I began my drum corps career with a small neighborhood group in Brooklyn. My brother dragged me, kicking and screaming, to them in 1975. Years later, he scandalized the family name by jumping ship to the Sunrisers. I stayed a few years in B'klyn then moved on to the Blue Max in Ridgewood, Queens. My brother went to the Madison Scouts and in 1981 I marched -that is- performed with the Bayonne Bridgemen. I had some great experiences touring the country for four seasons and made some good friends. We had the audience on our sides, but the judges felt otherwise. I was so happy to get to play “Thunder & Blazes” and “In The Stone” my first year! I stayed with “The Bananas” four seasons then burned out -that is- retired in 1984. Hell, you think I was gonna march their “Christmas” show the next year? Fuhgedaboutit!