MEAC/SWAC Battle of the Bands 8/30-31/2008

FAMU Marching 100 Drill

FAMU Marching 100 Dance Routine

Hampton University Marching Force Band
Jackson State University Sonic Boom of the South Marching Band
Texas Southern University Ocean of Soul Marching Band
Alabama A&M University Maroon and White Marching Band

Nevada, Grambling bands to perform together after game

They've brought their version of "Ball of Confusion" to three Super Bowls and two presidential inaugurations, and this week members of Grambling State University's world-famous Tiger Marching Band will be shaking things up in Reno. Nevadans have two chances to catch the Tigers: Friday at a free performance at the Peppermill Casino Resort and Saturday when Grambling State's football team plays the Wolf Pack in Mackay Stadium.

It's an athletic and musical matchup that has been two years in the making, said Rory Hickok, Nevada associate athletic director. "We started the negotiations in 2007, so this has been in the works for quite a while now," he said. "This is truly a historic occasion to get a band of this renown in Northern Nevada. They have played at presidential inaugurations and Super Bowl halftimes, so this is an opportunity to see one of the world's most famous bands."

Grambling State University Tiger Marching Band

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Some Question Funding for Grambling Band Appearance

The University of Nevada has found what it hopes will be just the right draw to pack Mackay Stadium for its football season opener (University of Nevada vs. Grambling State University) - the world class Grambling Marching Band. The Grambling State Band is known as the best band in the land. It's a highly polished, highly entertaining experience on game day. And officials at UNR expect them to draw a crowd of 25,000 to Mackay Stadium for the game.

But here's the catch. They don't play for free. Unlike most marching bands who finance their own travel, Grambling State demands travel expenses to appear and they get it. Rumors are that that pricetag is anywhere from $30,000 to $150,000. And UNR is footing the bill which would probably not be causing heartburn if UNR's own band program weren't on the budget chopping block.

Grambling State University Marching Tiger Band


"I can't tell you the exact amount, but I can tell you that this cost a lot. We started working on this two years ago and to us it's great to have them on the schedule. But this money is money we raised though private doneos and corporate donations. It's not money that could go to anything else. It's not like we could reassign it to the band here or anywhere else. It was raised specifically for this show," says Assistant Athletic Director for UNR Rory Hickok. He's coordinated the trip and has set up the performance at the Peppermill as well as the game's halftime.

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Prairie View A & M University Marching Storm

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(VIDEO: The Marching Storm of Prairie View A&M University prepares for its first halftime show of the season, by The New York Times.)

PVAMU @ Dallas,Texas

PVAMU at 2008 Houston MLK Parade

PVAMU Marching Storm and the Black Foxes

PVAMU Marching Storm and the Black Foxes at Angel City Classic



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Jackson State University - J-Settes

JSU J-settes Field Routine (Man eater)


JSU J-Settes Dancing to "I'm Dreaming"

2007 Video Classics: Southern University Dancing Dolls

SU Dolls: The Hall Sisters (One night only)
SU Dancing Dolls - "Ain't no other man

SU Dancing Dolls - Sweet Escape

SU Dancing Dolls - D'Tara Feature

SU Dancing Dolls -Give it to me baby

SU Dancing Dolls (Gansta B**ch)

SU Dancing Dolls - Get It Shawty

SU Dancing Dolls - The Cupid Shuffle

SU Dancing Dolls - Suga Mama

SU Dancing Dolls - Neck

Documentary: Grambling State University Tigers Band

Marching bands bring their best moves to Georgia Dome battle

Photo: University of Arkansas Pine Bluff "Musical Marching Machine of the Mid-South Band."

Atlanta, GA - The marching bands with the know-how and the ones with the show-how took the field of the Georgia Dome on Saturday for the sixth annual Honda Battle of the Bands. Ten bands from historically black colleges and universities in the Southeast, left from an original field of 42 competitors, readied their best performances of the year for a roaring audience in the nearly full dome.

Driving beats, intricate marching and troops of dancing girls flashing sass and a little thigh had band members sweating as they left the turf. "It's always a competition when you step on the field," said John Graham, director of the Musical Marching Machine of the Mid-South from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.

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Battle of Bands: 2007 Bayou Classic - Grambling vs. Southern U.

Grambling State University Tigers Marching Band - Half-Time


Southern University Jaguars Human Jukebox and Dancing Dolls - Half-Time


Southern University Jaguars Human Jukebox and Grambling State - Battle of Bands Show


Southern University Jaguars Human Jukebox and Grambling State University Tigers Band Highlights


Grambling State University Tigers Pre-Game Show


Southern University Jaguars Human Jukebox Band


Grambling State University Tigers Band


Southern University Jaguars Human Jukebox and Dancing Dolls


Southern University Jaguars Human Jukebox

Battle of Bands: James Madison vs. Southern University

by beepbeep

Reality--this has never happened in the same stadium, but it could in the near future as MEAC and SWAC teams attempt to upgrade regular season football schedules with playoff experienced Football Championship Subdivision teams. What if Southern University Jaguars football had to face James Madison University Dukes in a national ESPN televised game. What could one expect from the half-time Battle of the Bands show?

Here is a preview of what could happen and the level of competition one could expect from the Dukes. You will be surprised by the level of musicality, precision marching and showmanship. With contrasting styles--who wins this titanic battle--the Human Juke Box or the 1994 Sudler Trophy winning 366-piece Royal Dukes Band?

Note: Florida A&M University (1985) is the only HBCU that has won the Sudler Trophy as the country's top college band. The prestigious award was first given in 1982 and previous winners have been Michigan, Illinois, Ohio State, FAMU, Texas, Oklahoma, Michigan State, Kansas, UCLA----you get the picture! The Sudler Trophy, it should be understood is to the world of marching bands what the Heisman Trophy is to that of football. In other words, the Human Jukebox is in for a battle...

James Madison University Marching Royal Dukes Band




Southern University Human Jukebox Marching Band and Dancing Dolls

Battle of Bands: Grambling State vs. Jackson State

Part I: Jackson State University Sonic Boom of the South 2007


Part II, Grambling State University Tiger Marching Band 2007

2007 Battle of Bands: SU Human Jukebox vs. UAPB M4

Southern University Human Jukebox Marching Band


University of Arkansas Pine Bluff Marching Musical Machine of the Mid-South (M4)

2007 Magic City Classic: Battle of the Bands- ASU Hornets vs. AAMU Bulldogs

A record crowd of 68,593 came to Legion Field this past Saturday to enjoy the battle between the Bulldogs and the Hornets in the Magic City Classic. Alabama A&M University won the football game 13-9 and the winner of the battle of the bands is still undecided. You pick the winner of that contest...

Alabama State University Marching Hornets and Stingettes


Alabama A&M University Marching Maroon and White Band and the Dancing Divas


AAMU Band vs. ASU Band, The 5th Quarter - Magic City Classic 2007, Part I


ASU Band vs. AAMU Band, The 5th Quarter - Magic City Classic 2007, Part II

Today's Game: Grambling State at Jackson State

Photo: Member of GSU band performs at Half-time.

by beepbeep

Today's rivalry game with the only two undefeated conference teams in the SWAC has created a championship buzz and excitement second only to the final SWAC championship game itself. Grambling State University with a 5-1 overall record (5-0 SWAC), will face Jackson State Tigers, 4-2 overall, 4-0 SWAC in a celebration that will commemorate the 40th year of Grambling and JSU playing at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium.

This game will also honor the late Grambling coach Eddie Robinson. Members of Coach Rob's family (wife, Doris Robinson and son Eddie Robinson Jr.) are expected to attend the game to receive honors on his behalf. Members of the 1967 JSU football team and former JSU coach Rod Paige, who later served the country as a political appointee and Secretary, over the U.S. Department of Education will also be honored.

But best of all, this rivalry game will be a classic with the Tigers band of Grambling State University and the Jackson State University Sonic Boom of the South Marching Band doing non-stop battle in the stands, on the field and in the 5th Quarter. All the SWAC bands are great, but these two schools takes it to the highest level when they face off at half-time, and you don't want to miss these memorable performances that will be talked about by fans for the next 40 years.

Photo: JSU Sonic Boom of the South band is ready for the world famous GSU Tigers Band.

Yes, this game will be televised today at 12:00 p.m. Central Time, (1:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time) on ESPN Classic and via the Internet online at ESPN 360.

Expect the football to be great also, with Rod Broadway's Grambling Tigers and Rick Comegy's Jackson State Tigers fighting for bragging rights to the SWAC championship.

This one is too close to call and you just have to watch it or be there to see who will become the favorite for the SWAC Championship.

However, to get you in the spirit here are a few excepts for your enjoyment from the bands of GSU and JSU. Enjoy!

Grambling State University Tigers Marching Band (10/13/07)



Jackson State University Sonic Boom of the South Marching Band (10/13/2007)

Gallery & Half-Time Show: UAPB M4

The University of Arkansas Pine Bluff, Marching Musical Machine of the Mid-South (M4) and the Golden Girls (10/13/2007).

Gallery: Southern University Human Juke Box answers JSU Tigers

Southern University Human Jukebox Marching Band and the Dancing Dolls

Gallery: JSU came, they saw and they conquered Southern University Jaguars!

Jackson State University Sonic Boom of the South Marching Band and The Dancing J-Settes

Jackson State University Sonic Boom Band suspension lifted

Photo: JSU Sonic Boom of the South Band member does fire routine during half-time performance.

By LaRaye Brown, Clarion Ledger

Alleged hazing amounts to sit ups

The JSU Sonic Boom marching band will be allowed to perform at the university's Saturday football game against Southern after university officials lifted a suspension prompted by hazing allegations.

Two days after suspending the Sonic Boom of the South, Jackson State University announced it has reversed the decision and will allow the band to perform at Saturday's game against rival Southern University.

The 280-member band was suspended Tuesday after parents and non-members raised hazing allegations.

"Some students were required to do sit ups and crunches if they did not perform their musical parts or marching routine correctly," Velvelyn Foster, vice president of academic affairs and student life, said in a news release. "We also found that some members of the band might have felt pressure because of the high expectation of excellence required of band members."

Lee Shields, a senior trombone player, said he and other members have done 25 to 50 push ups for being late to practice and other things. He said it’s not hazing.

“It’s the honor system,” Shields said. “You know you messed up. There really isn’t any other consequence for it other than you messed up the show.”

The band, which draws high school musicians from across the country, competes at football games with other university show bands. It has performed internationally and on national television, including the NAACP Image Awards.

Honda BOTB DVD: Stompin' at the Dome

FAMU Marching 100 is not on this one; taped in 2007--NSU and BCU represented the MEAC. My favorite is Prairie View A&M University Marching Storm, directed by George W. Edwards, (FAMU grad) who put on a spectacular show, as always. Order it--worth the price and great entertainment! Proceeds from the DVD sales will benefit each school’s music program.

10,000 fans show for 1st Rocket City Battle of Bands at AAMU

Photo: Miles College Purple Marching Machine Band

Johnson High wins Battle of the Bands

In 1st Rocket City event, school beats Butler and Lee; AAMU, Alabama State, BCU, Miles College and Texas Southern University compete.

By PATRICIA C. McCARTER, Huntsville Times

Johnson High School - already known as one of the best marching bands in North Alabama - got some extra bragging rights Sunday evening when it won the first Rocket City Battle of the Bands, edging out its local rivals Butler and Lee.

The high school bands got to perform before an audience of nearly 10,000 people at Louis Crews Stadium at Alabama A&M, as well as before five university bands. The event was part of A&M's annual homecoming festivities.

"It's been an amazing day," said Johnson High senior Kiara Horton, captain of the dance team. "That's a big crowd. But when I dance, I don't see anyone. It's like a blur. I'm in my own zone."

Event organizer Derick Moore, who runs AFG Enterprises in Atlanta, said he and partner Yasin Shahid wanted to put on the show at A&M because of their history with Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Moore said he attended A&M and graduated from Alabama State University, and he played percussion in both marching bands; Shahid is an A&M alum who played saxophone in the band.

Photo: Bethune Cookman University Marching Wildcat Band

Other colleges represented at Sunday's Battle of the Bands besides their alma maters were Bethune Cookman College, Texas Southern University and Miles College. "It was an excellent, excellent event," Moore said when the battle was over. "We utilize the premier college bands, the feature bands for the HBCU schools. There were no losers."

Officially, there were no winners of the colleges, either. Moore explained that it was an exhibition - not a contest - for the four-year schools.

A&M will end the weekend with money in its pocket. Moore said, the event will yield up to $15,000 for the local college's band instrument fund.

"We plan to do it again next year, but even bigger," Moore said. "We spoke to athletic director Betty Austin, and she said she'd like to have us back."

Johnson High's dance captain hopes to be back, too.

"I'll definitely come back to see my alma mater compete," Horton said. "And maybe I'll be on the field dancing for one of the colleges."