Strike Up The Band !!

It's alway a chaotic scene thirty minutes prior to kickoff, particularly if you're waiting for a camera crew in front of Johnny U. Fans are flowing from everywhere -- the light rail, Hamburg Street, the perimeter. Some are even chanting. ("He's here, he's there, he's ____ everywhere, ED REED! ED REED!") The cacophany makes you wonder it the carefully planned interview is even possible.

Then you hear a low rumble, and the crowds part as everything comes to a halt. Marching down Ravens Walk and leading the throngs into the stadium is the band, blasting the team fight song as the crowd cheers them onto the field. On a beautiful autumn day, the flags and the brass make the pregame pageant complete.

(They also cleared the plaza so the cameraman could get through. My heroes!)

The story of the Marching Ravens, their previous incarnation as the Colts Band, and their long association with the city even after that team's ignominious departure, is being retold in an ESPN special produced by Baltimore native Barry Levinson. There will be a special screening on the video board at M&T Bank Stadium on October 6th at 7:00 PM. The Marching Ravens will warm up the crowd with a concert at 6:30. The $5.00 admission will benefit the Maryland Film Festival.

There are many things that define Maryland's love for sports, but the poignant story of the "The Band That Wouldn't Die" has to be one of the most inspiring. Hope to see you all at the screening.