MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Blue Raiders know him as DJ Cash, the student DJ (now alumnus) who amplifies the energy at campuswide events with his welcoming and passionate nature, but where did it all start? Here is the story behind the turntables, speakers, business and one guy with a powerful mark to make on the music industry.

“Cash has a way of bringing people together at events,” said Michai Mosby, former Student Government Association president. “His energy and personality help create an environment where people feel comfortable, have fun and interact with one another. I’ve seen people recognize him, look forward to his events, and enjoy the atmosphere he creates. His presence definitely adds to the overall experience of campus events.”

Corban Reynolds discovered his love for music in a church-driven household in Frayser, Memphis, where his mother sang at the church where his grandfather preached. After the passing of Reynolds’ mother in 2017, he moved to Murfreesboro, where he was the drum major in bands throughout middle and high school, before graduating from Rockvale High School.

Hungry for networking and success, Reynolds initially committed to DJing as a side hustle as a freshman in 2022. He began connecting with other DJs, who practiced on top of the Champion Way garage — birthing the night event, Courtyard Wednesday, where students can dance, socialize on campus and engage with Greek life.

Small hangouts turned into parties that were constantly shut down by Middle Tennessee State University Police due to campus guidelines, but one closed door opened another for a smart idea — collaboration.

Reynolds arranged collaborations with organizations like Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity to host weekly events, making Courtyard Wednesdays a campus staple.

“The Qs (Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc.) were planning to do one as well, the same night,” Reynolds said. “I wanted to do one and I said, ‘Why won’t we all just work together to do one courtyard, one good Courtyard Wednesday?’ And it obviously worked out because we got the chance to do it on campus, because a school organization is involved.”

Now, the National Panhellenic Council, or NPHC, hosts the events and garners campuswide attention through flyers.

‘… Putting myself in bigger rooms’

Such successes paved the way for future collaborations and gigs on campus, including opening for artist PARTYNEXTDOOR at SPARE’s Signature Event and collaborating with Blue Raider Athletics to DJ at sports games such as football and basketball.

Rachel Wright, the director of marketing for athletics, said Reynolds was introduced to her by Mosby as someone who could energize the game atmosphere.

Wright said he became a beloved part of on-campus events and gamedays in the Murphy Center and Floyd Stadium through DJing at the President’s Party and Blue Zoo Bash, garnering positive feedback from students all over campus.

“DJing live sporting events is very different from a traditional DJ set, and over the years we’ve both learned a lot about what works best in a game day environment,” Wright said. “It has been fun collaborating with him to continually improve our game day atmosphere and find new ways to engage students and fans.”

Aside from school, Reynolds also focused on establishing his personal brand before graduating with a bachelor’s degree in integrated studies in August. While in college, he aspired to make his mark in the music industry through scouting talent for record labels, touring the world and networking: interning for Broadcast Music Inc. in their distribution and finance department as a fraud investigator, and DJing and providing live entertainment for venues in downtown Murfreesboro.

Reynolds continued networking while working major live events in LiveNation-produced environments at Bridgestone Arena and taking advantage of opportunities connected to major events like the NBA Finals and the FIFA World Cup at COSM Atlanta.

Reynolds said one of his biggest moments was getting to DJ on “Sway In The Morning” on SiriusXM and Shade 45. He said it felt surreal DJing on a platform that he grew up watching in Memphis.

Reynolds also began building his brand and expanding his network in Nashville’s entertainment industry by hosting his own events, such as “Press Play and DOPAMINE: FEEL SOMETHING.”

Reynolds said he’s no longer just establishing his DJ name, but also building rapport in music, media, event production, promotion, and entertainment as a whole. He is currently aiming to establish his name worldwide and foster business relationships.

“My goal is to keep expanding outside of the city and putting myself in bigger rooms. College taught me how to balance a lot at once. Now I’m able to put more of that energy directly into my career and see how far I can take it,” said Reynolds.

Writer De’Asia Powell wrote this feature as part of an assignment for journalism professor Matthew Leimkuehler’s class.