Returning to Music at McClellan in 2010, will be the JAXPAN Steel Drum Band. They have made their first appearance at McClellan for the Mountain Longeaf Festival where they received rave reviews. They have since appeared each summer before Music at McClellan fans. If you heard them playing before, you'll be anxious to hear them again. If not, you’ll be amazed at the variety of musical styles this 7-member band masterfully performs. Who knew that steel drums could sound so good?

JaxPan will be appearing during the Music Festival at the Longleaf Village on Saturday, June 19, 2010. Check back for times.

The story of JAXPAN 2007
by Tracy Tyler

In the mid-1980s Johnny Maines, a music education major transferred to JSU and brought his own set of pans; enough for three players and a rhythm section. He organized the band Typhoon and preformed throughout Alabama, Georgia and the Florida panhandle. They were having way too much fun. I later joined the group playing double tenors. When Johnny graduated and left Jacksonville, I formed the JSU group JAXPAN.

The present band is made up of JSU students and community members. Ashley Gaither and Kristina Cothran are sophomores majoring in communications and social work, respectively. They both are from Trion, Georgia and played in the Trion High School Steel Drum Band. Dr. Kelly Gregg has been teaching in the Department of Geography & Geology for 15 years and joined our group last Fall after purchasing a pan last year. Five years ago, Rod Conaway was given lessons on steel drum as a birthday present. Four months later he bought his own pan and has been hammering ever since. He is the music minister at Gladeview Baptist Church. Two years ago Rod and I started a splinter group called Caribbean Chrome to play for wedding receptions and pool parties. I have been teaching percussion at JSU for 26 years and am still having fun.

New to the band in 2008 are members Kim Stevens and Brian Degaetano.