July 28, 2025 – Charlotte, North Carolina
9:00 AM
I am once again in the loving arms of the South, and with my younger adopted brother Tim and his family, just outside of Charlotte, NC. Yesterday, I took the direct flight from the Queen City of the North to the Queen City of the South. Before that, I made a trip to the Volvo dealer to talk about a replacement for the Silver Bullet, my aging XC70 wagon. Alas, this car has seen its last trip to Indianapolis. This decision was made due to the need for a replacement catalytic converter that is on back order and could not be done in time for the trip later this week. I have my sights on a brand new EX30 all-electric SUV. We’ll see what the dealership can do for me on the trade. I may have the Silver Bullet repaired and keep it for my grandson.
Meanwhile, I am here to attend NightBEAT, the Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps’ annual home show. This event follows last night’s DCI Southeast Championships in Atlanta and attracts the best corps in the country. Alas, BAC chose a different schedule to tour through the Midwest on their way back home for their show in Lawrence, MA, this coming Thursday. Each year, the DCI schedule changes with the corps deciding which shows they will attend. BAC chose to go out west earlier this season, sweeping the California circuit, and then taking first place at the Southwest Championship. They did not attend the Southeast Championship last night. The Bluecoats won that event, running away from the Blue Devils, the perennial winner by over two points. My guess is that BD will be turning up the notch tonight as we move toward the end of the season.
Since I attended three shows in California instead of the Midwest to follow the successes of BAC, I have yet to see several corps in person. Tonight will solve that problem. My first in-person experience from the 50-yard line will include Genesis, Music City, Crossmen, Spirit of Atlanta, Troopers, Blue Stars, and Bluecoats. Brother Tim and I will be in the epicenter of the stands to experience the late-season prowess of all of the corps on the field.
Before that, we will attend the Carolina Crown Hall of Fame induction ceremony on the upper floor of the stadium. This event is like an annual pilgrimage for me since meeting many of the board members during my first visit to NightBEAT in 2018 and attending the induction of Tim. I also enjoyed learning the history of the relatively young corps and writing about celebrating their 30th year of lifelong learning and excellence. Carolina Cares.
The cicadas are humming as I write. The temperature is a cool 85 degrees at 9:00 AM. Tonight in Winston-Salem, the forecast is to be in the 90s at showtime. The temperature on the field will be pushing well above 120 degrees during the afternoon rehearsals.
3:00 PM – Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
I’m in the 6th-floor Clubroom at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium in Winston-Salem, the home of NightBEAT. Members of the Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps leadership have gathered to celebrate the achievements of fellow supporters, inducting new members into the Carolina Crown Hall of Fame. These deserving individuals are honored by their peers for their extraordinary service in providing the best possible experience for the children who come through their program each year. This type of ceremony takes place throughout the land during the drum corps season. This activity provides a high-quality, life-changing experience for thousands of kids, thanks to the dedication of thousands of volunteers. These volunteers contribute their time to sewing uniforms, feeding the kids, driving trucks, selling souvenirs, and performing a variety of other tasks related to hosting a drum corps show. This is certainly evident here in the many past inductees, all wearing their black, collared shirts with gold embroidery of the Carolina Crown logo, which I have come to know thanks to Tim’s invitations.
One such person is Charles Wilkerson, founder, past president, and Hall of Fame member. Charles was very encouraging to me to keep writing back in 2019. I had been a little discouraged and was not quite sure that my writing had any meaning or purpose. I have been published in over 60 issues of Drum Corps World magazine since then. Each year, I meet new people who have enjoyed my take on this amazing activity. Thank you, Charles.
This year’s inductees include: Tammie Dorn, Charles Long, Jr., and Larry Shane. Reading their letters of recommendation and hearing the stories and speeches is so heartwarming. These stories are similar to those that have preceded them—stories of the challenges of the old days, to the current challenges that the corps face today. Wearing multiple hats, these individuals establish lifelong friends among the other dedicated adults who serve in drum corps. The countless lives that these giving people have supported through the many years have gone on to be great citizens, thanks to people like Tammie, Charles, Larry, and the drum corps experience.
July 28, 2025 – Charlotte, NC
I am back in the comfort of Brother Tim’s comfortable home just outside of Charlotte. NightBEAT was a huge success. All corps completed their performance, though there was a brief rain shower that moistened us during the Crossmen’s show. The heat at 90+ was a factor. I was fortunate to be able to head inside up at the clubhouse during intermission, as Tim had secured me a VIP wristband. However, to experience the shows, I preferred my seat at the 50-yard line, 50 rows up. This 50/50 formula is the perfect vantage point to observe the excitement down below. I was high enough to see the drill formations, yet still within the audio-rich zone. If one is too low, the pit and speaker towers can dominate the soundscape, overshadowing the field performers to some degree. By this time in the season, the corps’ electronics technicians have tweaked their audio to balance the mics of the soloists and marching brass, drum battery, and the ensemble of percussion along the sideline.
I will not attempt to review the performances, but I can say that my first viewing of the many corps present was a real treat. In a way, I’m glad to have experienced the late-season, well-rehearsed programs of several corps for the first time live this season. The Western corps that I saw in California have been changing, adding, and cleaning so much that it was like seeing them for the first time. This is how drum corps has evolved. As the season progresses, the programs continue to be embellished. As the kids’ conditioning improves, the programs can be extended to include more powerful, fast, closing statements. NightBEAT is a show that often features many new changes to the endings seen for the first time. Rehearsals can be closed to the public when the corps work on the changes. Every corps is working to move the General Effect dial upward in this highly competitive activity.
I will say that Carolina Crown is no slouch when it comes to working hard to perfect their program. While we were in the clubhouse earlier in the afternoon, they were down on the field toiling away for hours in the hot sun. You could smell the rubber of the artificial turf baking as it must have been well over 100 degrees down there. “The Point of No Return” is another visual and musical journey that is well-crafted and portrayed. This is a perfect example of art and music in motion, on steroids. These kids move and play the highly virtuosic book at full speed. No other corps moves and plays like Crown. There was a polished feel that is hard to beat. The visual tapestry of the uniforms, props, and accouterments is pleasing to the eye. This is a highly artistic show that, in any given year, could win them a metal in Indy. Currently ranked in 6th place, you know they will continue to strive to regain their top-three status.
The Crown organization does a fantastic job of producing NightBEAT. It was a pleasure for me to be immersed in and associated with such a fine group of dedicated volunteers. Nine thousand-plus attendees had the same pleasure that I did, and we all exited the campus safely thanks to the well-organized security. One nice feature of this show is the fleet of golf carts that help transport those with mobility challenges from the parking to the stadium. A minor ticketing issue was resolved by Greg and his dedicated Crown volunteers. The entire staff of Wake Forest University was pleasant and helpful. Hugs, handshakes, and pats on the back were plentiful when meeting friends again at this same-time-next-year event. Kudos to Tim, Charles, Doug, Steve, Bill, Hans, and so many others who have been so welcoming to me each year.
It’s time to head home again for a few days before departing for my auto tour beginning Thursday with a trip to Lawrence. While at home, I will once again be working on the purchase of that humble Number Nine Schoolhouse along the Mill Brook. We have resolved important questions and reached an agreement on the price. The willing and supportive seller has agreed to a bargain sale at 50% of the appraised value. Now, we embark on the next phase – raising money for the purchase and upgrades. I’m feeling a little bit like the dog that caught the Volkswagen. I also have to resolve my transportation issues. I am currently negotiating the lease of a Volvo EX30 in hopes that we come to an agreement on the price and complete the transaction before Thursday. If not, I will be renting an economy SUV from the friendly folks at Enterprise to take me on tour. A one-way rental will allow me to fly home from Indy and save me a couple of days of driving. Wish me luck.
