Drum Corps Origin Story: Jim Prime Jr.

Jim Prime Jr., a DCI Hall of Fame member perhaps best known for his World Championship-winning arrangements for the Garfield Cadets in the early 1980s and later Star of Indiana, discusses his earliest years in the drum corps activity from young audience member, to performer, to instructor to arranger and composer.
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[@thelindasunshine]

I marched in the Chessmen along with Jimmer. My brother also marched with him on Hawthorne NJ. His father was the most amazing instructor, an amazing man. The whole family was a pleasure to know. So good to see you on here, brought back so many great memories. Drum Corps forever!!

[@mplsmdj]

I had the honor and privilege to march Star ‘86 with Jimmer, Donnie, Dennis, George…. What an amazing experience. Great memories and an experience that shaped the rest of my life. Thank you!

[@clevelandmoore9423]

Wow Jim this was a wonderful retrospection and I was so excited to be able part of your first teaching team with George Z and your family legacy grounded my love respect for your Mother and Father's unforgettable moments in Judging from the beginning of Creative enlightenment that bonded & complimented so many inter citiy young boys & girls to be the best that could be . Thank God for all the paths we have been fortunate enough to have been honorably participates Real lifelong love a this alternative marching musical & artistic challenges beyond common parallels in our times of being true and the most revolutionary period of our Historical place in America's history & never forget the unsung heroes not so familiar to the Drum Corp hall of fame but definitely worthy of the Highest levels of multicultural inclusive participation in local circles of all the auxiliares of true achievements America's favorite honorable craftsmanship hard earned believing in One's desired success is priceless and the greatest accomplishment of one's true drum Corp experience is etched in our life liberty and the pursuit of happiness freedom's greatest era of democracy in America from the underground and continues to this point of Laws of religion and ethics forward in United communities culture identity and the refreshed philosophy of balancing the new 21st century leadership concepts into the New social paradigms of traditional basic principles of Living patterns and basic techniques that are the cornerstone of the pushing the balance between reasonable components of real life revival of the competitive trademark of Drum Corp unique theme magic unlike any other field marching musical estetic foam and should never be forgotten

[@zolnog]

Mr. Prime: Wow. As a Drum Corps fan, your story did bring me to tears as I was brought back to those very same days. Experiencing the sounds and styles of corps from around the country for the first time was infectious. I was hooked for a lifetime. I hope you get to read this. It seems rare that so legendary a name in the field can be applauded and acclaimed contemporaneously. Maestros often are appreciated by audiences scores of years after and beyond their accomplishments. Thank you for the many hours I and countless others have thrilled at your brilliant renderings.

[@NikkiSoFar]

Thank you for this feature presentation of Jim (Jimmer) Prime. I’m a big fan of Jimmer, I met him when I was probably about 15 years old when he came to Canada to corps camp teach The Ventures. What a treat to have such an incredible mind teaching us. He inspired me to be better & to try harder things. I’m sure that his instruction made my transition to Garfield Cadets that much easier. I knew how to practice, how to play and I felt like maybe (just maybe) I had a chance to March in the 1987 corps. That was the most challenging year of my life but I have so many friends I can still call family. Thanks Jim, knowing you gave me so much confidence in myself and you were a big help for me as Mellophone soloist in my rookie year. Love you Jim 🥰

[@dennisdewey3502]

Jim, you are an amazing man, (as your Father was) and I thank you for your amazing contribution to the development of the Marching Arts!!

[@mholub]

What a pleasure to work with this man, 1982, '83, '84, Garfield Cadets.

[@DianeSeversonMori]

Jim, you took the love that your early influencers in the activity gave you and passed it on to people like me and so so many. Congratulations!!

[@tirecarcare]

Jimmer! Simply Awesome human being!

[@luvspaiste]

I marched Black Diamond Regiment in both ‘77 and ‘78. Donnie and Jimmer were the brass staff of a 20- member horn line and were beating lines twice their size. Jimmer is class act who has had a positive impact on everyone he works with. So great to see him being recognized. Well-deserved.

[@HallyPorter]

Greatest arranger of all time.

[@tjbiker49]

Jim . . . . what an absolutely wonderful commentary by you in this video. I also recall those days with the Chessmen and practices at the Easton High School parking lot back in '65. Two names I seem to recall: Our D.M. . Lippi (Lippincot) and Zenda our C.G. Captain. Our OTL was 'El Cid' . and the best of all, Your Dad was a wonderful instructor and a wonderful human being. I'm so glad we crossed paths . . . both of You are role true models that I so admire. Thanks for making this video. With what you said about all the other corps from the 60's and 70's . . . . . 100% agreement.

[@jasonbuckingham4913]

Thanks Jimmer

[@ashleymassano3090]

If by any chance you are reading this, Mr. Prime, it’s me Ashley!! Not sure if you remember me but i played trumpet for you at 14, so did my sister Nancy! ☺️ miss you lots ❤

[@richmanwisco]

DvD and Jimmer. Good cop, bad cop. I had played trumpet for 9 years before joining Garfield Cadets. I had learned all the bad habits. Donnie taught me how to play from the ground up and it stays with me to this day. To have on the same staff George Zingali and Jim Prime; two of the great revolutionaries of the activity. So fortunate.

[@williammajette2036]

1966 Dream GOAT I ALSO ATTENDED 1965 VFW IN CHICAGO BACK THEN YOU COULD JOIN A CORPS AT A YOUNG AGE AND THEY WOULD NURTURE YOU NOT LIKE TODAY'S DCI I MARCHED FROM AGE 12 -21 GAVE ME A LOVE FOR ALL GENRE'S OF MUSIC BECAUSE WE PLAYED IT ALL

[@ThaSound]

The 70s Mooches with Dennis’s Drum charts was the S&$@T! And I was on Bobby Winslow of the Warriors’s Jock!

[@tjinc-bus4672]

Jim Prime is Awesome :) Where can I learn more about Horn, Drum, & Pit Arrangers of the Late 70's and 80's ? Where should I look, read, & research ? Prime, Ott, Downey, Kerchner, Delucia, Sanford, Float, Poole, Hannum, etc ? From 1985 on, Did Prime write for any corps other than Star? Who wrote Garfield's 1985 Horn Book? Thanks in Advance :)

[@richmanwisco]

A couple of years ago, Hannum, Delucia, Sanford and others did a series of videos focused on the evolution of percussion from the '70s on. Search KZbin for that.

[@benf1111]

Such a decent decent man. Not sure I've met a nicer or wiser person.

[@wm8673]

I know the music in the background 😃😃😃

[@Ken-yt1ul]

🙏☺️

[@randyhines2883]

Jimmer!

[@g.hon.4645]

Well, well....