Recording 50 Years

MTSU department strikes gold in five decades of music industry mastery

by DeAnn Hays

Founded with just two professors and one studio, MTSU’s Department of Recording Industry has been at the forefront of shaping the music industry and educating future recording professionals for five decades.

Today, the department has grown to more than two dozen professors, 1,400 students, 13 studios, six labs, and a songwriting center.

“It is no wonder you can find multiple MTSU alums at any music industry event you attend—whether on stage or behind the scenes. Where there is music, MTSU is there,” said Michelle Conceison, the new Recording Industry chair and an associate professor.

Famous names with MTSU roots include country artist Chris Young, Christian artists Brandon Heath and Lecrae, country artist Hillary Scott of Lady A, rap artist and songwriter Daisha McBride, and Grammy-winning songwriter Josh Kear, among others.

Students have worked with top celebrities like Bruce Springsteen, Celine Dion, Keith Urban, Jimmy Kimmel, and Kane Brown. Alums have also written songs for Alan Jackson, George Strait, Kacey Musgraves, Lady Gaga, Usher, Wiz Khalifa, BTS, and more.

Originally known collectively as RIM (Recording Industry Management), the department is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2024—a golden tribute to a highly regarded program whose alumni have produced an impressive haul of Grammy gold and many other accolades across all facets of the music industry

“I’m very lucky and very grateful to have had the chance to work with everyone from that University,” Young told the crowd at the Music in the City event at Ole Red that helped mark MTSU’s milestone. “You hear so many people, so many times, not reference where they went to school. Everyone that I know that went to MTSU always just sings their praises.”

“Quite simply, there is no other program like MTSU’s Department of Recording Industry, which is why we have attracted students from all over the world,” said Beverly Keel, dean of the College of Media and Entertainment.

Since awarding its first degree in 1974, MTSU’s Recording Industry Department has graduated over 7,500 industry-ready alumni and has produced top songwriters, producers, musicians, and more. Former students have thrived in rap, hip-hop, country, rock, pop, Christian music, and other genres.

For the ninth year, the department has landed a spot on Billboard ’s international list of top music business schools. Alumni names are regularly found on Billboard charts and Grammy nominee lists.

And the beat goes on.“I’m very lucky and very grateful to have had the chance to work with everyone from that University,” Young told the crowd at the Music in the City event at Ole Red that helped mark MTSU’s milestone. “You hear so many people, so many times, not reference where they went to school. Everyone that I know that went to MTSU always just sings their praises.”

Spinning Gold

1975 Interns begin work in Nashville recording industry.

1977 New RIM coordinator and first full-time faculty member Geoffrey Hull is instrumental in new 12-course curriculum. A 4-track recording studio is installed in Learning Resources Center simulation lab.

1978 Chris Haseleu is hired and develops audio/technology curriculum.

1980 Haynes House is converted into an 8-track recording studio. First student recordings are released as a memorial to student Andy White. A grant is secured to produce RIMusic I album. An Audio Engineering Society chapter forms.

1982 Students attend Country Radio Seminar in Nashville, featuring Dick Clark.

1985 RIM becomes first school in nation to release a student CD.

1986 Digital audio recording studio (now Studio C) is built in James Union Building as part of the new Center for Recording Arts and Sciences.

1989 RIM program and the center merge into a department.

1990 Students win a National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences Student Music Award.

1991 The $15.5 million state-of-the-art Bragg Building opens including studios A and B, MIDI laboratory, and master classrooms.

1992 Department and degree names change to Recording Industry, and concentrations are added in Music Business and Audio Production. Mix Magazine cover features the program among the country’s best recording schools.

1993 20th anniversary is marked, with 900 majors and over 150 interns in Nashville, New York, and Los Angeles. Women in Recording Industry Forum is organized.

1998 Tascam Digital Audio Laboratory opens in Alumni Memorial Gym.

1999 Retrospective CD celebrates program’s 25 years. Studio A is upgraded to 5.1 channels, and Dolby Labs agreement is signed.

2002 Upper-division candidacy program begins. Department boasts 1,716 majors and over 200 interns and graduates yearly.

2004 Studios D and E open in Ezell Building.

2005 First students enroll in M.F.A. in Recording Arts and Technologies program. The Nashville Music Industry is one of MTSU’s first online courses.

2006 Omega Delta Psi, first all-gender inclusive recording society, is formed.

2008 Commercial Songwriting concentration is added. M.B.A. in Music Business begins with Jones College of Business.

2011 Audio Production Professor John Hill wins a Grammy.

2013 MTSU hosts the first AES International Conference on Audio Education. Pro Session series starts pairing songwriting students and professional musicians.

2014 Long-term educational relationship begins with Bonnaroo music festival.

2017 Audio Production becomes stand-alone major.

2021 New facilities open: Studios D and E in Main Street building, Chris Young Café venue and live sound lab, and Immersive Sound Lab in Miller building. The Postproduction Laboratory adds Dolby Atmos. MTSU hosts the AES Audio Education Conference online due to pandemic.

2022 Songwriting Center opens in the Miller building. Online Music Business program starts.

2024 Recording Industry students write and produce original song, “We Do It All,” featured in a regional Emmy-winning commercial for the College of Media and Entertainment.

Textbook business

• The Recording Industry (1997), Geoffrey Hull

• Record Label Marketing (2005), Tom Hutchison, Amy Macy, and Paul Allen

• The Business of Concert Promotion and Touring (2007), Rich Barnet

• Artist Management for the Music Business (2007), Paul Allen

• Influential series of books written by John Dougan and by Mike Alleyne

• Marketing Recorded Music, 4th Edition (2022), lead co-authors include Tammy Donham and Amy Macy

• The Business of Live Concert Touring, (under contract), Gloria Green

Department chairs

• Geoffrey Hull

• Richard Barnet

• Robert Garfrerick

• Christian Haseleu

• Loren Mulraine

• Beverly Keel

• John Merchant

• Michelle Conceison