HBCU Marching Band Spotlight 7 | Jackson State University "Sonic Boom of the South"

“Sonic Boom of the South”-Although Dr. F.D. Hall served as director of the band, chorus and orchestra in the 1920s, the marching band began in the 1940s consisting of college students and students from Lanier High School. Founded as the Jackson State University Marching Band, the name "Sonic Boom of the South" was adopted by director Harold J. Haughton Sr. in 1971, having been suggested by band members. The first full-time band director, William W. Davis, was appointed in 1948, replacing Charles Saulsburg, who had been director since 1947. Davis retired as director in 1971, but remained the chief arranger for the band. He was replaced by Harold J. Haughton. Haughton acted as director until 1983; during his tenure he changed the band uniform color from royal blue to light navy blue, introduced the Motown "Get Ready" as the band's theme, replaced the Majorettes with featured dancers and introduced the "Tiger Run-on" shuffle, "Tiger Strut" and "Floating JSU" halftime display. In Fall of 1983, shortly before Haughton left for an equivalent position at Virginia State University, he increased the band size to 160 members. He was replaced as director by Dowell Taylor. Taylor, an alumnus of the band, served as director from 1984 to 1992.

In 1992, Lewis Liddell became the third alumnus to lead the Sonic Boom of the South. The "Baby Tigers" first appeared in a halftime show in 1994. In 2000, Liddell established the "Jackson 5" drum majors (also known as J5 - previously the fabulous 4). In 2003, the marching band was enshrined in the NCAA Hall of Champions. Lidell retired in 2009 and returned in 2011 as interim director to replace interim director Renardo Murray. Through the years, the band has become known for intricate, precision marching and the big band sound. The “Sonic Boom” has performed many halftime appearances for the Atlanta Falcons, Detroit Lions, New Orleans Saints and Cincinnati Bengals; a television special for Motown’s 30th Anniversary and the 34th NAACP Image Awards. For more information, about the "Sonic Boom of the South" please visit their website at http://websites.one.jsums.edu/sonicboom/.