Nashville singer-songwriter Ben Rector shares musical journey with Intro to Music Business class
Lacey Klotz |
Taking advantage of musicians from around the globe who come to Music City to try and make a name for themselves, Lipscomb University’s contemporary music program helps bridge the gap between the professional music industry and students who have similar aspirations.
The program, which is housed within the College of Entertainment & the Arts, is led by several industry professionals: from Grammy-winning producers to professional musicians, and students get an inside look at the do’s and don’ts of a successful music career through the first-hand experience of their professors and unique guest speakers.
On Friday, Jan. 13, Nashville self-made singer-songwriter Ben Rector visited the Intro to Music Business class, which is taught by Charlie Peacock, Grammy Award-winning producer and director of contemporary music and industry outreach; and Fain Spray, assistant professor of music; to share insight into his own journey in the music industry.
Rector has independently sold over 250,000 albums, has had over 2 million downloads, released four studio albums, and is now working in partnership with a major entertainment corporation, Universal/Capitol Music Group, as part of a distribution deal.
During the class, Rector said he discovered his passion for music when he was a student at the University of Arkansas, and each weekend would play gigs in different cities to promote his music.
Although Rector never went the traditional route of signing a recording contract with a label and paying for radio airtime, he said he worked hard to tour, surrounded himself with hardworking and trustworthy people and was always conscious to never go into debt personally.
“It is essential for our students to see the level of commitment needed to achieve their dreams and to have successful, humble guests demystify the path to those dreams,” said Peacock. “It is no exaggeration that Ben Rector has been one of the most successful independent singer/songwriter pop artists to emerge from Nashville in the last 10 years. Ben knows the journey of how to accomplish music business success as an independent and now as a partner with a major. People with successful experience in both these realms are few and far between.”
Peacock said Rector has also exemplified strong Christian values throughout his career.
“Stewardship of talent and gifts is a major aspect of faithfulness in the Christian life, and Ben has done this very well,” said Peacock. “I teach my students that talent and hard work are essential but only part of why people are successful in the music business. An essential component of the music business is hire-ability and being comfortable in your own skin. Ben has this and he imparts it to whoever is around him. Our students will need the same to succeed, regardless of how extraordinary their musical gifts are.”
Rector, who released his latest album Brand New in August, says his decade-long career has been marked with hard work, conservative thinking and trustworthy individuals who have challenged him to be better. He also joked that he would’ve given up a limb to be in a class like this in college, since he had no idea what he was doing at the time.
“Throughout the years I’ve learned that if you want to build something good enough that people want to be a part of it, then you have to make something great, or as close to great as it can be, and people will want to join that,” Rector said.
Students in the Intro to Music Business class will continue to learn from current industry professionals including Joy Williams of The Civil Wars, who will join the class on Jan. 27.
For more information on Lipscomb’s Contemporary Music Program, visit: www.lipscomb.edu/music.