MADD Creations -- Biography

Biography

Kenny Goodson is the son of a successful East Texas band director who followed his father into the business. Starting piano lessons at the age of 5, Kenny began writing original concert band compositions and arrangements for marching band and jazz band while in junior high school. Kenny received his undergraduate degree at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches where he studied composition with Dr. Richard A. Coolidge, arranging with the late Darrell Holt and marching band techniques with Director of Bands, Mel Montgomery. As a member of the Swingin' Axes and the Lumberjack Marching Band, Kenny had several arrangements performed by both groups during his college career. He also worked as a engraver for Mr. Holt. In his senior year, he shared a composition recital with Dr. Coolidge, was inducted into the inaugural class of SFA's newly chartered chapter of Pi Kappa Lambda, a national music honor society, and was selected as the featured composition student on the first Pi Kappa Lambda music honors recital.

Graduating in December 1978, Kenny began his career as an assistant high school and junior high band director in Gladewater. After one year, he moved to Texarkana where he was the band director at Westlawn Junior High. In 1980, Kenny became the band director at P. E. Wallace Middle School in Mount Pleasant. He also worked with the high school marching band which was under the leadership of fellow SFA alum, Frank Wilbanks. It was during this time that Kenny had his first opportunity to write corps-style drill. Kenny became the high school band director at Mount Pleasant High School in the spring of 1982. As head band director, Kenny was also the primary drill writer and music arranger. That fall, the MPHS band made its fourth consecutive first division in marching and qualified for the State Marching Contest (SMC). Kenny also made his first UIL Sweepstakes with the Mount Pleasant High School Band in 1986-87. It was during his time in Mount Pleasant, Kenny first began using Pyware Charting Aid software. In 1986, he presented a clinic sponsored by Pyware and Pender's Music at the Oklahoma Bandmasters Association and demonstrated Charting Aid in the Pender's Music booth.

In 1988, Kenny left Mount Pleasant for the opportunity to work with Charles Herring and the Atlanta High School Band. Under Mr. Herring's leadership, the Atlanta High School Band won several Sweepstakes awards and performed numerous times at the SMC, finishing as high as fourth. In his two years as assistant, the Atlanta Band twice placed second in the finals of the State Fair of Texas Parade of Champions Marching Contest. The band was an alternate for the SMC in 1988 and qualified for the SMC in 1989. During this time, he shared drill writing duties with Mr.Herring as well as writing many of the band's musical arrangements.

From 1990-1994, Kenny Goodson was the head band director at Atlanta High School. During his tenure as high school director, the Atlanta band made four consecutive first divisions in marching, continuing a string that dated back to 1979. The band continued perennial finalists in the Parade of Champions contest. The band performed a pre-game performance for the 1992 Independence Bowl in Shreveport. The Atlanta band reached the SMC again in 1992. Kenny wrote all of the band's arrangements as well as designing the drill. During this time, Kenny also began using Finale music notation software. In 1994, Kenny was honored with membership in Phi Beta Mu and served as the chairman of the Technology Committee from 2001-2005.

During his last year as the band director of Atlanta High School, Kenny started Kenny G's Music. Although he had written arrangements for several high school and college bands since his days at SFA, he had never formally marketed his services. He also began offering drill design as part of the services of Kenny G's Music. Kenny has written music arrangements and designed drills for bands of all sizes and skill levels. Please visit the clients page for a list of current and former schools that have utilized the services of Kenny G's Music. The business was renamed MADD Creations in January 2009.

At present, Kenny is Director of Computer Services for Northeast Texas Community College.

MADD Creations
781 CR 3112
Atlanta TX 75551
903.244.8165
kenny@maddcreations.com