As a native of Dallas, A.D. Bonner attended South Oak Cliff High School, where he was a drum major his senior year and received DISD’s Most Outstanding Musician Award. After earning a scholarship to several bands, he ultimately chose Grambling State University as the place he would further his music education.
At Grambling, he once again became drum major in his sophomore year, and eventually the head drum major the next season. During his time here, he wrote the song Talking Out the Side of Your Neck (also simply known as Neck) for Grambling’s Band to go against Texas Southern. After graduation, he returned to the area and began teaching.