Billy “Rip” Reagan was director of the Gadsden State Show Band for 28 years. He was also the principal music arranger for the group that performed for college functions, community events and recruiting shows. His many years as a music educator made him a legend throughout the South, and his influence is known internationally. Many of his students have become music educators or perform professionally. Reagan previously served as band director for Crossville High School, Corinth High School in Mississippi, Albertville High School and Emma Sansom High School. He is widely known for his 25-year tenure at Emma Sansom, where he also served as principal for five years. His accomplishments there include 24 years of superior concert ratings and more than 200 superior ratings at marching competitions. Under Reagan’s direction, Sansom’s band won the National Veterans of Foreign War Championship three times, 1957 through 1959, competing in Miami, New York and Los Angeles. These awards were instrumental in Gadsden’s recognition as the City of Champions. Sansom’s band also won the Greatest Band in Dixie Award in a prestigious competition held in New Orleans in 1963, 1965 and 1967. The band also performed for many televised professional and semi-professional football games, including the New Orleans Saints, Atlanta Falcons and Birmingham Stallions. Reagan shared his musical talent internationally by conducting the Dixie American Youth Band from 1969 to 1970. This goodwill musical tour took students from seven Southern states to Europe to entertain audiences at schools and public events. He was known for his music judging abilities in Europe as well as throughout the United States.