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 From
what I have been told, the first band at Lone Oak was around 1930 -
1940. It was under the direction of Yewell Harrison. He also directed
the Reidland and Heath. J.F. (Doc) Hicks played saxophone with the band.
After leaving Lone Oak, I believe Mr. Harrison went to Fulton High School
as principal.
The present band was organized in the fall of 1960. John Robinson was
principal of Lone Oak High School, who supported the program completely.
Without his support, the band would not be what it is today. I was hired
to direct all the vocal music and start a band (see image below). The
music department was given the two old first grade classrooms at the
end of the Ag. building as our practice area.  Connecting
the two classrooms were restrooms. The first time I walked into the
"music department" all of the choir music, which had been
moved from an old choir room, was in a big pile in the middle of the
room.
The rooms were regular size first grade classrooms with regular height
ceilings and lights, a door to the outside, two doors between the rooms
and a heater under the window. The choir room had built-in risers.
In order to get everyone into the room, we had to put our instruments
together in the "choir room" and single file through a rest
room into our seats in the "band room". The room got so hot
that every day we had to take the window out, rain or shine, to let
the heat and noise, I mean music, out. Needless to say, we had a challenge
in getting ninety-three kids into the "band room".
At the time the band was started, McCracken County Schools System was
able to provide the director's salary of $4,400 a year and $1,500.00
per year for all music, instruments, equipment and everything else needed.
Later in the year, after the Band Boosters met with the Board and the
Board agreed to match the funds the parents raised for uniforms. We
organized fund raisers like S.O.S Days, fruit cake sales and others
events to raise money.
 We
had our instrument showing and recruiting in the fall of 1960 after
school started. The students' instruments did not arrive until weeks
later. Until that time band rehearsals were classes on how to read and
count music. The band was able to learn "The Star Spangled Banner",
in unison, by the season opener of basketball in 1960. The band played
the National anthem before the game and played out of The Belwin Band
Builder during the game and at half time.
In April 1961, we participated in the State Music Festival at Murray.
We played Champions On Parade March, Pacific Grandeur Overture and Two
Hymns. The band received a superior as did the girls chorus and A Cappella
Choir. We also received 20 superior ratings, 20 excellent ratings in
solos and ensembles and 4 good ratings, two in piano and 2 in vocal
ensembles.
The community became even more supportive of the band. We performed
at Matinee Music Clubs, Lions Club dinners, Elks Lodges and even at
the drive-in movie theater. We marched in the circus parade, Memorial
Day Parade, and in Metropolis. The first time we went to Metropolis
more than half the band had never been out of the state before.
 The
Band Boosters made the difference in the success of the band. Not only
were they willing to work and help plan, they gave strong support to
me and to everything the band participated in.
Until we had the funds for uniforms, the inside uniform was black shoes,
black slacks or skirts, white shirts and black tie. Our parade uniform
was the same except we wore white slacks. We marched without hats because
we couldn't afford them. (see picture at left)
I'll fast forward.
I believe it was a little before Christmas in 1962, during the bands
second year that Linda Pirtle's father, Stanley, who was also President
of the Lone Oak Lions Club, announced to the band that we were going
to receive an invitation to march in the International Lions Club Parade,
in Miami, in July 1963. Needless to say, we were pleased. The parents
accepted the invitation and the students accepted their responsibility.
It was in one of our planning meetings for the Miami trip, in the early
spring of 1963, that the marching band was named. Our summer marching
uniform needed some work. The uniform needed hats and a cooler outfit
for Miami. The committee was discussing what kind of hats to get when
either Carroll Graves, Charlie Hargrove, Kitty Metcalf or Imogene Boren
suggested that if we got black hats and black string "Kentucky
Colonel" type ties, we could go as the Marching Kentucky Colonels.
'
 We
realized that we were making a serious decision for the band's tradition.
It didn't take long. A motion was made to buy the hats and ties. It
was also agreed to have shorts, black suspenders. black knee high socks,
white shoes and white short sleeve shirts. From then on we called our
selves "The Marching Kentucky Colonel Band from Lone Oak, Kentucky".
The Marching Kentucky Colonels went to Miami, Florida to compete in
their first international contest. We were competing with other bands
for rankings and for a prize of $750.00. We didn't win. We did however
come in 13th out of 97 bands competing.
Shortly after the band was formed we established two basic rules, "You
can do anything you want, as long as you would do it in front of your
mother, your father, your band director or your principal," and
"Bring honor to yourselves, your parents, your community and your
school".
It has been a highlight in my life to be a part of the Kentucky Colonel
Band from Lone Oak, Kentucky. It is a pleasure to read on the Web site
or hear from former parents or students and learn how successful the
band is and hear how the band continues some past traditions and also
sets new standards and new traditions.
Without a doubt, there is something special about the Lone Oak Band
that is difficult to describe and something that one carries forever.
I hope this information was helpful and not too drawn out. Congratulations,
Kentucky Colonels of Lone Oak, Kentucky. You have made a lot of people
proud.
Richard L. Petty
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BOA Grand National Semi-Finalist