Twenty commercial music students from Western were invited to work the 38th annual Country Radio Seminar in Nashville, Feb. 28 to March 2. Specifically requested by the CRS due to their demonstrated ability last year, Western students were tasked with everything from setting up for the performers to providing video and audio support.
“It’s really cool to see everything you learn in class applied in the real world,” said Chris Brough, a senior who worked the event. “The trip gets you into the real world of music today, not music from 200 years ago.”
Jon Bon Jovi was the keynote speaker with other stars such as Trace Adkins and Crystal Gayle performing.
“Illusions of stardom have been brought down to reality as some of our students are as talented as many of the people that were performing, and this experience helps to bridge the gap between the unknown and what is possible in the music industry,” said Mark Elting, who teaches the commercial music program at Western.
Many students don’t enjoy country music, but the business is the same whether its country, rock or alternative, Elting said. The students got to participate in and view over a dozen concerts in the four-day period and got to interact with actual professionals in their chosen disciplines.
“The CRP was a great opportunity and experience to get to be a part of that world,” said Ben Croskell, who has attended for the last two years.
To have all the different bands show you the gear they are using and getting to play with it, it’s something you can’t learn you have to experience.
“Our recording studio at Western was booked for 24 hours a day,” Elting said. “When we returned, everyone was so excited from the trip.”
One day, on a break while driving around Music Row, checking out all the music businesses in the area, several students knocked on the door of Bayou Recording studios. The studio, which is owned by George Clinton and produces many top name stars, such as Tracy Lawrence and Trace Adkins, invited the students in and let them participate in a four-hour recording session with an artist working that day. Clinton, impressed with the students, offered internships for this coming summer.
“Our reputation is now preceding us in a positive light,” Elting said.
The only cost paid for by MWSU was the transportation for the trip; the CRS paid for the students food and hotel costs in an effort to ensure their attendance.
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