Rate My Professor Odie Blackmon

Odie Blackmon is a Professor in the Department of Recording Industry at Middle Tennessee State University, contributing to Arts and Culture through his leadership in the Commercial Songwriting concentration, of which he is the program coordinator. A Grammy-nominated songwriter with a proven track record in the Nashville music industry, Blackmon earned his bachelor’s degree from MTSU’s Recording Industry Department before returning to teach commercial songwriting in 2014. His hit songs include “She’ll Leave You With a Smile,” co-written over 20 years ago and recorded by George Strait as a No. 1 single in 2001, later ranked No. 8 among the top 25 country songs of the last 50 years by Country Aircheck. Recently, he co-wrote “Cheap Cologne” with Jimmy Ritchey and Kevin Denney, recorded by Bryce Leatherwood, the 2022 winner of The Voice Season 22, for Leatherwood’s upcoming fall 2024 album. Blackmon continues active songwriting, collaborating with artists such as Gary Allan.

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.