Entertainment
BATALA
KID GOAT THE MELONHEADS
NORTHERN VIRGINIA FIREFIGHTERS’ EMERALD SOCIETY PIPE BAND
ROCKNOCEROS UPSPIRAL
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RACE INFORMATION
MCM VIDEO
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SPONSOR ROLL CALL
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Back by popular demand, 3:16 Athletic Wear is ready to deliver high energy Christian praise and rock to runners departing Hains Point at miles 15-16. Appearing at races from the Gasparilla Distance Classic in Tampa, FL, to Ironman USA in Lake Placid, NY, 3:16 Athletic Wear lifts the spirits of athletes at the loneliest portions of America’s most difficult courses.
Celebrating its 80th anniversary, The American University Pep Ban’s Screamin’ Eagles are thrilled to perform at the 34th Marine Corps Marathon on Mile 25 of the race course. The band will be located at the Rt. 110 off ramp, near the Pentagon. The American University’s Pep Band includes 60 talented student musicians who are enrolled in diverse academic studies and enjoy a variety of student activities. Throughout the year, the AU Pep Band performs at athletic events, pep rallies and university and alumni gatherings. In addition to performing in Philadelphia at the Men’s NCAA basketball game in March 2009, the band also participated in the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C. 
Explosions of energy and modern music will fill the air with four members of Along Those Lines. The band has been featured on DC101’s Local Lix and is listed as one DC101s “bands to watch bring in the New Year.” Look for Along Those Lines at miles 11-12 on the course.
The Batala band of Washington, D.C. is an all-women percussion group formed in 1997 to empower women through drumming, and to expose people to the music and culture of Brazil. The Batala Percussion Band plays rhythms typical of the northeastern region of Brazil in a samba-reggae style. The music, performed on four types of drums, is rooted in traditional African rhythms. Batala is the “Beat-the-Bridge” band located at mile 20 on 14th Street in NW Washington, D.C. 
The Dixie Power Trio is a four-piece group dedicated to the music and sounds of Louisiana. The group is based in Fredericksburg, VA, and has toured extensively throughout the United States. In a typical set the DPT will play a gumbo of different styles including zydeco, Cajun, New Orleans jazz, funk, street parade, and rock. The Dixie Power Trio will take the stage at miles 9-10.
Doug Marshall’s band of talented musicians are fresh, spontaneous and fun. The group that varies from two to six members performs on guitar, string bass, banjo, mandolin, fiddle and Dobro with a colorful combination of bluegrass sounds. Doug Marshall’s Bluegrass sounds will be heard outside the Lincoln Memorial at Mile 10.
The Dustbowlers are a Washington, D.C.-based trio of transplanted Mid Westerners performing original rock n’ roll with hefty heapings of folk, country and blues. Look for the Dustbowlers living up the halfway mark in Hains Point at mile 13.
Performing in their green plaid kilts, the Fairfax Deputy Coalition Pipes and Drums originate from Fairfax, VA, honoring their brother police officers and firefighters. Their repertoire includes traditional Irish and Scottish bagpipe music which they’ll play at miles 19-20.
Marine Corps Marathon runners will capture the Hoya spirit as they race by the Georgetown University Pep Band and Hoya mascot performing outside the university on Canal Road at Mile 5 and again on Miles 8-9 of the MCM course. The 75-member pep band performs at home GU sporting events including football and men’s and women’s team events and in other university functions like Georgetown Day, Hoyathon-a 24-hour charity dance marathon, and at alumni weddings! 
With their hard-driven alternative sound, In Remembrance performs with a reminder that fallen soldiers. After having lost his brother Marine Capt. Brian S. Letendre in Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2006, lead singer Nick Letendre started In Remembrance to honor all fallen armed service men and women. In Remembrance performs throughout the local region and at military bases across the country, while donating 10% of their profits to the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors. 
Jesse Joyner delights the entire family with juggling, unicycling, comedy and danger! A native of Richmond, VA, Jesse travels nationwide as Jesse the Juggler and has juggled everything from a raw egg to a running chainsaw. He earned gold and silver medals at the International Jugglers’ Association Joggling Championship, where competitors ran while juggling. Jesse has even completed a half marathon while juggling three balls the entire distance! 
It would be easy to call Kid Goat an alternative country band, but the melding its band members’ backgrounds and musical styles can only be described as pure Americana. Kid Goat’s music journeys through blues, country and rock-n-roll to a place that is complete with brutal honesty, familiar stories and social conscience. Whether it’s the tension of edgy rock, the longing and sadness of a country number or the humor in a clever tune, Kid Goat makes you feel at home at mile 4.
Delivering the power and drive of a heavyweight knockout punch, the Melonheads will ignite the streets of Georgetown at mile 9. This D.C-based sextet has wowed local audiences for over a decade and is capturing new fans in Chicago, Quebec City, New Orleans, and San Francisco. The ‘Heads take pride in faithfully interpreting familiar songs with vocal harmonies, a jackhammer-precise rhythm section and driving guitars. 
The message will be received when the Christian metal band Messenger rocks the MCM course on Constitution Avenue at Miles 16-17. With a growing fan base in the United States and Greece, Messenger enjoys thousands of new Internet hits from their website at MessengerMetal.com. Messenger’s powerful vocals and screaming rock guitars appear at Christian rock festivals, county fairs, church functions and in coffee houses. The band also has performed in nightclubs with national metal acts like Extreme and KIX. 
Milkshake’s material is geared for children, but rooted in pop music from the 1960’s and 1970’s, with plenty of sunny melodies and bright harmonies. Listen to Milkshake at Crystal Run along miles 22-23.
Miranda Townsend released her first country music CD, “Stories From My Life,” with Creative Soul Productions at age 16. Miranda recently graduated high school and is embarking on a summer tour with her band. Miranda will sing the National Anthem at the start of the All New MCM10K, and join her rousing country band performing on mile 19 of the MCM course. 
Donned in the traditional saffron kilt and hunter green tunic of the Irish regiments, the Northern Virginia Firefighters’ Emerald Society Pipe Band was draws attention to the good works of local fire & rescue services and fosters appreciation for Irish and Celtic music through the traditional pipes and drums. The band includes Northern Virginia firefighters and police officers; members of the armed forces and civilians who support the band’s mission. Look for the Pipe Band performing at the Marine Corps Marathon Finish Festival on race day.
The Quantico Marine Corps Band with its Rock Band and Party Band ensembles will perform in colorful style at three locations on race day. The Quantico Marine Corps Band is the driving force in starting off the 34th MCM with its Marine musicians marching along the MCM start line from Rt. 110 to Marshall Drive. The Marine Rock Band will entertain runners near Mile four at Gateway Park, while members of the Party Band perform traditional New Orleans jazz at the Finish Festival.
Rocknoceros covers a dizzying range of styles in each musical set. From Tin Pan Alley to the shores of Jamaica, Rocknoceros hops from genre to genre entertaining children of all ages along Crystal Run at miles 22-23. 
Featuring equal parts modern rock edge and soulful vocal styling, Rome In A Day offers electrifying original music at miles 9-10 on the course. They combine strong male and female vocals with pure rock adrenaline. Members include front man James Stevens, drummer Adam Lee, lead guitarist Ali DiPippo and bassist Jay Brazao. The group has performed at several of the region’s top venues and events, such as the 930 Club, Shamrockfest and DC101’s Last Band Standing Competition.
Brothers Jason and Seth Barna of Washington, D.C., are experimental indie rockers. In addition to their musical talents the Barna brothers are runners. They keep their musical energy relaxed, focused but at the same time know when to “turn it up” to motivate runners at miles 8-9.
Ted Itch and The Boy, (Edd Welsh III) is a DC-based solo artist who feasts on soul-driven alternative rock and alternative country. Ted Itch sings a message of peace, sustainability and respect for the Earth. In addition to solo gigs, Welsh performs with local band Floored On Empty throughout Virginia and Washington, D.C. Listen for Ted Itch and The Boy at miles 5 and 8.
Calling upon the sounds of the 90’s to today, Upspiral puts together a synergistic blend of sounds that can best be described as passionate. This band of four performs in Washington, D.C., Virginia and Maryland, working hard to refine their sound. From the moment the music begins, Upspiral creates a stand-out show at mile 12! 
This year, seven high school bands from Maryland and Virginia will perform on the Marine Corps Marathon course. The bands, positioned throughout the race, create enthusiasm and motivate runners during the 26.2 mile journey. Come hear your favorite high school band on race day at the locations listed below:
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