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Rodney Johnson (center) and the Redskins Marching Band march around FedEx Field before going into the stadium for their performance.
Prior to the St. Louis game on Sunday, Rodney Johnson (center) of Stafford and other band members prepare for their performance. |
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.
They stop by the Comcast TV booth, then head to the field to perform a full pre-game show, where full feathered headdresses are worn.
During the game, the members of the band head to their seats.
There, they play tunes during breaks and, most importantly for true fans, "Hail to the Redskins" when the 'Skins score.
After the game, the drum line stays in the stands to, as Johnson puts it, "jam and do our favorite cadences. A lot of people hang around to watch us and get involved."
The night ends with the band doing their own tailgating in the parking lot, making for a long but fun day.
Johnson's wife, Danielle, who has known her husband since the sixth grade, is proud of the way he has picked up the music and marching so quickly.
"He truly is living his dream," she said. "People don't know how much this means to him."
Though the band doesn't accompany the Redskins to away games, there's one trip Johnson hopes for.
"If they make it to the Super Bowl, that would be great," he said. "Who knows? That's one away game we might get to make."
While that's beyond Johnson's control, sticking with this new part-time gig he's so passionate about isn't.
"I'm doing this forever," said Johnson. "It's too much fun to stop. If somebody offered me a job somewhere else, I'd have to say no. I'm not leaving this."
Rob Hedelt: 540/374-5415
Email: rhedelt@freelancestar.com
