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Tyler Golden/NBC
MTSU Student Julia Cooper appeared on the 2020 fall season of NBC's The Voice.
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MTSU photo by J. Intintoli
Multi-platinum country artist Chris Young, right, a former MTSU student, talks with Department of Recording Industry Chair Beverly Keel about his continued support of his alma mater.
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MTSU photo by Andy Heidt
BryTavious Chambers, known professionally as "Tay Keith," graduated from MTSU in 2018. He earned his degree the same month he was nominated for two Grammy Awards and a single he produced for Travis Scott went double platinum and No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Nashville has been called “Music City” due to its importance to the music industry and the artists that call it home.
Nearly 10 times the amount of records are produced and recorded here than in any other city in the country. In just a short walk down Broadway, you’ll find many street musicians that would be an opening act any-where else. With such abundant talent literally on every street corner, breaking into the music industry can be difficult. Many aspiring to a career in music have found that earning a degree from Middle Tennessee State University’s world-renowned College of Media and Entertainment has provided them tools, skills and contacts which have helped set them apart.
“Your career starts your first day on campus,” said John Merchant, Professor and Chair of the Department of Recording Indus-try at MTSU. “You’re learning how to learn... how to connect to other people. You’re making resources in the other people that you study with... the other people that you go to school with... and the professors themselves. And that network will support you for the duration of your career,” Merchant said.
Networking is an essential element in carving out your future success, but the benefits of interaction extend beyond that.One of the biggest advantages of proximity to a major musical juggernaut like Nashville is the potential for collaboration with others who are drawn in the same direction.
“Being that close to that much creative en-ergy, that much power in the music industry, that many amazingly gifted musicians and writers and industry people can only lead to some amazing synergy. So, we’re blessed... to contribute to that,” Merchant said.
And in January, MTSU is debuting another gathering place for talent. A newly converted music venue christened the “Chris Young Café” has been built thanks to a generous donation from the country music star and his mother, who are both MTSU alums.
“The fact that he’s willing to share a little bit of his spotlight with the school is pretty cool, including, his next single will be launched from this café event,” said Merchant.
The venue will provide classroom and lab space during the day and will host perfor-mances from students and touring acts in the evenings.
“We always wanted to have a performance venue.... It gives our songwriters and our budding performers a place to play, it gives our audio production folks... people to make louder, and it gives the music business folks a venue to run.”
From performers to producers, an increased in-field experience will be even more accessible. But beyond involvement, interaction, and interest, there is another important element vital to success: intensity. Those who are more likely to find success in this industry are individuals who are avidly and actively seeking opportunities to learn, grow, and apply their enthusiasm.
Julia Cooper is an MTSU student who ap-peared on the 2020 Fall season of NBC’s The Voice as one of the top five members of Team Legend. Her experience reaching a national audience began with advice she’d picked up from a Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) convention in Nashville.
“You’ve just got to say yes to everything right now,” Cooper said she was told.
No matter whether the opportunity is paid, the experience and the exposure can be priceless. Not 24 hours had passed after hearing such advice before Cooper received an email offering auditions for a Nashville event hosted by The Voice. She claimed that the words of wisdom, fresh on her mind, were the only reason she decided to audition.
“And thank God I did,” she said.
That decision ultimately led to her official application for the show itself, and the eventual captivation of a nation of fans.
“Our students come to work,” said Merchant. “They don’t show up with a chip on their shoulder... expecting to be coddled. They’re there to be a productive member of the team from the beginning, and as a result, compa-nies, studios, publishers and PROs absolutely love our students, because they show up and they are well trained, and they are eager to be a part of this world,” he said.
Tay Keith, who graduated from MTSU in the winter of 2018, was nominated for a Grammy for “Best Rap Song” for his work co-producing Travis Scott’s “Sicko Mode” – a track that peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 list in his senior year of college.
Erin Enderlin is an MTSU success story who wrote Alan Jackson’s hit “Monday Morning Church” while still a student. Brian Wright is an alum who has advanced to become executive vice president of A&R at Universal Music Group Nashville.
Numerous MTSU students and alumni have found success in diverse genres and musical career ambitions. They will inevitably be joined by many more, such as up-and-comer singer/songwriter Sara Kays.
“They are lifelong learners. They are wildly curious,” said Merchant.
Tireless exploration is the ultimate key to success.