Andrea Back, a native of Washington, D.C., earned her degree in Journalism from Georgia State University and has built a career in Executive Marketing and Communications for public, private, and nonprofit organizations.

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She joined Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps in 1982, marching in the color guard under Adam Casey and Gordon McGraw. In 1986, she married Mike Back, Spirit’s Percussion Caption Head, making Atlanta their forever home.

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After marching, Andrea volunteered with Spirit as Contest Director for Drums Across America and served on the Board of Directors, leading fundraising campaigns and sponsorship initiatives that supported the corps and its members.

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For Andrea, Spirit is more than a corps, it’s forever friends, family, and community.

Julie Cain marched with the Spirit of Atlanta hornline in 1982 as a soprano and returned in 1983 on mellophone. Since her marching years, she has been an active and dedicated alumna, serving on the Board of Directors from 2003–2013 and continuing as an advisor and advocate for the corps.

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Julie also participated in the Spirit of Atlanta Alumni Corps, contributing both on and off the field, and has rallied her family to support Spirit’s mission and traditions. Professionally, she is a general practice trial attorney and resides in Tallapoosa, Georgia with her husband, Dan, who has long supported her dedication to the corps.

Gary Hood marched with Spirit of Atlanta from 1982–1985 on contra bass, serving as section leader from 1983–1985. He was honored with the Spirit Award in 1983 and the Crossmen Award in 1985.

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After aging out, Gary continued to support Spirit through summer camps and served on the Brass Staff through 1991. In the early 1990s, he collaborated with Freddy Martin on American Heritage fundraising initiatives for schools and band programs.

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Gary later worked in commercial sales with Carl Black Automotive before retiring in 2010. Since then, he has been a dedicated member of the Spirit of Atlanta Hall of Fame Committee, helping recognize those who have made lasting contributions to the corps.

A charter member of Spirit of Atlanta, Gary Hopkins brought valuable drum corps experience from his years playing mellophone with the Alabama Charioteers. In 1978, his lush mellophone solo in “Higher and Higher” helped propel Spirit into the top echelon of the drum corps world in just its second season.

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In 1979, his final year as a performer, Gary was selected drum major and honored as Member of the Year at Spirit’s summer banquet in Birmingham.

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Gary’s connection to Spirit didn’t end when he aged out. He spent decades touring and serving on staff in various roles, always stepping in wherever he was needed. His dedication and presence have been a constant for Spirit throughout its history.

Michael Martin’s connection to Spirit of Atlanta began on the day he was born—August 9, 1985—just hours before the corps took the field for semifinals. Though he didn’t march until age 14, Michael grew up immersed in Spirit, helping with hornlines and rehearsals alongside his parents, Freddy and Lynda, from infancy.

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He marched with Spirit in 2000 and 2001, playing soprano and F mellophone, and went on to study trumpet performance at Northwestern University. Michael also marched with Phantom Regiment in 2004 before joining the Boston Symphony Orchestra, where he has been a member since 2010.

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A respected composer and arranger, Michael’s works for wind ensemble and marching bands have been performed across the U.S. and internationally, including in China, Japan, Sweden, and Switzerland. He has arranged for ensembles such as Broken Arrow HS, Ohio State University, and University of Texas at Austin, and served on the brass staff of The Cavaliers (2016–2022), Phantom Regiment (2009–2013), and Carolina Crown (2023–present), as well as the touring production of BLAST!

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Despite his wide-ranging career, Michael says he still “bleeds baby blue” and is humbled to return to Spirit as part of the Hall of Fame. He thanks the HOF committee and the Spirit organization for this incredible honor.