Showtime... Or, Ravens VS Detroit... Some thoughts

Before I head out for tonight's performance (with football to follow! What a double header) I just wanted to say thank you to a few folks. I know, I'm marching for a volunteer band, this isn't the Baltimore Symphony or anything, but still, it seems like a big moment to me, and I can't help but feel that some thanks are in order.

I'd like to start where this all started: my desire to be in a pep/marching band came from the Duke University Pep band and from others in Prospect Hill, North Carolina who went before me in the Bartlett Yancey Marching Band. Thanks for butting the inspiration in my life.

Thanks also goes out to my family members: My cousins Mickey, Buddy, and Amanda all marched, and so did my brother, Derek. My proudest moments in high school and for one performance in college was when Derek and I were on the field at the same time. What a moment!

Thank you to everyone in Caswell County and the surrounding areas who have been supporting my musical quests since their beginning in 1990. From the Caswell County Fair and the Bright Leaf Hoedown, to Hillsboro's Hog Days, I've always had people who have been so supportive, wether singing or playing.

To my parents, who have been there every step of the way, thank you seems insufficient. You never batted an eye when I asked you for equipment, you were always there when I played, you helped load and unload the trucks, ran the boosters, and made sure we had a band when we didn't even have a director! To mom: I love you. Thanks for all you've done. To dad: I miss you. I wish you were here to share this moment, but I'm sure you will enjoy it none the less.

Finally, to the love of my life, Patricia. Thank you for understanding. We hardly have any time together, and yet you're willing to sacrifice more of that scarce time to let me play in a marching band at age 30. Thank you for your understanding, your support, and your love. It means the world to me.

Others have been supportive and that support has been the world to me. If I had more time, I could go on for hours. Unfortunately it's time to go. Thank you everyone for your love and support on my musical journey. I can't wait to see where it will go next.

And now... On with the show!

There's A Song In The Air

Okay. I have to admit that I have had the bug for marching band this entire summer, way before I found a way to actually be a part of a marching band again. There was something about the summer heat that made me wish I was at band camp again. Not young again, but specifically at band camp again, specifically marching band camp. There was a certain feel to the air... how I felt... I can't really explain it to you, except to say that it felt like it was time for marching band camp. 

This morning, I felt something different in the air. This morning felt more like an early fall feel, like a September morning. The dew was on the ground, the sun was out, the air was clear and crisp, and this all made me feel a new feeling. It felt like it was time for the marching season to begin. Well, would you look at that... the season starts tomorrow night, and on national television too! 

Seriously though, when I went outside, it felt like it was time for a friday night game. In high school, the early morning was when we would go out for rehearsals. Every morning from what, 9:30-11:10 ish, we would march on the football field in preparation for the game or competition or whatever. We would literally knock the dew off of the field, as it was still there when we arrived. But those mornings were still hot when we were training. Yet, when it came close to the start of football season, it felt more like it did today. I guess you could say, the air was right. 

A Ravens player tweeted the other day that it felt like football weather that morning (be sure to follow my musical tweets: twitter name: tbonesnotes). I'd agree. The anticipation is kicking in now, and the weather tells me it's time to march. I've missed that feeling, and I'm glad it's back. 

Welcome Friends!

I wanted to take a moment to welcome everyone who may be reading this blog for the first time, or have recently discovered my little home on the web. This blog is about my journey in music, a path that began at a Duke Men's Basketball game in 1990, and continues to this day. On this blog, I will share my thoughts on music, specifically concerning my adventures playing my trombone, which I named Thunderbone II, the Tigershark. Both of the trombones I have played have been named Thunderbone, which I got from NASCAR. Ford's entry into NASCAR at the time was the Thunderbird, and for short tracks and road courses, they would shorten the name to T-Bird. Thus, I took the T part and made it my own for my horns, and Thunderbone or T-Bone was born.

Feel free to read my older blog entires, as they track a course from 2007 until now, revealing my thoughts as I pursued a career in music, music education, and the like. I don't have a real definitive answer as to why I stopped those career paths, but I have been attending seminary and exploring a possible call to ministry, which followed the the stoppage. Where I will go from here is uncertain. After all, it is a journey in music, not a known destination. I'm unable to continue my theological studies at this time, so my latest entires will focus on my latest musical chapter, Baltimore's Marching Ravens. Be sure to check back often as I will be describing my experiences playing for the Baltimore Ravens and their 70,000+ fans. I'm going to play for them this season and sort out where God is calling me in the mean time. I believe no matter where God is calling me, I will always have music and musical stories to share, and I hope you enjoy reading them.

My first trombone, Thunderbone I, was a student model King 606. I kept that horn through the beginning of college and used it in a back up role during both high school and college. We bought the horn from a family friend in the community, as their son was no longer affiliated with the bands there. I remember how excited I was to bring the horn home and start playing right away. I assembled the horn, put in the mouth piece, and started to try and learn how to play. Within minutes, my mom could recognize what I was trying to play... Can't Turn You Lose, the song the Duke Men's Basketball team comes out of the tunnel to. My love affair with the trombone was off and running. It's hard to believe that was 18 years ago.

Reflecting on those days, my friend Michel and I would remain connected through high school in various capacities. In band, we usually sat right beside each other. If I ever lost first chair, it was to him, then we'd flip flop back after a short time. He was the Commanding Officer in NJROTC our senior year, and I was his Executive Officer. I remember us sitting down to warm ups at Dillard Junior High School before band class. He and I usually started by trying to jam to Rock Around the Clock, where I would play the melody, and he would take a solo. Others would try to join in, and that was about the time when Mr. Heller would be forced to stop the jam party and begin class. Michel is doing well these days, working in the US Congress for Former Speaker Pelosi's office. I'll have to see if he still has his old horn around sometime. 

Music in the NFL

The time has come folks. On Friday, I will hit the field with Baltimore's Marching Ravens. So far, this has been a wonderful journey, and I look forward to playing on Friday night in front of a usually sold out house at M&T Bank Stadium. It will be pre-season for me as well, as I knock off 10 years worth of Marching Band rust in preparation for the regular NFL season. I'm beginning to get a little anxious. I had a dream last night that I left something at home and had to go back to get it. When I returned to the stadium, I wasn't allowed to play because the band was already on the field.

The Raven's pre-season started in Atlanta last week. I will try to keep this about the music and not about the game, so I will offer no comments about the actual performance by either the Falcons or the Ravens. Instead, I wanted to call your attention to a new trend in the NFL... Drum Lines. I found out before the game that Atlanta has a drum line. Not a full band, but a drum line with about twenty percussionists. I first became aware of NFL drum lines a few years ago when I learned about the Jacksonville D-Line. It turns out that my hometown Carolina Panthers have a drum line as well, known as the Purrrcussion. What an interesting concept, but I'd like to see more. Here's why: Music and Arts programs in the school systems are in trouble. Budget planners are being forced to cut funding for the arts across the board. Think Mr. Holland's Opus. Schools are being pressured to perform in areas targeted by end of grade tests and No Child Left Behind performance standards. I'm not arguing against improving our education systems... far from it. I am arguing for programs which enrich the standard curriculum to be given more help and support. Money is necessary, of course. We need to fund the arts. We also, however, need to support the arts. Having a volunteer marching band perform at NFL games, like in Baltimore or in Washington, allow people to continue to perform in an arena which is exciting and has a large following. When I say I play in a marching band, people don't care so much. That is, until I mention that I play Baltimore's Marching Ravens. Then the questions begin: "You mean the Baltimore Ravens? You play for them?" "You play for that band that wouldn't die?" "Do you play at Raven's home games?" "Man, I should get out my old clarinet/trombone/tuba/sax/drum sticks and play too." That last line is the point... "I should play too." never mind if it's with the Ravens, the Redskins, or with a few friends in the community like a church or a civic group. Keep the music alive! NFL teams: bring marching bands to your games. Create your own bands and let them play to create an excitement in your towns for music. But... Indy... Uh... good luck finding a name for your band. The Colts Band is taken!

A final note. If you see me at half time of the Raven's first regular season game, look to my left, your right. The gentleman playing next to me works for NASA. He spends his Wednesday evenings and game days playing his trombone for the Marching Ravens, just like me. Except, there is one difference: His son also plays the trombone, and he plays a few spots down from him in the same band. How neat is that? Family time with music. It can be like my Dad and his banjo, where we all listen to him as he plays, or it can come like the father to my left and his son, three spots down. Shared memories and wonderful music. That's why the arts are important. 

First Impressions

Well, this past week, I have taken a band photo, rehearsed at M&T Bank Stadium, and performed with the Marching Ravens for the first time at the Howard County Fair. I am having a blast so far, and can't wait till my first game.

I'm finding myself caught between wanting to be very musically sound, and just trying to catch up to everyone else. I'm sure that I'll be ready when the regular season starts. Just need to knock off the rust this pre-season. It all starts next Friday when the Ravens host the Detroit Lions. I cant wait!