"personalities" With Chuck Anderson

Jim McKinney came to South Dakota State University in 1975 and was SDSU's band director from 1983 until his retirement in 2009. Hundreds and more likely thousands of student musicians followed McKinney's lead in concerts and other performances in South Dakota and around the nation. Chuck Anderson interviewed McKinney in November of 1992. They talked about filling the ranks of SDSU's large marching band, "The Pride of the Dakotas." Students seeking music scholarships must perform well in auditions before the entire SDSU music faculty. Among other things, band directors need to draw a line between having fun in the band and having too much fun. Chuck Anderson was a high school band director for a time. He and McKinney discovered they had a musical experience in common: both played drums for Bob Hope on tour. McKinney began his musical career as a drummer and percussionist. Listen to Chuck's entire interview with Jim McKinney, SDSU band director from 1983 until 2008.