Cary Banks

Cary Banks is the Chairman of South Plains College's Creative Arts Department and an Associate Professor of Music. Cary is a noted musician, songwriter and singer.

He is a member of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) and has written songs recorded by The Maines Brothers and other Nashville and local artists.

In 1983, Cary became a full-time member of the Maines Brothers Band, playing keyboards and guitar. The band had several recordings that reached the Top 100 and the song "Everybody Needs Love on a Saturday Night" hit the Top 25 Billboard chart. The band toured the country, appearing with Alabama, Ronnie Milsap, Reba, Barbara Mandrell, Dr. Hook, The Judds, Brooks & Dunn, Steve Wariner, Jerry Jeff Walker and a many mores.

After coming back home from touring, the band played regionally and in Austin. Cary also continued writing songs, playing in his church band and teaching music at South Plains College, where he has taught many of today's popular artists, including Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks, Heath Wright of Ricochet, Matt Jenkins, Jedd Hughes and Megan Laurie.

When asked in 2008, what Cary was most proud of, he talked about his family - married to Carol Banks for 29 years - daughter Katie, a PHD candidate at the University of Washington - and son Cody, a professional musician in Austin.