Mr. Hooten was born in Florala, Alabama and graduated from Troy State University. He previously taught at Richburg Junior High School from 1975 to 1987 and has been the Director of Bands at Tate ever since.

Mr. Hooten is a member of the Florida Bandmaster’s Association, Music Educator’s National Conference, Florida Music Educator’s Association, and Phi Beta Mu. He is also a member of the Gulf Coast Colorguard and Percussion Circuit Hall of Fame, has been awarded “Outstanding Bandmaster” by Phi Beta Mu, and recently has served on the Winterguard International Board of Directors.

Mr. Hooten and his wife Shelley have a son Taylor who is a Tate graduate and currently a student at the University of Central Florida. The also have a daughter, Tanner, who attends Tate.