Have you ever noticed how in the DCI world we've already selected our winner before the shows are even completed, before a note ever played, or a step taken on the green??

I was laughing with some old veteran friends about how silly we become sometimes, and we all wondered if the "hype" has a negative effect on those 6-12 corps because they don't really get the attention the elite corps do? So, with that said, does it mean that possibly this hype is showing up later on the judge's sheet because all summer they've heard how "amazing" and "...totally a top 4" these groups are and naturally develop a mindset that it must be so?

Of course, I realize if you march/play/spin like a bag, you're not going to get the points you deserve, but we're talking the elite...do you think maybe the "popularity" plays a part in deciding who the next champion is going to be?

I always say "they're just splitting hairs, and it's decided by the toss of a coin" due to just how excellent the top 3 or 4 usually are, any of them could be champions...maybe it's just the politics that decides? Or maybe there really is a reservation for the TRUE champion, maybe it's a fire unlike the other groups in the top?

As for me & my conspiracy theory of "hype" I think there is naturally more to this, it's fun & creative to wish before anything becomes of the season...but let's not forget those guys/gals in the lower end, they're doing some pretty stelar stuff as well!

Can anyone else smell the "DCI" in the air? Nothing like humidity, diesel, and sweat to REALLY get your veteran heart pumping!!!!

Till next time,

Ty.

Hey everyone - let me begin by apologizing for my extended absence. I've had a lot going on and because of personal reasons haven't had the spare time to get a post up.

So, where were we? Last I left you, Ashley and I were in the intensive care area, and it's around 10 o'clock and we're ready to go!!! Not going to happen. I'm escorted back out into the hallway of oblivion, were I again sit...lay...kneel...up & down until I couldn't take anymore so I go for a walk around the hospital.

As, I make my way to the front of the hospital I decide maybe some night air would make me feel better, relieve some tension, and hopefully wake me up. While I'm outside, quite a mixture of people--all races, some bohemian in appearance, upper-class, lower-class, and one very out of place drum corps staff member. Back & forth I pace around the courtyard, listening to snippets of conversations, smell of cigarettes from those smoking, and without warning a car comes barreling into the E.R. ambulance parking. A man jumps from the car, screaming--car still in gear and rolling--and runs to the passenger-side rear door pulling out a small boy, who was covered in blood. From my vantage point this young child was clearly dead, the first dead person I've ever seen (outside of funerals) and it will be a moment in my life I'll always remember. The man pulls the young boy up and drags him into the E.R. waiting area screaming for help, terrifying everyone in his path, and is eventually stopped by nurses and he and the boy taken into the critical area. Sadly, I knew from what I assumed on sight and later confirmed to be gunshot wounds to the head and chest that this poor boy had passed long before making it to the hospital, but the father was inconsolable, and wouldn't believe he was gone. Seeing a human in such a place of complete uncontrolled fear, sadness, and just need was again something I'll never forget.

Now, to stray away from that moment as it went on for some time, I was thoroughly ready to get Ashley and I back to the university. Luckily, it was only about 3 or 4 hours before she was ready and after signing several pieces of papers, listening to the doctor's orders on what she can and can't do (marching was on the can't list--FYI) we were free to leave.

Okay, so I didn't drive? I'm 300+ miles away from any of my vehicles, and so again...we.....wait!!

Ashley--half sedated & totally exhausted--was adamant on NOT sitting in the hospital, so anything to make her happy; we gathered our things and sat on the front stairs to wait for our ride (thank you, Kenneth for the rescue) but he seemed to take forever to arrive. Now, I'm a military brat with an Oklahoma upbringing, Ashley too, and we're not use to seeing many transient people or 'homeless' in slang, so the choice to wait on the stairs was not a good one. We soon became surrounded by men that wanted money, and without a doubt would have killed for much less than a dollar. I did my best to accommodate but as we all know the staff salary isn't luxurious, ha.

One guy decided to really befriend Ashley and I, faking an interest in what was wrong, and without us knowing pick pocketed my corps jacket--which Ashley was wearing as she slept for warmth-- He then jumped up and left us, thankfully Kenneth arrived soon after.

Before we could make it home, Ashley decided she was hungry and so a convenience store was the best option, I told her earlier I'd buy her whatever she wanted & just to hand me my wallet from the jacket...of course, gone. One U-turn later and 30 minutes digging through the hospital trash cans out front, my wallet was found but nothing remaining inside it.

Anyways, without skipping too many plot points we arrived home about the time the corps was waking for a new day of rehearsal and with that, this equation to end the story:

One neck brace + 30 stitches + 1 concussion + 18 hours at Memphis Regional – my wallet & all personal identification = a great summer story.

Ashley's parents arrived later that day to take her from the corps, told not to march she'd accepted that it was over, but within 2 weeks Ashley had rejoined the corps--still very sore & with a new appreciation for trees :) -- she was as good as new, one of my closest students, and an amazing someone I'll never forget.

Hope you enjoyed--leave a comment for me & Ashley, till next blog!!

Thanks-

Ty.

Now, it's roughly around the 1 o' clock hour when Ms. Ashley Burgess and I arrive at the Memphis Regional Hospital in downtown Memphis---what an interesting place---but I had no clue HOW interesting!

I barely have time to get out of the ambulance and grab my bag before Ashley is unloaded and rolled away (the last time I'd see her for quite some time) and I was escorted inside to begin filling out paperwork and start the process of contacting parents to let them know their daughter was indeed at the hospital and in the intensive care area.

As I'm sitting in the emergency room I begin to look around, not that I'm racist in any way, but I began to notice that I was of a major minority. I was in fact very much something to be stared at myself...it's not everyday you see a man tanned like that of leather, dirty from head to toe, barely dressed and with odd, almost neon, white feet in a hospital as the "official" caretaker of a child from hundreds of miles away, according to her release documents. (I'm sure D.H.S wouldn't have called me the picturesque parental, ha!)

Nevertheless, I was invested in the situation and determined to keep in contact with a set of parents I'd never met in person, updating them as often as I could, and pacing up and down a long corridor outside the intensive care until SOMEONE let me in to see my 'kid'!!

Well as the hours pass, from 1 to almost 6, I had been waiting...calling....pacing....praying....before some relief finally came to bring me; a phone charger, my wallet so I could eat, and more or less and pat on the shoulder for encouragement as I obviously wouldn't be leaving soon. So, again the waiting continued. I left the corridor long enough to get a sandwich and return as quickly as I could to my post outside. I was told that there were only certain times I could see Ashley and I wasn't going to miss my chance. Up and down the hall.. sitting.. laying.. trying to find some comfort on the floor, just one more phone call to reassure Mom and Dad that their daughter was okay. Up and down the hall again.. up and down off of the floor, and again one more phone call. I felt like the minutes were taking years to click by as I waited, begging every nurse, doctor, stranger, anyone that would let me go inside to see my injured kiddo and nothing, so I continued my routine.

Now, at or near 9pm a male nurse comes into the hallway, I'm sitting with my head on my knees, practically curled up in a ball outside the door. He walks up and says "Are you Ty?" and I nod in acknowledgement. "Well we need you to come in here, hurry!" It'd been several hours since I felt that rush of terror, but it was back again -- I was beyond afraid that I would walk in on a young lady passing away or worse already dead. I jumped up, grabbed my gear, and followed closely behind the nurse through a maze of injured, yelling, bleeding, broken and critical people in an overcrowded intensive care area. Walking up to a curtain he pulls it back and there lay Ashley, she was covered in dried blood and dirt, and looked as if she'd been mauled by a bear, or worse. Her scalp had been shaved, stitches everywhere, and she was semi-conscious from the drugs (which I later found out she had only just received for the FIRST TIME since we arrived) for the excruciating pain.

As she lay there, I caught her eyes and she looked up, smiled and said, "Don't worry, it's not bad. I'll still get to march." Of course, I was in no position to disagree and first things first - we got Mom and Dad on the cell phone (which was breaking a rule.. but who cares!). From this point it appeared the night would be over soon and we'd have Ashley back with her corps' family to rest -- too bad that wasn't what Memphis Regional had planned!

Well, looks like this will be a THREE PART NOVEL!

See you back soon for the conclusion...

So have you ever had that experience were you think ‘Today is gonna be a great day, I’m ready for anything!’? Well, my friend, you’ve never had a first day like this:

So let’s travel in time…

Summer 2006, Memphis Sound Drum & Bugle Corps, being just a know-nothing mello. tech, stepping into my first day as brass caption head while ours was away with his personal business demands. Now, picture me; so excited to make “my mark” on the corps, so ready to show off that I can really meet the demand of brass caption, so unready for what was to come. Now picture this:

Your typical, after lunch horn arc, warming up, playing through your everyday lip slur patterns, it’s hotter than hell (literally and humid!!). The hornline is back under its favorite shady area hoping to avoid a few minutes of sun. I’m out front, of course, directing away (not that they need me, what a talented corps that year). Suddenly, my WHOLE trumpet section goes running—well correction—almost my whole trumpet section, in my mind I think “What in the world!?” I saw nothing wrong, heard some odd cracking noise, but saw nothing, until a rather large branch comes falling and pinning one of my female players, smashing her from standing  at attention to the ground & I knew she was hurt, bad.

--Okay, at this point total horror was flying through my mind! I knew I’d just witnessed the death of a member by a TREE , of all things, and a good player at that!? Why is it that it’s always the less talented that survives? Haha. (No hate mail, that was a joke…sorta J ) Alright, so I think:

" My lord, what do I do?!" I have a member down, others scratched and bruised, and the remainder of the hornline was in a state of crying, crowding, and complete amazement at what had just happened….not quite unlike their caption head!

This is where I say thank God for volunteers , Mrs. Pam Opie (now, corps director) comes driving up, jumps out of the truck, and between her and I calling 911 and barking orders we got those needing attention inside and taken care of, the rest back to practice with the brass staff, and Ms. Burgess and me were off to the Memphis Regional Hospital; her in the back of the ambulance on a stretcher, me in the front trying to unroll my shorts, digging through my bag for a shirt to wear, and completely in a state of shock.

Now, this story is JUST beginning…

Did I mention it’s only about 1pm? Remember that & make sure to read my next blog for the rest of the story.

Stay tuned—Ty.

Today was an amazing day! I am beyond excited about the changes that are taking place in our nation. The 44^th President of the United States, President Barack Obama took office and with him the hopes and dreams of so many! I personally, am thrilled at the change, the challenge of a new mind, new government, new policies to be created and an era of peace and knowledge to be shaped, rather than fear and war!

How does all this affect the DCI realm? Look around us, what was once a thriving nation is now in financial ruin, what was a  "standard" for other nations, is now a warning to avoid our paths. I think with a new administration will come better prices, stronger and smarter financial decisions, and the ability to maintain the non-profits that are currently foundering in their own debt.

Recently, I read The Spartans Drum & Bugle Corps is selling off everything, from property to unused equipment in hopes to pay off what is hundreds of thousands of dollars accrued debt brought to light because of a bankruptcy filed. Why is this? How can a corps, with its great educational legacy be foundering so relentlessly? I know there are other possibly reasons besides our government  and  its current condition; however I know not many people have the money to invest or would invest in the non-profit realm just to see it collapse in a court.

I'm so sad for the Spartans, and many others like her. It recently was debated that Bands of America & the Make Music Corporation, like the Spartans will be failing under the debt if proper funding is not established. We as a people, we as alumni and fans of DCI, WGI, & BOA…or whatever non-profit and/or representative organizations you believe in, we need to step forward and demand that these organizations be preserved. Why should there be BILLIONS of dollars in relief for one company and yet not another? We have been living in a nation of "good ole boys" that get what they want, regardless the damage it causes…BILLIONS are gone, BILLIONS and we're no closer to stability than had they shut down shop.

I pray to the God I believe in, and respectably to whom or whatever you may believe, that a wise and fair person has taken office and will stop the corruption, stop the hand-outs, and reshape to provide for our nation's true needs!

Thanks for reading my small sermon and I hope you agree - if not leave me a (tactful) comment telling me what you think should be different.

Cheers!

-Ty.

I'd like to begin this blog with a pause of silence in remembrance of the late David Welch.

…My life was recently touched by the amazing story of David Welch and his struggle with cancer. David's story is that of a Holy Name Cadet, he showed the strength and wisdom that drum corps holds in highest regard, and his life reflected the persistence to win that all champions possess! I read his story not many months ago and sat completely in awe of how this once Cadet had been diagnosed with brain cancer, and with a lemon-sized tumor fought to live life as if there were no tomorrow. He educated many, raised countless dollars for research and charity, and today has touched the lives of many … including myself. Today, as I sat at my computer, I wept as I read he'd finally left this earth to be with his creator. 

It's amazing how I've never marched Cadets, nor do I have a close connection to them, but that morning I read David had passed I felt as if I had not only marched with, but lost my close friend. It never ceases to amaze me how close the DCI community truly is. We're all brothers and sisters of the games; we've all sweat, laughed, cried, performed like Gods, loved, and lived drum corps. From my heart to the Welch family, my greatest regrets to losing this strong soul, but with his departure I'm glad that he is finally home and at rest.

To my readers, whoever you are, I hope you'll visit David's website and read his story:

www.38lemon.com

Rejoice in the life of this man and share his story with your friends and family. 

Cheers,

Ty. Long

Welcome back to CorpsData and another edition of "Stepping Out!" 

So, recently I've had that yearning again, the good old "DCI plague" as I come to realize winter is VERY much here and its audition time for the ranks of DCI. Lately, I've been reading, listening, and speaking with fellow alumni and staff about the turnout for several corps and nothing but great news so far! However, we all know there are those that are very unhappy because he/she may not have made the Cadets their first audition out, or landed the lead trumpet gig with the Blue Devils at the age of 13 … well kids, reality check!

Now, please don't take any of this the wrong way, we're just going to air out the controversy of "unfair judging" or possibly "… they just didn't like me!" attitudes in the audition results. Being a past alumni, educator, and now "dad" to many kids I can say that I've heard my fair share of upset teenagers and young adults. Auditions in the world and open classes today aren't what they use to be, 'nuff said! The Summer Games are result of some amazing athletes with simply incredible talent, which is very hard to come by. Consequently, many young persons are "cut" or in a cup-is-half-full world, they are informed of their weaknesses and given advice to improve for later auditions. 

Okay, with all that said, I realize we all have our dreams and this can sometimes be an earth-shattering event when you receive your letter and you're not accepted. That boat has sailed kids, not much you can do to change it. So what's your next option? 

"I'll just quit and work, go to school, anything but DCI ... I hate it, so unfair!!!" 

Ummm, that's where I throw the rag and call foul! Why be that way? Why quit when there are ample, and I mean AMPLE, need for students in other corps? Okay, Cavaliers may have to wait until you’re ready, but how about Memphis Sound? No Santa Clara Vanguard? Okay, how about a summer with Crossmen or Revolution? These are just a few examples of the potentially unbelievable summer you’re going to miss out on sitting at home and sulking.  

So in closing, remember that a very large chunk of your score in the audition (and in life) is your attitude!  If at first you don't succeed, try, try again … and if that doesn't work?? Guess that’s another blog :o). 

So until then, Happy New Year and my best to everyone.

Cheers,

Ty. Long