Dr. Don Cusic was named the “Music City” Professor of Music Industry History at the Curb College at Belmont University at a reception held in his honor today at the university. Cusic has been a faculty member of the Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business since 1994. The Mike Curb Family Foundation sponsors this new professorship. Curb, Dr. Wesley Bulla, dean of the Curb College and Belmont President Dr. Robert Fisher were on hand to honor Cusic at today’s event.
“The music industry is a cyclical business and I have always believed that it is crucial for students to understand the history of the music business in order to better understand the current state of the industry and anticipate what may come in the future,” Curb said. “Don Cusic is Music City’s finest historian and he brings an invaluable opportunity to our students to gain this much needed historical perspective.”
With this new title, Cusic will continue to teach undergraduate and graduate courses and will receive budgetary support for research, writing and professional development activities. He will also host one or two annual conferences with guest speakers, performers and songwriters related to his work. Cusic is a founding member and chair of the Belmont Book Award, given annually to the best book in country music.
“Don Cusic is one of the most prolific writers in the music industry,” Belmont President Dr. Robert Fisher said. “This is a great opportunity for Belmont to honor one of its own and provide the means to continue Cusic’s invaluable work.”
Cusic has authored 14 books, has published over 500 articles and has had songs recorded by such artists as Linda Davis and Chris LeDoux. For a complete biography of Cusic and a downloadable high-resolution photograph, visit www.doncusic.com.
“We have a great history of music in Nashville, going back to the Fisk Jubilee Singers, to WSM and the Grand Ole Opry, WLAC and rhythm and blues, to rock, pop, contemporary Christian, Southern Gospel and, of course, country music,” Cusic said. “Music Row is 50 years old; next year RCA Studio B will celebrate its 50th birthday. The Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business at Belmont is committed to preserving the history of this city’s music and I’m proud to be a part of that.”
