Day one in Charlotte, NC with the UConn Marching Band, here to play for the football team in the Meineke Car Care Bowl.

Here we are on the stage at an ampetheater in the morning, preparing to rehearse music for the whole week's worth of gigs.

As part of a pep band group, I played and led the winds into the pregame luncheon, where a large ballroom was packed with both UConn and Wake Forest fans and team members. It was interesting to note that Wake Forest's entire band was smaller than the "small group" we had sent...but boy did they sound great!

After a quick lunch we met up with the rest of the band in another spot in downtown Charlotte for the "impromptu" Battle of the Bands, where we went head-to-head with WF's band, playing all of our set, including "Moondance" and "Sing, Sing, Sing." Thankfully for North Carolina, which has had a six month drought, this was all done in an increasing downpour.

Tonight: Bobcats game, with three UConn alumni on the court, including Emeka Okafor.
Tomorrow: THE BIG GAME.