One of the three drum majors, Dominique Conner, speeds through his bandmates, handing out kudos when earned and criticism when needed. Band director Brian Simmons climbs to the top of a nearby ladder and lifts a bullhorn. Just why more than 100 student musicians are honing their routines on a giant slab of concrete in the brutal August heat of a Houston summer is a microcosm, in many ways, of life at a historically Black college or university like Texas Southern.
in a sense, you re marrying two of the most iconic things in the african american culture. reporter: that s right. the gospel music, the gospel church, and h.b.c.u. bands. perfect marriage. reporter: this was the moment the t.s.u. band submitted the music for grammy consideration. they are now the first college marching band to compete for best roots gospel album. so, you think you ve arrived, or you ve got to keep going? no, this this is only the beginning. there is no telling what s about to happen. reporter: making records, and setting them. david begnaud, cbs news, nashville. o donnell: that is great. i kind of hope they win. that s tonight s cbs evening news. and, we want to leave you with the empire state building lit up in red, white, and blue in honor of team u.s.a. s major win. i m norah o donnell. good night.
Pepsi s “The Halftime Game” ad will bring the excitement of storied HBCU band culture during the SWAC Championship game between Prairie View and Jackson State.