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Talented drummer manages to merge two passions in new gig: Redskins Marching Band
By Rob Hedelt FROM the time Rodney He has had rhythmic beats going in his head, and he has been an avid Washington Redskins fan. So it was almost surreal a few weeks back when Johnson, 24, found himself marching across the team logo at FedEx Field's 50-yard-line as one of the newest members of the Redskins Marching Band. "I really did feel like pinching myself to see if it was real and not a dream," said Johnson, an all-state percussionist and former drum-line leader at Brooke Point High School in Stafford County. It wasn't just parking in the VIP parking lot or chatting with running back Clinton Portis on the way to the band's locker room. No, the ultimate thrill involved putting on his own burgundy and gold, strapping on his four-drum "quad" and taking to the field. "I've done it a few times now, but it still is hard to believe I'm out there," said Johnson, who lives in Stafford and works for a Northern Virginia firm that does marketing for nonprofit groups. Johnson started playing drums early, accompanying family members in gospel performances. By the time he got to middle school, he was in band classes and learning to read music. High school took him to concert and marching bands. Even while working toward a degree at Northern Virginia Community College in Woodbridge, Johnson worked at Brooke Point Johnson's cousin, Arthur White of Stafford, who has played in the band for years, led him to the Redskins Marching Band, now unique in the NFL. The Baltimore Ravens are the only other club that still has a full-time marching band. "He mentioned there was an opening for a drummer," said Johnson, who wasted no time going for an audition. Practicing once a week in the parking lot at the stadium, band members arrive hours before the game. The 126-member squad, average age just under 38, makes the rounds of official Redskins parties before the game, playing a song or two at each.
I have always loved hearing the Skins band - especially watching the drumline after the game. You go, Rodney! Congratulations - what a dream come true! :)
Hey lets not rain on Rodney Johnson parade . its about him not what the other writer said about the other teams having a band this is about him loving being a drummer and being a redskin.. ofgs people cant you find any thing else to complain about .. Dig some more why dont you till ya have hit china
I hear that it's hard to get into the Skins band and they pretty much do the same stuff every game (same pre-game, no half-time). I also hear that the Ravens band has a high turnover rate (most members are in high school so when they go to college, there are openings) and they do both pre-game and half-time... just sayin, for a musician, it's a better deal. Considering the closeness of the teams, a musician may want to give the Ravens band a try... assuming that there aren't any team loyalty issues.
Concur with the misuse of the term "unique".
As side note, considering that he's a drummer, he would be able to play for at least 12 different teams (10 of which have drumlines w/o a band). Drumlines have been cropping up all around the NFL for the past few years... looks like it's the new "in" thing.
The term "unique" means one-of-a-kind, nothing else like it. By immediately saying the Ravens also have a marching band, the term "unique" no longer applies. One would think a professional newspaper writer, or his editors, would catch this plain error. Unique in the NFC? Yes. Unique in the NFL? No. Not at all. Poor work by the editing staff. No soup for you!
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