In this episode of the Once A Cardinal Podcast, we sit down with Dean McCarty to talk about a journey that started in a school band hall and led all the way to the Grammy stage.

Dean shares how his early love for music and the influence of great teachers helped shape his path to becoming a Grammy-winning horn player, performing with some of the best musicians in the industry. Along the way, he learned lessons about discipline, creativity, and the power of music to change lives.

Today, Dean has come full circle. As a band director in East Texas, he now pours that same passion and knowledge into the next generation of musicians—teaching not just music, but confidence, dedication, and the joy of the craft.

This episode is about the power of mentorship, the impact of music education, and how the lessons learned in a band hall can echo for a lifetime.