[116] MTSU, Sony/ATV Nashville introduce ‘All Access’ for talented students

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A new partnership between Sony/ATV Music Publishing Nashville and MTSU’s Department of Recording Industry will allow students to submit two of their songs directly to Sony/ATV’s creative team.

Sony/ATV will then select a number of students to perform two more songs at a live showcase.

“We are constantly searching for new writers and writer/artists,” said Troy Tomlinson, president and CEO of Sony/ATV Music Nashville. “The ‘All Access’ program is designed to make access to industry professionals easy and rewarding for talented students.”

After the live performances, Tomlinson said, the Sony ATV team may extend an invitation to a limited number of students to experience a day in the publishers’ Music Row studios.

Beverly Keel, chair of MTSU’s Department of Recording Industry in the College of Mass Communication, said the partnership “provides a pathway for MTSU students to share their talent and work with industry professionals.”

Keel said students can submit two songs via YouTube to Sony/ATV Music Publishing by Saturday, Nov. 15. Interested students should first contact Keel at beverly.keel@mtsu.edu for information on submitting their entries.

The opportunity is open to both songwriters and singers, Tomlinson said. Songwriters must submit original songs, and singers may send a song written by another writer or a cover of a song by another artist that has not been a radio single. All genres of music are welcome.

Ken Paulson, dean of MTSU’s College of Mass Communication, said the partnership will continue through the spring 2015 semester.

“This is a special opportunity for talented students to showcase their work for an audience of accomplished music professionals,” Paulson said. “This bridges the gap between the classroom and recording industry in a creative and positive way.”