Tickets are free and are available by calling The Dixie’s Box Office at 731.986.2100, M-F, 10-4p.
The 129 Army Band traces its lineage back to the earliest units of the Tennessee Militia that protected the early colonial settlements and routed the British at the Battle of Kings Mountain on October 7, 1780. Their predecessors supported the Third Tennessee Infantry Regiment during the Mexican War (1846-1848), the Spanish-American War (1898-1900), and the Mexican Border Campaign of 1916. Redesignated as the 117 Infantry Regiment Band, they were activated in 1917 as part of the 30 Infantry Division. The 30 ID served in WWI with the American Expeditionary Force during the battles of Somme, Le Selle, Ypres, Saint-Mihiel, and in the Meuse-Argonne. After WWI, the 30 ID was deactivated and resumed their roles in the National Guards of their respective states. The 30 Infantry Division was reactivated in September 1940 with the onset of WWII. On June 10, 1944, troops from Tennessee, Pennsylvania, North and South Carolina, and Georgia were deployed as a replacement division to compensate for the losses suffered by the 29 ID during the D-Day invasion and were committed almost immediately against the German Army. The 30 ID distinguished itself during the French campaign by spearheading Operation Cobra, opening the way for Patton’s Third Army to drive into Brittany. It was during this campaign that the 30 ID earned the name “Roosevelt’s SS” by the German High Command, due to their constant pressure on the German 1 SS Division. The 30 was also an integral part of stopping the 1 SS’s drive through the Ardennes in the Battle of the Bulge, extracting so many casualties on the elite 1 SS Division that they were no longer able to do battle. The 30 ID was deactivated November 25, 1945, at Camp Jackson, NC.
After deactivation, the individual units of the 30 ID returned to their states. Troops from Tennessee formed the 30 Armored Division where they served proudly from 1945 to 1973. When the 30 AD was disbanded, many units were formed under 30th Troop Command including the 129 Army Band.
Since its inception, the 129 Army Band has represented the state of Tennessee and the Tennessee Army National Guard proudly. From playing at two World’s Fairs to marching in a Presidential Inaugural Parade, the 129 Army Band has been called on to perform countless times across the globe. On two occasions they played for the US Ambassador of Columbia, South America. Additionally, they performed in Izmir, Turkey, in support of NATO and have relieved numerous active duty bands at such places as Ft. Monroe, Virginia, the United States Military Academy at West Point, and Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. In addition, the 129 Army Band was one of two reserve bands called to active duty in support of Operation Desert Storm.
The 129 Army Band’s most rewarding job, however, is supporting the troops and families of the Tennessee National Guard. Without question, the 129th has established itself as a premier National Guard Band and will continue to perform at the highest level of professionalism every time they are called upon to represent the state of Tennessee and the United States of America.
