scrubby looking drummers!

[tayoonee]

We'll see 50cal!

[timmy tiger]

at what again???.....LOL!!!!>..............

Tayoonee - I know where you're talking about......see ya in Denver!!!!!!!!!!

LOL--don't be acting all innocent there. We all know that you are not.lol

[Ivanasnagu]

Be careful when you assume something though...You'd be suprised....

Ditto........................

[mrmnxcrew]

I don't know where the values of drum protocol went but the ability to sing or compose songs is not a given. Those gifts have been extended from the Creator so that you can bring good things to the people.

I think the new generation, with the ever growing drum contest, and tribes that traditionally aren't powwow people embracing powwows has really driven new drum groups to emerge. What did not follow was drum protocol. Call me old school or whatever but respect and reverance should be extended the drums, they are not something to mess around with. Singers should be dressed in their best, be it new or old (that's how I was raised). How about just CLEAN and laundered? Shorts, tank style t-shirts, flip flops, should NOT be worn at a drum. I've been asked to judge drum contests and I'll be the first to give you the big Z based on your appearance alone. Slacks, jeans, button down shirts that would be my recommendation.

wow!!...........so your saying you would "z" out a group because theyre wearing shorts?? I've seen a lot of ol' time singers wear shorts..........Royce Kingbird.........even Jonathan Windyboy (if you go on youtube theres a vid of him wearing a "tank-top")........because I've had the privilege of learning from a lot of great singers and they all taught me that as long as you sing from the heart, respect and understand the aspect of the gift of singing, and treat the drum with respect that that's what it was about......not who has the tightest wranglers on. What about singers having to sit in the sun all day in 100 degree weather?? when dancers arent dancing, they're allowed to go find shade and cool off, but if drums are in the contest, they gotta sit there. Believe me, i'm all for looking good at the drum.........maybe our idea of "looking good" is just a lil' different from yours. But I bet my shorts, jersey, shoes, and hat cost as much as your wranglers, button-up, and straw hat!

[Coyot_In_The_House]

MRMNXCREW.......From one singer to another.....

Well said.....Good points.....I hear ya Brother!

[mrmnxcrew]

Well said.....Good points.....I hear ya Brother!

thank you Coyot..............I just belive singing should be judged on singing

[Coyot_In_The_House]

No Doubt!

thank you Coyot..............I just belive singing should be judged on singing

I totally agree with you.....Thanks for your insight!

[Iowa_Boy]

A couple of points:

1) some singing contests actually ask the singing judges to "judge" the area around the drum and how the singers act. There was a time in the 80s/90s where cleanliness of a drum was a part of the singing contest.

2) times change, singers wear what's in style for their generation at that time. Remember the matching satin jackets in the 80s? Remember the matching cowboy hats? In the 70s/80s some groups wore matching outfits at the drum. This generation will complain about their kids and their grandkids 20 years from now, its just the way it is.

that said..... as long as the respect is there and they are following their traditions, everyone should be cool...

I remember sitting at Cannonball with Pete Looking Horse in 1996(?). He got such a kick out of the young guys and how they dressed. As long as they were doing things the proper way, it was okay. He especially like the way they carried their sticks around in their back pocket when they walked around, he saw that as a sign of pride ("Hey look, I'm a singer!).

Just missing the old timers.......

[50cal]

I just get the feeling that the Northern and Southern aspects are both totally different, but then again, I seen both sides do opposite of each other......but like I said earlier, it's all about the wailing......not the dressing......but back to the swazz, yeah you need to go find a pool of water and bar soap or something.....LOL!!!!

[Ivanasnagu]

wow!!...........so your saying you would "z" out a group because theyre wearing shorts?? I've seen a lot of ol' time singers wear shorts..........Royce Kingbird.........even Jonathan Windyboy (if you go on youtube theres a vid of him wearing a "tank-top")........because I've had the privilege of learning from a lot of great singers and they all taught me that as long as you sing from the heart, respect and understand the aspect of the gift of singing, and treat the drum with respect that that's what it was about......not who has the tightest wranglers on. What about singers having to sit in the sun all day in 100 degree weather?? when dancers arent dancing, they're allowed to go find shade and cool off, but if drums are in the contest, they gotta sit there. Believe me, i'm all for looking good at the drum.........maybe our idea of "looking good" is just a lil' different from yours. But I bet my shorts, jersey, shoes, and hat cost as much as your wranglers, button-up, and straw hat!

lol now I never mentioned wranglers or a straw hat! Let me clarify one thing, as you know, there are several elements of judging a drum contest and one is OFTEN appearance/cleanliness etc. That is where shorts, tank shirts, flip flops get a big negatory on my ballot, not your singing ability.

MNX is one of my most fav drum groups and I know what you mean about looking good in your gear. You guys wear nice jerseys, SHOES, etc. not flip flops and don't look like you just rolled out of bed. lol. But where I come from (southern) it's still customary to dress your best, yes, long pants and a buttoned shirt. The young drum groups from OK have gotten away from that and I will judge them accordingly.

[mrmnxcrew]

A couple of points:

1) some singing contests actually ask the singing judges to "judge" the area around the drum and how the singers act. There was a time in the 80s/90s where cleanliness of a drum was a part of the singing contest.

2) times change, singers wear what's in style for their generation at that time. Remember the matching satin jackets in the 80s? Remember the matching cowboy hats? In the 70s/80s some groups wore matching outfits at the drum. This generation will complain about their kids and their grandkids 20 years from now, its just the way it is.

that said..... as long as the respect is there and they are following their traditions, everyone should be cool...

I remember sitting at Cannonball with Pete Looking Horse in 1996(?). He got such a kick out of the young guys and how they dressed. As long as they were doing things the proper way, it was okay. He especially like the way they carried their sticks around in their back pocket when they walked around, he saw that as a sign of pride ("Hey look, I'm a singer!).

Just missing the old timers.......

lmao!! I was just a young guy, but I remember the satin coats and matching hats!! What about when drum groups took their picture for their "album" and were all SMILING!! Now tell me whens the last time you bought a cd with everybody smiling instead of looking all tuff!! that's ol' skool!!

[redknife_7]

Im sure Northerners think the same way, back South It is all about the etiquette. We all dont expect for singers to come up with name brand new shoes shirts or whatever, but at least dress your best, with whatever you got. Heck even brothers that cant afford new clothes find a way to get a nice button up shirt, or polo, sing thier heart away. And if not that, at least look clean and presentable.

[Ivanasnagu]

Im sure Northerners think the same way, back South It is all about the etiquette. We all dont expect for singers to come up with name brand new shoes shirts or whatever, but at least dress your best, with whatever you got. Heck even brothers that cant afford new clothes find a way to get a nice button up shirt, or polo, sing thier heart away. And if not that, at least look clean and presentable.

Exactly, thank you Redknife.

[50cal]

We all dont expect for singers to come up with name brand new shoes shirts or whatever, but at least dress your best, with whatever you got. And if not that, at least look clean and presentable.

Which is exactly the same thing everyone else was saying earlier................

[Ivanasnagu]

Which is exactly the same thing everyone else was saying earlier................

EXACTLY. I never said NEW anything, or wranglers, or straw hats. Just be respectful, clean, etc. I think a few of you took offense. My opinions weren't meant to get your uns in a bunch. I just stand fast on sourthern protocol for southern drums. That's the way I was raised.