MIDI commands changing program in SI Drum kit?

Hi all - I've been using Sonar since version 6 and now I'm on X1 - but I would still say my knowledge is more working than technical.  So - please bear with any incorrect wording.
 
I have a MIDI file that I downloaded from the internet, and I am trying to get this to work with the softsynths in Sonar.  I've done this a lot and know how to assign all of the ins and outs.  The thing is - when I start playing the file - it seems like it resets the program in SI drums or any of the other Sonar softsynths - so that there is no audio playback from the synth.  If I change the synth program while the Midi file is playing (like from the Aggressive Kit to the Big Room Kit)  - I get sound that will play until I stop again.  But if I stop (or pause) and restart the file - no sound again.
 
This is not true for other synths - for example, I can assign the midi file to a Kontakt synth and it plays and I can start and stop the file playback to my heart's content.
 
Does this sound like some kind of command hidden in the midi file?  Does anyone know how to get rid of that command?
 
Thanks for any ideas.

thank you for the quick and awesome reply - saving as a normal cakewalk file didn't do the trick.  But - going to views/event list showed me the commands - which I deleted, and now it works like I expect.
Thanks!