Want to know what it takes to make it in the music industry?
University of Alabama at Birmingham alumnus John P. Strohm, president of Rounder Records, will speak on his career and answer questions from the audience at a town hall Q&A from 3:30-5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 29. The event, presented by the College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Music, will be held in UAB’s Mary Culp Hulsey Recital Hall, 950 13th St. South.
With more than 51 Grammys in its 48-year history, Rounder Records’ distinguished catalog includes the likes of Alison Krauss, Bela Fleck & The Flecktones, Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown, Steve Martin, Ricky Skaggs, Allen Toussaint, Gregg Allman, Ruston Kelly, I’m With Her, and many more.
Strohm, who received a minor in music technology from UAB, will discuss his role as president and his pathway to this prestigious appointment, and entertain questions from the audience. Strohm will be accompanied by Gary Paczosa, Grammy Award-winning engineer, producer and vice president of Artists and Repertoire for Rounder Records and Sugar Hill Records.
University Professor of Music Henry Panion III, director of UAB’s Music Technology program, will be the moderator. The event is free and open to the public.
In an interview with Strohm earlier this year, his advice to young musicians was to “learn music fundamentals and especially theory, and learn the physics of sound. While technologies will change and become obsolete, the fundamentals won’t change.”
Strohm also offered pointers on what students should do to get the most from their experience and make headway in the music business.
“I meet a lot of young people in music business programs in Nashville,” Strohm said. “I’ve been around long enough to see which students succeed in this business. The jobs go to the students who are most driven to succeed and, particularly, the most entrepreneurial. I personally only hire people who are truly passionate about music, and they’re usually either musicians or people who would be musicians if they had the talent.”