The HBCU Band Experience with Christy Walker

TW: sexual assault Christy talks with Nathan B. Haymer, the former director of Southern University's renowned "Human Jukebox." They delve into the intriguing details of Nathan's newly released tell-all book, "Juked," where he candidly shares the highs and lows of his tenure as SU's director. From the intricacies of leading the Human Jukebox to the turn of events that led to his federal prison sentence for embezzlement, Nathan opens up about his experiences. Nathan's story has become the buzz of the HBCU band world and is a must-listen!  Nathan's book "Juked" can be purchased on www.haymertime.com More episodes of the podcast coming in 2024!    

In this BONUS episode, Christy chats with Frank and La Keisha Johnson, founders of the HBCU Culture Legacy Foundation, and alumni of Johnson C. Smith University's International Institution of Sound (IIOS). Christy learns the (funny) story of how they met, what they learned marching in the IIOS, and most importantly, how they give back to band programs through their foundation work.  Follow them! Main Website:  https://hbcuculture.com  Instagram: @hbcuculture Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hbcuculturelegacy HBCU Culture Homecoming Fest And Battle Of The Bands: January 13-15, 2023, Atlanta, Georgia BOTB Ticket Purchase Link     ,

Can you believe it's been 20 years since the movie Drumline was in theatres? Christy brings back friends of the podcast, Michael Lee, Warren Shaw, and Geoff Thompson to reminisce on the making and release of the movie. They also discuss the movie's impact on HBCU bands of today.  This episode drops 20 years to the day that the movie was released.  The HBCU Band Experience with Christy Walker will return in 2023. 

In this episode, Christy chats with Corey "Mr. Hanky" Dennard, an award-winning and chart-topping music producer who has worked with artists like T.I., City Girls, 2 Chainz, and more. Really, he's produced a LOT of artists we know and love. Corey is a proud member of Southern University's "Human Jukebox", and talks about how things he's learned in the Jukebox help him in the studio.   Corey can be found on most social media platforms (Instagram, Spotify, YouTube, etc.) at AMRHANKYBEAT   

This week, Christy chats with "Prof" Larry Jenkins, an Assistant Band Director for the "Aristocrat of Bands" at Tennessee State University (his alma mater). Hear some fun facts about him (for one - he almost didn't major in music), and he drops some news on some future AOB projects that we cant wait to see!    Larry's Instagram: @profjenkins

This week, Christy talks with her friend Darrell Spires, who marched for Tuskegee University's "Marching Crimson Pipers" in the 70s and 80s.  Learn about how this jazz-head, "Accidental Bandsman", and proud member of Kappa Kappa Psi used lessons he learned in the band in his successful career as an engineer. And being from Tuskegee, there MUST be a mention of the Commodores!

This week Christy chats with Larry J. Allen, better known as LA or YOU.C.LA, who is a producer, singer, writer, choreographer, and more! Larry was the head percussionist for Beyonce's "Homecoming", has performed with artists including J. Cole, Missy Elliott, and Cardi B, and has been seen in productions on HBO, MTV, and BET. Larry is a PROUD alumnus of Prairie View A&M's Marching Storm, where he was a percussionist and Head Drum Major. Find out about how he went from the B.O.X. to the big stage! Larry's Instagram and TikTok: @you.c.la Larry's Apple Music page: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/you-c-la    

This week Christy speaks with Kim Evans, who marched for FAMU's "Marching 100" and now serves as the President of the Marching 100 Alumni Association. Kim reps the '100' ALL DAY EVERY DAY and is a true ambassador for the program. Find out about her humble beginnings and how marching for FAMU prepares her for any obstacles that get in her way.  She's also an author in "The HBCU Experience  - HBCU Band Alumni 2nd Edition" which can be found on Amazon.    

Did you know that "Drumline" was NOT the first movie about HBCU Bands? This week, Christy interviews Darryl D. Lassiter, who wrote and directed "Pay the Price", which was released several years before Drumline. Darryl is an alum of Alabama State's "Mighty Marching Hornets" and shares his marching story and some good ol' HBCU band history. Listen and learn!     Pay the Price Trailer: https://youtu.be/PQG8U-D0HHM Vickie Winans - "It's Alright" (featuring Alabama State's Mighty Marching Hornets) - produced by Darryl Lassiter: https://youtu.be/liAV2_8HPPs

This week, Christy chats with an old friend, Thurman D. Hollins, who has led 3 HBCU band programs - Johnson C. Smith, St. Augustine's, and most recently, North Carolina Central. Find out about how this "Mad Band Director" rose through the ranks from humble beginnings, and what he's doing next. Also, Thurman tells Christy some news about his career that shocks her!  "Diary of a Mad Band Director" and "The HBCU Experience - HBCU Band Alumni 2nd Edition" can both be found on Amazon. 

One thing about Dr. Rodney Chism - he always has something going on! Rodney shares with Christy how his upbringing in Memphis exposed him to all sorts of musical influences. Listen to how he went from one HBCU band (listen and find out who) to UAPB's M4, to becoming an assistant at Jackson State, to becoming a head band director at multiple HBCUs.    Rodney is also a contributing author in The HBCU Experience: HBCU Band Alumni 2nd Edition, which can be purchased on Amazon.    Buy me a coffee (and support the podcast!) https://www.buymeacoffee.com/hbcuband

Picture your favorite HBCU Marching Band. Maybe you marched for them, maybe you're an alumnus or a fan. Now imagine that program ceasing to exist. Christy speaks with Maria James, an alumna of Virginia Union University. She marched in VUU's band, and after the program folded, she fought on the main lines to get them back and thriving on the yard. Listen and find out how she did it. Maria is also a contributing author in The HBCU Experience: HBCU Band Alumni 2nd Edition, which can be purchased on Amazon.    Buy me a coffee (and support the podcast!) https://www.buymeacoffee.com/hbcuband

Our Season 3 kickoff begins with Christy's interview with Brian Simmons, Head Band Director of Texas Southern University's Ocean of Soul and alumnus of Southern University. Come learn about Brian's meteoric rise from student, to assistant director, to head band director. It's a great one! Oh yeah, and another HBCU Band Book is on the way! The HBCU Experience - HBCU Band Alumni 2nd Edition drops June 29th on Amazon, and on The HBCU Experience Movement website Buy me a coffee (and support the podcast!) https://www.buymeacoffee.com/hbcuband

We're back! Listen to what's been going on since our last season concluded. 

It's Book Release Week! This week, Christy interviews contributing authors in The HBCU Experience: The HBCU Band Alumni Edition. This book is the first-ever compilation of stories from HBCU Band alumni and will be released on Tuesday, April 27 on Amazon. Guest: Contributing Author Taylor Whitehead

It's Book Release Week! This week, Christy interviews contributing authors in The HBCU Experience: The HBCU Band Alumni Edition. This book is the first-ever compilation of stories from HBCU Band alumni and will be released on Tuesday, April 27 on Amazon. Guest: Contributing Author Rashad Watters

It's Book Release Week! This week, Christy interviews contributing authors in The HBCU Experience: The HBCU Band Alumni Edition. This book is the first-ever compilation of stories from HBCU Band alumni and will be released on Tuesday, April 27 on Amazon. Guest: Contributing Author Chevis Anderson

It's Book Release Week! This week, Christy interviews contributing authors in The HBCU Experience: The HBCU Band Alumni Edition. This book is the first-ever compilation of stories from HBCU Band alumni and will be released on Tuesday, April 27 on Amazon. Guest: Contributing Author Chase Arrington

It's Book Release Week! This week, Christy interviews contributing authors in The HBCU Experience: The HBCU Band Alumni Edition. This book is the first-ever compilation of stories from HBCU Band alumni and will be released on Tuesday, April 27 on Amazon. Guest: Contributing Author Charles Conner  

SURPRISE! WE'RE BACK! And we wrote a book! The HBCU Experience: HBCU Band Alumni Edition includes 36 HBCU marching band alumni who share their stories. We're dropping interviews with some of the authors this week. Hear all about it! The HBCU Experience: HBCU Band Alumni Edition goes for sale on Tuesday, April 27, 2021 on Amazon. 

Stephanie Sanders never thought that she would participate in a marching band, much less become a HBCU band celebrity (she really is!). Stephanie is a multi-hyphenate: an associate director/music professor/jazz band director/classical musician/jazz artist. Find out her story, and how she does it all! Guest – Stephanie Sanders

This week's episode is focused on auxillary in the band, and it's long overdue. Christy talks with Candis Alston-Davis, who not only danced in Virginia State's "Essence of Troy", she also served as the instructor for South Carolina State's "Champagne" dancers. Candis shares the full circle moment of joining a HBCU dance squad and dancing at the Honda Battle of the Bands, to teaching a squad that danced at the Honda. She also talks about how she gives back to the HBCU dance world.  Guest: Candis Alston-Davis 

Marching. Arranging. Logistics. Directing. You naaaame it, Kerry Gilliard has done it at Bowie State University (shoutout to Shirley Caesar). As a member and alum of Bowie State's "Symphony of Soul", Kerry learned how to run a HBCU band program from the ground up. Find out how he has channeled this experience into a thriving career as a band and chorus director.  Guest: Kerry Gilliard

Christy reunites with Gerard Howard, creator of BlackCollegeBands.com, MarchingNetwork.TV, and more recently, MarchingSport.com. Gerard talks about his time marching for Jackson State, and how he balances being a web designer, photographer, videographer, musician, and radio show host. Oh, and he talks about how the Boombox Classic and the Zero Quarter got their names.  Guest: Gerard Howard 

Christy interviews Jamie Brunson, one of her favorite "rivals" (he's really like a brother, but don't tell him that). Jamie is a PROUD alumnus of the Marching 101 of South Carolina State University, and has a thriving career as a middle school principal.  Listen to Jamie and Christy discuss rivalries between the Sargeant Brothers, 100 vs 101, Thunder vs Thundar, and 101 vs the BGMM - with a little trash talk. It's only necessary.   Guest: Jamie Brunson

Virginia State. Norfolk State. Livingstone. Elizabeth City State. Mississippi Valley State. Clark Atlanta. All of these are band programs that Dr. Tomisha Price-Brock has been associated with. She has even served as Head Band Director at two of these institutions. Listen as she shares the story of her unorthodox and unconventional career path.  Guest: Dr. Tomisha Price-Brock

Christy talks to Dr. John Hodge, former announcer for NCA&T's "Blue and Gold Marching Machine", and the son of A&T's former band director, the late Dr. Johnny B. Hodge. John recalls the challenges and triumphs of growing up as the son and "right-hand man" of a HBCU band director, and enlightens Christy on some real HBCU band history.   Guest: Dr. John W. Hodge

Christy's excited to interview someone who plays her instrument! She talks with LaToya Brooks, clarinetist and former drum major for Clark Atlanta University's Mighty Marching Panthers. LaToya talks about how marching at CAU prepared her to navigate the classroom,and a career pivot to the entertainment industry.  Guest: LaToya Brooks  Follow us on Instagram @hbcubandexperience

Christy and Mike Lee talk about how they met and created their website and online community for HBCU band members, The 5th Quarter. 

SEASON 2 PREMIERE!  Mike Lee is a former percussionist and head drum major for Alabama A&M's "Marching Maroon and White". Notably, he and Christy created The 5th Quarter website in 1999, so their friendship and partnership spans several decades. Mike talks about his VERY UNIQUE path to marching in a HBCU band, including things that Christy didn't even know! 

Christy chats with her friend Joe Johnson, who marched in Tennessee State's "Aristocrat of Bands". Christy finds out how he parlayed his experience as a saxophone player and drum major, to a thriving career as a session musician and musical director for R&B greats such as Freddie Jackson, Angela Winbush, and After 7.  Joe's website can be found at www.joejohnsonmusic.com Season 1 Finale - We'll be back January 2021! 

Christy interviews Geoff Thompson, who marched for Morris Brown, and later, Mississippi Valley State. You may recognize him as "the White guy with the tuba" in the movie Drumline. Geoff discusses memorable games, his love for concert season, filming Drumline, and what it's like being a minority in a HBCU band.  Guest: Geoffrey Thompson

Christy interviews Dwayne Dixon, who marched in Southern University's "Human Jukebox" in the 1970s. Are the rumors about the Jukebox really true? Listen in to find out. Dwayne also talks about his winding path from Chicago, to Southern, to Kappa Kappa Psi, to Iota Phi Theta, and to the ministry. Guest: Dwayne Dixon Dwayne's podcast "The Corporate Minister" can be found at www.thecorporateminister.com    

In the interest of balance, Christy interviews Stan Holloway, who was a (male) piccolo player and section leader in Florida A&M University's "Marching 100". Stan discusses how he chose the piccolo (or did it choose him???), how being under the microscope worked in his favor, and the importance of giving back to his section and band.   Guest: Stanley Holloway

Christy interviews Joseph Beard, who created The Marching Podcast, which is another great podcast for HBCU bands. Joe talks about his path in  marching for Johnson C. Smith AND Jackson State University. He's used to being the interviewer but now it's HIS turn on the hot seat!  Guest: Joseph Beard   The Marching Podcast can be found on YouTube, Stitcher, Apple Podcasts, or wherever else you find your podcasts. 

Christy interviews Stephen Edgerton, who marched for not one, but TWO HBCU bands, and used those experiences to launch his career as a musician in the US Army Band. Stephen shares stories about his time as band member, (freshman!!!) section leader, and drum major, and gives advice to those who may be thinking about a music career in the military.  Guest: Stephen "Toofpick" Edgerton  

Christy interviews Rasheda Gregory, the first (female) section leader of Norfolk State University's Million Dollar Funk Squad (MDFS). Rasheda shares some of her stories about being a female section leader in a male-dominated section, and gives some advice to women who want to follow in her footsteps. Literally.   Guest: Rasheda Gregory

Christy interviews Warren Shaw, Chief Arranger for Clark Atlanta University's Mighty Marching Panthers, and an alumnus of Alabama State University. She learns about how he got started in the arranging game, and shares some tips for future arrangers. Plus, Christy talks about getting published in the New York Times.  Guest: Warren Shaw

What was it like to march in a HBCU band in the 1960s? Christy interviews her favorite bandhead, her mom, about her experience marching in NC A&T's "Marching Aggies" in the mid to late 60s.   Guest: Zenobia Walker