The Brass Crest - NCB Tour 2001 - Daily Report

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The band met at Washington Dulles International Airport at 7:15 am (!) for our flight to Atlanta. Suprisingly, everyone was checked in with plenty of time to spare, and even Ian James Anderson managed to make through without losing a ticket or failing a security check (probably because his father, Ian Anderson, wouldn't let him hold his own ticket).

	Mike Harris (right) and Ian James Anderson, in line at Dulles
	The Swedish Connection: Lars-Otto Ljungholm (right) and Ove Ericson Large Image

The flight to Atlanta was uneventful, despite leaving the ground about 30 minutes late. That is, it was smooth until the landing, when the plane did some fancy sidesteps as it landed. After catching our collective breath, we proceeded to South Terminal Baggage Claim, where we claimed no bags, and then out the door. Then back in the door, and after some additional wandering, down the escalator to the lower level, where we waited for the bus. During the wait, some of the band hijacked some wheelchairs, which were obviously placed there just for our entertainment.

	Bernie Dake, joyriding in a hijacked wheelchair Large Image
	The Three Laziest Bandsmen? (left to right: Travis Smith, David McQueen, Tom Bratten) Large Image

After a light lunch at the Atlanta Temple Corps, the band boarded the bus for the drive to Chattanooga, Tennessee. During the ride, several members of the band took the opportunity for a little bit of beauty sleep . . .

After we arrived in Chattanooga, and awakened the napping players, we set up at the concert venue (Hickory Valley Baptist Church), played a bit, then left for dinner at the Chattanooga Area Command. Unfortunately, a certain female percussionist (name omitted by request) was left standing at the door to the church as the bus pulled away. Even more unfortunately, no one noticed that Tami Hewitt (oops, let that slip!) was missing until we were close to our destination. A kindly member of the Hickory Valley church gave her a ride to the Salvation Army center, so all was well.

As we sat down to eat, Major Steve Justice, Chattanooga area commander, blessed the meal. Band Sergeant Mike Harris, apparently feeling that his food was not quite right with the Lord, proceeded with a second blessing, despite the objections of the hungry band. Following the short meal, we again boarded the bus (even Tami) and returned to Hickory Valley Baptist Church for the concert.

	Sign at Hickory Valley Baptist Church Large Image
	Setting up the band banner before the concert Large Image
	Joe DeMato, (the senior member of the band) quietly sitting while the young guys do all the work Large Image
	Closeup of the band's new stand banner Large Image
	Going in for dinner at the Chattanooga Area Command Large Image

The concert opened with the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance, led by a Hickory Valley Church member. The band then played Erik Leidzén's arrangement of The Star-Spangled Banner, followed immediately by Dorothy Gates' moving new arrangement of America the Beautiful. Ove Ericson, our guest soloist, contributed with Crossroad and Songs in the Heart. The Conqueror, with soloist Major Tony Barrington, followed a testimony by Bernie Dake. The band put the congregation in a devotional mood with Dean Goffin's classic The Light of the World, then Captain Richard McConniel brought a devotional message. The major work of the evening, the tone poem Turning Point, written by NCB principal trombonist Dorothy Gates, received an outstanding ovation. While a free-will offering was taken, the band played the old march Rosehill, conducted by retired Major Otis Street, a great supporter of Salvation Army bands in the USA Southern Territory. The concert concluded with Captain Richard McConniel leading the congregation in God Bless America, brass arrangement by former NCB Deputy Bandmaster Robert C. Schramm.

	Major Otis Street (R) conducting the march Rosehill Large Image
	Another view of Major Street conducting the band Large Image

Wednesday, October 17, 2001