This month I sent some questions out to some alumni of different eras. The first one to get back to me was Heather Hinkle (Fernandez). She was one of two from her family to march with the corps. Her brother Ira was in the snare line from 1994-1996 and she played cymbals in 1996. Both are originally from Pensacola, FL, a town were many members came from over the years. She is now a wife and mother of two kids living in Amarillo, TX. And now, I give you Heather Hinkle. Click read more to continue… View her profile and say hi!  HERE.

Christopher Campos: When did you first get involved with Southwind?
Heather Hinkle: 1996


CC: Were you one of the lucky ones to earn a nickname? If so what was it?
HH: No, I really didn't get a nickname. At my audition, I didn't want to trade on my brother's previous years at SW so my audition sheet said that my name was Heather Smith. Then, when they had callbacks on the last day of audition camp, Greg Gumina (percussion caption head 1996) figured out who I was and called me "Fernandez II (the second)".


CC: What position(s) did you occupy, how long?
HH: Cymbals- one year


CC: What was your home life like then? Job? School?
HH: Home life was great. I was attending Pensacola Jr. College and working at Seville Quarter


CC: Were you a member of any corps as a young person or in any senior corps after your age out year? Served on other staffs?
HH: Nah, I wasn't exposed to drum corps until my brother marched in 1994-1995.


CC: What did you struggle with the most while with Southwind?
HH: Being the only girl in the battery. I had to prove myself everyday and even though I put myself out there everyday, it didn't seem like enough.


CC: Who was your favorite staff person? Why?
HH: Oh man, that's a good question. It was a cross between Jay MacArthur and Greg Gumina. They were the best to work with. They treated you like an equal but managed to mentor you. They treated you like an older sibling as opposed to an instructor.... looking out for you while teaching you the lesson that needed to be learned (even if it kicked your butt!)



CC: Where and when was your BEST off-day on tour?
HH: Hands down, MONTREAL! I will never forget that we got a cab and the driver almost hit 4 cars and a guy on a bicycle on the way to Hard Rock Cafe.


CC: What are some things you did during breaks in the action to kill some down time on tour.
HH: Down time? What the heck was down time? OH! You mean, when I was pushing ground?! Hahaha! There really wasn't any down time. One of our techs was Chris Moss. If you know anything about him it was that his nickname was Mr. Intensity. He thought that sleeping was enough down time.


CC: Was there a funny phrase or saying that seemed to last all summer?
HH: Um... hmmm... it wasn't a phrase, it was a song-- "Skinny Bastard"- the drumline from that year will remember.


CC: Which Southwind show is your favorite one of all time?
HH: Oh man... I thought that 1994 was pretty great.


CC: Did you reach any goals or break any records personally while with the corps?
HH: No records but I moved my level of how much I take up a few notches.


CC: Are there any people you haven’t seen nor heard from since being a memeber that you would love to catch up with again?
HH: Oh man, Laura that was in the front ensemble. I (don't) remember her last name. But every other person that I wanted to catch up with again, I caught up with in the last few months. Thank you myspace/facebook!


CC: What is one idea you have never seen played on the field by any corps that you would love to see before you die?
HH: Nah, I think that VK pretty much did all the shows that I thought about.


CC: What is your home life like now? (work, school, family, etc)
HH: Hmmm... I'm married with two boys. I'm thinking about going back to school to become a nurse.


CC: Is there any advice that you would like to pass on to the next edition of Southwind that hits the field in 2010?
HH: Remember that every corps, just like every family, has it's struggles. You have extentions of family that you never knew but had always known existed. There are going to be times that you may feel like you're standing alone but always remember that there have been many more that have worn that uniform and that those voices from the past will stand with you. Lastly, remember every moment. It'll be gone in a minute. And in a flash, it'll be 10 years since you marched. So remember everything, even the struggles. "....Because if it wasn't hard, everyone would do it.....the 'hard' is what makes it great."