Marching to the Beat of Love: A Spirit Valentine's Day
In the world of drum corps, you easily find passion and perseverance, and it’s easy for emotions to run high. At Spirit of Atlanta, this passion extends beyond music and performances, weaving a tapestry of enduring friendships and love stories. As we delve into the heart of the corps, you quickly uncover the remarkable connections forged under the scorching Georgia sun, weathered through the challenges of the activity, and solidified over time.
Relationships formed through drum corps is not a new concept, but we are keen to the couples whose love was sparked by the Delta. Our first couple, Kelly Brannon (French Horn, 1977-79) and Jeff Wright (Soprano 1978, Mellophone 1979), met during the 1978 season. Despite admiring each other from afar, their dots seemingly were not going to cross paths on the field or on their own accord until a mutual friend intervened by introducing them during a rehearsal. As their romance began to blossom, Kelly took a leap of faith by switching from the drum bus to Jeff’s bus for the second tour, soon enough Jeff’s seat partner caught the hint that three might be a crowd, and relocated himself to allow their love to bloom.
The following year, before the corps left for first tour (Jeff had switched to Mello at this point), Jeff asked for Kelly’s hand in marriage. After the amazing ‘79 season, Jeff and Kelly got married in March of 1980. The next twenty years were very busy as the couple raised their four children (Shannon, Patrick, Mary Colleen, and Tori). Shannon and Patrick became the first second-generation Spirit members in 2001, and Mary Colleen joined them in 2002. Tori marched Carolina Crown in 2011.
Of course, Jeff and Kelly volunteered on tour for a few weeks each summer that the kids marched. They also joined the Atlanta Corpsvets Senior Corps, and between 2001 and 2010, the whole family was involved in marching and/or traveling with Atlanta CV at one time or another. Some of Jeff and Kelly’s most treasured memories include playing “Georgia” alongside their children, with Freddy conducting, at various times with various hornlines over years. Jeff and Kelly’s family has now grown to a total of 12 grandchildren. So far, all of them are learning to play an instrument, and the high schoolers are beginning to enjoy their own competitive careers in the world of the marching arts. Jeff and Kelly dream of someday cheering on the third generation Spirit “kids” at DCI finals. This story, and the rest that are to follow, are a testament that you truly never know what a horn audition, an introduction, and many miles on a tour bus can lead to.
Jeff & Kelly Wright with their children and grandchildren Christmas 2023.
Half of our second couple is also part of our 2024 staff and Hall of Fame Inductee - Alan Armstrong (Soprano, 1982-86, + staff for a “whole bunch more”) & Ginger (Guard, 1985-87, long-time tour widow, volunteer, and fundraiser). Their love story began when Alan spotted the “cute redhead” during winter camps.
Alan did not express any interest in Ginger due to the fact he was dating someone else but as the summer drew closer fate (and Steve Sorrell) stepped in when the corps went to perform for President Reagan. During a pizza break (while the Secret Service was clearing the corps’ equipment) Alan was officially introduced to Ginger. Upon hearing that Ginger was moving in early to spring training from Texas, Alan and his roommate invited her and her friend to join them at Whitewater (a water park), along with some hometown friends who were also visiting. The dilemma of the current on and off again girlfriend became a more formidable issue, as he was wanting to continue to get to know Ginger.
As the weeks grew on, they had their first “date” which occurred at a drummer’s house before they left for tour. That night cemented things, at least for the summer. When they returned home from tour to Houston and Jacksonville, they were still fairly unofficial, but Alan took a leap, attended Ginger’s senior prom in Texas, and knew in his heart it was meant to be while dancing with her to “I Can’t Fight This Feeling.”
Their bond grew as they marched together in drum corps, got engaged in 1987, and married in 1988. Over the years, they’ve taught drum corps together, raised four children (all of whom, of course, have been & are still involved in the marching arts), and have remained best friends throughout it all. Ginger teaches math and founded the Northgate winter guard and the circuit currently known as SAPA, while Alan has served as a band director for 37 years. As they approach retirement, they eagerly anticipate spending more time with family and continuing to pursue their shared passion for the performing arts.
Alan & Ginger with their children at DCA Championships 2017
1991 was a huge year for relationships from Spirit of Atlanta - our first summer of love couple to highlight is Dave and Sharon Coheley. (You likely recognize them from the 2024 Hall of Fame inductees.) Dave (Bass Drum & Snare, 1981-84) was driving the food “ladies” in a van, and Sharon (Guard, 1977) was running merchandise (souvies) out of that same van. The two met over “gas pumps” on the first tour. After that first tour, Dave went back to Ft Walton Beach, and Sharon returned home to life with Spirit and the Sprayberry band. As Finals week drew closer, Dave and a friend drove to Dallas where Sharon and him caught up, again. Fast forward to Spirit’s November camp, and who shows up to offer to help Sharon unload souvies but - you guessed it - Dave Coheley. As the summer of 1992 continued, Sharon was working double-time helping teaching the color guard, and still managing souvies, and Dave was teaching the drum line. The two were pretty much inseparable by then.
Dave taught again in 1993, and the couple married in June of the same year. The two have continued to love and support the drum corps, with Dave (of course) now being the Assistant Director, and Sharon still continuing to do everything she can to ensure the corps continues to offer the incredible opportunity for growth, education, and relationship-building that brought the Coheleys together.
Kyle & Mary Shiflett, Spirit of Atlanta 1992
Mary (Stone) and Kyle Shiflett’s story also began in 1991. It was Mary’s (Guard, 1991-92) first year and Kyle’s (Soprano, 1987-92) fifth year. During the ballad, the 30-member guard was placed into 15 pairs and matched with a soprano player for a lift sequence – and that’s how Kyle swept Mary off her feet — literally! You can see their full lift on this video. After tour, their love continued to grow and Kyle took Mary to her Senior Prom in 1992 where he continued to sweep her off her feet. When she started college, she decided to follow Kyle to JSU where he was finishing his undergrad. They were married in June 1995, moved around a bit, and finally started their family in 2012. Their two girls (Claire and Olivia) have loved every Drum Corps show they’ve attended.
The Shiflett Family
Our next couple you likely recognize from the 2023 Hall of Fame class. You’d be surprised to guess that Brooke (Guard, 2003-06) & John’s (Contra, 2000-03) story doesn’t exactly begin with love at first sight.
"Woodstock" (John) was an age out with three summers of blood, sweat, (and tears?) already under his belt while Brooke was a rookie... bright eyed, bushy tailed, and just trying to not hit Adam Swan with her rifle during "Vermo". John actually booed her once when she was telling jokes on the bus because he did not find her the least bit amusing... (Don’t worry, she still holds that one over his head sometimes!) So, what changed? After aging out, John was immediately an active alumnus. He spent a lot of time volunteering, and therefore, Brooke saw him every summer that she was marching until her age-out in 2006. In the spring of 2008, Brooke & John had the most memorable first date ever (y'all remember that tornado in downtown Atlanta? Yeah, it was that night!) and that summer Brooke started helping him with the Atlanta Regional, Talladega, and then they both did some weeks on the road selling souvies. As you can likely imagine, this was a great barometer for testing a relationship. One memory that sticks out for them is driving the back way into Iowa at 2am with a 2000 lb trailer that neither of them could back up worth a damn, and a fuel gauge that didn’t work. John & Brooke’s relationship is truly one that is woven into Spirit’s history, as they have continued to be incredibly supportive, active alumni with the corps. They both believe that volunteering their time to the corps after marching has brought them even closer, and these shared experiences and memories created a strong foundation for them to continue building on for years to come.
John & Brooke Howe, DCI Finals 2018
Vince “Cheeseburger” (Trumpet, 2010, Mellophone 2011) and Destin (Guard, 2010-11) met in 2010 (Icon) when Vince jumped in half-way through spring training. The two met behind a prop where Destin refused to call Vince by Cheeseburger, and he was forced to tell her his real name.
That is where they began to forge their relationship(….get it…Forging an Icon..anyyy way…). The couple decided to continue dating after the summer just to make sure it wasn’t tour goggles. (Icon) The only problem was that Destin was going to school in Alabama, and Vince lived in Tennessee. So he did the most sensible thing possible, and got a job in Tuscaloosa to be closer (he knew he didn’t want to be any further away than he had to!) The 2011 season rolled around, and Vince knew that he didn’t want this feeling to end, so he not-so-secretly planned to ask Destin to marry him at some point that summer. With the help of so many friends and alumni of Spirit, Cheeseburger successfully asked Destin to marry him during the delta ceremony in Atlanta, right after the corps sang salvation. Since marching, the couple has grown so much, moved around a bit, started a family…but one thing remains unchanged, and that’s Destin’s refusal to call Vince Cheeseburger.
The Osan Family
Bailey Burks (Trumpet 16-17, Drum Major 19) and Garrett Hunt (Quads, 16-17) met at the first full corps camp that included the drum line - at lunch, in the Luella High School cafeteria in April of 2016. They marched together for their first two years in 2016-2017, with Garrett aging out in ‘17.
Who would have thought that the easy part would be the active drum corps season? Life quickly became a rollercoaster after Garret aged out - the couple was long distance for three years, (Bailey in Jacksonville, AL and Garrett in Tallahassee, FL). In 2019, they both moved to Georgia and began living together. Finally, (and just recently) on New Year’s Eve 2023, Bailey and Garrett got engaged. Bailey and Garrett prove that the bonds formed while marching can truly withstand the test of distance, relocation, and all that comes with growing up.
Ian Bowie (Mellophone, 2016-18) and Tori Lewis (Guard, 2018-19) met through a mutual friend (Rebecca, also a Spirit Color guard alumni) almost a whole year before they set foot on the field together in 2018. The two shared many meal times during camps and spring training, and both knew right away there was a spark, although they denied it to anyone who asked.
Over that summer, they would sit by each other during morning stretch, and catch up on their days after ensemble. They would also spend every free day together. The summer eventually came to an end, but they decided to make things official very soon after spending all that time together. Fast forward six years, and now (in 2024) are just weeks away from getting married and becoming seat partners for life.
The Soon To Be Bowie Family
Spirit of Atlanta remains a special place where enduring friendships and meaningful relationships blossom, shaping the essence of our corps from its inception in 1976 to the present day. Reflecting on the stories of these eight beautiful couples that grew from bonding over peanut butter & jelly, laundromats, and their shared passion for music, all while performing at a high caliber offers a glimpse into the invaluable relationships that sets the foundation for what we call the Spirit Family. Thank you for joining us as we explore yet another facet of our sweet legacy.
While celebrating these meaningful bonds, we extend an invitation for you to consider joining the Delta Club and contribute to the longevity of our drum corps. Your backing ensures that future generations can continue to cultivate lifelong connections and crafting lasting memories on the life-changing journey that is a season of drum corps.
