We sent some questions out to some alumni of different eras. One of them to reply was Dondra Ledbetter Houlditch. She was one of our Drum Majors during the red years. She is originally from Eclectic, AL, and is currently in Montgomery. She is now a wife and mother. And now, I give you Dondra. Click read more to continue…

Christopher: When did you first get involved with Southwind? Who or what brought you in?

Dondra: First involved in 1989. Eddie Mann was my band director and suggested I try out.



C: Were you one of the lucky ones to earn a nickname? If so what was it?

D: I didn't have a nickname (that I was aware of).


C: What position(s) did you occupy, how long?

D: I played Contra, baritone, and conducted in 89. I tried to march on a broken foot during spring camps in 90, bowed out then wound up coming back in as a sub for the last two weeks of tour.


C: What was your home life like then? Job? School?

D: I had just graduated from HS in 89, Started at Livingston Univ. in the fall.


C: Were you a member of any corps as a young person or in any senior corps after your age out year? Served on other staffs?

D: I have had no other corps experience.


C: What did you struggle with the most while with Southwind?

D: My biggest struggle was hoping I was good enough - there were so many talented kids and staff. That was an incredible group of people.


C: Who was your favorite staff person? Why?

D: Tommy was my favorite. He was always so intense; I wanted to grow up to be like Tommy.


C: Any horror stories you’d like to share from the tour?

D: I was lured onto the Ventures bus in NY and was so happy to get away. Those girls were scary.


C: Where and when was your BEST off-day on tour?

D: Niagara, Canada - we got toasted - legally!


C: What are some things you did during breaks in the action to kill some down time on tour?

D: Patti E. & I ate baby bell cheese and Melba toast - yummy.


C: Was there a funny phrase or saying that seemed to last all summer?

D: "Hey Dobbins, play the black crows!" and "sittin at the Big Star, drinkin Pabst Blue Ribbon" and "Hey Fleck, don't suck"


C: Which Southwind show is your favorite one of all time?

D: 89 was my fav - the music had heart (and blood, sweat and tears).


C: Did you reach any goals or break any records personally while with the corps?

D: It was nice to win the caption at the mid-season show. Hell, it was freakin' awesome.


C: Are there any people you haven’t seen nor heard from since being on staff that you would love to catch up with again?

D: Sure, everyone.



C: What is one idea you have never seen played on the field by any corps that you would love to see before you die?

D: There are lots of shows I have imagined, but I'll keep those to myself.


C: Do you do anything corps-related now?

D: No. I will peek at the score during the summer, but that's about it.


C: What is your home life like now? (Work, school, family, etc)