James Lamar Triplett was band director at Emma Sansom High School (Gadsden) from 1939-1943, started the band programs at Oxford High School and Alexandria High School, and served as band director at Bessemer High School from 1950-1960. In his later years at Bessemer, he served as band director and Supervisor of Music.

Mr. Triplett graduated from Gadsden High School in 1936. He received his BS from Jacksonville State College in 1939, his MA from Peabody College in 1950, and did post-graduate work at the University of Alabama. He served as president of the Alabama Bandmasters Association and was inducted into the Phi Beta Mu Hall of Fame in 1976. 

Each year, the “Lamar Triplett Scholarship” is awarded to an outstanding high school senior who plans on attending college in Alabama and aspires to a career as a band director.