Battle of the Bands: Grambling State World Famous Marching Band vs. JSU Sonic Boom of the South Marching Band

This high quality, high definition video of yesterday's battle between rivals Grambling State University World Famous Tigers Marching Band and the Jackson State University Sonic Boom of the South Marching Band is provided for our enjoyment by talented videographer O-JAY, TheOProductions1907.  O-Jay is one of the best videographers in the business and has done outstanding work this year in recording for "history" the titanic band battles of our storied HBCU band programs.
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Jackson State and Tigers fan base are above the crowd

Jackson, Mississippi -- What some are proclaiming to be the "best show that the Jackson State Sonic Boom of the South Marching Band has performed in recent times," was missed by most of the nation. As usual, ESPNU cut away to Sports Center for the entire half-time period of the televised Texas Southern vs. JSU game on Sept. 29.

With over 26,000 in attendance (this has to be an HBCU attendance record for a Thursday night game) at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium, the JSU Sonic Boom of the South, the Air Raid offense, the Darkside defense, and Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger made it a memorable event for JSU/TSU fans.

Ruettiger, the inspiration for the 1993 Disney movie "Rudy" spoke at a luncheon at Jackson State University and gave the JSU Tigers football team an uplifting speech before the game.

The rest is history as the JSU Tigers manhandled Texas Southern's No.1 ranked defense (in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision) with 37 points in the second quarter on their way to a 58-13 rout.

The Texas Southern University Ocean of Soul Marching Band made the trip to Jackson, and also performed extremely well.

There is no other fan like a fervent JSU Tigers fan. No doubt, they have some of the most passionate fans in all of college football.

Dang -- 26,000 on a Thursday night! Who went to work on Friday in Jackson?

The videos shown below are brought to you by MarchingsportHD, who has been doing an exceptional job in creating a library of high definition video history of our HBCUs band performances. Check out all their band videos by clicking HERE.
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2011 Battle of Bands -- Chicago Classic: AAMU vs. Hampton

Alcorn State University Names JSU Sonic Boom’s Renardo Murray as New Marching Band Director

Dr. Renardo R. Murray
Director of Marching & Pep Bands

ALCORN STATE, MS – Alcorn State University’s new Director of University Bands Samuel Griffin introduced the institution’s new Marching Band director, Renardo R. Murray on May 31,2011 on the Lorman campus.

“It is a tremendous honor and pleasure to introduce my former band student as the new Marching and Pep Band director,” stated a proud Samuel Griffin. “He was a talented student and is a skillful musician and director. I am proud to welcome him back home.”

An accomplished band director and music educator, Dr. Murray holds an outstanding track record in assuring student success both musically and academically. He has an extensive background of developing, operating, and maintaining quality band programs. Dr. Murray has been serving Jackson State University first as assistant band director from 2004 to 2009, and then as interim director of bands/instructor of music since 2009. He has also served as band director at the secondary education level: for Yazoo City High School, Yazoo City, Mississippi; Blackburn Middle School, Jackson, Mississippi; Clinton High School, Clinton, Louisiana; and as assistant band director for Wilkinson County High School, Woodville, Mississippi.

“Alcorn State University has given me so much,” says Dr. Renardo R. Murray. “It is always good to come home. I have carried Alcorn State with me throughout my career and all of my successes can be attributed to the solid foundation I received from Mr. Griffin and my institution.”


Videographer: asutrpt; Alcorn State Marching Band - Halftime, Capital City Classic 2010

M. Christopher Brown II, 18th president of Alcorn State University, acknowledged Samuel Griffin for his 40 plus years of service to the University and thanked him for leading the search process for a new marching and pep band director. “Let us applaud Mr. Griffin for his dedication to the task at hand and for his numerous years of outstanding service to the Sounds of Dyn-O-Mite. His successes as a marching band director are astonishing, and his innovative view on our new band structure will take our program to even higher heights. I am certain our band leaders will learn a great deal from his experience and wisdom.”

Murray earned his doctorate degree in music education in 2011 from the University of Mississippi, a master’s degree in music education from Jackson State University in 2004 and his bachelor’s – also in music education – from Alcorn State University in 1995.

“We are extremely excited about our future with Dr. Renardo R. Murray,” says President Brown. “Renardo brings a depth of experience to the University and we are confident that he will take the Marching and Pep bands to the next level nationally.”

Dr. Murray and his wife Alicia have two sons - Malcolm (17) and Nicholas (11).

By Alcorn State University Media Relations

ASU Mighty Marching Hornets and ALL ASU ALUMNI

Hornets and Friends:

Please help the Alabama State University Mighty Marching Hornets give back to former director of bands, Dr. Thomas E. Lyle. There is a movement that is trying to get Dr. Lyle inducted in the Alabama Bandmasters Hall of Fame (A.B.A).

ASU's former band students, band directors and ANY ASU ALUMNI may write letters requesting Dr. Lyle be inducted into the Alabama Bandmasters Hall of Fame.

It is very important that we as Former Marching Hornets help get Dr. Lyle accepted into this prestige Hall of Fame. In your letter, please include the year you marched, and how Professor Lyle has influenced your life through music.

Your letters are to be sent to:

Dr. John Long
121 Hillcrest Blvd.
Troy, Alabama 36801

Please pass this information on to other former members of the ASU Mighty Marching Hornets Band.

Super Bowl: Prairie View A&M Marching Storm has its moments on World Stage before 100 million viewers

Super entertainers had their moments -- both good and bad

Excerpt:

Finally, somebody found a more entertaining use for Cowboys Stadium's gigantic video board than punting footballs into it.

The Black Eyed Peas, who were lowered onto the Super Bowl stage from the massive HD scoreboard, delivered a 15-minute halftime performance layered with spectacle and studded with guest stars. The Peas are frequently derided for being pop music aimed at the lowest common denominator -- and make no mistake: the songs comprising the set list were not artistic gems -- but the quartet did exactly what a Super Bowl halftime show should -- it entertained.

The setlist spanned most of BEP's more recent career; current hits like "The Time (Dirty Bit)" were blended with older hits like "Pump It" (which featured the Prairie View A&M University marching band).


Videographer: BBellidos

Black Eyed Peas delivered, but Slash's performance wasted

Excerpt:

ARLINGTON, TX — One should never expect art during a Super Bowl halftime show. A barely 15-minute mini-concert in the middle of a football field surrounded by the cacophonous spectacle of a gargantuan, glass-and-metal stadium is not the ideal setting for musical revelations.

So anybody complaining about the Black Eyed Peas’ 13-minute gig Sunday night sandwiched between the two halves of the biggest sporting event in the country needs to realize that will.i.am, Fergie , Apl.de.ap and Taboo dished out exactly what made them famous in the first place.

That field was mighty busy during the show, what with the 60 members of the Prairie View A&M University Marching Storm marching band doing its thing and a slew of dancers on the platform with the Peas as well as on the surrounding Astro turf.

Former PV Marching Storm Drum Major Smith Makes Career Mark at Super Bowl

Jimmy R.O. Smith

Super Bowl XLV will be much more than a high-profile football game in Texas for PVAMU alumnus and Fort Worth native Jimmy R.O. Smith. The 2003 graduate will have a hand in choreographing the event’s half-time show.

Smith will assist in orchestrating the show, which will be headlined by the Black Eyed Peas. Smith’s close proximity to the production has also opened the door for 60 members of the PVAMU Marching Band to participate in the show.

I was asked by a friend and a driving force in the industry, Fatima Robinson, to assist her with this elaborate piece of work that I feel could possibly be my largest one to date,” Smith said. “She hired me earlier in my career as a member of Eddie Murphy's band in feature film ‘Dreamgirls’ and now she’s bringing me on to assist her in one of her largest projects.”

Smith credits his years at PVAMU in helping him to shape his character. After serving as drum major in the PVAMU’s award-winning Marching Storm, he ventured to Los Angeles to pursue his dream of a career in entertainment. Fast forward and Smith has choreographed, danced and produced alongside some of the biggest names in the industry. He has appeared in major motion pictures such as “Stomp the Yard” and “Burlesque” and has toured with top notch artists like Keri Hilson, Jennifer Lopez and Fergie.

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2011 Honda Battle of the Band Performances

Eight HBCU Bands, Bow Wow Perform at 9th Annual Honda Battle of the Bands

Atlanta, Ga. - The ninth annual Honda Battle of the Bands Invitational Showcase delivered on its promise to bring the ultimate party with a purpose to the people, offering a little something for everyone – from “Hip-Hop’s very own “Bow Wow” in live performance, to spirited marching band renditions of the latest chart-topping soul, R&B and Hip-Hop hits. Atlanta’s WVEE Radio evening drive-time host, Ryan Cameron, introduced the bands, while “Bow Wow” treated fans to a special performance of “Ain’t Thinkin’ ‘Bout You,” from his new album, Underrated.

2011 Invitational Showcase, themed “Hollywood Lights,” featured a mass band performance medley of music in film, as nearly 60,000 HBCU friends, fans, students and alumni from all parts of the country made their annual pilgrimage to support their favorite bands.


Videographer: MarchingsportHD

This year’s Showcase bands included: Albany State University, Bethune Cookman University, Clark Atlanta University, Jackson State University, South Carolina State University, Tennessee State University, Virginia State University and Winston-Salem State University.


Videographer: Ram2010Pride

The Honda Battle of the Bands not only showcases the pageantry and showmanship of HBCU bands, but also and more importantly, acts as the nation’s only HBCU music scholarship program of its kind. The eight bands selected to participate in the Invitational Showcase were awarded $20,000 each for their music scholarship programs, plus an additional $1,000 grant for their participation in the Celebration Tour, the Honda Battle of the Bands’ pre-qualifying event. In all, a total of $205,000 in scholarship money was given to HBCU music programs this year.













Credits:
1. Bethune-Cookman University, Videographer: MarchingsportsHD
2. Jackson State University, Videographer: MarchingsportsHD
2b.Jackson State University, Videographer; Jarquavius101
3. South Carolina State University, Videographer: MarchingsportsHD
4. Tennessee State University, Videographer: doublea198505
5. Albany State University (Ga.), Videographer: JGASU08
6. Winston Salem State University, Videographer; doublea198505
7. Clark-Atlanta University, Videographer; doublea198505
8. Virginia State University, Videographer; doublea 198505
9. Mass Band Closing, Videographer; SoSouthernTV
10.Intro...Honda Battle Of The Bands 2011 featuring DJ Baby Yu, Ryan Cameron & Bow Wow; Videographer: djbabyyu

RELATED LINK: The 9th Annual Honda Battle of the Bands

Honda Battle of the Bands 2011 Set to Rock Atlanta

BATTLE OF THE BANDS: Marching 101 to compete Jan. 29 in Atlanta

South Carolina State University's Marching 101 has joined the ranks of the top eight Historically Black College and University marching bands selected to perform at the 2011 Honda Battle of the Bands Invitational Showcase.

Other bands participating in the showcase, set for Jan. 29 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, are Virginia State University's Marching Trojan Explosion, Albany State University's Marching Rams Show Band, Jackson State University's Sonic Boom of the South, Bethune Cookman University's Marching Wildcats, Clark Atlanta University's Mighty Marching Panthers, Winston-Salem State University's Red Sea of Sound and Tennessee State University's Aristocrat of Bands.

Honda Battle of the Bands 2011 Set to Rock Atlanta

More than 60,000 fans will flock through the gates of Atlanta’s Georgia Dome on January 29th, 2011 to witness the 9th annual Honda Battle of the Bands Invitational Showcase, an unparalleled performance and celebration of the nation’s elite marching bands. Renowned Hip-Hop performer and actor “Bow Wow” will join more than 1,800 student musicians and one of Atlanta’s best amateur vocalists to celebrate the music and creativity found at America’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

FAMU's Marching 100 won't defend Honda Battle of the Bands title in Atlanta

Has the Marching 100 lost its mojo?  The Marching 100, Florida A&M University's famed marching band, will not be defending its title later this month in the annual Honda Battle of the Bands at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. The Marching 100, winners of the event last year, didn't receive enough votes to qualify as 2011 finalists.

The voting process is broken down among fans, band directors and university presidents, said Erika Braxton-White, a spokeswoman for Honda. Each band director and university president gets one vote for any band except their own.

"We didn't campaign to participate," said Julian White, Marching 100 band director. He noted that the band wanted to focus this semester primarily on concert band performances.

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Southern University's Marching Band Heads to Morocco and Algeria

Southern University Marching Band's drumline will soon be on its way to captivate audiences in the North African countries of Morocco and Algeria. Fourteen members of the famous "Human Jukebox" band will be performing in theaters, a children's center, sporting events, a morning television show and conducting workshops for young drummers, while touring cities in the two countries.

"It seems so unreal. I mean really unreal. It probably won't hit me that we're actually going to Africa until we take off," said Stanley Reed, a junior biology major and bass drummer from Thibodaux.

The Jaguar band's trip comes at the invitation of the U.S. State Department through....

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Videographer: Wayla2010

Tuskegee Marching Band Refused to Yield

The Commissioner of the SIAC, Gregory Moore and SWAC Commissioner Duer Sharp needs to take immediate action to prevent this type of situation from happening again.

Based on the story published today by the Montgomery Advertiser, (if you want to believe everything the main stream press writes about HBCUs), Tuskegee is "alleged" to have performed beyond their scheduled time in the Turkey Day Classic. I said "alleged" because there are two sides to every coin and we haven't received the Tuskegee version.

However, Alabama State Marching Hornets Drum Majors may have been equally as wrong to march onto the field and create a possible confrontational situation -- especially with fans emotionally charged with the homecoming spirit(s) and verbally involved.

What makes this incident bad was the halftime show and game was being broadcast nationally by ESPNU. When it happens twice in a football season, i.e., Kentucky State band did the same thing at Morehouse earlier this year -- its a problem that needs to be fixed!

Mr. Warren L. Duncan, Tuskegee University Marching Crimson Pipers Band and Dr. James B. Oliver, Alabama State University Marching Hornets Band are exceptionally talented leaders and band directors. This may have been nothing more than a lapse in communications, but it should not happen. You would think after 97 years of football competition, "ASU vs. TU", the bands would have gotten their timing down pat for the half-time shows.

Please, let us get the timing of half-time shows fixed -- Tuskegee, Alabama State, Kentucky State, Morehouse and Florida A&M.

Fans, there are no acceptable excuses for booing the band members! The students work very hard to prepare these shows, memorize the music and dance routines to perfection. Generally, more than 40-60 hours of rehearsal time goes into a 10-12 minute half-time show. That's a full-time JOB in addition to the academic workload carried by these outstanding musicians!

Shame on ESPNU!

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Now, the story from Montgomery Advertiser.com

The Tuskegee band wasn't finished with its halftime show when its allotted time ran out, causing an intriguing confrontation with the Alabama State band in the middle of the field.

The halftime show of the Turkey Day Classic was originally scheduled for 24 minutes, leaving each team 12 minutes, but ESPN officials notified each school just prior to kickoff that the halftime show would be changed to 20 minutes, forcing the Golden Tiger band to leave the field at the 10-minute mark.

The band continued playing past...

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Honda Battle of the Bands Unveils 2011 Invitational Showcase Line-Up

Top Historically Black College and University Marching Bands From Around the Nation Prepare to Take the Field at Ninth Annual Showcase

Torrance, Calif. – Today, the journey of 45 Historically Black College and University (HBCU) Marching Bands has reached its destination. It all began in late summer when these HBCUs took that first high step and that first rehearsal where increasingly challenging drills and compositions were tested to develop the most dynamic, spirited halftime performances of the fall season. Notoriety is earned today by the following top eight HBCU marching bands selected to perform at the 2011 Honda Battle of the Bands Invitational Showcase:


Videographer: AkeemC998 (Clark Atlanta University Mighty Marching Panthers Band, Oct. 30, 2010)

Virginia State University “Marching Trojan Explosion” (Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association)
South Carolina State University “Marching 101” (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference)
Albany State University “Marching Rams Show Band” (Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference)
Jackson State University “Sonic Boom of the South” (Southwestern Athletic Conference)
Bethune Cookman University “Marching Wildcats” (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference)
Clark Atlanta University “Mighty Marching Panthers” (Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference)
Winston-Salem State University “Red Sea of Sound” (Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association)
Tennessee State University “Aristocrat of Bands” (Independent)


Videographer: Cassfl (Tennessee State University Aristocrat of Bands at Jacksonville State University, Alabama, Oct. 16, 2010)

The 2,000 student-musicians that make up these bands have staked their claims to being among the elite in the country and will take the stage to prove their mettle on January 29th at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. Each band will have the opportunity to perform for 12 minutes and showcase their musical skills, dancing talents and creativity. This year’s showcase features first-time South Carolina State University as well as eight-time participant Virginia State University. Band sizes range from the small but powerful 120-member ensemble of Clark Atlanta University, to the 300-member goliath of Bethune Cookman.

Marking its ninth year, the Honda Battle of the Bands is the only national scholarship program that highlights music education as an important facet of HBCU heritage and culture. The eight winning band programs chosen to participate in this year’s Invitational Showcase will be awarded $20,000 by American Honda for their music programs, in addition to the $1,000 grant they received for participation in the pre-qualifying Celebration Tour. Through this program, American Honda annually awards a total of $205,000 in scholarships to HBCU music programs. Since the program’s inception, an excess of $1 million in grant money has been bestowed to black colleges.


Videographer: JSUTigers1877 (Jackson State University Sonic Boom of the South Marching Band, Half-Time Show at 2010 Southern Heritage Classic, Memphis, TN).

“The Honda Battle of the Bands Invitational Showcase is about more than what happens on the field at the Georgia Dome on show day,” said Marc Burt, Senior Manager, Office of Inclusion and Diversity for American Honda. “This event is about celebrating the abilities and brilliance of young people coming out of the nation’s black colleges. The discipline and drive these student-musicians exhibit both on and off the field are phenomenal, and Honda is pleased to be able to contribute to the music education programs that help foster the artistic and academic growth of these students.”

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2010 Capital City Classic: Alcorn State vs. Jackson State -- Battle of the Bands

Videographers: (1)SWAC10 (2)-(5) msit601

Southern University Human Jukebox vs. Jackson State University Sonic Boom (10/16/10)

SU marching band struggles to attend away games

BATON ROUGE, LA (WAFB) - The Southern University's marching band, known as the Human Jukebox, is world-famous for its smooth sounds and high-stepping moves. But budget cuts have limited the band from traveling to away games with the football team.

Southern University was forced to cut the band's entire travel fund of about $120,000 because of state-wide budget cuts. The campus shaved nearly $18 million dollars from its budget this year. The band has been absent from both away games this season, and the Human Jukebox will likely miss even more.

"When you see the Human Jukebox, it's like no other experience someone can experience," said Lawrence Jackson, director. "There will be good music, good marching, and a good show. There's no business like show business."



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2010 State Fair Classic - PVAMU vs. GSU

Lil Jon opens the halftime show before the Marching Storm performs at the 6:30 mark on video.

Classic retains star power -- Founder Jones keeps game in spotlight

As the Southern Heritage Classic heads into its 21st game Saturday night at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, one thing it's proven is that it has staying power.

Throughout the Classic's existence, founder Fred Jones has been able to keep the annual event, which culminates with Tennessee State meeting Jackson State, fresh, exciting, and more importantly, relevant.

Fans come to Memphis from across the Mid-South to attend the Classic Comedy Jam, the Classic R&B concert, the Ed "Too Tall" Jones Golf Classic, the SHC parade, the high school Battle of the Bands, the tailgating - and yes, the game itself.

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When the halftime show is better than the game

Tokyo, Japan -- University marching bands can be seen taking the field at halftime shows throughout the United States during football season. The hundreds-strong groups consist of brass, a huge drum section and woodwinds, and keep the football-hungry fans entertained before the second half. Unless you are in the South, that is. There, the football game is just the lead-up; the bands are the show.

"There are two battles going on: There's the football game and the bands," says Brian Snell, drum major and casting director for Drumline Live, a touring show highlighting the musical traditions of the United States' Historically Black Colleges and Universities. "The team makes a great play and you hear the crowd, then the band is great and you hear the crowd: There's so much more going on to keep you entertained."

In the 2002 sleeper hit movie Drumline, Nick Cannon plays a particularly talented snare drummer who joins one of the country's most respected marching bands. As in real life, the musicians find themselves in serious rivalries with other schools, with the high-precision bands interrupting each other midperformance, and the fans as rabid about the high-energy music and dancing as they are about the football.

"There are situations where we're going into a hostile territory, and it's like, 'Hey, you're not our band. What are you doing here? Get out of here!'" he says.



With a cast consisting of nearly 40 top musicians from throughout the South, the rivalry is the first thing the cast of Drumline Live had to overcome, Snell--an alumni of top drumline school Florida A&M--says. "At the end of the day, we do respect each other's organizations, we respect our rivals, we all represent the same band. We love our craft and we want to promote it.

"But, when it comes to Saturday night, if you are cross that stadium, you're not my friend!"

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RELATED LINK: http://www.drumlinelive.com/

Texas Southern Tigers aim for Labor Day Classic

PVAMU band a legacy to Edwards

Late Professor George W. Edwards, architect of the highly acclaimed PVAMU Marching Storm and the Black Foxes.

For more than a decade, the 80-game losing streak of Prairie View A&M's football team ranked the Panthers among the worst college football teams of all time. It wasn't until 2009 that Prairie View A&M football started showing some success and the historically black college clinched its first SWAC Western Division championship in 45 years. The conference title was a fitting tribute to Prairie View A&M's legendary band director, George Edwards, who died May 28, 2009, after a car accident in Houston, Texas.

For much of Edwards' 31 years at the school, the Marching Storm was the only reason to come out and see the football team. "During the halftime of an HBCU game, people don't go get hot dogs and cokes," said William McQueen, who took over after his friend's death. "You do that some other time. You want to be in the stands at halftime to see the show. Football people think fans come to football games to see football. With HBCU bands, we can have all bands and still fill up a stadium."



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NOTE TO MEAC/SWAC FANS:

The world-renowned Prairie View A&M University Marching Storm Band is under the very capable leadership of Dr. William F. McQueen, III. McQueen is a native of West Palm Beach, Florida. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education from Florida A&M University with honors and a Master of Music Degree in Trumpet Performance from Florida State University. Dr. McQueen completed course work and recital requirements for the Ph.D. in Trumpet Performance at Michigan State University and earned the Doctor of Jurisprudence Degree from the University of Houston.

Dr. McQueen's teaching career includes teaching and serving as Assistant Band Director at Florida A&M University, under the baton of the legendary Dr. William P. Foster (founder and conductor of the world-famous FAMU Marching 100); graduate teaching assistance at Florida State University and Michigan State University and adjunct instructor of trumpet at Lansing Community College. He studied trumpet with Dr. Lenard C. Bowie at Florida A&M University, Don Hazzard at Florida State University and Byron Autrey at Michigan State University.

Dr. McQueen became a member of the faculty at Prairie View A&M University in 1978 as an Associate Professor of Music, Director of the University Marching Band and the ROTC Band (1978-1984). During his tenure at Prairie View he has had the honor of serving as interim Head of the Department of Music and Drama. Additionally he has taught in the College of Business (1989-1998) and the Division of Social Work, Behavioral and Political Science (1987- 2004).

He now serves as the Director of Bands and Director of the Trumpet Ensemble. His teaching course load includes Applied Trumpet, Instrumental Conducting, Afro American Music and Music Appreciation. The assistant directors of the Marching Storm are Larry Jones and Mark Gordon. Dr. McQueen is focusing on building a motivating force to exemplify a higher level of talent, class and intellect among band students. The Marching Storm will forever thrive and never weaken.

2010 Honda Battle of the Bands

ATLANTA, GA - Set against a colorful backdrop of dynamic performances by eight of the nation’s top Historically Black College and University [HBCU] marching bands, a reverent marching band tribute to the late music icon Michael Jackson, and all the hype of a live performance from hip-hop artist, Ludacris, the 2010 Honda Battle of the Bands (HBOB) Invitational Showcase had a crowd of more than 55,000 “shaking their bodies down to the ground.”

In the end, the 2010 Honda Battle of the Bands concluded with the message of unity for humanity, evident in much of the “King of Pop’s” music and in several marching band dedications to the Haitian relief effort. The 1,800 student musicians and 55,000plus fans were inspired to reflect on the role they play in making the world a better place. HBCU friends, fans, students and alumni traveled from all over the United States to enjoy the 2010 Honda Battle of the Bands, the lineup of which included:

Albany State University “Marching Rams” (Albany, Georgia)
Clark Atlanta University “Mighty Marching Panthers” (Atlanta, Georgia)
Florida A&M University “Marching 100” (Tallahassee, Florida)
North Carolina Central University “Marching Sound Machine” (Durham, North Carolina)
Prairie View A&M University “Marching Storm” (Prairie View, Texas)
Southern University “Human Jukebox Marching Band” (Baton Rouge, Louisiana)
Tuskegee University “Marching Crimson Pipers” (Tuskegee, Alabama)
Virginia State University “Trojan Explosion Marching Band” (Petersburg, Virginia)

The multi-faceted show was a virtual musical menagerie, blending the latest chart-topping R&B and Hip-Hop, pop, rock, funk and more. And, as a special treat, Atlanta-native and award-winning Hip-Hop artist and actor Ludacris was a featured special guest, performing his latest single “How Low”, from his highly-anticipated new album, Battle of the Sexes, before his hometown crowd.

We now take you to the Georgia Dome, Atlanta for yestersday's big show. Enjoy!