Some people are born loving music; for others it is a journey that is prodded by a wise teacher.

Brookhaven’s Tucker Nations is not ashamed to say he fits into the second category.

“For anyone thinking about joining band and might think it’s too lame, I thought the same thing,” he said.

But one teacher didn’t give him a choice. In high school, he started playing snare drum, and he found himself behind others.

“I got a lot of flak because I didn’t practice enough,” he said.

So one of the others in the section took it upon himself to push Nations.

“I got yelled at every time I did something wrong,” he said.

Then something in Nations changed. He realized the importance of what he was doing and started taking on leadership positions. He moved to center snare and then was named section leader. As the head of the percussion line, Nations excelled and started considering a career in music.

“I always felt like I was just along for the ride,” he said. “But I feel like I molded myself into a leader.”

His sophomore and junior year, Brookhaven High School placed first in the indoor percussion championship.

“My junior year, I felt very proud of that because I was helping keep them on track,” he said.

His senior year, they made the decision to go up a division because they had won two years in a row. They placed 11th out of 15, but Nations was discouraged by the ranking.

“In my opinion, it was the best indoor show we put on,” he said.

To Nations, percussion is the heart of the band.

“It keeps everything moving,” he said.

In ninth and 10th grade, Nations won most valuable person in his section and the percussion line won most improved section. His senior year, he was named most dependable as well as awarded the John Phillips Sousa award. It is for those who have gone beyond what’s expected, and only one person gets it each year.

“It was a reward for all the hard work I put in,” he said.

Now, Nations is adjusting to his new environment in the Ole Miss band.

“It’s really refreshing because everyone knows what they’re doing,” he said.

He also said it is more laid-back because the goal is to be entertaining during half-time and not worry about competition.

Though the marching band may be laid back, Nations is willing to put in the hard work to keep exceling as pursues his musical passion.