Chapter One

My Life In Drum Corps

It is 29 years now since I lost my brother in a motorbike accident on August 2nd. At times like this family and friends gather round to help out the best they can, I went training racing pigeons with Ken next door. Ken was my godfather and I think he really stood up to his role and as a kid just losing my brother I really needed people to to take my mind off things. I went back to school in September and made friends with a lad called Neil Gunby, after a while he said, do you fancy joining a band, of course I said “band, what sort of band”. Next thing I knew I was walking through the doors of the band hall, seeing all these big lads and lasses playing drums and trumpets. I thought, “this is good” and that was it, I was hooked.

Through the winter we practised our show, I was put on snare drum and I had to try to get to the standard of the bigger boys,( probably only about 3 years older but still seemed like they were massive), and then it was competition time.

My first ever comp was in Manchester and we took every trophy, that was it, it was well and truly in my blood. I got my first taste of Drum Corps in 1983 at Northwhich Victoria, watching the likes of Green Lancers and Daenham Crusaders was a real buzz, especially when it came to olympic retreat with so many big bands, all with their flags aloft leading the parade. Little did I know then I would still be chasing the drum corps dream at the age of 41.

Moving forward to 1988, I was now playing baritone and this was probably the best year I had with the Avengers who I had joined so many years ago, we made 3rd place at A class finals. This was also the year Maddison Scouts came over and performed at the WBA ground, this was my first taste of DCI and WOW, Malaguana, if that doesn't grab ya , nothing will. That was it, I wanted to be in a DCI corps.

In 1989 I met a lad called Chris Jones from Warrington, he had just returned from the states after marching with the Colts, he talked about all the good times he had had and gave me the number of Greg Orwell ( corps director). By now I was 20 years old and time was running out to fulfil my dream of marching DCI, so I took the bull by the horns and made contact with The Colts.

In 1990 I marched with The Colts in DCI, finally competing on the big stage and as with anyone who has made the trip would agree, the experience is fantastic.

I got married in 1993 to Wendy, who I met through band, she did guard, frontline and mellophone. We had our first child Ryan in 1994 & second Amy in 1996. With my son being autistic it kind of put me out of the mix for quite some time, until I joined The Anchormen Ensemble in 2002.

This kind of gave me the bug back, playing some of the great drum corps tunes of old, so in 2008 I decided it was time to don a uniform again, joined The Kidsgrove Scouts and take to the field of competition and have not looked back since.

Winning DCUK finals last year was my first honour in drum corps and what an honour it was, winning it with some of the nicest people I have met.

DCA.

So here I am, 29 years since I started band geeking, and having just completed the final camp before heading off to the USA, this time marching alongside Wendy & Amy with Ryan helping in a way only he can.