Mayor Jason Reeves proved he was pretty good at keeping secrets Friday afternoon. During Troy University’s dedication ceremony for its School of Music, Reeves announced that the new building would not be the only thing named after John M. Long.
The name of the university’s Director of Bands Emeritus will soon grace the road that leads to it. Collegedale Street will be renamed Dr. John M. Long Drive.
“I’m very honored,” said Long after the ceremony. “That was a tremendous surprise.”
Long found himself just as surprised by the turnout on a rainy day. He said he didn’t expect a 10th of the crowd that applauded him from the seats of the Claudia Crosby Theater.
Many of his former students attended the ceremony. Robert W. Smith, an alum who is now a member of the University’s music faculty, said each of them represented Long’s legacy and they stood on the shoulders of a giant.
“This isn’t just a simple giant. This is an amazing giant, a giant teacher, giant musician, giant in terms of friendship. There are more band directors from Troy than anywhere else in America. When you were a student of Dr. Long’s, you were a student for life,” Smith said. “I’m a student, I’m an alum, I’m a product of John M. Long.”
He shared his favorite “Longisms,” Long’s familiar phrases that had everyone in the audience nodding.
“I remember hearing him say, ‘I don’t want you to work at Walmart. I want you to own Walmart,’” Smith said.
Long started at Troy University in 1965 with a band of 13. Within a few years, the Sound of the South boasted more than 200.
“I never had a band member I didn’t like and I never had a band member I didn’t learn from,” Long said.
Troy Alum Phil Wilson chose to attend the school after Long told him there was a spot for him in the Sound of the South.
“Thank you for everything you’ve done to allow us to express our passion,” Wilson said to Long.
In the 25 years Chancellor Jack Hawkins Jr. has been at Troy, he said he’d observed the Sound of the South and its alumni and reached a conclusion.
“I believe it is as close to a ‘music mafia’ as I can imagine,” he said. “If that’s the case, we have the Godfather right here at the center of the stage.”
The Godfather had a few words to say, too. Long praised Hawkins and the School of Music. He thanked everyone from the bottom of his heart.
“All I can say is it’s the greatest honor of my life,” Long said. “I hope some day I can repay you for all of that.”