L AST WORD
The Next 50 Years . . .
Jack Harlow
Looking at an encore performance for Murphy Center On April 27, Murphy Center was the site of a concert by Jack Harlow, who at the time of his appearance had a No. 1 hit song and was on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine. It’s clear evidence that Murphy Center’s glory days are not all in the past. MTSU magazine recently interviewed Scott Ralston, a principal and senior project manager with HOK, a stalwart in sports facility architecture and arena reuse. (HOK is a partner on MTSU’s Build Blue athletics campaign.) Here are some of Ralston’s thoughts on the 11,520-seat Murphy Center and its potential: Murphy Center's size is “in the sweet spot, actually.” Consider the similar-size Forum in Inglewood, California, where artists like Billie Eilish, Pearl Jam, the Black Keys, and Chris Stapleton recently performed. “Crowds of 10,000 or 12,000 people—that’s the target audience for most artists.” Only a few North American tour stops draw 20,000 and up— for artists like Justin Timberlake and Adele. Artists and managers base decisions on more than just the arena. They also strongly consider whether a venue is near a big airport, has enough nearby hotel capacity for fans from a 200-mile radius, “and, selfishly, the ease with which they can load in and out.” Murphy Center checks every box. Venues at
bigger universities do not. In addition to ample regional hotel space, the University’s Build Blue campaign includes strategic plans for a new hotel just off-campus. Last, the Nashville area is rich in event and stage production expertise, and MTSU’s programs in audio and event production offer an opportunity for Murphy Center to serve as an on-campus laboratory for students. “It’s a high-risk business to be in show business.” Venues “get little to none of the ticket revenue,” primarily collecting parking and concession revenue. Advantage MTSU, given that the University can emphasize potential benefits to MTSU, students, and the community over profit margins. Partnering with a third party experienced in booking and negotiating with artists is an option. But a university in a community like Murfreesboro likely needs someone who works well with MTSU and community interests to pick the “right” kind of shows. “You have to distinguish yourself. . . . You really have to know what the students and community want.” MTSU could focus on a dozen events a year that would culturally advance the University and also have community appeal. Besides concerts, that could mean family events or holiday shows. Such programming could even influence young people’s decisions to eventually attend MTSU. A true community treasure—past, present, and future— Murphy Center clearly has more stories to tell in the decades ahead. MTSU Summer 2022 63
