Rate My Professor Odie Blackmon

At MTSU in the College of Media and Entertainment, Blackmon has significantly expanded the Commercial Songwriting program by doubling enrollment, recruiting well-known adjunct professors, and creating new courses tailored to music industry careers. He spearheaded fundraising efforts raising $50,000 to plan and construct the Songwriting Center in the Miller Education Center, which opened in 2023 featuring state-of-the-art classrooms, a live performance atrium, and collaborative workspaces. Blackmon provides students with immersive experiences, including backstage tours at the Country Music Association Awards, Q&A sessions with professionals, study abroad opportunities, and social media promotion of their successes, such as those of alumna HunterGirl. He conducts the “Soul of a Songwriter” oral history project for MTSU’s Center for Popular Music, interviewing prominent figures like Kostas, Gary Burr, Byron Hill, and Matraca Berg. Additionally, he serves as faculty sponsor for the GRAMMY U chapter, fostering connections to the recording industry.