The Daily Gamecock

Student organizations come together to welcome country star

USC students will be welcomed back to campus with a performance from country music star Russell Dickerson Tuesday on Greene Street. The Tennessee native is well known in the country music community for his singles "Yours" and "Blue Tacoma".

This production has been in the works since early May and is a collaboration between two on-campus organizations: Carolina Productions and Country Music Association Education, or CMA EDU.

CMA EDU is a student organization that focuses on preparing students for careers in music and entertainment. CMA EDU is directly affiliated with the Country Music Association in Nashville and they often speak directly with CMA’s community outreach department. 

Eleni Collis, organization president and fourth-year sports and entertainment management student explained that working with CMA lets them bring in acts like Dickerson

“They kind of help us create opportunities for our members to learn more about the industry, network with individuals," she said, "and just kind of grow overall professionally.”

The organization provides useful networking opportunities for students.

“The goal of CMA EDU is to kind of bridge the gap between students and the industry,” said Collis. “A lot of us who are in CMA EDU plan and hope to work in the music industry after graduation.” 

The organization holds several opportunities and events for their members throughout the school year, allowing different country music artists to come to Columbia. Speaking directly with tour managers about the industry, CMA EDU members are able to learn a lot about the touring side of things. 

Because CMA EDU is directly affiliated with the Country Music Association, they often work with country music artists. However, Collis say they're looking to work directly with non-country artists.

“We all like country, but we listen to all different kinds of music,” said Collis. “We’re open to anything.” 

CMA EDU worked with Carolina Productions, which puts on concerts at USC, on the Dickerson concert.

While these organizations have worked together on small events in the past, this concert is the largest event they have worked on together. The partnership between CMA EDU and Carolina Productions is likely one that students will see often in the future.

“Once it was finalized that Russell Dickerson would be performing, partnering with CMA EDU was the first thing that popped into my head.” said Nick Stewart, the concert coordinator for Carolina Productions. “I am looking forward to working with CMA EDU in the future.”

The Back to School Concert will take place at 6:45 p.m. on Tuesday on Greene Street.


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