Carlee Huckaby ’29 plays key role as drum major of the Lindsey Wilson University Band.
by Duane Bonifer
COLUMBIA, KY. (11/05/2025) At the Lindsey Wilson University football game on Saturday, Nov. 8, Blue Raider fans will celebrate the careers of 23 students who will take part in their final regular-season game at Parnell Family Stadium.
But for Carlee Huckaby ’29, things are only beginning.
Huckaby has been the drum major this year for the Lindsey Wilson Band. And the nursing major from Columbia says she’s excited about what the future holds for the Blue Raider musicians.
“This first year has been amazing,” said Huckaby, the daughter of Roger and Bobbie Huckaby of Columbia.
Huckaby said a big reason for the amazing 2025 fall semester is because of Robert Palmer, who is in his first year as Lindsey Wilson director of bands.
“He is so positive, and he always has something nice to say,” said Huckaby. “Even if we have something to work on, he’s a person who builds us up rather than breaks us down.”
Huckaby said it’s also been an honor to have served as drum major of the Lindsey Wilson Band as a freshman. It’s a position she also held during her senior year at Adair County High School.
“Being a drum major is amazing,” she said. “You get to keep time for the rest of the band, so whenever they are getting out of step, they look back at me to know what the tempo is or what part of the measure we are on.”
Palmer said that Huckaby has been a key member in helping build the Lindsey Wilson Band.
“Carlee is a very dedicated band student,” said Palmer. “She only wants what’s best for the group and brings much experience to the podium. I’m very happy that the band is being led by a student, because, at the end of the day, it’s their performance, not mine.”
In addition to performing at Lindsey Wilson home football games this fall, the Lindsey Wilson Band has appeared at Adair County’s annual Mark Twain Pre-Season Exhibition and with the Valley High School Band in Louisville. The Blue Raiders will also appear in this year’s Christmas in Columbia Christmas parade on Dec. 6.
Huckaby said the performances have generated a lot of interest in the Lindsey Wilson Band.
“Our band is going to be growing a lot next year,” she said. “We’ve had a lot of people come up to us and say they want to join the Lindsey Wilson University Band.”
Huckaby, who plays saxophone, said she is the only musical member of her family. But she’s not the only family member who is attracted to work in health care. Huckaby said she was inspired to become a nurse by her parents, both of whom are nurses.
Balancing her classroom work with her band responsibilities is challenging, but Huckaby said that Lindsey Wilson’s supportive campus environment has been a big help.
“It’s a lot of work, but it’s so much fun,” she said. “And it’s going to be worth it in the end.”
Lindsey Wilson University student Carlee Huckaby ’29 of Columbia leads the band during the university’s 2025 Homecoming football game on Oct. 25 at Parnell Family Stadium.
Lindsey Wilson University is a vibrant liberal arts university in Columbia, Kentucky. Founded in 1903 and affiliated with The United Methodist Church, the mission of Lindsey Wilson is to serve the educational needs of students by providing a living-learning environment within an atmosphere of active caring and Christian concern where every student, every day, learns and grows and feels like a real human being. Lindsey Wilson offers 28 undergraduate majors, five graduate programs and a doctoral program. The university’s 29 intercollegiate varsity athletic teams have won more than 120 team and individual national championships.
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(Duane Bonifer – Lindsey Wilson University)