The Day the Jazz Band Blew CRMS's Minds

Have you ever got that feeling that everything’s on you? That feeling that if you make one mistake it’s all over? Well if you haven’t, that’s the feeling you get when you’re the drummer in a band. The best you can do is stay focused, and don’t think about it too much.

I was in seventh grade when the Jazz Band played for the talent show. We set up in the gym next to the stage. The Saxes were in front with the trumpets, the trombone was behind them and the guitar and bass by him. The drums were in the back, but still visible. I was all nerves and shaky legs when it was my song to play. As Mr. Adams counted off everything went quiet.

“Get out I Got Rhythm,” said Mr. Adams in a stage whisper. He counted, “One, two, one two three four!” I started with a jazz beat, along with the trumpets and Saxes. As we played, I tried to not think too much. After a while, I stopped thinking I would fail, and just played my heart out. It came time for my solo, but I was prepared. I had made up an awesome solo earlier that day, and I didn’t miss a beat. When my solo was over, everyone cheered. The rest of the song went as smooth as ice.

As we ended the last song, everyone stood up and started clapping. We even got a couple whistles from some of the parents. I looked over to Mr. Adams, and the look on his face told me we did a superior job. After the talent show, Brad came over and wanted an interview with Dakota and me. We said, “We were just having fun, no sweat.”

I think the only reason that I didn’t munk up too bad was that I listened to my brother, “stay focused and don’t think, just play.” I remembered this statement right when I sat down to play. That made me calm. So remember, just focus and you can do whatever you need to.

Playlist

Hey, my playlist is being difficult, and is showing a playlist that is not mine. to see mine, go to www.playlist.com/tytybitesize. Yea, so that's my playlist, not the one with the terminator background. If you don't see that background, let me know so i know that I'm losing my mind. Thank you much!

Anecdotal Intro

Billy is swimming in the lagoon, where he knows he's not supposed to. As he swims along, a ripple apears in the distance. Suddenly, something erups from the lagoon, in a glorious wave of water. When all calmss down, both the shark and the boy are nowhere to be found. All that is left is a shoe and a pool of blood. You shouldn't swim where you know youre not supposed to.

March Essay Writing Contest

The time was 10:00 in the small town of Maple Valley. We were standing outside of the church’s gym waiting to be let in to set up. It was the day for the great battle of the bands. Honestly, this was our bands first real gig. We’ve done shows in my garage and in the park before, but nothing like this. This was big. This was massive. This was like going from coaching weekend tee-ball games to being in the big leagues.

There’s a certain tension in the air when everyone is holding their breath waiting for the next name to be called. Personally, I hate the feeling. The weight of the pressure to do well was the weight of ten men sitting on our shoulders, and the whole band knew it. We were all doubtful about the new song, considering it was an original. That really got us jumpy and we were all about to soil ourselves when our name was called. We walked onto the stage.

The lights were dimmed, except for the stage. For some reason, it felt like the spotlight was on my drum set. Probably because I was so nervous. Anyway, as we sat down, or at least I did, the lights focused on the singer. Everyone was as quiet as a mouse in a library. The guitar started. I thought, this is it, man, you’re gonna fail, just watch. “Shut up!” I told myself. I talk to myself a lot. We’re sounding good so far, I thought. After a while of playing, I calmed down. I stopped thinking, and just played. I wasn’t thinking anymore, I was feeling. Once the song ended, relief flooded through me like the warmth of a cup of coffee on a cold morning.

After the song, and it went great by the way, we walked of the stage with the crowd cheering. Some of it was I hope from them liking our song, but I think most of it was because we were the youngest group. After the rest of the bands were finished, the called everyone on the stage. They called off the third and second place names. As the announcer was opening the paper to read the first place prize, all fell into a deep silence. Everyone was holding their breaths as they said, "and the winner is, Blue thunder!" "Dang it!" we cried. Oh, yeah, our name was the Sultans of Rock. In the end, we placed eighth out of twenty-something. The important thing was, we stayed together through the end.