You know...just a drumline warming up in front of an indoor football facility...no biggie....

I could talk about this photo for days.....

Let's begin with music.  My major instrument is the trumpet, but my secondary instrument is percussion, and in small towns like Andalusia, you often get called on to teach your second or even third instrument.  I have always loved drums.  My brother played drums in high school.  Many of my closest friends from Southwind, including Joe Fant and Jody Dunwoody, in the drumline.  Drums are just plain cool.

Next, let's talk about teaching.  I love to teach.  I just do.  The whole pedagogical process geeks me out.  Explaining. Demonstrating.  Refining.  Rehearsing.  All of it.  Seeing the kids become better at what they love is awesome.  Seeing the look on their face when they realize they finally got it right...well, that's the top of the mountain.

Or how about history?  The 2nd bass drummer's mom was in the band with me at AHS in the 80s.  In fact, we played the same instrument.  The 3rd bass drummer's mom was in the band with me as well. Bass 5's dad has been a friend of mine since high school as well.  Bass 6 and the center tenor player are brothers.

But most importantly, let's talk about family.  My son is the drum captain this year.  Grant has been into drums since he was 2.  He used to watch videos of Carter Beauford until he could quote them.  He has ABSOLUTELY. NO. IDEA. ON. EARTH. HOW. PROUD. I. AM. OF. HIM.  Every time I go to rehearsal, and stand in front of my own kid, I nearly have to pinch myself.  It is an experience unlike any other.  Sometimes, I just watch the members.  I watch laugh.  And crack jokes.  And I watch their frustrations.  I watch their satisfaction when they finally play a hard lick correctly.  You can't buy that kind of experience!  It's priceless.

This year, the drumline is blessed to have both Joshua Johnson and Steadman Glenn on the staff.  It's pretty cool having Steadman, particularly, because he is an alumni of the line.  I look forward to great things from the entire band this year.  We are 180 strong, and we're coming at you full force come the first game.