- Million Dollar Band (marching band)
-
Million Dollar Band 
School University of Alabama Location Tuscaloosa, Alabama Conference SEC Founded 1913 Director Dr. Kenneth Ozzello Assistant director Randall Coleman
Neal Flum
Steve SimpsonMembers 425 Fight song "Yea Alabama" Uniform Crimson and white jackets
Crimson pants
Crimson hats with white plumeWebsite Official website The Million Dollar Band is the official name for the marching band for the University of Alabama, located in Tuscaloosa. The entire band performs at all home games, while varying in size for away games or games in neutral sites. In 2003, the band was awarded the Sudler Trophy, an honor which any band can only win once.
Contents
History
The band always performs prior to each home football game.
The band was formed in 1913 with just 14 members under director Dr. Gustav Wittig. Four years later, in 1917, the band became a military band and was student-led until 1927. The band earned its name during a football game between Alabama and Georgia Tech, a game which the Yellow Jackets won 33–7. The band struggled for funds, having to solicit money for local merchants, to travel to games off campus. An Alabama alumnus, W.C. Pickens, was asked "[...] what do you have at Alabama?" by an Atlanta-based sportswriter. Pickens replied only, "A million dollar band."[1][2]
In 1936, Colonel Charleton K. Butler took over the band and led it to national prominence among collegiate marching bands.[2] He remained director for the next 33 years until Mr. Earl Dunn took charge in 1969.[2] After a one-year stint at the Capstone, Dr. James Ferguson was named director, where he remained until 1983.[2] Legendary Alabama coach Paul "Bear" Bryant often voiced his support for the band during his tenure, giving them partial credit during victories.[3] Dr. Kenneth Ozzello has been in charge of the band since 2002, taking over for Ms. Kathryn B. Scott.[2] One year after he was named director, the band won the prestigious Sudler Trophy, awarded by the John Philip Sousa Foundation.[4]
Directors
Name Years[2] Dr. Gustav Wittig 1913–1917 N/A (Student-led) 1917–1927 Captain H. H. Turner 1927–1934 Colonel Carleton K. Butler 1935–1968 Mr. Earl Dunn 1969–1970 Dr. James Ferguson 1971–1983 Ms. Kathryn B. Scott 1984–2002 Dr. Kenneth Ozzello 2003–present Rehearsal
During the fall semester the Million Dollar Band rehearses Monday-Friday from 4:00PM until 5:30PM at their practice field, Butler Field. They also hold a Gameday rehearsal on Saturdays when the full band will be performing at the football game that day.
During rehearsals, the members wear nail pouches featuring the MDB logo and their drill number, which helps the directors point out certain members during practice. They also use these pouches to carry water bottles with them to stay hydrated during the hot Alabama summers.
Traditions
The band performing a "Booming Big Bama Spell Out" before a football game
Drum majors perform a traditional toss at midfield before a game- Basket Case - Beginning in the mid 1997 the Million Dollar Band began playing the Green Day song "Basket Case" in the break between the 3rd and 4th quarters. This continued until mid way through the 2006 season, when the Marketing Department decided to play "Sweet Home Alabama" over the PA system instead. The MDB continued to play the song, just at different points of the game.[5] "Sweet Home Alabama" was still played during 2007 up to the Houston game. Since that game the MDB has played "Basketcase" during the 4th quarter break once again.[6]
- Alma Mater - When Dr. Ozzello became director in 2003 the MDB began to sing the Alma Mater after every Friday and game day rehearsal, as well as after every game, win or lose.
- Crimson Tide - At the end of every single rehearsal, game, etc. someone shouts "What do we say at Alabama?". The Leadership team responds with "Go Bama!" and then all members shout "Roll Tide!" This is similar to a scene from the 1995 movie Crimson Tide.
- Elephant Stomp - Prior to every home game the MDB performs the elephant stomp. Each section warms up then meets on the steps of the Gorgas library. The MDB and cheerleaders lead the crowd in several cheers in a short pep rally, usually lasting less than 10 minutes. The MDB then lines up on Colonial Drive and marches to Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Songs
- Yea Alabama - The University of Alabama fight song
- Rammer Jammer - Cheer played after a team victory
- Lowrider - Song played by the Trombone section in the fourth quarter of the football game. It is counted off with eight taps on a cow bell. It has been in existence since at least 1986, when it was recorded on an LP.
- Defense Cheer # 1 - Since 2001, the band has used the song "Look Down" from the musical Les Misérables as the main defense cheer. This arrangement was originally written for the 1996 and 2001 Les Misérables halftime shows. The band currently has five defense cheers.
Appearances
The MDB performs side-by-side with the Clemson marching band prior to the 2008 Chick-fil-A College Kickoff.- 1994 SEC Championship Game - Atlanta, GA in December 1994
- 1996 SEC Championship Game - Atlanta, GA in December 1999
- 1999 SEC Championship Game - Atlanta, GA in December 1999
- 1999 Orange Bowl Parade & Bowl Game - Miami, FL in December 1999, January 2000
- Knights of Revelry (KOR) Mardi Gras Parade - Mobile, AL in February 2000
- Knights of Revelry (KOR) Mardi Gras Parade - Mobile, AL in February 2001
- 2000 Senior Bowl - Ladd-Peebles Stadium; Mobile, AL in January 2000 - First Senior Bowl performance by the band
- 2000 Alabama vs. UCLA football game - Pasadena, CA - Pep Band of the "Million Dollar Band" first ever performance at the famed Rose Bowl Stadium
- Bob Riley Inaugural Parade - Montgomery, AL in January 2003
- ESPN "Cold Pizza" on the UA Quad - Tuscaloosa, AL in November 2005
- 2006 Senior Bowl - Ladd-Peebles Stadium; Mobile, AL in January 2006
- Bob Riley Inaugural Parade - Montgomery, AL in January 2007
- ESPN "Gameday" on the UA Quad - Tuscaloosa, AL September 2007
- BOA Super Regional - Georgia Dome; Atlanta, GA October 2007
- 2008 Senior Bowl - Ladd-Peebles Stadium; Mobile, AL in January 2008
- 2009 Senior Bowl - Ladd-Peebles Stadium; Mobile, AL in January 2009
- 2008 SEC Championship Game - Atlanta, GA in December 2008
- 2009 SEC Championship Game - Atlanta, GA in December 2009
- 2010 BCS National Championship Game - Pasadena, CA in January 2010 - First Full Band performance at the Rose Bowl Stadium
References
- ^ "Million Dollar band". University of Alabama. http://www.rolltide.com/trads/band.html. Retrieved 2010-12-26.
- ^ a b c d e f "History and Facts". University of Alabama. http://www.mdb.ua.edu/administration/history.php. Retrieved 2010-12-26.
- ^ Clem Gryska (2007-10-01). Tradition: Million Dollar Band. CBS Sports. Event occurs at 01:14. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7-dhsjJA3Q. "We played well, very fortunate. And our band was just terrific. They helped us win the ball game."
- ^ "Dr. Kenneth Ozzello". University of Alabama. 2010-12-26. http://mdb.ua.edu/administration/#ozello.
- ^ "Students Miss "Basket Case"". November 17, 2006. http://media.www.cw.ua.edu/media/storage/paper959/news/2006/11/17/News/Students.Miss.basket.Case-2867689.shtml.
- ^ "Song Returns to Fourth Quarter". November 8, 2007. http://media.www.cw.ua.edu/media/storage/paper959/news/2007/11/08/News/Song-Returns.To.Fourth.Quarter-3088895.shtml.
External links
Preceded by
LSUSudler Trophy Recipient
2003Succeeded by
AuburnThe University of Alabama Schools and colleges College of Arts and Sciences · Culverhouse College of Commerce and Business Administration · College of Communication and Information Sciences · College of Education · College of Engineering · Honors College · College of Human Environmental Sciences · Capstone College of Nursing · School of Social Work · School of Law · College of Community Health Sciences · College of Continuing Studies
People Julia Tutwiler · Amelia Gayle Gorgas · George Wallace · George H. Denny · Robert E. Witt · Alabama peoplePlaces Alabama Museum of Natural History · Amelia Gayle Gorgas Library · Denny Chimes · Ferguson Center · Foster Auditorium · Gorgas House · Little Round House · Maxwell Hall (Old Observatory) · Moundville Archaeological Park · Paul W. Bryant Museum · President's Mansion · The Quad · Strode House · University of Alabama ArboretumAthletics Programs: Football · Men's basketball · Baseball · Gymnastics · Softball · Women's basketball · Golf · Volleyball · Tennis · Soccer · Track & field · Swimming & diving · Rowing · Cross country
Current coaches: Mitch Gaspard (Baseball) · Anthony Grant (Men's basketball) · Wendell Hudson (Women's basketball) · Patrick Murphy (Softball) · Sarah Patterson (Gymnastics) · Nick Saban (Football)
Facilities: Bryant–Denny Stadium · Coleman Coliseum · Foster Auditorium · Rhoads Stadium · Sewell–Thomas Stadium · Alabama Soccer StadiumBroadcasting Organizations and traditions Affiliations Endowment: $515.2 million · Students: 30,252 · Faculty: 1,622 Alabama Crimson Tide football All-time Record 802–319–43 (.707) • 831–310–44 (.720) on the field
Head Coaches Seasons 1892 • 1893 • 1894 • 1895 • 1896 • 1897 • 1898 • 1899 • 1900 • 1901 • 1902 • 1903 • 1904 • 1905 • 1906 • 1907 • 1908 • 1909 • 1910 • 1911 • 1912 • 1913 • 1914 • 1915 • 1916 • 1917 • 1918 • 1919 • 1920 • 1921 • 1922 • 1923 • 1924 • 1925 • 1926 • 1927 • 1928 • 1929 • 1930 • 1931 • 1932 • 1933 • 1934 • 1935 • 1936 • 1937 • 1938 • 1939 • 1940 • 1941 • 1942 • 1943 • 1944 • 1945 • 1946 • 1947 • 1948 • 1949 • 1950 • 1951 • 1952 • 1953 • 1954 • 1955 • 1956 • 1957 • 1958 • 1959 • 1960 • 1961 • 1962 • 1963 • 1964 • 1965 • 1966 • 1967 • 1968 • 1969 • 1970 • 1971 • 1972 • 1973 • 1974 • 1975 • 1976 • 1977 • 1978 • 1979 • 1980 • 1981 • 1982 • 1983 • 1984 • 1985 • 1986 • 1987 • 1988 • 1989 • 1990 • 1991 • 1992 • 1993 • 1994 • 1995 • 1996 • 1997 • 1998 • 1999 • 2000 • 2001 • 2002 • 2003 • 2004 • 2005 • 2006 • 2007 • 2008 • 2009 • 2010 • 2011Rivalries National Championships (13) Conference Championships (26) BCS Berths Heisman Trophy Winner Conference Affiliations Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association (SIAA) • Southern Conference (SoCon) • Southeastern Conference (SEC)Stadiums Related All-Americans • Bowl games • Big Al • James E. Foy, V-ODK Sportsmanship Trophy • Million Dollar Band • Paul W. Bryant Museum • Walk of FameNational Championships: 13 • Conference Championships: 26 • All-Americans: 96 • Heisman Winners: 1 Marching bands of the Southeastern Conference Eastern Division Western Division Million Dollar Band (Alabama) • Razorback Marching Band (Arkansas) • Auburn University Marching Band (Auburn) • LSU Tiger Marching Band (LSU) • Famous Maroon Band (Mississippi State) • The Pride of the South (Ole Miss)
Sudler Trophy Recipients Michigan 1982 · Illinois 1983 · Ohio State 1984 · Florida A&M 1985 · Texas 1986 · Oklahoma 1987 · Michigan State 1988 · Kansas 1989 · Iowa 1990 · Arizona State 1991 · Northwestern 1992 · UCLA 1993 · James Madison 1994 · Purdue 1995 · Nebraska 1996 · West Virginia 1997 · UMass 1998 · Texas Tech 1999 · Georgia 2000 · Texas A&M 2001 · LSU 2002 · Alabama 2003 · Auburn 2004 · Penn State 2005 · Arkansas 2006 · Indiana 2007 · Western Carolina 2009 · Notre Dame 2011
Categories:- College marching bands in the United States
- Sudler Trophy recipients
- University of Alabama
- Musical groups established in 1913
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