As I’m sure you are aware, I have no problem with confrontation. And over the past 17 years I’ve had some doozies. From the John Blake fans who burnt down my port-o-potty (it’s a long story) to the Corner Man to the people of Seattle I’ve had my share. But this latest one is the most shocking I’ve ever experienced… I’m flabbergasted!
Sunday night on my Fox 25 TV show (co-hosted with Myron Patton and Curtis Fitzpatrick Sunday nights at 10PM) we have a segment called ‘Final Thoughts’ where each one of us has roughly 30 seconds to give a statement on something that happened during the previous week. Mine was about the Grambling Band, who is renowned world wide, only getting 6 1/2 minutes during half time to play. And while they were playing the OSU band walked in front of the TV cameras that were trying to tape the show. Normally, they are very good at walking behind the cameras.
I made it a point to say that my comments were not about OSU’s band – I think OSU has a great band! But bands such as Texas A&M, Grambling and Stanford bring something unique to the table. The fans from other schools DON’T LEAVE AT HALFTIME! They want to watch these bands!
Since Sunday night I have been berated not only by the OSU band members but the band director himself. Every other comment I received agreed with me. It seems like any media outlet that speaks well of Grambling’s band, was accused by the band director of dissing OSU’s band. They have even gone as far as to challenge me to come to Stillwater Wednesday at 4:00 on the lawn in front of the library and “say it to our face”. THE BAND!!! Say what to their face??? That a lot of people wanted to see Grambling’s Band? Are they coming after me with their tubas and piccolos for that? I’ve never seen such insecurity in my life.
Hey OSU Band – I am not a band hater!!! I just enjoy watching the Grambling band!! I’m not the guy that gave you a Melvin in high school – I just wanted to watch Grambling’s band!!! No one is saying that Grambling is better than you technically… but they are entertaining and original in the way they perform. Their football team lost by 50 points – it was an embarrassment. Give the band their due!
Lastly, if someone comes up to me and tells me that they love Mike Steely’s show (which happens a lot by the way), I don’t beat Steely down to make myself look better – I like his show too. It’s ridiculous! Get over it.
NFL: My Steelers are an embarrassment! Although I’m not giving up on them, AND the Bengles’ are not a pathetic team, the way they lost to the Bengles was a joke. They dominated for almost three quarters and then gave up! You have to finish games in the NFL. They better beat San Diego this Sunday or they WILL be done.
The other half of my Super bowl predictions – the NY Giants – look great. The other NY team, the Jets, have taken on Rex Ryan’s personality. Let’s see how long it will last.
Bret Favre: As I throw up in my mouth, I have to admit that throw was unbelievable. 50 yards on a line into the only spot you could throw it. I still think there is a chance that when December rolls around things will be different, but as of right now… puke, puke, puke… It’s been a great pick up.
College Football
OU Fans: Don’t be too fired up that Miami lost; they will play a lot better Saturday night. My simple prediction – if Bradford plays OU wins, if he doesn’t OU loses. By the way, who are the best teams in the country? After Florida, Alabama and Texas it is wide open.
MLB Playoffs: I told you last week that I would give you my breakdown. And as I’m writing this we still don’t know who the winner of the AL Central is, or the NL wildcard, but let’s go for it anyway.
American League: the Yankees are by far the best team and I believe the Red Sox magic is over. Hopefully Minnesota will get in, but Detroit is probably more of a threat with Verlander and Jackson at the top of their rotation. The Angels led by my manager of the year, Mike Scioscia, cannot seem to figure out a way to beat the Red Sox. Oh, by the way, they will meet in the first round. Yankees move on the World Series.
National League: This one is a lot harder because we’ve got three teams that are all very close. I picked the Phillies at the beginning of the year to get back to the World Series, but the Cardinals have just been amazing. The Dodgers scare me with Manny Ramirez and some of their young pitching; with Carpenter and Wainwright at the top of the rotation the Cardinals will be hard to beat. But who will close? It’s a little bit different pitching in October than it is in August. I’d love to pick the Cardinals but I’m staying with the Phillies. With Lee and Hammels at the top and Lidge getting back on track they will repeat.
World Series: Great matchup between two of the finest and most psychotic sports cities in the country. I think the Yankees finally get back on track and win the first championship in the new Yankee Stadium. I’m picking it to go seven games. Mariano Rivera is the difference. Sorry Yankee haters and to my good friend Charlie Manuel.
Posts
Jim, one questions, how many times have the OSU band played at Super Bowls, Presidents, featured in movies. This was a treat for the fans of OSU, they should have just enjoyed the show. I have seen them 8 times and love them everytime. I copied a part of the article from the oklahoman. Stand strong Jim.
Phil
That style has made Grambling one of the best-known marching bands in the world. It has performed at Super Bowls, presidential inaugurations, and in locales as far as Japan and as exotic as Liberia. It was even featured in the movie “Drumline.”
Read more: http://www.newsok.com/article/3402793#ixzz0SX5BAPQX
Totally right about the band. Grambling’s band is legendary. It’s a big deal to get to see them in person. I’ve been to a ton of OSU football games and have seen OSU’s band a lot. And I love them! The way they come out and stuff is awesome and being OSU fan I’ll always love them.
Like that you’re picking my Yankees. It makes me a little nervous that they seem to be the best team and everyone’s pick. But then again that’s how they’ve always done it in the past. Good to have them back.
Thanks man, I really enjoy listening to you.
Brad
Jim,
I’ve heard about your comments on TV, and while I didn’t watch, reading your blog has been enough. Grambling State’s band is known for their entertaining shows- it’s true. They may be known worldwide and have been invited to play on multiple occasions around the nation. I can’t confirm or refute those statements. What I do know is that Oklahoma State’s band has been invited to perform at NFL games, as the exhibition performance in competitions, and were asked to perform at competitions over other bands who have something “unique to bring to the table.”
OSU’s band is musically superior to Grambling State’s band. Does the Cowboy Marching Band put on a show on the same level as Grambling State? No. That isn’t what OSU’s program is focused on.
As a sports commentator, I’m sure you realize that halftime is only 30 minutes long. The players are only in the locker room for 20, so time for performances is limited. Not only did Grambling State’s band take more time than OSU’ band did, they marched out of the stadium, playing, during OSU’s post game concert.
I’m glad you appreciated Grambling State’s band- they were fun to watch and it was a treat for our fans. However, OSU’s band would enjoy a visit from you. Not for confrontational purposes, but so they can show you the caliber of musicians that they are. Insecurity is not the word I would use, but frustration. When those whose specialty is in other areas use methods of judgment not characteristic of the field of music, assumptions about quality are made that are faulty.
I have not yet heard from a musician (from any University) that would agree with your comments. Grambling State’s show was entertaining. If this is all you are looking for in a musical program, then you have found the band for you. If you are looking for a program that entertains with musical accuracy, I’d invite you to give the Cowboy Marching band a second listen.
Traber I’ll help you and Al with reading. It were Shawn Livingston that said Hardin could win poy, and I realize you’ve got a thing for Nick, all he noted were a sweet outside J. It’s called reporting who,what,where. You know, actual quotes. Drama Queen radio.
btw, thought there’s no fence @ you. Rohde dropped the gloves, join the pickem contest. Afraid you’ll get beat by a girl.
Ha ha, guess sissified truly is a word. Afraid to put your picks in text form for all to see. Not going to debate Tramel- can only get away with hanging up on him one time? Learning a lot.
Hey Jim,
I could go the entire 60 minutes of a college football game and not even care about the band; and last time I checked, the pro’s don’t have bands. I earned two degrees from Ok State and the most disappointing part of this season hasn’t been the OSU band getting their feelings hurt or even the loss to Houston, it’s been that lame song “cowboys forever” … I mean Captain Cane is cooler than that crap.
By the way, as much as you dislike T.O. … Gruden actually did make a comment last Monday night that was pretty edgy on Roy Williams when Dallas was trying to punch it in for seven and Romo tossed it to the left corner twice, both times incomplete. It went a little something like this “Watching that it makes you wonder, would T.O. have made that grab?” … take it as you want, it was funny to me watching Williams not bring that ball in and Gruden having a subtle stab at criticism.
Looking forward to this week – and yes Mark Rodgers callers are on the loose from the asylum. By the way, I think that Stanford, Wisonsin, and Auburn … along with Miami & VT are completely underrated.
Blake F.