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A Woman Joins "Human Jukebox"

By Brandi Worley
Black College Wire

Photo credit: Josh Halley/Southern Digest "I always knew I would make it," said Dionne Fair, first woman to join the Southern University "human jukebox."

At first glance Dionne Fair, an 18-year-old freshman from Baton Rouge, La., appears to be just like the other 170 musicians in the Southern University "Human Jukebox" Marching Band.

Like the others, she had to demonstrate the ability to play scales and sight-read. Like the others, she met those tests successfully. But one thing set her apart.

Before Fair, a woman at Southern had never played on the drum line.

"She is the first snare drummer in my entire history of 37 years that's been able to crack that drum section," said Isaac Greggs, leader of the world-renowned band. "She can play. Most drummers come in here and can beat, but she can play."

During her freshman year at Baton Rouge's McKinley High, Fair played the saxophone. She played the French horn during her junior year. As a senior, she picked up the drumsticks, and the rest is history. Call her a natural.

"I would always watch the boys," Fair said. "I was interested and wanted to learn. I caught on to it fast."

During her senior year at McKinley and throughout the summer, she trained under Nathanial Dyer, a former Human Jukebox section leader. She is also learning the ropes from current section leaders Brian Sterling and Lorenzo Hart.

Fair said she knows she has a long road to travel. She also said some criticized her instrument of choice, and so she was not exactly given a welcome mat.

"I always knew I would make it. A lot of people were on my side and a lot of people weren't. It's not easy," Fair said. "There were a lot of people to give helping and encouraging words to get me through."

Fair said her main support came from her family. But she was opposed by some of her musical family.

"I didn't like it first, because there were no females in the drum section. The drum section is basically for males," said Timothy Shelly, a sophomore cymbal player and civil engineering major from New Orleans.

"I was like, 'man, this lil' chick tripping, she ain't going to make it,' " Shelly said. "When I heard her play, I was like, 'good, she can play. She's good.' A lot of us accept her."

At most historically black colleges, having a woman on the drum line is not something directors accept voluntarily. Edward Graves, who has led Tennessee State University's band for 26 years, said Fair's accomplishments should not go unnoticed.

"For years at most HBCUs, it was only males," Graves said. "I would say it's more of such traditions at the school. I'm sure she is very qualified to make the drum line," he said of Fair, "and I think it's commendable that it happened."

Graves said women have steadily shown interest in his band's drum line. This year, he has three women in the corps.

On the other hand, Greggs said women have tried out for the drum line, but lacked the qualifications. He said a lot of alumni wouldn't believe a girl could make the drum line -- that is, until Fair.

"They figure it's a 'man thing,' " Greggs said. "Some . . . believe girls shouldn't be in the band, period."

Freddie King, a former cymbals player at Jackson State, said he does not find women on the drum line a big deal.

"They learn just like everybody else," King said. "It's because we never looked at it like, 'Aw, she's a girl.' "

Jackson State has had women on its drum line and even as drum major.

"The thing is, it's a high standard over here," said Ronnie Bell, a senior business management major and band member. "If you can't play, you're not going to play, male or female."

Brandi Worley, a student at Southern University, writes for the Southern Digest.

Posted Dec. 13, 2005