Occasional Musings by Kevin Russell
August 22, 2024 – St. Ignace, Michigan Yay! I am in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. After a long and winding road trip from Vermont, I have reached my destination for the third phase of my summer tour. I am at the Little Bear Sports Center in St. Ignace, Michigan, the hub of activities for the North Country Trail Association Annual (NCTA) Celebration. If … Continue Reading →
August 12, 2024 – Grand Haven, Michigan Yup, I’m on another lark in Michigan. I left the drum corps world behind yesterday and headed north from Indianapolis on US Route 31. My first stop for a walk and some cultural heritage was South Bend, Indiana. This is where the Studebaker Brothers forged an auto empire from the humble beginnings of blacksmithing and carriage making. … Continue Reading →
August 11, 2024 – Indianapolis, Indiana This is sort of a reprise of the DCI Finals 2024 blog. It is a place to record my reflections on the events of the past few days and months following DCI shows. I will run the numbers when I return home, but last night was my 14th show of the 2024 season. I traveled to nine states … Continue Reading →
August 10, 2024 – Indianapolis, Indiana This is it, the final drum corps show of the year. Tonight, the final twelve drum corps will compete in the World Championship performance at Lucas Oil Stadium based on their placement from the semi-finals. Last night was another incredible night for drum corps. Every corps seemed to notch up the volume and intensity. Bluecoats remained in the … Continue Reading →
August 8, 2024 – Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana I am in the clubhouse in the oil can, Lucas Oil Stadium. This cavernous structure is the home of the Drum Corps International (DCI) Championships. Over 35 drum and bugle corps from across the country converged here to compete for high honors among their peers. Thousands of fans, alumni, and family members took their seats … Continue Reading →
August 7, 2024 – Indianapolis, Indiana The long and not-so-winding road across Central Ohio into Central Indiana was adventurous and tedious. Not having a plan can bring unexpected rewards. Wanting to avoid the copious amount of trucks on the interstates, we chose to take the B route, which provided a constant cruise across the pastoral countryside, intermittently interrupted by the occasional cities and towns. … Continue Reading →
August, 6, 2024 – Canton, Ohio Innovation in Brass is an apt name for the Bluecoats (not blue) home show. They have been innovating for as long as I have been following them. It was back in 2012 when I rediscovered drum corps, and I was at Allentown when they unmasked their feelings, and I was affected. Following them through the past dozen or … Continue Reading →
August 4, 2024 – Victory Brewing Company, Downingtown, Pennsylvania Well, it was a rainout for marching in Allentown. Seven drum corps performed at a standstill once the inclement weather passed around 9:00 p.m. The consensus among my entourage was to return to the dry hotel and watch them on Flo instead of waiting around and sitting in the wet stands. Alas. I should have … Continue Reading →
August 2, 2024 – Easton, Pennsylvania By the grace of the road angles, I have completed most of my journey to Allentown. Being ahead of my schedule, I decided to take a break here at the National Canal Museum in Easton, Pennsylvania. As a transportation history buff and a runner back in the day, this was a special place to stop for a nice … Continue Reading →
July 31, 2024 – Burlington, Vermont I am sitting comfortably in the Almartin Volvo showroom in Burlington, Vermont. The storied Silver Bullet, my aging XC70, is in the shop. I am embarking on my auto tour of DCI competitions today, and it will be ready for another drum corps sojourn with a new wheel bearing. With the new Goodyear Assurance Comfort tires, it should … Continue Reading →