No disrespect meant towards the dead, but I'm going to pretend for a moment that "The Band" trending on twitter has very little to do with Levon Helm.
Support MGoBlog: buy stuff at Amazon
Band Not Going To Dallas
![scientist[1]](http://mgoblog.com/sites/mgoblog.com/files/images/Band-Not-Going-To-Dallas_E9C8/scientist1.jpg "scientist[1]")
Dave Brandon creates the future: the tag: the picture
The Michigan Marching Band has been informed that they won't be going to Dallas, presumably because it puts a dent in the pile of money Michigan will get by selling a home game. Sorry, people who bought tickets. Yes, seats for the band are in the contract. Yes, you've been duped. No, you can't get a refund unless you pay $500 to get on the refund waiting list.
Think about that as you look at a home schedule on which Michigan State is the featured attraction. Dave Brandon couldn't even get the Nebraska game to not be on the road in the same year OSU and ND are. He sold a home game to Jerry Jones because it sounded like a lot of money, then we found out that because the minimum ticket price was $125 he could have scheduled a home and home instead. Jerry Jones is probably laughing his ass off somewhere.
Anyway. I think we should start a Dave Brandon for Governor fund. I'd vote for him! With no ulterior motives whatsoever! #DB4MGov!
April 19th, 2012 at 4:49 PM
#2
No disrespect meant towards
April 19th, 2012 at 4:56 PM
#3
The night they drive old
The night they drive old Dixie down...
April 19th, 2012 at 11:29 PM
#4
I was debating
on going. Now I am not for sure. DB has done a lot for the U, but maybe its time for him to go. Former UM player Jim Bates is AD in the MAC and would love to come home. Maybe it is time for Brandon for Senate.
April 19th, 2012 at 7:31 PM
#5
SYMBOLISM
April 19th, 2012 at 7:34 PM
#6
Also, symbolism.
April 19th, 2012 at 9:16 PM
#7
Marching Band
I always thought it was short-sighted not to have the marching band attend every away football game. Shouldn't we take every advantage we are allowed? I'm sure we can afford it with the war chest Martin and now Brandon have accumulated.
At any rate if they are just going to the big games playing the defending champs is about as big as it gets, don'tcha think?
April 19th, 2012 at 9:30 PM
#8
Not Realistic
The band has a *very* full schedule in the fall. It isn't practical for them to go to many more games. As a M alum and a former MMB member, I have often marveled that the band doesn't go to more games (and that so many visiting schools bring their bands), but the reality is tough.
This situation, however, is a major exception. ARGH.
April 19th, 2012 at 9:38 PM
#9
Yeah, but visiting schools don't send their band more
They send them to MICHIGAN consistently, because it's Michigan. It just means it's almost always one of the road team's 2 two band road trips, because it's the biggest audience they'll play in front of in their lives. And usually a noteworthy game, even if the visitor is going to get smoked.
April 19th, 2012 at 8:52 PM
#10
FUCK!
As per usual, MGOBLOG serves as my chief newsbreaking source. Levon will be missed. At least by me. Guess I'm willing to get drunk for all of us if it comes to that.
April 20th, 2012 at 9:57 AM
#11
I saw his show at the State
I saw his show at the State Theater just over a month ago. He looked pretty frail but I figured that was just because he was over 70. Really sad that he's gone. Going to have to watch the Last Waltz this weekend.
April 19th, 2012 at 4:50 PM
#12
It's true
DB would find every single penny dropped between the cracks in the state capitol couches. He'd be a great governor for a cash strapped state.
He's done good things for us. He brought us Brady Hoke! But man... Bill Martin made plenty of money for the athletic department WITHOUT screwing over the fans.
April 20th, 2012 at 8:48 AM
#13
For Real?
That's pretty much what Martin did for his years at M; piss off the fans (no Crisler renovations, renovating the Big House, RRod).
April 19th, 2012 at 4:56 PM
#14
This is in the other thread
But blow up his inbox:
Send him emails, tweets, whatever you've got.
Also, creepiest non-shirtless-recruit picture ever on the MGoBlog front page?
April 19th, 2012 at 5:01 PM
#15
Famous Alumni
Also, if anyone has any contacts with famous alumni (including former football players), now is the time to fire them up and see if they'll join the pitchfork gang!
April 19th, 2012 at 5:23 PM
#16
Be sure to mention that
Be sure to mention that you'll be reconsidering your future financial contributions to the program, as apparently that's the only thing that moves the needle for DB.
April 19th, 2012 at 8:14 PM
#17
he wouldn't believe you
it's not possible for the human brain to withhold financial contributions (to a university they love) because of a decision like this. Like holding your breath until you die, it would be entirely too stupid.
April 20th, 2012 at 1:34 PM
#18
I wouldn't be concerned about
I wouldn't be concerned about making that threat a major part of the communication. There is some research out there that shows that the alums who quickly threaten to "never give again" are the people who tend to not give much anyway. I'm guessing Brandon has seen that.
No offense to anyone here; that's the conventional wisdom about supporters. The ones who emotionally brandish their $$ support as a threat typically overestimate the importance & significance of their withheld dollars.
By all means let Brandon know of your disappointment, but I think our letters will be taken more seriously, and at face value, if they leave off the threats.
If by chance you are a wealthy influential donor, then by all means use your influence. Otherwise leave it to the big fish.
April 19th, 2012 at 5:28 PM
#19
Do you also have the email fo
Do you also have the email fo the university president? I wouldn't mind cc'ing his boss on my email manifesto.
April 19th, 2012 at 5:43 PM
#20
"Also, creepiest
"Also, creepiest non-shirtless-recruit picture ever on the MGoBlog front page?"
You must not have been here for Naked Guy
April 19th, 2012 at 7:28 PM
#21
Naked Guy was very, very OMG
Naked Guy was very, very OMG shirtless.
April 19th, 2012 at 7:40 PM
#22
I sent an email.
Supporting his decision.
April 20th, 2012 at 10:34 AM
#23
Good thinking . . .
Your e-mail definitely will stand out. Maybe he'll give you one of those extra tix he's got that were reserved for the band in the contract.
April 19th, 2012 at 4:52 PM
#24
Just spreading it around from
Just spreading it around from the board thread - Since DB loves twitter so much, make sure to hit him up with some #MMBtoDallas
April 19th, 2012 at 5:12 PM
#25
Tweeting current players
I just saw that someone tweeted Pipkins about the band not traveling. Probably not the smartest thing to do. Leave the current players out of it - they'll be in a no-win situation and no good will come from them responding.
April 19th, 2012 at 5:15 PM
#26
Indeed
Tweet FORMER players. Get @DhaniJones on the case. Seriously. #BowTieCause wants to see MBB in Dallas!
April 19th, 2012 at 4:52 PM
#27
#bringtheband
#bringtheband
April 19th, 2012 at 5:00 PM
#28
I had no idea you got that
I had no idea you got that many points for your Twosie creation. Well done, I hope you're getting something out of this, those points should be redeemable for something.
April 19th, 2012 at 5:35 PM
#29
He got a million points so he
He got a million points so he gets a millionth of this month's beveled guilt.
April 19th, 2012 at 4:53 PM
#32
How long until the AD either
How long until the AD either caves or some type of compromise is made? I'm giving it about three days.
Also, how smart do you have to be to not look at a potential payday, subtract expenses, and see if it's a good deal? If someone offered me a ten percent raise to work in Alaska half the time with no travel covered, I'd probably sit down and figure out how much I might spend to get the raise. Apparently I'm in the minority though.
April 19th, 2012 at 6:13 PM
#33
...uhhhh did you read "Three
...uhhhh did you read "Three and Out"? There's a page which describes a backroom deal done between Mary Sue, DB and RR in which the former ask RR to remind them about the $500,000 per year they would knock off his buyout of WV.
Remind them of a deal which could've amounted to $1.5 million of the University's money... so yeah, they are pretty casual about a few pennies.
April 19th, 2012 at 4:58 PM
#34
You guys wait until
You guys wait until holographic Bo rides in on a wolverine mascot and plays the victors on an electric guitar at halftime during the Pop Evil show. You won't even care about the band anymore.
April 19th, 2012 at 6:43 PM
#35
We talking Star Wars style
We talking Star Wars style holo or Cochella Tupac holo because that sh*t has been proven to be not a hologram. If its the former hells yes, if its the latter I'm grabbing my pitchfork.
/nerd soapbox
April 19th, 2012 at 6:57 PM
#36
Sweet!
Will Bo be rocking "In
Sweet!
Will Bo be rocking "In the Big House" with the PE too?
April 19th, 2012 at 7:31 PM
#37
Photoshop
Or it isn't happening.
April 19th, 2012 at 4:59 PM
#38
I can't wait for Brandon's
I can't wait for Brandon's smug passive-agressive response!
April 19th, 2012 at 5:11 PM
#39
Which is called his pimp hand
"Smug passive-aggressive response." Great line. This is also called his pimp hand . . . when people are happy with DB sticking it to someone, and aren't the ones being smacked.
April 19th, 2012 at 5:18 PM
#40
Eh...
When Mark Hollis tweeted Trey, DB tweeted back. It was funny, but I think it was abotu that stage that we all started thinking, "The public smack isn't necessary, Dave." I'm starting to lose my patience with some of his stuff.
April 19th, 2012 at 7:09 PM
#41
So you're allowed to use the
So you're allowed to use the words "pimp hand" online now? Hooray!
April 19th, 2012 at 5:01 PM
#42
It's sad
Next year all of the focus be on our Big Ten and possiby MNC winning team (as it should be) - but at the same time the people who should be enjoying it the most, the longtime season ticket holders and the rest of the fans who pack the house that Yost built every Saturday, get their 1st-hand looks at a once-in-a-lifetime team (and the friggin' band) cut down for a few extra dollars...
Football is still important around here, but it's no longer our God.
(If i'm a little overdramatic I blame Brian for getting me fired up)
April 19th, 2012 at 4:59 PM
#43
C'mon, OP
NO POLITICS.
...
Aw, fuggit. DAVE BRANDON FOR GOVERNOR!!!
April 19th, 2012 at 5:00 PM
#44
How many people have bought
How many people have bought tickets yet? I have not... neither have my friends. I am thinking about emailing the AD and stating that I am not doing this unless the band is included.
April 19th, 2012 at 6:20 PM
#45
Good Luck
We already sold our allotment. We get our money no matter what.
April 19th, 2012 at 7:20 PM
#46
They are selling out UM allotment
They are selling out UM allotment even if everyone outraged about the band demands a refund. The average fan is not that attached to the band.
April 19th, 2012 at 8:07 PM
#47
Really? I think if I'm going
Really? I think if I'm going to spend mega-bucks on a shitty ticket, a flight, a hotel that I'd want an experience better than the one I can get right in front of glorious humongous HD TV. I was on the fence about whether I was going to go, but this would have made staying an easy decision.
April 19th, 2012 at 5:00 PM
#48
How many people have bought
How many people have bought tickets yet? I have not... neither have my friends. I am thinking about emailing the AD and stating that I am not doing this unless the band is included.
April 19th, 2012 at 5:26 PM
#49
My only problem with that
Is that somebody else will buy them.
April 19th, 2012 at 6:12 PM
#50
Good idea. Send him two of
Good idea. Send him two of the same email. Volume is important here.
April 19th, 2012 at 5:00 PM
#51
Where is Stephen Ross when
Where is Stephen Ross when you need him?
