When Alabama football stars graduate, they are sometimes drafted into the NFL.
Now, two Alabama musicians of the school’s Million Dollar Band (MDB) have graduated and have earned appointments into the U.S. Army Band program.
Matthew Meadows, a horn player with the MDB and a teaching staff member, won a position the U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own”—the premier band of the United States Army. He is from Jasper.
Anthony Parrish, MDB graduate, has been named to the U.S. Army Ceremonial Band. Known for its high-profile performances at national events and ceremonies, the Ceremonial Band represents the highest standards of musical service.
Parrish is from Morris and played in the band at Mortimer Jordan High School.
Both Matthew and Anthony entered the Army at the rank of staff sergeant. The U.S. Army Band programs pay between $75,000 and $83,000 per year, plus benefits and the military retirement program.
The two UA graduates will not be able to remain on the sidelines for long. They march and play on June 14 in the gigantic Washington, D.C. parade for the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army.
Founded in 1912, the MDB is the largest student organization at the University of Alabama. The MDB has been a Crimson Tide tradition for over 100 years.
The MDB performs during pregame and halftime at every home and neutral-site Alabama football game, some away games and post-season games. They also have pep bands for various other sports including basketball, gymnastics and volleyball.
The MDB is one of the best-known university marching bands in the country. They won the prestigious Sudler Award in 2003, which recognizes the "National Champion" of collegiate marching bands.
The name "Million Dollar Band" was given to them in 1922 by W.C. "Champ" Pickens, an Alabama alumnus and football manager.
Dr. Ken Ozzello has been the director of the MDB since 2002. The band has about 400 student members.
Jim ‘Zig’ Zeigler’s beat is the colorful and positive about Alabama -- her people, places, events, groups and prominent deaths. He is a former Alabama Public Service Commissioner and State Auditor. You can reach him for comments at [email protected].
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