More than a thousand marching bands have applied for the coveted slot of representing the 50 states as part of the inaugural parade—and competition is fierce! Darrell Watson, director of the marchers at Ballou Senior High School in troubled southeast D.C., says his ragtag crew will enter the race with the O’Jays’ “Love Train,” a song he heard at an Obama rally last year. But he might be intercepted by James Perry and the band of D.C.’s Eastern Senior High. "Each time we see each other, we try to raise the bar,” says Perry. “They're great competitors, and also they're great friends." Come January 20, only one piccolo will remain standing.
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