Phoenix: Set the record straight

[ex-cab phone co]

(From the Horses mouth)... As an alumni and former co-director of Phoenix, I thought I might enter a couple of facts regarding the Phoenix field competition Corps. I learned that a parade unit was organized in Rochester the summer of 1974, this while i was living and working in the greater New York City area, and playing melliphone with Hawthorne. I called my friend Bill McGrath Sr. to find out what and who were involved, and found out that he, along with several other "disassociated" members of various Jr. & Sr. Corps had formed a "T-shirt" Corps (parade unit) for fun, and for various reasons didn't want to become members again of other excisting Corps. As we spoke, I told him "Phoenix" would be an appropriate name as these guys were rising like the legendary bird from the ashes of Corps that had burned them out. He liked the suggestion, an that became the name.

Bill and I spoke a couple of times that summer, and I decided I had to relocate back to Rochester to be a part of this unique building experience. In the fall of 1974 many involved with the newborn Corps had a meeting at Harvey Martin's house on Standish Road (site of many Drum Corps discussions and events). Im sorry if I don't remember all in attendance (the members, movers, and shakers) but 30 years is a long time ago. We did have a long open meeting with ideas and votes. It was decided that a field competition Corps of high quality was our immediate and only objective. We decided to go with seasoned leadership. The board of directors consisted of a mix of those who founded the new Corps and many of the 71-72 Crusader board and staff (Myself: chairman of the 71-72 board, Harvey Martin, Fred Woodard, Bill McGrath Sr. and Jr., Jim Lennon, Dick Hutchinson, Ben Wilt, and Curt Anderson). Please forgive me and add an addendum if I left you off the list.

We voted Harvey as business manager as he had handeled the same duties for the Crusaders for several years. We decided to speak with Corky Fabrizio to see if he would teach and write brass and help assemble more staff (such as Jack Dailey for M&M), as Corky had been the driving force behind our 72 super Corps and National Championship. Billy McGrath Jr was our one and only choice for percussion instructor. Putting this Corps together was to be such a large task that there followed a sit-down between myself and Jim Lennon, and we hammered out an agreement to be Co-Corps Directors. Jim was public relations, and I was administration. This was agreed to, and voted for by those at the meeting. Jim and I were in contact every single day over the next couple of years several times a day, and became close friends. It was now time to recruit and raise funds.

The important choice of Corps Emblems and Logos were by submissions of graphics from several members with a vote taken at a board meeting to get our "identity" started. My design of the burning Pheonix letters was chosen, and our beautiful Firebird logo was designed by Hutch's wife. The long savored weekend at Ft. Drum to bring the Corps "together" was at my suggestion, as I had learned and experienced this type of practice from Jim Costello who would take the Cabs to West Point New York, or Indiantown River Gap P.A. military base in the spring, to be isolated, have privacy, afford bonding, have instructors completely in control of the time and pacing, and work the loose winter Corps into a tight professional unit. It was 100 percent successful for our Phoenix... (from t-shirt Corps to DCA top five).

The uniforms were the boards only compromise from anything absolutely first class, but they were the classiest off the rack, fifteen dollar a set work clothes, from JC Penney that you ever saw when decorated as uniforms with love by our auxillary, wifes, and girlfriends. (How about those paper Aussie hats from the party store?). So many talented members, so many talented instructors, plenty of dedication and hard work by the Corps, and still plenty of time for fun... We did not win the American Legion state title in either 75 or 76, losing both attempts to the Crusaders. We did however win the 1975 VFW State Championship in Syracuse New York. The Rest of our field competition history can be found in the record books. I completely enjoyed working with and being associated with all my friends, board members, fellow marching members, staff, instructors, members who invested cash, members who gave extremely of time and effort, hard working auxillary, and Corps followers.

Like a shooting star, allas, it burned bright, and then it was gone (but what an exquisite ride). Hope to see many of you fellow Phoenix at Scranton at DCA.

Dave Kausch, Co-Director 75-76 Phoenix

1958-1978 Grey Knights, Crusaders Caballeros, Phoenix

[SuperHighC]

There you go! Right from the horses mouth. And that's exactly the way I remember it. Yes, many fond memories and lots of memories I don't remember.

See you all at the reunion, Labor Day Weekend, Knights Inn (Pittston exit), Scranton PA.

Great job Kausch!

David Martin, one of the troops

[ossabe]

Wow, Dave Kausch. Now there's a blast from the past. I bet I haven't seen you since 76. 30 years does make the memory quite fuzzy. Just a slight correction to your story, We only lost the American Legion State to Cru in 75. We won in 76 by about 3 points over Cru in Syracuse. If you recall, we thought we lost for sure because Corky caused a false start by giving the wrong command coming out of concert, at the beginning of Swing Stars & Stripes. But I guess we recovered pretty fast. The show was at the SU campus stadium and we were housed in the dorms. The 75 VFW title from Syracuse was a parade.

Snipit from ex-cab phone co

"We did not win the American Legion state title in either 75 or 76, losing both attempts to the Crusaders. We did however win the 1975 VFW State Championship in Syracuse New York"

Great to see you are still sucking oxygen. I am looking forward to seeing everyone in Scranton and telling lies, I mean stories about the old days. Give Lynn my best.

Here's to driving your Corvair from Pittsfield Mass to Marrion Ohio in record time.

[bariforhire]

I am wondering how this piece of self indulgence is setting the record straight about Phoenix. It seems the only piece of information about the corps' accomplishments, is in error.

[ereese]

Hey I have to jump in to further clarify things. It was out of the color-pre at the '76 States that Corky made the faux pas. He was on the box Jack Dailey and I were on the 40's. If you remember, half the corps was down on 1 knee. And the proper command was "attention" to get everyone back on their feet. Instead after acknowleging the crowd's applause, Corky turns back to the corps and immediately gives the command of "mark-time..mark". Dailey and I looked at one another, we were stunned. It happened so fast, that we didn't have time to react, and it was for the best as this is when miracles happen. The guys on their knees, (and if you remember we had some real heavy-weights in the hornline then, Rich Rinalli and Mike Dentino come to mind) just popped to their feet and continued the drill. NO ONE MISSED A BEAT, and no one got out of step. It was as if we practiced it all year!! And we went on and won the states, by a wide margin. That was one of the really frustrating things about that year, we could not catch a score at a DCA show, the following week our score dropped back down by a number of points.....and the rest...as they say...is history.

Great reliving these memories.

Eddie Reese

'74 pre-Phoenix "T"-shirt corps the FUV (remember)

'75-'76 Phoenix DM

'95-present MSJ DM

[ossabe]

Hey I have to jump in to further clarify things. It was out of the color-pre at the '76 States that Corky made the faux pas. He was on the box Jack Dailey and I were on the 40's. If you remember, half the corps was down on 1 knee. And the proper command was "attention" to get everyone back on their feet. Instead after acknowleging the crowd's applause, Corky turns back to the corps and immediately gives the command of "mark-time..mark". Dailey and I looked at one another, we were stunned. It happened so fast, that we didn't have time to react, and it was for the best as this is when miracles happen. The guys on their knees, (and if you remember we had some real heavy-weights in the hornline then, Rich Rinalli and Mike Dentino come to mind) just popped to their feet and continued the drill. NO ONE MISSED A BEAT, and no one got out of step. It was as if we practiced it all year!! And we went on and won the states, by a wide margin. That was one of the really frustrating things about that year, we could not catch a score at a DCA show, the following week our score dropped back down by a number of points.....and the rest...as they say...is history.

Great reliving these memories.

Eddie Reese

'74 pre-Phoenix "T"-shirt corps the FUV (remember)

'75-'76 Phoenix DM

'95-present MSJ DM

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You are absolutely right Eddie, it was at the end of "Stars & Stripes where the wrong command was given. you jogged my memory when you mentioned the every other man on one knee thing. That was the fastest I ever got up from a knee (Would never be able to do that again...LOL). I'm glad you still have some brain cells left.

BTW... What is happening with this reunion get together? I haven't seen anything new on the web site in quite some time and I was trying to work my DCA Championships schedule up so I can try to fit everything into the 4 days we are there. I have a lot to do and not much time to do it in. If indeed something is planned, I need a time and location ASAP. If there is nothing definate planned, than why not join me in the sports bar at the stadium on Friday night at 6pm when I&E's start? I am sure any Phoenix alumni that are going to Scranton plan on being at I&E's, maybe one or two will be participating. If I can find an old red Phoenix T-shirt, I will do Crunchy Frog. Anyone care to join me? b**bs

[ereese]

You are absolutely right Eddie, it was at the end of "Stars & Stripes where the wrong command was given. you jogged my memory when you mentioned the every other man on one knee thing. That was the fastest I ever got up from a knee (Would never be able to do that again...LOL). I'm glad you still have some brain cells left.

BTW... What is happening with this reunion get together? I haven't seen anything new on the web site in quite some time and I was trying to work my DCA Championships schedule up so I can try to fit everything into the 4 days we are there. I have a lot to do and not much time to do it in. If indeed something is planned, I need a time and location ASAP. If there is nothing definate planned, than why not join me in the sports bar at the stadium on Friday night at 6pm when I&E's start? I am sure any Phoenix alumni that are going to Scranton plan on being at I&E's, maybe one or two will be participating. If I can find an old red Phoenix T-shirt, I will do Crunchy Frog. Anyone care to join me? b**bs

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[ereese]

Hey I'm there.

I'm not quite sure what is happening with the reunion but I know there'll be a considerable number of Phoenix-vets at the show. I think the meet at the sports bar Friday night at I&Es is a good stake in the ground. I will start putting the word out, let's go from there.

C Ya'

E

[Ed DeSocio]

Hey I have to jump in to further clarify things. It was out of the color-pre at the '76 States that Corky made the faux pas. He was on the box Jack Dailey and I were on the 40's. If you remember, half the corps was down on 1 knee. And the proper command was "attention" to get everyone back on their feet. Instead after acknowleging the crowd's applause, Corky turns back to the corps and immediately gives the command of "mark-time..mark". Dailey and I looked at one another, we were stunned. It happened so fast, that we didn't have time to react, and it was for the best as this is when miracles happen. The guys on their knees, (and if you remember we had some real heavy-weights in the hornline then, Rich Rinalli and Mike Dentino come to mind) just popped to their feet and continued the drill. NO ONE MISSED A BEAT, and no one got out of step. It was as if we practiced it all year!! And we went on and won the states, by a wide margin. That was one of the really frustrating things about that year, we could not catch a score at a DCA show, the following week our score dropped back down by a number of points.....and the rest...as they say...is history.

Great reliving these memories.

Eddie Reese

'74 pre-Phoenix "T"-shirt corps the FUV (remember)

'75-'76 Phoenix DM

'95-present MSJ DM

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[Donny Drum Corps]

Phoenix was something that you dont forget very easily. mAN WE HAD SOME HORSES...From the horses mouth.

I was there and am proud to say it!!!

Donny Allen