The Danpodcast

The UIL Marching Band Rules Action Committee has received new rule proposals!  Let's analyze a few and why some may or may not enhance the marching band experience in Texas.

Tune in for the annual Thank You to everyone who made TxBands.com, The World-Famous TxBands Live Blog, and The Danpodcast such a unique part of the marching arts this season!!!

Now that I have recovered (sort of), let's put a long overdue cherry on the UIL 2022 State Marching Band Contests!!!  We'll go over the results from all conferences, interesting notes, and why the closest race for the UIL State Championship in HISTORY deserves to be celebrated!

It's the UIL STATE MARCHING CONTEST!!! Do I need to say anything else? Let's explain everything and celebrate the #State42!!!

Help me throw a Super-Sized cherry on a fantastic BOA San Antonio Super Regional!!! Let's look at scores, trends, and why the "same programs" continue to excel year after year.

Super Regional Sized Nerd-In!! All the rules, performance times, and pep talks are here!!!

#BecauseWaco Let's put a cherry on this version of the BOA Waco Regional Championships!  Let's talk about the enthusiasm these marching members showed on Saturday and why the Cedar Park Timberwolf Band will save human civilization as we know it.  

That's how you Area Saturday!!! I've got results, champions, tiebreakers, and all the rules recapping the 2022 UIL 6A Area Marching Contests that went down Saturday!  

Why??? Because Waco.  That's why. Let's take a look at the BOA Waco Regional Championships, the schedule, the notes, and why this Regional is the perfect time to lay it all out on the line!

UIL Area Saturday is upon us! I have the rules, the breakdowns, and all the motivational messages to get you ready for the most intense series of marching band contests in the United States!!!

The UIL Legislative Council Meeting concluded this week with significant changes to the UIL State Marching Band Contest.  Let's go over the proposals, what this means for the Texas Marching Arts, and why I believe that marching members are equipped to handle the challenges these new rules present. Timestamps: 1:23 - NO on Spirit Pep Band 3:03 - STUDY State Jazz Festival/Sub Non-Varsity Language 5:27 - PASSED Proposals 6:53 - 4A Bands To Seven-Judge State System 10:05 - PASSED State Every Year (#AllTheStates) 12:53 - Conflicted Internal Discussions 15:11 - Superintendent Survey On #AllTheStates 19:02 - Small Conferences And State Every Year 21:05 - Changing With The Times 26:15 - Buying In To Marching Members UIL Legislative Council Packet: https://www.uiltexas.org/files/policy/October-2022-Legislative-Council-Packet.pdf UIL Fall Superintendent Survey: https://www.uiltexas.org/files/policy/Fall-2022-Superintendent-Survey.pdf

Help me put a cherry on the BOA North Texas Regional Championships! Let's go over scores, the continued success of "new" programs, and why there will always be a place for excellence in the pageantry arts!!!

The Nerd-In pushes Northward!!! Let's go over the brand new BOA North Texas Regional Championship!  I'll look at the schedule, the fantastic percussion ensembles in attendance, and examine why programs in different phases of their season will make this Regional even more outstanding!

WHAT A SATURDAY NIGHT!!! Help me put a massive cherry on the BOA DFW Regional Championships.  Let's take a look at the scores, the emergence of new programs, and where you go when you're at the top of the mountain!!

Awesome Saturday night in West Texas!!! Let's put a cherry on the BOA West Texas Regional Championships.  We'll go over scores, the school-best performances, and the importance of "one more time"!

Another exciting night at the Texas Marching Classic! Help me put a cherry on the 2022 version of this fantastic event.  Let's look at scores and how some of the elite programs at this contest are able to perform under impossible expectations!!!

Let's welcome the BOA West Texas Regional Championships to the Nerd-In!  We gotta go over the schedule, the plentiful accomplishments held by several bands in attendance, and how this contest was able to grow so rapidly!

SPECIAL EDITION!!! We welcome the Texas Marching Classic to the Nerd-In!  Let's go over the judging system, the schedule, and why local contests like this one are getting more popular every year!

DFW Nerd-In Time!!! Let's go over programs, accomplishments, what to look for, and why it took me so long to get through the schedule this time!!!

What a contest!!! Help me put a cherry on the BOA West Houston Regional Championships by going over results, the importance of showing out at Finals, and why communicating your program upstairs can pay off greatly at such a challenging contest!!!

H-Town Takeover Part II!!! Join me in the Nerd-In for the BOA West Houston Regional Championships.  Let's take a look at the schedule, the recent success of many top programs here, and why certain programs could be extra motivated to throw down this Saturday at Legacy Stadium!!

Let's put a cherry on the BOA Austin Regional Championships!!! Help me go over results, the outstanding shows in Finals, and why excellence in performance was key at the night show!!!

Help me put a cherry on the BOA North Houston Regional! Let's take a look at the results, the success of 2020 programs, and why Finals results tend to look a little different than earlier in the day!!!

The Nerd-In is in North H-Town!! Join me as I take a look at the schedule, the successes of many programs during the "off-season", and why mature student leadership will help these bands reach the mountain top this Saturday!!!

The Nerd-In has returned to Central Texas!!! Let's go over the schedule, talk about all of the incredible programs performing, and why Prelims AND Finals will be a completely wild series of events!

Help me put a VERY humid cherry on the 2022 BOA McAllen Regional! Let's take a look at the close results for the podium and the big question regarding early season success!

The Nerd-In is baaaack!!! Let's take a look at the BOA McAllen Regional, the reasons for the unusually early start/end times for Prelims, and why a strong head will go far in this unique BOA Regional!

Three phases???  Division ratings???  What the heck is Content and Design??? Don't worry.  I'll explain The Road To State and how the University Interscholastic League chooses its State Champions!!!

New to the Bands Of America scene?  Need a refresher course on how shows are evaluated?  What is fact and fiction in BOA?  This is the program for you!!  Let's explore these topics in a brief Freshman-style course on the Bands Of America contests!

Summer Band is HERE!!! If you want to win Summer Band, follow my steps for students and parents!!!  You'll thank me later! :53 - UIL Summer Band Rules 4:40 - Focus Your Energy 7:27 - Give Your Kids Some Freaking Slack 9:15 - Help The Younger Members 11:49 - Parents, It's Not About You 13:39 - Director Change???   https://www.uiltexas.org/files/music/Summer_Marching_Band_Rules_and_Interpretations.pdf

The BOA lists are here!!! Let's take a look at all our Texas Regionals, the trends in participation, and the contests outside of Texas that our programs will be competing in! https://marching.musicforall.org/schedule/

A lot has changed since those State Every Year surveys were distributed six months ago!  Let's look over some procedural and professional challenges that are preventing State Every Year from happening.  

Want to know more about the TMEA Honor Band process?  This is the show for you!  Crowning the TMEA Honor Band is one of the most prestigious titles a Texas concert program can hold.  Follow along as I explain the process, the rules, and highlight some programs who have advanced to the TMEA Honor Band State Prelims!!! https://www.tmea.org/band/honor-band/

The UIL will hold its legislative council meeting this Tuesday.  Several marching band related proposals are on the table so let's go over each one and explain why the fate of Texas Marching Band as we know it could be decided this week! Watch the UIL Legislative Council Meeting LIVE: https://player.nfhsnetwork.com/#/events/uil/evt47d98a03b4

Most commencement speeches stink. That's why I specifically created one for graduating band students! Please enjoy and congratulations to the Senior Band Class of 2022!!!

The results are in!  The UIL has released the results for the Marching Band Rules Advisory Committee Survey.  Let's go line by line to see how directors and judges reacted!  Be ready for some tactful responses to those results... Survey Results: https://www.uiltexas.org/files/band-substitution-music/music/Marching_Band_Rules_Advisory_Committee_Feb_2022_Survey_Results.pdf

After a long hibernation, I am ready to talk new UIL rules and surveys!!!  Let's highlight some of the rule proposals that will be implemented this year as well as surveys to have State Contest every year!  I also have a proposal of my own that I will negotiate with the UIL at the end!!! 1:53 - Non-Student Sound Board Intervention 4:21 - Area Judging 7:51 - Possible Caption Winners At State??? 12:05 - State Every Year??? 22:32 - Propose THIS: Get Rid Of The 8 Minute Rule UIL Marching Band Advisory Committee Fall Meeting Actions https://www.uiltexas.org/files/music/MB_Rules_Advisory_Committee_12821_Actions.pdf

We're giving thanks a week early!!  Let's thank some organizations/people who have helped out TxBands during the season and why this season was the most rewarding season in the history of our humble nerdiness!!! Also, DONATE TO TXBANDS!!! https://txbands.com/#donate 1:04 - MFA/BOA 2:29 - University Interscholastic League 4:29 - BOX5-TV 7:11 - Marching Arts Education 8:08 - The Nerdz 10:23 - Directors/Staff 11:12 - Parents 13:14 - Marching Members 14:53 - Personal Thank You 22:00 - DONATE TO TXBANDS!!!!

The BOA Grand National Championships are in the books!  Help me put a cherry on an incredible event, how the Texas programs quickly became crowd favorite, and a special shout out to our National Champion!   1:30 - Grand Nationals Results (Texas Emphasis) 10:04 - The Pride Of Broken Arrow

IT'S ALL OVER, PEOPLE!!!  The 2021 UIL State Championships are in the books so we need to put a Texas-sized cherry on ALL of our State Finalists!  Congratulations to all who competed in the 2021 UIL State Championships!!! 1:51 - State Military Championships 7:24 - State Open Class Championships 17:13 - The Hebron State Retreat 20:30 - Did the new 5A/6A Sheets Work?

It's State Championship Time!  Let's break the whole contest down and what it will take to become a UIL 6A State Finalist!!!

Help me put a massive cherry on the unbelievable event that was the San Antonio Super Regional!!!  We need to talk about Hebron's legendary performance/program and why it is so difficult to stand out at arguably one of the best marching contests in the United States. 1:29 - Results 2:14 - The Hebron Hawk Band 9:09 - Cracking The Top 14 12:17 - The Value Of Performance

Super Regional Time!!!  Let's go over EVERYTHING for the BOA San Antonio Super Regional!  We'll also go over the various points in the season many programs are experiencing and how they will be handing the end of the 2021 Marching Season!!! 1:38 - Two Judging Panels 3:14 - How To Pick The 14 Finalists 5:14 - How The Random Finals Draw Works 7:44 - Schedule (With Panels) 20:29 - Different Circumstances

The UIL 6A State Qualifiers are set!!!  Let's go over tiebreaker explanations, interesting results, and all the fun stuff that happened at the UIL 6A Area Contests on Saturday!!!  Congratulations to all the programs!!!

Help me put a cherry on a fantastic BOA Waco Regional!  Let's talk about all of the history made last night with first-time Finals performances and first-time Regional Championships!!!

The most intense series of marching band contests in the United States is going down this weekend!!!  The UIL 6A Area Contests are back in full force!! We'll go over each Area and why only performances of a lifetime will get you to San Antonio!!!

Why????  BECAUSE WACO!!!! The BOA Waco Regional is going down this weekend!  We'll talk about the schedule, some late additions to the contest, the unique opportunity for several 5A programs at this contest, and a special surprise that may be revealed this weekend!   0:00 - #BecauseWaco 1:12 - Schedule 5:04 - Unique Situations For Several Programs 5:53 - Why Not McLane Stadium??? 6:34 - Johnson HS Prop 7:38 - TxBands Waco Live Blog

The UIL 5A State Marching Contest is one week away.  33 of the best 5A programs in the State of Texas will be tearing the roof off of The Alamodome and I am here to nerd out to this historic event!!! 2:05 - The 5A State Schedule 6:32 - How To Get To State Finals 7:19 - New UIL State Judging Sheets 11:30 - Special Message To Students and Parents

The 33 State Qualifiers are set!!  Let's put a cherry on an amazing series of Area contests this past weekend!  I'll go over results, tiebreakers, recap sheets, and stealing judges tapes from your directors office!!! :54 - Podcast Plans This Week 2:59 - Area By Area Results 17:49 - Prelims Recaps????

AREA SATURDAY IS HERE!!!!!   Let's nerd out to the 2021 5A Area Contests going down this weekend!  All the information, numbers, judging systems, and wisdom is listed below so please enjoy!!!  Good luck to everyone at the 5A Area Contests this weekend!!! 3:34 - Area Participants and Area Qualifiers 5:48 - Area Judging System 8:10 - At Least 33 State Qualifiers 9:10 - TxBands Live Blog Area Results 10:52 - Area By Area Analysis 21:30 - Final Thoughts

It's UIL time in the State of Texas!!!  I'll help go over the UIL Region process, what judges are looking for, and how the new adjudication sheets will help advance the activity. 1:50 - What Is UIL? 2:30 - The UIL Region Process 5:42 - Evaluation = Cheer For Everyone 8:36 - Region Judging (New Sheets)

Help me put a cherry on two outstanding contests from this past weekend! Let's go over how the 5A programs showed up big time at BOA Dallas/Ft. Worth and why a stacked lineup at TMC made for an unforgettable contest! :50 - Cherry On BOA DFW 6:29 - Cherry On Texas Marching Classic 6:33 - Thank You, Cedar Ridge 10:48 - Explaining Results/Captions 15:34 - Being Civil After Results

Texas Marching Classic Live Blog https://www.24liveblog.com/live/UAJhL It's happening!!! The Texas Marching Classic Nerd-In is here to go over schedules, judging, parking, concessions, and all the information for the MONSTER contest going down this Saturday!!! Thank you so much to the Cedar Ridge Band Boosters for inviting us to the Texas Marching Classic!!! 0:01 - Introduction 2:54 - Aaron Blackley and Daniel Valdez, Your Nerd-MC's 3:57 - Special TxBands Blog Link For TMC 5:21 - The Texas Marching Classic Schedule 15:12 - Classifications And Awards 16:12 - Judging System 17:04 - Parking 18:31 - What To Expect

Join the Nerd-In as we take a look at the BOA DFW Contest this weekend!  Let's look at the 6A programs with all the Grand Nationals goals and why the powerhouse 5A programs will make this contest one to remember!!! :55 - Schedule 7:14 - 5A Powerhouse Programs 11:15 - UIL 5A STATE PREDICTIONS!!!!!!

Help me put a cherry on the awesome BOA Katy and BOA Midland Regional Championships!  Let's go over the results, the historically fast rise of Johnson H.S., and how Reagan can crush a midnight encore performance!!! :25 - Thank You From TxBands 1:43 - Cherry On BOA Midland 7:42 - Cherry On BOA Katy 17:42 - Plans For Next Week

Time for a little nerd-in with TWO Texas Regionals this weekend in Katy and Midland!  Let's go over the growth of marching band in West Texas and why the Katy Regional is going to be an important step in the quest for November success! :55 - BOA Midland Nerd-In 3:51 - Growth In West Texas Marching Band 6:55 - BOA Katy Nerd-In 12:24 - New Familiar Faces

Two awesome Regionals and I need to put cherries on both of them!  Let's go over the awesome performances at the BOA Austin and BOA North Houston Regional, why the surprising results are really not that surprising, and why some new faces at the top will help make this wonderful activity that much stronger!!! 1:00 - TxBands Live Blog 2:06 - Cherry On BOA Austin 9:40 - Cherry On BOA North Houston 12:34 - Reevaluating Your Program During Pandemic 13:35 - Reinvesting In Your Marching Program 14:45 - New Faces At The Top 18:00 - Final Thoughts

Help me nerd out to the BOA Conroe Regional Championship coming down this weekend!  Let's take a look at some programs attempting to capitalize on unprecedented success in 2020 and some of the challenges the Houston programs have already faced this season.

Help me nerd out to the BOA Austin Regional Championship coming down this Saturday!!!  We'll go over all these awesome programs and why this year, the stakes are higher than ever at this early Regional event!

Help me put a cherry on a very challenging BOA McAllen Contest! Let’s talk about the results and the unusual circumstances surrounding the first Texas Regional of 2021!

THE NERD-IN IS BAAAACK!!! Let’s preview the BOA McAllen Regional Championship, the different experiences the competing programs dealt with last year, and how Box5TV, Marching Arts Education, and the TxBands Live Blog is going to wash over the Earth with marching band nerdiness!!!

For most of us, school is underway! It is time for students to #GetGoodBandNerd!!! I’ll explain what that means and how a marching member can navigate the distractions that come with the start of classes.

Whether your program competed or scaled back in 2020, both sides can claim a competitive advantage for the 2021 Season!!! Let’s take a look at how each group can build upon their unusual 2020 Fall Marching Season.

Summer Marching Band is HERE!!! Let’s go over summer band rules, regulations, calendars, and timelines for Summer Marching Band in the State of Texas.

Drum corps has returned!!! Let’s go over what to expect this season, protocol questions, and why things will look different this Summer.

The Band Class of 2021 deserves a commencement speech just for them. Please enjoy. Congratulations, Seniors!!!

With the off-season in full effect, we are starving for some BOA 2021 roster lists! Let me explain why they are not out yet and why we need to put the bricks away.

2021 Drum Corps Celebration!! Let’s go over events, protocols, and why DCI didn’t do a TikTok dance to announce this stuff.

Let’s get down with a brief Drum Corps recap of the past year, where the activity is currently, why member dues are crazy expensive, and what to expect for the 2021 Season.

UIL has decided to go ALL conferences for State Marching Contest in 2021. Let’s look at the background behind the announcement, the marching schedule, why marching band will own your soul in the Fall of 2021, and the important decisions on the plate for many top programs.

Help me put a cherry on the UIL 2020 State Marching Championships!! Also, stay tuned for a MAJOR teaser at the end :)

20 bands. One contest. This is your guide to the UIL 6A State Marching Contest. If you’re ready, let’s dance.

Let’s go over and praise the TWENTY State Qualifiers for the Conference 6A State Contest!

Area Saturday is upon us!!  Let's go over all the rules, regulations, legally binding contracts, and everything you need to know for the 6A Area Contests this weekend!!! 0:00 - Intro 3:54 - Region Contest And Challenges 7:30 - Area Judging 9:31 - UIL COVID-19 Rules 18:04 - How To Qualify For State 21:28 - Tiebreakers 23:13 - TxBands Live Blog 26:26 - Area-By-Area Breakdown 38:49 - What To Expect While Watching 44:10 - Final Words

The BOA 2021 Schedule has been released!! Let’s go over the new Houston contest, scheduling plans, and why the end of 2021 will be filled with endless marching band!!

Eligibility issues, Area G cancellation, Region Contest guidelines, and more in this little “pre-show” before UIL Region Contests kick off.

Changes to 1A State Qualification? Changes to 6A State Qualification? ALL CONFERENCES AT STATE NEXT YEAR??? Let’s go over these UIL rule proposals under discussion.

As UIL Region deadlines approach, we are starting to see just how much the Coronavirus Pandemic has affected the Marching arts. Let’s take a look at a few Regions with varying participation levels and how we need to prepare ourselves for show-day guidelines.

WGI announced an all-virtual platform and cancelled in-person events for the 2021 Season. Let’s go over the reasoning behind going online and why WGI has the most comprehensive virtual season lined up in the marching arts.

All Area talk today! Let’s chat about the Area A contest cancellation, the return of Area Saturday, and how conferences will work together to pull off Area contests!!!

It is here!!! The 2020 marching season has officially arrived and we need to talk about what to expect, answer questions, and why supporting your local marching band is as important as ever!!!

Quick updates on UIL State Marching Band and why the football team gets to do their thing while the band is restricted. You’ll never believe why.

The UIL released updated contest rules for Region/Area/State Contests. Let’s talk about these major changes and why The Road To State will not be as easy as some programs think.

August 1st looks/feels VERY different this year. Let’s go over the recent in-person rehearsal activity, the fundamental rules for the next month, and why programs need to be careful of their social media presence during the Pandemic.

Bands Of America announced its shutdown of the 2020 Fall Regional/Grand National Championships last week. Let’s go over what led to this monumental decision, some fond memories competing at their events, and why the 2021 BOA Season will be the greatest in History.

The UIL has announced a delayed start to the 2020 marching season. Let’s look at the details and why the competitive aspect of this announcement is unnecessary.

Counties across Texas have started delaying in-person classes and plenty of marching arts organizations have started making tough decisions. Let’s go over what happened last week.

Preliminary results have been released in the unprecedented aerosol study for the performing arts. Let’s go over the initial findings and general considerations for wind instrument players in as layman of terms as my brain will squeeze out.

Lots of convention and audition information to catch up with PASIC, Midwest Clinic, and TMEA Auditions! Also, I’ll talk about why July 10th could make or break the possibility of a Fall 2020 Season.

Restrictions on marching bands are increasing in different parts of the United States for Fall 2020. Let’s look at the possibilities, scenarios, and decisions for modifying the Fall 2020 Marching Season.

The UIL has updated Summer Band Guidelines! Let’s go over the lifted restrictions, which mandates are still in play, the adaptability of the UIL, and how this could help vastly improve the mental health of the young performers.

Plenty of news and notes to get to this week. Statements, questions about Regional lists, predictions about fans in Fall 2020, and tributes all coming up! :29 - TxBands.com Statement Recap 1:16 - Summer Marching Band Begins! 5:34 - BOA Regional Lists Delay 8:22 - Harsh Reality #1 13:18 - Prediction About Fans In Stands 14:20 - Context Regarding Fans In Stands 24:38 - Alan Sharps Tribute

To The Senior Class Of 2020...

The UIL has posted initial marching band guidelines for Summer 2020. Let’s go over the details, the concerns, and why the marching members need your positive attitude more than ever.

The UIL’s landmark announcement to begin limited marching band activities in three weeks has been a silver lining in the gloom of the COVID Months. I’ll analyze what could be handed down in terms of restrictions, mandates, and guidelines for return of Summer Band.

Audition season is here! Listen to a few Drum Major tryout stories and how my two auditions were VERY different. Might even be some tips and tricks in there too!

In honor of Mother’s Day, I’d like to talk about how my Mom, whether she knew what I was doing or not, helped support me through my musical career. Happy Mother’s Day!!!

Midwest Clinic invites for some of the best wind ensembles in Texas, virtual leadership auditions, and physical/mental roadblocks in preparation for Fall 2020 are all on this cup of salsita today!!!

Texas officially closes schools and the UIL cancels everything Spring. Let’s explore the band events directly affected and how this will impact the Summer and Fall in the marching arts.

The Covid Pandemic is starting to take its toll on numerous summer band camps in the State of Texas. Let’s look at which ones are currently being affected, why these music camps are so important, and my experience at a few of them during my musical career.

Everybody wants to know if we are going to have a Fall 2020 Marching Season.  I think I have the answer.  And as always, it won't make much sense at first.  Let's talk about everything that needs to happen in order for the Fall 2020 Marching Season to get off the ground.

Today, an unprecedented decision was made by DCI to cancel its 2020 Summer Tour.  I'll go through the various reasons why this conclusion was made, what the future holds for the activity, and how drum corps units will be remembered for their actions during this devastating cancellation.

The Marching Arts have been impacted heavily by the coronavirus pandemic since the last time we spoke.  Plenty of events were cancelled or put on hold temporarily.  Please allow me to help you navigate through these tough times with the latest news and notes from the Marching Arts.

The Corona Virus has affected the marching arts in a very substantial way.  Let's take a look at how WGI and DCI is being affected and the tough decisions that will need to be made by organizations over the next few weeks.

You have questions?  I have answers.  Maybe.  I'm answering your questions about anything and everything marching arts related!

WGI Austin Mini Nerd-In!  Let's check out the contest format for this weekend.  12 BOA Regional Finalists???  Let's check out why this move was made and what this means for Bands Of America as the marching band business gains more players!

Back in the saddle again after a week off!  Let's go over TMEA happenings, my appearance on the Sketchbook Podcast, and all the contests going on at winter guard circuits all across the State of Texas!

More salsita recapping WGI "San Antonio", previewing WGI Dallas AND Houston, TMEA talk/teasing, and slight commentary on the BOA Application Postmark!

One person asked for it so here it is again!!  Let's go over the TCGC Westwood contest, preview the WGI "San Antonio" contest, DCI event/ticket breaking news, and highlight the Rouse Flapjack Charity Dinner going down next week!

How about some news and notes about TMEA All-State, Boston Crusaders Brass Clinic, DCI Rules Congress, and the beginning of Winterguard season???

DCI Winter Meetings are going down this weekend!  On the table are several rule proposals including one of the most controversial proposals in DCI history.  Let's go over how these proposals become rules and how french fries can help explain why instrumentation is about to expand in Drum Corps.

UIL will be introducing a State Military Marching Contest this coming Fall!  What's with this Open Class Contest??  I'll clarify what the different brands mean, who gets to go to State Military Contest, how to qualify, and what having two State Marching Band Champions will mean for both philosophies of marching band.

Happy Holidays!!  Allow me to regale with stories from infamous holiday gigs such as The Flu Performance at Pilgrim Presbyterian and music stands on the highway.  Ho.  Ho.  Ho.

The DCI Schedule has officially been released and the Texas tour looks VERY different for 2020!  Let's go over which corps are going where and why The Alamodome is not hosting the DCI San Antonio contest.

Please allow me to take a few minutes to simply say thank you to all the staff, directors, parents, and kiddos who have supported this little program!!

Yeah, I like Texas!!!  Vandegrift is bringing home a Grand National Championship!  We need to celebrate this legendary program and give thanks to all six Texas finalists at Grand Nationals!

The Grand National Championships are here and Texas is bringing six of its best to represent at Indianapolis!  Join me as we'll look at the Grand Nationals procedures, a rundown of notable programs, and we'll hype up Team Texas with some important words my Stepdad gave me a long time ago.

Another killer UIL State Contest is in the book!  Let us celebrate the champions, and we will also look at some exciting changes in State Contest judging for the UIL!

The time has come to crown a UIL 5A State Champion!!!  I'll go over the entire 5A State Prelims schedule and what it will take to crack the exclusive Top 12 State Finals Contest.

RECORD SHATTERED!!  We need to dump 97.30 cherries on Ronald Reagan for one of the best marching shows in History.  Let's celebrate their incredible accomplishment and we will take a look at why the level of depth in Texas made this weekend so difficult to evaluate.

The BOA San Antonio Super Regional is a spectacle in the marching band activity.  The depth of quality programs at this contest is unmatched.  Let's go over this crazy contest and stay tuned at the end for the only pep talk you'll need this weekend!!

Another Area Saturday, another round of outstanding performances and results!  Let's throw cherries at all of the 5A Area Contests, go over tie-breaking procedures, and which programs are experiencing a level of success never before realized in their history!

5A Area Contest is upon us!!!  Join the Nerd-In for a look at the UIL Area judging process, how we will get Area results out to the masses, a review of every Area in 5A, and an editorial at the end that you will NOT want to miss!!!

What a wild weekend!  We'll put a cherry on the BOA Waco Regional, how getting better every day actually works, the Texas invasion of BOA St. Louis, and a little preview of Area 2019.

Find out why I am calling the BOA Waco Regional a redemption tour for many solid programs across the State and how the online chatter of getting better masks what is really needed to overcome adversity.  Because Waco.

Vista Ridge takes their first BOA Regional Championship and the West Texas programs keep buying in to this style of marching band!  Help me put a cherry on this great contest!

The Nerd-In looks at the BOA West Texas Regional and how this style of marching band has found some new roots in this part of the State.  Also, two of the best from neighboring States are about to have a very fun night Saturday!

New faces in Finals, along with Reagan doing Reagan Things, made this edition of the BOA Houston Regional pretty wild!

The Regional in Dallas/Fort Worth was a scorcher! Let's go over one of the more intense contests of the year and how this weekend set up a few programs for future success this season.

The BOA DFW Regional is stacked so let the Nerd-In help guide you through this contest full of eclectic programs!

The Nerd-In takes over the Houston area as we preview the BOA Houston contest that is full of potential finalists!

Vandegrift dominance, new faces in Finals, and a memorable CTJ performance all help to put a cherry on this classic BOA Austin contest!

One of the most difficult Regionals of the year is going down this Saturday!  Step inside the Nerd-In for a close look at just how hard it will be to get in to Finals at BOA Austin.

The BOA McAllen Regional is all said and done so help me put a cherry on this wonderful showcase of the Valley programs!!!

The Nerd-In is live and open for all those who want a preview of the BOA McAllen Regional on September 21st!!!

If you love the TxBands Live Blog, stop by and learn a bit more about the service, the history, and the purpose of what we do that has taken the Texas Marching Band scene by storm for over a decade!!

Stadium etiquette is often an overlooked yet vital part of the marching activity.  Here are some tips and tricks to becoming a better audience member at marching contests.  Also, don't be a jerk.

Welcome back to school, kiddos!!!  Today, we'll talk about this critical time for the progression of the marching band show and how rehearsal technique, along with time management, can give a program a big advantage in the early season.

The DCI World Championships are this week!  Let's go over the format for DCI Prelims/Semifinals/Finals, how those exclusive caption awards are determined, and how performance is going to decide the 2019 DCI Champion.

Happy Drill Day!!!  The Texas Marching Band Season is underway!  Let's go over some ground rules for practice times, the physical requirements, a story about vandalism, and the hype that goes with one of the most exciting times of the year!

The DCI Southwestern Championships are here!  Join the Nerd-In for a deep look in to this mammoth contest and hear why this particular contest is so important for the marching arts in the State of Texas.

Do you remember the best crowd reaction you ever received?  Have a listen to the time a crowd at an away football game gave it up for my program like never before and how it changed my perception of the marching activity.

The "Off-Season" is hardly off!  Many programs are using technology to hold band members accountable during the Summer and student leadership responsibilities are more extensive than ever.  Let's look at some examples and how things were VERY different back when I was around.

A band guy talking DCI?  Before throwing your sharp objects, please give a listen to what shows I am looking forward to this season, my favorite drum corps of all time, and how you can help out your favorite group this season.

The UIL 2002 Conference 5A State Marching Contest was one of the craziest, messiest marching contests in History.  Only Prelims.  No Finals.  Let me take you through my account of what happened, and how my butt literally helped cancel the contest!!!!!

Where does the band program get the money for all those fancy props?  Let's talk about the importance of fundraising and how a perpetuated funding myth needs to stop.

Now that the BOA Regional lists are out, let's take a look at how the application process work.