Drum Major 2009

[The Four Horsemen]

In case nobody knows; at the intro of the halftime show from last week game; our drum major fell at the intro. This is what happens when the MMW DM style is lost. We are not Southern...we dont do backbends. Derrick Yates? you need to bring our Drum Major style back to what it was. Get rid of this one drum major thing. this has gone on TO LONG!


Lets Discuss

Signed,
The FourHorsemen #2

[Derryl "D. K." Kinnell]

Oh yeah...one more thing. Thanks for reminding me Frank...lol To the "Four Horsemen" I appreciate the content and the spirit of what you are about. As a matter of fact I probably would not disagree with most of your comments but it is very disingenuous for you to hide in anonymity and continue to criticize. Unmask yourself...lol!

[Brian M. Lyles]

You feel like my thoughts about your generation are unwarranted. I feel like your thoughts about my generation are unwarranted. It is what it is. That is why I have decided to finally express my concerns about this on going drama. You say I got all of my facts from Yates but I clearly told you that i researched it for myself. If anything Yates told me to find out for myself by myself. That's the only way you'll know for yourself.
You mentioned that your era won the best drill award and that is an outstanding accomplishment. If we would have participated in an event similiar to that I am positive that we would have won as well. However, that opportunity never presented itself. All of those accolades adds to the overall history of the program. But, history was made in the late 90's to the present as well under the direction of Arthur B. Wesley. The same man that you claim I am disrespecting. In 96, the MMW participated in the Special Olympics in Birmngham, Al. I participated in the band that played on Lucy Pearl's album in 99. They still sell that album in stores currently and the recording session is on youtube. You'll see me playing my trumpet in the center of the band. In, 2000, a documentary debuted in Johnson Theatre in Birmingham Al that gave you an inside look at the MMW as well as other bands. That too can be rented in your local video store. In, 2006 we were the first along with FAMU to perform half time together in The National Army Scholars Bowl in San Antonio, TX. In that same year, I was a part of history again when we went to Pasadena, Ca to lead the Rose Bowl Parade and be the first HBCU in HISTORY to do so. That picture proudly hangs in my office currently. The band is continuing it's path upward. Yeah you are a part of history at AAMU but so am I. You say the MMW is gone. But I say we are keeping it alive. So we are just going to have to agree to disagree.
Marlon, you and I have spoken several times about band issues and you know my viewpoints. You know I have the utmost respect for others that came before me. I am not a disrespectful person and I have never had an altercation with anyone at AAMU. I came on this very site and started a post about bridging the gap between alumni and current MMW. That backfired because the thread quickly turned into a bashing session. (similar to this one)I was disappointed because I thought that this was a golden opportunity to build on our legacy. But when we have people who display our band program in a negative way, how am I supposed to handle it?? Am I supposed to sit back and let it go? (like I have done over the years) I've been saying the same thing off the record for years now all of a sudden there's an uproar. What I am saying now I would have said on the phone or in person. It's not about fear on either sides of the spectrum. I don't fear you and you don't fear me. It's about mutual respect to discuss an issue. That's it. Love and praise will go a lot farther than criticism and complaints...If you want people to listen be positive.

[Marlon Evans]

Great post B Lyles, but I dont need you to tell me to be positive, and I was not a part of the bashing session that took place when you posted your thread about bridging the gap. No where in my post did I say that the MMW is lost-----what were you reading?? This is what I said..................."As the years have gone by, and as the sound has been good, the Showmanship of the MMW has declined as the sound has improved. Yes we have been able to hold it down to a point, but it is a far cry from the showmanship of the past." Where in there does it say that the MMW is gone??? Where in my post did I say that you and the rest of the staff were not doing all that you could to keep the MMW alive??? I even spoke with you about the showmanship before and you admitted that it was not on a satisfactory level and that you guys were working on improving the showmanship. Which was fine with me. So dont get on here and act like all of a sudden that the showmanship is where it needs to be and we are just bashing. Where did I say that you would not have won the award for best drill design?? I said...."Remember that I have seen all of your shows in person, and the best of them wouldnt stand a chance." Meaning that on the field you would get smashed by any band that I marched in. This is not a slight, but a challenge to get up to that level of entertainment that we once had.
I brag all the time on the accomplishments that you just mentioned in your post. When I brag I dont say THEY were on the Lucy Pearl album, I say WE. Even though I didnt have nothing to do with it, I am proud and I say WE. My problem is that you guys act as if EVERYTHING OLD SCHOOL is bad and that you all have saved this program in some kind of way. So that leaves this question................If the band was so bad and it needed saving, then how did it end up on Lucy Pearl, at the Olympics, the National Army Scholars Bowl, or the Rose Bowl?? What did you guys save the band from?? From what?? A weak program does not perform at such events. Do you agree?? So if Yates saved the band, then from what? I truly didnt know that it needed saving, I felt we needed to continue to build, but SAVE. When were we ever on a level such as Valley, Miles, Stillman, and so on? When?? I basically asked in my previous post,"How can a group of drunks and undisciplined individuals who didnt know how to practice reach the level of performance that we did? Still no answer for that one.
IF my generation was all of those negative things (drunks,etc....) and the band was saved from this, then How can one of your band buses be pulled over for an alcohol violation just last year?????? Thought I didnt know that Huh? I do my research too. No bus that I ever rode on nor my peers has ever had that happen. So when you make statements you too must be careful to remain positive cause I've never smelled shat that dont stink.

I would be very proud to say any day that the band we have is better than anything that I have been a part of. Thats one of my dreams. Being able to say this would bring my experience full circle and I would be a very proud individual that day. I feel that any former member should want that to happen as a proud alumnus. But that day is not here yet, and it has not come just yet.

Finally I agree with you that love and praise will go a lot farther than criticism and complaints. I will love and praise whatever that IS DESERVING of such. I will give constructive criticism on those items that deserve criticism. When these items that deserve criticism come about, they come because the alumni want this band to be better that anything that we have ever seen. I ask you and Yates to not take it so harshly(personal), everything that you dont want to hear is not negative. People can tell you a lot from the outside looking in. I ask that you guys continue your hard work, we know that you work hard. I will also work with the alumni, as much as I can, to ensure that in the future, the criticism is truly constructive and not pointed. It would be a GRAND day when both parties can truly work together and enjoy the MMW. We are not there yet, but discussions such as this can do wonders in getting us there. We all have work to do.

Trust me bruh I believe in a lot of the things that are going on now, but I will not say that we are THERE when its just not true. I support you guys still and nobody wants to be able to say that this group is better than any group in the past, more that I do. But I will not lie to kick it.

[The Four Horsemen]

NEWS ALERT....Bryan Liles, You too can be replaced sir! It's one thing to be confident, but arrogance will get BOTH of you REMOVED.....WARNING

[Brian M. Lyles]

To be honest, my comment about the MMW being lost wasn't directed to you. It was directed to the four horsemen who have yet to respond to anything I have said. I should have clarified. And to be honest again...we did not go to Pasadena because of what you guys did in the past. It was because of the Honda BOTB footage that they saw from the '04-'05 MMW. That's what made them fly over here and invite us. I don't think that the alumni are a bunch of drunks. I know that there are some great alumni because I have met and know plenty. Hell, most of my closest friends and my wife are MMW. But I can't deny that I have seen my fair share of ignorant alumni as well. I can't help that. That's something that those alumni are going to have to fix. That's not my fault. And the violation that you mentioned was just dumb on the individuals. Nobody's perfect.
Finally, We're not looking for fake people to bate our heads up. I don't need a posse of "yes men" telling me how good my arrangements are. We just want to put an end to the negativity and the slander of someones good name just because they have personal issues with Yates. ( this is a general statement to whomever it applies to.) The band shouldn't have to suffer for personal issues. That's not fair to the band.

[Solomon (Spook) Denard]

Is it my turn yet? As I was reading these posts, I noticed the word personal and the phrase "don't take it personal" and other sayings of the same nature kept showing up. Now, B, I agree with you 100% about the band having to suffer for personal issues between two individuals or three or how-ever-many people. It, They, We shouldn't have to put up with anyone's vendettas. But, we as family members would be fools to think that this is not personal. That's why we are so passionate about the MMW. It is personal. We take all of this to heart.

I have seen the band a number of times in the past few years at various events and I must say that they do sound good. Thanks to the arranger, the directors, and the talented kids that push the sound through the horns and drive the beat through the drums. But, here is where I agree with Marlon. Over the years, as some aspects of the band have improved, others have not. We have always been a powerful band (as far back as I can remember). But just recently has that wall of sound that we sat across from on Saturdays become us. We produce that...now. It hasn't always been that way. One point for the new era.

On the showmanship issue, I think it's all about pride. It's not just about high knee lifts and dips on 7. It's the overall look of the band. I have seen a couple of cell phones in the stands. The lack of sequences, the one sousaphone player in front on the right side that turns all the way around during every song, what the heck is he doing? People not playing with the band, I don't mean missing an entrance. I'm talking about standing around looking at everyone like he/she's a spectator. Yeah I bet those band room rehearsals are intense and I bet the dust cloud still lingers over the practice field but are you sure there's more discipline?

Our discipline came from respect for the MMW's history and legacy along with some other influences. I do feel that the respect for the ones that paved the way is no longer instilled. I think that the founders of MMW and those that came shortly after are sometimes treated like the red headed step child. It's been coming for a long time and it's finally here. We all understand that times change but legacies are supposed to live on forever. History and traditions are the heart and soul of HBCUs and their different programs, including bands. It's okay to alter processes or whatever to be in tune with the times but the legacy doesn't shine anymore. That's what we've lost.

[Jarrett Jacobs]

Aight, I have been checking the discussions over a period of time and I don't have a lot to say, but I will start with announcing my identity in detail. Jarrett Jacobs, Fall 95 T-PHI-B, #10 taildog, KKPsi Fall 96, #21 of the 23 Monotonic Mother*#^%@rs of Funk, check the paddles. To the Horsemen, its cool that you appear to want the best for the MMW, but I don't even know if ya'll family (1st issue), (2nd issue)if you feel so strongly, get off this blog and address your Director man-to-man, he can only respect that, doesn't have to agree, but respect you will gain from having big enough nuts to say want you disagree with, (3rd issue) you don't know enough to say so much, your posts come off disrepectfully at times, and its you young cats who are fuggin up the program, maybe not you personally, but your generation, ya'll might sound good, but ya'll can't take an ass-whippin. Crabbing is a right of passage, and its not really bout the the ass-whuppin, but cats are so soft nowadays, everybody tells. There is a very proud tradition in the MMW, we aren't called the Showband of the South just because. Make sure you know that history before you speak so loudly, are you aware of the level of musicianship that has been produced in the program. Are you aware of how many gentleman have gone on to be Directors themselves after leaving the family. Yea Saturdays are important, but so is every other day. Respect the History, Respect the Program, or go ahead and turn in that scholarship.

On the video, I'm not in favor of the one DM and the melt, but thats what it is, he blew this time, but he is your DM, so until next year, stop bitchin and moaning. Next year, handle your business, you 4, go to Yates and tell him all what you been spitten on here, how he has changed parts of the tradition that you would like to see return, then be leaders in the program instead some cats talkin shit on the computer...Man up

[WJLovejoy]

Admirable and interesting dialogue from all I must say and very much needed in my opinion, in order to keep the bridge between the Alumni, current MMW and staff passable, in support of them building a better band.

However, without the past, the present would not exist, meaning that no one should forget/change or try to re-write the history, legacy and traditions of the MMW (i.e.: Downfield, Instruments up on four, and 1 Drum major just to mention a few? etc.) which I think many or trying to say, because in my opinion, these were some of the trademarks that made the MMW, the MMW. I too understand that times/things changed, and that some of the kids today are not cut from the same fabric that we were, sort of speak but pride, history, discipline and tradition should always remain.

Lastly I would like to say that none of what has been posted here in this forum should be taken to heart by any of us because at the end of the day we are still family and that family is the MMW. Nevertheless, if there are individual issues or hidden innuendos, I feel that they should be formally addressed in person/love, with whomever the quarrel may be against because I am sure that we all know how some thing’s can be misinterpreted or taken the wrong way, when reading versus actually talking.

Once more healthy dialogue is good and essential in keeping the instrument of communication and understanding open, so let us all try and synchronize, agree to disagree and channel positive energy here through wholesome suggestions/criticism, praise and accolades when it is due.

Peace,
Lovejoy

[David Haygood (sugabear)]

Don't really know how this will go over but we can argue all day back and forth on issues with the band. At the end of the day to appreciate anything there has to be blood, sweat and tears behind it. Are these new members willing to go that far? When I see a band on top of their game marching and sounding like a band should sound the first thing I think is they must of had a hell of a fire down the night before LOL. What wowed me about being in the band was the passion from the upperclassmen about the band. I saw more dedication and love for the band than a lot of them had for their own sororities or fraternities. All things are subject to change at some point in life that's what life is but when I go to the Classic I want to see five drum majors and bass drums slung in the air playing Zeus and all the traditions that made me want to be apart of the band. I don't think Yates or Wesley are negligent or naive to the issues and arguments being made but I think they would rather have support than criticism. Funny that all these old heads are on the board giving their side and we have yet to here from present band members saying what they think of the situation. One thing about A&M u just didn't walk into anything I don't care if you were a cook for the cafe u probably got your azz beat before u became a true cook LOL. My point again when you are giving yourself to whatever organization or group there comes a time when you probably have to be broken down and built back up, at that point you can appreciate the cause and pass that on to the next class. Again I know hazing is not the answer don't get it twisted but until these new guys go through something together they won't see the legacy or tradition being ignored in the MMW band.

[Solomon (Spook) Denard]

See, that's my point. B, Yates, and whoever else is reading, I'm too young to know first hand what it takes to start something as great as THE MMW but I know what it takes to keep the legacy alive. I learned that from THE MMW. We learned that from our ancestors. We could take this conversation in so many different directions but the BOTTOM line is; at some point in life we all loose ourselves and have to go out and find ourselves all over again. The current band doesn't know how to feel the way we do about The MMW because that ole skool spirit is completely gone. I regret that I will not be able to march with the Alumni band this weekend but I will be there sounding off and supporting and hopefully helping everyone that is participating show the true spirit of our band. It's about time we find ourselves again! Happy Homcoming! MMW One Time!!!!!

[The Four Horsemen]

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[The Four Horsemen]

Mr. Wesley will leave A&M one day and you will be exposed. WHAT YOU GONE DO WHEN THE HORSEMEN RUN WILD ON YOU BROTHER!!! LOL