Southerners Trumpet Line
The Old Guard
Joe Dobbins
1972-1974
Music Education
Kappa Kappa Psi
Wonderful time. Family that will never be broken. Fred Grumley and David Walters as trumpet applied instructors.
Music Education
Kappa Kappa Psi
Wonderful time. Family that will never be broken. Fred Grumley and David Walters as trumpet applied instructors.
Lewie Humphrey
1977-1981
STL Section Leader ’80 & ’81
BA in Music Education (1981)
Marching in the STL and in Southerners was one of the greatest times of my life. I formed great life-long friendships and wouldn’t trade it for the world. I was one of the section leaders and it proved great training for my career.
STL Section Leader ’80 & ’81
BA in Music Education (1981)
Marching in the STL and in Southerners was one of the greatest times of my life. I formed great life-long friendships and wouldn’t trade it for the world. I was one of the section leaders and it proved great training for my career.
Tom Grigsby
1984-1989
BA in Music Education (1989)
Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia
Got to play in the quartet in One More Time. Standing in front of Southerners was awesome! Falcons’ games with cold chicken and warm milk. Wish I could go back and do it again.
BA in Music Education (1989)
Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia
Got to play in the quartet in One More Time. Standing in front of Southerners was awesome! Falcons’ games with cold chicken and warm milk. Wish I could go back and do it again.
David Hobbs
1990-1993
Music Education (1995)
Masters, Music Education (1999)
Great times.
Music Education (1995)
Masters, Music Education (1999)
Great times.
Joel Schendel
1993-2000
STL Section Leader ’96-’99
Soloist ’94-’99
Music Education (2000)
My time at JSU was a total blast. I loved playing in southerners and my experiences there led me into marching/teaching drum corps. I was actually in the line when we dubbed ourselves “stl”.
STL Section Leader ’96-’99
Soloist ’94-’99
Music Education (2000)
My time at JSU was a total blast. I loved playing in southerners and my experiences there led me into marching/teaching drum corps. I was actually in the line when we dubbed ourselves “stl”.
Matt Blair
1999
Religion, University of Mobile
Marching in the STL was one of the best experiences of my life. My most memorable moment would have to be marching at Grand Nationals in the Indianapolis Colts Dome. I was at the front of the STL as we came out of the airlock. From that moment it was like a trance until the first big push. Probably the only time I remember adrenaline totally taking me over. Never forget it. I only marched one year, but it was amazing. Thanks for the memories, and I’m honored to be part of this long history.
Religion, University of Mobile
Marching in the STL was one of the best experiences of my life. My most memorable moment would have to be marching at Grand Nationals in the Indianapolis Colts Dome. I was at the front of the STL as we came out of the airlock. From that moment it was like a trance until the first big push. Probably the only time I remember adrenaline totally taking me over. Never forget it. I only marched one year, but it was amazing. Thanks for the memories, and I’m honored to be part of this long history.
Emma Cahill Johns
2003-2007
Graduated in 2008
Sigma Alpha Iota
2003: A Night at the Opera was my favorite show, but I think everyone’s first holds a special place in their heart. I was nicknamed “Ermma” by Jason Gildewell within the first weeks of my freshman year. I always enjoyed Exhibitions more than football games, because the kids would go crazy for us.
Graduated in 2008
Sigma Alpha Iota
2003: A Night at the Opera was my favorite show, but I think everyone’s first holds a special place in their heart. I was nicknamed “Ermma” by Jason Gildewell within the first weeks of my freshman year. I always enjoyed Exhibitions more than football games, because the kids would go crazy for us.
Joshua Boyd
Music Education (2004)
Had a great time. Still close with my section to this day. Excellent experience.
Had a great time. Still close with my section to this day. Excellent experience.
Chris Machen
2005-2009
BA in Music Education (2011)
Kappa Kappa Psi
The STL was always my other family. My experiences in the Southerners and STL have made me who I am today. I will always cherish the memories of my time in the section.
BA in Music Education (2011)
Kappa Kappa Psi
The STL was always my other family. My experiences in the Southerners and STL have made me who I am today. I will always cherish the memories of my time in the section.
Daniel Sweat
2007-2009
Molecular Biology
Met some cool people, played some solos and some dub C’s, had a good time in general.
Molecular Biology
Met some cool people, played some solos and some dub C’s, had a good time in general.
Dakota Baker
2009-2013
BA in Music Education (2014)
Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia
Easily one of the greatest decisions of my life. Couldn’t imagine having this experience anywhere else.
BA in Music Education (2014)
Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia
Easily one of the greatest decisions of my life. Couldn’t imagine having this experience anywhere else.
Sara Robertson
2010-2012
Ed in Mathematics
Kappa Kappa Psi
Marching with The Southerners was a huge impact in my life. Not only did it show me my true colors as a person but gave me a family with the STL that you cannot find anywhere else. If I had not marched with The Southerners I would not be where I am today. I am happily married (3 years to a 20J) and I have a beautiful daughter, Brooke, and another baby on the way. The Southerners is not just an after school activity that pays for college. It is a family that will be with you for the rest of your life and the STL’s the siblings you do not get to pick but love forever.
Ed in Mathematics
Kappa Kappa Psi
Marching with The Southerners was a huge impact in my life. Not only did it show me my true colors as a person but gave me a family with the STL that you cannot find anywhere else. If I had not marched with The Southerners I would not be where I am today. I am happily married (3 years to a 20J) and I have a beautiful daughter, Brooke, and another baby on the way. The Southerners is not just an after school activity that pays for college. It is a family that will be with you for the rest of your life and the STL’s the siblings you do not get to pick but love forever.
Anna Stuart
2010-2012
BA in Music Education (2015)
It was awesome.
Haleigh Tibbs
2012
Mass Communications, Broadcast (2014)
My time with Southerners is a little different than most. I spent four years of my time in the clarinet section. After my fourth year, I said that I was done marching so that I could focus on graduating. On a dare from some of the current STL, they told me that I couldn’t handle marching a “real” instrument. I took it personally and went to prove them wrong. With the help of Dakota Baker, Junior Overton, Brianna Guest, and Cody Huff, I learned trumpet in four months and auditioned for the 2012 show “I’ll Fly Away”. I didn’t know this at the time but it was truly the right show to go out on. I wish that I had been challenged earlier so that I could have had more time with the STL. 27 Sucks! Blow Southerners!
Brianna Guest
2011-2014
Sigma Alpha Iota
(Treasurer & President)
The STL will always be my family. I came to JSU not knowing a soul. On the first day of rookie camp, I had gained 17 new friends (my slug class). Cherish the time you have to march with this eclectic group of individuals. I wish I were a fifth year senior just so I may experience one last year. I love all of you more than you may ever know. Raise hell, praise Dale. 27 will always and forever suck.
Zach Hill
Section Leader ’09/General Music/ BA 2012, MA 2014
Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia
I met some of my favorite people here. Your time with the section should be enjoyed. The days drag on, but the years fly by. Take this time to really learn about one another and what makes you different. I enjoyed all of my years, but playing an important part in the 2011 and 2012 shows is what stands out the most in my memory. Play so loud they throw babies.
Scott Berry
1989-1990
Soloist in both ’89 & ’90 (along with Tommy Beall, Robert Bynum & others); STL Section Leader in 1990. Music Ed major, class of ’91.
I was Dr. Walters’ last & final arranging & applied trumpet student upon his retirement & my graduation in 1991. I was also studying (trumpet) privately with Dr. Finley at Dr. Finley’s home during my junior & senior years at JSU. In 1989 & at Dr. Walters’ request, I arranged “Alabama Jubilee” as a Ballerina dance feature. In 1990, I also arranged “In The Mood” as a Ballerina dance feature for the band. Tommy Beall & I played the “Malaguena” duet together in ’89. I was the “Spirit of the Bull” soloist in 1990 and a soloist on the closer, “In Majesty He Will Come”, which was arranged by Chris Gibson, another member of the STL in 1990. In 2016, I arranged the tribute piece, “Uncle Dave’s Ballerina Swing”, following Dr. Walters’ passing. After spending a dozen years as a band director, I finished law school in 2005 & have been an attorney in Scottsboro, AL ever since. I was inducted into Phi Mu Alpha @ JSU in 2016 as an “Honorary Member”- an honor for which I’m very grateful & proud. I have a YouTube page full of “old” Southerners “stuff”. You guys keep up all the good work….I’m very, very proud of you.
Tom Moore
1971-1977, 1982
Section Leader, first soloist featured with the Southerners
I was in the band when we transitioned from The original Southerner’s style to Drum Corp style. It was a time of growth, we went from 22 trumpets my first year to over 50 when I was a senior. I consider all of those folks family, before me and after me.
Garrett Carter
1998-2002
Music Ed./History
Came to JSU in 1998 played with an incredible line that just continued to get better and better. Which in turn pushed the rest of us to get better and better. 27 sucks.
Jermaine Griggs
1991-1994
Music Education
Some of the best moments in my life was with the Southerners. Marching and playing every week for thousands with such incredible people made lifetime memories that I share with younger musicians. Including my two teenage children who are musicians themselves. Wished I could suit up now and play that upper lead part again……..WHAT A RUSH!!
Leslie Kirkland
1991-1993
Music Education
It was one of the best times of my life. Because of the Southerners I have two daughters. One will be Marching next year! Which will make me not only an alumni but mom of a Southerner 🙂
Lydell Self
1974-1978
Soloist-Land of Make Believe. B.S. Music Ed. 1978
Wonderful time making life long friends and memories. Met my wife Becky Naiser and the rest is history.
Greg Hucks
1990-1991
Music Ed/ Choral/Vocal – 1995
An amazing group of musicians with incredible skill. So proud to have been among the ranks.
Ernie Thompson
1973-1976
BS in Music Ed-1977
During the time I was at JSU, the Southerners made the change from the old Cassavant style of marching to Corps style. A whole new world opened up. I remember doing “Carmen” from the sideline as well as “Fanfare and Allegro”. The Fiddler on the Roof show was probably my favorite. I remember getting to play in Little Group in several shows as the Ballerinas performed. I am included in at least one of the group photos in front of the business school. And we did actually Whup Troy! Thanks for the chance to reminisce.