Through Roadie Eyes: Tom Kenyon

Posted August 28th
Being a Roadie gives you a perspective other fans just don't get. We see and experience things others don't get the opportunity to. And with that comes some great stories.

Tom Kenyon is in his 5th year as a Roadie. His son Lee was in the band from 2003-2006 and graduated last May. This year his daughter Vanessa is a junior in the color guard. This is Tom's Roadie story:

"My top story took place my first year of being a (rookie) Roadie with Lee performing in the Pit. It took place in Des Moines; I pulled the ATV's in pouring rain all the way there. Once we got there the weather cleared, we unloaded the trailers and followed our Leader (guess who that was) on a long circular detour to the practice fields, which seemed miles away encountering a lot of mud holes getting there. It was at this point I wondered what did I get myself into, but when our kids took the field and shocked/awed the crowd (a lot of red) with Zorro, it was my turning point that began a fun filled journey making new friends along the way!

Remember these are our kids, they deserve to be encouraged and praised for all the hard work they put into being a member of a great High School Marching Band Program!"

Week Four: Practice Practice, (Rain) Practice

Posted August 25th
The first week of school featured a week of practices for the band. They rehearsed at Howard Wood Field on Monday night (a quick change of venue), early mornings during the week (when it wasn't raining), and Saturday morning at Lincoln.

The band is moving along in preparation for their first field performance, which will be at the halftime show on September 7th. The first competiton for the band is the following week in Apple Valley Minnesota on September 15.

Work continues on the props, which are over 80% complete, and should be ready for the next Saturday practice on September 1st.

Fan Fun at Family Night

Posted August 18th

The Lincoln Marching Band took the field for the first time on August 17th to perform a dress rehearsal of their 2007 show "Wired" at this year's edition of Family Night. With typical breezes blowing in at Howard Wood Field, the band hit the field and delighted the crowd with this year's show.

The evenings festivities began with the annual cookout, followed by the necessary Bandparent Association meeting. After some words from Mr. Carlson thanking the many volunteers, drillwriter Kevin Carlson described the show from its inception. As Kevin wrapped up his presentation, the band streamed onto the field under the scoreboard, winding up in a circle under the west goal posts.

The fans were delighted by the dress rehearsal run through, despite the incessant pinging of "Dr. Beat". The show is in its early stages of development, and the pit didn't have all it music yet. But the show was a hit, literally to one colorguard member whose nose was bloodied during the show. The band received their first standing ovation of the season from the partisan crowd.

The band then formed a horn arc, playing the show music again, as well as America South. Finally, to the delight of many came the Family Parade, where family members joined their students on the field and attempted to follow their bandmember through part of the opener. Be sure to click here to see pictures from Family Night.

Power Pole Debuts at Family Night

Posted August 18th

The prototype of the Power Pole prop debuted at Family Night, and passed the first test of the season.

Completed just hours before the Family Night Festivities, the prop stood still in the 15-20 mph breeze that blew down the backstretch at Howard Wood Field.

Roadie Jay Hardy at one point pushed on the side of the pole enough to swing the top unit nearly six feet side-to-side, and the base never moved or tipped.

Pit Equipment Draws First Blood

Posted August 17th

It is a long-standing tradition for Roadies helping out to have their share of "incidents". Many are self-inflicted, and this year's pit equipment struck twice this week with Roadie Chairman Jeff Goddard the victim of both.

Tuesday night after unhitching the Aluminum flatbed trailer (full of platforms etc.) as he was pushing it inside the fence, he ran over his foot with the tongue wheel (like he did at Quad States a couple years ago). Bruised or broken bones are yet to be determined.

Then Thursday after the evening rehearsal at LHS when loading one of the trailers, he backed into one of those accessory clamps on the "couch" (large marimba) and tore a gaping hole in his shorts, undies, and the first couple layers of flesh. He must have shown some reaction as a pit kid asked if he was o.k. But (or perhaps 'butt') it was kind of difficult to describe just what happened. But Jeff did anyway, and a handful of pit kids just busted out laughing. This was the only time darkness for trailer loading worked in the Roadies favor (being the modest guy that Jeff is and not wanting to emotionally disturb any pit kids).

Roadie Work Night II

Posted August 15th

A handful of Roadies gathered on the 14th to begin production of the Power Pole Props. Having received approval from the Carlson's on the design, mass production began on the steel base assemblies and the wooden top assemblies. One completed Power Pole will be on the field for Family Night on August 17th.

Spat Camp Complete

Posted August 11th

Mother nature provided a mixed bag of treats on the final day of Spat Camp for 2007. The marchers were greeted with a cool morning under cloudy skies. As they returned from their lunch break, a light rain began to fall. The Carlson's, having consulted the weather radar, sent the band over to Lincoln to work inside on music. By four that afternoon, they were back on the field at Patrick Henry, basking under the steamy, sunny skies.

The last hour provided the Carlson's, and the parents present, a chance see a run through - minus the pit - to close out their summer camp.

"We're right where we should be" Mr C said, when asked about the band's progress during camp.

The band will have two evening rehearsals before showcasing their progress at Family Night on the 17th.

Spat Camp Week 1 Summary

Posted August 6th

The band entered week two of the 2007 edition of Spat Camp under skies and mild temps on August 5th. "This weather is just right," Mr. Carlson pointed out at the break for lunch. The kids came back energized from an off day following their six day week one. Mr. Carlson added "We'll get a lot done on a day like this."

Breakfast with the Band was the highlight of week one for the parents and former band members. The marchers played the opener and part of the blues number for those attending. A rendition of
America South helped brighten the days, held under cloudy skies following a much needed over-night rain. And the weather didn't slow the donut consumption at all.

For a look at Spat Camp, click here for Spat Camp pictures, many contributed by Jon Sogn. Be sure to click on "view as a slide show".

Friday afternoon the bandmembers were treated to a visit from the Sioux Falls Fire Department. A big hit last year, many marchers took advantage of the spray at the afternoon break and enjoys a complete soaking at the hands of a SFFD pumper.

Power Pole Prototype Perfected

Updated August 11

After being tested at Spat Camp for several days, modifications to the prototype were made on August 10th. The final version will begin production the week of August 13th. Only one unit will be on the field by family night.

The 2007 show "Wired" will be featuring props on the field, and development of those is well underway. Two tube prototypes were assembled, and were analyzed to see which was is the most feasable and adaptable for the show.

Roadies got together on August 7th to build the base prototype to go with the selected upright tube for the power pole. Roadies Dean Versteeg, Jeff Goddard, Jim McAdaragh, Dave Ulmer, Eric Knutson, Jay Hardy, Tom Reed, Tony Reed and Neil Krohse spent the evening assembling the functioning prototype. Even after an evening with the welder, jig saw, band saw, nail gun and grinder all of their fingers remain intact.

The working prototype was loaded into Dean's Yukon at the end of the night for delivery to Spat Camp on Wednesday to see how it would work on the field.

For a look at the Roadie work night - click here for pictures.

New Trailer Ordered

Posted August 6th

The band will be adding another trailer to the Roadie Motor pool. A third 22' trailer has been ordered and will carry some of the pit equipment that has outgrown the pit trailer. It was hoped that some horns could be transported in the trailer, but at this time, it looks as though props and the front ensemble equipment will occupy that space.

With the addition of yet another trailer, the Roadies will be needing another volunteer to haul a trailer across town to Howard Wood Field for performances.

The Pit Moves To Patrick Henry

Posted August 5th

Maybe you wonder why the band would be needing another trailer to haul equipment. Well, consider this ... Last week one evening, six people moved the pit equipment from LHS to Patrick Henry. Important points to note:
- The equipment filled the existing pit trailer and was delivered to Patrick Henry..
- Then, they returned to LHS with the uniform trailer - and filled it
- Then, they filled one of our aluminum trailers.
- Finally, they put the rest of the drums, keyboards, and trap sets inside vehicles and the box of a pickup bed - and Mr. Carlson's van. Not included in this set of equipment:
- Two large pieces of equipment that normally work their way into the show - the stage - and the chimes or the normal load of ladders - but we have one more trailer to accomodatethose. None of the 9 Electric poles, props, and related equipment (weights,carts, etc) went.