Wow.. what a weekend! While we didn't get to do a band competition, we did get excellent comments about our demo. How much we're improving, how good we sounded in general (heard from one with a good ear, and that knows the bands within several hours of us, that had the normal contingent have showed up, we most definitely would be at least in the middle of the pack, if not higher).  I can only imagine the results of the solo drumming competitions, if and when we ever get to put our trio out there to show their stuff. 

Here's the majority of the "press release" I just sent out, leaving out only the listing of who is in the band, because.. well we know who we are:

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"Saturday April 18th, the Northeast Arkansas Caledonian Pipes and Drums traveled to Batesville Arkansas to take place in the 30th annual Arkansas Scottish Festival, held on the grounds of Lyon College.  This is the 2nd time the band has attended and participated in the festival

Normally there are band competitions, solo drumming and solo piping, however this year they had only the solo piping events, with the bands in attendance playing 20 minute sets as demonstrations.

In the solo piping competitions, NEAC pipers brought back:

Derek Reed (Jonesboro): 4 first place finishes and his 2nd Piper of the Day, Grade 4 Jr division.
Robert Gill (Kennett, MO): Played 2 events, and got two 5th place finishes out of a field of 10 pipers in Grade 4 Sr division.
Danny Vaughn (Hoxie): In his second competition in Grade 3, a 1st, two 2nds and a 3rd place finish.
David Corbett (Alicia / Marion): Earned two 1st place finishes, a 2nd and two 3rds. He also received his second Piper of the Day award this year in Grade 4 Sr.

With the 2009 competition season well under way, the Eastern United States Pipe Band Association cumulative standings are beginning to be posted.  This association covers most of 25 states from Maine to Texas. Our standings to date (not including this weekend's events) are:

Grade 4 Jr division, 157 registered pipers, Derek Reed is currently ranked 21st
Grade 4 Sr division, 662 registered pipers, Robert Gill - 59th, David Corbett - 4th
Grade 3, 259 registered pipers, Danny Vaughn - 43rd"
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These press releases are starting to sound all the same.. we show up.. we play, we win, we go home. (but I kinda like the sound of that)

I've got recordings to edit down and hope to get on one or more CD's to give out, as well as all the pictures I've collected so far, from 4 people. 

I hope I didn't get too stressed or short with anyone, if so, please I ask for forgiveness.  And as another lesson in humility.. those keys I was panic'ing over.... were found, in the pocket of the shorts I had on.. under my kilt. HA! oh well, at least they were found.

Those that came - Thank you sooo much
Those that brought friends and family - Again, thanks, and I hope they felt very welcome