Andy Velo Performs At APSU’s Clement

Written By: Chase Butler
MTSU Raider Shakedown Reporter

Photo By: Henry Kilpatrick | Kilpatrick Studios

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Rising country music artist Andy Velo performed live at Austin Peay State University’s Clement Auditorium for members of the student organization CMA EDU on April 1.

            Georgia native Andy Velo moved to Music City in 2012 to pursue his dreams of becoming a country music artist. At the age of 11, in his hometown of Suwanee, Georgia, Velo knew that writing and performing music was his calling.

            Velo released his first self-titled EP in 2012 and has been touring heavily across the country. He has since released his second studio album in August 2014 titled “Blue Collar Cruise”.

            APSU’s CMA EDU organization sponsored Velo’s performance. CMA EDU is a student-led organization that directly coincides with the Country Music Association. CMA EDU allows students to gain useful insight and contacts within the music industry.

            Brittney Hitch, president of Austin Peay State University’s CMA EDU chapter, was responsible for organizing and promoting the on-campus concert.

“We are excited about the future and direction of our organization, and we believe Andy Velo can help raise expectations by bringing his live performance to APSU,“ Hitch said.

            The performance in Clement Auditorium was a smaller, acoustic concert that was free and open to APSU students and the general public.

“I wanted to do something a little different for this show, “Velo said. “I wanted the folks here at Austin Peay to really get to know me and become familiar with my music. They’ll get to hear my older music as well as my new stuff that will be out on my next album. I had an idea to play a smaller, more intimate show, and Clement is the perfect place.”

            Velo played many songs from his album, “Blue Collar Cruise”, as well as new tunes from his upcoming album to be released later this year. The crowd at APSU was full of energy and well engaged in the acoustic performance. After the show, Velo signed autographs and took time to meet every person in attendance.

            Velo is in the final stages of production of his new album, and he will continue to perform around the greater Nashville area with his next event being a showcase at the Wildhorse Saloon in downtown Nashville on April 28.

            For more information on tickets and future tour dates, visit www.andyvelo.com.

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Kevin Whalum performs live with MTSU Singers

By Morgan Washington

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. –Kevin Whalum, former member of the Grammy Award-winning vocal group TAKE 6, performed at the T. Earl Hinton Music Hall Wright Music Building on April 16 for the “Presidential Signature Series Performance Concert”.

            Whalum was apparently invited to perform by Middle Tennessee State University President Sydney A. McPhee. He performed with the MTSU Singers under the direction of Cedric Dent. Dent is also a former member of TAKE 6 and a friend of Whalum's. 

             “I met Kevin through his brother Kirk Whalum, who is a world-renowned saxophonist that has worked with TAKE 6 in the past," Dent said. “TAKE 6, of course, is the Grammy Award-winning vocal group that I performed with for 25 years.”

            The MTSU Singers are a unique jazz ensemble that requires more than just singing voices. They have an ear for singing jazz harmony and are good music readers. The ensemble is by audition only.

            Students prepare for concerts every Tuesday and Thursday from 2:40-3:45 p.m. right here on Middle Tennessee State University campus. There will be no more upcoming shows for this spring semester. To view the upcoming shows for the fall and spring semester of 2013-2014, visit the university's event website at http://www.mtsu.edu/music/calendar.php.

            “The MTSU Singers are the only vocal ensemble that promotes and features jazz-style vocal arrangements and improvisation," said Dent "It's a small group where every individual voice is critical to the sound of the ensemble. It is my goal to develop the finest collegiate vocal jazz ensemble in the country. Students who'd like to be a part of that legacy and don't mind working hard should audition.” said Dent                                                

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The MTSU Raider Shakedown online newspaper was created in November 2012 to give Media Writing students the opportunity to grow through experiential learning.  As emerging professionals, my students are taught to follow all of the professional aspects of journalistic writing.  They apply the rules in the Associated Press Stylebook, use the inverted pyramid structure, and write leads that answer the questions who, what, when and where.  All of these stories were researched and written by MTSU students who aspire to greatness in journalism and related fields.  We hope you enjoy them!  Please feel free to let us know what you think.  We'll be glad to pass your comments on to the reporters.

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