MT Storytellers Returns with a Bang

By Alexia S. Thompson

MUFREESBORO, Tenn.- A night of talent returned to the campus of Middle Tennessee State University at 7 p.m. Nov. 12 for the first time since 2012, resulting in a large turnout.

Hosted by Corey Franklin and Darrell Martin, an event by the name of MT Storytellers gave artists a chance to showcase their craft and share background behind the pieces they performed. The event was coordinated by two popular organizations on campus: First Flight Entertainment, a party promoting group, and Collegiate 100, an organization that works to help grow the population of black males on campus.

MT Storytellers was inspired by a television program with a similar name, VH1 Storytellers, which was also created to connect viewers with popular singers and songwriters as the artists play their music and tell the stories behind their greatest songs and albums. Each episode goes behind the scenes with a single artist or group and features intimate musical performances and the first-hand stories behind the hits.

The event brought out students, parents and a few local members of the Murfreesboro community. The turnout was so great that the room became quickly overcrowded, and many were left standing.

“MT Storytellers was brought back from 2012 because it was a flourishing event” said Demarcus Williams, member of Collegiate 100, “If you missed it you missed one of the most exciting events of the year. The crowd heard many artists share their stories and values.”

"Emotions are the absolute biggest driving force of my writing,” said Brittany Spencer, a singer who performed a couple of her written pieces. “My experiences inspire my writing the most."

Other performances included, rappers that go by the names Evan Dupri, Douglas, and D Mauz, a singer by the stage name Vann, as well as a poet that goes by the name Angel. Before the artists went on, there was a short video played that talked about who they were and what inspired them to begin writing and sharing their craft. 

 "I really liked it,” said freshman student Britnie Harding, when asked what she thought of the event.  “I love how they shared their stories by using their talents."

To learn more about the organizations, you can visit https://www.facebook.com/Collegiate-100-Black-Men-of-Middle-Tennessee-State-University-209911449041526/?fref=nf and https://twitter.com/1stflightent.

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