The University of Alabama "Million Dollar Band" is an exciting part of the Crimson Tide spirit and tradition. Comprised of over 330 students with various majors and interests, the band is the largest single organization on campus. Participation in the Marching Band enables members to continue their involvement in a quality musical program while socializing and traveling with a large cross-section of students.

The Nationally recognized "Million Dollar Band" is widely known for its colorful half-time presentations and has appeared on national television more often than any other college band. Sports Illustrated magazine has listed the "Million Dollar Band" as one of the top three college bands in the nation. In addition, the 1992 September issue of Southern Living magazine selected the "Million Dollar Band" as one of the top 10 most outstanding bands in the South.

The "Million Dollar Band" began as a military band in 1914. In twenty years it grew to become the marching unit for halftime presentations under the "Father of the Million Dollar Band", Colonel Carleton K. Butler. Today, the "Million Dollar Band" is one of the finest and most famous college marching units in the country.

How did we get such a high price?

The name "Million Dollar Band" was bestowed upon us in 1922 by W. C. "Champ" Pickens, an Alabama alumnus and football manager in 1896. Accounts of how the name evolved vary. In the 1948 Alabama football media guide, it is described this way:

At the time the band was named (1922), it was having a hard struggle. The only way they could get to Georgia Tech for a game was by soliciting funds from the merchants. They usually had to ride all night in a day coach, and we thought it was swell when we finally got a tourist sleeper and put two to a lower and two to an upper berth." Thus, because of the fund raising prowess, Pickens called the group the "Million Dollar Band.

During that particular Georgia Tech game, won by the Yellow Jackets 33-7, an Atlanta sportswriter commented to Pickens, "You don't have much of a team, what do you have at Alabama?" Pickens replied, "A Million Dollar Band."

Big wheels keep on turning
Carry me home to see my kin
Singing songs about the Southland
I miss Alabamy once again
And I think its a sin, yes

Well I heard mister Young sing about her
Well, I heard ole Neil put her down
Well, I hope Neil Young will remember
A Southern man don't need him around anyhow

Sweet home Alabama
Where the skies are so blue
Sweet Home Alabama
Lord, I'm coming home to you

In Birmingham they love the governor
Now we all did what we could do
Now Watergate does not bother me
Does your conscience bother you?
Tell the truth
Sweet home Alabama
Where the skies are so blue
Sweet Home Alabama
Lord, I'm coming home to you
Here I come Alabama

Now Muscle Shoals has got the Swampers
And they've been known to pick a song or two
Lord they get me off so much
They pick me up when I'm feeling blue
Now how about you?

Sweet home Alabama
Where the skies are so blue
Sweet Home Alabama
Lord, I'm coming home to you

Sweet home Alabama
Oh sweet home baby
Where the skies are so blue
And the governor's true
Sweet Home Alabama
Lordy Lord, I'm coming home to you
Yea, yea Montgomery's got the answer

Victor Ellis Passes Away by outsidethesidelines on Mar 25, 2008 10:38 PM CDT in News

In some very sad news, former Alabama linebacker Victor Ellis has passed away. He was 28.

I'm sure you all remember Victor as a 'Bama linebacker in the late 1990's and early 2000's. After graduating from Alabama in 2002, he was working for the university until several months ago when he was surprisingly diagnosed with a very rare and deadly form of cancer, and was told by doctors that he had a mere few months to live. Victor fought hard to the end, but ultimately succumbed to cancer tonight. Arrangements are apparently being made in Chattanooga, Ellis' hometown.

The following video I posted on YouTube, but of course you can view it here.