MTSU Band Rocks Student Union

By Rob Sieben

Middle Stew Reporter

            MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – The student-driven Middle Tennessee State University/University of Tennessee band, O Youth, rocked out an acoustic set at the Student Union Food Court on Nov. 28 with two new members playing.

            The band recently added a French horn and oboe player that it incorporated into the acoustic set. There were two acoustic drum kits and a “do-it-yourself” percussion station that featured trashcans, shells and shovels. Members wheeled in an acoustic piano, and the bass player strummed his Banjitar while an extra guitarist played seashells to accompany the massive rhythm section.

            The band played from 6-8 p.m. with a set list that showcased unique and original music that members have dubbed “Doom Folk”. The Student Union Building was "rockin'" when all 10 of the band's members took the stage by the end of the show.

            “We decided to make it our goal to remain as large and energetic as possible without using any electricity at all,” said Brad Fugate.

            The band began a few years ago with three members meeting on a snowboarding trip out of the dorms at the University Of Tennessee Knoxville. Another member was added a short time later who lived down the hall from them. The rest of the band mates were found on Craigslist and from door-to-door solicitation until the perfect number was achieved. The 10 members are no longer centralized in one town, but they get together enough.

            Members of the band said they are excited to finish recording their latest album, which still has not been named. They have recently played gigs across the state of Tennessee and even in Chicago.

            “Our hearts are now the home of O Youth, and forever they shall be,” Fugate said. Every other Tuesday night, the Student Union Food Court at MTSU holds acoustic evenings with various artists and bands across campus. The event is free and open to anyone who wants to enjoy an evening of acoustic music. There are currently no more shows lined up for the fall semester.
          For more information about playing an acoustic evening, musicians can call the concerts chair in the Student Union at (615) 898-2551 or visit Student Union Room 340. Anyone interested in O Youth’s music can access the act's material through Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/oyouthmusic  .

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Bunganut Pig hosts weekly 'Blues Jam'

By Rob Sieben

Middle Stew Reporter

          MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – A good group of the Nashville greater limits Blues musicians find refuge every Tuesday night at the Bunganut Pig, a local bar in Murfreesboro that hosts a weekly jam that anyone can sign up to play.

          Jam host CJ Vaughn started the “Blues Jam” about two years ago trying to find closet blues musicians who were looking to get out and play every week. The turnout varies, but there is one thing that is for sure: there are plenty of blues to go around.

          Any musician who wants to jam has to show up with his or her instrument and sign the sign-in sheet. Vaughn puts the musicians into groups of five or six, and they play three songs together. Any song that a member wants will get played. On Nov. 28, there were vintage numbers from Jim Croce, and Bessie Smith, to more current artists like John Mayer.

          “This jam is a great time with great people," Vaughn said. "We hope that the word will continue to grow and more musicians find us here.”

          The Jam is hosted from 7-11 p.m. weekly on Tuesdays at the Murfreesboro Bunganut Pig, 1602 West Northfield Boulevard, Murfreesboro, Tenn. 37129. All musicians are welcome, and anyone looking to catch a good jam is welcome to come watch. 

          For more information on the event, check out the Bunganut Pig website at www.bunganutpig.com or call (615) 893-7860.

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