Get A Life Marching Band Inauguration Coverage

We were thrilled to participate in the 2009 Presidential Inaugural Parade as Oregon's official entry. Here's a roundup of the Press and Media coverage we got before, during, and after the trip, plus thanks to the Sponsors who so graciously helped to get us there. And we're still fund-raising to cover the final costs, so if you'd like to pitch in please do!

GAL made it to the Presidential Inaugural Parade!!!

GAL in front of the White House
(click to enlarge)

We did it!!! The Get a Life Marching Band marched in the Presidential Inauguration Parade in Washington, DC on January 20, 2009. Read the press release to learn more of the story explaining how we were invited. Band members normally plan for and defray their own travel costs, but since this was an unexpected trip we can use YOUR help. It took more than $90,000 to get the band to the parade, so we're grateful for any assistance you can provide -- use the button at right to donate, or check out our DONATIONS page with LOVELY THANK YOU GIFTS first.

Looking for Inauguration Memorabilia instead? Visit the Get a Life Marching Band Inaugural Parade Store, which carries a full selection of merchandise with the specially-designed logo (right) we wore as we rocked out the President and First Lady in Washington, DC on January 20, 2009. (You can see it at right, and on the drums, tubas, and jackets in the photo above.) Own a keepsake of this historic moment and help support Oregon's Official Inauguration Parade entry!

Then sit back and enjoy the material we pulled together -- take a look at our application, including video and audio samples of the band and some great photos. Check out the Media Coverage below for video of our performance in the parade, plus many stories with photos and quotes from band members. Then bask in the warm glow knowing YOU were also a part of inaugural history.

(Note: The Get a Life Marching Band is a 501(c)(3) organization; donations are tax-deductible.)

Note: You need not be a PayPal member.

(Or see our THANK YOU GIFT page) before you donate)

(Or visit our Inaugural Parade Store for memorabilia with the GAL Inaugural logo)

Media and Press Coverage

Wowza, we're grinning ear to ear with the coverage our Inauguration story continues to get. First things first: Here are links to coverage from the parade:


GAL at the Reviewing Stand (click to enlarge)	They like us! They really like us! (click to enlarge)

CSPAN Parade Coverage (video)
(Note that after we leave the screen you can still hear "Louie Louie" in the background)

KGW Coverage of Northwest Bands (video)
(GAL starts about 1:40 into the video; Evergreen High School from Vancouver, WA opens the clip)

The Oregonian (Margie Boule)
(Nice pre-parade article with lots of background on the band - thanks, Margie!)

The Oregonian (Margie Boule #2)
Follow-up story AFTER our return from Washington

Click here for a collection of YouTube Videos (courtesy Reed Richards, son of trombonist Lori Jackson)

The Australian (Sydney, Australia)
(Only parade unit mentioned by name!)

Slide show of parade photos

GAL meets
Oregon Senator Ron Wyden

KPTV (local FOX affiliate), KATU (ABC affiliate), KOIN (CBS affiliate) and KGW (NBC affiliate) have all run full news stories on the band. The KGW story (video, 2:21) has been picked up by stations nationwide (we have confirmed reports from Eugene, OR; Medford, OR (KTVL); Seattle, WA (KING); Tri-Cities, WA (KNDU); Pomona, CA; Paducah, KY; Philadelphia, PA; and Washington, DC, with a modified version featuring a Cincinnati member on WLW. It's even gone international; we have reports back from the island of Crete and Poland! Radio stations featuring stories or interviews with band members include KXL, KINK, KOPB, KPAM, KEX, KPOJ (starts 26:40 into the segment), KLTH, KYCH (Charlie 97.1 FM), and KWJJ.

Here's a short video from a small-band video shoot that we did before we left.

Click here for the (much longer) list of press and other articles published about the band's 2009 Presidential Inaugural Parade trip.

A Special Shout Out To ...

Regence Blue Cross / Blue Shield for joining our roster of Official Inaugural Parade Sponsors with a $2500 donation.		United Airlines for joining our roster of Official Inaugural Parade Sponsors by waiving their oversize baggage fees for our five sousaphones and drum and flag equipment, giving TLC to our other instruments, and providing special assistance as we travel to DC.
BJ & Reggie Sullivan for joining our roster of Official Inaugural Parade Sponsors with a major donation		Major donors Dave and Karen Johnson
West Hills Baptist Church for graciously donating many days and evenings of rehearsal space on short notice!		Major donor Gary Graunke
Oregon Screen Impressions for outstanding, expedited service and a terrific price break on our uniform jacket embroidery		$1000 donation from the Unknown Musician
AA Sports for donating hand warmers for the band to use in Washington.		Anonymous $500 donor
Vancouver Lazerquick and the W L May Company for helping with flyers and parking for our Burgerville Night.		Burgerville for hosting GAL Partnership Fundraisers and sharing restaurant revenue with the band
		McCormick & Schmick Restaurants for a very warm reception and major savings on food and drink at their Philadelphia restaurant.

... and of course ...

A HUGE THANK YOU to the MANY DONORS large and small who are helping to finance the trip. Your generosity means that this is YOUR Inauguration Parade performance too!

Note: You need not be a PayPal member.

(Or see our THANK YOU GIFT page) before you donate)

(Or visit our Inaugural Parade Store for memorabilia with the GAL Inaugural logo)

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