The Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business at Belmont has held several events this semester, bringing in alumni and music industry leaders to speak with current students.
2021 Songwriter Hall Of Fame Inductee Rhett Akins spoke with Curb College Students in the Johnson Theater on November 16 about his illustrious 25+ year career. Akins has 32 No. 1 singles, including hits from Luke Bryan, Dustin Lynch, Locash, Blake Shelton, Jason Aldean, Thomas Rhett and John Pardi.
![Rhett and Nina](https://b1292217.smushcdn.com/1292217/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/2021-11-16-Rhett-Atkins-072-450x321.jpg?lossy=1&strip=1&webp=1)
Warner Music Nashville Artist and Belmont Alumnus Ian Munsick also visited campus on November 30 and spoke with students about the importance of building a great team as they start their careers. Munsick was joined by his manager and wife Caroline R. Munsick, Clark Tedesco (Senior Director, Artist Development, Warner Music Nashville), and Belmont Alumna Stephanie Davenport (Senior Director at A&R Warner Music Nashville).
After graduating from Belmont, Munsick went on to sign a major label record deal with Warner Music Nashville, earned more than 70 million global streams and has been named one of Spotify’s inaugural “Hot Country Artists to Watch.” His debut single “Long Haul,” which was the most-added new-artist single upon impact at country radio, has twice charted on Spotify’s US Viral 50 and been praised for its “heart-tugging tenor” and “marvelous sense of melody” (MusicRow). His debut album “Coyote Cry,” featuring his mile-high tenor, is out now and his helping shape the future of country music. This November, Munsick was named as one of Music Row’s “2022 Next Big Thing.” His unique brand of country is finding more fans on the road, as Munsick is currently opening for Cody Johnson.
Drew Ramsey, Ian Munsick, and James Elliott