In 1947 a marching band that would come to inspire a community and the national football league was formed. The president of the band John Ziemann had a vision for the band, but through his journey they were forced to endure some heart breaking and unexpected events which may have concluded with some very different results if it weren’t for the persistence of the group.
Founded as the Baltimore Colts’ Marching Band they entertained the original Baltimore Colts for a period of three years (1947-1950). In a three year span the band was growing tremendously until reality hit.
In the middle of the night the Baltimore Colts moved to Indianapolis and told Ziemann that the band had to remove their equipment from the team’s facilities. At that time, the band’s uniforms were getting dry cleaned and Ziemann had to contact the owner of the business. The owner of the dry cleaners, who told Ziemann that legally they could not release the uniforms to Ziemann, but told him that that evening, he should take the company van “for a walk.”
The walk was very significant in the history of the band, because Ziemann and his associates made a gutsy decision on hiding the uniforms until the Colt’s owner had come to a conclusion that it was okay for them to keep it.
The midnight move left Baltimore without an NFL team for eleven years. All through those years the band decided to continue to stay together and play in events, parades for the community, and any other activities they could participate in to keep their dream alive. At that time the marching band was filled with individuals who were just playing for the passion of it; at one point in Ziemann’s struggle to keep the band going, he had pawned his wife’s wedding ring to purchase new equipment for the band.
The band was getting a lot exposure in the Community to the point where previous Cleveland Brown’s owner Art Modell invited them to entertain at a half time show; from that point on the band was heading into success.
Success doesn’t start out with a victory; you have to keep failing and learning from each mistake that you have made. The band wasn’t a mistake, just crafty people that played from their hearts and not for the money.
From 1984-1996 the Cleveland Browns had enjoyed the band, but in 1996 the Browns had relocated leaving Ziemann asking the same question; what will happen to his band? When the move to Baltimore was written in stone Ziemann had asked a simple question to Art Modell: If the band could become the Ravens’ official band, in which Modell smiled and said “I thought you already were.”
Adversity had gave Ziemann a little doubt, but he kept going. He didn’t want his dream to waiver or falter in the lime light. He had wanted music to be brought to not just the NFL, but the community and the fans. His dream was what brought and kept the band together. There are only 2 NFL bands (Washington Redskins, Buffalo Bills), other than the Ravens Marching Band, but the Ravens Marching band is the most active outside of their organization.
Their story was so enduring that ESPN’s 30 for 30 had to make an episode about The Band that Would Never Die.
In a recent interview with Fago Franklin III from ProPlayerInsiders, John Ziemann had given his view on the outcome of his and the marching band’s success.
PPI: What had made you decide to hide the uniforms in the grave? That was a pretty risky move.
J.Z: Well when the Baltimore Colts had just literally got up and left, we didn’t have the uniforms. The uniforms were still in the dryers away from us. I had called the owner of the company and he told me that it was no way that we could get the uniforms. So someone I had knew had a plan until we had gotten things straighten out. I didn’t know at the time that we were going to hide the uniforms in a grave.
PPI: Are you still angry at the Colts and how they left?
J.Z: I am not that mad anymore. It took me awhile to let it go. How would you feel if your team was taken away in the middle of the night? I had felt that it was not right for them to do that.
PPI: Do you regret any of the decisions that you had made?
J.Z: Not at all, I love just making people smile with the marching band. I love how Art Modell has helped us. I am very grateful for him. He has helped us with everything we need.
PPI: After the NFL year is over, what does the band does?
J.Z: Well we do some events, just keep in touch with the community, and the community excited.
PPI: If you were trying to get in the band, what would you have to do?
J.Z: You would have to have a tryout, than we can see where you would fit in with the band. We are always looking for more people to get involved with the band.
PPI: What would you tell someone if they felt like their dream wouldn’t work?
J.Z: I would tell them keep trying. You will have a lot of ups and downs trying to get somewhere in life, but just keep focused. If it’s you passion stop at nothing to achieve it.
PPI: I know it’s 2 other bands in the NFL, would you like to see more in the NFL?
J.Z: Heck yeah I would like to see more bands in the NFL, I personally feel like it’s better if you have live entertainment.
PPI: How long is an actual practice for the band and what type of music do y’all play?
J.Z: Practice is 2 hours long, where the band members have to get certain numbers and music right. The type of music they are playing now are more modern types.
PPI: This is the last question, how does the band affect the members and the communities in a positive manner?
J.Z: The band gives the community pumped up about our Ravens and gives a positive outlook to our members. It is pretty cool to march and put smiles on each of the fans. I just love it!
In conclusion this marching band has define the odds and had impacted a community and a nation with their story. The moral of the story is never give up on your dream even when obstacles are in your way!
Here is a sample of the band’s music. IMG_2110
