WMOT “Wired In” crew made up of students and alums

College of Media and Entertainment students were instrumental in the production of Wired In‘s first performance.

The WMOT Wired In Series kicked off Feb. 28 live from the new venue Aurora Nashville. “WMOT’s Wired In Presented by Thiel Audio” featured 16-time Grammy winner Bela Fleck, who performed for a live studio audience of just 50 guests. The invite-only shows feature different artists each month and are available only to WMOT members.

The evening’s performance was crewed entirely by MTSU students, with help from MTSU alumni Nic Dugger, Mike Barnes and Nathan Lux. Wired In is produced by Val Hoeppner, executive director of WMOT and director of the Center for Innovation in Media.

“Wired In is about connecting WMOT donors to Americana artists,” Hoeppner said. “It has an added benefit of connecting College of Media and Entertainment students to a professional video and audio setting with very high stakes.”

Bela Fleck (left) during Q&A session with Jessie Scott, WMOT’s afternoon host.

Wired In from Aurora in downtown Nashville is broadcast live on WMOT 89.5 and streamed live on VuHaus.com, a national public media music discovery platform. CME students from the Recording Industry program serve as the broadcast audio engineers during the show and then create a mixed and mastered version of the performance that is replayed on WMOT and used for music videos on VuHaus.com.

Media Arts and Journalism students staff all the video positions for a Wired In show, manning the director’s chair, robotic camera, hand-held camera and graphics.

“One of the most gratifying things about Wired In is seeing our student crew come in, set up and run the show as professionals,” Hoeppner said.

Bela Fleck (center) with members of the audience.

WMOT, which broadcasts at 89.5 FM as well as online at www.wmot.org, is a charter member of National Public Radio since 1969 and the region’s only Americana music channel.

The folk group Stray Birds performed for Wired In on March 28. Angaleena Presley is slated for  April 25 followed by Elizabeth Cook on May 25.

For more information about WMOT Roots Radio 89.5 FM, part of MTSU’s College of Media and Entertainment, visit www.wmot.org. 

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