The Mainstreet Podcast

The Band Plays On: A Conversation with John Ziemann, Band President of Baltimore's Marching Ravens

January 16, 2023 William Lee Mooney and Steve Zinner Episode 97
The Mainstreet Podcast
The Band Plays On: A Conversation with John Ziemann, Band President of Baltimore's Marching Ravens
Show Notes

Have you ever wanted to play in a marching band for an NFL team?  If so, Baltimore's Marching Ravens are having auditions on April 1st.  This is not an early April Fool's joke.  If you're a proud band nerd who's at least 18, love Maryland, and  love the Ravens, this could be your chance to join a team that's been part of Baltimore sports history since 1947.

The Baltimore Colts were one of the first NFL teams to have cheerleaders, a fight song, and a marching band. We all know what happened to the Baltimore Colts. What some people may not know is that the Colts Marching Band carried on even after the franchise under Robert Irsay deserted Baltimore.  And when the Cleveland Browns moved to Baltimore in 1996 and became the Ravens, the band was here waiting for them.  Today, they're still going strong as Baltimore's Marching Ravens.

Mainstreet is thrilled to have with us on this episode Harford County resident John Ziemann, Band Director for the Marching Ravens. In 1962, at the age of 14 (he lied about his age and said he was 15) John became a member of the Colts Marching Band and 61 years later he's yet to miss a beat. 

John fills us in on  the storied history of marching bands on Baltimore's professional football teams. He also shares tales from his 35 years working at WMAR-TV and his days as Deputy Director at the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum. 

Interested in auditioning for the Marching Ravens? 
https://www.baltimoreravens.com/fans/marching-ravens/

Please support our sponsors
https://www.belairaupair.com/
https://myeternalpawprints.com/

Support the show

Please consider supporting The Mainstreet Podcast
Patreon
Buy Me A Coffee

Mainstreet on the web and social media
Website
Facebook
Twitter

Interested in sponsoring Mainstreet or have guest suggestions, please email us at:
info@themainstreetpodcast.com