CCHS grads have UT Pride of the Southland Band debut

Joann Begley and Braidin Ivey performed Saturday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium

By Charlotte Underwood 

ATLANTA, GA (WLAF)- Recent Campbell County High School graduates Braidin Ivey and Joann Begley had their debut performance with the University of Tennessee’s Pride of the Southland Band, “The Pride”, on Saturday at Atlanta at the Tennessee-Syracuse football game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

The pair is “settling in great” at UT, making friends and connections and “making Campbell County proud”, according to Campbell County High School Assistant Band Director Tiffany Braden.

Begley and Ivey attended Band Camp August 6-15 and stay busy rehearsing throughout the week.

WLAF caught up with the rising stars to see how performing with The Pride of the Southland Band was going. 

Joann Begley is currently studying Nursing in the Honors Program at UT with a Public Health Minor. She “plays alto saxophone in The Pride” and that she is “grateful every day to be a part of it.”

“I could not be more grateful to be a part of this new family. Being in The Pride of the Southland has been a dream of mine for so long, and to be able to finally say I’ve made it is the best feeling in the world. UT has welcomed me with open arms. The community and culture here are so wonderful, and I’ve already met some of the best people through The Pride.

I love it so much, and I’m so grateful every day to be here!” Begley said.

Braidin Ivey, the other 2025 CCHS grad playing in “The Pride”, said it was going great and he was making lifelong friendships. Ivey is currently studying Mechanical Engineering, and “hopes to pick up a Biomedical Engineering minor in the spring.” He plays Tenor Saxophone.

“Being at UT so far has been everything I’d hoped it would be and more. Furthermore, being in “The Pride” has already given me so many friendships and connections that I hope to carry through my entire time here. We’ve all known each other for less than a month, but I already feel as if I’ve made so many lasting connections, and I hope that I can continue to build these into lifelong friendships!” Ivey said.

For CCHS Assistant Band Director Tiffany Braden, she could not be more proud of the two.

“I always knew Joann and Braidin would do great things. While they were in our band program, they served as student leaders and role models for those around them. The Pride is audition based, but I had no doubt that they would get in! Joann and Braidin are always raising the bar and setting a good example. I could not be more proud of them and excited for what is yet to come! The sky is the limit for those two young adults!” (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-09/02/2025-6AM-PHOTO SUBMITTED)