Calvin Harris, 2024 Madison Scouts Hall of Fame Inductee.
Calvin Harris Calvin Harris was a founding member of the 1938 Boy Scout Drum & Bugle Corps from Madison, Wisconsin. As one of the original drum majors, Calvin and his fellow twirlers would thrill audiences throughout Wisconsin with their dynamic and acrobatic mace twirling routines seen during community parades. Calvin’s true talent was singing, and his rich and lush baritone voice could be heard throughout Madison theaters and churches and even alongside the drum corps. In 1942, Calvin enlisted in the Army and served in the European theater during World War II. He famously corresponded with corps director C.H. Beebe throughout his Army career.
Upon returning from his service, Calvin continued to assist the corps and often sang “God Bless America” with them at various post-war celebrations. Calvin also became a community ambassador for African Americans in the Madison area, including serving as the long-time president of the South Madison Neighborhood Association in the 1950s. A lifelong resident of Madison, Harrison was a construction supervisor and entrepreneur, starting his own firm, Harris and Sons, while also running the Tuxedo Lounge. Calvin Harris passed away in 1991 at age 68.