As the Auburn Knights gathered to celebrate the organization's 80th birthday on Friday night, they proved that when you do what you love, age has no meaning.
Auburn Knights from past decades gathered at the Mariott at Grand National Golf Course in Opelika for a reunion weekend of barbecue and concerts.
Knights from the last eight decades gathered to share the stage once again.
"When we're all together, we're the same age," said Richard Garrett, a member of the Knights for 42 years.
Taking the stage for the first set of the evening, the 30s band was led by Charlie Higgins.
Higgins personified the youthful attitude of the Knights as the 90-year-old man performed with the vigor and passion of a teenager.
Watching Higgins play, audience member Orrin 'Boody' Brown reflected on their past connection.
"He and I were classmates at Auburn. I think he graduated in 1941, as did I," Brown said. "We're the same age, and he's the last surviving member of the 30s Knights band."
Throughout the night, the audience was alive with similar stories of old friends and unforgettable performances.
"I guess you could say this is kind of an extended family," Garrett said.
The affection and respect members of the Knights have for each other was clear as equipment malfunctions were greeted with the same smiles and encouraging applause which powerful solos earned.
After the 2000s band finished its performance, Tom Winstead, an associate member of the Knights since 1990, was adamant about the Knights' purpose.
"Oh, this is wonderful and these young people who just played are why we have an organization," Winstead said. "I have a connection to every musician that's here. This is a great pleasure."
The Auburn Knights Alumni Association provides current orchestra members with more than just proud applause at their performances, Garrett said.
"All the proceeds benefit the Knights orchestra," he said. "After all of our expenses, everybody pays their own way. Even those of us who play pay to get in, so if you don't pay, you can't play."
The Knights alumni also provide scholarships for the hardest working members of the orchestra.
"It's a competitive scholarship with academics involved, not just musicianship, and we also help them buy music and equipment to keep the Knights alive," Garrett said.
The young musicians were not the only ones benefiting from the evening, though.
Art Depew, a longtime standard in the horn section of legendary bands, was proud to be a part of the evening.
"To work with the Knights is the thrill of my life. I work with many, many big bands, Tommy Dorsey, Harry James Band, and Lawrence Welk, but this to me is the high point of my life, and I look forward to coming here every year," Depew said. "I will be a part of it as long as I can walk in or roll in. I just love all of these people who care so much about good music."
Depew's enthusiasm was shared by the younger members of the Knights. Mark Belfast, playing with both the 30s band and the 2000s band, said he learned a great deal from playing with the older generations of the Knights.
"It's kind of a trip, man," Belfast said. "Each era band plays a completely different style of music you know, so I enjoy it. It's nice to experience the different ways that the music changes."
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