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Grambling State University
World Famed Tiger Marching Band
1981
Forty - three (43) years later, Grambling's World Famed Tiger Marching Band continues to cater to African American culture in powerful ways.
Click here to see the video!
Grambling "World Famed Tiger Marching Band" was selected to appear in "Marching Band/Coke Is It." an award-winning television commercial developed for Coca Cola by Burrell Communications Group, one of the country’s most renowned Black-owned agencies. The Grambling Marching Band was the baddest band in the land. The band was so "bad" that they were well-known overseas.
When Coca-Cola began filming the commercial featuring Grambling State University World Famed Marching Band, no one imagined it would become the firm's highest-ranking advertisement.
The commercial was filmed over 2 days in sub-freezing temperatures in December 1981. It took a while to crank those tigers' engines, but once in motion, there was no stopping them. In fact, not stopping is what makes the band famous.
Can you picture this?
The dormant grass was painted green, fresh white lines were painted on the field. For sunlight, large lights were hoisted by cranes. To mimic sweat on our faces, glycerin was dabbed, and water was sprayed on use, which made us even colder. It was quite a challenge for the band members to pretend to be hot and sweaty in the middle of winter. Band uniforms were also shipped to Atlanta, GA for actors' cameo shots.
As was custom, Band members were prepared by directors like Dr. Conrad Hutchinson and staff. "We were simply doing our jobs and representing our beloved university to the best of our ability. We were excited Coca Cola officials recognized our band as the best band in the country, and we had no idea how iconic that commercial would become," said Lonnie Smith, Head Drum Major 1981.
"Filming the Coca Cola commercial was immeasurable! As a freshman, I was impressed with the professionalism of the film crew. The freezing elements did not affect their mission. My trombone slide froze and we had to pour warm water to get mobility. This experience inspired me to have a mindset of accomplishment in all endeavors," said Chris Dunaway.
"The Coca Cola commercial was truly a once in a lifetime joy for a small-time boy from Grambling. It was extremely rewarding. It was 17 degrees, but we were instructed to act as if it was 100 degrees. Over the years, I have been referred to as "the guy in the Coca Cola commercial". Out of 250 plus members, I was chosen for one of the main parts that included drinking the coke and kissing the coke bottle - it was the icing on the cake. I am very fortunate to have been a part of that historical commercial," said Kevin Cowan.
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