear friend Mike Cahill for researching that info, and putting this quiz to rest! Thanks Mike!! "I could tell that my parents hated me. My bath toys were a toaster and a radio." Rodney Dangerfield OK, folks according to Mike Cahill (He always has, and still is currently, the instructor for Legends.) Here's what he said... From left to right, Bob "Whitey" Whitehead, former bugler with the Beverly Cardinals and presently a member of the Legends of Drum Corps. Harry Latinik, former Princemen bugler who passed away a few months ago. Carson Coleman, former bugler with Beverly Cardinals who also recently passed away in Ireland. Joe Dwyer, former baritone with the Cambridge Caballeros. Howie Bennett, also a former baritone with the Cambridge Caballeros. And Al "Cisco" Colleameno, former tenor drummer with the Cambridge Caballeros, and presently Director of The Legends of Drum Corps and drum instructor of the Boston Crusaders Sr D & B Corps. So, there you have it!!