JohnDavid Mayo Inducted Into 2025 Bluecoats Hall of Fame
We’re pleased to announce the newest inductee to the Bluecoats Hall of Fame: JohnDavid Mayo. Members of the Bluecoats Hall of Fame are individuals whose history of outstanding contributions and dedication is worthy of the highest level of recognition by the organization’s Board of Directors.
JohnDavid Mayo
JohnDavid Mayo, known in the Bluecoats family simply as “Mayo,” has had a profound impact throughout his time with the organization. His journey started in the summer of 1993 when, at 16 years old, staff members Andrea and Brian Meyer recommended that he audition for the Bluecoats Drum & Bugle Corps. He performed his audition for then-brass-caption-head Doug Thrower, and gained a spot in the soprano line. At the end of that first season, JohnDavid won the award for Marching Rookie of the Year. JohnDavid then continued his marching career with the Bluecoats as a soprano from 1994 through 1997, and held various leadership roles during that time, including section leader, horn sergeant, and field quintet performer; he also participated in multiple I&E ensembles, including the 1995 ensemble arrangement of Autumn Leaves by Craig Biondi. In 1997, JohnDavid earned a spot on the podium as the Bluecoats Drum Major. The legendary former Bluecoats Drum Major Charles Stewart greatly helped to guide and mentor JohnDavid in this new role, and after serving as drum major in 1997 & 1998, JohnDavid aged out after six seasons performing with the Bluecoats.
An important part of Bluecoats and DCI history in which JohnDavid paid an essential role was as one of the several Black Drum Majors who served consecutive years on the podium for the Bluecoats. During a seven-year span from 1992 to 1998, Bluecoats drum majors Chris Miles, Charles Stewart, Victor Banfield and JohnDavid showcased that the Bluecoats saw member leadership in all demographics; to date, this has not been duplicated in any corps in DCI Top 12 history.
Another key role in Bluecoats lore for JohnDavid came in 1995, when there was a pivotal shift in the organization which encompassed many facets of corps culture and performance. One of the most lasting of these shifts was JohnDavid’s creation, along with fellow member Errick Smith, of the “Six Words” mantra. This phrase became known as a catalyst for work ethic and posture on and off the field, and morphed into a rallying cry on the rehearsal field within the soprano section that quickly permeated the corps and was embraced by all sections. At the time, little did they know that this mantra would carry on for generations, and it remains a part of Bluecoats’ culture today!
After ageing out, JohnDavid became an avid Bluecoats supporter off the field and parlayed that into an opportunity to serve as a conducting instructor for The Blue Way Experience Camps from 2015 through 2019. JohnDavid was also honored in 2019 as a Bloo Ribbon Bluecoat Award recipient. In 2022, he returned to the field one final time to march as a trumpet in the Bluecoats 50th Anniversary Alumni Corps.
Currently, JohnDavid continues to serve the corps as a member of the Bluecoats Alumni Council. In addition, his passion for a sense of belonging led him to join the Bluecoats Diversity & Inclusion Advisory Council in 2023, and in 2024, he was asked to join the Board of Directors for EN-RICH-MENT, an affiliate of Bluecoats. These roles allow JohnDavid’s devotion to community involvement to extend from his professional career to and through the Bluecoats. JohnDavid looks forward to many continued years of service with his Bluecoats family!
