The Troy University Band Alumni (TUBA) Association will induct its inaugural class of the Fanfare of Distinguished Alumni, recognizing Sound of the South alumni who have made lasting impacts in their fields and communities.
Nominated by their fellow alumni for embodying excellence, character and service beyond the band field, the inductees will be recognized during the alumni band’s 60th anniversary kickoff reception on Friday, Sept. 12, during the halftime show of the TROY vs. Memphis game on Saturday, Sept. 13.
The 10 inductees are as follows:
Michael Bird
Michael Bird attended TROY from 1992 to 96 and again from 1999 to 2001. He was a trombone section leader and also served as Band Captain. He had a 28-year career as a public-school band director, with most of his career spent at Southside Middle School in Tallassee. He authored the book “Fanfare” in 2015 to raise money for the TROY band program. He founded the Tallassee Jazz Festival and is a member of the President’s Cabinet for the Alabama Music Educators Association (AMEA). Mr. Bird is a newspaper columnist, radio announcer, webmaster, and grocery store manager alongside his career in music education. He is currently an assistant professor of music at Faulkner University. He is married to TROY trumpet player Sena Thibodeaux Bird and father to Michaela, Miriam, Abbey, Danielle, Gregory, Lydia, and Norah, and grandfather to Judith and Anastasia.
Nicholas Bull
John Nicholas (Nicky) Bull was a proud member of Troy University’s renowned Sound of the South Marching Band from 1996 to 2000, performing on both saxophone and clarinet. He served as librarian from 1997 to 1999 and as band captain from 1999 to 2000. Bull was also an active member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, the national fraternity for men in music, and the Collegiate Music Educators National Conference (CMENC), both of which broadened his perspective on leadership, service, and the unifying power of music.
After graduating, Bull taught music in Ozark City Schools before embarking on a distinguished legal career, serving as a practicing attorney, municipal court judge, and city attorney. He has represented clients in criminal defense, juvenile, domestic relations, probate, and government law, while also holding leadership positions in many professional and political organizations. His commitment to community enrichment extends beyond the courtroom.
Bull is a founding member of the Dale County Performing Arts Center (DCPAC), a nonprofit dedicated to fostering arts education and expanding access to cultural experiences. As choir director at his church, he nurtures musical excellence and fellowship. He leads many civic initiatives, mentors emerging leaders, and champions causes that strengthen his community—living out values first cultivated during his transformative Sound of the South years.
Dr. Gene Butler
Dr. Gene Butler serves as Director of Bands at Smiths Station High School and Adjunct Instructor of Music Education at TROY University. Dr. Butler previously served as Director of Bands at Trinity Presbyterian School. In addition to teaching, Dr. Butler is a Yamaha Education Writer. Dr. Butler earned his Bachelor’s and Master of Music Education degrees from Troy University and his EdD in Curriculum and Leadership from Columbus State University.
Ensembles under the direction of Dr. Butler have consistently received superior ratings at contests throughout the Southeastern United States. In 2015, he received the Outstanding Young Music Educator of the Year award from the Alabama Music Educators Association. Dr. Butler was named the 2024-2025 Teacher of the Year for Smith Station High School and the 2024-2025 Secondary Teacher of the Year for Lee County Schools. Dr. Butler was selected as a member of the 2025 class of Yamaha “40 Under 40.”
Dr. Butler serves the band community of Alabama through numerous associational roles in the Alabama Bandmasters Association, Alabama Music Educators Association, Phi Beta Mu, and NAfME. Dr. Butler is an active clinician and adjudicator across the Southeastern United States.
Earl Franks, Ed.D., CAE
Earl Franks enrolled at TROY in January 1980 as a trumpet-playing music education major from Tifton, GA. His high school band director, Bill Belcher, a TROY graduate himself, introduced him to TROY and instilled in him a passion for music education.
As a member of the Sound of the South, he forged lifelong friendships. Particularly, Dr. John M. Long imparted practical skills related to teaching music and interpersonal relations that have been instrumental in his personal and professional success.
After graduating from TROY in 1986, he began his 40-year professional path as an assistant band director in Effingham County (GA) for one year, followed by 12 years as band director and nine years as principal in Luverne, AL. From 2008 to 2017, he served as the executive director of the Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools and is currently executive director of the National Association of Elementary School Principals.
Aside from educational causes, he is a longtime member and supporter of Rotary. Also, together with his wife, Carol, Associate Professor of Music Emeritus at TROY, they established the Earl and Carol Franks Scholarships in 2009, which are awarded annually to two Luverne High School students who are going to TROY.
Lori Hart
All bands, small to large, beginning band to college level, are essential. This has been the guiding force behind the 46-year career of Lori Hart. Bands under Ms. Hart’s direction have enjoyed consistent Superior ratings, Best in Class awards, and Grand Championships. As a 1979 graduate from TROY, Ms. Hart is currently serving as the President of the Troy University Band Alumni Association, as well as serving for 18 years as a member of the SEUS Honor Band Board. Hart is also serving as Past President of the Alabama Bandmasters Association. During Ms. Hart’s time as ABA District VIII Chairman, she established the John M. Long Memorial Scholarship for deserving band students in the district. Twice her peers elected Ms. Hart as the Wicksburg High School Teacher of the Year, and in 2020, she was the Secondary Teacher of the Year for Houston County Schools. In April of 2024, Hart was presented with the Outstanding Bandmaster Award from the Rho Chapter of Phi Beta Mu and was selected as the Alabama representative of the 50 Music Teachers Who Make a Difference by the School Band and Orchestra Magazine for 2024.
Sought throughout the United States as a clinician and educator, Ms. Hart’s recent engagements include the Midwest Clinic, The Honor Band of Nevada, SEUS Middle and High School Honor Bands, and numerous All-District and All-County Honor Bands and leadership clinic for the Sound of the South Leadership team. As an advocate for young directors, Hart spends a great deal of time mentoring across the state. She strongly believes young directors should be given motivation and direction, thus improving the outlook for the future of Music Education in Alabama.
Rod Henley
Growing up in Montgomery, Alabama, in a musical family, Rod Henley was surrounded by music. His mother sang with the Johnny Long Combo, and his father was a big band singer-arranger-producer.
During junior high school, he was mesmerized by Dr. Long’s “jazzy” Robert E. Lee High School Band at their daily practices. He loved his high school days, but his only interest was in Long’s award-winning band. He became Band Captain and led The Southernaires Dance Band, as it was called back in the day. They learned a lot from Dr. Long, and when he got the Troy State Band director position in 1966, 40 of them from Lee became the inaugural Sound of the South. Playing trombone and arranging for Dr. Long’s band set his life’s goal to become a professional musician.
At TROY, Dr. Long continued to instill leadership in him. He became Band Captain again and led The Wavemen, another dance band. They placed second runner-up at the 1967 Mobile Jazz Festival with North Texas State Lab Band as #1. It was quite an awesome and humbling experience for the South Alabama boys.
From this foundation, he had a professional band from 1970 to 1982. He was honored to join the internationally famous vocal jazz recording group, The Four Freshmen, in 1982. He produced their first Grammy-nominated album and shared a Grammy with The Manhattan Transfer in 1985-86.
He has devoted his life to music performance and is currently teaching at the College of Southern Nevada, with a trombone studio of 15 students. All of this is due to Johnny Long and The Sound of the South.
Dr. Charles A. Maguire
Dr. Charles A. Maguire is the Artistic Director of The Desert Winds, a professional wind ensemble based in Henderson, Nevada, and the Executive Director of the Making Music Matter Foundation. His career bridges music education and performance with an unwavering commitment to innovation, excellence, and accessibility.
Dr. Maguire’s musical journey was profoundly shaped at Troy University, where from 1993 to 1997, he marched in the piccolo section of the legendary Sound of the South Marching Band under the mentorship of Dr. Johnny Long. At TROY, he also studied with composers Robert W. Smith and Ralph Ford, as well as flutist Carol Franks, each leaving a lasting impact on his artistry and vision. Later, at the University of Alabama, Dr. Gerald Welker deepened his philosophy of continual growth and interpretive excellence.
In 2009, Dr. Maguire founded The Desert Winds, an ensemble recognized for adventurous programming and artistic depth. Under his leadership, the group debuted at the 70th Midwest Clinic in 2016. This December, he will return to the podium as The Desert Winds make their second appearance at the 79th Midwest Clinic, one of the most prestigious stages in the world.
Dr. Maguire’s academic research on Eric Whitacre’s harmonic language reflects his reputation as both scholar and practitioner. This blend of research and real-world artistry drives his leadership of The Keys Conservatory and the Making Music Matter Foundation, institutions that are redefining music education in Nevada and beyond. Through these platforms, he has inspired thousands of students, championed innovation, and helped shape the future of the wind ensemble art form.
Hal Murphy
Hal Murphy retired after 32 years as an educator. He holds BS and MA degrees from Troy University and certification in Educational Leadership from Jacksonville State University. At TROY, Murphy was a member of the Sound of the South, the Symphony Band, Opera Orchestra, CMENC and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. He was the band director at Southside High School and Rainbow Middle School in Gadsden, AL, teaching all band classes for grades 6-12. He became the Assistant Principal at Southside HS in 2007. In 2012, Murphy was named Director of Technology and Fine Arts Supervisor for Etowah County Schools.
The SHS bands performed across the nation at events such as The National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade in Washington, DC, The Fiesta Bowl Parade in Phoenix, AZ, The Fiesta Flambeau Parade in San Antonio, TX, as well as performances in Chicago, IL, Virginia Beach, VA, Gatlinburg, TN, and Orlando, FL. The SHS Symphonic Band earned 20 consecutive superior ratings at concert assessment and performed at both the Southeastern United States Concert Band Clinic and the Alabama Music Educators Conference.
As assistant principal, Murphy was primarily the 11th-12th grade administrator, the school technology coordinator, and the Advanced Placement Coordinator. In his district admin position, he managed all aspects of the technology department and staff in the Etowah County School System, as well as fine arts-related activities in all 22 ECS schools.
Murphy is the past president of the Troy University Band Alumni Association. He plays the horn and serves as General Manager with The Alabama Winds and is Chair of the Rainbow City Board of Adjustments. His wife, Holley, is Assistant Director of Special Education for Etowah County Schools. They have two daughters: Anna Grace, a TROY graduate and SOTS alumna, is an accountant in Birmingham, and Natalie is a freshman kinesiology major at Auburn.
Kerry J. Palmer, Ph.D.
Dr. Kerry Palmer has served as an educator at many levels for more than three decades. A 1995 graduate of Troy University with a major in music education, he participated in the Sound of the South marching band for five years, serving as drum major for three of those years. He was also the euphonium section leader in the symphony band, both under the direction of legendary bandmaster, Dr. John M. Long.
Palmer dedicated 12 years to teaching instrumental music across Alabama and Georgia, where he made a lasting impact on countless students. Notably, he served as the founding director of the Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School band program, establishing a musical foundation that continues to flourish today. He also served for 20 years as conductor of the Sanctuary Orchestra at Montgomery’s First Baptist Church.
Palmer earned both a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in Education from Auburn University. In 2007, he transitioned from the classroom to school administration. His administrative career includes serving as Headmaster at Trinity Presbyterian School in Montgomery, Alabama, and later as Dean of the College of Education at Troy University. Currently, Dr. Palmer serves as Senior Vice Chancellor and Provost at Troy University, where his journey in higher education began.
Robert W. Smith (posthumously)
Robert W. Smith (1958-2023) continues to be one of the most popular and prolific composers in America today. He has over 600 publications in print, with the majority composed and arranged through his long association with Warner Bros. Publications and the Belwin catalog.
Mr. Smith’s credits include many compositions and productions in all areas of the music field. His original works for winds and percussion have been programmed by countless military, university, high school, and middle school bands throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, South America and Asia. His Symphony #1 (The Divine Comedy), Symphony #2 (The Odyssey), Symphony #3 (Don Quixote), Inchon and Africa: Ceremony, Song and Ritual have received worldwide critical acclaim. His educational compositions, such as The Tempest, Encanto, and The Great Locomotive Chase, have become standards for developing bands throughout the world.
Mr. Smith’s music has received extensive airplay on major network television as well as inclusion in multiple motion pictures. From professional ensembles such as the United States Navy Band, United States Air Force Band, Boston Pops and the Atlanta Symphony to school bands and orchestras throughout the world, his music speaks to audiences in any concert setting. As a conductor, clinician and keynote speaker, Mr. Smith has performed throughout North America, Asia, South America, Europe and Australia.
Mr. Smith was the founder and the President/CEO of RWS Music Company, exclusively distributed through Alfred Music. In addition, he oversaw the Music Industry program at Troy University.
