Prelude to "The Govenaires on July 4, 2013"

John Mayer July 4, 2013

Some may say, “How ironic” when I tell this story of how my thoughts and the evolution of the idea for the blog/vlog unfolded and developed and is the beginning of my upcoming story.

As I was developing my first post I sat from my studio, window open with a soft, warm breeze gently touching my skin, looking out. The lovely shades of green all around offset by an almost Mediterranean blue sky with only a few dappled puffs of cottony clouds.

I was outlining multiple ideas from my desk when I heard the starting of the Govenaires begin another practice.  I live within blocks of the Scholarship Foundation.  This was on July 2^nd.  By this point, I had multiple brainstorming ideas, post-it notes posted in multiple rooms of the house, drafts written and tucked in a folder.  No doubt I had lots of ideas but needed to organize them.

I could hear the group assembling within the various sections.  The drumming and their beats I always hear first.  The snares with the rata-tat-tat and the symbols crash while still I hear the boom of the kettle drums.

Then I hear the brass.  The high and low range sounds.

And while I couldn’t make out the vocals, only a muffle coming from the practice range, I sure could hear the hoops and howling from multiple members.

It wasn’t windy that day but it sure was louder than usual when it occurred to me they were practicing for the Fourth of July celebration and by the sounds of it, they were probably executing a sort of dress rehearsal.

With various starts and stops within the theme of their program I continued on with sorting and more writing and in between transferring my various clips to an mpeg format, editing only the most concise moments of the clip.

Then the Govenaires started revving up for the tune, “Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend”.  I stopped what I was doing and gave the Govenaires my full listening attention.  As the song played I found myself tapping along and even singing to myself the chorus lines.  I thought to myself, “Geez, they ARE good this year.” 

I further thought how my Mom, Mary M. Stoffel and John’s Mom, Margaret were connected colleagues in St. Peter’s Catholic Church choir.  I remember Mom bringing me along when the choir would practice before mass.  I got to sit up in the choir loft and look down at the church all around and many of the choir members would dote over me as I was the only small child allowed up there.  I'm sure John has a few memories from the choir as well.

And then through-out the years I remember other connections I had with the Govies and the “Golfin with the Govies” community news I had done in the past.  

I further thought...a story about the drum corp should be noted.  The song ended and I could hear the groups cheering with delight in recognition of a sound well done!  But back to work I went.

The next day I dropped my daughter Katie off at work around mid-morning and headed to the library with intentions of getting that first post for Rose-Now Connections published.  On my way back home for whatever reason I decided to swing by Patrick’s on Third and see about getting permission to tape some of the Govenaires on the Fourth of July.  I really didn’t have a plan but knew it might be something the community would enjoy hearing and seeing and also knew out of common courtesy I should ask if that would be ok to tape.  Stepping into the dimly lit bar, I was optimistic in seeing Mr. Mayer as he is after all the proprietor of the establishment.  He wasn’t there but I left a message requesting he call me back and left it at that.  I figured if he calls or doesn’t call would mean either I tape or don’t tape the group on the 4^th.

It wasn’t long after I returned home and then to the library that I did indeed get a call back from him.  What started out as what I thought would be a brief yes or no permission turned into a short but healthy discussion and in the end John told me to go ahead and tape whatever I wanted.

And so, while my followers are patiently waiting for my story, “The Govenaires on the Fourth of July, 2013”; it is with great pleasure I give you a little sneak peek of John Mayer and the Govenaires, three time world Campion’s and inductee into the Hall of Fame Drum and Bugle Corp.

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"Follow your bliss, and the universe will open doors for you where there were only walls."

Joseph Campbell

1904-1987