The Hall of Fame of Distinguished Band Conductors was established on the campus of what was then known as Troy State University in Troy, Alabama, by the National Band Association in 1979. The Hall of Fame contains the picture and biographies of band directors who have distinguished themselves is some way or who have made significant contributions to the field of band directing, conducting, or leadership.
The facility, eventually declared the Hawkins-Adams-Long Hall of Honor, was built to house the hall of fame. The hall is named for chancellors Jack Hawkins, Jr., Ralph Wyatt Adams, and founder of the Sound of the South, John M. Long. The hall is located adjacent to the building that houses the band program, John M. Long Hall. The facility is designed to allow for use by student music recitals, organizational music programs, and a regular weekly music recital, held every Wednesday.
Nomination to the Hall of Fame is open to any person who has distinguished themselves in the fields of band and music who have reached the age of 65. This includes those who have already died and would receive the award posthumously.
The induction of the first class of directors took place on February 2, 1980. At that time the following individuals were posthumously inducted into the Hall of Fame:
The second class that was inducted was the first class made up of living band conductors. The ceremony took place on January 31, 1981 at the Hall of Fame. Inducted were:
February 6, 1982
February 5, 1983
February 4, 1984
February 2, 1985
February 8, 1986
February 7, 1987
February 3, 1990
February 1, 1992
February 5, 1994
February 3, 1996
February 6, 1999
February 3, 2001
February 1, 2003
February 7, 2004
February 4, 2006
February 2, 2008
Coordinates: 31°47′55″N 85°57′31″W / 31.79869°N 85.95854°W