January 6, 2020, Issue 686
School Of Rock Country
The CMA EDU program has been bringing music business engagement to college students since 2011, and for Fall 2019, a pilot program built around Monument/Arista’s Teddy Robb offered realworld experience to chapter members who may prove to be future music industry or radio employees. Whatever the percentage of participants that proves true for, the program offers baseline tools to help future professionals succeed. “Résumé writing, interviewing, networking and general communication skills are topics we always include in our programming,” explains program Coord. Kate Kaltenbach. “Aside from that, we program to give students Teddy Robb a holistic view of the industry, how it operates and how the ‘ecosystem’ of the music industry works.” Country Aircheck former intern Addie Morton, who serves as President of the University of Tennessee chapter, sees the program as more than just a professional development organization, but also a support system for a group of students with similar passions and an opportunity to start a career in the industry before you even graduate. “Planning events on campus has allowed me to gain the skills and connections needed to start a career in the music industry,” she explains. “I have a difficult time believing other college clubs are as directly linked to students’ success as CMA EDU.” (Ed. Note: More on Morton’s first-hand experience in next story.) Surprisingly, an essential part of the program does not involve watching This Is Spinal Tap on loop. Instead, learning through practice, showing students what a potential job could look like, teaching the skills and knowledge necessary to pursue that job and networking and making connections are key elements. “Whether our alumni need help with job placement or professional development, we are a resource as they enter the workforce,” offers Kaltenbach. “CMA EDU puts on events yearround, and we occasionally have the opportunity to partner with artists like Teddy Robb to develop these long-term projects.” (continued on page 5)
Monster Mash: Monster Energy Outbreak Tour Presents: Morgan Wallen’s Whiskey Glasses Roadshow kicks off Thursday (1/2) in Grand Rapids, MI with 32 Bridge/EMI Nashville’s Jon Langston and singer/songwriter Ashland Craft. Pictured (back, l-r) are WBCT’s Dave Taft, Langston, Wallen and Big Loud’s John D’Amico; (front, l-r) EMI Nashville’s Jackie Stevens, Craft and Big Loud’s Stacy Blythe.
Student Stepping Stones
College clubs are typically used as résumé boosters. Students show up to meetings, do the bare minimum, and walk away without really learning anything. Is there a club that’s fun and a résumé booster? As a University of Tennessee student and country music fan, CMA EDU proved to be the ultimate club for me, and I was proud to serve as its president.
Addie Morton
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