Jim Dugan with the Bushwackers in 1990.
For the Bushwackers, 2026 marks the 45th year of an illustrious history.
As the corps anniversary celebrations near, Drum Corps International recently had the opportunity to sit down with the corps’ director, Jim Dugan — who celebrated his 30th year with the corps this year — and discuss all things Bushwackers.
“I’ve been through it. I’ve seen it all,” Dugan said. “It’s still an inspiring thing that we do in life that keeps me going. When you get done at the end of the season, you exhale, but it’s like, ‘Okay, that was worth it.’ That’s why I’m still doing it. I’m still doing this activity because I love it.”
Founded in 1981, here are some fun tidbits you might not know about the New Jersey All-Age Class corps:
1. What’s in a name?
As Dugan reflected on the corps’ history, an obvious topic of discussion was the corps’ unique name. He was honest — he didn’t know the exact details that led to the decision to name the corps Bushwackers, but he could trace it back to founder Mike Olszewski.
“I give him the props, because he’s the one who founded the drum corps,” Dugan said. “He was a big fan of the Bayonne Bridgemen, and I’m not sure how he came up with the name, but it just stuck.”
That said, he’s well acquainted with what the name means. A “bushwacker” is someone who sneaks up and attacks unexpectedly, a term Dugan said dates back to the Western era and reflects a surprise element.
Bushwackers, as Dugan described, have been synonymous over the years with a late-season competitive push — more on that later — so whether intentional or not, the shoe fits.
2. The "Bush Push"
As noted, Bushwackers’ competitive achievements have left the corps known for its end-of-summer heroics.
“The Bush Push” is a common term used in All-Age drum corps circles to describe the corps’ inexplicable ability to, as it were, sneak up on opponents toward the end of a season.
“We were just the underdogs, so to speak,” Dugan said. “It’s that August mentality, where, here we go. We’re gonna sneak up on you.”
This nature dates all the way back to Bushwackers origins; Dugan shared that the first-ever drum corps event at which the corps finished in first place was the Finals competition of the 1986 Drum Corps Associates Championships. At no point in the previous four years of existence — let alone during that season — did the Bushwackers win an event outright, but they snuck up and won it all anyway.
Bushwackers went on to win gold medals in five of the next seven years. While they haven’t won since, they’re still known for having plenty left in the tank as the season nears its conclusion.
3. Keys to success
If you’ve ever seen the Bushwackers on the field, the corps’ look is as distinct as its name.
The corps is well-known for its iconic uniform that features black and white stripes — designed to look like piano keys — down its sash. It’s a design that Jim Dugan notes has deep roots in the corps’ identity and the broader history of the activity.
“(DCI Hall of Famer) Michael Cesario designed this uniform back in 1984,” Dugan explained. “Back in the day, in the 1980s, it was the jazz era of drum corps. We did a lot of jazz back then … so that became the look that Michael put together for us, and we played on that for a while.”
Dugan said the corps’ well-known uniform features will be maintained for 2026 and will also play into its visual design as a whole.
“We decided to kind of go back to that look, and it’s come across really well for us,” Dugan said. “Even this year, you’ll notice with that piano key, the black and white, that’s going to match into what the concept for the show will be this year as well.”
4. Outside the lines
Beyond the competitive arena, the Bushwackers have built a reputation for their presence in mainstream media and high-profile public appearances.
Over the years, the corps has found creative ways to spread its brand, ensuring the Bushwackers name reaches audiences far beyond the typical drum corps fan base.
The corps’ resume includes a variety of impressive credits, ranging from the Special Olympics to “The Daily Show.” They’ve even secured spots in AMC movie productions and various television series. For example, in 2025, alums of the corps took part in an iconic episode of the Emmy Award-winning Apple TV show, “Severance.”
READ: Bushwackers alumni bring drum corps to “Severance”
“I give credit to the ones who were there who were able to market the drum corps this way, especially in the social world,” Dugan said. “Just finding opportunities to get the brand out there.”
5. Ready for 2026
Fresh off of back-to-back third-place finishes in DCI All-Age competition — including a strong final score of 94.250 last season — Bushwackers are gearing up for an exciting 2026 season.
Of course, much of the corps’ excitement is for its anniversary celebrations.
But there’s plenty of anticipation, too, surrounding Bushwackers’ 2026 program. The corps announced the title and music selections for its show, “Hypnotic,” March 5.
“This is going to be a really cool show,” Dugan said. “We’re really excited about it. It’s definitely another step in a new direction for us. You know, there’s sophistication involved in it, but we’re also trying to make sure it comes across to the audience.”
Bushwackers’ 2026 season kicks off June 27 in Shelton, Connecticut, and features seven total tour stops — including the corps’ first performance in Allentown, Pennsylvania as a DCI All-Age Class corps, July 31 at the DCI Eastern Classic — prior to the DCI World Championships, August 6-8 in Indianapolis.
