You probably know that Drum Corps International is promoting early-season DCI-Atlantic shows this year, boasting lineups that include The Cavaliers, Cadets and Blue Devils in addition to the usual East Coast corps. What you might not know is the Blue Devils and other corps aren't paying for the extra mileage by selling cookies or working extra bingo games.

DCI is subsidizing these corps' travel, passing the expense on to the show promoters through increased corps fees. The show promoters then hope that more fans show up to see the big lineups. So far, show promoters say it has been more than worth it.

For example, DCI is paying the Madison Scouts around $14,000 beyond what they normally get for their trip to California, and is helping the Blue Devils cover expenses to the tune of about $36,000, according to Dan Acheson, DCI Executive Director. Acheson said it's not a matter of what corps are worth, but rather what their travel expenses are.

"It's not important who gets what," he said. "They all deserve more money. These funds are set up to offset expenses, not for the corps to make money."

"Dan lets us know who is going where and how much money they're getting," said Jeff Fiedler, DCI President and Cavaliers Director. "It's equitable. Nobody is making money on it, I can guarantee that."

The Cavaliers can perform on a nightly basis as they drive to and from the East Coast, collecting show fees to keep the budget going. Not so for corps coming to and from California, Fiedler said. In the case of the Blue Devils, Fiedler said it makes sense for the corps to fly. "Can you imagine riding a bus over the mountains from California to Alabama? That's crazy."

When Madison Scouts Director Scott Stewart heard there was interest on the West Coast to have the corps tour there in 2002, he liked the idea. Stewart knows a California tour is a great experience for his members, because the corps has been going there about every four years. But since there are less shows out there than in the Midwest, Stewart calculated a big loss, and told Acheson that the corps couldn't take another hit like that. DCI stepped in to make it happen.

Drum corps have been touring coast-to-coast for years. But they haven't had the luxury of circuit sponsorship on this level in the past.

"This is all new," Acheson said. "When Blue Devils went to the East Coast (in 2001), DCI wanted to encourage that. The reason was to produce a show early in the season to give the fans value to their show. What a bonus to the fans and show promoters to have the Madison Scouts in the Northwest this year."

Chris Buck runs the "Columbia Summer Music Games" show in Columbia, SC, a big show. He said he wasn't ecstatic about the show date he received this year -- a Monday night, June 24 -- but he felt better when he saw the top three ranking DCI corps on the lineup.

"Sure, it's 20 to 25 percent more expensive," Buck said, to have the marquee lineup. But it pays off. "What we have found is it does increase attendance tremendously. If we were running a typical East Coast show, we'd have 2,000 to 2,500 fans. We're bringing in easily double that. It's well worth it to us.

"I'd be unwilling to host an early show without the extra draw of the Blue Devils and Cavaliers. I know the travel is not the easiest thing for the corps early on. But I think it's important to experience different drum corps. Fans get the opportunity to see corps they normally wouldn't see. Otherwise we'd get the same corps every year."

Fiedler said his corps likes the change of scenery, too.

"Yah, it's great," Fiedler said. "It's a little rejuvenating mentally. There are guys in the corps and on the staff that have been doing this for years and it can become 'same old thing, same old thing, same old same old.' But with this tour, you have to gear up mentally, make sure all the details are in place.

"We do well with merchandise. Economically, it's fine."

And, with the DCI Orlando show hosting the Cavies, Blue Devils and Cadets again this year in the Citrus Bowl, Fiedler said it might have a similar "buzz" to championships week.

"We've been trying to wean ourselves off relying on the DCI championships week to survive. I don't want to make the championships less, but I'd like to make the regionals and other shows more. Sure, attendance at the championships might not be up, but we pulled in 10,000 more viewers, total, at all of our shows last summer. That's a good thing.

"Some people say, 'Ah, attendance at finals is down, people hate drum corps.' But there is economics to this. Some people might say, 'I saw a great show in Indy and I have a wedding (championships) weekend..."