New Book Features In-Depth History Of Early UA Million Dollar Band

TUSCALOOSA, Ala.- A comprehensive book titled “Strike Up the Million Dollar Band” about the history of The University of Alabama marching band in its early years is currently available from Tuscaloosa author Thomas J. Hamner Jr.

In the new book, Hamner takes an in-depth look at the birth of the band program at the University. The book provides information about the UA Million Dollar Band, world events, the University, the football team and local Tuscaloosa activities during the years of 1912-1935. Proceeds from the book will go to scholarships for current UA students and band members.

“I really wanted to go into great detail about the early years of the band at Alabama,” Hamner said. “The book compliments the ‘History of the Million Dollar Band’ video well and goes into even more detail about the initial stages of the band program.”

Hamner has always been interested in stories about the band and the unique impact it has had on the University through the years. Writing the book was a “labor of love” for Hamner, who joined UA’s Million Dollar Band in 1944 when he was just a sophomore in high school in Tuscaloosa. Hamner played the trombone in UA’s band both in high school and in college under the direction of Col. Carleton K. Butler.

Alabama’s University Band, which later became known as the Million Dollar Band, was organized in the spring of the 1913-1914 academic year. The band began as a military band and was bestowed the name Million Dollar Band by a man named W.C. “Camp” Pickens, an Alabama alumnus and former football manager after a game against Georgia Tech.

Hamner co-founded the Million Dollar Band Association in 1987, an organization formed to provide scholarships for band students. There were no marching band scholarships from 1914-1987. Hamner and his partner diligently worked and raised $10,000 from both UA alumni and non-alumni to create the Million Dollar Band Association Endowed Scholarship Fund in the early 1990s. Hamner wanted to help music students in the marching band with financial support. As of homecoming weekend this year, the association had raised $450,000 in scholarship money.

“It takes a dedicated individual to work about 3-15 hours a week, 50 weeks a year to constantly raise money for the scholarship fund,” Hamner said. “It is quite an obligation, but so rewarding to see all of the students the scholarships have helped.”

Hamner spent 35 years teaching at five public high schools and five academies as a band director, including three Tuscaloosa area high schools. Since the establishment of the scholarship fund, Hamner has worked for donations from UA band alumni, non-band UA alumni and others. He plans to retire from recruiting funds for the association after this year, though he still wishes to remain an active supporter of the Million Dollar Band.

To purchase the book, contact Hamner at 1601 Ridgecrest Drive, Tuscaloosa, Ala. 35406, by phone at 205/345-4305, or by e-mail to thamner270@aol.com. The book costs $25 for Tuscaloosa residents and $30 (including shipping) for those outside Tuscaloosa.