On the first night at the brand-new Opry House: "They projected a film, of Roy Acuff singing “The Wabash Cannonball” from back in the 40s and they’re showing this on the screen in the new Opry House. And all of a sudden, that screen begins to lift and there’s Roy Acuff singing the same song. It never missed a beat. It was from the old film in the 40s to here’s Roy Acuff now in his 70s still singing “The Wabash Cannonball.” I stood there and cried." - Bill Anderson on Ken Burns: Country Music PBS

The Wabash Cannonball is a Wildcat favorite tradition. In 1968, a fire in Nichols Hall destroyed almost all of the marching band's sheet music, except for one piece of music – the Wabash Cannonball. Pan around the video to get a 360 view of how Wildcats do the Wabash. What's your favorite K-State tradition? Read all of our favorites at www.k-state.edu/about/history-traditions/traditions/. | Kansas State University

Phil Hewett saved the Wabash from the Nichols Fire 50 years ago. Show your love for the Wabash Cannonball and the K-State Marching Band by making a donation in honor of Phil Hewett. Your gift will be matched 1:1 by an anonymous donor (former band member) to help ensure each drum major for the marching band receives a scholarship through an endowed scholarship named in honor of Phil Hewett. Please show your love for us by February 14th to take advantage of this match! Donate here: https://give.ev