*1930
James Mallow was born December 29, 1930 in Brownwood, Texas, and attended public school there. He joined the band in the second grade and played through graduation from Brownwood High School. In 1948, James entered Howard Payne University and was a student for two years before joining the U.S. Air Force where he served for three years in the 669th Air Force Band. Following military service, he resumed his education at Hardin-Simmons University and played in the Cowboy Band. In 1955 he received his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education and later, in 1958, his Master’s degree in Music Education from North Texas State University. His first band directing position was in Santa Anna, Texas, in 1955, and he describes this as his real education. After five years in Santa Anna he accepted a position with the Brady ISD where he served as director of bands for 26 years until his retirement in 1986. Among his many honors, Mallow was inducted into the Texas Band Masters Hall of Fame in 1997.