The HBCU Band Experience with Christy Walker

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.c...

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 platfor...

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 Ma...

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 b...

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'...

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...

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 ...

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 Ex...

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 ...