I can watch this every night as it brings me back to happier times. The same hype that we had brought me through my cancer treatments 83 brass proud to be a member and as Matt said it was a dream. Thank you all
I marched Cadets ‘82 and have to admit I was always digging when I saw Bridgemen entering the field! I wish you guys could do more of these. Very grateful for this😎👍🏻
Mike Page taugh the Arizona Musketeers in 1987, Mike wrote some good drumline music, I was in the Musketeers snare line. We had staff who marched Bridgemen, Velvet Knights, Freelancer, Blue Devils and Santa Clara Vanguard.
I marched '80 27th and it was my only year with them. I tell you at finals- as a performer I got mixed messages from instructors and the "instructor helpers" in ALABAMA. But At DCI East Coast the lead instructors where the last to PEP talk us. And we went out to to the 1980 DCI EAST to do the job. At finals Birmingham the lead instructors wanted to get to the stands and did not walk out to the line with us. Just before going out we got a "pep talk" that got me confused just before stepping off the line. That talk had me feeling as if there was still work to do. But, the message before that was from lead instructors, it had been "the work is over" lay it down tonight. I say to instructors, watch who is saying things to the corps at crucial moments. TY for the mention in this video. n F.Y.I I love the '78 Bridgemen foreva' Right now i am with 2022 Crusaders Senior and Ray Fallon is putting in a very new approach, into the mix and we like it. (our drum in being taught by Charlie Poole) Just got home from an early Memorial Day Parade . 5/22/2022
I really enjoyed listening to this conversation. Was into drum corps from my years in high school throughout my adult life. Want to reach out and say "HI" to an old college friend and fraternity brother, "HI PAT". This series was tremendously educational and fun.
Bob Dubinski did it with the corps annually. THE MAN IN THE GLASS When you get what you want in your struggle for self and the world calls you "King For a Day" Just go to a mirror and look at yourself and see what the man has to say. For it isn't your parents-your children-or wife, whose judgement upon you must pass The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life is the one staring back from the glass. Some people may think you're a straight shooting chum, and call you a wonderful guy But the man in the glass knows you’re only a bum - if you can't look him straight in the eye. He's the fellow to please, never mind all the rest, for he's with you clear up to the end. And you’ve passed your most dangerous and difficult test if the man in the glass is your friend. You may fool the whole world down the pathway of life - and get pats on your back as you pass But your final reward will be heartaches and tears, If you've cheated the Man in the Glass. Dale Winbrow
This video conversation was a real treat to listen to ! Thank you for putting it all together. Member of Fantasia 3 - triple crown year for Dennis 1981, and had the honor of marching in the 2010 Bridgemen Alumni corp. Thanks Dennis for the artistry and Jim Miller who brought me into F3!!!
I marched i n a small neighborhood corps in the 70s in Rhode Island where we were given one head and one pair of sticks at the beginning of the season. If you broke a head or a stick, you had to go buy a replacement. And the drums were like 10 years old. But with the instructors from 27th and the grit of the kids in the line, we won every week. The other corps would buy the newest sticks, or drums, or heads, but we told them, if you can play it doesn't matter what you have!
As a brass player in 83 With the Bridgemen I found this video just amazing great job guys I remember practices also and would love to just turn around after a set and watch you guys hype out! Thanks to adding to my most wonderful experiences with Bayonne Al Fiocco 83 Mellophone
Al!!!!! Rocco Fiocco!!!! How are you doing! So great to connect here, abet all these years! I sure hope you're doing well, and I'm glad that you enjoyed our video!
I marched snare with Spirit of Atlanta when we tied Bridgemen for high percussion in 1980. (19.2) This was the first year in a string of "wins" for Delucia. He was a class act and came on the field at finals retreat and shook all of our hands. This doesn't happen that often. This was the first time a tie happenned so the judges had to get together and discuss how to break the tie. They decided to use the general effect caption and gave the trophy to Bridgemen. Float would get his due later when he went to Blue Devils. Always liked the Bridgemen style of playing. A very loose style with slurred interp that flowed well with the music they played. Good to see the old guys still around.
The brass in 83 had a night that was just as challenging in Titusville Florida it was foggy and humid and rainy. We had to play so loud just to make sure we were coming across. Are hair stayed wet for hours it was so humid. Would do it all over again tomorrow
Dennis! I’m 55 now! My only bucket list thing is learning the traditional grip straight eighths thing! Had a blast with you in Winston Salem Yamaha sounds of summer those years! I have never been able to figure it out! Please do a video on how the B’men snare line kept that pulse with just left hand!
Love the discussion regarding caption ranking outpacing the corps placement ranking. De La Salle Oaklands under Tom Float was another example of this under the tick system. In the modern era, I see Troopers percussion consistently outpacing the corps ranking. I do have concerns about judges being afraid to reward "caption integrity" especially as the season progresses.
All on mylar, back in the day when you had to dig a stick out of the head to get any speed! And a head that resonated, amplifying any dirt! The high-tension heads just enable so much more stick velocity with a finite sound, it's hard for modern players to appreciate what it meant to play clean like this!
Listened to the 82 shows over and over. We always thought it was “nail this piece!” Great to hear the real story. Great conversation. Thanks for the Inside Baseball.
Dennis DeLucia will likely not remember me (I marched in the snare line during the first part of the season for Star of Indiana in 1986 when I was only 21 yrs old, before I popped a tendon in my left hand, left the corps, and would have been cut anyway, as I truthfully never really had the talent to hang with all those terrific drummers back then), but being affiliated with drum corps was one of the most profound experiences of my life! Before I briefly marched with Star back in 1986, I marched for a small corps from Louisiana in 1982 known as the Louisiana Southernaires, and I had the good fortune of seeing in person my favorite drumline of all time; the Bayonne Bridgemen, a couple of times during the 1982 season!! Before seeing the Bridgemen drumline during the 1982 season, I would sit in my room in the house I grew up in, in Waggaman, LA and listen to the 1980 Bayonne Bridgemen drumline on a cassette tape that a friend made for me. I would play that tape over and over and over again!! Watching the Bridgemen drumline at finals in Montreal, Canada in 1982 was an experience I will never forget for the rest of my life! If you struggle to hear just enough, I'm the guy way up in the stadium at the end of the Black Market Juggler drum solo yelling "OH YEAH!! OH YEAH!! BRIDGEMEN!!" People around me at the time probably thought I must have lost my mind!! Haha!! I didn't give a crap. Those guys were flat out AWESOME!!! When I worked in the intel community a few years back, I brought the 1982 DCI Finals DVD to one of my regular staff meetings, and made my entire staff listen to the 1982 drum solo. I talked with them about striving for excellence, teamwork, and the critical importance of every member of the team doing their job. I must have played the 1982 drum solo literally about 5000 times during these past decades and will always hold the 1982 Bridgemen drumline up as the "GOLD STANDARD" of excellence, teamwork, and as close as anyone can ever hope to get to near perfection!! Having the opportunity to meet Dennis DeLucia, and briefly learn under his instruction, however brief in time, was a dream come true. Simply thanking him could never express the incredible gratitude and incredible delight I had back in my younger days, and even today as an old man in my mid-50's, every time I listen to the 1982 drum solo, I crank it up as loud as I can and a rush of adrenaline courses through my body as I listen and watch those guys perform magic on their percussion instruments. Yes, the Bridgemen drumline of the late 1970's and early 1980's will always remind me of how the Oakland Raiders used to be thought of during their heyday; that is, sheer bad assess at the top of their game that you knew were going to win, were the coolest guys you ever saw, especially with those bad ass outfits, black hats and pink ribbons during the 1982 season, and black and gold drums, and a group that you aspired to be a part of. The Bayonne Bridgemen of the late 1970s/early 1980s has always been, and will always be, my favorite corps, bar none! Thanks for this incredible video that made me feel like I was 17 & 21 years old again. :-)
Wow, great video. I was fortunate to have Dubie come write for us at Bluecoats in 86 and 87 (and some instruction) and Jay instruct in 88. To learn from those two was a phenomenal experience
Omg! Great to see you all! This was a great video and brought back some of the fondest memories from my youth. The memories of Pittsfield, Man in the Glass, everything... I so value the opportunity to have been part of such a remarkable piece of history. - Rick Ruddle ('82 bass line) Oooosss!
It’s been rough times I was diagnosed with Brain cancer and underwent surgery but I’m ok now I beat it they say but still fearful Drum Corp got me through the entire ordeal if it wasn’t for that I don’t know say hello to all for me Hype brother Rocco
So glad you're ok!!! I'll pass this along to the Fantasia & Bridgemen folks that I see (a lot of them are on Facebook)... do you have a social media account? Just great to hear from you!
Congratulations, I am free years out of colon cancer, 12 rounds of chemotherapy and two major surgeries. Also why I was a member of the Long Island Sunrisers 1964 through 1968, at the start of the 66 season we did an indoor exhibition, at the mosque theater in New Jersey, we were heading home back to Long Island to have some Chinese food, crossing the Pulaski Skyway, had a head-on collision 110 miles an hour, two people were in the car that hit us head-on, myself and our drama instructor was a good friend of mine we both had our last rights, also unfortunately I hold the record for the longest spine surgery ever in United States nothing to do with the car accident, I I was given my last rights as well after 18 1/2 continuous hours of surgery and then a real bad staph infection on top of that oh, so I had my last rites twice, and then surviving cancer. I always had a positive attitude and a good sense of humor. If you can survive competing in the drum and bugle Corps activity you can survive anything, I am living proof as you are. God bless you, and stay healthy. John Dowling, may he rest in peace, we became good friends, we started the American Spirits in your alumni drum and bugle Corps back in 1992, we only lasted about two years because Suncoast sound, was always putting us down, stating those old guys know nothing about this activity, myself John Dowling have one state and national championships many times John Dowling aside from being a great from instructor for many top course one for national championships at a single contest a national championship. His brother played trumpet so he would always pick up the trumpet and play around, there was a national individual and quartet competition, his brothers brass quartet were missing one of the soprano players he filled in and they won first place brass quartet, then he entered individual bugle won first place, then he took first place individual snare drama, then first-place drum quartet, and that was the first time he introduced back sticking to the world. Four national championships in a single day at the same contest, a record that was never and probably never will be matched. I apologize for any errors in my comments I am visually impaired, and I depend solely on voice recognition. Always great to hear from, former members of drum and bugle Corps. Today is April 18th 2023
None of these guys knew how to read drum tabs on that snareline,,Fred Sanford would have lhao,but yet they where the best drumline in 82.Those 15" Slingerland snares still sounded pristine and unparalleled to any percussion brand to this day.
Hi Tom... thanks for your kind words. Would it surprise you to know that almost everyone in that line, specifically the snare section (but many others as well) were all Music Majors at top university programs across the country? So, not only could they read music, but many could compose music as well! Almost everyone in that line was, or still is, in the Music Industry - either as educators or performers... and you're 100% right about the tuning of those snares!
@@gjamesmiller3 I practised on that 15" Slingerland snare back in high school in 85 and it brought tears to my eyes when Slingerland went under in 1986.The Freelancers back in 1982 were raving about that Bridgemen snareline and tenors,claiming how exposed those Slingerland snares were,there was no room for error.I got a chance to practice with Fred Sanford and Don Silva's Freelancers drumline in 83 , and Fred admired the 1982 Bridgemen drumline and how natural they sounded.
I purchased a slinging snare drum, 15x12 deep, from the air hole if you look in you can read the date, August 1958. I still have this drum today, and it sounds and looks like it just came out of the box when I received it delivered to my house. I was 15 years old when I purchased it. It's red sparkle, I always use mylar heads, and real cat got snares. And my opinion, the drums today, sound like cardboard boxes. And the drum lines today, play very few rudiments at all. It's more about rimshot after rimshot, head bobbing up and down, juggling, which has absolutely nothing to do with real rudimental drumming. Arms flailing all over the place, all sorts of body English, acting as though they did something that was great. Yes they still use back sticking, that was developed by John Dowling, may he rest in peace. We became good friends in the Tampa Bay Florida area back in 1992, when we started the American Spirit, Senior from and bugle Corps. We did not succeed, because of all the negative comments coming from Suncoast sound, not a single person would join, they were told that's a bunch of old guys that I have no idea what they're doing, John Dowling one of the best drum instructors ever, and player winning four national championships in a single competition, on the same day. First place solo soprano, first place, brass quartet. First place individual snare drum, first place drum quartet, while he was a member and instructor for the Air Force drama vehicle Corps. I am a former member of the, o l p h Ridge men, from Brooklyn New York, 1956 through 1959, former member of, Floyd Bennett golden eagles, 1960 and 1961. Also a former member, of the Long Island sunrises 1964 through 1968. We no longer have, Real Drum and bugle c o r p s. May they all rest in peace. In my opinion this is due to, DCI, turning the activity into a marching band competition, superimposed on the three-ring circus. They need to stop referring to it as Drum Corps International, and start calling it, marching band International. Call it what it really is. Nothing wrong with marching bands, but they are not, drum and bugle Corps. Today's date is November 3rd 2022.
@@americanspirit8932 Would love to have a rudimental session with you,snare drum champion at Clovis drumfest 1983,with the sacramento Freelancers and Fred Sanford sponsored.
@@gjamesmiller3 My observation was in response to Dennis DeLucia's assertion that winning High Percussion would be more difficult in the modern era pf DCI than in the 80s - i.e. that you can only win High Percussion in the modern era if all sections of the corps are top-performing.
@@icsa yes - exactly... more difficult, but not impossible. Groups that go on earlier have a tougher time as the judge, technically, has to leave room for the possibility that there are "X" number of groups that "could be" better. In other words - hard to get a perfect or even very high score, going on early in the event. Groups that have a great Brass ensemble, but weaker other elements of the group, would find it difficult to win "High Brass" going on earlier in the event.
would love to hear you guys try and put something together from 76 to the whenever....i guess Dennis would have a big role in figuring it out, but it would be cool to listen to how things evolved from the start.......i have tons of respect for Dennis for his part in trying to keep drum tone quality for as long as he did, instead of all the cookie cutter sound and technique took over...all the best man
Nail this beast! I was honored to march baritone one year in '83. I remember y'all well.
This was fascinating. Thank you.
James thanks for this awesome documentary I always wondered about this history!
I can watch this every night as it brings me back to happier times. The same hype that we had brought me through my cancer treatments 83 brass proud to be a member and as Matt said it was a dream. Thank you all
Thanks Al!!! Love you brother!!!
I marched with Todd Soo Hoo in Devils. What a great person!
Indeed. He was the best man in my wedding 35 years ago!
Never a better group of guys. Thank you all
Thanks Al!!! Miss you... email me if you want - gjamesmiller3@gmail.com
I marched Cadets ‘82 and have to admit I was always digging when I saw Bridgemen entering the field! I wish you guys could do more of these. Very grateful for this😎👍🏻
Thank you! We are planning on a few more.
As you noticed the Freelancers went from Ludwig to Pearl in 1984,the Cadets must of influenced Don Silva.
miss you john k 1978
Dubie gave us (Avant Garde) the same poem when he worked with us in '84. I still have it tacked up in my basement.
Mike Page taugh the Arizona Musketeers in 1987, Mike wrote some good drumline music, I was in the Musketeers snare line. We had staff who marched Bridgemen, Velvet Knights, Freelancer, Blue Devils and Santa Clara Vanguard.
I marched '80 27th and it was my only year with them. I tell you at finals- as a performer I got mixed messages from instructors and the "instructor helpers" in ALABAMA. But At DCI East Coast the lead instructors where the last to PEP talk us. And we went out to to the 1980 DCI EAST to do the job. At finals Birmingham the lead instructors wanted to get to the stands and did not walk out to the line with us. Just before going out we got a "pep talk" that got me confused just before stepping off the line. That talk had me feeling as if there was still work to do. But, the message before that was from lead instructors, it had been "the work is over" lay it down tonight. I say to instructors, watch who is saying things to the corps at crucial moments. TY for the mention in this video. n F.Y.I I love the '78 Bridgemen foreva' Right now i am with 2022 Crusaders Senior and Ray Fallon is putting in a very new approach, into the mix and we like it. (our drum in being taught by Charlie Poole) Just got home from an early Memorial Day Parade . 5/22/2022
I remember that night even some of the brass line was able to attend and hype with our brothers. It was a great night !!!!!to cheer them on
I really enjoyed listening to this conversation. Was into drum corps from my years in high school throughout my adult life. Want to reach out and say "HI" to an old college friend and fraternity brother, "HI PAT". This series was tremendously educational and fun.
thanks! I'll pass this along to Pat!
Dennis also taught the Sunrisers percussion in 76-83 and we won 6 percussion championships and the snare had zero tics in 1983 finals, my last show.
I MISS BAYONNE SO MUCH (1978-1981 PR ALUM)
Thanks Jim I’m getting stronger everyday love you guys.
Does any body from 83 remember we were sitting on a sidewalk before a show and someone read the man in the glass. Whitewater?
Bob Dubinski did it with the corps annually.
THE MAN IN THE GLASS
When you get what you want in your struggle for self and the world calls you "King For a Day"
Just go to a mirror and look at yourself
and see what the man has to say.
For it isn't your parents-your children-or wife, whose judgement upon you must pass
The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life is the one staring back from the glass.
Some people may think you're a straight shooting chum, and call you a wonderful guy
But the man in the glass knows you’re only a bum -
if you can't look him straight in the eye.
He's the fellow to please, never mind all the rest,
for he's with you clear up to the end.
And you’ve passed your most dangerous and difficult test
if the man in the glass is your friend.
You may fool the whole world down the pathway of life - and get pats on your back as you pass
But your final reward will be heartaches and tears,
If you've cheated the Man in the Glass.
Dale Winbrow
This video conversation was a real treat to listen to ! Thank you for putting it all together.
Member of Fantasia 3 - triple crown year for Dennis 1981, and had the honor of marching in the 2010 Bridgemen Alumni corp. Thanks Dennis for the artistry and Jim Miller who brought me into F3!!!
Thanks Mark!
Hi Mark- I marched a small Garden State Circuit corps (Pioneer Scouts) and was a big Fantasia III fan. The drumline was "Nuthin' But Da Best!"
I marched i n a small neighborhood corps in the 70s in Rhode Island where we were given one head and one pair of sticks at the beginning of the season. If you broke a head or a stick, you had to go buy a replacement. And the drums were like 10 years old. But with the instructors from 27th and the grit of the kids in the line, we won every week. The other corps would buy the newest sticks, or drums, or heads, but we told them, if you can play it doesn't matter what you have!
As a brass player in 83 With the Bridgemen I found this video just amazing great job guys I remember practices also and would love to just turn around after a set and watch you guys hype out!
Thanks to adding to my most wonderful experiences with Bayonne
Al Fiocco
83 Mellophone
Al!!!!! Rocco Fiocco!!!! How are you doing! So great to connect here, abet all these years! I sure hope you're doing well, and I'm glad that you enjoyed our video!
Al! Sending good wishes!
@@ninamalone9860 Thanks Nina !!!!!!! so Nice of you
F-in AL !!! Hope you are well my friend!
Never gets old
Cool vid and convo....great to see some of my good friends here...!! Dennis DeLucia, Matt Savage, Pat Petrillo...all cool!
I marched snare with Spirit of Atlanta when we tied Bridgemen for high percussion
in 1980. (19.2) This was the first year in a string of "wins" for Delucia. He was a class act
and came on the field at finals retreat and shook all of our hands. This doesn't happen
that often. This was the first time a tie happenned so the judges had to get together
and discuss how to break the tie. They decided to use the general effect caption and
gave the trophy to Bridgemen. Float would get his due later when he went to Blue Devils.
Always liked the Bridgemen style of playing. A very loose style with slurred interp
that flowed well with the music they played. Good to see the old guys still around.
Omg! Great to see all of you guys together again. 1982 was a very special year, loved all the memories!
The brass in 83 had a night that was just as challenging in Titusville Florida it was foggy and humid and rainy. We had to play so loud just to make sure we were coming across. Are hair stayed wet for hours it was so humid. Would do it all over again tomorrow
thanks Al - I hope you are well...
Great video - awesome group of people and an awesome discussion...1982 was a special year for sure!
Dennis! I’m 55 now! My only bucket list thing is learning the traditional grip straight eighths thing! Had a blast with you in Winston Salem Yamaha sounds of summer those years! I have never been able to figure it out! Please do a video on how the B’men snare line kept that pulse with just left hand!
Check out Matt Savage videos. He has a great demo on that!
Love the discussion regarding caption ranking outpacing the corps placement ranking. De La Salle Oaklands under Tom Float was another example of this under the tick system. In the modern era, I see Troopers percussion consistently outpacing the corps ranking. I do have concerns about judges being afraid to reward "caption integrity" especially as the season progresses.
All on mylar, back in the day when you had to dig a stick out of the head to get any speed! And a head that resonated, amplifying any dirt! The high-tension heads just enable so much more stick velocity with a finite sound, it's hard for modern players to appreciate what it meant to play clean like this!
But it's so much easier to play faster on a marching snare than a regular tensioned drumset snare.
Remarkable. Amazing...
Listened to the 82 shows over and over. We always thought it was “nail this piece!” Great to hear the real story. Great conversation. Thanks for the Inside Baseball.
Dennis DeLucia will likely not remember me (I marched in the snare line during the first part of the season for Star of Indiana in 1986 when I was only 21 yrs old, before I popped a tendon in my left hand, left the corps, and would have been cut anyway, as I truthfully never really had the talent to hang with all those terrific drummers back then), but being affiliated with drum corps was one of the most profound experiences of my life! Before I briefly marched with Star back in 1986, I marched for a small corps from Louisiana in 1982 known as the Louisiana Southernaires, and I had the good fortune of seeing in person my favorite drumline of all time; the Bayonne Bridgemen, a couple of times during the 1982 season!! Before seeing the Bridgemen drumline during the 1982 season, I would sit in my room in the house I grew up in, in Waggaman, LA and listen to the 1980 Bayonne Bridgemen drumline on a cassette tape that a friend made for me. I would play that tape over and over and over again!! Watching the Bridgemen drumline at finals in Montreal, Canada in 1982 was an experience I will never forget for the rest of my life! If you struggle to hear just enough, I'm the guy way up in the stadium at the end of the Black Market Juggler drum solo yelling "OH YEAH!! OH YEAH!! BRIDGEMEN!!" People around me at the time probably thought I must have lost my mind!! Haha!! I didn't give a crap. Those guys were flat out AWESOME!!! When I worked in the intel community a few years back, I brought the 1982 DCI Finals DVD to one of my regular staff meetings, and made my entire staff listen to the 1982 drum solo. I talked with them about striving for excellence, teamwork, and the critical importance of every member of the team doing their job. I must have played the 1982 drum solo literally about 5000 times during these past decades and will always hold the 1982 Bridgemen drumline up as the "GOLD STANDARD" of excellence, teamwork, and as close as anyone can ever hope to get to near perfection!! Having the opportunity to meet Dennis DeLucia, and briefly learn under his instruction, however brief in time, was a dream come true. Simply thanking him could never express the incredible gratitude and incredible delight I had back in my younger days, and even today as an old man in my mid-50's, every time I listen to the 1982 drum solo, I crank it up as loud as I can and a rush of adrenaline courses through my body as I listen and watch those guys perform magic on their percussion instruments. Yes, the Bridgemen drumline of the late 1970's and early 1980's will always remind me of how the Oakland Raiders used to be thought of during their heyday; that is, sheer bad assess at the top of their game that you knew were going to win, were the coolest guys you ever saw, especially with those bad ass outfits, black hats and pink ribbons during the 1982 season, and black and gold drums, and a group that you aspired to be a part of. The Bayonne Bridgemen of the late 1970s/early 1980s has always been, and will always be, my favorite corps, bar none! Thanks for this incredible video that made me feel like I was 17 & 21 years old again. :-)
'82 is still one of the best shows and a great year for DCI. I still remember Jimmy telling us - "rest on August 19th guys!" (1984 Alum)
wow - can't believe you remember that!
Thank you Nina!!!
Wow, great video. I was fortunate to have Dubie come write for us at Bluecoats in 86 and 87 (and some instruction) and Jay instruct in 88. To learn from those two was a phenomenal experience
Omg! Great to see you all! This was a great video and brought back some of the fondest memories from my youth. The memories of Pittsfield, Man in the Glass, everything... I so value the opportunity to have been part of such a remarkable piece of history. - Rick Ruddle ('82 bass line) Oooosss!
Hey Rick!!!! So glad to hear from you! I hope all is well... we might be doing more of these - will reach out if we do!
I don’t know if any of you marched with him, but Robb Muller passed away. Really great guy, musician and friend. 😢
It’s been rough times I was diagnosed with Brain cancer and underwent surgery but I’m ok now I beat it they say but still fearful
Drum Corp got me through the entire ordeal if it wasn’t for that I don’t know say hello to all for me
Hype brother
Rocco
So glad you're ok!!! I'll pass this along to the Fantasia & Bridgemen folks that I see (a lot of them are on Facebook)... do you have a social media account? Just great to hear from you!
God bless, Al!
Congratulations, I am free years out of colon cancer, 12 rounds of chemotherapy and two major surgeries. Also why I was a member of the Long Island Sunrisers 1964 through 1968, at the start of the 66 season we did an indoor exhibition, at the mosque theater in New Jersey, we were heading home back to Long Island to have some Chinese food, crossing the Pulaski Skyway, had a head-on collision 110 miles an hour, two people were in the car that hit us head-on, myself and our drama instructor was a good friend of mine we both had our last rights, also unfortunately I hold the record for the longest spine surgery ever in United States nothing to do with the car accident, I I was given my last rights as well after 18 1/2 continuous hours of surgery and then a real bad staph infection on top of that oh, so I had my last rites twice, and then surviving cancer. I always had a positive attitude and a good sense of humor. If you can survive competing in the drum and bugle Corps activity you can survive anything, I am living proof as you are. God bless you, and stay healthy. John Dowling, may he rest in peace, we became good friends, we started the American Spirits in your alumni drum and bugle Corps back in 1992, we only lasted about two years because Suncoast sound, was always putting us down, stating those old guys know nothing about this activity, myself John Dowling have one state and national championships many times John Dowling aside from being a great from instructor for many top course one for national championships at a single contest a national championship. His brother played trumpet so he would always pick up the trumpet and play around, there was a national individual and quartet competition, his brothers brass quartet were missing one of the soprano players he filled in and they won first place brass quartet, then he entered individual bugle won first place, then he took first place individual snare drama, then first-place drum quartet, and that was the first time he introduced back sticking to the world. Four national championships in a single day at the same contest, a record that was never and probably never will be matched. I apologize for any errors in my comments I am visually impaired, and I depend solely on voice recognition. Always great to hear from, former members of drum and bugle Corps. Today is April 18th 2023
Heh, heh, heh... It wasn't until Audubon folded that they finally weren't beating your drum line any more! 😂🤣😂🤣
Shout out Mr. Webb! Major influence in my life.
-Battery(tenor) Class of 2013
None of these guys knew how to read drum tabs on that snareline,,Fred Sanford would have lhao,but yet they where the best drumline in 82.Those 15" Slingerland snares still sounded pristine and unparalleled to any percussion brand to this day.
Hi Tom... thanks for your kind words. Would it surprise you to know that almost everyone in that line, specifically the snare section (but many others as well) were all Music Majors at top university programs across the country? So, not only could they read music, but many could compose music as well! Almost everyone in that line was, or still is, in the Music Industry - either as educators or performers... and you're 100% right about the tuning of those snares!
@@gjamesmiller3 I practised on that 15" Slingerland snare back in high school in 85 and it brought tears to my eyes when Slingerland went under in 1986.The Freelancers back in 1982 were raving about that Bridgemen snareline and tenors,claiming how exposed those Slingerland snares were,there was no room for error.I got a chance to practice with Fred Sanford and Don Silva's Freelancers drumline in 83 , and Fred admired the 1982 Bridgemen drumline and how natural they sounded.
I purchased a slinging snare drum, 15x12 deep, from the air hole if you look in you can read the date, August 1958. I still have this drum today, and it sounds and looks like it just came out of the box when I received it delivered to my house. I was 15 years old when I purchased it. It's red sparkle, I always use mylar heads, and real cat got snares. And my opinion, the drums today, sound like cardboard boxes. And the drum lines today, play very few rudiments at all. It's more about rimshot after rimshot, head bobbing up and down, juggling, which has absolutely nothing to do with real rudimental drumming. Arms flailing all over the place, all sorts of body English, acting as though they did something that was great. Yes they still use back sticking, that was developed by John Dowling, may he rest in peace. We became good friends in the Tampa Bay Florida area back in 1992, when we started the American Spirit, Senior from and bugle Corps. We did not succeed, because of all the negative comments coming from Suncoast sound, not a single person would join, they were told that's a bunch of old guys that I have no idea what they're doing, John Dowling one of the best drum instructors ever, and player winning four national championships in a single competition, on the same day. First place solo soprano, first place, brass quartet. First place individual snare drum, first place drum quartet, while he was a member and instructor for the Air Force drama vehicle Corps. I am a former member of the, o l p h Ridge men, from Brooklyn New York, 1956 through 1959, former member of, Floyd Bennett golden eagles, 1960 and 1961. Also a former member, of the Long Island sunrises 1964 through 1968. We no longer have, Real Drum and bugle c o r p s. May they all rest in peace. In my opinion this is due to, DCI, turning the activity into a marching band competition, superimposed on the three-ring circus. They need to stop referring to it as Drum Corps International, and start calling it, marching band International. Call it what it really is. Nothing wrong with marching bands, but they are not, drum and bugle Corps. Today's date is November 3rd 2022.
@@americanspirit8932 Would love to have a rudimental session with you,snare drum champion at Clovis drumfest 1983,with the sacramento Freelancers and Fred Sanford sponsored.
@@americanspirit8932 Here, Here 🥁⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
IIRC. Phantom Regiment won High Percussion in 2010 while the corps came in 6th place.
yes... and we were 9th... a bit harder to accomplish!
@@gjamesmiller3 My observation was in response to Dennis DeLucia's assertion that winning High Percussion would be more difficult in the modern era pf DCI than in the 80s - i.e. that you can only win High Percussion in the modern era if all sections of the corps are top-performing.
@@icsa yes - exactly... more difficult, but not impossible. Groups that go on earlier have a tougher time as the judge, technically, has to leave room for the possibility that there are "X" number of groups that "could be" better. In other words - hard to get a perfect or even very high score, going on early in the event. Groups that have a great Brass ensemble, but weaker other elements of the group, would find it difficult to win "High Brass" going on earlier in the event.
@@gjamesmiller3 In 82 the Freelancers were 9th,you beat us at 8th in Montreal.
would love to hear you guys try and put something together from 76 to the whenever....i guess Dennis would have a big role in figuring it out, but it would be cool to listen to how things evolved from the start.......i have tons of respect for Dennis for his part in trying to keep drum tone quality for as long as he did, instead of all the cookie cutter sound and technique took over...all the best man
thanks! Will pass this along to Dennis!
Guys, this is fantastic.
Hey! I gave you guys a 19!
wow? you guys won top percussion 3 straight years in a row? awesome!!!