The Bandit Beat

Welcome to the inaugural edition of The Bandit Beat where we bring you all the latest

news and updates from the world of your favorite band’s favorite band, The Valentine

Band!

Being one of the original members of the Valentine Band, back before we even had a

name or even the concept of becoming a band, seeing the evolution of this entity grow

from Kris Rodgers, Ian Lynch and myself to a rotating roster of over 30 members,

playing to sold-out crowds at Fitzpatrick Stadium and the State Theater with memorable

gigs at Thompson’s Point with stops at various marathons and away venues along the

way has this dual citizen from the rural northeast of New Brunswick, Canada’s soul

smiling every time he picks up the drum sticks.

The band playing at Ross Adam's retirement party Courtesy of Shannon Adam

Speaking of evolution, since the conclusion of the Portland Hearts of Pine’s magical first

season, the Valentine Band went through another evolution that saw the band have its

first internal election. The goal of the internal election was to take all the weight and

pressure of leadership off the shoulders of one person. That said, Ethan Mausolf, our

curly-haired Energizer Bunny was elected to the role of the band’s conductor. He will

lead us on game day the same way Sean Daly did in our first season. Sean was elected

as our new Drum Captain and continues to arrange the scores for the band’s drum line.

Leading our horn section is the uber-talented multi-instrumentalist Heather Sumner who

dazzles the crowd with her saxophone and trumpet skills. You have already heard many

of her arrangements, and she is masterful at helping to craft many of the sounds you

hear at Fitzpatrick Stadium. Jay Beal, our resident madman behind the bass drum was

elected to serve as the band’s Equipment Manager and has been spending the

offseason working in his lab to construct a new Heart Beat drum that will help to lead

our intimidating stadium chant that begins each half.

The band performed at Flo Leighton & Greg Shapiro's wedding on February 6th! Photo Courtesy of Jenna Daly

Bill Sumner, another of our bass drummers (and Heather’s husband) was elected to

serve as the Valentine Band’s representative on the Dirigo Union board. With nearly 40

years of drumming experience, his leadership can only help strengthen not only the

Valentine Band, but the Dirigo Union itself. Lastly, there’s me. My name is Bryan Willett

and I was elected to handle communications for the Valentine Band. This is something I

did when I worked in junior hockey prior to immigrating to the United States in 2017. I’m

honored to help spread the word about all the wonderful things we have going on over

the next year.

Some recent happenings have been the ramping up of our practices, in which we have

workshopped a number of songs that will debut once we return to Fort Fitzy. One of

these songs has already made its debut at the Dirigo Union Town Hall, a rendition of

Ricky Martin’s Cup of Life, the anthem of the 1998 FIFA World Cup held in France.

Other songs we have in the pipeline feature renditions of classics by Stevie Wonder,

Beyoncé Knowles, Chumbawamba, The Bouncing Souls and more. Along with

practices, we recently celebrated the retirement of Valentine Band piper Ross Adam on

January 31, 2026 as he steps away from a decade-long career with the United States

Postal Service to concentrate on a full-time career in music. It is highly recommended

that you check out his newest single Waster, available wherever you stream your music.

Lastly, on Friday, February 6, 2026 we had the honor of performing at the wedding

reception for Dirigo Union members Flo Leighton and Gregg Shapiro. In addition to a

six-song set that included such favorites as Old School Rules, La Murga, Matador and

$10 Bill, the Valentine Band broke out Cup of Life and performed Breed Apart to

introduce the newly wedded couple.

The band is ready for the 2026 season Photo Courtesy of Leah Carter

Up next, the Valentine Band will be making their return to Bunker Brewing Company, the

place where it all began for their practice on Wednesday, February 11, 2026. Practice

will get underway at 8:00pm and will be preceded by a Dirigo Union Social from 6:00 to

8:00pm. New songs and chants are in their early stages of development and the

Valentine Band is excited to lift the curtain on their creative process as we gear up for

the 2026 USL League One season. In the next edition of the Bandit Beat, we will recap

the practice along with other Valentine Band happenings.

Up the Hearts! Up the Union! Up the Bandits!