An upcoming DrumLine Battle rematch between Jersey Surf and the Crossmen is expected to confirm that everything is bigger in Texas.
The showdown will take place at the conclusion of the 2016 DCI Southwestern Championship presented by Fred J. Miller Inc. on Saturday, July 23 in San Antonio.
Both corps’ drum lines went head to head at the Alamodome in 2013 in one of the very first demonstration DrumLine Battles staged as part of a DCI Tour event.
In the years following, the video of that original matchup has received more than three million views on YouTube, making it the most-watched Drum Corps International video of all time.
“We started out by performing a simple warm-up exercise, with the intention of showing that DrumLine Battles can be just that easy … and little did we know that it was going to be a part of a video with millions of views,” Jersey Surf executive director Bob Jacobs said. “Ultimately, we emerged victorious because of a little showmanship flair which won the attention of the judges.”
Drum Corps International’s Director of Business Development, John DeNovi, said the YouTube video has gained popularity among drummers in Indonesia, Thailand, Germany and Mexico.
”It’s mind-boggling,” DeNovi said. “It’s certainly the largest video of any DCI related content and it’s not only very popular with viewers in the United States, but it also has received a ridiculous amount of views around the world.”
With predictions that this year's DrumLine Battle will be just as popular, members of Jersey Surf and the Crossmen will both bring their “A-games” to the highly anticipated event.
“Even though we were named the winner of the original battle, I think that this is an opportunity for ‘redemption’ for us,” Jacobs said. “We have nothing but respect for the Crossmen and our team is looking forward to going toe to toe with a great drum line.”
Crossmen executive director Fred Morrison echoed that sentiment.
“Probably my favorite part of the whole thing is when the two drum lines go to each other, shake hands and pat each other on the back for a job well done,” Morrison said. “They just love drumming. That’s what it comes down to, and if they can make people stand up while they’re doing it, that is icing on the cake.”
Jersey Surf and Crossmen will both have their chance to make the crowd go wild in what is expected to be a packed stadium at the Alamodome on Saturday night. The DrumLine Battle will take place just before scores are announced and will also be shown as part of the DCI Live! webcast of the event.