Drum Major Leads Final Marching Competition

October 27, 2018
By: Bill Conger

Yesterday, we featured Harley Sloan, the first of three DCHS senior band members. Today, we turn our focus on Axel Rico, the award-winning drum major with the Fighting Tiger band.

Rico, the son of Rich and Pearl Ortega Rico, fell in love with music as a fourth grader when he heard The Osborne Brothers sing their iconic song, “Rocky Top.” He had to play the banjo and started taking lessons from Timmy Nixon. Two years later, he was offered a position to play saxophone in the band, where he continued for the next six years.

“I always thought saxophone was a really cool instrument,” says Rico.

While Axel played banjo and sax, the multi-instrumentalist continued to try his hand on mandolin, electric guitar, bass, and drums.

“I think it was easier for me to learn all those instruments because I had lots of enthusiasm to learn and grow,” Rico says.

Axel has his own bluegrass band called the DeKalb County Ramblers, and for the past year and a half he has served as the worship leader at First Hispanic Baptist Church in Smithville. This school year Axel tried on a new role with the marching band, drum major, the fulfillment of a dream from long ago.

“When I was in 5^th grade, the band came to Northside and I saw the drum major,” Rico recalls. “I thought that’ll be really cool to have that position one day. When [2017 drum major] Junior Ingram graduated, there was that spot open.  It was always my dream and my goal to become a drum major one day. I practiced and practiced and tried to show them that I had the skills and the leadership skills to be able to do it.”

“The job of the drum major on the field is to keep the band in time. You represent the band wherever you go. You’re the face of the band. If you mess up, it’s going to get out there. As a drum major, you always have to represent the band the best you can if you’re at the grocery store, filling up your car with gas, or if you’re at a competition. You have to be on top of your game wherever you go.”

“It’s pretty tough when people aren’t there to [perform or practice] or when people aren’t mentally focused, but that’s my job to steer them in that direction, to be focused and to be always prepared and to be on time.”

Through lengthy band camp days and three hour practices three days a week, Rico has built up his stamina. But using his arms to conduct the band to stay in time can be quite tiring.

“Whenever you have the big jacket on, it kind of wears you out. Whenever you have all the pressure from the judges and the band, you kind of have to prepare yourself mentally not to give up and just push through it. It puts a lot of stress on your arms by the third or fourth song, especially with the faster tempos. But a drum major should be consistent when he’s conducting. Usually, it just becomes muscle, and the more you do it, the less it hurts.”

Rico has taken home a first place trophy for his field commander performance at two competitions this marching season.

If all goes as planned, next fall Axel will start at Boyce College in Louisville, KY, where he will major in church music. From there, he says his future is up to God’s direction.

Today (Saturday) Axel is leading the band in the last marching contest of the season at the Foothills Classic at Seymour High School in east Tennessee. On Sunday, we’ll wrap up our band series

October 27, 2018
By:

 The Smithville-DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce  recently had a Ribbon Cutting for new Chamber member, Town & Lake Realty, 412 South College Street, Smithville.  First opening on March 2018 with 3 agents, they now have 11 agents. Jennifer Hannah says, “Town & Lake Realty is a strong-rooted, local, independent brokerage serving DeKalb & surrounding counties. It was founded as an independent brokerage, because we wanted to chart our own path and create our own culture as we aim to provide our clients with the highest levels of service available in our industry.”  For more information, call 615-215-7653 or check out their website at:  townandlake.com

Pictured l-r:

Front Row (Sitting)– Agent Michelle Grandey, Agent Makenzi Phillips & Agent Amy Lockhart

Middle Row (Standing) – Chamber Director Suzanne Williams, Agent Joann Lagace, Agent Dennis Butler, Owner/Broker Gina Butler, Owner/Broker Jennifer Hannah & Agent Holly Williams

Back Row (Standing) – Alex Woodward from Wilson Bank & Trust, Chad Driver from Wilson Bank & Trust, Agent Shane Blair

October 27, 2018
By: Dwayne Page

The City of Smithville has contracted with Rogers hydrant service to flush fire hydrants over a two week period starting Monday, November 5 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The annual flushing of water mains via fire hydrants is a standard maintenance process that improves water quality at the tap by removing accumulated minerals, sediment and tuberculation in the lines (a buildup common in iron pipes that reduces its ability to transmit water). This also helps identify hydrants in need of repair.

The flushing process can cause low water pressure and frequently disturbs the accumulated minerals and sediment in the water mains. The quick release of water from a hydrant causes them to dissolve and temporarily discolor the water delivered to homes and businesses.

“Although, the water is perfectly safe we recommend running a cold water tap for several minutes to help clear the discoloration before using it for drinking or laundry. Please check your washing machine before using it as you may experience discolored clothing due to hydrant flushing,” said Kevin Robinson, City Public Works Director.

The fire hydrant flushing only affects the City of Smithville and its water customers.

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