A historical account of marching bands in the 1970s, Give the Drummer Some: Drumline Origins in School-Daze Confunktory documents the life experiences of drummer Milton Lawrence Cox II and his bandmates as they transformed Virginia State University’s “Marching 110” into legend by combining African heritage with contemporary music of the time.

About the Author

Milton Lawrence Cox II graduated “Thank-You-Laude” with a Bachelor of Science degree from the School of Business at Virginia State University in Petersburg, VA. At VSU, he was impressed upon and taught that playing music in a college level marching band is performing on the professional level.

During his junior year at Big State (VSU) he also sought out and volunteered for a one semester cooperative education internship as a computer programmer trainee at Aetna Life and Casualty Insurance Company in Hartford, CT, which upon successful completion was extended for a second semester.

Keeping his love for percussion playing current, he has performed in and around eastern Virginia as a drummer-percussionist with the Virginia State University Alumni Theatre Ensemble’s production of For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf.

He is also prone to offer occasional sit-in rudimental combination strokes on his church’s drum set as his choir’s accompaniment.

The former U. S. Navy Lieutenant is a behavioral health provider and resides in Hampton Roads, VA.