Tau Phi Cowboy Show set for March 12
Student productions are a traditional part of Lipscomb's campus life.
Office of Public Relations & Communications |
Watch live Friday, March 12 at 7 p.m. CST
One of the longest running student events at Lipscomb University will be coming to the Mother Maybelle Carter Stage of Collins Alumni Auditorium this month.
The Tau Phi Cowboy Show is set for Friday, March 12 at 7 p.m. CST. The show hosted and performed by the members of Tau Phi social club along with guest musicians and student vocalists. In this year’s production, students will cover some of today’s most popular country artists.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there will be a limited in-person audience exclusively for Lipscomb students. Students may purchase tickets on campus during the school day. The show will also be streamed live at www.lipscomb.edu/live for faculty, staff, family, friends and alumni across the country to be able to join in on the fun.
“For several months we have been working with the administration to come up with a plan that would allow for this tradition to continue,” said Judson Chaudoin, a senior supply chain management major from Nashville who is directing this year’s show. “We are excited that we will be able to have a live performance in front of students, and really hope this is something that will be a fun experience for them as this year has definitely been different than a typical year. I appreciate everyone who has worked with us to get us to this point.”
“Of course we wish our family, friends and alumni could attend, but we are thankful for Lipscomb’s Entertainment & Technical Services team who will be living streaming the show for us for the first time ever. That means it can be viewed in real-time from literally anywhere around the world. We hope our alumni especially will watch online with us.”
Each year proceeds from Tau Phi Cowboy Show ticket and t-shirt sales goes to fund the student organization’s annual philanthropic project. Last year, proceeds went to Wreaths Across America to recognize fallen veterans and in 2018 to Room in the Inn, a program that serves Nashville’s homeless. This year’s philanthropy project will honor Lipscomb faculty and staff who have worked tirelessly on the frontlines to keep the university meeting in person since classes began in August, Chaudoin said. Click here to make a gift to this service project.
Assisting Chaudoin with this year’s production are co-director Anna Marie Ruch, a senior psychology and philosophy major from Seattle, Washington, and Robert Lewis Smith, a junior nursing major from Nashville. Pat Flynn (’92), Nashville singer/songwriter and producer, and his band will return to lead the show for the 23rd year. Flynn has been in the music industry for over 30 years and has worked on many CMA and Grammy award-winning projects such as Randy Travis’ Rise and Shine album and Lee Ann Womak’s “I Hope You Dance.” Flynn wrote Garth Brooks’ hit single, “Do What You Gotta Do,” and performed numerous hit songs as a member of the highly acclaimed bluegrass band New Grass Revival.
Tau Phi alum Thomas Rhett and his wife Lauren Akin share their faith journey story in The Gathering.
The Tau Phi Cowboy Show had its initial beginning in 1974 on the steps of Bison Square as part of the traditional Bison Day festivities. As part of the Bison Day tradition, members of social clubs dressed up in costumes and put on skits, sang songs or did cheers. Members of Tau Phi dressed up like cowboys and sang a few country songs as part of the club's Bison Day presentation.
In 1979, the Tau Phi show that was part of Bison Day officially became a full-fledged show with singers and musicians performing a variety of country songs that were native to Lipscomb's hometown Nashville — Music City, USA. From that first show in Collins Alumni Auditorium in 1979 through the next four decades, the Cowboy Show has evolved from a small production to a much larger, professional production.
Throughout its more than 40 year history, the Tau Phi Cowboy Shows has featured hundreds of talented Lipscomb students, some of whom have gone on to successful careers in the music industry. Past student performers include:
- Thomas Rhett, a member of Tau Phi, 2021 Grammy nominee for best song, 2020 Academy of Country Music Entertainer of the Year who released his fourth studio album, “Center Point Road” in 2019.
- Dustin Lynch (’07), a former Bison golfer and member of the Grand Ole Opry, 2014 Academy of Country Music Top New Artist of the Year.
- Kelsea Ballerini, a former Singarama host, who was inducted as the youngest member of the Grand Ole Opry in April 2019, 2018 Billboard Music Awards Top Female Country Artist.