Liquid Sunshine

Ken’s Story
Kay and Sam were both involved in fund raising $20,000 to send the Auburn band to Miami and the 1973 Orange Bowl. Nebraska played Notre Dame and Auburn represented the great State of Nebraska. We gave the kids spending money for the trip. Kay’s was nearly gone by the time they got to Florida as she bought souvenirs for everyone at home. Sam still had much of his left when he got back. He picked up sea shells and rocks for souvenirs.

Sam’s Version
Somehow, somewhere, someone has purloined the original manuscript of The Diary of a Mad Bandsman. If you run across it, leave me a note. I would love to post it on Midland Passages.

All I can say is “Look at all the pretty lights!” And that was just Chattanooga.

We marched in the Orange Bowl Parade. We passed the reviewing stand a few minutes before 8:00 pm and just missed being on national TV. We were feeling so good the four of us did the “tuba twirl”, at least when marching through underpasses, where no one would see us if we got out of step and Mr. Damke wouldn’t get mad at us.

They re-ran the whole parade on local TV the next morning. As we came by the camera, they cut to an instant replay of the Sunkist float and Anita Bryant. At least you could hear us playing the Tito Puente’s song, Para Los Romberos, in the background.

We marched with the University of Nebraska band at half time of the Orange Bowl. The Nebraska band formed the outline of the United States and we ran across the field, from coast to coast unfurling a huge American flag made out of bunting. The drill team got to hold the stars. We did not miss out on being on national TV that time. Everyone watches the Orange Bowl half time show, don’t they?

Nebraska crushed Notre Dame 40-6. It was Johnny Rogers’ last game as a Husker and Bob Devaney’s last game as a coach.

I also discovered what athletes do during TV time outs. Johnny Rogers took his helmet off, sat on it, and waved at the Nebraska fans in the end zone.