Calkins: The Central High band was banned from a game. So they fought back — with kazoos!
Ollie Liddell is the band director at Central High School. (Greg Campbell/Special to The Daily Memphian file)
Geoff Calkins
Geoff Calkins has been chronicling Memphis and Memphis sports for more than two decades. He is host of "The Geoff Calkins Show" from 9-11 a.m. M-F on 92.9 FM. Calkins has been named the best sports columnist in the country five times by the Associated Press sports editors, but still figures his best columns are about the people who make Memphis what it is.
Just when we thought the Central High School band couldn’t make us any prouder as a community, we have the kazoo rebellion. A small — but important — story for our times.
It began before Friday’s football game between Central High and Brighton High School. Played at Brighton. The Central High band was ready to take its award-winning show on the road.
“But then we were told we could not play,” said Ollie Liddell, the director at Central.
Why?
“Because we were too loud,” he said.
This is an excerpt of this story. To read more, please click here and subscribe.
Topics
Central High School Brighton High School Kazoos Geoff Calkins Subscriber Only2025 is almost over. Now is the time to support your trusted local news source.
Will you help us reach more Memphians with quality, in-depth local news? Make a fully tax-deductible donation or other contribution to The Daily Memphian, a 501(c)3 nonprofit news organization, today.
Thank you for keeping up with what’s happening in Memphis. Thank you for investing in our community’s trusted local news source.
Geoff Calkins on demand
Never miss an article. Sign up to receive Geoff Calkins' stories as they’re published.
Enter your e-mail address
Related stories
Calkins: Central High lights up the stage — and advances to finals in New York.
The Central High jazz band continued to blaze through New York, advancing to the finals of the Essentially Ellington contest. Said Ollie Liddell, the band’s director: “We play with the spirt of the city, man.”
Calkins: Incredibly, the Central High jazz band did it. They won the whole thing.
The Central High jazz band did it. They defeated bands from across the country — and around the world — to win the Essentially Ellington contest in New York. And, yes, there were many tears.
Embezzlement case leaves high school band short on funds
As an investigation into the missing funds goes on, the Southaven High School Band is left without money for trips, uniforms and other day-to-day necessities.
Comments
Want to comment on our stories or respond to others? Join the conversation by subscribing now. Only paid subscribers can add their thoughts or upvote/downvote comments. Our commenting policy can be viewed here.