[239] MTSU Receives Generous Donation from Country Artist/Former Student Chris Young

FOR RELEASE: Jan. 26, 2012
EDITORIAL CONTACTS: Tom Tozer, MTSU, 615-898-2919; Cindy Heath, Monarch Publicity, 615-429-2203

MTSU receives generous donation from country artist/former student Chris Young

MURFREESBORO—RCA recording artist and Murfreesboro native Chris Young recently donated a selection of his touring audio equipment and accessories to the Department of Production Services at Middle Tennessee State University.
Production Services, a department within the Division of Business and Finance, provides comprehensive event-production services, including technical expertise, personnel, audio, lighting, video and staging for numerous campus events as well as University-related off-campus functions.
“We are pleased that Chris chose to donate some of his touring equipment to the University,” said Joe Bales, vice president for development and university relations. “This donation represents his latest efforts to give back.”
Craig Doman, director of production services, added “a great big thanks to Chris Young for thinking of us.
“We accept his donation with gratitude and look forward to incorporating his gift into our many services,” Doman continued. “Our staff, which includes more than 100 students, will greatly benefit.”
The former MTSU student has performed several times in Murphy Center as his music career has ascended, and he remains generous with his time and talent. In 2008, Young was the special guest of MTSU’s Invention Convention—the same event he attended as a child—where he sang several songs to an excited crowd of 300 middle-school children.
“MTSU has been a great supporter over the years, and I’m glad for the chance to share this equipment with the University’s music and production students,” the singer/songwriter said.
Young just experienced an amazing year that included a Grammy nomination; an American Country Award win; five national TV appearances; the release of his third album, “Neon”; his third and fourth consecutive No.1 singles; and tours with Jason Aldean and Rascal Flatts.

The new year looks even brighter. Young appeared on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” only two weeks after entertaining a sold-out New Year’s Eve crowd in Fort Worth, Texas. Miranda Lambert also has selected Young as her special guest for her 2012 “On Fire” tour.
Young’s current single, “You,” from the “Neon” CD has already hit No. 2 on the Billboard country chart.
“Chris Young has remained a true Blue Raider at heart and has always been extremely generous with his time and talents,” MTSU’s Bales added.
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Photo by Randee St. Nicholas
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