Gulf Coast Drum Corps Associates was formed in 1991 to serve the Texas Gulf Coast region. It was established to organize and manage multiple Corps and, in essence, a Drum Corps Circuit. However, with the formation of DCA South, the idea of running a Circuit has been shelved and GCDCA has turned its sights towards building a family of performing organizations in the Texas Gulf Coast area. Towards that end, the Association set to out to establish a Drum Corps Associates competition in the Houston area. In July 2006 "Brass on the Bayou" became a reality, marking the first time in DCA history that a show has been held in Texas. 

From 1991 to 2001 Bayou City Blues was the only Drum & Bugle Corps in the Association.  BCB established itself as a fun-loving, yet professional sounding group performing in many local parades, the Chicago area over the July 4th weekend, and the local DCI show. The Corps traveled to Syracuse, NY in 2000 and took 3rd place in the DCA Class A Championships. BCB also sent an ensemble to compete in the DCA Small Ensemble and Mini-Corps competition from 1994 to 2001, always entertaining the crowds.

In the fall of 2001 Gulf Coast Sound was formed as an indoor "Winter Corps" to compete in the Texas Color Guard Circuit. Because Houston was so far from the DCA circuit at the time this scenario provided the members with a way to hone their skills and compete, albeit in a slightly non-traditional way. In its inaugural season Gulf Coast Sound won its division at the Texas Color Guard Circuit championships, capping off an undefeated season. Additionally, GCS traveled to the DCA Championships in 2002 and 2003 to perform in the popular mini-corps competition and other individual and ensemble events.

In the summer of 2003 it was decided that Bayou City Blues should go temporarily inactive and that the Association would focus primarily on Gulf Coast Sound. GCS was directed to assume a field corps status with the intention of competing in the DCA and DCA South circuits. There were many reasons that led the BCB staff and GCDCA Board members to this decision, but it was a unanimous one. All of the existing members of Bayou City Blues were encouraged to join Gulf Coast Sound and many chose to do so.

At the present, Gulf Coast Sound has competed in DCA South (founding member), DCM, and DCA Class A. The Corps was instrumental in establishing the Texas Drum Corps Preview in 2005. This was a first in the history of Texas; 4 active drum & bugle corps working together to put on 2 performances showcasing each Corps separately and then all of the Texas Corps together. In 2006 the show moved from the San Antonio Riverwalk to the Capitol building in Austin. The "Preview" will once again be on the steps of the Capitol in 2008, featuring 5 drum corps from Texas. GCS is gearing up to compete in DCA South, DCI, and DCA in 2008, as well as hosting its home show ("Brass on the Bayou") in conjunction with GCDCA.

The future for GCDCA is very bright. The forethought of a few dedicated men back in 1991 is truly starting to pay off today as this ambitious idea is coming together and blossoming in ways never imagined. A new generation now has the reigns and is competently steering drum corps in south Texas into an exciting and prosperous future.