George and I drove to Knoxville on October 6, 2011 (along with Proud Papa, Jeff, and sister Avery) to watch Grandson Landon play in his band during their high school football game. Landon is a sophomore at Bearden High School --and is a member of the drum line.
Can you imagine carrying FIVE drums???? I asked Landon if that was hard on his back --and he said it was NOT... Oh---to be young!!!!! ha
I enjoy high school football and marching bands since they bring back so many great memories of my childhood. I used to play the Clarinet in my high school band --and seeing Landon's band brings back some of the best memories from my high school...
SO--you can imagine how happy I was to see Landon's band ---especially that precious drummer pictured above in the middle. (Doesn't he look like he is enjoying himself?) As you can imagine, I took LOTS of pictures at the game... Tonight I will just share some photos of the band with you... This is one TERRIFIC band.... I love the uniforms --much better than the 'formal' ones we wore when I was in the band. Sign of the times for sure!!!!! (Enlarge for bigger pictures.)
The band performed a fabulous show for us --using the theme, "Clockworks". Did I say that this is one AWESOME band????? WOW--was I impressed!
There is a huge percussion section as part of the band.. That is much different from 1960 when I was in the band.
Can you see Landon in this photo???? He is almost in the middle of the picture.
You can see some of the color guard in this photo (and others). Besides the color guard, there were majorettes, a dance team, and other groups at the game, including the cheerleaders... There were so many things to see during the game!!!!!
I just had to show you one picture of what our band uniforms looked like in 1960!!!! From left to right: Eddie Joe Duffy, Winfield Rose, Ralph Shuler, Jim Scott, Joyce Bailey, Trina Lane, Betsy Banks, Alice Darnell, Jane Draper, and Sammie Rhea Halstead... We had about 60 members in our band (fairly small school) --and the 'drumline' consisted of a bass drum, and about 4-5 snare drums. That was IT back then!!!!
Finally, here is one last picture of my Grandson, Landon. Isn't he just terrific????? Of course, we grandparents are booming with pride!!!!!
Hope you get a chance to see your grandchildren (if you have them). Grandchildren are very very special!!!
Hugs,
Betsy
57 comments:
Hello Betsy, it is neat that your grandson is following in your footsteps. Those drums look very heavy too me. I know you must be very proud of him. He is a handsome young man. Great photos, have a wonderful day.
What sweet pics of your handsome grandson. Isn't it great to see our families grow up before our eyes. Most of our GrandLoves live at least a couple hours away but we still try to make at least a few of their hockey, soccer, and football games, the grandgirlys and grandboys. Growing old ain't all bad.
BlessYourBlessedHearts
What a great post! You know percussion is near and dear to my heart! What a great looking marching band! Our kids only march on Labor Day and Memorial Day - in khaki's and red shirts. I miss the days of Marching bands - we don't seem to have many of them doing the neat routines on the fields anymore, I wonder if it is because of the weather and the very short football season here?
I really miss my high school days too ! It was so much fun with my friends , talking to them , sitting at the last bench giggling away , commenting on the dressing style of few teachers who came in are things I remember doing! Your grandson plays awesome drum , I think:)
How wonderful that you got to go to the game and watch Landon play his drums! I know you all (including Landon) had an enjoyable evening.
I can't imagine carrying all those drums and certainly not being able to play all five!! I agree that the "uniforms" are so much better. I do remember those formal outfits of yesteryear! Enjoyed seeing your handsome grandson doing what he obviously loves with grandma snapping away!!
Best,
Bonnie
Oh I was in the marching band too! First three years, we wore those old wool uniforms that itched like no tomorrow and the huge hat that felt like you were wearing a ton of bricks on your head. Fourth year we got new uniforms that weren't hot or itchy and the hat was half the size of the old ones. Now I look at what they wear, and think back to the first three years uniform and think 'in my day' ;o)
He definitely has his grandmother's smile and good looks.
Those are great looking uniforms though very masculine. That has always been the case with school bands. Guess there is no way to get a guy in a skirt unless he plays the bag pipes:))
Your smile was easy to pick out in your band.
What fun to go and see and hear your grandson's band, Betsy. I do like their uniforms. Much nicer than the band uniforms I remember our high school having. They look so much more comfortable. It may not hurt your grandson's back to carry those drums, but I think it would mine! Great post! :)
Drummers amaze me:) I know you are very proud!
This was a great story and a nice photo series.
Nordis
You sound like one proud grandma Betsy! Good for you! I'm sure your grandson was very happy that you went to watch him play.
Happy Wednesday!
xo Catherine
Yes he is T terrific and he takes playing the drums from you. What a difference time makes. He's awesome. sandie
Awww. Betsy I know you're one proud grandma. What a handsome and talented grandson. Grandchildren are such joy. I thank God for them everyday.. Hugs to you my friend..Susie
those band uniforms were around in the 50's also, all the schools had them, just different colors. this band does look good in the black and white and i am thinking they are not as expensive as the uniforms used to be. i wanted to be a drummer in the band, but we did not have the money for the drum or the uniforms, so not. those drums look like back ache material to me, or for me i should say.
Landon is blessed with a proud Grandma. He does look as if he's having fun, and your photos show the precision of the band's routine. Very nice.
Since we don't have children, we also don't have grandchildren. But my brother had two children, and they both had children. So we have great nephews and a great niece. We go to as many of their activities as we can.
You are blessed to be still strong with grandkids already big. Some people don't even got the time to see them. God bless Betsy and George.
Fun post, Betsy. You and Landon can tell each other band stories!!!!
It's wonderful that you are helping to capture a lot of Landon's memories with your great photos! What a blessing to have grands who are following their life dreams and growing up to make themselves, their parents and their grandparents proud!! Blessings!
Wonderful post and pictures, Betsy. I know you are proud of your grandson! My grandson plays the quads in the Mississippi State Band.
I picked you out in the old picture (by your smile) before I read the names!!!!!
the choreography that goes into a good marching/show band these days is so impressive! so cool!
He is a very handsome talented young man!! Must have gotten it from his grandma! Still have one granddaughter in band (middle grade) the one in HS decided to get out of band (sad) as well as a grandson who played drums until HS. He rather be on the basketball team. I plan on a trip to the mountains at the end of the month to see Quintin play football, Gabs in a band concert, and just enjoy all the grands and my daughters for a few days. Hope to see the beautiful fall colors too.
I love to watch the bands. Both my kids were in band, I wasn't. The uniforms have certainly changed! My daughter always called their hats...Q-tips...because they were tall and white. Ha! Landon is a handsome guy and looks like he enjoys playing the drums! And I think they look heavy, too! Fun times, glad you got to be there to see it all!
What a handsome young man! I love how happy he looks in that first photo. He must have been pleased and proud that you were there to see him and his bandmates in action.
How wonderful that your grandson is participating in something that you loved being in as well! I bet he was delighted to see his family there. I am amazed at the entire group of musicians and color guard. A wonderful tradition indeed.
Unconditional love...that is what grandchildren and grandparents have for each other...wonderful!
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com
What a coincidence, Betsy. I wrote about my grandson today, also. That's a nice pic of you in your band uniform. My hubby majored in music ed in college; his instrument was the clarinet. He still plays it at family gatherings upon request. His signature song? Moon River.
Great shots with all the color and action. I'm sure you're very proud of him, he has to be very accomplished and he's such a nice looking boy. Cute picture, too, of you in your band, times sure have changed, haven't they!!! Diane
He does look like he's having a great time out there!
Since recently deciding to teach myself guitar I've been having flashbacks to my school band days and that God awful coronet. I hated that thing and my playing ability reflected it!
At least I learned how to read sheet music but since I discovered tablature reading music isn't all that necessary anymore.
Great photos. You must be very proud of your grandson!
Uniforms HAVE changed tremendously over the decades! I wasn't in the band, but I was on the drill team and our uniforms had been used for numerous years, before they were issued to us. Talk about dated!
Grandchildren are such a blessing!
You got really really great pictures!! And yes, once you told me where to look, I spotted Landon in the middle of the picture! I like the way they are dressed, and it makes those old uniforms of yours look really hilarious! Kind of like Dr. Seuss characters! I like the newer style of dressing. Hard to believe it doesn't hurt his back, it hurts mine just looking at him! But I guess the kids are used to carrying around heavy backpacks. He is very good looking! Does he have a steady girl?
I love marching bands. This looks like a great one. All that motion is so cool.
The braces distribute the weight of the drums. I played the xylophone. Sometimes in the pit as you showed up front but sometimes, I carried them like the drums.
Thanks for the memories and the show!!!
Our 15 year old is in the Marching Band at her high school, she plays the same flute her Dad played when he was in middle school. Her band wear a very formal, hot and heavy uniform. I know what your mean about the excitement that surrounds these football games. I love the photo with you in it!
One proud Grandma. That drum might carry him into college as the College bands have huge drum sections. I too was in the FUZZY hat club and played Baritone horn. I wonder what they do on a cold night? Do they have black jackets? The outfits are nice and hip but I like the old traditional band uniforms. Peace
I love a good band Betsy, and they sure look the part and give a good show too by the looks of it.Well done Landon and your band.
That takes a lot of time. He has to dedicated to stay in the band. I know how much time the people spent at practice where Allison when to school.
It was nice to share your happiness. Loved your band photo in wool uniforms.
Fall and football and halftime - memories of youth gone by! :)
I lived almost twelve miles out of town but when the football game on Friday night was at home I could be found on the bleachers watching the game and the school band at halftime. Many happy times were spent on those evenings.
Your band uniforms were fashionable for the times. I think today they are made much more comfortable for the wearer.
You have a handsome grandson Betsy!
Yes, grandchildren are VERY special!
Hi Ginny, Our late 1960's high school band uniforms were very similar to yours except we had tall "Shako" mock fur hats and no belt. I also played the Clarinets and Alto Saxophone. Congratulations to your fine Grandson!
Congrats Proud grandma. I counted the old photo, were 5 wearing glasses? That's a lot.
Oh, gosh, that picture gave me lots of memories of my band days, too. And of my children's band days. Not there yet on the grandchildren. But your grandson does look like he's enjoying himself, which is important. I think band is great and any kid in band is a great kid! I like their uniforms, too. Thanks for sharing this with us.
my daughter was involved with the band when she was in high school, she loved it. You must have had so much fun watching your grandson. I love their uniforms.
What a cutie! You have to be really dedicated to play in the band. It's a lot of work!
My goodness, will you look at those drums!!! Wow! Bands sure have come a long way, haven't they??
Love your old school band pic and love that big smile!
You must have been so proud of your dear grandson. Looks like everyone had a great time.
Hi Betsy..
You sure have a good-looking grandson there, and quite talented as well...I love the drums in the marching bands. 5 Drums? I would do good to play one...
I love the picture that you captured of the flags swirling..
Glad you had a great time watching your grandson..
Blessings,
Shug
Betsy, how wonderful! I love the high school's uniforms. They are very sharp-looking! I know how proud you must be of Landon. He looks like he is enjoying himself so much! Oh, how delightful that you included a picture of you in the band, too. Remember when you asked me about the Alzheimer's blog? Well, I don't know if you checked out my Mom's other blog, Living Life in a Small Town, but she was also in the marching band in school! She played the trombone! I bet you two would hit it off!
About AZ--this is where OUR grandson is. Our plans had been to retire to the Virginia mountains. I'm an AL gal and my husband is from VA and we dearly love the mountains and the countryside. BUT sometimes life leads you down different paths than you could ever think they would. We're here because of the kids (daughter, son-in-law, grandson), and that's the only reason....and I just bet you understand perfectly.
Gorgeous grandson. Grandchildren are great but wait till the great,grandchildren come along. Wooowser.
Awesome! I'm right with you on their uniforms! When I was in high school our band was so poor we still had uniforms from the 1960's~and boy did we hate them! I'm so glad you got to see your grandson march. I'm sure that it meant a lot to him!
Oh, Betsy, I am glad you guys got to go see him. He is a good-looking boy. I would be bursting with pride, too.
Being a grandparent is wonderful. You sure have a handsome young grandson.
I wish him well with his musical endeavers.
Blessings
Marilyn
Your grandson sure does look like he loves playing the drums! I can't imagine carrying them myself. I played the flute and was a majorette. My daughter is actually playing my flute in the band now! I'm glad you got to go to his game and see him play!
Hugs,
Angela
I loved this! Your grandson is quite handsome. No surprise there. He also looks quite enthusiastic and like he really throws himself fully into what he is doing. I love his spirit. I can only imagine how proud you must have been.
Loved the photo of you also!
Great Marching Band shots. Both our girls were in the Expo 88 Marching Band in Brisbane at the World Expo 88.
Cheers,
Bill
You must be very proud! We don't have the same big marching band school/college traditions here in the UK, so it was interesting to see your photos. However, brass bands are a tradition for all ages in the north of England. It's satisfying to encourage music making in the family and so enjoyable to watch performances.
We're all going to see one of our grandsons taking part in a school musical on Saturday. He goes to weekend stage school. I'm not sure if I shall be able to take photos during the performance. Lovely that you were able to take the ones of Landon because they were outside. Happy moments to remember!
I know you are a proud G'ma!!! He is awesome...so great that he is involved in school like this. Keeps them busy and out of trouble. :)
They really do have casual uniforms...ours are much more formal. AND HEAVY.
I love the marching bands...gives me chills. Of course, I am quite partial to the dancers too.
xo
I LOVE marching bands too!! My niece is on the drumline as well! SHE LOVES IT!! next year she will have to choose drumline or cheer! My hope is that she will choose drumline. It is absolutely amazing to me all that being in a band requires now! These kids are the most dedicated kids in the whole school! Here they practice 2 hrs in the morning and 3 or 4 after school. It is simply AMAZING!! Jantzens girlfriend is in the same situation as my niece. (drumline & cheer) I hope she chooses drum line but one morning she was driving by the high school real early and she asked her mom why they were there. Her mom explained the practice times to her and she said...well, how do they shower or fix there hair before school? Her mom said well, mostly they just pull it up.....THIS MAY BE A DEAL BREAKER FOR HER lolol
Great pics of the band and your grandson definitely looks thrilled to be out there!!!
Yes, Grandchildren are soooo very special!! such a blessing!!
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