“Give the Drummer Some: Drum Line Origins in School-Daze Confunktory” by Milton Lawrence Cox II is now available for purchase

“Give the Drummer Some: Drum Line Origins in School-Daze Confunktory” by Milton Lawrence Cox II documents the life experiences of drummer Milton Lawrence Cox II and his bandmates as they transformed Virginia State University’s “Marching 110” into legend by combining African heritage with contemporary music of the time. Proudly published by Citi of Books, this book is now available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other major retail platforms.

Milton Lawrence Cox II graduated “Thank-You-Laude” with a Bachelor of Science degree from the School of Business at Virginia State University in Petersburg, VA. At VSU, he was impressed upon and taught that playing music in a college level marching band is performing on the professional level. 

During his junior year at Big State (VSU) he also sought out and volunteered for a one semester cooperative education internship as a computer programmer trainee at Aetna Life and Casualty Insurance Company in Hartford, CT, which upon successful completion was extended for a second semester. 

Keeping his love for percussion playing current, he has performed in and around eastern Virginia as a drummer-percussionist with the Virginia State University Alumni Theatre Ensemble’s production of For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf. 

He is also prone to offer occasional sit-in rudimental combination strokes on his church’s drum set as his choir’s accompaniment. The former U. S. Navy Lieutenant is a behavioral health provider and resides in Hampton Roads, VA. 

“Give the Drummer Some: Drum Line Origins in School-Daze Confunktory” provides a personal and vivid account of Cox’s experiences as an African American schoolboy drummer in the 1960s and 1970s. As a member of various school music groups, including marching bands, concert bands, and string orchestras, Cox explores the evolution of the “drum section” into what is now known as the “drumline.”

The book focuses on the transformative period during which the “military-style cadence” of traditional marching bands evolved into the funk-driven, syncopated beats that characterize modern drumlines. Cox attributes this shift to three key factors: the competitive nature among percussionists, the desire to push the boundaries of rhythmic cadences, and the intense focus on rivalries between schools. This transformation also included a move toward dynamic, visually engaging performances, where drummers not only played but moved in sync with the music, energizing the crowd.

Cox highlights the strong connection between performers and audiences, noting how the presence of large crowds encouraged drummers to play with greater energy and creativity. The crowd’s enthusiasm, along with the drummers’ infectious energy, played a crucial role in the growth of the drumline’s identity as both a musical and visual performance element. The book reflects on how these formative experiences helped shape the modern drumline as a central and exciting part of marching band performances.