MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee State University students in Odie Blackmon’s commercial songwriting class recently heard firsthand advice on creativity, adaptability and being committed to being a lifelong learner from an award-winning producer.

Chip Matthews, the producer behind country superstar Luke Combs’ 2023 cover of “Fast Car,” originally written and recorded by Tracy Chapman in 1988, joined Blackmon’s class virtually to offer words of wisdom that have been useful during his decades-long career.

“If you’re an artist, a producer, engineer, songwriter, whatever your role is, make sure you’re always evolving; you’re always spending time doing what you’re doing but also exploring, and growing. Never stop,” he said.  

Matthews, who operates his own tracking and mixing studio, The Tin Ear, out of Nashville, is Combs’ primary producer, mixing and recording engineer. He has also worked with other country artists such as Brooks & Dunn, The Chicks, Little Big Town, Hank Williams Jr. and Sugarland and has received CMA and ACM awards for his work with Combs.

“You really have to be mindful because it is very easy to follow what feels good in your heart, and then all of a sudden, you go, ‘Oh, man! We did that same thing two albums ago!” he said, adding, “You always have to walk that line of staying true to who the artist is but also trying something fresh.”

Junior commercial songwriting student Maddie Moroschak said having the chance to listen to the award-winning producer’s advice for her and her classmates is something she will use in her own work.  

“The most important piece of advice that stood out to me during the Zoom was always to be mindful of what you’ve already written and produced so that you make sure you’re keeping your material fresh and up to date,” she said.

Moroschak also said having someone like Matthews speak to her class is something that she appreciates Blackmon arranging.

“Opportunities like this show that Odie is truly here for us and for our gain in the industry, which to me highlights him as more than a professor but as an advocate for his students’success,” Moroschak said. “It shows he cares about our future outside of MTSU, and that he wants us to feel equipped so we can one day be successful in our dream jobs.”

Blackmon and Matthews first met in Los Angeles, California, in the early 90s. They later became roommates in Nashville when Blackmon was attending MTSU.

“We have a long history of brotherhood in our life and music journey,” Blackmon said.

Blackmon and Matthews have worked on various projects together throughout their careers, including the demo for “She’ll Leave You With a Smile,” a song recorded by George Strait. The song went on to become Blackmon’s first No. 1 hit, and in 2024, it was named one of the top 25 country songs of the past 50 years by Country Aircheck.

To learn more about MTSU’s commercial songwriting concentration within the Department of Recording Industry, visit https://recording-industry.mtsu.edu/.

— DeAnn Hays ([email protected])