BOA Johnson City Preview
From 1981 to 1983, Johnson City, TN, hosted the Bands of America Grand National Championships. BOA returned to this location in 2019 to have it now host a Regional that pulls bands from states both near and far. Every group that performs in the stadium can feel the history of this site that crowned three different Grand National Champions.
While it won't be a Grand National champion, a new Regional Champion will be named as last year's winner will not be in attendance. There are a plethora of performing groups representing ten states and 20 groups vying to earn that championship medal. Here is the final schedule planned for preliminary performances this weekend:
(All Times ET)
10:00 AM - Berkeley (SC)
10:15 AM - Station Camp (TN)
10:30 AM - Coweta (OK)
10:45 AM - Dobyns-Bennett (TN)*
11:00 AM - Pickens (SC)
11:15 AM - South Laurel (KY)
BREAK
12:15 PM - Mauldin (SC)*
12:30 PM - Alpharetta (GA)
12:45 PM - Park Vista (FL)
1:00 PM - North Lincoln (NC)
1:15 PM - Seymour (TN)*
1:30 PM - Lakeside (GA)*
1:45 PM - Archbishop Alter (OH)
BREAK
2:30 PM - Whitewater (GA)
2:45 PM - Clover (SC)
3:00 PM - Lake Hamilton (AR)
3:15 PM - South Jones (MS)
3:30 PM - Enka (NC)
3:45 PM - Nordonia (OH)
4:00 PM - Elizabethton (TN)
4:15 PM - East Tennesse State University (Exhibition)
Awards
* Denotes Returning Band
Only four bands return from last year's lineup, including the runner-up band #15 Dobyns-Bennett (TN). Located just 30 minutes from the venue, they could be considered the home team and look primed to take the gold here. They'll use this as a springboard to help propel their momentum to a run at BOA Grand Nationals.
Two other returning groups will be Seymour (TN) and Lakeside (GA). Both made finals here, placing 8th and 9th, respectively, despite tying in finals. Seymour won the General Effect tie-breaker, giving them the final edge. Look for these two to once again be in a duel for bragging rights. Our only four returning groups will be rounded out by Mauldin (SC), who just missed finals last year and is looking to earn that extra performance this weekend.
This show has several groups traveling in from all cardinal directions. From the south, you'll see one of the top groups from Florida in Park Vista (FL), which is expected to be one of only two 4A groups here. Traveling from the west, all the way from Oklahoma, you'll get to watch Coweta (OK) looking to make a statement performance. Coming down from the north, you've got the little band that can, Archbishop Alter (OH), which made the BOA Obetz Regional Finals earlier this season. They are also anticipated to be the only 1A band in attendance. Joining us then from the (not too far) east will be North Lincoln (NC), who'll be ready to take the field come Saturday.
Something of note about this Regional is that it is mainly filled with class 2A schools, with 12 of the 20 schools in said class. You can fully expect a fierce contest to place in class, especially when the class includes other groups like Lake Hamilton (AR), Elizabethton (TN), and aforementioned Seymour and Coweta. We'll get an excellent chance to see what these smaller, but no less deserving, schools have to showcase.
Though marching styles have changed, venues have expanded, and shows have become more elaborate, the football field remains the same. There is nothing quite like stepping onto a field with storied history behind it or watching a band take the field where you may have once marched and made history. These groups will be making their own history when performing their 2022 programs, and perhaps we'll be talking about them 40 years from now.
