The plane was late arriving, so I waited in the cell phone lot at the airport for my daughter to text when they were ready for pick-up. It was Fall 2016. After a while my legs needed a little stretch, so I took a stroll around the perimeter of the lot. Looking up at the beautiful blue sky, my panoramic gaze was broken by an upright that brought back memories from high school.

Friday Night Lights!

Light poles like that had flanked the football field at my alma mater Dobyns-Bennett High School in Kingsport, Tennessee. Just seeing one similar to those took me back to all those hours of preparation for the half time shows we had put on for our adoring fans (mostly our parents who supported the band and neighbors whose sons were on the football team).

It might look easy, but the routines our band director came up with were complex with intricate weaving and bobbing required. Some of the more difficult steps for me to muster were done on a diagonal. Having short legs was not an asset when trying to cover 15 yards in record time and keep our lines straight in the process.

We had started way back in the summer with half day squad practices in searing heat. Yes, we were in shorts at first, but as time went on parts of our uniform were added. First was the maroon and grey hat with plume, then tennis shoes were replaced by thick socks and clunky band shoes. Next long pants. The clincher was when the jacket went on. Not only was it thick, but it weighed a ton. I don’t think I’ve been that hot anytime since.

Building our stamina was paramount, however, so that we were conditioned well enough to march, play our instruments, and perform twirls, hops, and dips when called for. Boy, was I glad my parents had steered me away from my first love of an instrument, the alto saxophone. It was challenging enough to play my clarinet while lifting it high in the air!

We were a championship band and one Fall we had been chosen to perform in the upcoming Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. While we were accustomed to playing in slightly cooler temperatures as our football season was winding down, I wondered if we’d be able to keep performing for the entire parade route in all kinds of up-north weather. Despite the rainy and blustery cold finish, we persevered and had photos and lots of stories to share with family and friends who had looked for a glimpse of us on television back home.

As the memories of that day flowed into others (regional and state competitions, after game pizza parties with my band friends, off season concert band performances), my phone beeped. It was time to pull around and pick up the kids and grandkids back from vacation.

Soon there will be another day to put those marching skills to good use with the grandchildren. Think I’ll try out some diagonals across their basement playroom as they bang out some rhythms and I blow some tunes. Strut on!

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These days, the Dobyns-Bennett Band continues to be extremely proficient and highly regarded. Was curious if I was remembering the band life well, so I went looking and found these moments that pretty much capture it!

The Dobyns-Bennett High School Marching Band

Even through the pandemic’s mask-wearing that required creatively playing their instruments, the (half-time) show must go on...as it has for decades!

(Photographs: Credit to Dobyns-Bennett High School Bands)

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