BDS Game Presentation...

[Dallas4Bama]

Everyone seems to say "I don't like what they do now....I wish they catered more to the fans...." etc. OK then ...what DO you want to see? What songs do you want? Serious question...and I wan specific songs/show ideas. I don't want general statements, because I was in the MDB for five years. I heard all the time how people wished we did different shows, but none of those people would say what they wanted to see. I really want to know what people want to see (and don't give me "Kathryn Scott shows" as an answer).

Dude06 I want to be clear as I've said before, my criticism is not of the members. You play and march as instructed and I know that.

As 86 said volume is first on the list. If there are really 400 members of that band out there playing they are the quietest 400 people I've ever heard. I bet if there were 400 people on the field just talking it would be louder. I kid you knot when I tell you many of the bands at local high schools here are louder. Don't try to tell me it's stadium size becasue I've been on the sidelines for both and they are louder. Are the dynamics on every sheet of music the band owns ppp?

I'm no band instructor but people enjoy flashy stuff, DCI stuff and something upbeat. It doesn't matter what the MDB plays it is like a funeral procession. I picture the drum major constantly yelling "grave! grave! grave!". I am not there to hear perfect symphonic technique or be blown away by Dr. O's interpretation of a particular movement. Fans want flash, movement, loud, upbeat and something they recognize. How many fans at the game Sat night are familiar with Elton John's early works? How many that even know it want to hear it at a football game?

Ok, you know all those indie films that are critically acclaimed and win all those awards but no one you know ever watches them? Our halftime shows are like that to me. It's like Dr. O is going after critical acclaim from the sophisticates of the band world. Well there are 101,000 football fans in the stadium and most aren't watching indie films. We're just normal people that like action movies or comedies. Most of us don't know Prestissimo from Largo and don't want to know the difference because we're there to be entertained, not enlightened. It's about knowing your audience.

 

[Tide1986]

Dude06 I want to be clear as I've said before, my criticism is not of the members. You play and march as instructed and I know that.As 86 said volume is first on the list. If there are really 400 members of that band out there playing they are the quietest 400 people I've ever heard. I bet if there were 400 people on the field just talking it would be louder. I kid you knot when I tell you many of the bands at local high schools here are louder. Don't try to tell me it's stadium size becasue I've been on the sidelines for both and they are louder. I'm no band instructor but people enjoy flashy stuff, DCI stuff and something upbeat. It doesn't matter what the MDB plays it is like a funeral procession. I am not there to hear perfect symphonic technique or be blown away by Dr. O's interpretation of a particular movement. Fans want flash, movement, loud, upbeat and something they recognize. How many fans at the game Sat night are familiar with Elton John's early works? How many that even know it want to hear it at a football game? Ok, you know all those indie films that are critically acclaimed and win all those awards but no one you know ever watches them? Our halftime shows are like that to me. It's like Dr. O is going after critical acclaim from the sophisticates of the band world. Well there are 101,000 football fans in the stadium and most aren't watching indie films. We're just normal people that like action movies or comedies. Most of us don't know Prestissimo from Largo and don't want to know the difference because we're there to be entertained, not enlightened. It's about knowing your audience.

Not flaming you, but most of the 101k wouldn't care for most DCI stuff...Velvet Knights flavor, sure...the likes of Phantom Regiment, not.

 

[USCBAMA]

TN ought to be good at that "circle drill" show...they've been performing it since I first saw them perform in 1986 (and maybe longer)...I'm about tired of it personally...it's old and worn out.

AMEN. I've been attending Bama-UT games since 83, and sure they are good at it, but give me a break... it's time for something new.

 

[Dallas4Bama]

Not flaming you, but most of the 101k wouldn't care for most DCI stuff...Velvet Knights flavor, sure...the likes of Phantom Regiment, not.

I was just grasping for something off the top of my head to answer him with. Velvet Knight flavor, yes!

 

[BamaBuc]

I want to be ahead of LSU 51-0 and suddenly you hear Elvis crooning..."And now the end is near, and so I face the final curtain........

Just 51-0!!! Actualy I liked 'Dandy Don' singing his rendition of 'Turn out the lights...the party's over' of course each to their own!

 

[skippgriffin]

For those of you who enjoyed UT's circle drill, the MDB performed several circle drills during my time in the band. Ms. Scott always put on a top notch, entertaining halftime show. Dr. O, in my opinion, tries to put a more technical show on the field and sacrifices entertainment. As for the band in the stands, the don't play enough. LSU's band will show this version of the MDB how it is done. If you thought UT put on a show, just wait until Nov. 5th. My wife marched Tiger Band and they are extremely loud and proud. The MDB was that way when I was a member. They are still better than most, but I feel they have lost a little something.... Ms. Scott!! Roll Tide

Here is a video of Ms. Scott's final show with a little circle drill in it.

 

[BamaBuc]

Those of us who have actually "been there" before like to act like it. Nothing wrong with that.

And those of you who like to complain about the fans that have supported the program for decades, don't fear. They'll eventually age out and then the mantle of supporting the program will fall to you. You going to open your pockets and fork out the big dough? Start now. Want to get your butts in the seats and scream your heads off? Do it. Budget your money and your time and put it where your mouth is.

Until such time, you may want to accept the fact that every fan has an opinion and their own way of wanting to enjoy Alabama games. For what it's worth, the atmosphere inside BDS is so many light years ahead of where it was when I was a student, it's almost like it's a completely different stadium (not just the same one that's been added onto).

It's electric in BDS. Could it be better? Absolutely. But don't go disparaging the old-timers who have helped fund and support this program since before you were born.

AMEN!!
I'm one of those old timers that will be 'aged out' in not to long a time. BUT while I am here and yelling my old voice out every year, I'll stand when I can and I'll sit when I can't stand, but you won't see my hands in my pockets, or under my rear-end!

Oh by the way Savannah, it is a completely different stadium from '61-'65, and if it's so quiet why do so many fans from other schools tell me about how loud it is!

Game days now I have to sit in the handicapped section, it makes me feel kind of awkward, when I get up to cheer and have to sit back down before it's through! My wife geys kind of aggravated at times but she's just an old green lizzard grad!
RTR

 

[DaleC76]

Speaking of the band, do they still play "Go Go Go Alabama"? It's one of my favorite tunes, & I haven't been able to pick it out during a game yet.

 

[skippgriffin]

Speaking of the band, do they still play "Go Go Go Alabama"? It's one of my favorite tunes, & I haven't been able to pick it out during a game yet.

I haven't heard them play it this year.

 

[Tide1986]

I haven't heard them play it this year.

I haven't heard Go Alabama in a number of years...don't understand why it's not played every game given its history.

 

[skippgriffin]

I haven't heard Go Alabama in a number of years...don't understand why it's not played every game given its history.

I know I heard it 2 years ago at the Arkansas game, but I can't remember it being played last year either. Of course the band doesn't play as often as in the past.

 

[grlindsey08]

The worst part of it is I am one of the biggest supporters among your average fans for the band. Many people don't think the band is important to the game experience or serves a real purpose. I don't believe that and I applaud the young men and women that make up our band and the hard work they put into it. They execute the show with perfection and they sound wonderful, but the material they work with is poo poo in my opinion. Maybe TN's show is their famous circle drill, and if that's the case maybe we need to come up with a famous square drill or something because that show rocked. They were twice as loud as MDB was at any point, not to mention they played to the entire stadium.

Dr. O needs to recognize his audience and play to it. We didn't show up at an opera house or concert hall, we are at a football game. We aren't music critics or there to judge the band on different technical aspects. We are a crowd at a football game who just want to be entertained.

I agree with everything you just said! I have lots of friends that are in the Million Dollar Band, and it almost breaks my heart to hear them talk about how much they have to practice and how much hard work they put in to it. I've always said that they work too hard not too be absolutely stunning. They're good at doing what they're given, it's what they're given to do that sucks. And yes, Tennessee's Circle may be old news, but it still had a level of musicianship, difficulty, and creativeness that our band doesn't have right now.

 

[Tide1986]

Nods head

 

[CrimsonPride]

I've been to every game, home and away, the last four years and I have never noticed her. Doesn't mean she was not there though.

Last week against UT was the first time that I have seen her. She came out when they played Sweet Caroline. She was Big Al's sweetheart. It was cute. Maybe they will have a contest to give her a name like they did when we got Big Al. I am waiting for the offspring like the Arkansas mascots (porkchop just cracks me up).

 

[CrimsonPride]

Double the volume and quadruple the GE. I marched as well, and the volume of the current MDB is pathetic. They announce 400 members, but the sound is more like 100 members. Someone needs to let loose the brass section instead of worrying about a symphonic sound. Edit: They also need to pick up the pace...every song regardless of what it is is played at the same plodding tempo, especially Yea Alabama! which should be played with much more energy. The setting on the metronome must be stuck.

I also marched and totally agree. I used to enjoy the MBD and could not wait to see the halftime show when Mrs. Scott was the director. The sound was awsome.

Most of the "band sound" comes from the horn or brass section. Therefore, the arrangement should be such that it lets them shine. IMO, the on-field performance has deteriorated over the past 3-4 years. It actually hurt to admit last week that the UT band had a better sound and more intricate routine that the MDB. Usually, a band looses on sound the more uptempo and intricate the routine is and sound is fuller and louder with less movement. Sadly, this was not the case last Saturday.

I also agree that it is not that the members of the MDB are not putting in the work and effort. I go to see the MDB every year when they stop in Chattanooga to perform on their way to Knoxville. They pretty much play what they play in the stands and they sound magnificent. I have also heard the UT band when they stop on their way to T-town; they don't sound half as good as the MDB. These bands play at the same venue and at a neutral site playing their signature songs the MDB is better. So, it is not that the UT band is better; it's just that for the past few years they put on a better halftime routine.

 

[bamanut_aj]

Half time is when I go potty and get refreshments. I've never seen a half-time show, so I don't care what they do at the half. If they just played music over the speakers and did nothing, it wouldn't matter to me.

 

[Tide1986]

Half time is when I go potty and get refreshments. I've never seen a half-time show, so I don't care what they do at the half. If they just played music over the speakers and did nothing, it wouldn't matter to me.

You must be one of those who returns to his seat near the end of the 3rd quarter.

 

[Dallas4Bama]

Half time is when I go potty and get refreshments. I've never seen a half-time show, so I don't care what they do at the half. If they just played music over the speakers and did nothing, it wouldn't matter to me.

AJ is an example of a fan that never pays attention to the band, but if he did once with the current show would never do it again. Some people will never watch and never care, but you sure won't win anyone over with the current productions. The MDB should be putting on shows that even get his attention and win him over. "Tiny Dancer" isn't going to catch anyone's attention and win them over.

 

[SavannahDare]

How did this thread turn into a MDB thread?