JSU has Honda Battle of the Bands rocking in Atlanta

January 26, 2015
Jackson State University President Dr. Carolyn W. Meyers congratulates Director of Bands Dowell Taylor at the Honda Battle of the Bands at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, where the Sonic Boom of the South rocked the house, Jan. 24, 2015. (Photo by Ashton Hall, JSU)

Jackson State University’s Sonic Boom of the South had the 2015 Honda Battle of the Bands rocking the house in Atlanta over the weekend.

Rapper Big K.R.I.T. poses with members of the Sonic Boom of the South at the Honda Battle of the Bands in the Georgia Dome, Jan. 24, 2015. (Photo by Ashton Hall, JSU)
Rapper Big K.R.I.T. poses with members of the Sonic Boom of the South at the Honda Battle of the Bands in the Georgia Dome, Jan. 24, 2015. (Photo by Ashton Hall, JSU)

The Sonic Boom on Saturday joined seven other HBCU bands and artists Doug E. Fresh and Slick Rick at the Georgia Dome, with the mass combination band taking the field with more than 60,000 fans and supporters cheering them on.

 

Special guests, including JSU President Carolyn W. Meyers, were enthralled as the Sonic Boom gave a 12-minute showcase, roaring: “JSU rocks the house!”

 

JSU pulled out all the stops with surprise performances from Rapper and Mississippi native, Big K.R.I.T., and other guests.

 

“We’ve practiced extremely hard for this event,” said JSU Drum Major Clincy Harris. This being his last year with the Boom, “We’re going out with a bang. … One of the biggest surprises is that we have six drum majors instead of the usual five.”

 

Eight bands are chosen for Honda Battle of the Bands Invitational Showcase. The Showcase features musical performances from these eight HBCU marching bands, with all of them considered “winners.”

 

The Honda Battle of the Bands was created to celebrate, support and recognize the excellence of black college marching bands and the unique academic experience offered by Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

Jackson State University President Dr. Carolyn W. Meyers congratulates Director of Bands Dowell Taylor at the Honda Battle of the Bands at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, where the Sonic Boom of the South rocked the house, Jan. 24, 2015. (Photo by Ashton Hall, JSU)
Jackson State University President Dr. Carolyn W. Meyers congratulates Director of Bands Dowell Taylor at the Honda Battle of the Bands at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, where the Sonic Boom of the South rocked the house, Jan. 24, 2015. (Photo by Ashton Hall, JSU)

Honda annually awards more than $200,000 in grants to participating marching bands during the program period.