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News Page - 2003

 

Marty's Goldenaires has moved to a new host location where we hope to include some new and exciting features for our visitors. The move to "martysgoldenaires.org" has happened faster than anticipated so I hope you will all check in for new additions. In the mean time thank you for your patience as construction continues here at our new site. GG

 

I wish to extend a special thankyou to the Iron County Miner of Hurley Wisconsin for their generous donation!

GG

Please note, we have experienced problems with our link to the Ontonagon Mountaineers. They have been notified and if they go back on line we will be sure to update our link.  

 

 

Saturday July 12, 2003 - Two Harbors MN

The Heritage Festival has grown during the many years we have had the pleasure to perform here. The crowds get larger and it is fun to note the spectators lining the parade route responding to the music. Partly cloudy skies and a light breeze off Lake Superior made for a pleasant performance. During our “Corner Routine” Wipeout received large applause, and again Dan’s solo and the power of the low brass garnered rousing appreciation from the audience. After the parade we moved into the Legion Hall and played a concert for a large and wonderful audience. It is especially heart warming to see the veterans stand and smile when our Military Medley breaks into each branch of the service. The hospitality of this town is second to none, and we like to refer to Two Harbors as our 2nd home. I had a chance to meet with some of the enthusiastic and energetic festival organizers, Mary it was a real pleasure to meet you! Quote of the day, "It must be something in the water" (unknown Corps member).

 

As tradition has it, we stopped again at Canal Park in Duluth, MN for dinner and entertainment. Actually this was a reserved outing for most of the Corps with no real outstanding events to report. The trip back to Bessemer was relatively quiet (I think) and we arrived home around 11:30 PM.

GG

 

Friday July 11, 2003 - Ironwood, MI

Tonight, we had a unique opportunity to perform for a sold out show at the historic Ironwood Theater. It was very crowded up on stage, and hot under the lights. This event highlighted the talents of local artists, and included among others an art show, our concert, and a performance by “Da Yoopers”. In addition, the “Stormy Kromer” was celebrating its 100th anniversary and the Corps was presented with custom embroidered Kromer Caps. This was a tough performance, we did not have a chance to rehearse in the theater and had no idea how we would sound. The Corps performance was recorded and it will be interesting to hear how the CD turns out.

GG

Friday July 4, 2003

 

Ramsay, MI 10:00 AM

A number of weather events have been pushing through our area and the radar on TV this morning did not look promising although there appeared to be a break for at least our 1st performance. Mostly cloudy and 76 degrees with some humidity made it feel a bit warm. The skies cleared by 10:00 AM and as we stepped off we were greeted by a substantial crowd. The guys were geared up and ready, this had to be the best performance we’ve had in Ramsay and the crowd really showed their appreciation. It looks to be a great day!

 

Wakefield, MI 1:00 PM

After a good performance earlier we were really looking forward to the packed main street in Wakefield. The skies were threatening rain but cleared to bright and blue with a temperature of 79 degrees. The first leg of this parade was typical with many stops on the “back street” and a few stumbles on the rough road. As we turned onto Main Street we were greeted by lines of spectators many rows deep. As “Rubik’s cube” formed at the top of the hill a mass of people closed in on the concert arc. This audience is always responsive and was not disappointing today. Dan’s solo in the beginning of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” received rousing applause, but as the music crescendoed and the low brass kicked in with the melody the crowd went crazy. The flood of feeling that rushes through the Corps  is pure adrenaline and sends chills down our spines. “Wipeout” definitely has become a crowd pleaser (who would’ve thought?). The crowd cries for “more” and after an encore we move on down the street where we formed again to play for spectators at parade’s end. We had a great performance this afternoon in Wakefield, and the guys dispersed until the time to meet in Bessemer this evening.

 

Bessemer, MI  7:00 PM

We were blessed again; the skies remained partly cloudy with upper 70’s for temps. This hometown performance, parade and concert at Massie Field is the highlight of the Corps’ season and we were not to be disappointed. The members grouped at the Legion then moved as a unit to the parade lineup where we waited, and waited, and waited some more. This year, although not the longest, had a substantial amount of time before we were to finally step off. While there I had a chance to visit with a few members of the Ontonagon Mountaineers Alumni Corps who were outfitted in a comfy uniform of khaki shorts, Hawaiian shirts and straw hats. Finally it was our turn. As usual, rounding the corners at the fire hall and looking down a main street over flowing with people pumped up the Corps. As we formed up our routine and arc, a mass of swarming spectators encircled the Corps. This is “in your face” performing with an audience of hundreds only a few feet away. A real rush for all of us! Again, Dan’s solo received rousing applause and the crowd went into a frenzy as the music built to a wall of sound from the low brass. I think this is about the time the low brass section was dubbed the “3000 pounds of sound”. After a number of requests for encores we moved on and completed the parade which was lined with larger crowds than I can remember. After a short break at the Legion grounds, we moved to Massie Field for a concert, our final performance of a long day. You couldn’t tell if the Corps was tired, once under the lights we performed an abbreviated concert due to time limitations. The Guys still had a lot left in them and they gave it to the crowd assembled in the stands and on the field.

 

Whew, what a day! The Corps stepped it up a couple notches and gave all a great performance.

 

GG

 

Sunday June 22, 2003 - Hayward, WI  Musky Festival

 

So far we have been truly blessed. A threat of rain today but not on us. The temperature was 84 and a bit humid. The crowd as always was huge in Hayward and the people most appreciative! This parade just keeps getting better and better by the year. This year there were multitudes of musical units, very talented high school bands and others. The Hibbing Blue Jackets were most impressive.

 

After a good performance on the parade route we played our usual concert on the street corner for a large crowd. It’s always a great feeling to see and hear the crowd response who tends to “get in your face” here, we love it! After our concert we proceeded to the Moccasin for refreshments. Once inside we played a couple numbers and relaxed. After a short break, we proceeded to the Vet Hall where we were met by a large crowd. The vets really liked the Military Medley as guys stood for each piece representing the branch of service they were in.

 

We were dismissed and headed our ways, looking forward to a weekend off to relax, or get some neglected chores done at home. Next stop, the 4th of July Holiday.

 

GG

Sunday June 15, 2003 - Cook, MN – Timberfest

Another great morning, with the exception of a early load of the coach at 7:00 a.m. It’s always fun to see who had too much fun last night and we were not disappointed. Where do I begin, well to start it seems Keith had a run in with a trailer hitch and split his lower lip which was now swollen nearly beyond recognition. Chuck, hey someone call Chuck! Well he was still in bed, so Dan decided to go home and make coffee. Chuck wheeled in about 10 minutes later in a frenzy, a shortcut across the one way (no traffic) into the parking lot to a skidding stop, and he flew across the street with his gear and carrying his shoes (he did have his socks on). Okay, where’s Dan? It seems Dan was worried about missing 1st sopranos and Keith’s ability to play, so he also made copies of the music for some of the 2nd Sops to fill in. They did a great job by the way! The trip to Cook was uneventful, sort of. The guys were quiet but Cubba managed to wake them up with a “Party Time” CD of which he played one track on repeat for about 4 hours. Arrival in Cook left us with a little time to rehearse getting into the Corner Routine. At parade time it was 86 degrees and sunny, but dry. We never did do the Corner Routine; there was an ambulance in the way. Cook had a great crowd, the largest I believe I’ve seen yet.

 

After the parade we performed an abbreviated concert on the street then moved on to the VFW for a quick refreshment. Leaving the VFW we headed for the Old Muni. As always the place was rocking, with standing room only. We performed many pieces to a vocal and appreciative crowd. By now the guys are pretty worked up but tired, so we wandered out and back to the bus for the ride back. By the way, the smoke in the air was from the power transformer that broke loose from its mountings and dropped square on a parked pickup. Cubba started up his CD player again, but all were in a party mood anyway and the trip from Cook to Canal Park in Duluth MN was festive.

 

It is tradition to stop at Canal Park for dinner whenever we travel to a performance that takes us through Duluth, it’s always eventful. The food at Grandma’s was as good as always, although service was a bit slow. Some of the younger guys take the opportunity to meet girls and this trip was no exception. As we were loading up the bus for our return a car sped past and a piece of clothing flew at a group of the young men. I believe the tag read 34C. Now these guys seem to find females everywhere. As we crossed the bridge, a car full of young ladies pulled up next to the bus. The passenger was waving through the sun roof – no wait she was making signs. It must be a phone number. A number of cell phones started to beep as dialing was made, but no luck getting through. No wonder, for one thing the guys were calling out what they thought to be the numbers 3 – 9 – NO 8 – NO – 6 – aw shoot! Others were getting busy signals. Oh well. . .  Being one of the older guys, I can’t recount more since I didn’t wake up until the coach lights went on in Bessemer. Best quote of the day, “This was the Twilight Zone Tour”, Rich Brown.

 

GG

Saturday June 14, 2003 - Iron Mountain, MI – UP Legion Convention

 What a morning! Blue skies and puffy clouds greeted us as we loaded the bus in Bessemer for the first full performance of the year, the first of 2 consecutive days. A quiet trip to Iron Mountain was in order as Rich listened to tapes of rehearsals and practiced directing. We arrived soon enough to have a leisurely lunch before line up behind the VA Hospital.

 

Although the temperature reached 80 the dry low humidity and breeze made the day pleasant. While warming up, we had the chance to listen to 2 Ontario Junior Corps, both of whom were most impressive. At the end of the parade, we performed a concert in front of the Legion hall for a good sized and appreciative audience. We also had a chance to listen to one of the Junior Corps perform a collection of music from the 70’s. Excellent arrangements of Starshine, House of the Rising Sun, JC Superstar, and others brought back memories of marching in the early 70’s. These kids were very disciplined, precise and talented musicians. The sound their 17 horns put out was absolutely amazing.

 

All in all, we had a good performance although there are a few weak spots in the music to work through. After a short break for refreshments, it was back on the bus for the ride home. We will have an early and long day tomorrow.

GG

June 6, 2003 - Ironwood, MI  Relay for Life

Our 1st performance of the season was a benefit for the Relay for Life in Ironwood, MI. Does it always rain for this event? With persistant showers and after a brief downpour just prior to the concert, the rain slackened and we  played for a substantial   and appreciative crowd on the football field. Some of the new numbers were a bit rough, I see a long rehearsal coming this week.

GG

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