Ollie Mae Banks, 2025 Madison Scouts Hall of Fame Inductee.
Ollie Mae Banks
Ollie Mae Banks (1924 -1992), cook, Corps Mother, Sister of a Founding Drum Major, Bodyguard, and resolver of disputes.
Ollie Mae Banks was widely known in the Madison Scout community and the drum corps world as the “original” legendary cook technician for the Madison Scouts from 1980 through 1991.
Back when there were no mobile kitchens on semi-trailers, Ollie Mae, with the help of “Kool-Aid Mary”, shopped for and cooked meals for 150+ Madison Scout members, staff, and volunteers for all of the Madison Scout tours during her twelve (12) summers as a volunteer cook. “Eat dem heals” was a common phrase regularly used by Ollie Mae during meals, a phrase many Madison Scouts Alumni still affectionately say today.
Madison Scouts Hall of Fame - biography:
- Ollie Mae had a long-term connection to the Madison Scouts as she was also the sister of the first African American Drum Major for the 1938 Madison Scouts, E.B. Matthews, who is also being honored as an inductee in the Class of 2025. She was the grandmother to long-time Madison Junior Scouts and senior corps marching members Joey and Johnny Banks. Ollie Mae was also an official “corps mother” to all Madison Scout members, ensuring that no one went hungry and often helping to nurse members back to health when they fell ill on tour.
- Ollie Mae always opened her home and hosted many Madison Scouts during her volunteer time with the Scouts. There are many legendary stories about Ollie Mae defending her “boys' honor”, resolving disputes with local hooligans looking to start something with corps members and staff. She was also a master negotiator, often making deals with grocery stores to secure discounts on the large food orders she would have to place on tours.
Ollie Mae was the corps' biggest fan! She loved the Madison Scouts and could be heard before every show screaming, “B.Y.B.O.” before Madison stepped off the starting line for each show. Two of the biggest highlights she was extremely proud to be a part of were travelling to Europe with Scouts and watching the Madison Scouts win the 1988 DCI World Championships. Ollie Mae’s legendary status will never be forgotten. You’ll Never Walk Alone.
