Posted by: Christian on Sat, Oct 01 at 12:06:05 EDT
Toured in: 04

Hey Blue,

I just want to thank everyone for their support during these difficult times. JBallz, If you or anyone else have pics, you can send them to

2008 Timbehaven Trace
Louisville, KY 40214


Posted by: Mike on Sat, Oct 01 at 18:30:50 EDT
Toured in: 1953

Howdy y'all, Heard John Williams' American Idol audition in front of Randy, Paula & Simon was supposed to be 28 September. Anyone know how he fared?
Mike


Posted by: Charles on Sun, Oct 02 at 08:19:53 EDT
Toured in: 2003

Hello everyone, I haven't been on here in a while but i'm glad I decided to check in today. I just got back from my 6 month deployment to Al Udeid, and I admit I did a really bad job of keeping in touch while I was away. Tonie, Tony, and Jim, I'm terribly sorry for your losses and my prayers are with you and your families. Kerri, give me a call sometime so we can talk...it's been a while. If there are any TIB priors or affiliates in the Lakenheath/Mildenhall area feel free to hit me up sometime. TIB 03' I miss you guys more than you know and I pray that everyone is well. Take care and God bless :-)

Charles Cook
phone#
from the states: 011447962643998
in the UK: 07962643998


Posted by: JAG on Sun, Oct 02 at 15:01:37 EDT
Toured in: Magic 95 FM

Hello to all my TIB family / friends. Mr. Walker, my prayers are with you and your entire family. My prayers are also with ALL those putting their lives back together in the aftermath of the recent storms.
I'm sitting here watching CNN Presents: Monster: Tracking the Storm, a special on Hurricane Rita. I was totally surprised to see my TIB 95 brother, Maj. Chad Gibson, as part of the show. Chad, kudos to you and your Hurricane Hunter team. You guys are performing a very dangerous and vital mission. Keep up the great job!
Ms. Glo, I hope you got a chance to get some rest while in D.C.
Pearle, Jasmine looks just like you. Thanks for the pics.
God's blessings be upon you all.

JAG


Posted by: Breona Rancher on Mon, Oct 03 at 05:35:13 EDT

Hello all,

I just wanted to post a message on a serious matter that has been happening here at my base.

For the past 2 days, some unknown person has been setting fires to our dorms. The first fire was caused by someone putting a lit candle in a trash can that was in our third floor laundry room. An hour later, we had a huge fire in our cleaning supply room. The room that was on fire was directly under mine on the first floor. It it also next to the boiler room. The third fire was on Friday night. Someone had taken clothes out of the dryer and put them on fire. We have thefts in our dorms as well. We are completely clueless as to who is doing all of this damage. Because of these recent events, my dorms are closed to visiters and only the residents are allowed entrance and exit freely. We can not let any guest inside for the next month. We also have to do 24 hour Dorm Guard duty. We are all very inconvenience from this. I have lost my voice because when the fires where going, I was screaming for everyone to run out of the building because they were all thinking that it was a fire drill. Plus the smoke and we had to stand outside for two hours. It was very cold. I was in my pjs and a robe. Others had no shirts or shoes because they ran out with out them. I am very grateful that I taped my audition 2 weeks ago.

All I ask is that there is an agreement in prayer that the person who has been doing the damage will be caught. The person will have 74 counts of attempted murder and arson, plus an article 15 if they are in the military.

The dorms is my home for the next 2 years and this kind of stuff shouldn't happen; not on base. We are now talking about getting camaras in the hallways, but many issues rise up about that: cost of equipment, surveillance rooms, manning.

I thank you all in advance for the prayers and support.

Breona


Posted by: Kellee Ryan on Mon, Oct 03 at 14:16:11 EDT
Toured in: 95, etc

Hey Blue
JAG, I saw that too! Chad looks the exact same as ten years ago when we were on tour (gulp, has it been that long?!) I about fell off my couch when I saw it was him. And just let me state for the record you could NOT get me to ride an airplane into the middle of a hurricane to buzz around and take measurements...so I bow to those who are much more insane than I could ever be.
Thinking of all my Blue family and missing you guys!

Much Blue Love
The Wolverine


Posted by: Kellee Ryan on Mon, Oct 03 at 16:50:42 EDT
Toured in: 95, etc

Breona...
You'll find that crazy things happen in dorms no matter where you are. Its scary when you feel like the safety and sanctity of your "home" is at the mercy of someone else whose brain is wired wrong but just take comfort in the fact that the dorms are a very small place and this person will eventually screw up and get caught. Hang in there.

Kellee


Posted by: Wil Johnson on Mon, Oct 03 at 17:58:15 EDT
Toured in: 2000

Hello Blue Family,
I just wanted to say hello to you all. Hope all is well.
Would love to hear from family.
You can hit me on my e-mail at awake2307@aol.com
Wil Johnson


Posted by: Michael Manfredonia on Mon, Oct 03 at 21:14:29 EDT
Toured in: 2004

So it's been 5 days since anyone has said anything on here. Just checking to see if everyone's still out there.


Posted by: Michael Manfredonia on Mon, Oct 03 at 21:15:22 EDT
Toured in: 2004

okay, I lied. My computer was just being stupid.. sorry


Posted by: Breona Rancher on Tue, Oct 04 at 05:23:58 EDT

Kellee and Keisha G2

Thank you very much for your advice and support. We have a dorm meeting this evening to talk about the recent events. So far nothing has been happening. I really pray that it stays that way. I will keep you all posted on our status.

Once again...thank you.

Breona


Posted by: jai on Tue, Oct 04 at 19:44:08 EDT
Toured in: 02/04

FOLKS!!!!

I'm excited, this is the first year I was able to get someone to send in a tape for WW AND they're stationed at Nellis, not here in Japan.

An old co-worker of mine sent her tape in yesterday, hopefully we'll see her at WW.

It's a good feeling to see other people get excited about the program that haven't already been a part of it.

~jamie~
02/04


Posted by: Mel Ritz on Wed, Oct 05 at 14:23:13 EDT
Toured in: 1998

Jai,

Have the WW hopeful contact me if they have any questions. My number is 249-5398.

~Mel


Posted by: Mindy Cameron on Wed, Oct 05 at 15:06:45 EDT
Toured in: 2000

We just wanted to say congratulations to our sis Monica for running her first marathon this past weekend! You did so awesome, we're really proud of you. Love you lots!!!
Mindy and Eric


Posted by: B. Greg Colburn on Wed, Oct 05 at 16:41:16 EDT
Toured in: WWTC 05

To all,
I wanted to let everyone know that I am still here. I had some hard dicisions to make lately and decided that with the way things are going right now I could not afford to send my paperwork in for WWTC this go around. I did tell some people I would come back to try again and I still plan to keep trying. This was not a easy thing to decide and probably one of the most disappointing ones that I've made so far. I still owe alot to the entire slew of people that I met and worked with in March and have been taken time to work on my craft and performing. If I let someone else down besides myself I'm sorry. By the end of next year things will be far easier.

B. Greg Colburn


Posted by: Phillip Bateman on Wed, Oct 05 at 17:47:23 EDT
Toured in: 1996

Hello to all Past, Present, and Future TIB'ers. I've not posted a bulletin in many, many months. So much has been happening in my life the past year and I've lost touch with all of you for some time. I've not posted but you all are in my thoughts and prayers. I've been back in the states since Sept. 28th of 2004. I was in Saudi Arabia, teaching the Saudi Air Force, Logistics Mgt. I was at King Abdulaziz Air Base as a contractor. Previously I was working civil service at Keesler AFB. While over in Saudi, I landed a wonderful job in Gulfport, MS as the Supply Chain Director for Garden Park Medical Center. My family and I relocated back in Biloxi on 28 Sept 04. I've been here a year and of course all of you know what happened here with Hurricane Katrina. We're all fine, busy at the hospital, so much devastation and so many people displaced but we're all going to make it. I send my love and shout-outs fo the Chief and the Staff of TIB. To my family of "tourites of 1996", you all are in my thoughts and I hope sometime in the near future I'm able to see the lastest show of TIB. God Bless you all and I wish you all heaven. Peace and love to you all.


Posted by: jai on Wed, Oct 05 at 19:45:06 EDT
Toured in: 02/04

Mel

Thanks, I'll let her know and give her your number

~jai~


Posted by: Mel on Wed, Oct 05 at 20:20:45 EDT
Toured in: 98!!

Monica...

Could you email me regarding some marathon questions?? I'm going to run my first as well in December. I'd appreciate it!!!

~Mel


Posted by: Breona Rancher on Thu, Oct 06 at 01:58:30 EDT

God is so GOOD!!!


They caught the people who had set the numerous fires to our dorms. They found out that it was two people and that they are not from our squadron!! I am so grateful!!!! All of our prayers have been answered and I never lost faith. Thank you to all who said a little pray on the situation.

Breona


Posted by: Monica on Thu, Oct 06 at 10:32:52 EDT
Toured in: 2000

Mindy and Eric, Congratulations to you too! I'm so proud of you both! I think I'm prouder of Mindy though, because Eric, you always beat my time. How am I supposed to compete with your time of under 4 hours? Come on now, these little legs just can't move that fast.

-Monica


Posted by: bridgett johnson on Thu, Oct 06 at 13:51:16 EDT
Toured in: WWTC05

Well it really hasn't been a full year but the 2006 tour is right ahead of us. I just wanted to say thank you to the staff for the reminders of this years WWTC. I've been caught between a rock and a hard spot. I've recently accepted an assignment to Moody AFB and will be departing Elmendorf AFB in mid January with five months of school and training to follow. So many changes...and definitely career moves. Unfortunately, I feel that I will not make it this year to WWTC. I will miss seeing you all this year especially Jamaal, Tamilyn, Ryan and of course all of the team leaders (I really miss you guys and wish you the best) and hopefully I'll be able to make it for WWTC 07. Best wishes and Good Luck to all in this year's WWTC! :)


Posted by: L on Thu, Oct 06 at 15:56:11 EDT

TIB 2005, Hope everything is going well for you guys out there. You are always in my thoughts and prayers.


Posted by: Jamaal K. Solomon on Thu, Oct 06 at 20:52:38 EDT
Toured in: touring 05

hey bridge! congrats on your assignment. i hope you have fun down there. at least it'll be warmer. i'll miss seeing you also. we're still out in europe right now, but i'll give you a call when we get back to the states. ttys

peace
~ J


Posted by: Kerri B on Thu, Oct 06 at 21:07:20 EDT
Toured in: 2003

DAVE JACKSON! PAGING DAVE JACKSON! Dave Jackson please get on a computer and send me an email so I know you are still alive!

Thank you and have a nice day!


Posted by: teiga on Fri, Oct 07 at 09:30:49 EDT
Toured in: 95

Re: DRUMMING

Wlat, in regards to Tony Royster Jr, there is a video with Dennis Chambers and Tony from a few years back. It is pretty decent.

Saw Dennis last year/2 years ago(?) ... filling in for Dave Weckl for a Mike Stern gig (BTW Richard Bona stole the show.....if anyone gets a chance, check this dude out on a gig where he plays bass). Anyhow, the positioning of Tony's hands and the ways he holds himself at the set is very much like DC in my opinion.
This guy I used to teach with (only remember his 1st name - Chet) PLAYED with Art Blakey just before he started to become big and play with Billy Eckstine in the mid 40's/late 40s(?). Chet is now in his 80s but still teaches on a full-time basis at a music store as well as does repair work on guitars.


Posted by: Gerry (formerly BB-G on Fri, Oct 07 at 13:04:06 EDT
Toured in: Back in the day.

Yup,

All roads in funk theses days seem to lead back to DC (Dennis Chambers). But ask Dennis about the '89 PASIC Convention when "Sugahfoot" (AKA: Johnathan Moffet) was givin' his clinic! WHOA dog!!! That right foot was doin' warp speed overtime! LOL. Dennis was there watchin' in row 5 and I have a zoom shot of his expression while watching him demonstrate his ankle skills with only an electronic bass drum and a DW pedal.

Man forgettahboutit! Just a blurrrrrr!!!!!LOL like a 50cal. built into that foot! Scary man! He had just got off tour with Janet Jackson too! He did a solo on this wild looking kit along with a full rack of sequencers and effects. His complete touring rig.

He was reachin' way behind his back and over his head hittin' cymbals and stuff behind him that I couldn't even see! LOL! Like watchin' Richard Simmons on steroids or somethin'! Wild!

Billy Cobham did a flew in for his clinic as well. I had a press badge and was on stage with two other photographers right on top of them. Dennis was there watchin' Billy too! Very surreal! Those were the days!

Gotta git back to the roots, ie: Ohio Players (Skin Tight), James Brown, Parliment Mahavishnu, Weather Report, Jaco, Stanley C., and all them old heads! LOL. The roots yall! Gotta trace it all back to the basics. Like that ol' "basement funk" as D.C. refers to it.LOL

Gerry
TIB '80's funky family


Posted by: teiga on Fri, Oct 07 at 14:31:27 EDT
Toured in: 95

G,

and I'm in a "dance-able" song band...playing cuts like "Get Down on It", "Lady Marmalade", etc.


Posted by: Gerry (AKA: Yall know!) on Fri, Oct 07 at 17:31:04 EDT
Toured in: 2 beat,or not 2b

Dedicated to Tiega, Walt, Matt D., and my MAIN-man holdin' down the fort over at McGuire...MSG-t "Tony-G"

November is "Drummer's Month" yall...I kid you not!!!LOL. So this is also for ALL my TIB workhorse beatin' brethren...:

http://www.drummerworld.com/drummers/Jonathan_Moffet.html

........and.......

www.baila.net/moffett/interview/

Do your homework yall....know your history, know your ROOTS! Hone your chops and pay homage to our teachers! Know where you came from and in turn ye shall knoweth where ye are going! A-men! Ra, Rah, sis-boom-bah!!!Drummers unite and always stay TIGHT!LOL!

10-4, over and out...like a drumstick with no grip-tape during a Mbowtown set!!!LOL

---G-whiz
P.S. Tiega, I feel you bro! Stick it out dawg! Better times are just around the corner methinks! Fortune comes to those who persist! Never give up, all these giants paid their dues too! Read and HEED what Sugarfoot has to say about "rolling the dice" etc. Gotta keep on rollin' with it! Best regards. G


Posted by: Katie Badowski on Fri, Oct 07 at 19:29:44 EDT
Toured in: not yet.......

Hello All,
Just leaving a couple of messages. To those that applied for WWTC06, good luck. If you've been selected your in for a fun ride. For those that haven't been selected or choice not to try this year, keep working at your craft. Good things will come to those who wait. TIB05, miss you guys, hope all is well with you. Your in my prayers.
If anyone wants to get ahold of me, the best way is email, I am now knee deep in classes, voices lessons, and choir. SO be patient and I will get back to you. Plus, I just love correspondance so don't be shy. Take care everyone, God Bless,
Katie Badowski


Posted by: Matt Dechant on Sat, Oct 08 at 21:02:33 EDT
Toured in: 04

Thanks for those links Gerry, I had no idea November was drummers month.. haha! So I guess Happy Drummers month to all TIB drummers past, present, and future!

Tiega, I read somewhere (maybe on Tony Royster jr.'s website) that Dennis Chambers is his mentor. Maybe that's where he gets his technique, and style.

While we're talking about awesome drummers. I'll never forget seeing Steve Gadd do a clinic at Hermes music! We were back at Lackland doing all of those last week things before the end of our tour, and he just happened to be there that week. I need to say thanks to Courtney, Brent, Miss Glo, and Miss Jerri! because they're the ones that made it possible for me to see him!

I've got pictures too(some are a little blurry), and a few Mpeg videos. If any of you guys is interested in seeing them shoot me an E-mail.

Take care everyone, and good luck to the WWTC contestants this year!


Posted by: Matt Dechant on Sat, Oct 08 at 21:03:52 EDT
Toured in: 04

yea.. Happy drummers month... even though it's NEXT month.


Posted by: Jay Bowman on Sun, Oct 09 at 00:55:34 EDT
Toured in: 98/01

Hello All!!! Just wanted to check up and see how everyone is. It seems as though life is just flying me by and I dont get the chance to speak to the ones that give me the strengh and courage during my hard times. As I speak to some of you out there is always great to hear your voices. For me not living near any type of Military instalation it's really difficult to stay in contact with just the presence of TIB.

Mel - a marathon? whats up with that.

Walt - I think I'm coming to TX, cant wait to see you.

Chris- it was, as always, great chatting with you the other night. I'll give you a call in a few days to catch up.

Glo - Miss you, love you, cant wait to see you.

Anne / Gene - Where did you to go, are you both hiding out. Still have askhim and tellher? :-) Anne it would be great to get in contact with you. My number is at the bottom.

Dan the man, give me a call.

Always -
Jay
646-660-2962


Posted by: Kahlil on Sun, Oct 09 at 05:56:28 EDT
Toured in: 94,95

Hello family,

My prayers go out to Mr. Walker and the other family members who have had some tough times. We have your back and I thank all of you for your well wishes for me. I'm not always able to return emails because my schedule has been pretty hectic lately but please don't take it personal. I'm in Australia right now and the show continues to do well, taking top honors in Edinburgh as well as Melbourne.

For those of you who don't know I perform a one man show called Basic Training and it's about my experience with Tops In Blue and how it contributed immensely to who I am today. The only props in the show are a chair and a TIB ring. Every time I am backstage I look at the ring and I feel like I can conquer the world. In my heart I can feel Shane, Arturo, Marlon, Darryl LaMar, Derrick Wright, Libby, Rick Hayden, Alex Alexander, Mel Ritz, Kenny B.,Tammy, Ed Jones, Jai, Ian, Naybu, Jenny D., Gary Smith, Gregg Jordan and so many other people standing backstage with me and wishing me well. I hear Chief telling me 'you know what to do. Just entertain the audience and give 100%, that's all I ask' . We finish our tours and life dictates that we get on with our lives but I will never forget the impact that TIB has on me. It taught me survival and it taught me that there is nothing more important than leaving it all on stage. If you're not tired at the end of a show you need to get back on stage because you still have work to do. If I can't look myself in the mirror every night and say I tried as hard as I could to make the most out of this day then I have wasted that day. Audiences and press always ask me 'what keeps you going? Where did you train?' and every time I tell them I trained with Tops In Blue. This is a lengthy one but I felt the need to say thank you to Chief and the AFE staff for making dreams possible for so many of us. 'Us'. The airmen and officers who enter the Worldwide Talent Contest with no idea what we're capable of. I wish I could come back and help more but I feel that God is calling me to spread the wealth a little bit and get into places that TIB might not be able to hit. It may be my show and my shot at 'making it' but as far as I'm concerned I 'made it' when Chief put that ring on my finger. Everything else is gravy.

Basic Training will premiere on London's West End on January 9-28, 2006. The theatre is called Trafalgar Studios and I am a part of their inaugural season. It would be great to see some family in the audience if you can make it.

Thanks TIB. Load the truck.


Make It Happen.


Posted by: ~jai~ on Sun, Oct 09 at 17:27:32 EDT
Toured in: '02,'04

K-hil

Man, I'm so proud of you!!! I know I'm not the only one. Keep doing your thizzle. I know whatcha mean though. It's funny to me to get strange looks from people you're doing business with just because you came correct and were professional.

Keep "makin' it happen" dawg

MOO!

~jai~


Posted by: Jose Finn on Sun, Oct 09 at 22:00:15 EDT
Toured in: 83OS & 96

Kahlil,

Way to go; keep going; we're proud of you.


Posted by: jai on Mon, Oct 10 at 02:56:00 EDT
Toured in: '02,'04

FUNNY STORY:

So, I've been working on a new project producing for a guy here at Yokota and he just tells me yesterday that he sent a video in to the Agency a couple months back. So now, I'm trying to get his head ready for WW (pending that he's selected). He's definately got the talent. Good vocals and a hell of a dancer....and a "show boat". I'm prepping him for the mentally and emotionally trying portion of TIB.

So with him and my friend from Nellis that makes 2 for me this year.

WHATCHA GOT ON THAT WALT!!!!!!!

Keep Blue Alive!!!!!

~jai~


Posted by: Kahlil Fan Club on Mon, Oct 10 at 04:00:02 EDT
Toured in: 02,04

these are just a few reviews you can find on the internet. brings a tear to your eye

~jamie~


Posted by: Stan Rolf on Mon, Oct 10 at 12:38:11 EDT
Toured in: 1981 M.E.

Jai,

You mean TIB is "mentally and emotionally" trying...?

I never knew!

Still BLUER than "&($#"....with no hair!
Stan


Posted by: Breona Rancher on Mon, Oct 10 at 12:55:55 EDT
Toured in: WWTC06

Hey all!!!

God has a way of making sure His people are taken cared of!!! I found out some rather disturbing details about the fire. I found out that I was involved, but not entirely directly. No,I did not start the fire nor did I know of who at the time. I found out who caused the fires and their motives last Thursday. When I am able to release the info, I will explain it more to you all. So, Thursday was a pretty gloomy day for me because my emotions were wrecked. I got home from work and I just went to bed early. I had plans to go to Paris for the 4 Day weekend. I got up the next day and started cleaning my room and packing for the trip. In the middle of me cleaning, I got a call from Mr. Storrs. He called to inform me of me being selected to come to the WWTC!! I was so happy. I really needed something like that to make my day. So, not only was I on my way to Paris for the first time, I also got selected to go to WW. I truely believe the God had that in store for me and He gave it to me when I needed it most. I am strong, but the things that had been going on here is was much for one person to bear. So, I was able to enjoy my trip to Paris with no worries. I came back refreshed and my mind and emotions are renewed for the upcoming challenges, such as rumors about the fires. I am very sure that when others find out, they will be pounding on my door asking questions and what-not, but I will be able to handle it a lot better this time.

I just want to thank you all for keeping myself and my fellow airmen in your prayers. I am so grateful to know of such a close family who looks out for those who they may not know well or at all. It is a relief to know that I can come to you all for help and get back so much. I will always keep you all in my prayers.

May God bless you all!

Breona


Posted by: someone on Mon, Oct 10 at 23:47:55 EDT

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY TO THE WONDERFUL, THE BEAUTIFUL, AND SOON TO BE HOT PROSECUTOR (that girl from JAG has no comparison!) Laura Richmond!!


Posted by: Just a Friends on Tue, Oct 11 at 09:25:42 EDT
Toured in: ...

Many people are afraid of growing old.
I'm afraid of growing old and boring.
Many people are afraid of growing old, alone.
I'm afraid of growing old, insane.
Many people are afraid of losing their looks.
I'm afraid of losing my dreams.
Many people are afraid of losing their youth.
I'm afraid of losing my soul.
When you're 15, 35 seems ancient.
When you're 35, 15 seems juvenile.
A turnaround in a split second - two decades zoom past and before you know it, it's only a mile to the next millennium.
Don't fear age,
it's a right of person-hood.
Don't fear death- it's God's greatest jest.
Don't grow old - you don't have to.
Don't date because you're desperate.
Don't marry because you're miserable.
Don't have kids because you think your genes are superior.
Don't separate because you think it's fashionable.
Don't drink because you have troubles.
Don't gamble because you think winning is inevitable.
Don't philander because you think you're irresistible.
Most likely, you're not.
Don't associate with people you can't trust.
Don't cheat.
Don't lie.
Don't pretend.
Don't try to buy your way into the kingdom of God.
Don't dictate because you're smarter.
Don't demand because you're stronger.
Don't sleep around because you think you're old enough and know better.
Don't hurt your kids because loving them is harder.
Don't sell yourself, your family or your ideals.
Don't stagnate.
Don't regress.
Learn a new skill.
Find a new friend.
Start a new career.
Don't live in the past.
Time can't bring anything or anyone back.
Don't put your life on hold for possibly Mr. Right.
Don't throw you life away on absolutely Mr. Wrong because your biological clock is ticking and you can't afford to have your eggs harvested before the new millennium.
There's always a mad rush to something, somewhere - but victory does not always belong to those who finish first.
Sometimes, there is no race to be won, only a price to be paid for some of life's more hasty decisions.
You can't always go with the throng who could be wrong.
Sometimes, you have to be alone to be enlightened.
To terminate your loneliness, reach out to the homeless.
To feed your nurturing instincts, care for the needy.
To fulfill your parenting fantasies, get a puppy.
Don't bring another life into this world for all the wrong reasons.
To keep yourself warm, buy a jacket.
In the long run, it will be less complicated and less costly.
To make yourself happy, pursue your passions and be the best of what you can be.
Simplify your life.
Take away the clutter.
Get rid of destructive elements - abusive friends, nasty habits and dangerous liaisons.
Don't abandon your responsibilities, but don't overdose on duty.
Don't live life recklessly without thought and feeling for your family.
Be true to yourself. Don't commit when you're not ready.
Don't keep others waiting needlessly.
Fall in love - it's the greatest thing on earth. But take care and remember, after the fall must come the rise.
Go on that trip. Don't postpone it.
Say those words. Don't let the moment pass.
Do what you must even at society's scorn.
Write poetry. Love deeply. Walk barefoot. Hold hands.
Dance with wild abandon. Cry at the movies.
Take care of yourself.
Don't wait for someone to take care of you.
You light up your life.
You drive yourself to your destination.
No one completes you - except you.
It is true that life doesn't get easier with age.
It only gets more challenging.
Don't be afraid.
Don't lose your capacity to love.
Pursue your passions.
Live your dreams.
Don't lose faith in God.
Don't grow old.
Just grow up.


Posted by: Laura on Tue, Oct 11 at 10:58:53 EDT
Toured in: 2004

That was beautiful and so right, thanks for sharing!


Posted by: Gerry (Formerly Baby G) on Tue, Oct 11 at 23:34:11 EDT
Toured in: Uh, let me check

WOWZERS!!!

Holy disertations batman!!! Who wrote THAT pray tell??? I swear twas not me Chief! But I like it a lot!

Specially the line. about "to keep yourself warm, BUY A JACKET...In the long run it will be a lot cheaper etc." LOL! Just not a fur coat! High maintenance.(LOL!)That was too much!!! And I also dig the line about "sometimes you have to be alone to be enlightened! How true that is! But many people are simply too afraid to be alone with themselves! They bget hooked on all the noise and distractions. We all need peace and quiet sometimes to collect and reflect! Well said...whoever you are. But beware of posting anonymously on this board, the powers that be do not like that! But I liked your post very much too!

Thanks for sharing that becuase many of us are not so "well-adjusted" and conforming to the so-called norms of society.

I think that the title of that little piece should be something like "a credo for those who walk alone in life".

I would simply add one line to it though, and that is that in the end of our lives (after our body dies and we leave our shell) we may all be taking that long journey on our own!! That is...no one can face what lies beyond for us! We must all be brave and walk alone "through the valley of the kings"

Me personally, I'll be back here tryin' to haunt a few old familiar places and people, before they drag me up... (or down LOL)...just for kicks! Because I can!

But he/she is right about not letting ourselves grow old (prematurely)! Age is indeed (partially anyway) a state of mind. My 100 year old musician uncle (who still performs!) Is living proof of that! LOL! Amazing!

Thanks from me too for sharing! Whoever you are. Deep stuff, and useful wisdom 4 all methinks.

Gerry '86 'n 7os

P.S. Congrats again, and again to Blue bro Kahlil for persuing his dreams and making them HAPPEN (and 4 not forgettin' where he came from (TIB roots etc.!) Big points for that too!...yall!

10-4, over 'n out, like a TIB drummer tryin' ta tear down in the rain! Too much RAIN yall! I know the plants gotta grow n' all... but "geez Louise!" Give us a break! Send some to Spain! LOL Pray for the quake victims too yall! Remember...never sweat ye small stuff...it could always be a lot worse, methinks. "Glass half empty..." ---G(ease Louise)


Posted by: John Williams on Tue, Oct 11 at 23:42:52 EDT
Toured in: 99

Tonie - I will continue to pray for your family.

Kelly - Thank you for being you. I love you so much. Tell your mom and dad that I said hello.

Janet - You know that you're always in my prayers. I love you.

Mr. Walker -

"Sunset"

The essence of life
teaches us to love.
Then our lives begins to change,
forever evolving,
never to remain the same.
like a sunset
that rises and falls
or a moth to a flame
the lady of your life
lives eternally
within a memory never to be changed
some things shall always remain the same

John Williams
11 Oct 05

God Bless


Blueland - There is someone waiting to hear from you. So, you should post a hello or a simply hi to someone. You never know what joy you might bring. Never forget that we are family. Learn to accept the bad along with the good!


Posted by: Gerry (AKA: formerly Baby-G) on Wed, Oct 12 at 00:03:51 EDT
Toured in: Say whutt?

Yeah yal,

Don't be shy....we're not! LOL!

P.P.S. I almost forgot to say that wherever I do go after this life (up or down) one thing is for SURE...the FIRST two people I'm gonna go lookin' for are my old pals and TIB mentors Bernie Rone and Percy Lewis! Jest hope they got some Ouzo there or sumpin' good! LOL! Of course it would be nice to see them both again BEFORE its too late (hint, wink, ahem!) Make it happen yall! I'm gettin' old here waitin' to hear from my old TIB peeps! Where are they????? Still alive????? Helllloooo out there???? Anybody home???? G=Get busy yall!


Posted by: Jim Wintermyre on Wed, Oct 12 at 02:05:06 EDT
Toured in: 95

Nov is drummers month? It's also the new month for WWTC... and Mr. Lucky Bush will be drumming his butt off (literally - ask him about the "butt-kicker" sometime) with AFMDB in the pit! Looking forward to seeing everyone there.

Hey Teiga, I saw Mike Stern's group here back in March, right after the last WW. You're right, Richard Bona is amazing. But on drums, he had TERRI LYNE CARRINGTON. That girl, um, "brought the stank" as we like to say in the pit. Serious groove!

Kahil keep spreading the wealth.


Posted by: Gerry (AKA: yall know) on Wed, Oct 12 at 06:26:18 EDT
Toured in: 2 far back!

Jim (et al)

Yeah bro, Terri Lyne...mmmhmmm...Miss stankmeister for real! Berklee alum too (class of '83!) I saw her give a masterclass back when I was there in '91. Packed house...standing room only. Smokin'!!!

I clearly recall having to cut yet another one of my more important drum labs with Prof. John Ramsey (straight-ahead dude) to see her perform! He wasn't to thrilled about that. But at least I had a good excuse. LOL!

When she was at Berklee back in the '80's, she played in the now famous "Thursday Night Dues band (now called the "Rainbow Band") led/directed by the equally famous Berklee Instructor of 40+yrs, Professor Phil Woods who is also a trombonist!

Boy was that ensemble something to see and hear rehearse! You hadda be a chart-reading monster to even be a contender! And having some 7's in your ensemble ratings wouldn't hurt either! LOL!

Did you know that she was one of the ONLY students Buddy Rich ever took under wis wing (had)! And she was just a small kid (prodigy) when she met him! So you can just imagine the great advantage she had from that alone!

Abe Laboriel Jr. ('83) drummer, was also in that band/ensemble. He and I were classmates. He was always borrowing my notes cause he was always missing classes to play with other ensembles as he was so in-demand.

Nice guy though. Jolly! He was on a full 4-year ride too! I mean, his dad (Abe Sr. Class of '72) is only one of the most famous studio musicians on bass in the world! The guy has recorded with everyone! But Abe Jr. is a hard-working and talented drummer. A real agressive player (powerhouse) and covering every gig out there in LA (where we first met in '89 just after I DD 214ed! He was studying at the Grove school of music back then, and a TIB guitarist from my '86 tour named Jim Quinn introduced me to him. Jim called me out to LA to play percussion for a TV pilot which none other than TIB's Terry Griffey was arranging music for! Fun stuff, but alas, the show went over budget and never got picked up! Probably cause they had to pay a small fortune to get Terry G. out there (laughs).

Gotta make like a drummer and roll now yall! Don't wanna get yelled at for hoggin'. Luv ya Blue. '05/06 yall got some big shoes ta fill! Know you all will rise to the occasion. TIB always does! Kick bootie and take no prisoners! Hear? I'll be seein' yall when you roll through Dover and McGuire. Who's the drummer? Any priors? Make us proud yall! Can't wait to meet u all! Have fun and forget about "sleep"! That's. for mere mortals. LOL ---G-Stick


Posted by: jamie on Wed, Oct 12 at 06:29:32 EDT
Toured in: 02, 04

I just got an email from my "protege" in Nellis. She said she got called for WW. I'm excited for her. I hope to get to see her there.

Good luck to all this year.

~jai~


Posted by: Gerry (AKA: again!) on Wed, Oct 12 at 07:06:09 EDT
Toured in: One mo time yall

Jim (et al),

Almost forgot to mention, my man Abe Laboriel Jr. was also the one on drums backin' Sir Paul McCartney at last year's Superbowl Halftime show. You may have seen him going wild on the close-up of his during that James Bond theme song "Live and Let Die" towards the end of the medley/musical montage Sir Paul did.

He gets those big gigs like that all the time! Lucky stiff! More power to him! He's a big boy too! How he moves around that kit like that is one of the seven wonders of the world! LOL! Shhhhhh. Don't tell nobody I said that, hear? LOL Peace yall. ---

G-Jest keepin' it real 4-evuh n' evah! LOL.


Posted by: courtney on Wed, Oct 12 at 08:10:52 EDT
Toured in: 03/04

Speaking of WW and AFMDB, please keep the great Darryl McEachin in your thoughts this year. Because of a couple deployments he won't be able to be in the pit this year. I just him to know how much he will be missed and WW just won't be the same without him!! love you D.

cj


Posted by: Kerri on Wed, Oct 12 at 10:05:55 EDT
Toured in: 03

CJ- does that mean, dare I say it,... NO PINK KEYBOARD!?!? NOOOOOOO!!!!

-KB


Posted by: Francine on Wed, Oct 12 at 13:28:11 EDT
Toured in: 88 & 89

DARRYL, shoot me an email when you get a chance. (Miss you.)

LUCKY, have fun bro! (Hugs)

LOLA, Got it! Alix is GORGEOUS. I emailed "the pictures" to my
mom & brother--can't tell you how much it meant to all of us.
Thanks so much L'il Sis, & Bobby!

OH--If any of y'all haven't seen BARRY in a while... he is STILL
ever so Beautiful...

Love to ALL.


Posted by: Tony on Wed, Oct 12 at 15:49:43 EDT
Toured in: 2003

JOHN RUSSEL, E-MAIL ME ASAP.

oh, by the way, me and my girlfriend are expecting a baby next spring.

Tony Barnett
Driver
2003


Posted by: LaToya on Wed, Oct 12 at 18:41:38 EDT
Toured in: 2004

WEDDING IS ONLY 10 DAYS AWAY! I'M SO EXCITED AND I JUST CAN'T HIDE IT!


Posted by: Tan on Wed, Oct 12 at 19:21:11 EDT
Toured in: 02

Hello everyone!
BABY GIRL HAS ARRIVED!!!
I had yet another blessing to take place on October 5th, TaMya was born...YIPPEEE!!!!
You can see her first photos at www.GrowingFamily.com under the nursery photos. Type in "Whi" for the last name, and "Arkansas" for the state of course:) Enjoy!

May God CONTINUE blessing each of you!
Tan


Posted by: Darryl McEachin on Thu, Oct 13 at 08:48:58 EDT
Toured in: '92, '03

Thanks CJ! I'm certainly gonna miss it all as well.

I'd been avoiding posting the fact that I wouldn't be a part of AFMDB this year, mainly because I guess I just didn't want to admit to myself that it was true. I always knew that the day would come when I'd wouldn't be able to be there, but I guess one can never prepare for something like that, especially when it matters as much as WWTC matters to me. Each year for close to a decade, I've looked forward to playing with what I consider the greatest group of musicians I've ever had the privilege to play with, supporting the greatest program the AF has to offer. I've learned so much about life, music, and family from this program that it's impossible for me to go a day without mentioning or at least thinking about AF Entertainment and TIB. Knowing that I won't be there this year is a severely bitter pill to swallow.

Barry, thanks for your mentorship, understanding, openess, and most importantly, your friendship. Sorry that I can't be on your right this year, but I'll be back, one way or another. Jim, Lorenzo, Lucky, just bring it! I'll be there with you in spirit for sure. Take a long extended solo for me! Paul, you've proven yourself before so I'm confident you'll do an excellent job. Just nail the intros and have fun with the rest! Ms Jeri, Mr Ed Jones and AFE, thanks for trusting and supporting me all these years. You guys make me believe in myself when I can't do it alone. I love you more that you'll ever imagine.

Chief, there's nothing that I can say to make you realize the depth of my gratitude. Your decision 13 years ago changed my life and in so many ways, has helped to make me the man I am today. Please know that there is no place that I'd rather be than right there in SA. I try to find peace in knowing that I'll be doing something that is certainly worthwhile. I still remember the conversation we had about certain people's motives for doing the things that they do. Trust that I will never forget why we do what we do and try with all my being to spread that message to all those that I'm working with now. Thank you Sir.

Priors, step up to the mic! Make it happen! Most importantly, it's on you!

Blue love to all!
(the other brotha) DarrylM


Posted by: teiga on Thu, Oct 13 at 09:21:22 EDT
Toured in: 95

So, I am sitting in my cubicle readin D McM's post and I can feel what he means. The guy in the cubicle next to me starts playing "Imagine" by John Lennon...there must be a reason for that......and I have thought of sending Mr Edwards an email...saying thanks for everything but thanks for what exactly? I made so many mistakes (while in TIB).....and it haunts me to think of this....I would have to say thanks mainly for letting me be out there, stumble and make mistakes and learn from them. That is about the only way I can think of putting it but it is what I mean.

I would say TIB has had affect on me greatly my errors have bothered me for so long and will continue to. I reference that time period, the people I was associated with and the overall experience often when teaching. If a student studies long enough with me, they will eventually hear the "Jim Wintermyre story" (which is about how focus is key in almost anything). (sorry, Jim...don't get too embarrassed). Or something about performance and attention to detail (especially about a set). Or the importance of being on time (for some reason at the high-school level, the bus WILL wait for you).
Many valuable things I have learned from this. And now that I direct groups, I realize the sacrifice of family that it takes to devote oneself to such a thing. So for that unseen thing and knowing how long Mr Edwards has kept it going I also thank him so that there was a TIB in the mid 90s that I was able to experience.


Posted by: teiga on Thu, Oct 13 at 09:30:04 EDT
Toured in: 95

......and that there is still a TIB today that keep on growing and progressing.


Posted by: Jim Wintermyre on Thu, Oct 13 at 13:48:14 EDT
Toured in: 95

DMC will indeed be sorely missed in the pit this year at WW. Darryl, Barry, and myself have been in the pit every year since 97, so it's going to be weird (to say the least) to not have D there. Paul Libby will be filling D's large shoes this year. He is going to do great, I have no doubt, but we'll still be missing you D! I will have a pink guitar pick in your honor.


Posted by: Jim Wintermyre on Thu, Oct 13 at 14:12:45 EDT
Toured in: 95

Hey Teiga - I don't know what you're talking about with this "Jim Wintermyre story"... :-) (I just hope it doesn't include the part about the importance of being on time - Doh!)


Posted by: Jeanette on Thu, Oct 13 at 17:05:48 EDT
Toured in: 2003

After her LONG awaited arrival, we welcomed Kaylin Jessica Jordan into the world on Wed. at 1:30am. She's 7lbs.1oz., 20 inches long and just as beautiful as we had prayed for! If your interested in pictures just let me know. (we're waiting on the hospital pictures to be posted on the web, not sure how long it'll take) We're all home and LOVING it! Thank you so much for all the prayers, we've felt each and every one of them!

Love you all!!

Jeanette

Send out the sequin onsies!!


Posted by: La-Kee on Thu, Oct 13 at 17:22:27 EDT
Toured in: 2003

JT, Jeanette and Tan! Congrats from us! You will never know love like the love you'll feel for your daughters! I am so terribly in love with Honor. I feel so wonderful when she's around. Love on them alllll you can because you will be surprised at how fast they start trying to walk. I hold Honor every morning and sing to her as a wake up routine. I take great pride in being able to spend any time with her.


Posted by: jai on Thu, Oct 13 at 22:20:37 EDT
Toured in: '02,'04

Since 2002 I've spent the majority of the year looking forward to a phone call for another chance to help out at WWTC. Seeing yourself in one of the new contestants and thinking to yourself, "was i really like that?" and most importantly the FAMILY REUNION. seeing old tour members or exchanging stories with someone from another year. For a lot of us it is a "refuel" for the upcoming year.

Hopefully, I'll continue to have the opportunity to come out and give what I can.

Jeanette- First, congrats on your little one. Also, there a new guy coming to us from KCHS and I was told I was going to be his supervisor. My very first troop! His name is Gonzalez, shoot me an email and give me some info.

~jai~


Posted by: Tan on Thu, Oct 13 at 22:39:42 EDT
Toured in: 02

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY FELIX!!!!!
I forgot to tell you yesterday:( How does it feel to be getting so OLD? ha ha ha!!!
Love ya!


Posted by: Tammie Montgomery on Thu, Oct 13 at 23:50:39 EDT
Toured in: mom 02/04

Congrats to Tan and Jeanette on their new baby girls.. I pray that GOd will bless you all. And enjoy those tiny lives, for they are gone from us so much sooner than we even imagine. Enjoy every moment like it were gold.. Tony congrats to you as well.. Jamie and Ash, im so proud of you and what you are doing. Wish i were there to share in all the excitement with you..But my love and prayers are with you always.. Everyone else, miss ya bunches, please keep me in your prayers..love you all.. momma montgomery


Posted by: Buffy Soens on Thu, Oct 13 at 23:58:10 EDT
Toured in: 2003 Wife

Congrats JT and Jeanette on your new addition. Make the most of your time with her, it goes so fast. Our son Chrystopher will be 7 on Saturday and our little Amberlyn is going to be 1 on the 27th. I still can't believe it. Again congats and make sure you TRY to get as much sleep as possible!


Posted by: Ashley Montgomery on Fri, Oct 14 at 03:13:35 EDT
Toured in: 02/04 wife

Hey everybody it has been a while since I posted. Just wanted to say congrats to toya and let you all know you are always in my prayers please keep Iamie an I in yours as we continue to prep for our show. 04 I miss you guys bunches I think about you all the time.
Also I havent heard from the 05 wives in a while I hope all is well and remember I am always here
love
Ashley


Posted by: Rickie on Fri, Oct 14 at 09:36:09 EDT
Toured in: 2003

Well today is my final day @ langley... YEA! I leave for Alaska on the 25th after my court date on the 24th for custody of my step- children (pray that we get it) and then it's off to alaska to see MOM and Dad in Juneau Alaska for a few days before I leave for OSAN Korea RNLT 10 Nov. I just got my orders today...leave it to the AF to wait til the last minute :-) anywho I found out my Follow on is RAFLakenheath, England RNLT 12-10-2006 this tour will be with Crystal and the Girls( if we get custody)... ANyway just wanted to say hi and post a lil somethin to let ya'll know I am still alive and kickin.
If any of you are in OSAN or Lakenheath look me up, I would love to catch up


Posted by: RIBLETT on Fri, Oct 14 at 09:45:17 EDT
Toured in: 2003

congrats to TAN Jeanette and JT I am sooo envious ...someday soon maybe it'll be me... Miss and love you all keep in touch and I would love pics please send them to TIBWANNAB@yahoo.com
THANKS
hey Blue 2003 where are all ya'll theze days let a brotha know
TTYL
nuttin but LUV


Posted by: Wil Johnson on Fri, Oct 14 at 09:53:51 EDT
Toured in: 2000

I'm glad that one completed tour makes you a part of a real family. Thanks again Chief for the opportunity. I was talking to a friend of mine and he asked if I did anything important in my life, aside from my military career. I kept thinking aside from my military career? That was the best time in my life. I don't believe I can put that to the side. Tops In Blue was by far the biggest contribution I felt in my enlistment in the Air Force. So for those of you who are around people that discount your military experience, always remember the impact that TIB made on you.
I just thought I'd share that with everyone. The one family that really truly cares.
I love you all TIB 2000 and each and every family member of other tours. This is the best part of my life and it is shaping my future for more to come.
Kahlil, I am very proud of you. Represent. Do what you do.
Ed, I am always proud of you. You are an inspiration.
Good to hear from those that I heard from.
John Williams, very true statement. When I hear from people that I didn't expect to hear from, I get really excited and I am reassured that I am loved by my blue family.
Linda Campbell, I miss you too.
Derrick and Tracy Wright, Lorna, and Barry Best. I miss you all too. I don't want to slight anyone. I miss Tops In Blue. That should cover everyone. Now I must go to class.
Lots of love

Wil Johnson
TIB 2000


Posted by: Laura on Fri, Oct 14 at 12:41:25 EDT

You never know where Tops In Blue will crop up. I am in law school in Virginia. Yesterday, a girl in my class stopped me in the parking lot and asked, "Were you ever in Tops In Blue?" Keep in mind, I am a law student at a civilian school, I don't ever wear a uniform and most people have no idea I am in the Air Force.

I told her "yes" and she said she had been trying to place me since the first day of school and it just hit her where she thought she'd seen me. She started gushing about having seen the show in Columbus, Mississippi when visiting the guy she is now married to. She couldn't say enough good things about the show and how it completely changed her outlook on the Air Force.

So, just a reminder... we all respresent TIB even when we think we're anonymous!


Posted by: Gerry (AKA: Formerly Baby G) on Fri, Oct 14 at 14:22:30 EDT
Toured in: here and there

Jai (et al Blue),

hey Jai(Jamie), I saw your post about and laughed! You really forced me to reflect when you said "was I really like that?" re: your first trip to WWTC! LOL!!! Boy can I relate!!! (Laughs) I remember (unfortunately) all to well break-dancing (poppin' and lockin' "robot" style) and even doin' the moon walk and a few other clever moves, at my '86 dance audition! Man was THAT a trip (blast)!!!! People were ROLLIN'!!!! Hear??? Specially Bernie and Otis ("OJ").

Funky white boy that I was (tryin' hard to be! LOL!) I think that was at the Air Force Academy or Minot (one). Can't xactly recall! Memories a lil' foggy on those minor details! LOL! Just goes to show you (prove) that you can take the young-buck urban dwellers out of the city......but you can never take the city out of bucks! LOL!

---Gerry
'86 n' 87os
Drumhead
P.S. And there was really no need for a drummer to be dancin' in the blue ANYWAY!!!!!! Right? Cept on the last day of staging and at the final banquet (and on days off, few that we had!) LOL! But I guess it showed them that we gots some SOULLLLLLLLL in the bowl! LOL! I'd do it all again in a heartbeat! Okay, but the moves would be a little more up-to-date.....okay???? LOL! Oh, and Will Johnson ('02) is 110% correct about never "discounting" your TIB and (military experience in general) once you get out of the "war". Things really are very different in the real world! Especially in the muzac biz! Hear??? Yall will never see the type of tight logistical support and planning and preparation out here that you see in the Force! And no new bands stay around that long anymore anyway! So with TIB you have this CONTINUUM and a LOOOOOONG tradtion of excellence that preceeds itself and just continues to build and build on iitself each year! And the best part about that for US priors is, that the Blue family just keeps growin' and GROWIN' each year on a linear scale! But if you add in all the newborn TIB babies that are continuously comin' into the world - as is witnessed by our bulletin board - then the growth rate could in fact be exponential! ie HUGE!!!! LOL! Congrats Tan and Jeanette et al. Good story Laura (Esq.?) Yeah, I can picture that! Might require your services some day. Do we priors get a discounted rate????? LOL! Bye yall! --G


Posted by: Gerry (again!) on Fri, Oct 14 at 14:53:17 EDT
Toured in: 2 tired 2 tour!

P.P.S.

Me again yall! Sorries, but I almost forgot! This is for all the TIB drummers and bass players etc and all the Blue engineers, and sound guys (board-ops) that have contacted me with interesting input on e-drums etc.. And its also for anyone else who wants to see some of the best drummers out there playing on the state of the art stuff! Have fun:

New PRODIGY drumset demo videos with Alesis DM5 and Roland TD-3:
>http://www.hartdynamics.com/products/drumsets/prodigy/index.html
>New VIRTUOSO drumset demo videos with Roland TD-6V:
>http://www.hartdynamics.com/products/drumsets/virtuoso/index.html
>Artist demos and interviews also!
>All demos:
>http://www.hartdynamics.com/video/index.html
>All demos are optimized for high quality dial-up and broadband users.

Hart Dynamics is one of the FIRST and ORIGINAL e-drum companies yall! A real garage to riches Microsoft-like success story! Check it out for kicks even if you're not a drum person! You may want to enlighten your own band's drummers by turning them on to this company! Would I steer your wrong Blue???? NOT!


Posted by: Chris Burch on Fri, Oct 14 at 14:53:27 EDT
Toured in: 1998

I finally got the software I needed to make the address list updates, so everyone who submitted requests for information updates should now have their correct information posted. If not, please resubmit and I will get it for certain this time.

Chris Burch
--Webmaster


Posted by: Matt Dechant on Sun, Oct 16 at 23:25:49 EDT
Toured in: 04

Hey guys!
The Army Soldier show just came by Ft. Gordon and I went to see them!

I feel like it would be unprofessional for me to state my true opinion of their show here. So I'll just leave it at that.

I can't wait to see the 2005 team next month!

Take care guys, hope you're all doing well!


Posted by: Deployed "Dirt boy" on Mon, Oct 17 at 00:30:13 EDT

This is funny. Was searching for a drummers' website and somehow ended up here. Well, since I'm here.
I'm currently deployed in the AOR at Al Dahfra AB as a "Dirt Dobber" as we say and about to finally head back home next week.

I was able to see this years team show back in late July. Specifically, I remember that show. Being a wanna-be drummer for awhile myself, of course, recalling the 110+ degree weather that "night" and how the drummer was sweating the whole time and still rocking it. I was 100% positive he would pass out, eventually. His solo/chops, energy, whatever......Dude, you rocked it.

Amongst chatting after the show, we talked for abit and he made mention of auditioning and not having played in over 3 years since coming into the military......dude, you so rocked. I've played for atleast 3 years and don't sound anything like that.

Your talent show/competition is next month, Drummers Month, so cool. I'll be enjoying some well deserved R and R with the wife by then. But there's always next year.

Take Care

Alex "Dirt Dobber"
49th CES


Posted by: Paige Oatis on Mon, Oct 17 at 06:49:30 EDT
Toured in: The Best 2000!

..........oops I didn't mean to hit send already. Taianna & I have moved from Illinois to St. Louis. Shoot us an e-mail if you want our new address. Love you all. No time to write more pgluvs2sing4u07@yahoo.com


Posted by: Ezap on Mon, Oct 17 at 15:23:15 EDT
Toured in: 2004

Any priors in the Hanscom AFB area that can give me a little info about the '05 Team and the show coming up on October 25th? I got some info from the wonderful Ms. Terry but would still love to hear from some priors as well. Thanks!!!

Belated Congratulations to Tan and JT & Jeanette!!!

LOVE
Erin


Posted by: Becca on Tue, Oct 18 at 16:31:48 EDT
Toured in: Y2K Baby!

Hi blue!

Just a little while ago somebody stopped me in the hall, pulled me aside and asked me in a very seriously and concerned manner; "SSgt Miller Are you alright? Is everything okay with you? I've noticed you sing... alot...why?"

I paused because he sounded so serious and I told him that I couldn't really ever stop singing,( or humming, or making up silly songs.) That it was my passion and something that I love. I explained to him how music moves me inside and generates my moods and is often a direct reflection of how I feel. I told him how sometimes my husband hears me hum in my sleep(and wakes me to tell me!) Some people run marathons or write or read or swim or drive racecars - I sing. Not to hear myself not that at all but it's somehow always generating inside me and has to get out. Of course I asked him if it bothered him and I would make a conscious effort to refrain when around him. But this was his reply (and he was serious -applaud the good wingman effort!)

"No, it's really cool - I don't understand this feeling you have but 70 years ago if a person walked around talking to themselves they'd be sent to the "looney bin" and I just thought singing was like elevated talking to oneself so as long as you are okay then that's what I wanted to know"

I wonder if I would be in a looney bin 70 years ago? Why do I sing. Why do any of us sing? Why do we play til our lips are gone and fingers are numb, or dance until our toes are unable to take our weight? Why do we overact,tell jokes, make weird faces or play copycat? People are so entertaining! Sometimes explaining why we do the things we do to the non doers of these things is just as entertaining!

Anyway I got a laugh from this afterwards and told him I appreciated his concern. You know how we're taught about "perception"?

I love you all out there and dream about touring again every other night. As always, hugs, laughter, prayers, and smiles!

Becca 2000


Posted by: TaKeesha on Tue, Oct 18 at 17:43:12 EDT
Toured in: 50th...

Hey fam, hope all is well in Blueland and that we're all getting ready for WWTC. Not much time to post but got news of a one day job through by best friend and I'm just passing along the info.

Looking for women 25+ in Lubbock, TX or Anchorage, AK for an event going down on the 6th of November. (sorry fellas, but pass it on)

Oh, and it pays $16.50/hr.

Interested? Know someone who might be? Email me and I'll get you hooked up with the rest of the info.

Gotta run- time to take my law test!

03- I miss u
Chad- Hey BOOO!

where the heck is Erika Marino?

Blue love,
TaKeesha


Posted by: courtney johnson on Wed, Oct 19 at 18:28:55 EDT
Toured in: 03/04

I have some sad news and a favor to ask of my Blue family. Those of you that toured with me know that i have a great aunt that sends me a letter with a dollar in it every week. Well, I jsut got an email from my cousin saying that her husband passed away from a multiple heart attacks last saturday while she was on a cruise. I am asking that you just pray for her that she makes it through this. She is in her 80s and they have been married for about 60 years.
Also, and airman in my squadron lost his baby this week. They don't know from what yet but please keep him and his wife in your prays as well.
thank you,
cj


Posted by: jai on Thu, Oct 20 at 03:00:10 EDT
Toured in: '02,'04

Courtney you know I got you on this one. Me and Jesus go back like 4 flats on a cadilac.

love ya


Posted by: Ashley Montgomery on Thu, Oct 20 at 03:38:14 EDT
Toured in: 02/04 wife

Courtney, I am so sorry to here that you will definatly be in my prayers. Remember if you need anything we ar always here
Love ya Ashley


Posted by: La-Kee on Thu, Oct 20 at 12:30:22 EDT
Toured in: 2003

Good Morning Blue Fam!! I just wanted to take the time to wish my beloved Hubby a Happy Birthday. He is 24 now and still the best husband and father ever! Godfery, It is my prayer that you would have the best year of your life starting now. And I look forward to many more birthdays to spend with you. I love you more now than ever.

Wifey


Posted by: Tan on Fri, Oct 21 at 02:21:53 EDT
Toured in: 02

Courtney....praying is what I'm all about! I got you and the family added:)
May God CONTINUE blessing each of you!
Tan


Posted by: tammie montgomery on Fri, Oct 21 at 07:45:54 EDT
Toured in: mom 02/04

Courtney, just wanted to let you know im prayn for you and your people there.. Miss everyone so much. Keep in touch. love everyone.momma


Posted by: impatient prior on Fri, Oct 21 at 07:48:39 EDT

CHRIS: No disrespect intended; but is there anyway we can clean out some of these posts.

I had enough time to make speghetti and grits waiting for the page to load.

Food for thought!


Posted by: Frances Wright on Fri, Oct 21 at 09:39:58 EDT
Toured in: 96

PHIL BATEMAN- It was refreshing to see your name on the board!! I hope you are doing well!! I ran into KEN at Maxwell about 2 weeks ago. I haven't seen him since 1998. I was there with the band playing combo music. We were eating lunch and I turned around and saw him. It is always so nice to see a familiar face!! Maxwell seems to be the place I run into priors the most. Anyway, it was great to see your name!!

Take Care,

Frances

I don't know if people know that I have 4 children- Deandra-7, Jade-5 Simone-3 and Marshall-3. If anyone would like to see some pics, let me know. Also, I got engaged a couple months ago!!! After a yr of very bad and sad times, things are starting to look up!


Posted by: amanda n. acrea on Fri, Oct 21 at 11:23:46 EDT
Toured in: none

How is everyone? I am a personnelist on Eglin and I would like to join Tops-In-Blue (I have to finish my CDC's first). Anyway I was just wondering if there is anyone around Eglin that could give me some tips, help me out or even just talk to me about the experience. Thank you hope to here from someone soon. Thanks.


Posted by: Brian/Ruby/Wepa/Rubiano/Felix on Fri, Oct 21 at 20:35:59 EDT
Toured in: 2002

Just droppin by to say hi to everyone especially to my Spirit of America castmates.

To the the present touring group, I'm really am looking forward to see ya'll this month. Ofcourse my CAP family I'm excited to see each and everyone of you.

To Chief, "Mister" Ed, and the rest of AFE staff....It's been a while since I said this....you guys just don't know how much you change my life by making that decision of choosing me to tour with one of the most awesome group ever.


Posted by: Gerry (AKA: Formerly Baby G) on Sat, Oct 22 at 00:06:56 EDT
Toured in: Eglin home-boy!

I got (have) Amanda covered yall!

Eglin home-boy to the rescue! Amanda...have no fear underdawg is here! I gotta get you linked up with Christy (#9) Penn. She's the best spokesperson I know down there. She'll set you up and whip you into shape for WWTC and she'll prep you for what to expect at staging etc! LOL!

I'm e-mailing you right now after I hit the send button! "Speed of Lightning...Power of Thunder....Underdawg...ahh, ahhh, ahhhh, ahhhhhh...underdawg....UNDERDAWG!!!

Gerry,

P.S. Man I wish I was still down at Eglin! Miss that place! Soooo many potential TIB recruits! Wish they had some CDC's for TIB staging and touring!!!! LOL! Hmmmm, gotta get bust on that handbook idea I had a few years back! Got plenty of time for that! NOT!! LOL. Gotta make some. All priors will have input in my TIB handbook! The "unofficial TIB Survival Guide" hmmmmm!

---Gerry...10-4, over n' out yall...like Atlanta in the 18th inning!!!LOL! Can't touch Houston now yall! Too hot to handle!

P.S. The REAL (original) reason I was postin' was to inform ALL my fellow priors about this new CD I just bought (discovered). Its a Mowtown compilation REMIX! Its released by the Mowtown label, and contains all the best hits remixed by many famous DJ's, so its extremely danceable and VERY FUNKY! They took all the vocals and brought them all out front in the mix and isolated them from all of the other tracks on the master! In fact, I THINK that some of these vocals are out-takes or "lost dogs" that Mowtown must have been sitting on in the vaults. You can tell because they seem to be versions that we never heard before. Anyway its SLAMMIN', PHAT, AWESOME, FUNKOLICIOUS etc.LOL. No exaggeration! And these are songs we ALL will immediately recognize no matter how old (young) we are! But don't take my word for it Blue, check out this link with the songlist:

http://www.scenariorecords.com/_streams/MotownIWantYouBack.ram

It was released in 2005 so many of you may not have seen or heard it yet! My advice is...GO BUY IT yall! Its soooo good! They put these funky drum beats (real drums!) behind the vocals! And you can hear EVERY single word and breadth on the vocal mixes! Beautiful thing! Get to it yall! Its unique and addictive to listen too! Just ask MSgt. Tony-G. When I called him all excited to tell him about it, he was like..."Man, I already have it!" And he agreed that its too darn funky and beautifully remixed to believe! He said he drove cross through several states listening to it on his last vacation! He said he bought it at some BX so that's a good sign for all of you still serving. But its also available on Amazon too! I checked. Worth every penny, and then some! Keepin' it real yall with the FYI's for your listening pleasure! LOL support the cause, cause THIS ONE is def. worth it...you'll see (hear)---Gerry. "old-school"


Posted by: Me again! (Gerry) on Sat, Oct 22 at 00:26:25 EDT
Toured in: Need Mo-twon!

Sorries yall,

If that link doesn't work, then try this puppy:

http://www.scenariorecords.com/index.cfm/go/catalogue/mode/view/productID/4159/

Yeah, that's the move (ticket) Blue! 'O5/'O6 this one is dedicated to YOU! This is good bus listenin' music! AND....you can sleep to the slow luv stuff (ie Marvin, and Dianna)its not all fast and funky. Abbout 50% luv stuff. Personally, I'm down with the upbeat cuts. Drummer that I TI-Be! LOL!


Posted by: Me again! (Gerry) on Sat, Oct 22 at 00:29:47 EDT
Toured in: Need Mo-twon!

Sorries yall,

If that link doesn't work, then try this puppy:

http://www.scenariorecords.com/index.cfm/go/catalogue/mode/view/productID/4159/

Yeah, that's the move (ticket) Blue! 'O5/'O6 this one is dedicated to YOU! This is good bus listenin' music! AND....you can sleep to the slow luv stuff (ie Marvin, and Dianna)its not all fast and funky. Abbout 50% luv stuff. Personally, I'm down with the upbeat cuts. Drummer that I TI-Be! LOL!


Posted by: Laura on Sat, Oct 22 at 16:59:04 EDT
Toured in: 2004

HAPPY WEDDING DAY LATOYA!!!!!

You are in my heart today. I am so happy for you and John and wish you the best in all that is to come!

Laura


Posted by: Tammie Montgomery on Sun, Oct 23 at 10:25:41 EDT
Toured in: mom 02/04

Hey Mr Naybu!!! Been thinkin about ya so much lately, and then last night you were even in my dreams..lol.. How are ya? I try to say a prayer everytime God brings someone into mind like that. But this is getting ridiculas..lol... Email me sometime...
Love everyone and miss everyone bunches...
Momma Montgomery


Posted by: Matt Dechant on Sun, Oct 23 at 19:05:01 EDT
Toured in: 04

Funny tour story/request.

Ok, so we were in Tampa, about to fly to Cuba the next day and some of us went out to dinner with Shane and Arturo (sup guys). I don't know how many of us were there, but we had a blast. Freaking Mary out with Mike's lobster shell and what not. At one point Shane was telling a story and he had his hand on the table, the whole time he's telling the story I'm thinking "he's getting kind of close to that full glass of water, maybe I should move it" but I didn't. Eventually he nudges the glass and it falls towards me in slow motion, spilling on the table and running off on to my crotch. I stood up and said the only thing that came to mind.... "DUDE!" He turned around and said "wow, what did you do?" It was the funniest thing ever! We were all cracking up. Having the crotch of my pants wet was totally worth it, if nothing else to be able to tell this story.

Anyway, I know somebody took a picture because it's in my scrap book. So I was wondering if any of you out there in TIB land (more specifically 04) happen to have the picture of me where it looks like I peed my pants, I'd appreciate it if you E-mailed it to me. Thanks =)

Hope you all enjoyed the story!


Posted by: Katie Badowski on Sun, Oct 23 at 19:53:40 EDT
Toured in: someday....

I have a question for anybody to answer. Well, here it goes. My music theory classmates and myself are trying to find an easy way to count compound meters (triples/quadruples). I kind of get it, but need an easy way to explain it to someone else. Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Katie


Posted by: jai on Sun, Oct 23 at 21:00:42 EDT
Toured in: 02/04

KATIE

It's much easier to explain audibly, but to try and explain in text you can try and count meter by syllable. EX: TRI-PAL-ETTE

Once again, it's easier to explain if I was talking to you.

RODDY, if you're out there maybe you can explain it better.

~jai~


Posted by: Christopher McGilton on Sun, Oct 23 at 22:01:50 EDT

Katie,

Try this website, it has some simple songs with complex meters to play around with!

http://cnx.rice.edu/content/m12405/latest/

Good Luck!

Chris McGilton
WWTC 1989
http://cmcgilton.byethost22.com


Posted by: Ashley Montgomery on Sun, Oct 23 at 22:25:13 EDT
Toured in: 02/04 wife

Hey all I have something I need alot of prayer for and I couldn't think of a better group. So I just found out that a very close aunt has been diagnosed with level 3 breast cancer right non the outlook is not so good. I know with God she can be healed but iI could definately use some help.
Thank You
Love you all
Ashley


Posted by: Dave Davis on Sun, Oct 23 at 22:43:28 EDT
Toured in: 2000

Hey from Hurlburt and the not so sunshine state of Florida! I pray the family members down south of here are safe and continue that way.

Welcome to all the new arrivals and the ones in route. Hey there lil' ones! Congrats to the moms and dads!

Becca: Don't be mad at the fella, it's gotta stink having to go through life without a song in your heart! Love ya!

Capt. Cash: What an awesome surprise! I could have done without talking to that no good husband of yours, but it was worth it! j/k, love you and that audio/scarecrow dancing/picture taking hubby of yours!

Chris: You are an officer and a gentleman. Thank you for updating my info for me!

Got to go eat me some boiled peanuts from Winn-Dixie while I listen to some gospel music on the radio (FM no less!). God is Good!
Night All!
Lots O' Blue Love,
Dave




Posted by: JDV (not Jay-Z) on Sun, Oct 23 at 23:32:09 EDT
Toured in: 2003

Hey Blue! Congratulations JT and J-net! I'm so happy for you two.

DMC - I'm saddened that you wont be in the pit this year. Boogie Oogie Oogie wont be the same up there without you. God Bless brother.

I need a favor...I know the priors in the San Antonio area have kinda shifted around and moved since I've been there last. If there's anyone in the San Antonio area that isn't helping at WWTC, but is planning on attending the performance days, can you shoot me an email, please? Thanks

Ms. Glo, can you email me? I can't call your phone...remember the busy problem?

Lety, I'm gonna try and call you. Call me if you get this before you hear from me. Thanks

I love all of you. God Bless you all tons!

JDV (not Jay-Z)
TIB 2003


Posted by: Miss Glo on Mon, Oct 24 at 08:56:24 EDT

JDV I need the #. Looking forward to WWTC. Be Blessed


Posted by: Rachel on Mon, Oct 24 at 10:28:17 EDT

Dave Davis- So happy you and your family made it ok! I just found out you were leaven a few days ago!! It's going to be weird without you here!! Miss ya already!!


Posted by: Becca on Mon, Oct 24 at 15:15:29 EDT
Toured in: 2000

Welcome to your new home Dave!


Posted by: roddy on Mon, Oct 24 at 16:47:25 EDT
Toured in: 02

jai

i forgot how to count up to 4 but i can still do 123123123123
dont ask me. i never played in time anyway.


Posted by: jai on Mon, Oct 24 at 18:07:27 EDT
Toured in: 02/04

that's right, you were always too busy messing with mike's pitch bend


Posted by: Dan on Mon, Oct 24 at 20:10:06 EDT
Toured in: 98

It's been a year or two! Fun to see some old friends still on line! Mel a marathon? I have trouble getting off the couch! You go girl! Jay it's been to long I'll have to call!

Treat them like people!!
Dan


Posted by: Gerry (AKA: Formerly Baby G) on Tue, Oct 25 at 02:32:06 EDT
Toured in: ...2- 4 the show

As in..."1 for the money...2 for the show...3 ta get ready....and 4 to...ROCK IT (GOoooo!! DJ scratchin kicks in! LOL)

Okay, so it aint triplets or quads! Too much partying back in the 80's yall! Good old Arnold hall! Fond memories of that place. Okay, so it wasn't exactly studio 54 in Manhattan, but it served its purpose way out there in Texas!

Hey Blue...what's new! Underdawg to the rescue (again!). LOL

Katie Badowski, I saw your post re: counting trips and quads (in odd meters or common stuff???? That makes a huge difference). So, I'd like to take a shot at that. But first we should ask you to clarify and be a bit more specific. Are we talking whole-note trips, half-note trips, quarter-note trips, 16ths, 32nds 64ths, yada, yada!!LOL! In a word, what's the VALUE of your trips, cause that has a bearing on how to count it (verbally or mentally).

Jai was certainly correct in his phonetic approximation! LOL! But when you start stacking those thick black horizonzal bars over your trips and quads, things start gettin' a might...shall we say...hairy!!! But they need not be scary! We drummers handle those uber-fast runs and passages all the time! But not all of us bother to notate them. But some of us do/can.

And of course, all the TIB arrangers, song writers, jazz musicians, fusion enthusiasts etc. also know "what time it is" when it comes to these busy "passages" on the score/charts etc.

So, no need to be afraid of them. And we are all happy to help those who have the courage to ask! After all the only dumb notes in music are the one's that are never played!!! Okay, excluding staging yall!!!LOL (Can yall imagine the blackmail potential with all those staging bootleg tape. recordings that we used to memorize stuff! I still have mine buried in a box somewhere! LOL

Anyway Katie (I digressed into TIB staging Never-neverland!). There are many books out there on this topic. However, the really good ones seem to always be out of print! But may I suggest going online or to any good music shop, and looking in the drum book section, for some beginners books on "rudimentary" drumming, as they usually have the BEST and most practical methods of counting out loud while playing through different types of notes, groupings, and phrases. I realize you probably aren't interested in playing drums etc. But you can just ignore the sticking (ie Left, Right stuff) and and look at the WORDS and NUMBERS below each note or phrase to see how its counted! Drum books are the best for this! And you won't be bothered with all the notes on the staff business in a drum book. Just the rhythms!! ("Just the facts Maam" LOL!

Anyway, it helps to be able to write the stuff out (notate it) while you are trying to figure out how to count it (verbally or mentally). There are also a number of great instructional beginners drum videos and non-drum videos for intro. to music theory or "notation" (sometimes referred to simply as "counting time etc." I don't know your exact level of proficiency, but judging from the question it seems to me you are looking for the beginner's level books on counting rhythm and time etc. So, if that is the case, then check out this link to a very simple and basic approach which adults and kids can benefit from (for all you TIB prior moms out there who wanna keep the family tradition going!):

http://www.music-with-ease.com/read-music-notes-beginners.html

For all we know you may already be an advanced musician who simply needs to brush-up on or to learn the "theory" of music, which is, of course, very different than playing or singing by ear alone. But one need not fear it at all. I applaud you for asking and for trying to raise/elevate your level of understanding. Music is a lot like basic math (arithmatic...NOT Calc!!!LOL). Once you get the abc's figured out, the rest just falls into place! Ohhhh but how important those ABC's are! Ask any instrumentalist who can sightread how hard it is to explain a syncopated run to an ear-player in staging etc. (Or worse yet in a studio! YIKES!!!

So, as far as good beginners books go, I would highly recommend the following beginner's drumbook publishers and/or titles to you:

Rubanks, Garwood Whaley, etc. and of course Berklee College
Of Music has a huge inventory of excellent books in their Bookstore (which is also online), and here is a link to a few of their titles:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0876390467/ref=pd_sim_b_3/102-4232816-3954547?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance

Enjoy!

My work here is done! Gerry out (...like my charts after staging!LOL)


Posted by: RODDY on Tue, Oct 25 at 08:31:08 EDT
Toured in: 02

why that is correct jai
"choo choooooeeeeeoooooeeooeeeeeoo" cant you just hear it?
ok, that is pretty stupid


Posted by: Katie Badowski on Tue, Oct 25 at 10:56:49 EDT
Toured in: someday....

I wanted to thank you all for your responses to my question about counting. Gerry asked me to be a bit more specific (sorry about that) I am good on simple meter, just needed clarification on compound meter, odd beats.
You all are truely a great resource. Thanks again.

Katie

P.S TIB '04 and '05, miss you guys. Also, Where in the world is Charles Cook?????


Posted by: Becca on Tue, Oct 25 at 11:00:52 EDT
Toured in: Y2K Baby!

Hey Blue! This TIB baby is having a baby! Yeaaaaaaahhh :)
For all those out there who've been sending those prayers thank you!

I miss you guys wish i could be at Worldwide this year. I am cheering everyone staff and contestants on everyday. Talk to ya'll later!

Anyone heard from the Webers lately?

Love, hugs, and smiles,

Becca


Posted by: Tony on Tue, Oct 25 at 11:30:56 EDT
Toured in: 2003

Hay y'all!! what's up? i found out i will not be able to go to WW this year. my jet is in Refurb (that's where they make the jets look purty inside). this is the first Jet that has gotten Refurbed at McConnell in about 3-4 years so my commander wants me to be here for the whole thing. Our Wing Commander is really excited and if we get this done right and on or ahead of schedule then we will be able to get more money for this process. a Refurb takes about 21-30 days and about $60,000. hope everything goes well at WW.

Tony
Truck Driver 2003
Got 'er Did


Posted by: Gerry (Formerly Baby-G) on Tue, Oct 25 at 17:21:50 EDT
Toured in: 2 odd to be true

Katie (et al Blue)

You're welcome! Now that you clarified the odd-time meter business, and informed me that you are already studying at a University, this changes the whole scenario. Now we can step up the level of discourse a notch since we know that you are beyond the beginners stage in music and are at the intermediate to professional level.

I'm gonna do this here so all my Blue family can see benefit too. So rather than bore you with the details here (not enough space anyway) I'll give you some more good links to persue.

I first became seriously interested in odd- time meters back in 87 after our TIB stint in Turkey, where I went and saw some amazing Dumbeck drummers (pronounced "Doombeck") players in some Turkish club somewhere. Then, after I left the Air Force I met some American percussionist who told me about this amazing book written by - of all things a trumpet player - named Don Ellis (who is no longer with us).

The book is titled: "The New Rhythm Book (N. Hollywood, CA: Ellis Music Enterprises, 1972, 101 pgs illus.) The book was long out of print, so he lent me his copy and made a copy for myself. The author, Don Ellis, was at once a brilliant and prolific trumpeter, drummer(!), arranger, composer, ethnomusicologist, educator, author, performer, with a BFA in music composition. You can read all about him and his life at the following site:

http://www.donellismusic.com/Dissertation/Table_of_Contents/table_of_contents.html

....and at this site as well:

http://www.btinternet.com/~j.r.killoch/ellis.htm

I highly recomend this book (if you can find a copy) as it is now considered a classic on odd time meters. He was a trailblazer and pioneer in bringing these meters into the western mainstream music culture and cnsciousness!

The other person I would like to refer you to (and all my blue family...not just the drummers) is man named Gary Chaffee of Cambridge Massachusetts (who IS still alive!) who is one of America's leading experts in this area. He was the Chairman of the percussion department at Berklee and has taught some of the greatest names in drumming ie Vinnie Colaiuta (Sting and Zappa fame), Kenwood Dennard (now a teacher at Berklee and a studio and touring giant!), Steve Smith, and many others. You can learn more about him and his books etc at the following site:

http://garychaffee.com

His e-mail is gary@garychaffee.com, and his phone is (617) 323-1154

The book he wrote which I recommend is called "Rhythm & Meter Patterns". The book is part of the 4 volume series he wrote titled "Patterns", and deals primarily with odd rythms, mixed meters, polyrythms, and metric modulations. But this may be a little too advanced and technical for you. Not sure. Only one way to find out, right? LOL Gotta dive in and take the "Nestle Plunge" LOL!

Re: syllables and verbalizing odd-time rhythms etc., keep in mind that different cultures (who can play in odd meters in their sleep!) Particularly in the East have very evolved and complex systems which they use to verbalize these patterns. Especially India! I learned this from my Tabla playing percussionist friends and from reading tons of drum magazines over the years. And Don Ellis' book was a starting point and paradigm shifting, mind-altering experience for me! That was my main point of departure into odd time meters.

Anyway the famous tabla player from Calcutta India (now teaching at a college in San Fran CA), named Swapan Chaudhuri uses and teaches the Indian systems of verbalizing "tals" and "talas" in North Indian. Look him up on the web and see if you can find any books or articles by him!

So to sum up, there are many paths to your destination. There is no one answer to your question, but there ARE many systems of counting available to you. Its all about taste and style in choosing what works best for you! Perhaps you might consider taking a class in some sort of ethnic percussion to. explore the myriad possibilities. Teaching yourself is admirable and impressive, but remember what a fomous person once said...."He who teaches himself, hath a fool for a master!" LOL!!

Have fun!!!(That's ALWAYS #1)

Gerry...(has left the bldg!) 10-4, over 'n out...like a drummer playing in 7/4, 7/8, 9/8, 11/8, or 13/8!!!! Breakin' those odd time signatures up into smaller and simpler subdivisions of time! Especially into multiples of 4. To try to maintain that good ol' American backbeat! Dave Brubeck did it in jazz, and Neil Peart first proved that it can even be done in rock! Don't be afraid to try yall. Its only as difficult as YOU make it. Keep your minds wide open always. That's how we in TIB continue to grow and learn. ---G out. Sorries for hoggin' and bloggin'!LOL


Posted by: Tammie Montgomery on Tue, Oct 25 at 20:34:50 EDT
Toured in: mom 02/04

Becca Iam so proud for you sweetie... been thinkin about ya and prayin everytime i think...take care of yourself through this ok? everyone else, keep in touch.. if im needed at world wide let me know..
love you all bunches
momma montgomery


Posted by: Lola Ross on Tue, Oct 25 at 21:09:23 EDT
Toured in: 2000

Becca,
CONGRATS! I'm so happy to hear the news. Take care of yourself and get all the sleep you can now because once that little one comes along, it will be like a TIB tour all over again when it comes to sleep :-)!
Paige, call me and fill me in on the move. Here's my number just in case you had to switch cell phone service 618-233-5538.
Grimes, Grimes, Grimes, comma, Amber, Amber-What's the deal? You send me an e-mail ages ago to see if my address was still valid and then I don't hear from you. What the.... Write or call (number is above) and fill me in on this new career in the AF band.
Well, we have another 7 weeks to go before the new baby arrives. Trying to get Alix to understand that a new little one will be here, but how much can a 20 month old understand? At least she knows "dede sissa" is in momma's tummy, so that's a start.
2000-Love you all and hope that things are going well in all of your lives. Not a day goes by that I don't think about you guys. Especially since our tour poster is hanging at the end of our hallway, so I see your mugs everyday and night.
To the rest of my blue family,
Much love
Lola


Posted by: Paige Oatis on Wed, Oct 26 at 00:54:05 EDT
Toured in: THe Best 2000!

Becca!!!! I am so excited for you I need your number so I can call you and talk. Please send me an e-mail.
Lola>>> I will be in Belleville probably Thursday and Friday so, I may stop by and see you guys. I will call ahead just incase you don't read this before I get there.
Amber>>>You know that I miss you lady! I will call you soon too.
Will>>> I need your phone Number so I can call you. Miss you friend.
Chris Burch...didn't you just have a Birthday or something or am I way off? Happy Birthday if so and Happy Un-Birthday if I am wrong....
2000 I miss all of you and wish some would keep in touch better. I am so proud of your accomplishments and pray that all of you are doing fine. I would like to hear from everyone to see how you all are doing and to catch up a bit.
All other priors love you guys too! Hope all is well with you and your families! Lotz uv BLUE love.


Posted by: Amber on Wed, Oct 26 at 09:45:01 EDT
Toured in: 2002

Roddy,
I thought it was more like
Choo ChaWOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

Anyway, give us a call sometime, we miss ya, and you haven't been over for some dinner in a while!

Talk to ya soon!
Amber


Posted by: Dwayne Perry aka Usher on Wed, Oct 26 at 11:45:07 EDT
Toured in: WWTC 03 and 05

Hey Family!! It's been a long time since I checked in... But I felt it was time to come by and say hey.. First off I want to thank everybody for their prayers in regards to my cross-training and my chances on making the tour. As some of you may know, my cross-training didn't get approved and I was forced to separate the Air Force on Sept. 14th of this year. I admit that I was upset that I missed my opportunity to tour b/c of that whole cross-training situation and then to be separated beyond my control had me a little upset at the Air Force to say the least. But now looking in hindsight I'm thankful for the opportunity and the experiences that I had while I was in. Auditioning and being a step away from touring with Tops in Blue was definitely the highlight of my career. So I wanted to thank everybody thatI met through the program, the life lessons learned in those few weeks at WWTC, and the friends that I still talk to even now today.

*Whew* I've been holding that in for a minute... But anyway I am now settled back home in Waldorf, MD and I just got a job working for the State Department down in D.C. so God has taken care of his child.

On another note I just found out that the team will be here in 2 days and I can't wait to see them. Does anybody know the time of the show?? Or what time the team arrives so I could help set-up or help out however I can... Anybody with any info hit me up!!

Anybody know of different venues that I could still express my love for singing in the MD/VA/DC area let me know..

Contact Info:

Home: 301-638-2431
Cell: 240-286-1129
e-mail: stimulatin_mindz@yahoo.com and dwayne_a_perry@yahoo.com


Posted by: Mindy Cameron on Wed, Oct 26 at 12:29:17 EDT
Toured in: 2000

Becca!!!! Congratulations honey. I'm so excited for you. Gotta go to class, but I wanted you to know that I was thinking of you.

Love, Min


Posted by: Mr Walker on Wed, Oct 26 at 13:45:45 EDT

Hello Family:
First of all, I want to thank all of you for your prayers and well wishes in the going home of my wife of 38 years Alberta. Your words and prayers kept me going. I continue to keep you in my prayers. Till we meet again, POWER TO THE BLUE!!

Jim Walker


Posted by: roddy on Wed, Oct 26 at 15:24:13 EDT
Toured in: 2002

AMBER
i would love to come over and eat more food and watch veggie tales.
you and matt have to come and see my house. (matt can dig a hole in my backyard and BBQ. NOT!)
talk at you soon girly.


Posted by: jai on Wed, Oct 26 at 22:00:18 EDT
Toured in: 02/04

DWAYNE

My boy, Jerome, is in MD somewhere. I'll find out where and have him get at you.


Posted by: Dwayne on Wed, Oct 26 at 23:06:07 EDT
Toured in: WWTC 03/05

Thanks Jai.. That'd be good.. I haven't heard from him in a good minute!!


Posted by: Naybu on Thu, Oct 27 at 01:00:17 EDT
Toured in: '93

Hello everyone!! Feels like ages since I've been on here, although, I still check the board quite frequently. Let me be the first, at least on the board anyway, to wish my Big Sister, Tracey Wright, a very Happy Birthday!!! Wish I could come up there and celebrate with you, but I gotta go to Savannah on Saturday, so sorry babes. Please know that I love you. I wish you many, many, many more years of life, happiness and love. You, Derrick, and Tyler are in my thoughts and prayers all the time. Please know that me and Fab send our best to you guys.

Glo-Glo,
Fab misses you so much. Well, you know I miss you too. That goes without saying. Love ya!

Jeri and the entire AFE STaff,
I really love and miss you guys. Hope to see you soon.

Mr. & Mrs. E,
What can I say? Words cannot express how I feel about you guys. I want you both to take care of yourselves.

Ed & Barry,
If I wasn't writing to both of you, I'd say, 'you're my man, fitty-grand'. And yes, I said "fitty"!!!! Can't wait for the talk.


Momma Montgomery,
Love ya!

'04,
miss y'all

'05,
Keep doin' what you do!!!

Katie B,
Don't think I forgot about you. Okay, things have just been so hectic, but I promise, I will call you back soon. I'll give you a call Saturday when I'm driving down to Savannah. I'll have three good hours to talk and catch up.

Congrats Becca, Toya, Christian and Stacey, and er'body else who congratulations is in order for.

Walteezy,
We need to talk. It's been too long!

K-Hill,
Love you, man. Keep knockin' 'em dead!! You're a real STAR!!! (imagine that in the voice of Miss M in The Wiz, when she was talking about Glenda, the Good Witch)

I'm out!!

Naybu
'93


Posted by: Naybu on Thu, Oct 27 at 01:04:21 EDT
Toured in: '93

Oooooppppssss!!! I got to shout out to my baby, Amber G--do it baby!!! And my boy, Tony!!! You is gon' be a daddy???? Oh, Lawd!!! :)
Takeesha!! What up, girl! Been watching SO? I am totally out of touch with it now.

Holla!! Fa real dis time!!!

Naybu


Posted by: Gerry (AKA: Formerly Baby G) on Thu, Oct 27 at 03:17:39 EDT
Toured in: coupla few!

Dear Mr. Walker (AKA: "Clem!", "Uncle Jimmy", "Slim" etc.),

We ALL LOVE YOU bro (uhhh...Sir!) And we all wish you well and are so very sorry to hear about your recent loss. But she is indeed "home" now and safe and sound in the bright light of the almighty creator. Please know that we all care, and that we all feel your pain, and hope you will recover and rebound soon from your grief! Even though I never met your wife, I'm sure anyone who would be married to a guy as real and as straight 'n upright as you, MUST have been a pretty special person/lady!

You should also know that I truly miss your big smile and booming deep voice and your shepardly advice, and coaching etc., ESPECIALLY during our staging (TIB "Bootcamp").I'm sure that bro Khalil can relate and at-test to that!You made that entire process so much "easier"! NOT easy mind you...Laughs....just easiER!! LOL! You made my 1st staging experience a LOT less scary. And you made ALL of our tasks a LOT less daunting and MUCH more doable (ie. an achieveable, attainable and a realistic goal to complete)...and most of us did, thanks in large part to your motivational coaching and your confidence-instilling deep, warm, and assuring voice!

The next time I'm anywhere NEAR Texas, I gotta look you up and come see you! So I can thank you IN PERSON for making my - and ALL of my TIB castmates - lives so much more bearable and doable before, during, and after staging, touring, and at the final leg/homecoming/and banquet! You were there for us "from cradle to grave" and we LOVE you dearly for your yeomen's work with TIB and as the Chief's right-hand go-to guy!!! You handled all the pressure like Michael Jordan handled a ball! Excellence and professionalism at every step of the process! The pressures and responsibilities you were continuously under were obvious to us all, and you set an incredible example by always EXCEEDING the standards/limits (of professionalism)!!!! And that's NO EXAGERATION yall! Above and WAY BEYOND the call of duty in the BLUE and at AFE!

If there was a Platinum Roger....I'd give it to you! If I had the power to award you a Congressional Medal of Honor, I'd nominate you for one! And "If I were king for just one day" (U2) I'd do it all YOUR way! If I were a business book publisher, I'd offer you a book deal to document your managerial coaching philosophy for all the world to see and for posterity. If I were Tony Robbins, I'd bow to you and pay my propers! And, If I were a bigshot Hollywood producer, I'd. get you to do voice-overs for all my movies!(Not sure about any camera appearances though..Laughs!) Just kiddin' yall, he is ALWAYS a spiffy and dapper looking gentleman whose outward appearances, always matched his inward character and ethical standards. Oh yeah, did I forget to mention that, he also has more dress suits than Johnny Carson, David Letterman, Arsenio Hall, Jay Leno, and Conan O'Brian all put together!!!!! LOL! And I ain't just whistlin' Dixie or blowin' Blue smoke yall....he was ALWAYS "dressed to the nines" as they say! Always dressed (and pressed) to impress!!! Everytime he walked into a room or an auditorium or theatre, or the staging site, I took one look at his appearance and demeanor, and thought we were about to be briefed for a Presidential press conference or something!!! LOL! Like jumping to attention if a 4-star Gen. were about to enter a room! If one was, you can bet your ascots that Mr. Walker ("Slim-Jim")would be in there ahead a time, givin' us the skinny on all that! Intel was his middle name!

You were, and STILL are, a ROLE MODEL for me, and for countless THOUSANDS of other TIB priors, staff members, support personell at (AFE),WWTC contestants, and anyone (and probably everyone), who has ever had the honor, priviledge, and good fortune to have met you and/or worked over, under, or alongside you!!! I always felt safe and secure and in good hands when you were around, and even out on the road, when you were back at Lackland with the Chief takin' care of biz for us.

One last thing and I'll shut-up and make like a tree and leave. A while back in a previous post to you Mr. Walker, I was waxing philosophical and imagining what heaven would be like for me, and how I would wish it was if I ever get there. I said that I'd wish that Bernie Rone and Percy Lewis were there waiting for me (if they get there first!) to make sure I don't slip up and do or say anything stupid to mess up chances of gettin' in! (Laughs!) Like 2 more "uncles" looking out for me. God knows they saved my ascot more than once down here! LOL! Anyway, I'd also like to officially add to my TIB (in-the-sky) wishlist that just before I step into "the (Blue) light", I'd love to hear YOUR deep voice introducing me to the almighty one! "Ladies and Gentlemen..."

Sincerely (Soooo sorry for your loss, feeling your pain!),

Gerard "Gerry" #22(?) Semola (AKA: Formerly Baby G)
Toured in: NOT NEARLY AS MANY as Mr. Walker yall!

P.S. There are'nt enough diamonds in the entire universe (or a ring big enough to hold 'em all!) to reward him for all his monumental contributions to "the (TIB) program!" If I'm lyin' I'm flyin' yall!

P.S.S.
Thank's again Mr. Walker. May your dearly departed wife Walk forever in the light of the lord! And may God CONTINUE to bless YOU TOO Sir. Be well. Life goes on! Although we all would like to think we will be around forever, the truth and reality is that life is short. TOO SHORT! Even if we are allowed and blessed to live a long life...we always wish we could stick around just a little bit longer. Even if its just to see the new Blue continue to shine through. Be well Mr Walker. Glad you're still around for us. Don't you go nowhere, hear??? We still need you around! And remember this: "The students earn respect (for their achievements), but it is the TEACHER who earns the praise! Thanks for being a great, outstanding, and exceptional teacher ..."Clem". Miss ya Sir. Be well and take care of yourself now...hear? We LUVS ya bro! (errr...Mr. Bro that is!) -----Gerry has left the room (podium) Love U2 Blue! All a yall!


Posted by: Walt on Thu, Oct 27 at 08:59:49 EDT
Toured in: 2001

Greetings Errr-body!

Basketball season is amoung us and so is WW! Can't beat that!

TA: Always keeping an eye on you through the web! Keep doing it!

Naybu: I was thinkin' bout cha last night as I was scanning through Making the Band III... just ain't the same without the Choppa, Ness, and of course Sarah! - NOW GO GET ME SOME CHEESE CAKE!

Ed: My man 50 Grand!

Mr. Walker: Thanks for EV-VER-REE-THING!!!

Chief: TD is looking good. Hope we don't peak to early! Yeah, I said we. The Kangs are no more! I am now an offical ....(my Lawd, I can't believe I'ma bout to say this)... A SPURS watcher!

2005... See you in a minute! Get ready for worldwide baby!

2001... Who ya wit!

Err-body else... Holla atcha! Hit me up on the new improved website: http://www.str8silly.com

PS: Also... big shout out to Rahb Car-tah! Once its offical-offical, we'll fill everybody else in.

Like the Houston Astros.... I'm out!

Peace!
Walt-Teezy.... off the heezy!


Posted by: Ian on Thu, Oct 27 at 09:47:25 EDT
Toured in: 02

Well, the time has come again where Angie and mighty driven vocal chords have left for far off lands. Please pray for her safe and successful trip thru the desert and Southeast Asia then continues her trip into some cool European countries and Africa. Please pray for all the members of the band as well.
I miss Angie, but it will be good to wear the thrown again...for all you guys in marriages and serious relationships understand :) I love you baby. Be safe and kick some serious ass. Sorry Chris, I understand if you want to change that word...


ps...everyone join me in welcoming back to board by giving a big round of applause, from Ridgecrest CAAAAAAlaaaaafornia!!! Tower 5!!!!Rodneeeeeey Zagalaaaaa!!!!


Posted by: Breona Rancher on Thu, Oct 27 at 10:47:18 EDT
Toured in: WWTC05x2

Hello all!!

The WWTC is fast approaching and I am so excited to see familiar and new faces!!!

Well, the reason for this post is to finally tell the whole story behind the dorm fires here at my base...I can finally say something.

The fires first happend on 22 Sep 05. The first fire was from a lit candle inside of a trash can that was in our laundry room. It was obvious that it was delibrate. Then 30 min later, another fire went off in our Bay Orderly supply closet with all of the cleaning chemicals. So two fires in less than an hour. When we all evacuated the second time for the fire, we were all outside in the cold just socializing and waiting to go back in. At that time I was walking around saying hello and starting conversations with random people that I knew.

I came to this group of AMS airmen. They all lived on the first floor. Anyone who isnt from our squadron get assigned a room from the first floor. I had never seen them before because I dont go downstairs. Well, I was talking to this one indiviual and I could tell that he liked me right away; just by the way he talked to me and all. I talked to him and his friends for no more than 5 min, then I went to talk to other friends. Well, the next day, the guy that I talked to the night before, I ran into him in the hall and we started talking and stuff. I was having a game night with a few friends of mine in my dorm room, so I invited him so he could get to know some more people. We all hung out and stuff, and then him and I met up with more friends later that night and we all went to the club. This was Friday. We came back to the dorms to get somemore people to go to another club and the Fire Department and Security Forces was all outside our dorms. I asked one of the SPs and they told us that there was another fire. This time some had taken some clothes out of the dryer and put them on fire and closed the door to the room.

We were all very angry and we wanted to know who kept on setting these fires...

Okay fast forwarding to a week later...

we all found out that the people who caused the fires had confessed to OSI. My First Shirt and my Section Commander pulled me aside and told me who had done it.

"Do you know who (blank) is?" I said that I had just met him and we hung out that pass weekend. "Person who confessed to the fires was the gentleman that you have been hanging around. He said that he did them to get a girl's attention, and that girl is you."

I almost started to cry because I let this person in my room, introduced him to my friends, associated myself with him and never knew his intentions. I felt very decieved. Now here is the twist: they said that he confessed to the fire that had happened on the Friday before. He was with me and my friends that night, the WHOLE night until we got back to the base which was 5am. They said that the fire had been started at 11:22pm that night, but we have a pic on my friend's phone that has the time of which the pic was taken. The picture was taken at 11:17, five minutes BEFORE the fire, so he would have had to pass me, where I was sitting, run all the way back to the dorms from the EClub, run up to the third floor, and be back before anyone noticed he was gone. That doesn't add up at all. So now when we thought the case was solved, it was reopened because of the timing of everything.

So, that is the story. I was involved in directly because I was hanging around the very person who had started all of this and didnt even know it...

Breona Rancher


Posted by: cj on Thu, Oct 27 at 12:37:50 EDT

Matt D, the band at offutt needs a set player. just lettin you know

cj


Posted by: A. Prior on Thu, Oct 27 at 13:46:55 EDT

See, what had happend was.....


Posted by: Jerry Reinsdorf on Thu, Oct 27 at 16:48:35 EDT
Toured in: 1917, 2005

Hey Blue...
Ahem...(tapping the mike, test test, ahem) HOW BOUT THEM WHITE SOX!!!



Posted by: JD on Thu, Oct 27 at 17:57:08 EDT
Toured in: Y2K

Hello my blue family!!! Just checking the board and OH MY GOODNESS....Becka is havin' a BAAAAAAAABBBBYYYY!!!!!! Like Lola said, sleep now cause tour is comming back!! tee hee hee!!! Glad all mine are almost grown and I'm out of the diaper/bottle stage!! A long way out!

Hope everyone is doing great and can't wait to see everyone at WWTC!!! Thanks Chief and I'd would have been there in a flash if I could have. I just wish my leadership could understand!!! Anyway, anywhere or anytime they let me Sir and I'm all yours!!!

To the WWTC 2006 contestants...get ready for the ride of your life.!!

Bluer than Pappa Smurf.!!!

JD


Posted by: Monte on Thu, Oct 27 at 21:00:48 EDT
Toured in: 2001

TIB Staff i am in San Antonio for Recruiter School. I don't have a lot of time, but if you need some one in the drivers seat and our schedules match please give me a call, i'm staying at the gateway, Jeremy Montgomery.


Posted by: Chris Burch on Fri, Oct 28 at 02:13:18 EDT
Toured in: 1998

Well it finally happened...I have become a censor. I decided to delete the "OSI Agent" posting because...well...oh come on...that was just weak. No self-respecting agent would make such a statement on this forum, and if he/she really was an agent then he/she needs to seriously get a clue.

Anyway...

So why is it people on this site are always trying to make me older?? I am doing that just fine all by myself, thanks. So thank you for the well wishes, Paige, but my birthday was months ago. For the record, I will still accept gifts--I like German sports cars and trips to exotic tropical islands.

I am very excited about WWTC...looking forward to bonding and cutting up with my TIB family. And I can't wait to see at least part of this year's show. I'll be singing in an opera the night TIB comes to MacDill, so I guess I'll have to be making a road trip to catch the full show somewhere else.


Posted by: Ian on Fri, Oct 28 at 08:43:05 EDT
Toured in: 02

Chris, You can always make a homecoming trip to the wonderful city of Warner Robins on Nov. 29th :) I am sure you would love to come "home". I mean who wouldn't right?


Posted by: Francine on Fri, Oct 28 at 09:48:07 EDT
Toured in: 88 & 89

Poppa Smurf! Poppa Smurf! --Love it.

When I think of "Home" I think of a place where there's...
Love Overflowing...

CHRIS -- What Opera? What are you singing?

Life is good.

Love to all.


Posted by: Huey (The Evil One) Gauthier on Fri, Oct 28 at 11:45:13 EDT
Toured in: 90/96/98

Chris you would want to see the entire show. I saw the show on Tuesday and the kids were incredible. This is one you can't miss. Again the Blue Crew out did themselves. Good luck with your Opera...ummmhummm sure it's a opera...


Posted by: Chris Burch on Fri, Oct 28 at 12:24:37 EDT
Toured in: 1998

Hmmm...Warner Robins...gosh I miss that place. Oh wait, that was the intestinal flu that I miss more...never mind.

I am in the opera chorus of Opera Tampa, which is performing Carmen in December. Overall it's not as fun as I had hoped, but it pads the music resume and keeps my voice in shape. And best of all, it feeds into my neurotic need to over-extend myself. I am considering trying to work my way into a professional classical soloist status so I can get cooler gigs (solo headliners and such), more time in the spotlight, payment, etc. I doubt that will happen quickly though.

On that note (can I piggy back on myself for a moment…mmm hmmm…somebody needed to say it), from a mastery of your craft standpoint (vocalists at least), participation in choirs and community music programs is an enormously beneficial experience. All large cities will have a variety of programs that will accept community members, some even without auditioning. Colleges will also frequently allow community members to join. The benefit is that you get to be around other singers, some of which may be much better than you and you will be performing a variety of music with which you may or may not be familiar. You'll end up singing for several hours a week, developing your reading abilities, picking up better techniques from those around and maybe even making new friends with similar interests. After a while, you'll develop contacts and find out about other, more interesting gigs that can do all of these things and maybe even pay you.

I'll give my experience as an example. I didn't start singing classically or with any type of formal training until I got into college. There I took lessons and joined every singing group I could find. Even that early I was able to do some really fun performances of all types of music, not just classical. Once I got out of college and up to Washington DC for my first assignment, my classical technique was still early in development and hardly impressive. I ended up joining three choirs (2 at colleges and one at the National Cathedral). While there, I very distinctly recall being intimidated by the singers around me who were obviously better singers and readers in a variety of languages. After months and months of rehearsing up to 10 hours a week and lots of performances in cool locations, I finally started to get it. Plus I was still taking voice lessons for the first couple of years out of college. I can not stress enough how much formal vocal training (voice lessons/coaching) is the best possible thing ANY singer can do to develop their voice. By the time I left DC (and we are only talking about 3 years), I was getting calls at work to do classical gigs at the Kennedy Center with the National Symphony in a fairly small vocal ensemble and getting paid for it. I sang with Georgetown's Choir off and on for 5 years, mostly because I ended up getting all of the good tenor solos. That got me guest solo gigs in 2 other choirs and I even got to solo for Jimmy Carter (yeah yeah, he was still a President) and with Dave Brubeck and his band. Wherever I have been assigned (even in England), I have made it a point to find avenues to perform and further develop my technique. And it is worth noting that I still work full time on active duty, so all of these are extra-curricular activities. Not trying to toot my own horn, but (that means I am about to anyway) now I teach voice professionally and can walk into pretty much any audition and get picked up without even having to finish the audition, and I take great pride in now being the guy that intimidates the newbies sitting around him in choir. Again, that's from only a part-time investment.

I am not suggesting that everyone go out and become a classical singer, but these types of opportunities will make you better...potentially a lot better. In fact, I used to make fun of people that sang like me and was highly opposed to singing classically when I first got into college. Once it all starts falling into place and your voice goes up an octave, you start to understand that "good" singing is useful in any style or genre...except country, but we won't go there. You know for one brief moment in time, I was supposed to open the country set of our TIB show...oh the horror of that image still burned into my head. Sometimes having your solo cut from a show is a good thing...trust me. Before I get set upon for country bashing...Martina McBride is exceptional...there’s a bone...chew on it for a while.

Anyway, I DO NOT want to set a precedence of long posts here (hint, hint), so I am going to stop rambling and actually get some work done in this little military gig I have going here in sunny Tampa, FL.

Maj Burch
(oh yeah...that’s official now)


Posted by: LA-KEE on Fri, Oct 28 at 13:58:13 EDT
Toured in: 2003

Hello Blue Family,

Does anyone know how to get in touch with Charles Cook aka Chuck "Too Tall" Dugal aka Twin Tower #1 aka TIB Poster Boy aka Shaft aka Marvin Gaye?


Posted by: Gerry (AKA: Formerly Baby G) on Fri, Oct 28 at 21:29:45 EDT
Toured in: Many moons ago!

Chris,

Just what I always wished, hoped, and prayed for.....a webmaster with a great sense of HUMOR!!!!! No offense to Mr. Morrow, (he set the stage) but Chris, you sound like the kinda guy I could shoot a few games of pool, and slurp down a few brewskies with! LOL! I have to admit though, if that OSI guy was a hoax, he sure had ME goin'! Yikes!! But I was kinda wonderin' to myself about the sensitivity of the details. But Breona did say she was all clear to discuss it. There's always a wiseguy waiting to fool with our heads. Glad you made a command decision to ixnay that puppy though. Just hope you employed the CYA tactic of calling someone over at OSI.....(laughs)....just to make sure! Anyway, they could have simply contacted her directly I'm sure if she accidentally overstepped her bounds. Right?

Anyway, that's a sad and scary story. just goes to show....we must choose our friends carefully, and don't let them choose us (foist themselves upon us) before we have a chance to check them out and get some referals. LAUGHS! Life sure is a trip! So what are we supposed to do now????....politely excuse ourselves from meeting people until we run their names through the sleuth websites to see if they are serial-wackjobs or arsonists etc! Jeesh! Laughs! What's this world coming too yall??? I can just see it now....."Excuse me Sir, I don't mean to interrupt you mid-sentence, but I have to leave for a few minutes to get on a computer to check something...uhhhh but before I do....what did yo say your name and social security number was???? LOL! Guess that's what it coming too nowadays!

Don't feel too bad sis Breona, it was not your fault! How could you have known? Just a freak incident that you got caught up in. Juat imagine what famous female celebs have to go through all the time! They get letters from prisons from enfatuated fans etc. and from all sorts of people who they know nothing about. Some people are very good at concealing their true self! Even in person! Sorry you had to go through that. But its over now and I'm sure you are a better and more cautious person now. Try to look at it this way, at least you were not hurt physically, and it may serve to save your life someday from someone much worse! I've had some close calls like that in my life.....and I'm a guy who can hold my own! Philly boy! Street smarts (blue collar city neighborhood full of longshoreman and tradesmen!) saved my ascot more than a few times in life! Gotta always be on your toes and thinkin' ahead! Ten steps ahead of your potential adversaries etc. Words and looks can be very deceiving in life! Max Roach had an album titled "Deeds not Words!" and what's Sting say in that one song of his from way back????..."poets, priests, and politicians...have words to thank for their positions...". Gotta choose our friends veeeeery carefully yall! Self preservation. Hand in there Breona, you were just the closest unsuspecting victim he could prey upon. If it were not you, it would have been someone else for sure. Don't fret or take it personally. Let this experience you become a better more careful person! Use itto your advantage. Learn and grow! Roll with the punches! In life, its not how many times you fall that is important.....its how you LAND each time that counts! Like hitting a bad note or slipping on stage or running down those steps off a riser etc. and playing it off etc.

Guess you could say, all you need to know about life is really (valuable lessons etc) contained in a TIB tour! But you gotta look really hard (sometimes within yourself!) to see, learn, and benefit from them. And then looooong after the tour is over, we have to work hard to remember those life lessons, and to keep them fresh in our minds for fast recall if the need should arise! And it WILL eventually! It always does sooner or later! Although I did not learn EVERYTHING about life on tour....everything I NEEDED to know about life I learned on tour! And that's for sure yall! Its all right there in front of you '05/'06. Don't let those lessons pass you by without paying attention to them. We can learn from ANYTHING in life....good or bad! Don't take that bad stuff for granted though yall! Once we get past all the emotional stuff, and the knee-jerk reactions, the fog will soon lift and then reason and clear-thinking will be restored, and in turn, reflection will take place. But we still need to mature long after our tour. I say this because we all sometimes forget the things we learned (or witnessed) in TIB. Those valuable lessons that no amount of money can buy! Never assume that because we know (or THINK that we know), those same things can't happen to us again! They can! And the often DO! But remember.....its not how many times........it how we LAND! Always keep your (mental) parachutes in good order! Don't waste all those good memories and invaluable life lessons that we ALL learned! Call me if you need me Breona! (e-mail is renaissanceprince@hotmail.com. I'm always here for my TIB family! Its all relative Breona...."Glass half empty....or half fulll????" With TIB watching your back.....your silver cup is ALWAYS FULL!!!!

My work here is done! LOL! Have no fear yall......UNDERDAWGIIE is here for all my TIB peeps (Blue kinfolk) 24/7! At your service! Like 'ol Lerch on the Adams family (only a lil' shorter! LOL!) "YOU RAAAAAAAAAAAANG!!!!" Gotta roll out myself now yall.....don't wanna tee off any high ranking opera singers (hint, hint!) LOL! Chris....you're a real pip bro! I like ya a lot...so far! LAUGHS! Hey bro...don't ever be afraid to toot your own horn on THIS HERE website man! We are family here and we all shine if one of our kinfolk shines! Just like the teacher and the student pithy I mentioned in my last post to Mr. Walker. Represent! Show us all your cards bro! We LOVE reading about what you have in your hand! I know I do! And especially when it comes to our webbymeister! It shows a human side that your techie-types rarely get a chance (or desire) to reveal! I love reading about other peoples accomplishments, as well as their other not so positive issues. Obviously I'd rather read more of the former, but the latter are a big part of life too! And so we need to help each other pull through the hard times so we can all share and bask in the light of the good times down the line! AMEN yall??????? A-men-rah-rah, sis boom bah! LOL!

GO BLUE! Take life by the horns! Lead it....don't let it lead you! Take control....take action... express yourself... reach out when you need to, and help each other whenever you can and however you can! Use all the means we have at our disposal (technology, comedian webmasters, bulletin board, e-mail, cell phones, WWTC, etc. Always try to give back in some little way, cause it all adds up in the big picture! Don't just settle for mediocrity in life. Its easy to just follow the herd. But why follow when you can ALL lead! You ALL have the tools! TIB gave them to us! Remember????? Now we are off tour and older and much more mature than before we entered in the Blue! Time to put them tools to good use! Don't just follow good role models and leaders.....BE ONE YOURSELF. We ALL have the POWER! Anmd we all have the Blue network at our fingertips! Don't waste it! USE IT! I do! Right Chris! (Laughs!) He knows!

Sincerely (preachin' to my Blue peeps),

P.S. Chris, I loved how you put Jimmy Carter in front of Dave Brubeck.....TOO FUNNY! Peanut man over Brubeck! Gotta love it! Nice lil' resume ya got there too! Go man (uhhh SIR....Major Birch???) Yikes!!!! Gotta watch my French on this here board! CYAscots!!!!!LOL!

Gerry has left the room! 10-4...over and out! ...like the OSI poser guy! (he was "trollin" yall) Sic-em Maj. Chris!


Posted by: Hersh on Fri, Oct 28 at 22:40:30 EDT
Toured in: 97

Just a quick little story about drawing from "The Blue" background.....

Last weekend I was closing a show here in Denver. I was playing Billy Crocker in "Anything Goes."....Anyway...no understudies....So, we are set to go on on Friday....Thursday night, I woke up throwing it like I ate bad clams......At the Doctor on Friday afternoon...Director is freakin' a little...Doc tells me not to go on....I was like...You're kidding right?...You got to give me something to keep it down.....So, she gives me a prescription, and off to the theater I go....Barf buckets on each side of the stage and behind the set....The overture started, I was saying a little prayer....I swear, no lie, I started thinking about my cast in 97', and I heard all of them......Andy, Mike, Kristi, Kim, Dodd, Snakes,Gibby, everyone telling me they were there with me.....That I was "Blue"....I didn't need anything else......Well, we did the show...no unexpected exits to yak.....and I know the reason I made it through that show was "Family.".....

Ain't it great to be one of the cool kids????!!!!

Hersh


Posted by: Kerri on Sat, Oct 29 at 00:08:41 EDT
Toured in: 2003

Hey La-Kee, you can reach Chuck at his Lakenheath email address... too.tall@lakenheath.af.mil or somethin' like that! :)

Not to keep the Tech Folk out of the loop, but most of those places that Chris mentioned also have a need for techs. When I was stationed in Rapid City, SD, I worked for the local IATSE Stagehand Union (oh how I miss the pay) and worked all kinds of cool shows... rock, pop, and country concerts, Pow-Wow's, rodeos, conventions... you name it, I worked it and I have a nice little backstage pass collection to prove it. (swag is cool!) Even the little podunk towns have some sort of entertainment facility/convention center/community theatre (remember Klamath Falls, Oregon '03?) where I'm sure one could pick up a techie gig.

Basically, we ALL have some sort of craft that needs to be exercised and explored. You just have to be creative and find ways to do so!

That's my two cents... and look, I kept it to just a few small paragraphs! :)

See y'all soon!

-KB


Posted by: Spencer on Sat, Oct 29 at 00:11:40 EDT
Toured in: 2001

Wow, so much I have missed!! Well first things first, congrats to all who have had a birthday, anniversary, gotten married, or found out they are having or had a baby! Sorry they aren't individual but for sake of time and space I figured I would say keep it this way.

2001 - Stay blessed, miss you all!

Kristina - Call me, 254-289-6965

2005 - Can't wait to see the show!

Congrats to all who made WWTC, can't wait to see what you have especially those returning.

Chief thanks for everything!


Posted by: JD on Sat, Oct 29 at 01:27:58 EDT
Toured in: Y2K Baby!!!

Hello BLUE family!!!

Hersh I'm with ya!!! TIB2000 had an "incident" in Germany where we were all in your shoes....all of us were sick (food poisoning or something like that) and knew that the show must go on. On stage one minute and up-chucking back stage the next. As Ed Jones always said, "Nobody came here to see sick folks on stage." We finished that show, probably our best show, completely drained and nothing left. I remember sitting back stage after the show with the entire team in tears wondering what was next. When people ask me about the toughest part of Tops In Blue, I tell that story. 5 star hotel, the best of everything and all we could do was vomit and sleep. Thank God for Ed Jones and McDonald's french fries....Arturo are ya with me????

TIB2000: I've got our video playing right now and I miss each and every one of you. The year that we shared was the toughest, yet best/most rewarding year of my 17 years in the Air Force. I'd give any of you everything I have if it would make a difference.... TOPS IN BLUE Y 2 K, WE ARE GONNA PAVE THE WAY, DEDICATION..TEAMWORK....GO BLUE!!!! When I'm running my 3 miles and get tired I start saying our chant and it gets me through each and every time....Paige, the author of your chant, thanks for that.

Chief: thank you for this amazing journey that keeps on going!! I owe you a debt of gratitude that I will never be able to repay. Any time, anywhere I can get there I'm yours. You and Miss Linda are amazing and I thank God above for you both!!!

TIB2000: I miss you more now than ever. Let me know how you're doing. Email me at tibjd2000@satx.rr.com or call me 210-647-0615

TIB2005: All I've heard about you is amazing and I can't wait to see you at WWTC 2006.

To the Hopefull TIB2006: Get ready for the ride of your life. If you think you want it that's not good enough. You have to KNOW that you want it more than anything in this world. That's what will get you through. We are going to put you through the paces and see what you've got. I'll be there with the other priors to see just how much this program means to you. To me, it means more than words can say.

To my family: Thank you!! And I love you more than any words could ever say!!! GO DILL TRIBE!!!!

Pappa Smurf has nothing on me!!!!

Love Ya BLUE!!!

JD


Posted by: Tammie Montgomery on Sat, Oct 29 at 09:58:31 EDT
Toured in: mom 02/04

JD, just wanted to tell you how very much i enjoied your post. I truly love this program. And until I got the oppurtunity to help with WW and go follow the bus a bit. I never realized what it was all about. I remember seeing so many sick ones and wondering how in the world are they going to preform.. and somehow, the got that tib energy and went out there and knocked everyone dead..and being a mom, all i wanted to do is just fix everyone and make them all better..anyway,,,,, I will miss everyone at world wide this year, i may try and drive in for a day or 2 if i can.not sure if my old car will make it that far..lol.. Just know that i am thinkin about everyone. KEep in touch, and JD, keep me posted on everything thats goin on at ww ok? LOL.. Miss you all and love you all bunches,
momma montgomery


Posted by: Huey on Sat, Oct 29 at 11:16:07 EDT

Congratulations Maj Burch. I have always thought of you as a Major.... A Major Pain in the #!!. But I love you still


Posted by: Paige Oatis on Sun, Oct 30 at 02:06:32 EST
Toured in: The Best 2000!

I just saw my TIB sister Lola yesterday and she is as pregnant as ever and has her hand full. She looks so cute! Her Daughter is going through the "Throw everything on the floor phase" and had Lola on her knees trying to keep the place clean. Love ya Lola. I hope to make it to this delivery and see the Next Big Star!

JD No problem man. It was a pleasure just knowing that the team accepted it and made it "our" chant.

Amber Call me. I know you're out there. I can hear you breathing. Ok, I can't hear you breathing. I just saw your recent post & I miss you woman.

Gotz to go now, but I miss everyone and hope to hear from some more Family soon!


Posted by: Derrick Wright on Sun, Oct 30 at 07:05:25 EST
Toured in: 89,90

Good Morning Family,
I pray that all is well with each and every one of you. Things here are going well here for the Wright Family. WE just had the privilege to see this years production of TIB 2005 and all I can say is they have accomplished the mission! They simply put on 2 fantastic performances here at Andrews AFB! I could not be more proud of a team! They represent all of what the Tops In Blue program is all about! Besides being extremely talented, they are one of the, if not the most professional, well mannered, and humble teams to come along in a very very long time!!! The way they handle their business and the respect for the program that each and every one of them display makes me tremendously proud to call myself a Prior! I raise my Goblet to them and simply say THANK YOU and I love each and every one of them! To the contestants who will be attending WWTC 2006, I hope you are bringing your "A" game with you because the shoes that TIB 2005 are going to leave behind will be diffulcult to fill. This team represents the very epitimy of "NEVER GIVING UP"!. This team is made up of many individuals ( Over 90 percent of the cast) who had to come back 2,3, and some even 4 times before getting the chance to tour! Us old timers know what that is all about!! So a simple bit of advice, if you think that WWTC 2006 is going to be a 10 day "vacation" please think again! Come ready to leave it all on the stage and leave those NEGATIVE ATTITUDES and I THINK I AM ALL THAT ATTITUDES back at your base or don't come at all! Okay I will get off my soap box now! But yall have to forgive me cause TIB 2005 has FIRED THIS OLE FELLA UP!!!!!!!! ( Like I aint already fired up! LOL) Okay I know we are not suppose to do SHOUT OUTS here but I have do one, so somebody FINE ME and I will pay up next week!! To Mr. Huey Gauthier, Mr Darryl LaMar, and Mr. Daryl Harris, I simply want to say THANK YOU for excepting me and teaching me back in 1988 all the things that you did. I know I was as "green" as they come but you three believed in me then and you have not stopped. Your guidence and encouragement is what led me to this family and I am forever grateful! You are truly my brothers and I love you like a fat kid loves cake!!! Mr Edwards, Mrs Edwards, Ms Jeri White, Mr Jim Walker, Mr Percy Lewis, you all know, I dont have to say anything but ANYTIME ANYWHERE!!! Mr Barry Best, Mr Dave Sullivan, and my lil brother Mr Edward Jones it was great seeing you all here at Andrews and I will see you soon! To the rest of my family, I cant call all of your names cause they will delete this post for sure, I love you TRUE! Okay I gotta go because this FINE is going to be expensive!!!!! Stay safe and GOD BLESS YOU ALL REAL GOOD!!

BLUE LOVE!!!!!

Derrick Wright
PROUD TIB PRIOR!


Posted by: Kyle on Sun, Oct 30 at 09:00:20 EST
Toured in: 04

Hey Blue,
I am putting out a invotation to all those family members that want to come to my wedding reception on May 20th in St. Joseph, MI. I hope that some family can make it. Just send me a your name and address and i will send you a formal invotation. I will miss every one at WWTC but my duity calls for the ROK so i am stuck here and will be sucking rubber how fun, love you all
Kyle


Posted by: Breona Rancher on Sun, Oct 30 at 16:20:30 EST
Toured in: WWTC05x2

Mr. Wright,

Very well said. I will be thinking of your words of wisdom the rest of this week, and all the time I am down at the WWTC. Thank you so very much for all that you do.

Breona Rancher


Posted by: Agena Davis on Sun, Oct 30 at 16:44:38 EST
Toured in: none

Happy Birthday to my Sweetie Poo (aka Dave)!
Love you a hoop and a heap!
Always,
Gena

Hi Blue! Miss You!


Posted by: Naybu on Sun, Oct 30 at 22:57:10 EST
Toured in: '93

After reading Derrick's comments, I've typed, erased, typed, erased, and typed and erased again, trying to say the right thing. D, I thank God for you, bro. The stuff you learned from Huey and Daryl L., you didn't keep it to yourself. And I thank you for that. The mark of a great man is that he doesn't hoard all his knowledge for himself, but he passes it on. And I know I can speak for me, and probably a few other people, when I say, brother, you changed my life, and my whole aspect of performing. I would not be half of what I am today without your selflessness, your knowledge, and most importantly, your love! A quote I try to live by is "WHEN I DIE, WILL IT MATTER THAT I EVER LIVED?" And I say to you, Big Bro, that yes, it will matter that you walk this earth, and have touched many lives. You can ask hundreds of people, past, present, and yes, future, who have come through this program. You are a TIB Treasure, brother. I love you, bro. After reading your comments, I just had to share that.

Go TIB 2005!!!!!!

I'm out!

Naybu
'93


Posted by: Walt on Mon, Oct 31 at 10:14:07 EST
Toured in: 2001

Man I needed this word today, and I know many us may also... just passing info...

Sent to me from a friend....

Be still, and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10 NKJV

Anxious soul, God is saying to you today, "Be still, and know that I am God." And there's a reason He's saying it.

Your activity, when born out of anxiety, actually prevents Him from showing Himself strong on your behalf. That doesn't mean you're to be passive or lazy; it just means you're to do whatever He leads you to do without running ahead of Him in the energy of the flesh! It also means you're to submit to Him first, then slow down and wait! In other words, make sure you have a sense of peace to go along with the ideas you believe He's given you. Ask Him to reveal to you His will in the matter, then "be still" and acknowledge that He's God, He's in charge, He knows what He's doing! Learn to trust Him without always demanding to know what He's going to do, when He's going to do it, and how He's going to carry it out.

Peace...
Walt


Posted by: Francine on Mon, Oct 31 at 12:23:38 EST
Toured in: 88 & 89

One of my favorite Psalms WALT, 46, the one you share w/us.

Especially today when it would be so easy for us to look around at all that is happening around us, & get discouraged vs determined.

46:1-3:
"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore WE WILL NOT FEAR, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging..."

As true today as yesterday. He IS with us.

p.s. Love you DERRICK! & HUEY... you need a spankin'!


Posted by: jai on Mon, Oct 31 at 17:48:50 EST
Toured in: 02/04

WALT-

My mother and I used to sing a song called "IN HIS TIME" (shout out to momma, love ya girl). And I had a coversation with a friend last week about something similar. I finally got my showcase and we got our production company off the ground, but there was a time I thought I'd never get to this small milestone. I'm still far from where I want to be, but I remember a time when this point looked so far away.

Thank you Jesus


Posted by: LA-KEE on Mon, Oct 31 at 18:26:22 EST
Toured in: 2003

Hello Blue Family,

I just wanted to ask for prayer for an LT in my Squadron. She just found out that her has 1-3 years to live. She had her baby weeks before Honor. Her child is having developmental problems. My prayer is that God will work a miracle on her behalf so that she can see how powerful He truly is. Many of us with preemies know about children fighting for their lives. I know firsthand His Awesome Power. Thanks Blue.

La-Kee


Posted by: La-Kee on Mon, Oct 31 at 18:30:04 EST
Toured in: 2003

My bad... I meant her baby has 1-3 years to live.


Posted by: TaKeesha on Mon, Oct 31 at 18:35:41 EST
Toured in: 50th...

Hey family!

This weekend I had the pleasure of going to see Tyler Perry in, "Madea Goes to Jail." Let me tell you...I'm still laughin! For those of you who don't know who Madea is, all I can say is shame on you and check out the website www.tylerperry.com. The plays are based of spiritual and family values, and believe me, if you are in need of any kind of a pick-me-up then this is a must see. The DVD's are one thing, but he goes off-script a lot and that's the good stuff.

I'm posting this mainly for my 2003 cast. You know, every year the personalities on that bus change (I should say every hour cause you guys know how it is on the road). I always heard about how teams, didn't get along, were lazy, you know...the usual rumor mill. But, regardless of how we were doing out there we always found time to laugh....AT EACH OTHER. And for some reason, that bus was one of the funniest places I ever went to on tour! I remember that off day in Italy when it started with just me and Josh pullin the tv into the hallway so we could watch Madea all day on DVD (you know, tired, don't want to go n-e place!. By the time the end of the night there were folks all on the floor laughin at the show. Oh, and those times we put Madea on ALL THE TV'S in the bus! Ha! Even if you hated it at the time you had to laugh.I don't know what went down on the bus for every other tour, but we became infatuated with Madea, it was nothing to hear SOMEBODY quoting one of her lines. I can't help but smile as I think about crazy Erika Marino and Josh Moreaux! And I'll stop with the name game right there, because we ALL had it bad! AAhhh, the good ol days!

2003- As I was watching that play Saturday, I kept wishing that we could have all been there. I know we would have SHOWED OUT! How could we not with so many comedians? It's things like this that help me remember what we were all about out there. Every outsider has their own opinion of a tour, but WE know what we were down for. I miss you and I love you. Look at us- married, divorced, babies, deployed, CIVILIAN! WoW! As Jeanette would say, "That's Awesome!" Peace was still, Peace is still...Peace is made of steel! Great they may be...

Joshua- You really need to meet Tyler Perry. No, wait...Tyler Perry needs to meet YOU! That's all I'm gonna say! Helloer!

2005- You've read one of my tour memories, yup, seems so small now, but you wait til that first year goes by! Get busy making yours now!Can't wait to see you!

If there are any hopefuls reading this, well, good. Get your laugh in now because when you get to WW, you'll be expected to bring it. And I don't mean cocky, I mean confident, poised, and ready. You'll be put in the care of some of the best people I've ever met, and you should start appreciating that NOW. I too was a 3 year wonder- cause by the third year I tried out, I would have wondered what was wrong with me If I hadn't made it that year. But, I did make it that final year, thanks to all the love and support I got from my teamleaders. I had so many that I won't name them (cause if I miss one they'll probably cut me!) Any way, point is...BRING IT AND KEEP BRINGIN' IT!!

Whew, this got a little long, huh? Apologies.

Still Blue-
TaKeesha