James Oliver became the first historically Black college and university (HBCU) band director to win the prestigious Harmony and Leadership Award.
He was honored in Atlanta, Georgia on Aug. 19 by the Southern Soul Radio and Music Conference for his exceptional career and the impact he has had on his students and the community during his 23-years as the band director of the Mighty Marching Hornets.
Under his leadership, the band has performed around the country including the Georgia Dome, Ellen Degeneres Show, Rose Bowl, multiple ‘Battle of the Bands,’ and during halftime at NFL games.
Yet, according to Oliver, this is the biggest accolade of his career, thus far.
“My heart felt so warm,” he said “winning an award of this magnitude, by the grace of God, it was great.”
He believes it is time for HBCU band directors to start receiving the national recognition for their hard work and this just marks the beginning.
“We have never been on that kind of a platform,” Oliver said. “Those types of awards are normally given to artists and radio personalities. Now to add HBCU band directors is just awesome. It is a great opportunity and really a beginning for us as band directors to be recognized by a major award show.”
The Alabama State University alumnus said he was shocked when he received a phone call from Renee Atkins, a friend that works in the industry, to tell him the news. He thought she was playing a joke on him.
According to Oliver, he had won a poll unanimously in order to be selected for the award and no other band director was within 2,000 votes of him.
He said nothing topped having the award presented to him by his friend, Emmanuel Lewis, who spoke highly of the band and their friendship. It was a heart-warming moment for Oliver.
This accolade is not only huge for him, Oliver said, but Alabama State University as a whole, allowing the university to receive national exposure. It was a perfect opportunity to network with people and advocate for the university.
Oliver attended a ‘Meet and Greet’ before the ceremony and spent the night surrounded by celebrities in radio, film, and music such as Trina Braxton, Emmanuel Lewis and Chris Tucker.
“I was like a popular person, because I wore my uniform to the event, and everybody wanted to take pictures with me,” he said. “There were a lot of hardworking famous people there receiving awards.”
The honoree said he even had a conversation with the Recording Academy of the United States president (commonly known as the Grammys) and spoke to him about his desire to get the Honey Beez on the national stage.
“My goal is to get the Honey Beez on ‘Black Girls Rock’ award show and I am going to make that happen”
While the award may have been directed towards him, he used the opportunity to express gratitude to his band students and staff.
“Had it not been for my students, my staff, and people supporting me,” Oliver said, “I probably would have not been able to receive this award.”