Occasional Musings by Kevin Russell
July 13, 2023 – Along the Mill Brook When it rains, it pours! That is the story here in this humble valley nestled in the eastern foothills of the Green Mountains of Vermont. The Mill Brook has been doing its job without incident while I was away on my mid-west DCI tour of Illinois and Wisconsin, shedding copious amounts of water off Mount Ellen, … Continue Reading →
July 7, 2020 – DeKalb, Illinois Friday 7:00 am Well, here I am in DeKalb, Illinois. I am on my early-season Mid-west tour of Drum Corps International shows. The corn may be knee high in Vermont, but it is head-high out here in the fields the stretch almost as far as one can see. This land is flat. Tonight, I will join friends for … Continue Reading →
June 12, 2023 I am sitting in the shade of a sugar maple tree on the campus of Castleton State University in Vermont. Repetitive riffs resound off the buildings from the various sections of horns spread out in nooks under the mature trees. Trumpets, mellophones, baritones, euphoniums, and tubas work on different parts of the musical book that depict Captain Ahab’s obsession and the … Continue Reading →
May 1, 2023 – Along the Mill Brook Well, the 2022 summer transitioned to fall, then to winter, and now it’s mid-spring 2023. The skis are almost put away, and it is long overdue for me to update you on my goings-on. Coaching high school golf, substitute teaching, serving on two boards, backcountry guiding, skiing, and general outdoor recreation have occupied my time and kept … Continue Reading →
August 16, 2022 – Mill Brook Road, Waitsfield, Vermont Do not underestimate the power of drum corps’ persuasion. The 2022 DCI season has left an indelible impression on my mind. Riffs and revelations from the last two weeks were constant companions while I cruised home for two days on the high side of the left lane. I did not need the radio. Memories and … Continue Reading →
Saturday, August 13, 2022 – Lucas Oil Stadium 3:00 pm Tonight is the final night of DCI here in Indianapolis, and the excitement cannot be more intense. Especially after last night’s soiree, a great experience hanging in Military Park, the warm-up area for the horn and drum lines. I did not have a ticket for the show, so that was my destination for Friday … Continue Reading →
August 11, 2022 – Indianapolis 1:30pm Let the games begin. I’m in Indianapolis, the Circle City for three days of world championships of Drum Corps International at the Lucas Oil Stadium. At this moment, I am in the clubroom in the center of the stadium in between shows of the open class corps. Later this afternoon, I will take my seat with Drum Corps … Continue Reading →
August 9, 2022 – Mounds State Park, Indiana It was my father that taught me the power of thinking positively, and always relating with other in a positive manner. This technique has once again proven itself with respect to the Silver Bullet, my 6-year-old Volvo. Sitting forlornly in the lot at Almartin Volvo, the car will soon be getting a new lease on life, … Continue Reading →
August 8, 2022 – Wexford, Pennsylvania I am in Wexford, Pennsylvania, deep into my 2022 DCI tour. This is the location where my 2008 Volvo, the old Grey Ghost, had transmission trouble back in 2018 while on tour. Today, I will be stopping into Bobby Rahal Volvo here to thank them again for helping me in 2018, and to share my story about my … Continue Reading →
August 4, 2022 – Waitsfield, VT It has been a bit of a roller coaster ride of emotions planning and executing my drum corps tour this season. It is especially challenging when your car breaks down. I am happy to report that I will be on my way to Allentown, PA tomorrow morning in a brand-new Volvo SUV. Almartin Volvo in Shelburne Vermont … Continue Reading →