Carl Grapentine on Helium
Check THIS out. Made me smile. I hope this guy never stops announcing football games.
I sincerely apologize in advance that this isn't anything relevant and exciting like a John U. Bacon or Harbough speculation post or a newspapery type guy talking about his sources telling him something about coaching candidates. I've been scouring the internet guys, but I only found this. I have faith someone will pick up my slack.
EDIT: Almost forgot . . .
Discuss!
November 25th, 2014 at 12:42 PM ^
Amazing.
November 25th, 2014 at 12:47 PM ^
John Stout! I imagine he is still doing arrangements for the MMB these days....
November 25th, 2014 at 12:50 PM ^
AFAIK, he still gets a token arrangement or two every year. And when I was in the band, used that fact to get his field pass every week. What a guy.
The more and more I look at this kind of stuff, and talk to alums from the Becher era, the MMB must have been fun during the 80s. It's gotten so wooden over the last fifteen years or so.
November 25th, 2014 at 3:27 PM ^
that was the whole point- after all it was a pretty big time commitment! We had to walk uphill in the snow both directions every day, and dry-cleaned our uniforms ourselves. If the MMB is no longer fun, it's time for a coaching change. And reinstate the Glock Bus.
November 25th, 2014 at 4:26 PM ^
November 25th, 2014 at 2:43 PM ^
I hope you're not being sarcastic about John Stout arranging a couple pieces to get a field pass. John and his wife have season tickets and the past few years has only been on the field for Homecoming.
John and his wife (an ex-MMB alum herself) are HUGE contributors to the band. They funded the UTLIII show this year - the one with the PIXMob light show. Arranging is a part-time gig for John, he owns his own IT company.
Sorry if I jumped the gun on this and misinterpreted your post, but I will always stand up for the Stouts.
...and yes, the MMB WAS fun - even during the Cavender era.
November 25th, 2014 at 3:20 PM ^
I know, I know. The Stouts are great people. Grab an apple and chill :)
When I was in the MMB, though, Stout would be right there on the sidelines, arrangement or not. And it was always kind of funny, because he wasn't really around for anything else. I like the guy, and Gail is great, too.
November 25th, 2014 at 3:32 PM ^
Hey, I've always wondered: how comfortable are those uniforms? Are they warm enough for the late-season games?
November 25th, 2014 at 4:01 PM ^
Depends on how well yours fits, and mostly. Brutally hot for warm-weather games. I wore long underwear for a few really cold games, but I could usually get away with just a long-sleeve underarmour shirt.
November 25th, 2014 at 6:40 PM ^
I was in band for the '95-'98 seasons and back then the uniforms had you boiling for the hot weather games and freezing for the cold weather games. Purdue '95 and Michigan State '95 were the most cold and miserable I've ever been. They've since changed the percentages of the types of material in the uniforms, though. They look thinner now.
And just my recollections about Stout...during my time I feel like I saw him on the sideline with the band for every game. I'm pretty sure he did a bunch of arrangements at that time. He also did arrangements for my high school marching band if I remember correctly (AA Huron).
November 26th, 2014 at 8:48 AM ^
He runs a very successful company as well as being a highly esteemed composer/arranger. I serve with him on the Elbel Board in support of the MMB and have the greatest respect for him and Gail. He works unstintingly for the MMB and the University. If he get a pass for the sideline, it's only a small fraction of what he deserves.
"John W. Stout has varied and extensive experience as composer and music arranger. He began his composition career at the age of 15 when he wrote large scale works for band and orchestra. At age 21, he began to publish his music with commercial publishers. Throughout his career, he has composed and arranged over 500 works for chamber ensemble, orchestra, symphonic and wind ensemble, athletic band, as well as film and television scores. He is the recipient of a number of commissions, grants and awards, including a commission from the Boston Pops Orchestra. Mr. Stout received his BM and MM in Music Composition and Conducting from the University of Michigan where he studied with Leslie Bassett, William Bolcom and William Albright. He and his family reside in Ann Arbor, Michigan USA."
November 25th, 2014 at 1:00 PM ^
I marched back in the late 80's and Stout was pretty much the only arranger. Great gig for him, as he not only got into home games, he went to all away games and bowls as well. I also remember that he played on the MMB Flag Fotball team. As a football player he was a great music arranger. Still loved the guy though, he was a lot of fun.
November 25th, 2014 at 1:05 PM ^
John Stout went to my high school in Bloomfield Hills in the 1970's, but was 2 years ahead of me. He was a real achiever in the music field even then. I remember him receiving some award at an assembly when I was in 10th grade. I hope Carl is back on the job very soon.
November 25th, 2014 at 12:48 PM ^
An absolute classic now relegated to the dustbin of the VHS era. Thank you, YouTube.
November 25th, 2014 at 12:51 PM ^
He kinda sounds like Matt Burrows.
We love ya, Matty B!
November 25th, 2014 at 1:03 PM ^
November 25th, 2014 at 1:05 PM ^
I prefer OPs ending with "thoughts?" It's way more idiotic.
November 25th, 2014 at 1:11 PM ^
November 25th, 2014 at 1:16 PM ^
This is the best board post in a long time.
November 25th, 2014 at 1:30 PM ^
Was almost surreal, he was so happy. All week there's been a curious echo in my head of "Another.... Michigan First Down!"
I had been wondering if Carl was under the weather. Best wishes for a speedy recovery Mr. Grapentine!
November 25th, 2014 at 1:50 PM ^
and it made me think about when I went to a Michigan/Purdue game. That damn train went off with every first down. I couldn't believe how happy they got over a first down! Ugh. Does this mean we are Purdue????
November 26th, 2014 at 7:14 AM ^
November 25th, 2014 at 1:35 PM ^
November 25th, 2014 at 1:53 PM ^
It's always fun watching old videos from the 80s and 90s. People just were much happier in general back then.
November 25th, 2014 at 2:13 PM ^
November 25th, 2014 at 2:12 PM ^
He was sorely missed on Saturday.
November 25th, 2014 at 3:15 PM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
November 25th, 2014 at 3:43 PM ^
I miss Howard King. Hasn't been the same since he retired.
November 25th, 2014 at 4:25 PM ^
I like both guys a lot. The one who called last Saturday's game was awful and cheapened the experience.
November 25th, 2014 at 5:07 PM ^
Wasn't that the Lions announcer? Sounded the same to me but I haven't been to enough Lions games to know.
November 26th, 2014 at 8:50 AM ^
It was Anthony Bellino https://twitter.com/FS_Bellino. He's not the Lions guy. He does Toledo Mud Hens, Toledo Walleye, University of Toledo and I think he's done some UM hoops. He's a good guy and it's tough to read some of the comments about him. Everybody has an opinion though and I respect that, but if I had the chance to the PA announcer at the Big House,I really wouldn't care what anybody thought. I doubt he does. :)
November 26th, 2014 at 7:15 AM ^
November 25th, 2014 at 3:22 PM ^
I hope he heals up soon because 1. I selfishly do not want to hear some weasle shouting at every first down followed by a warbling Wolverine sound or whatever sound they make, perhaps the X men character's blades coming out type of sound? 2. Surgery sucks and I've been there mannnnn.
http://www.robertfeder.com/2014/11/16/wfmts-carl-grapentine-faces-very-long-recovery-process/
November 25th, 2014 at 4:22 PM ^
November 25th, 2014 at 7:28 PM ^