Los Angeles, CA - Groundhog Day continues to have newsworthy ties in Blue Raider country. That proved true this year as the 67th Annual Grammy Awards falls on this special day this year, and there are plenty of Middle Tennessee State University recording industry student in Tinsel Town this weekend helping to prepare for this Sunday night gala.
MTSU students spent Friday night (1/31/2025) volunteering at the Recording Academy’s premiere and pre-Grammys fundraising event, the MusiCares Persons of the Year Gala, which pivoted this year to support artists impacted by the Southern California wildfires.
MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee, first lady Elizabeth McPhee and College of Media and Entertainment Dean Beverly Keel joined six students before Friday’s gala to thank them for being part of the university’s 11th trip to the music industry’s biggest awards weekend.
The students, accompanied by Recording Industry Chair Michelle Conceison, assistant professor Denise Shackelford, and Holly Allen, assistant director of MTSU’s Career Development Center, arrived in Los Angeles on Wednesday.
In addition to volunteering at the MusiCares gala on Friday, they’ve been touring recording studios, iconic music venues and meeting with recording industry professionals.
The MTSU contingent also is recognizing the six former students nominated this year for Grammys at a Los Angeles event planned by the College of Media and Entertainment for Saturday (2/1/2025).
“I’m proud of not only our nominees, but also these tremendous students for helping MusiCares raise money and awareness,” said McPhee, meeting the MTSU team at the red carpet before the gala at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
Added Conceison, “Our students have a rare opportunity to volunteer at one of the music industry’s most impactful events, connect with MTSU alumni working in music and visit legendary studios and places of significance in Los Angeles.”
The students are:
- Bailey Brantingham of Chattanooga, a senior majoring in journalism, who, as managing editor of Sidelines, MTSU’s student media site, is covering the trip.
- Ariana Grosh of Atlanta, Georgia, a junior majoring in audio production;
- Asahi Morena Mora of Murfreesboro, a senior majoring in recording industry management;
- William Howard Price of Cookeville, a senior majoring in audio production and songwriting;
- Mark Lucian Smith Jr., of Richmond, Virginia, who is pursuing a Master of Fine Arts in recording arts and technologies.
- Susan Sullivan of Atlanta, Georgia, a senior majoring in recording industry management.
Sullivan said she was “excited to connect with industry professionals, show off the networking skills my professors have instilled in me and, of course, enjoy the unforgettable Grammy performances.”
Mora echoed Sullivan, saying, “I’m looking forward to meeting people from all around who have the same passions as me.” While Grosh said she was “most excited about connecting with new people in Los Angeles and building meaningful relationships with fellow creatives.”
Price added he was honored to be a part of the trip and he as “looking forward to connecting with like-minded people in LA.” Smith shared similar sentiments, saying he wants to “elevate my approach to collaboration.”
While the students worked at the MusiCares gala, McPhee spent Friday night meeting with Southern California alums from the university’s eight academic colleges in a gathering of support in Santa Monica sponsored by the MTSU Alumni Association.
“We wanted to reach out to them and see for ourselves how they are weathering this crisis,” McPhee said of the area’s wildfires.
McPhee set up a link on the university’s website, www.mtsu.edu/LAFireRelief, that allows people to donate directly to MusiCares’ efforts to help those affected by the crisis.
The 67th Grammy Awards will be held on Groundhog Day evening (Sunday, 2/2/2025) at Cryto.com Arena in Los Angeles with many Tennessee connections. Go Big Blue!
