Amazing grace! For 34 years, since the days of vinyl LPs, Steve Vickers (Drum Corps Hall of Fame), with the aid of a capable office staff like Steve Powers and Kelly Bitter, editors; Barb Loeffelholz, office manager; advertising staff and summer interns, have cranked out the ultimate rag, Drum Corps World. Writers and Canon carriers galore, including Carman Cluna (Hall of Fame), contributed in the early days.
Photographers such as Moe Knox were snapping 35mm film. Knox, like Fort Knox, still is an institution. Just ponder how DCW’s “photogs” have made a picture worth a…: Ron Walloch, Francesca DeMello, David Rice, Dan Scafidi, Harry Heidelmark, Karen Sunmark, Richard Wersinger, Alan Winslow, Dave Dunckel, Jeff Sallee, Hans Kloppert (Europe and U.S.), et al. Scribes have scribbled daily news from around the planet: Ace Holleran, Pat Chagnon (photographer too), William Aldrich-Thorpe, Christina “Mav” Mavroudis-Dempsey…(Let me catch my breath)…Michael Carlson, Ed Cagney (HoF), Vince Lamb, Ron Baysinger, Adam Burdett, Daniel Buteau (Canada, U.S.), Gary Dickelman, Andrew Wheeler, Bob Fields, Bill Flaker, Jeff Ream, Jeff Davis, Dr. Rosalie Sward, Stefanie Kressaty, James Althouse, Ken Mason (recording engineer, archivist), etc. From Europe, DCW has Ian Scaife, Richard Haw, Machiel Groeneveld, Andy Hewitt and more.
Special kudos goes to statistician extraordinaire Brian Tolzmann for his “The Amazing World of Drum Corps.” While the photographers are typically dependable in their output, some of us scribes are as predictable as fireflies flickering at noon.
Prior to DCW, the Caballeros, founded in 1946 by James J. Costello, Jr. (HoF), were typical of many returning veterans corps. Seniors primed the pump. Junior corps essentially were feeder corps for the seniors. As the influence of American Legions and Veterans of Foreign War posts, along with religious institutions like the Catholic Youth Organization, spread, juniors quickly outnumbered their senior brethren, setting the stage for the current DCW era. Frank Gerris (HoF) and others now lead the most honored senior corps of all decades, Hawthorne.
The essence of drum corps has changed in 34 years. Juniors had already supplanted seniors as the dominant force when DCW cranked out its first banner headline. Drum corps had evolved from the days of Don Warren’s (HoF) Cavaliers who entertained with classics like Bully in ’69 and ‘70. (The Cavies web site has an excellent history section.) Yet, in these three-plus decades, the influence of summer music boosted the performance level of scholastic marchers and guard from a Ford Pinto to a Shelby Mustang, especially high school and college.
Yellowjackets, Dutch Boy, Star, VK
DCW’s Yellow Brick Road has traversed the memory lane of corps like the
Bridgemen, Anaheim Kingsmen, Dutch Boy, Star of Indiana, Garfield Cadets,
Velvet Knights, ad nauseum. Many seniors got on down the road like a Mirage:
Ohio Brass Factory, Scout House, Jolly Jesters, etc. There’s no place
like corps past and present.
I’ve taken the quill pen in past DCWs to detail the contributions of “famers” and framers, usually cheering them on, occasionally flexing fiery talons like a possessed caracara. Here are shakers who roll-stepped impressions on me. I apologize for the multitude of other names that should be included. Pigeons be damned! Let’s step into name-droppings:
Sie, Jackie, Ferrara, Cisco
Sie Lurye (HoF) founded the Royal Airs. Sie’s daughter, Jackie Lurye-Borrelli,
directs the alumni corps that entertains thrillingly with its 60s music. Chris
Ferrara and “Cisco” are just two of RA’s fine soprano soloists
and wailers.
It takes formidable leadership to put a corps onto the field. Just try it. Vince Bruni (HoF), of Hilton, NY, was a 19-year-old director of the Rochester Crusaders. Later, Bruni founded the Hall of Fame (30th anniversary this year) and his own senior corps, the Empire Statesmen. He relied heavily on Bill McGrath, Sr. (HoF) and McGrath’s wife, Irene (HoF). McGrath, Jr. (HoF), and McGrath III have their own legacies. Dave Bruni (HoF) led the ’04 Statesmen (five DCAssociates titles in 14 years) to yet another DCA title, winning director of the year honors.
Brunis, McGraths, Allens, Slade
Vince Bruni and the entire McGrath family taught me only a smidgeon of their
knowledge. With that thimble of education, I know enough to cherish drum corps.
Thanks, Irene, for our wonderful visit at DCA Scranton ‘05.
Donny and Tommy Allen are two of the brusquest Eastern hard butts. I’ve argued drill dots in early spring rehearsals and gone down to the end of the entire soprano line in rehearsals to avoid the lead sop smokers, but the Allens turn out champions. I’ll march beside either of them again, or Donny’s son, Tim, any time.
Tom Slade, Jr., may have been selected as Cincinnati Policeman of the Year, but he is unknown to some outside of Buckeye country. Slade, along with Keith and Kathi Heinlein, have kept corps alive in southern Ohio since 1983, after a long junior career. Cincinnati Tradition and Mirage, Sr., are two of his legacies. Playing Taps at Tom Slade, Sr.’s funeral after the 21-gun salute was truly an honor.
Tom Peashey, now with the Seattle Cascades, and Butch Kolosso, Americanos, know more about drum corps finances and instruction than I’ll ever learn in years of working bingo.
Bull, Wolfe, Capone, Hooton, Dowlan
During the ’94 Hall of Fame cruise, where I performed with the Empire
Statesmen, I met some of the heroes of corps: President George Bull, Lee Wolfe,
Joe Capone, John Dowlan (one of the top snares ever!) and Carol Hooton, wife
of “Wild Bill” Hooton (all HoF). Dowlan, John Flowers (also HoF),
Rodney Goodhart (HoF) and John Bosworth made up the remarkable back-sticking
(first time for back-sticking) 1958 U.S. Air Force Drum Quartet.
Roman and Sue Blenski (Roman, HoF) – I hoist a Schlitz to both of you and DCMidwest. In my many encounters, I’ve only seen Roman without his Greek cap twice, when he, Sue and their grandson graciously gave me a ride from DCI Orlando ’96, and September 9 at Joel “Lothar” Magnuson’s Racine funeral. The Blenski’s comprehend the symbiotic relationship of juniors and seniors.
Hopkins, Hickman, King, Fiedler
George Hopkins, Cadets director, is a man that I have lambasted between pages
three to 32 in DCW on many key issues and woodwinds. Yet, YEA!, don’t
take me wrong. I have the utmost respect for Hopkins. He is a true champion.
Kudos to Hopkins for your hospitality during the 1996 tour when you allowed
me to pour out “Cozy’s Corner” columns from the privacy of
your comfy staff bus. During this ’96 tour, the Cadets played for the
closing ceremony of the Olympics in Atlanta, one billion television viewers,
no doubt the largest drum corps audience ever!
Likewise, I’ve taken on DCInternational’s Executive Director Dan Acheson. Acheson salvaged DCI in its waning years. As DCI’s savior, he deserves our respect. Acheson earned mine.
Brian Hickman, Cadets assistant director when I first met him and his new lovely wife in 1996, was a man I knew would lead the Glassmen well, whether in Europe or ‘Merica.
The Westshoremen put on a phenomenal exhibition at the DCI Orlando ’96 shindig. I had a front sideline view, covering for DCW. Their fine sop soloist – Oops! – flipped his mouthpiece forward of the front sideline. Being a non-judged event, he managed to hasten to the stadium wall, retrieve his pucker piece and sail into his next solo riff.
The Westshoremen drama paled to the judges’ powwow I observed down in the corner of the ’96 Citrus Bowl. I commented to some Cadets staff, “Something’s up.” Phantom Regiment, second-place winners four times, tied the Blue Devils. The Blue Devils graciously offered for PR to do the first victory concert.
Michael King, like Slade, has kept drum corps thriving in Ohio with his Marion Glory Cadets.
Jeff Fiedler, Cavaliers director, is the consummate leader. At the 2000 Washington, D.C., DCI Championships, I yelled out to Fiedler from the DCW booth, “You’re going to win (finals) tonight,” but I don’t believe he heard me. I’d watched the Cadets get flatter and complacent from quarterfinals to semifinals. Sitting in the third row on the 45, I watched the Cavies take it.
Greg Orwoll has always struck me as one of the kindest men alive. The Colts and Colt Cadets reflect his vision.
Grupp, Tisch-something, Hoines
Roger Grupp, Minnesota Brass soprano soloist, is one of my highlights from
the Scranton dugout or in DCM DeKalb. The trios, the quartets, from MBI have
erased laps everywhere. Grupp’s wife, Tina, is one smooth mello soloist.
Other fine soloists from MBI include DCA Individual & Ensemble champs
Dennis Tischhauser, contra, bari, mello, kitchen sink, and Cynthia Hoines,
bari duet.
Semeyn, Pooh, Steele, J.C., El Guapo
Bill Semeyn, Kilties and Statesmen sop soloist, is as close to a perfect soloist
as I’ve ever known. His brother, Gary, plays a fine French horn.
Doug “Pooh Bear” Kenyon, Blue Devils, Royal Airs and Renegades baritone, is one of the best soloists ever. Kenyon was “the bari” in the ‘80s BD and added a DCA I&E win. Pooh Bear plays mellow and rips. Double-high C’s!
Jimmy Steele, past Empire mello soloist and Spirit staff, ranks right with Kenyon for power and precision and has several DCA I&E titles. J. C. Caspers, phenomenal Kiltie mellophone soloist, has been known to sing solos (’99 DCA) when he loses a slide.
Bill Roetzer, Mike Kaufman, Mike and Sharon Faeh, Frank “El Guapo” Cardenas, Brian Moriarty, Jim Sobacki, Keith Mitchell – the Joe Fazzari, Jeff/Terri/Caitlin Erickson, Adam Szlagowski and Dan/Beth Landbo clans – Kathy Myers, Maury Lillis, John Martinoff, Al Cunningham, Ray “Moon” Johnson, Russ Bjork, Joe Uhle, etc., are pure Mad Plaid.
Price, Pero, Marotta, DiAmico, Ponzo
Thank you, Ritchee Price, for bringing back Matadors memories when you soloed
with Empire last year. What a pleasure it was to see Joey Pero step back in,
fresh from his Maynard Ferguson tour. Now, if Jim Centorino (HoF) would only
reappear from California.
Gene Marotta and Jimmy DiAmico, (both HoF Cabs) were covered by DCW for their fine solos. More recently, Frank Ponzo has soared for Hawthorne.
Martin, Bucky, Grass, Dorritie, Ace
Tommy Martin, Bucky Swan, and John Simpson (all HoF) ripped high on Sky’s
“Portrait in Brass” album. John Grass and George (Sidemouth) Richardson
add their own panache, all led by Sky’s Carl Ruocco (HoF).
Frank Dorritie and John “Screech” Arietano (both HoF) were fine sop soloists for Sun, as was/is Amerigo “Riggie” Laus (HoF) with the Pittsburgh Rockets and Steel City Ambassadors.
Ken “Ace” Peterson (HoF, Appleknockers, now St. Joe’s) has a blast when he entertains right at the stadium fence like last year’s DCA Alumni Show. St. Joe’s vivacious director is Bob “Sully” Sullivan (HoF).
Corso, Silva, Hershman, Gentile
Michael “Red” Corso (HoF) controls the purse strings of DCA and
the hearts of fans from yesteryears of the Matadors. Gil Silva (HoF) is a
wonderful DCA president to carry on the dreams of Mickey Petrone (HoF). Larry
Hershman (HoF), new DCA vice-president, is one of the noblest men in corps.
Glen Johnson, secretary, keeps everyone in order. Dick Eshenmann, business
manager, has done it all for DCA. Fred Windish has big shoes to fill, Tom
Peashey’s, in his role as public relations guru.
Philip Gentile (HoF) is one dashing drum major with his shimmering silver hair fronting the Yankee Rebels. William “Wild Bill” Hooton (HoF) was such an entertaining drum major. Carol Hooton (HoF) keeps the flame blazing for the Hall of Fame. Jimmy Russo and Ralph Silverbrand (both HoF) – They’re the consummate DMs!
McEntire, Harings, Eddlemans
Mac McEntire is one “kew-el” (two-syllable “cool”) dude
as a visuals wiz for the Renegades and Kilties. Mac: Anti-marching pants?
Give me seven evil explanations, please.
Fran and Barbara Haring, along with Dave and Carol Eddleman, are two of my favorite married couples. Dick Pronti (HoF) and Barbara Haring did a remarkable initial job of running the ’05 DCA Individual & Ensemble after the tragic loss of Donna Ernst.
Vince Bruni selected me for the Drum Corps All-stars as one of the representatives in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. I’ll always remember 18 of us playing the Today television show theme while Katie Couric stood by watching over 400 other members march through the building, playing on live television. Our two-minute drill on NBC during the parade was a highlight of many personal high points. I “shoulda” bought the video.
Kelsey, Tru, Ott, Kerchner, Hy
Donny Allen (HoF, ’94 DCA Showmanship, ’94 Empire String of Pearls),
Gerry Kelsey (’03 Kilties Syne, Renegades, ’06 Empire and Kilts),
Tru Crawford (HoF, Royal Airs and USMC), Jim Ott (HoF, late 70s/early 80s
Spirit of Atlanta), Larry Kerchner (HoF), Hy Dreitzer (HoF), Scott Boerma
(Madison), Jay Bocook (Cadets), Wayne Downey (HoF, Blue Devils, Brigs), John
Arietano (HoF, Sun, Empire….), et al., (corps aficionados know my drift)
are/were some of the finest brass arrangers.
DeLucia, DeLong, Aungst, Bru
Some fine percussion arrangers: Dennis DeLucia (HoF); Dan “Cruise”
DeLong, now with Bush; and Tom Aungst of the Cadets.
A few of the visionaries for guard and visuals are/were: Michael Gaines and Steve Brubaker, Cavs; Marc Sylvester and April Gilligan, Cadets; and Vince Monacelli, Empire and Winter Guard International.
DeSantis, Wally, C. J.
Cymbal players: Al DeSantis of the Hurricanes was a monster in the ’94 Macy’s Parade, marching mile after mile with cymbals so immense (45”, 60 lbs?) that it took the entire span of his long arms to keep from nipping his nose. DeSantis, a plumber, has done everything from building percussion racks, to program coordinating, to directing the Hurcs. Wally Schilg, Kilties cymbalist, has the most photographed mug in DCW. Cymbal Jones, C. J., was one of the most entertaining percussionist ever in the ’94 Statesmen’s Frank Sinatra tribute. Ed Schonessy, of the Tonight Show Band (Johnny Carson and Doc Severinsen era), told me privately once that cymbals significantly differentiate jazz from rock. All these guys put a lot on the plates.
Bull, Nalls, Rudnicki, LaTour
There are so many corps folks I’d like to know better, including: George
Bull (HoF), old director of the Yankee Rebels; Chris Nalls and Lee Rudnicki,
Renegades; Fran and Barb Haring, Fran: “Voice of DCA,” Barb: co-director
of DCA I&E; Larry Hershman, DCA VP; The DMs Jimmy Russo and Ralph Silverbrand;
Greg Orwoll, Colts director; Ed Dempsey, DCI Marketing; Marc Sylvester, Cadets
visual coordinator; Michael Carlson and Jeff Ream, DCW writers; Scott Stewart,
former Madison director; Dennis Tischhauser, MBI contra “charicature;”
John Donovan, Drum Corps Planet’s new publisher; etc. I’d like to
sit down with Brent Turner, Gavin Burnham, Kurt Schiebel, et al., all of Minnesota
Brass.
People you should know better: Dave Bruni, Empire drum major; Moe LaTour, Cadets finance coordinator; Tom Peashey, Cascades bean counter; Butch Kolosso, Americanos; Steve “Hair Bear” Masters, jr. and sr. bari, Westshore (DCA Showmanship), Brigs and Kilties pit, and major benefactor to Ohio kids (Should be in HoF); etc.
Where, oh, where are they? Throughout the decades of drum corps, a vast army of instructors, performers, volunteers and fans left their white-suede impressions on our activity. Life happens, but we could all benefit if many of them would reappear.
Murray, Kanstul, King, Wright
The manufacturers have their place in corps. Allan Murray is a superb Dynasty
vice-president who knows his clientele. The Kanstul family has always been
around for us. Slingerland and others may be gone, but Pearl, Yamaha, etc.,
are here. King is back. Fred J. Miller and family see to our uniform and guard
needs. A. J. Wright is an important benefactor.
Souvie gals, Peashey, Mickey, Pepe
In occasional corps fiction columns of the year 2020, I have mentioned the
Drum Corps Old Folks Home. In a perfect world that has such retirement when
my time comes, I’d like to rock on the cozy porch and reminisce with
visitors like the souvie ladies of PR, RA and Cabs and the ‘Coats souvie
man, Tom Peashey, Larry Hershman, Michael King, Greg Orwoll, Tom Slade, Keith
and Kathi Heinlein (Cincy Tradition along with Slade), Dr. Terence Frenz (“If
not 80 horns in the Ohio Brass Factory, Dr. T, how many?”), et al. And
I want to be serenaded by the Stealthmen!
When my time comes to pass muster through the Slingerland Gates, I want to reflect in the glow of “Mr. B” and Bill McGrath, Gail Royer (HoF), Jerry Seawright, Lothar, Carman, Tru, Mickey, Pepe Notaro (HoF, “I want violence!!!”), Tom Slade, Sr., et al. Corpsdom will never see their likes again.
Carman Cluna beckoned me to sit with him on the 50 during the ’93 DCA Championships in, yes, Scranton, where he correctly predicted all the placements. Consider that Empire lost by .4 to Bush. If only I knew as much as Cluna did. If only I had the vast experience of Frank “The Beard” Lozar (finally in HoF) who marched over 60 years, many of them with Minnesota Brass. If only we all had the dedication of a John “Cupcakes” Curran family with the loyalty of Cheryl and others. Then, drum corps would sweep us away mightily, like Connecticut Hurricanes (especially in ’67, ’69 and ’81).
Kolosso, Bays, Chaffee, Unger
Some memories that come to mind in the DCW era: Jim Ott and Spirit of Atlanta in the late 70s, early 80s. ’82 Blue Devils. Helping with Michael King’s ’94 Marion Cadets as they entertained with five super-solid brass – Go Sean! 28 snares in the 27th Lancers exhibition at ’94 DCI Boston. Writing for DCW about Butch Kolosso’s 28 ‘Canos putting on phenomenal entertainment in ’94. Going undefeated with the ’94 Empire Statesmen. Rick Bays’ business plan for Capital Regiment. Winning fifth in Mirage Sr.’s first-ever contest, June 16, 1995, DCM, Columbus, OH, playing Donny Allen charts. Mirage competing in its first DCA contest. The worn grass pattern branded at a Florida high school stadium after the ’96 Cadets had rehearsed the same exploding drill for a few days. Sleeping with the ’96 Cadets in an Orlando area high school band room when school was in session. Seeing PR tie BD at ’96 DCI Orlando. Marching with the Kilties at the DCA show at ’99 DCI Madison. Watching the Cadets let the title slip to Cavs at ’00 DCI Washington, D.C. Brigs wowing the crowds. DCI Madison any year. Strange judging for the Madison Scouts for a couple of years. DCI forgetting the symbiosis of seniors and alumni to juniors for, thankfully, a short time. The joy of seeing Paul Chaffee’s Racine Scouts. The vast improvement of the Joliet Kingsmen. Cabs weird Egyptian theme, which morphed back to latin. The expansion of DCA to Central, South and West divisions. The largest ever DCA Championships in ’05! Being in the Kelsey-arranged Syne trio closer feature.
The future shocks may come from Brent Unger’s Austin Stars Sr., Lakeshoremen, Bridgemen, Prairie Sound (Skyriders?), a Montreal-reborn Les Metropolitains (one can always hope), or a host of others. Whether our future is sizzling brass, grandiloquent snares and dazzling pageantry or Norwegian wood, muffled backfield percussion and ballet to cacophony, let’s all keep the pitch and shovel our resources. Let’s hope the troupes entertain.
Steve Vickers has kept DCW and DCI Madison championships going superbly, publishing the accomplishments of all the above. Through bad health years and competing against self-proclaimed www journalists, Vickers has put out the finest publication in all of drum corps. Add the growing volumes of “A History of Drum Corps” books, and Vickers is his own institution. The past 34 years have been so amazing and full of grace that we should celebrate it twice. DCW – 34 years young!
Hmm, ye ol’ quill pen has expended its ink. Time for a ‘nut butter
‘n ‘nana sandwich. Sfz!