Name, age, hometown: Drew Blezinger, 19, Sulphur Springs, Texas What corps are you in and what is your role this summer? I am currently a member of the amazing Southwind Drum and Bugle Corps, and I'm playing vibraphone for my third year. Where I go to school and what I'm studying: I am a freshman at Texas A & M University-Commerce (TAMU-C) and studying music education. Give us your full drum corps/marching music background. I played tenors for two years, did a year on snare and a year on bass in high school. I don't know how that happened, but it did. I marched in the TAMU-C drum line playing cymbals, and I have been in Southwind's pit for three years playing vibraphone.

Drew Blezinger with Southwind tour manager, Kimmy Keck
What's your practice schedule like? I have to put in 10 hours a week for school, but I usually try to get in at least 13 to 15 hours a week. What does your ideal free day consist of? Doing anything not related music. I really don't care what it is, but it's a free day, so I do anything to take my mind off of music which is very difficult to do. Favorite pig-out food: Oh my goodness, I could live forever on pepperoni and green olive pizza. That and Cheez-itz. In the shower you can hear me singing: Probably anything. It depends on what song I'm obsessed with at the moment. You'll probably catch me singing, "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin" or a Coldplay song. The last good book I read: I am currently reading "Wicked." It is awesome! The last great film I saw: "Fun with Dick and Jane" Jobs I have/have had: A Job? Haha! What's that? Seriously though, I am giving private lessons at the moment, but I'm trying to get another job so I can continue marching drum corps. My favorite TV show: Definitely "Grey's Anatomy," "Family Guy" and "Lost." What has been your formative drum corps moment? The day of Semifinals during the 2005 World Championships, right before our final run-through the percussion, guard and staff sat in the middle of a circle formed by the horn line. The horn line then played our corps song. In those few minutes of hearing that wonderful song, I was so thankful to be able to share it with some of the best people in the world. After it was all done, everyone was in tears. We all hugged and then went and gave it our all in that run-through. The final run that afternoon, and the show that night, were the two best performances of the season in my mind. What would you be doing next summer if you were not marching? I want to study abroad, so I'll either be attending school in another country or working to either march again or go overseas. How did you decide to be a member of your corps? I first auditioned for Madison Scouts' snare line in 2004 (along with a million other people). I heard about Southwind at that camp, and I then went and auditioned and earned a spot in the pit there. I have been at Southwind ever since. What first attracted you to the drum corps activity? My high school recreated the "fight club" dance the Cavaliers did in 2002, and I had no idea what DCI was or who the Cavaliers were. I did a little research to find out, and then I then went to the Wichita Falls, Texas show in 2003. I have been hooked ever since. What advice would you give to young people who want to march? Whatever you do, don't give up. If at first you don't make the corps you want, either march somewhere else to build up to where you need to be, or go home, practice and come back the next year and audition again. The worst thing you can do is give up. What I want to be when I "grow up": I have always wanted to be a Jedi or a fighter pilot. Favorite drum corps personality and why: I don't know, there are so many great personalities out there making it hard to just pick one. Since I have to choose, I would pick Patricia Islas who is one of our pit instructors. There is nothing better than having story time with "Jedi master Patty." Best drum corps show ever and why: Probably 2005 in Kalamazoo, Mich. Even though it was raining the whole time, it was one of the most energized shows we had because everyone was hyping the rain. There was nothing like coming off the field dripping wet and knowing we just blew the house down. The year is 2030. What does a DCI show look like? Well, I would hope DCI would go back to its roots with just brass, percussion (battery and pit) and guard, with nothing extra or anything aiding our sounds. The drill will be a lot faster, and there will be more notes than anyone at this present time can comprehend.