September 2024

Only two bands in AAAA were listed as winners instead of the usual three, so I think Paschal came in second that year. The winner, which had the most players in the all star band, was probably Robert E. Lee (Houston). The other band that placed, and listed, was Douglas MacArthur High School. There is no recording of Robert E. Lee on the record.

Bill Tillman was the Outstanding Musician of the festival. Bill went on to play with Blood, Sweat, & Tears, plus have his own band in Dallas for years. He died in 2012 at the age of 65.

My Funny Valentine & A Foggy Day were the tunes they played. 2/23/1963

Recorded 2/24/1962 in Brownwood, TX. Bill Briggs, director. “My Old Flame”, &” Stomping at the Savoy”. They were the winner in the AAAA (largest school) category. Stan Kenton was one of the judges.

1961 was the first year of recordings of the winning bands. The contest started in 1951, and ran until 1976.