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Classroom American Idol? Class Mirrors Music Industry

An innovative class at Belmont University is taking on a bit of the look of American Idol as students work to select, develop and promote two musical artists who will be featured in a live showcase April 22 at the Curb Café. As part of a class mirroring the actual workings of a record company, students enrolled in the "Record Company Operations" class at Belmont University's Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business, pitched and voted on two artists – Gulliver, a progressive funk band from Muscle Shoals Alabama, and Blaze and Knowledge, an emerging R&B/Rap group.

Both artists will be featured in the live showcase April 22, at 5:30 in the Curb Café, located in the Curb Event Center.

"Students have reviewed the entire cycle: finding an artist, record contracts, licensing music, music marketing plans, and operational time lines," says class instructor David Herrera. "It all came back to finding great, but unique talent and music that speaks for itself."

For the rest of the semester, students will develop the artists' image and marketing materials, produce demo CDs, and market the showcase event. Herrera says the April showcase is meant to "pitch" the two artists to the music industry.

"It was great to feel like a real part of the industry," said Emily Oldham, a junior music business major from Fayetteville, Tennessee, and student in the Record Company Operations class. "Classes should involve hands-on learning. We listened to five groups competing for our showcase. During frank discussions, everyone had the chance to express their opinion and we voted.

"We chose a genre not typical to Nashville, but felt that Nashville is getting tired of the 'same ol' and needed a new outlook - especially given the richness of Nashville's musical past," said Oldham. "I am confident that the showcase will be successful and the two group will be taken serious by the industry heads that are present."

Gulliver is a full-time professional club band based in Muscle Shoals , Alabama. Blaze and Knowledge is a duo that includes Belmont students Brandon Reed, a junior music business major from St. Louis, and Tory Chapmon, a sophomore music business major from Atlanta, Georgia. Another Belmont University student is one of the managers of Blaze and Knowledge.

Posted by the Office of University Marketing & Communications, March 31, 2004

    Belmont University's fast-growing community of about 4,000 students comes from nearly every state and more than 25 countries. Belmont is committed to premier teaching with a focus on success in the real world. Our purpose is to help students explore their passions and develop their talents to meet the world's needs. With more than 50 areas of study, eight master's degrees and two doctoral degrees, there is no limit to the ways Belmont University can expand an individual's horizon.

    Office of Marketing and Communications
    615.460.6645 Greg Pillon
    615.460.6646 Bill Hobbs

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