10.30pm July 1st - The smell of fireworks still suspended in the air as the Band prepared to load buses at the Music Centre ready to depart to Tennessee. Did we remember everything? Sleeping bag on the truck and a carry-on bag and pillow for the bus. Last minute checks by Chaperones that all have their passports (still not sure who checks Rob) and then, after Rob’s final talk it is “Load the buses”!
As midnight strikes and Canada Day is over we leave Burlington and head for the border. Things all going smoothly until the American side where we sit waiting on the buses for 1 ½ hours while a Greyhound bus with all it’s passengers and their luggage clear the U.S. Customs. Once we pull up it is fairly easy as with all three buses together (and because we were a Charter) we only have to come off the bus with our passport and walk through. Once back on the buses it is quiet time until driver change-over in Washington PA. We arrive in Washington PA with two buses intact and Bus three without air conditioning. So off we go to a Coach USA yard where we spend some time while a mechanic fixes the problem. With fresh drivers we continue the journey to Gatlinburg and our home for the next few days.
As we are getting nearer to Gatlinburg we get a call from the truck (whom we had sent ahead while bus three got the AC repaired) to tell us that they too had suffered some mechanical problems and had broken down just a few miles from our destination. The Cab was towed to a garage for repairs and the trailer towed to the Community Centre we were staying at. The evening of July 2nd, after approx 16 hours we settled into the gym (and yes – without AC) where one could stretch out and not try to sleep in the fetal position.
July 3rd came bright, early, and warm. It was a relaxed day for the members and in the afternoon we did an instrument and uniform inspection where we could make any needed repairs and get ready for the midnight parade. The truck had a new fuel pump and it was now back with us and ready to accompany us to the parade. We assembled for the parade and once the parade started it really moved. We stepped off and the band both looked and sounded amazing for the entire parade route. Once again the crowds were very appreciative and it was a new experience for us all as we paraded at 12 midnight and completed the first July 4th parade in the country.
After the parade it was back to the Gym and some sleep before getting up and make ready to move venue. Our new sleeping location was a school right in the middle of downtown Gatlinburg. So off we went and settled in once more (this time in an air conditioned Gym). After a couple of hours free time (during which the band members practiced – sorry – gained local knowledge of their location) it was concert time. We did a one hour concert performance 7pm – 8pm and the band just could not stop getting better and better on every performance. After an outstanding show we packed up and had a little free time before the fireworks display. Hard to believe it was still July 4th… it seemed to have been two days since we did the parade but it was only 22 hours ago!
July 5th – A leisurely morning and then off to Townsend and the Heritage Centre in the Great Smoky Mountains. They had an amphi-theatre and what a setting. We set-up and did a rehearsal – WOW!! Amazing sounds coming from the band and everyone just giving their all. The rehearsal was warm and humid but that soon changed as a severe thunderstorm appeared from nowhere and with the intense rain and wind it seemed more like a monsoon than a storm. The stage was cleared (and power washed) and chairs that had been left for the evenings concert were soaked and scattered. In spite of the severe weather people still arrived ready to see the World renowned Burlington Teen Tour Band. Although the concert we had rehearsed could not happen we could still perform and the audience who had braved the elements were treated to a stand-still performance. Once again the band just rose to the occasion and showed just why they are the best!
One more night in the gym and then July 6th it was pack, clean, load and depart for home. I have to say that a Gym Tour is when everyone bonds together and no matter what happens (AC breaks, Severe Thunderstorm etc…) we all get to know and respect everyone else. A band is not a group of individuals but a TEAM!
Thanks TEAM – You ARE The GREATEST!
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