AHS band headed to parade honoring Ivey

Andalusia High School’s A Sound Tradition has been invited to march in the inaugural parade for Gov. Kay Ivey, band director Bennie Shellhouse confirmed on Friday.

“(Rep.) Mike Jones had mentioned it to me, but they officially contacted us on Wednesday of this week.

“This is sort of a quick turnaround,” Shellhouse said. “I’m sure we’ll be one of many in the parade.”

The inauguration is on Mon., Jan. 14, so Shellhouse said the band has five practice days to get ready. The full, 177-member marching band will participate. The parade begins at noon.

Shellhouse said A Sound Tradition will play “God Bless America” in the parade, which the band prepared for the Veterans Day Parade.

Shellhouse said this will be his first time to participate in an inaugural parade, but the AHS Band has participated at least twice before.

Jimmy Wilson said he marched in an inaugural parade in the early 1960s, and Arlene Nettles said the band marched in a very cold inaugural parade in the 1970s, possibly Fob James’ first inaugural in January of 1979.