What people didnt realize was even though this was in the US this dci was like a home show for the dutchboys since they were from right over the border. Im sure they had many fans there
Greatest Drum Corps summer of my life. .. I joined The Dutch Boy mid summer to fill a cymbal spot. And, here’s the back story of it all. 1990, I was a veteran member of the New York City Lancers. One hot summer day, a group of my friends decided to travel to a near by show within the Tri-State area to see our friend, Darius Cooper perform with Dutch Boy. He marched Bass 4. Before the show began, we were “back stage” in the parking lot visiting, Darius. Within that time, Darius had mentioned to me that there were a cymbal spot available, and mentioned that I should march the available spot. And, at that very moment, and looked at him with a disgusted face. Haha… because I took it as a form of disrespect being as though I was a snare player. Shortly after my friends and I went into the stadium to watch the show. And after the completion of the entire show, we proceeded to go to the parking lot to say our goodbyes to Darius. As we were standing there, bidding Darius a good buy, and have fun for the remainder of his season. I gazed around the parking lot, watching all of the members board buses, to travel to the next city, and thought to myself…. Hmmm… I want to go on tour. Haha… so at that very moment, I said to Darius. “ Were you serious about that cymbol spot???” he quickly replied “of course I am”. Immediately after Darius escorted me to the staff Winnebago. At the very moment I spoke to the Director, Al, and he asked me if I would be able to meet them in the next state that they were in. After shortly thinking about it… I knew if I went home to ask my parents they would say no. Lol.. so I decided to take matters into my own hands and make the executive decision to get on the bus that very night. 😏🤣 The staff was absolutely excited to hear that I would fill the position. Shortly after, my friends and I walked to the tour buses, and I proceeded to get on the tour bus without any clothing to wear for an entire season… without any money…. Without NOTHING! 🤦🏾♂️🤷🏾♂️ #YOLO As I proceeded to get on the bus, I was warmly greeted by the members… in FACT‼️ I was greeted by a female member that asked me the question, “Are you the new cymbal player?…” I replied: “Yes, I am”… She replied: “ I’m in the cymbal line too” and proceeded to flash her boobs to me. 🤯😱 at that very moment I knew I was in heaven. 🙏🏾🫶🏾😜🤣🤣🤣 She did that, because when you perform crash chokes. You muffle the sound of the cymbals on your chest. 🤦🏾♂️🤷🏾♂️🤣 Come to find out… She was actually a colorguard member. Haha As we proceeded to travel to the next state in the late night hours… I sat next to Darius and gazed out of the window thinking to myself… “What the HELL did I just do!?!?” My parents had NO CLUE where I was… and, they haven’t seen, or heard from me ALL DAY‼️ However, I was able to call them about 4am when we stopped at a rest stop. When I called… My mother picked up the phone worried and frightened…. I explained to her and my Dad what I have done, and of course they were extremely upset. I told them that I was safe and I joined Dutch Boy, from Canada. My mother replied: “Dutch Boy, THE PAINT COMPANY⁉️” 👀😏🤣🤣🤣 Nevertheless… The phone call ended well, and we made arrangements for my luggage to be sent to the next local show which was Allentown Pennsylvania. The next morning, when we were all settled in and getting me acclimated into the program. I was able to learn the entire show visually in one day. The staff was prepared to implement me that very night. Haha They actually wanted to put my arm in a sling and have me march the show that night. But, I didn’t want to go out there without learning my music. So, I spent the entire next day learning all of the music, and I was in the production going forward. With ALL of those FACTS mentioned. I had an AMAZING summer experience with Dutch Boy. I was so honored and blessed to be on that finals field with everyone. 🙏🏾🫶🏾 Hope y’all enjoyed my story.
They were really good that night. In the early 80s I marched a corps that played at a Dutch Boy show in Kitchner. The lasting memory is the housing site was a hockey rink. There, mingled with other corps, we all slept on a drained out hockey rink surface for the night (which was essentially concrete). The only time in my life I slept on the blue line of a hockey rink. Weird night but a memory forever.
I was in the Crossmen from 1988-1991. We might have been rivals on some level in 88 and 89 but I know I was legitimately happy for Dutch Boy when they made finals in 1990.
They were a fantastic Drum Corps from Canada definitely the crowd favorite. I've been fortunate enough to see them compete many times. I am a former member of the Long Island Sunrisers 1964 through 1968
I was there at those championships. I always referred to them as “the little corps that could.” That was one hell of an entertaining show Dutch Boy had!
Many of my friends who marched with the New York Lancers came to Dutch Boy with a wealth of talent. They were on point when they performed on finals night!!!
The New York Lancers were an extremely talented DrumCorps from the Bronx, New York, who if they were able to continue fielding, would have left a mark on DCi. As an alumni from1974-1980, it's great to hear that some of our members were able to continue to march in Dutch Boy and make finals
Old school drum corps.. To answer your question. Their were two, and I was one of them. I filled a cymbal spot mid-season, and Darius Cooper, marched bass 4
