MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee State University students and faculty return to Southern California this week to not only celebrate six former students nominated for Grammys but also show support for alumni and friends affected by the area’s devastating wildfires.
President Sidney A. McPhee and Beverly Keel, dean of the College of Media and Entertainment, will join six students, led by faculty, as they visit recording industry firms and go behind the scenes at studios before music’s biggest night, the 67th Grammy Awards, on Sunday, Feb. 2, in Los Angeles.
Six MTSU-trained professionals received eight Grammy nominations this year. They include singer-songwriter Jessi Alexander (two nominations) and Jaelee Roberts and, audio production engineers Brandon Bell, Jason Hall (two nominations), Bobby Holland and Jimmy Mansfield.
The university, along with music industry alums and leaders, will recognize the nominees at a gathering at Mama Shelter hotel in Los Angeles on Saturday, Feb. 1. Keel said the event will also draw attention to MusiCares, the Recording Academy’s charitable entity that has already provided more than $2 million in fire relief assistance to artists and music workers affected by the wildfires.
“This event will also allow us to share the good news of MusiCares,” Keel said. “Through good times and bad, music is an important part of our lives, so we want to dedicate ourselves to allowing the music to continue, as we prepare for the next generation of music leaders.”
McPhee set up a MTSU website link, www.mtsu.edu/LAFireRelief, that takes users directly to the MusiCares online giving portal. The MTSU students in LA have volunteered to help the charity stage its Persons of the Year gala on Friday, Feb. 1, honoring the iconic rock band, the Grateful Dead.
“We appreciate being given the opportunity by MusiCares for our students to assist in this year’s gala and are proud to use our outreach to spotlight the good work by this charity,” McPhee said.
Keel, as well as the deans of MTSU’s seven other academic colleges, reached out to Southern California alumni from all disciplines in the wake of the ongoing wildfires. They were invited to an MTSU Alumni Association gathering for community and support, set for Friday, Jan. 31, at Santa Monica Brew Works.
“We’ll use this as an opportunity to show our concern and check in with them personally to see how they are doing,” McPhee said.
MTSU alumni, former or current students, and faculty from across the university have been a part of more than 170 Grammy Award nominations in the last two decades.
The number of MTSU-connected Grammy winners since 2001 currently stands at more than 20 people, with nearly 50 Grammys, including nine repeat recipients, in categories from classical to pop to rock to country to gospel and rap.
— Andrew Oppmann (Andrew.Oppmann@mtsu.edu)
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