Summer Gig 2009
6/26/09
From: Tim Walters (Snareline 75)
It's hard for me to describe how much I enjoy coming to these events. First of all, reuniting with friends and comrades is enough to make you show up. I didn't march in the lines that played the cadences we've been playing but I certainly remember hearing them at ball games, parades and other events I would attend where they would play. So getting to play along side the people who did makes it very special for me. They were the guys I looked up to. But the truth be known, drumming again seems to light a spark in me I thought I had lost until we started doing this. So the spark is DRUMMING! I believe it wouldn't matter what generation of cadences we play, just as long as we get together and make music. It makes me light up inside every time! I invite anyone who has drummed in the Southerners in any generation to give it a try and see if it doesn't do the same for you.
Another perk for me is that I get to spend extra time with Pop. When we would finish for the day Kemp and I would head over to Pop's. It seems we would always get into some kind of interesting conversation. One night we talked till about 12:30 or so about music theory. Believe me, he's still very passionate about music and I cherish the time we spend together.
I'll close with this. The seasons when you marched in the Southerners, you most likely spent more time with Pop than I did. He was always at the school, always working on music for the next show (or for someone else's show), late nights at his piano at home, not much time relaxing. Once football season was over he would have a little more time and we would do things like go fishing. But during football season, he was "Pop" to everyone in the band. He talked about many of you as though you were his own children and when you succeeded he was really proud of your accomplishments. That having been said I am one of the luckiest guys in the world to have so many wonderful brothers and sisters because you are exactly that to me!
Yours in music (and, yes, Southerners drummers ARE musicians!),
Tim Walters
Summer Gig 2009
6/26/09
From: John Sudduth (Congas 69, Bassline 70-72 )
Guys,
Another awesome gig! It is a pleasure to play with you anytime and anywhere. My hat is off to Dan for another great effort and to Dave who made it in spite of how he felt. Our continued brotherhood is beyond words and description. I knew back then that it was special to play in the Southerners' drum corps, but I really know how special our time was now.
Many thanks to all of you who traveled many miles at great expense to be at the gig. It would not be the same without you.
Looking forward to seeing you in the near future! May God bless you and yours!
Take care, my brothers,
John Sudduth
Summer Gig 2009
6/27/09
From: Dr. Richard McLendon (Snareline 73-76, Section Leader 74-76)
1974 Snareline 1974/1975 Snareline Reunited at SG2009
As I sit and reflect on the cherished memories of my time with the Southerners (1973-1976), and then fast forward to my memories of the first and third Grey Drummers Reunion, a smile comes across my face that only I, and those who were there, can fully understand. So many wonderful times were had and are still had because of people like Daniel Hammond and the “brothers” of the drumline. I know friends of mine from the University of Kentucky that worked with me on various drum & bugle corps’ staffs and bands in the early 80’s get together for a reunion, but they don’t drum or have presentations. Our reunion is a unique and productive opportunity that I personally cherish.
I had always heard recordings of the Southerners drum line that grabbed my attention in high school, and I saw them at the Troy football games that my late father took me to when I was in junior and senior high. I even played that toe-tapping music my first year in 1973, but I never really knew the personalities that started it, or wrote the music until I attended these drum reunions. I have learned much each time I have participated and look forward to another fantastic reunion in 2010.
For those of us that can still drum in spite of various health issues, we have a special chance each year to relive those past times, have fun, and learn. I encourage any drummer, no matter whether they still play or not and from any year in the Southerners, to come out next year and be a part of this fantastic organization. My perspective and my appreciation for those that came before me have changed me for the better. I have no doubt as we progress through the next eras of the drum line, my enthusiasm will be even greater.
Invictus, Imperium, Aves!
Dr. Richard C. McLendon
Summer Gig 2009
6/29/09
From: Jack Cox (Snareline 55-57, Drumline's First Section Leader 55-57)
FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Thursday presentations were worth the time and effort of bringing there.
I was impressed with Jay's synopsis on The Pit and Dr. Richard McLendon's talk on the improvement
of the drumline equipment progress from Then to Now. Dr. McLendon and I had a long chat
before the presentation which was illuminating about the progression and improvement of the drum section
and methods applied over the years.
Christopher Sherman's presentation was very fascinating and kept me on the edge of my seat wishing
that I had a bass drum section while at JSU.
The Historical Series by Dr. Hoyt LeCory with Jerry Mitchell and Dennis Hansen was outstanding.
I did not Know that Jerry had written the percussion works for the line and was impressed by the integral rhythms
expressed in his writing. I am very proud of Jerry because he is from my hometown and a great drummer.
Dennis Henson, what more can I say, was hilarious and entertaining in his presentation which made the
GIG a huge success.
An electrical problem at home kept me from attending Saturday's session which I regret very much.
Overall, I had a great time talking and eating with all the new friends/brothers of the Greydrummers.
Granddaddy Jack
Summer Gig 2009
9/01/09
From: Chris
Jacksonville State University Highway. Driving in from Atlanta I’m struck by all of the memories that this area, and JSU in particularly, hold for me. The small town that becomes not-so-small for 9 months of the year, when fledgling adults swarm the place to walk the halls of academia by day and participate in marginally adult activities by night. Some heeded the call of different drummers – literally.
Coming to the Grey “gigs” has afforded me the opportunity to reunite with those guys that I had a history with and to meet some of the walking, talking reasons that I came to JSU. I found that we all had the same stories, no matter what era we marched. I found a brotherhood that had been forged with common sweat equity. We all practiced from dawn until – well until….. I can remember like yesterday, getting cursed by the apartment dwellers behind Mason Hall at Saturday morning practices. (Hey, we took Sundays off…)
We all had a “cockiness” about us because we were the Southerners Drumline. We were great because we accepted nothing less. We practiced incessantly and when we weren’t practicing, we drummed anyway ….. Because we loved it. I found that this was no different with the drumlines that came before my era – or the drumlines that came after. From “a little thing that we like to call N U M B E R 1 7” and “Southern Comfort” to “Monogamy” and a hundred other licks, we were the ones they copied. We were the ones they watched in the parking lot warm-ups and perhaps unknowingly, we were the ones setting the bar one level higher with each new season - and we got to be a part of the Marching Southerners, who could shake the stadium seats each and every week!
This most recent Summer reunion of my “band of brothers” really held some great moments for me. I got to play “Dee Dee” with the guy who wrote it, who also told us the story behind it AND had a picture of the inspiration! I got to meet the literal founders of our drumline tradition and socialize with some great barbeque, a full cup and a heartfelt rendition of “I just don’t look good Naked anymore”, with an Irish drum accompaniment of course. (You guys are NUTS!)
For those who didn’t get to attend, this is The Call. The “Fall gig” is coming up. Just remember JSU in the Fall – the leaves change, the mist hangs around the campus, the air becomes crisp and “Stars” fill the nights. No better place to be. No better people to be with. Bring your family. Bring your stories. Be filled again by the tradition that you had both hands in.
