i need my HYPNOTIX fix

[Eklipse]

Jim your comments are both childish and plain false in several areas. Eklipse will not be coming out with a corps ever again beacuse of "GOOD" managment. It is my repsonsibility to NOT bring out a corps unless it can be done right. If my kids couldn't eat right, sleep right, and travel right I wasn't going to do it (example of good managment). Bingo looked as though it would work here...but I was wrong. My bingo hall failed beacuse of casinos too close to us. No bingo, no corps...plain and simple. I made my decision to fold Eklipse in December of that year when ANY, AND I MEAN ANY kid that wants to march a division III corps could still find a home easily (example of good managment). As far as Hypnotix is concerned. Joe informed me of his move over two weeks ago...I had no idea he did not tell anyone about his decision. He told me in a way that made it sound like public knowledge...I knew no difference. I was just a simple friend of Joe that was on the other end of the phone when he needed someone to talk to and bounce ideas off of. I guess some other folks had way too many ulterior motives?

The reason why you were removed from Hypnotix and never got on board with Eklipse is because of this type of action that Joe and I both knew was right under the surface. Joe and his team at Hypnotix made the best decision he could at the time. Correct or not...it was his best call.

Jim...instead of throwing stones...next time just start your own corps. Since you believe managment to be so "simple" why don't you step up to the plate and put your money where your mouth is. In the future if you want to address me on such matters please do so by e-mail. Anyone else that wants to know the truth behind Eklipse just ask. I'll let you see my budgets and here my side of things.

It's just so easy for everyone from the outside to look and judge. It is simply the most difficult thing in the known universe to put together a drum corps and make it work. If it were easy there would be 10 or so new ones a year. Think of me and Eklipse as you want. I don't have a drumline anymore because I fell out of love with the activity. I have been doing it for over 25 years and I have won 3 world championships. and a silver at WGI...I have climbed the mountain and I am happy with that...so no more drumline. I have a world guard now and I will someday have a finalist world guard and then I will have a medalist world guard...and then I will will take on some other challenge. My life is worth more that what is takes for someone else to tell me how much it's worth. I know what I have accomplished and with what I had to do it. If you don't know the whole story...then my best advice is shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

[MUSICandCHARACTER]

The reason why you were removed from Hypnotix and never got on board with Eklipse is because of this type of action that Joe and I both knew was right under the surface. Joe and his team at Hypnotix made the best decision he could at the time. Correct or not...it was his best call.

First, I never wanted to be on the Board of Eklipse. If I had been asked I would have refused. I was also not removed from Hypnotix. I resigned.

Jim...instead of throwing stones...next time just start your own corps. Since you believe managment to be so "simple" why don't you step up to the plate and put your money where your mouth is. In the future if you want to address me on such matters please do so by e-mail. Anyone else that wants to know the truth behind Eklipse just ask. I'll let you see my budgets and here my side of things.

Brad, believe me had I had the finances that were available to some, I would do just that -- start my own corps. But I didn't and probably never will. I did however, offer to sell Eklipse horns at near cost and sold Hypnotix horns at below my cost as my contribution. I worked many months of tireless hours for Hypnotix. I paid for the website for the first 9 months. What little money I have, I put out there. I stand to lose a large amount (for me).

Unfortunately Brad, you know only a minimum of the facts about Hypnotix. This hurts too bad to have an argument with you. You NEVER had an official position with Hypnotix. I did for many months. This doesn't affect your life at all. It has hit me like a ton of bricks and cost me REAL money. I am sure I am the biggest non-family contributor to Hypnotix. I will lose it all.

Eklipse as a drum corps is old news. No one cares about your budgets -- now your books might be interesting to audit. You have made it clear to start a drum corps today without a bucket of money and very high fees is impossible. Your posts here on the DCP reflect that attitude.

You spoke out-of-turn with incorrect information. Check your facts before you post. Ask the Exec. Director if you should post for a group your are not a part of before you do so. At least the facts would be straight then. My advice to you is: Let the Eklipse Drum Corps be part of your past and shhhhhhhhh ....

Dr. Jim Fox

Former Assist Director

Hypnotix Drum Corps

[Hipposduck]

First, I never wanted to be on the Board of Eklipse. If I had been asked I would have refused. I was also not removed from Hypnotix. I resigned.

Brad, believe me had I had the finances that were available to some, I would do just that -- start my own corps. But I didn't and probably never will. I did however, offer to sell Eklipse horns at near cost and sold Hypnotix horns at below my cost as my contribution. I worked many months of tireless hours for Hypnotix. I paid for the website for the first 9 months. What little money I have, I put out there. I stand to lose a large amount (for me).

Unfortunately Brad, you know only a minimum of the facts about Hypnotix. This hurts too bad to have an argument with you. You NEVER had an official position with Hypnotix. I did for many months. This doesn't affect your life at all. It has hit me like a ton of bricks and cost me REAL money. I am sure I am the biggest non-family contributor to Hypnotix. I will lose it all.

Eklipse as a drum corps is old news. No one cares about your budgets -- now your books might be interesting to audit. You have made it clear to start a drum corps today without a bucket of money and very high fees is impossible. Your posts here on the DCP reflect that attitude.

You spoke out-of-turn with incorrect information. Check your facts before you post. Ask the Exec. Director if you should post for a group your are not a part of before you do so. At least the facts would be straight then. My advice to you is: Let the Eklipse Drum Corps be part of your past and shhhhhhhhh ....

Dr. Jim Fox

Former Assist Director

Hypnotix Drum Corps

Do you two think that this sort of thing should be best discussed on a web forum?!?!

<**> <**> <**> <**> <**>

Just how do you guys believe you are representing yourself to everyone and to your former members?

That's all I have to say.

[MUSICandCHARACTER]

Do you two think that this sort of thing should be best discussed on a web forum?!?!

<**> <**> <**> <**> <**>

Just how do you guys believe you are representing yourself to everyone and to your former members?

That's all I have to say.

This is an excellent point. I did send Brad a PM. But when you have been "accused" in public, it sometimes demands a response.

But I am taking you advice -- and even my own. Hypnotix is past tense in my life. Let people say what they want -- the corps is still dead. I don't usually "mix it up" unless it gets personal. Perhaps I should even reconsider the "personal" part.

BTW, you see, you have bought the line. Brad was never on the staff of Hypnotix, so there are not "former" members to him.

I am done. This is WAY too painful.

Dr. Jim Fox

Former Assist Corps Director

The Now Dead Hypnotix Drum Corps

[Eklipse]

I never said I was on staff at Hypnotix. Joe called me almost weekly and actualyy at times several times a week about this. I gave him my opnion on recruiting. I never said anything to him about his money or how to spend any of it. You need someone to shoot at and it's me. Fine. I hope good things for you and your family. I never had a problem with you until now but I will be just fine. I hope Hypnotix becomes what people want for the corps and the kids... I hope for the same things.

Never tried to hurt anyone....but I guess I'm a good target.

Brad

[Blackstar]

I think this topic is soon going to turn into the cost of starting a corps.

Someone had an ad in the marketplace selling a full package of horns and drums. I believe total cost was almost 200K. That doesn't iniclude uniforms, the pit, buses, trucks, food etc etc. To get a corps on the field is a minimum of $500k. Thats alot of money. And paying daily expense..Bingo is not as profitable as it used to be with Casinos and Racinos (casinos in horse racing tracks) crop up everywhere.

After speaking to Brad several months ago, I know the chances of starting anything but a parade corps is 5 in 100. Being on the field for 2 years 2 in 100, 3 years 1 in 100.

I really hope someone comes up with a truly great model that can be replicated so we can have more corps. (trying to be positive)

[MUSICandCHARACTER]

I really hope someone comes up with a truly great model that can be replicated so we can have more corps. (trying to be positive)

This is one place where DCI might turn some of its attention. The problem is that DCI is already supporting Div 2/3 around 40K a year and would like 2/3 to break even.

There have been several success stories. The Academy, Memphis Sound, Impluse all have been upstarts lately and done well. Mystical and Spokane Thunder seem to be on solid footing. There are many good models to follow. The Canos, after folding late last year seem to be doing rather well this year. Mystical and The Academy are making their first trips to finals in 2006

Small corps like the Colts Cadets, Vanguard Cadets, and BD B and C seem to do well. Look at the rise of the Oregon Crusaders and the perennial success of East Coast Jazz and Jersey Surf. The Raiders after winning Div III with no DM kept their staff intact. I don't think you have to look very far for good models.

Unfortunately, you don't have to look very far for bad models either.

It is difficult to start a drum corps. It takes some money and lots of good management, a great staff, and GUTS. Outstanding fundraising and an attitude that says we will never point fingers and fail. No bingo money, find other ways to raise money (you cannot have bingo in Indiana unless you have been a non-profit for 5 years). Many excellent drum corps people will help start a corps. Find a way. Bring out the best in the staff and the kids. Impulse just started paying their staff.

There is a book title "Do What you Love and the Money will Follow". A great book. But the title says everything you need to know. You have to love it enough to work a 2nd or 3rd job in the early years. You have to be unafraid to ask for money from generous people and must recruit everyday and all the time.

When at the DCI meeting in September in Chicago, I heard many of the Div 2/3 corps who now inactive complain and point fingers at DCI, donors, and even DCM. That attitude will never fly. What you expect of the kids to overcome and be the very best they can you must demand of yourself and staff. Keep expenses small. Memphis Sound started with Jupiter marching brass. The cheapest they could buy. They have replaced those horns, but for years those kids gave everything they had from the very bottom of their marching shoes and the horns held them back just a bit. But I love to watch Memphis Sound. Watch out for them in 2006 with their new staff and the same positive attitude.

What about The Academy? Excellence in fundraising and all things from the very beginning. Their board raised tons of money without complaint. Haven't they been undefeated in two years?? But more importantly, they are very financially sound. Impulse is financially sound enough they bought new instruments last year and hired staff this year.

Look at the Blue Stars moving back up through the ranks and back into Div I by giving no excuses and moving forward.

Lots of good examples.

Jim

[SoonerFan04]

Excellent post, Jim.

....Memphis Sound started with Jupiter marching brass. The cheapest they could buy. They have replaced those horns, but for years those kids gave everything they had from the very bottom of their marching shoes and the horns held them back just a bit. But I love to watch Memphis Sound. Watch out for them in 2006 with their new staff and the same positive attitude....

I don't know really know you, aside from the occassional posts on DCP, but you really seem like a great guy with a great love for this activity and I always look forward to the Evansville, IN show (this year included). Thank you for your kind words about Memphis, now and in the past. I know it feels good when the members stumble accross it here on an often very negative-sounding DCP. I can assure you that the same positive attitude is still intact at Sound, adding the new Dynasty horns and Front Ensemble equipment has made things even more positive - playing on the quality keyboards we have now has definitily helped our confidence as an ensemble and I am extremely excited to take them on the road this summer. Our boards for the last 2 years looked pretty horrible from even the stands...but you should have seen them up close. Everything except 1 Marimba for the last 3 years, and I do mean EVERYTHING, was borrowed from high schools, colleges and even personal items of staff members.

I know of atleast one former Hypnotix member who may be joining us in May, but if you come across any others you can let them know that we still have a few Bari/Contra/Guard openings and 1 Advanced Marimba position if they are interested. We start learning drill next month so there is still plenty of time to catch up!

http://www.memphisdrumcorps.org

[kylerogers]

I think another corps in Murray, KY would be great. Murray has a great field (Roy Stewart Stadium) to practice on, plus if the corps got on with Murray St. (ex, Spirit of JSU) that would help with alot of the costs.

There are very small, tiny rumors of this.

[incognito]

This is one place where DCI might turn some of its attention. The problem is that DCI is already supporting Div 2/3 around 40K a year and would like 2/3 to break even.

There have been several success stories. The Academy, Memphis Sound, Impluse all have been upstarts lately and done well. Mystical and Spokane Thunder seem to be on solid footing. There are many good models to follow. The Canos, after folding late last year seem to be doing rather well this year. Mystical and The Academy are making their first trips to finals in 2006

Small corps like the Colts Cadets, Vanguard Cadets, and BD B and C seem to do well. Look at the rise of the Oregon Crusaders and the perennial success of East Coast Jazz and Jersey Surf. The Raiders after winning Div III with no DM kept their staff intact. I don't think you have to look very far for good models.

Unfortunately, you don't have to look very far for bad models either.

It is difficult to start a drum corps. It takes some money and lots of good management, a great staff, and GUTS. Outstanding fundraising and an attitude that says we will never point fingers and fail. No bingo money, find other ways to raise money (you cannot have bingo in Indiana unless you have been a non-profit for 5 years). Many excellent drum corps people will help start a corps. Find a way. Bring out the best in the staff and the kids. Impulse just started paying their staff.

There is a book title "Do What you Love and the Money will Follow". A great book. But the title says everything you need to know. You have to love it enough to work a 2nd or 3rd job in the early years. You have to be unafraid to ask for money from generous people and must recruit everyday and all the time.

When at the DCI meeting in September in Chicago, I heard many of the Div 2/3 corps who now inactive complain and point fingers at DCI, donors, and even DCM. That attitude will never fly. What you expect of the kids to overcome and be the very best they can you must demand of yourself and staff. Keep expenses small. Memphis Sound started with Jupiter marching brass. The cheapest they could buy. They have replaced those horns, but for years those kids gave everything they had from the very bottom of their marching shoes and the horns held them back just a bit. But I love to watch Memphis Sound. Watch out for them in 2006 with their new staff and the same positive attitude.

What about The Academy? Excellence in fundraising and all things from the very beginning. Their board raised tons of money without complaint. Haven't they been undefeated in two years?? But more importantly, they are very financially sound. Impulse is financially sound enough they bought new instruments last year and hired staff this year.

Look at the Blue Stars moving back up through the ranks and back into Div I by giving no excuses and moving forward.

Lots of good examples.

Jim

It's obvious that ANY organization would be lucky to have Jim invovled with thier corps. I think it's great to see him take to task the people involved for the dimise of this corps. The last thing people want is to be held accountable when screw up. Don't let up Jim, find out what is going on, ask where the monies went, where the equipment is, don't let anyone get away with anything!