Jonny Grande Headlines On Campus Show

By Cathryne Clain

MURFEESBORO, Tenn.- Middle Tennessee State University held a show in its own Tucker Theatre on Nov. 23, with performances by upcoming artists including Clay Cages and Jonny Grande.

In exchange for tickets, attendants were asked to bring a can of food for donation or their MTSU I.D. for free admission.

            The artist’s performances were accented with bright stage lights, high- energy music, and a passionate crowd of 40 people or more. Most attendants sang along with the artists and demonstrated their dedication.  Although these artists are not well established yet, it was clear to everyone in the audience that they are not far from success.

Jonny Grande Photo by Cathryne Clain

            The artist’s management team, who coordinated with MTSU’s Recording Industry Department, organized the performance.  Professor Frank Baird was the director of the event.

            “This event is not only fun for people to watch, but it’s also a great opportunity for our own to showcase their talent,” said Baird.

The headliner for the show was Dub Step artist and DJ Jonny Grande. The opening act was a Punk Rock band called Clay Cages.

Grande is a Producing and Engineering major at MTSU and currently working on producing music for artists in Nashville. Later this fall, Grande will release his new EP, “Suspended.” Grande will be traveling through December to parts of Tennessee and Colorado on tour with his latest album.

Clay Cages is a Nashville native band formed in 2013. They are busy promoting their new music and getting ready to release their new EP, “ The Lenses We See Life Through,” later this fall.

Both artists are active on social media where they encourage fans to keep up with their upcoming events and new music. You can find information about Grande at http://www.jonnygrande.com. For information on Clay Cages, go to their Facebook page under “Clay Cages.”

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Record Stores to Sell Limited Edition Vinly Records

By Cody Weir

            MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Independent record stores throughout the nation, such as the Little Shop of Music, sold limited edition recordings on Nov. 29 as part of Record Store Day’s second annual Black Friday event.

            The Record Store Day organization decided to release many specials on Black Friday, which is the largest shopping day of the year. Only independent record stores were permitted to participate in this event.  These rare vinyl records were not available in chain stores. 

            A total of 72 Record Store Day items were released on Black Friday.  Most of these items were vinyl records, but there were also some CDs and a few books placed on the shelves of independent record stores for the event.  The records that were sold ranged from never-before-released live recordings to box sets that showcase a musician’s entire career to records that were pressed onto different colored vinyl.  A few picture discs pressed with artwork were released.  Some records that were remixed into a mono recording, such as Miles Davis’ “Kind of Blue,” were available for purchase.

            Many local record stores participated in this event. Little Shop of Records, 109 E Main St., opened its doors at 8 a.m. on Nov. 29. Other record stores throughout Murfreesboro and Nashville also opened early to increase business.

            The popularity of vinyl records has grown over the past few years, even though we live in the era of illegal music piracy.  Sales of vinyl records are at their highest point since the release of the CD. Record Store Day’s main goal is to reward album collectors for supporting independent stores.

            Little Shop of Records sold its remaining Record Store Day inventory at a 15 percent discount on Dec. 3.

            “Record Store Day promotes awareness that indie stores still exist,” said Little Shop of Records

 employee Chase Price.  “Record collectors have to come to us.”

            “People are searching for something missing in their life, and it just so happens a record store provides that missing element,” said Inherent Records owner Bobby Rayfield.  “There is a real connection to community and kindred spirits, specifically in record stores, that some can not find in other environments.”

            Many independent record stores host in-store events throughout the year as a way to give back to their shoppers. The Little Shop of Records has held in-store live events in the past. The store holds various sales throughout the year.

            Contact Little Shop of Records at (615) 971-1109 for more information about special in-store events. For more information about Record Store Day events, visit www.recordstoreday.com.

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Murfreesboro bike event excites local community

By Avery Baker

MUFREESBORO, Tenn.— The first Annual “Boro Fondo” bicycle tour showcased local music and the arts from April 19-20 throughout town as cyclists stopped at various block parties to enjoy the spring weather and socialize.

“Boro Fondo”, formerly known as “Tour de Fun”, attracted more than a thousand Middle Tennessee State University students and local residents to various locations such as the Rutherford County Courthouse and Harrison Avenue for a two-day-shindig packed with good spirits. A pre-ride party took place Friday night in the Square across several locations, including Aura Lounge, 3 Brothers Brew-house and Deli, Main Street Live, and the recently opened Little Shop Of Records.

The ride began at 10 a.m. Saturday at Smoopy’s Vintage Bicycles and finished in the Square at 9 p.m. Saturday’s events included cycling to block parties with sets by 21 local bands, stand-up-comedy, poetry, and give-away raffles at each of the four rendezvous points on the bike route. The excitement was palpable as friends new and old rode across town enjoying the sights and sounds of the local community.

Smoopy’s, a sponsor of “Boro Fondo”, donated a colorful $700 fixed-gear-bike for the raffle along with several tee shirts and original artwork.

 “We were excited to donate the fixie bike for the Fondo,” said Smoopy’s bike tech Patrick Lee. “It’s always cool to be involved with the biking events here in town, especially when they support the arts. We’re just grateful that there is such a great community for cycling here and that we get to help them out.”'

“I’m really happy with what we did this weekend," said Fondo founder Eric Detorres. “The city was really cooperative in helping us out whether it was providing police to block an intersection or just getting the word out about Fondo, which was invaluable. To me, as long as no one got hurt and nothing was stolen, then it was a success. This was the first year doing a two-day festival, and I think it was a great way to showcase the talent of our local artists. Expect to see something similar later this year.”

Detorres and some friends created “Boro Fondo” to serve as a unique bicycle festival for the community, while providing an outlet for musicians and artists alike. Dates for the next festival are pending. Bands and artists interested in showcasing their work can visit http://www.borofondo.com for more information.

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