Two-time Grammy nominee Quentin Baxter (Ranky Tanky) has taken over as host of CofC’s In the Mix music industry speaker series. Artist-in-residence Mark Bryan stepped down as host last December when his band Hootie & The Blowfish announced their return to the road.
In the Mix program director Karen Chandler says Baxter is an ideal host as he is an internationally recognized percussionist with his own music production company. Baxter is part music coach, part sound engineer, and part adjunct professor. Currently he works with CofC’s Arts Management program, but he has also taught jazz percussion since 1997.
“He owns his own business. He’s actively touring. That’s the kind of experience we want our students to explore,” Chandler says. “He’s recording with different artists such as Freddy Cole, Nat King Cole’s brother. He’s doing the work that the kids are studying about.”
In the Mix exists to connect students with musicians and music industry leaders, and the second installment will be held Mon. March 4 at 6:30 p.m. in the Recital Hall of the Simons Center for the Arts. The event Managing, Touring, and the Road to the Grammys will feature special guest Shannon Herber, pop and dance/electronic genre manager for the Grammy Awards. Herber will discuss her experience in artist management, tour management, and operations. This event is free and open to the public.
Chandler sees this speakers series as having great significance considering Charleston has become more recognized as a musical city. She hopes that the Arts Management program will position Charleston as an integral addition to the national music business as students join the work force.
In The Mix started as a hands-on experience for students to acquaint themselves with different players in the nation’s music industry. The students brainstormed topics unique to their studies — like commercial licensing, song writing, and music modernization — and the episodes centered on delving into the real world mechanics.
Bryan’s connections in the music industry from all over the country made for some wonderful guests over the years, and not surprisingly, his spring 2014 roster included bandmate Darius Rucker. Now with Baxter taking over the sessions, he’s already held an Epic Women: Industry Journeys of Two Executives at Epic Records this year, and on Mon. April 1 In the Mix goes live, closing out the academic year with its annual student performances, which will include ARTM alumnus (2012) John Shields (Little Stranger, Leaf Eater, Long Miles).
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