Director: Brad Caraway
In 1980 Brad began his tenure with Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps. Over the next 10 years he taught as a member of the marching staff, was Marching Caption Head
and served as General Manager and Vice-President of the Board of Directors. In addition, he drove a bus, drove the 18-wheeler and did whatever was needed. He is grateful to
have worked with such wonderful and talented staff during those years. The great work of the staff and marching members paid off. During the 80’s the corps won a DCI Regional (1986) and High Guard twice (1985, 1987) and was always competitive. Brad was inducted into the Spirit
of Atlanta Hall of Fame in 2018.
Director: Deedee Nolin Kenner
A graduate of Jacksonville State University and alumnus of the Marching Southerners under the direction of Dr. David L. Walters, she also served as the Color Guard Captain. She won 2 DCI titles as a member of the Concord Blue Devils and 2 SECG championships as well as being a
Midwest and WGI finalist with the Southern Lancers and Chapter V. She taught a number of color guards including the University of Alabama Million Dollar Band. In addition to her degree in Accounting from JSU, she has a Master’s degree in Finance from the University of Alabama and a Master’s in IT from the University of Phoenix.
Her journey with the Spirit of Atlanta started with a question from Brad Caraway, “Hey, wanna come teach Spirit?” After instructing for a year, she also took the Manager’s role and worked to reduce the corps debt. Her time with Spirit provided some of her most memorable and rewarding work. She is very proud of “her” corps kids and the lessons they learned through the activity and is thankful that she had a small part in that process. Deedee currently works as a production assistant on TV shows such as Lucifer, Bosch: Legacy, Perry Mason, Quantum Leap and The Rookie. She and her husband Perry have a daughter (Angela) and son-in-law (Bryan Eason). She is a member of the Spirit of Atlanta Hall of Fame.
Program Coordinator: Sal Salas
Sal's career in the Pageantry Arts has spanned over many years, and has not only been diverse, but extremely successful in all areas. Serving as everything from instructor to designer to director to judge, Sal's commitment to youth and excellence has seen no bounds. Highlights of his pageantry resume include his past position as the Executive Director of the Madison Scouts, his involvement as a judge for Winter Guard International since 2004 (as well as various circuits throughout Wisconsin, California, Ohio, Florida, Missouri, Texas and Illinois), marching band judge, and his role as the founder and director of the five time Winter Guard International Gold Medalist 'The State Street Review'.
Sal's honors include his being named the 2005 Drum Corps International Director of the Year, being a recipient of the prestigious WGI Hall of Fame Award in 1993, 1989 inducted into the Midwest Color Guard Circuit Hall of Fame, 2009 inducted into the WGASC Hall of Fame, 2019
inducted into the Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps Hall of Fame, and in 2023 inducted into the Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps Hall of Fame. Sal was the drill/visual designer for the Spirit of Atlanta from 1983-1990. He was the color guard designer for the Glassmen Drum and Bugle Corps from 1993-1995 and program coordinator for the Glassmen Drum and Bugle
Corps from 1996-2002 and 2007-2012, Director/Executive Director of the Madison Scouts from 2003-2006.
Sal most recently taught the Gold Medalist Juxtaposition Winter Guard in 2016, 2010-2012 and 2015-17, Black Watch (2010-2014), Mechanicsburg High School Open WGI Champions (2011-2016), Program consultant for the Seven Lakes HS Band and designer for the Winter Guard, Clovis
HS Band, Clovis, NM (2015), Elkins HS Winter Guard (2015-2016), Black Gold World Winter Guard (Design Consultant), Black Gold A Winter Guard (Designer), Black Gold Open Winter Guard 2016-17, Redemption Winter Guard (Designer), Chino High School (2018), and Dobie High School (Design consultant). Sal was also a design consultant for Prospect HS Marching Band, Prospect, IL
(2014-2016). Sal was the Color Guard Coordinator/Artistic Director and a member of the Design Team for the Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps (2013-2016). Member of Design Team with the Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps, of Allentown, PA (2017) and Program Coordinator/
Artistic Director with the Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps, of Atlanta, GA (2017-present).
Brass Arranger and Caption Head: Michael Martin
Michael is welcomed home to Spirit of Atlanta as its brass arranger for his fourth season. A distinguished Spirit Alum, Martin is an accomplished trumpet player in the Boston Symphony and the Boston Pops. The son of corps founder Freddy Martin, he attended Northwestern
University, where he received both his bachelor's and master's degrees in trumpet performance. He has performed with orchestras worldwide, including the Atlanta, Baltimore, and Chicago symphonies.
Michael has worked with several corps, including the Cavaliers, Phantom Regiment, and The Academy. Michael is also currently a brass arranger for Carolina Crown.
Percussion Arranger and Caption Head: Mike Back
Mike Back retired at the end of the 2018 school year after completing 34 years as a music educator. He served at Walton High School in Marietta, Georgia since 1985, where he was the Director of Bands and Fine Arts Department Chair. Prior to his appointment as Director of Bands, Mike served as the assistant director at Walton for thirteen years. Before coming to Walton, Mike was the percussion caption head and arranger for the Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps. As a native of Alexandria, Kentucky, he attended Morehead State University in Morehead, Kentucky where he graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education in 1981.
During Mike’s tenure at Walton, the band received national recognition through performances at Bands of America Regional and Grand National competitions. The band also marched in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and is a three-time participant in the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California. In 2010, the John Philip Sousa Foundation presented the Walton
Band with the prestigious Sudler Shield, an international award recognizing marching bands of world class excellence. In 2011, the Walton Symphonic Band was selected to perform at the GMEA State In-service in Savannah, Georgia.
Mike is a member of the National Association for Music Education, Georgia Music Educators Association, the Percussive Arts Society, Phi Mu Alpha and Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity. He also served on the staff of the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Marching Band that performed in the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Centennial Olympic Games in Atlanta. Mike has served as a clinician, judge and consultant throughout the United States and is an educational artist for Innovative Percussion.
Mike lives in Roswell, Georgia with his wife Andrea.
Visual Designer: J. Steven Moore
J. Steven Moore is the Conductor and Music Director for the Naples Concert Band. He recently completed 10 years of service as Associate Dean, of Undergraduate Studies at the Frost School of Music, University of Miami. Steven was honored to serve as a visual staff member for the Spirit of Atlanta in 1980, 1981, and 1982. He has served as Chair of the Department of Music at the University of Central Missouri, Director of Bands at Colorado State University, Lafayette HS and Jessie Clark MS in Lexington, Kentucky, and Assistant Director of Bands at the University of
Kentucky. Additionally, he has served as the interim Director of Orchestras at UK, Conductor for the Central Kentucky Youth Orchestras, and Conductor for the CSU Symphony Orchestra. A member of the American Bandmasters Association, Steven has contributed to the
organization as a Board of Directors member.
Under his direction, the Lafayette HS Band achieved numerous accolades, including performances at the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic, the Sudler Shield, appearances in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and 6 State Marching Band Championships. He was recognized
as the Kentucky High School Teacher of the Year by the Department of Education and was honored with the William Butler Award for Administrative Excellence at the University of Miami. Additionally, Steven authored the book "Play It From the Heart: What You Learn from Music About Success In Life," published by the National
Association for Music Education (NAfME).
To learn more, visit www.PlayItFromtheHeart.com.
Steven resides in Miromar Lakes, Florida, with his wife, Kimberly Sena Moore, Ph.D., and their children, Jameson (17) and Lorian (15).
Color Guard Designer and Caption Head: John Gray
John attended Jacksonville State University and was a performing member with the Marching Southerners rifle line before being asked to join the staff and serve as Color Guard Director & Coordinator as a marching member. He also performed with the Spirit of Atlanta, the Madison Scouts and the 5-time WGI champion State Street Review.
John has instructed, designed for and consulted with numerous high school band programs across the country including Lassiter HS and Union HS from Tulsa, OK. He spent his professional career employed by Turner Broadcasting in several different capacities including CNN
Headline News and Cartoon Network. He enjoys traveling and spending time with his kids who are performing members with the Marching Southerners. He lives in Atlanta and is honored to be working with the Spirit of Atlanta Alumni Corps.
Visual Staff: John Armstrong
John Armstrong was one of the first staff members hired, served on the teaching staff for eleven years, and did anything Freddie needed. John taught marching, worked with the horn line, was in program meetings, wrote the drill for Let It Be Me in 1978, arranged music, lined fields, sold souvenirs, taught the original contra line, drove every vehicle Spirit owned, and help talk Jim Ott into coming to Atlanta.
Visual Staff: Bruce Fisher
Throughout his 39 year teaching career, Bruce has made significant contributions to the world of education. His commitment to teaching and his dedication to his students have resulted in multiple citations recognizing his outstanding contributions to the field of education. He is
especially proud of his affiliation since 1982 with the Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps where he has served in many capacities. His latest efforts have been directed at assisting and supporting the formation of the Spirit of Atlanta Alumni Corps.
Bruce Fisher's exemplary career in education has been marked by numerous accolades and honors. He has been named Star Teacher and Teacher of the Year on multiple occasions, reflecting his exceptional teaching abilities and his impact on students' lives. Bruce's dedication to his
profession has also earned him recognition as a four-time recipient of the prestigious Who's Who Among American Teachers award.
Bruce Fisher's outstanding contributions have not gone unnoticed on the national stage. He is a proud lifetime member of The Global Directory of Who’s Who, Biltmore Who's Who and Marquis Who's Who, prestigious organizations that recognize individuals who have demonstrated exceptional excellence in their respective fields.
Visual Staff : Phil Min
Phil presently serves as the operator and content creator of Mindful Media, a company that produces instructional support graphics and videos for small companies and educational institutions. He previously served as a band director in Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi for over 35 years. His teaching has covered wide range of assignments, from fifth-grade through university level. Notable highlights included positions at Mississippi State University as Associate Director of Bands, and Vestavia Hills High School and Bragg Middle School in suburban Birmingham. Bands under his direction consistently won many honors and were selected for performances at state and regional conventions. His education includes a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, and Master of Education and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees from the University of Memphis. In addition to working as a band director,
Phil served for a dozen seasons as an instructor for several DCI drum and bugle corps, including Spirit of Atlanta (GA), Avant Garde (NY), and the Ventures (ONT). Twice a recipient of the National Band Association's "Citation of Excellence", he has served widely as a clinician and
adjudicator. Dr. Min is an avid runner, who has completed over 300 marathons. He resides in Mount Pleasant, TX with his wife, Leigh Ann, who is the pastor at First Presbyterian Church. Phil is very honored to be part of the staff of the Spirit Alumni Corps and is looking forward to reconnecting with old friends and meeting new ones!
Color Guard Staff: Lori Clark Detweiler
Lori (Lolli) Clark Detweiler grew up in Marietta, GA, attended Sprayberry High School and was a member of the Band of Gold under Dan Martin. Having both her sister(Debbie Clark) and first cousin (Jim Clark) be Charter Members of the Spirit of Atlanta it was only natural for her to follow. Lori marched color guard/rifle with Spirit in 1980 and 1981. She then marched with the Bayonne Bridgemen in '82 and '83, then went on to age out in 1984 with the Blue Devils. She was on staff with Spirit in 1986 then again in 1989. She has taught numerous high school fall and winter programs including Sprayberry, South Cobb, Woodstock, Etowah Lori has been married to her husband, Dan, for over 37 years, having met thru drum corps! She has two sons, Trevor (21) and Tristan (28) who is also a Spirit alumni
Color Guard Staff: Brooke Howe
Brooke Howe is an aerospace engineer supporting the U.S. Army in Hunstville, AL and has been performing or teaching color guard for 25 years. Originally from Daphne, AL, Brooke graduated from The University of Alabama in 2007 where she was in the Million Dollar Band, was a founding member of the Alta Marea Winterguard, and spent her summers with Spirit of Atlanta from 2003-2006. She was the color guard director at Bob Jones High School from 2013-2020, a choreographer and instructor for Southwind Drum and Bugle Corps from 2017-2019, and is currently a choreographer, designer, and technician for the Million Dollar Band Color Guard and Alta Marea Winterguard. Brooke lives in Madison, AL with her husband John (SoA contra '00-'03).
Administrative Staff: Gary Hood
Gary marched in the Spirit of Atlanta horn line from 1982-1985 and served on the horn staff from 1987-1991.