Belmont University: MBU 2130: History of Recording Industry

SYLLABUS: Fall Semester, 2007 (213SylF1)

Professor: Dr. Don Cusic

OFFICE: MBC 223

Phone: 615.460.5438

FAX: 615.460.5516

e-mail: cusicd@mail.belmont.edu

web site: doncusic.com

Office Hours: TR: 8-11:30 a.m.-1:45 p.m.; W: 8-11:30 a.m.

Or by appointment

Course Number: MBU 2130.04 (CRN #11750)

Credit: Three (3) hours

Semester: Fall, 2007

Class Location: MBC 200A

Meeting Time: TR 3:30-4:45 p.m.

Final Exam: Tuesday, December 11: 2 p.m.

Inclement Weather Hotline: 460-5000 OR Belmont.edu

Course Description: A study of the foundations of the recorded music business, which includes the development of recording labels, technology-driven changes, and recordings from 1877 to the present. Also discussed is the formation of the major recording labels and the development of the marketing structure whereby recorded music is exposed and sold to consumers.

Course Objective: To provide students with an historical overview of the music industry through the development of the business, the technology and recordings. Also, to provide a contemporary context and historic background in order to facilitate understanding and perceptions of the contemporary American recording industry. By examining the chronological development of the American domestic market for recorded product, students should have a better understanding of the foundational structure of the contemporary American recording industry.

Performance Criteria: At the end of this course the student shall be able to:

*explain how music is a significant influence on society

*contrast recording technology from 1877 to the present

*examine the foundations of the recording music business by probing the development of independent record companies and contrasting them to major corporations of today

*describe the marketing structure of music and how it was exposed and sold to the consumer

*analyze how music affected society socially, culturally, economically and politically

*summarize how music has driven technology and how technology has responded to change

*describe how popular music reflects the mood, circumstances and cultural influences of society

Learning Outcomes: At the end of this course the student shall be able to:

*explain the emergence of the different genres of music

*understand how the recording industry developed in terms of music, business and technology

*demonstrate mastery of the history of the recording industry through examinations

*appreciate the breadth and depth of the contemporary recording industry

Mission Statement: Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business

The Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business strives to combine professional and academic experience with real world applications and seeks to achieve its mission by implementing innovative courses of study in the entertainment and music industries.

Goals of the Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business

The following objectives will be applied toward course completion:

*To provide a personalized, career-oriented and practical education that emphasizes leadership, innovation, private enterprise and entrepreneurship

*To equip students with the tools to think critically, communicate effectively, accept responsibility, make successful decisions and prosper in diverse work environments.

*To emphasize quality classroom instruction within the parameters of ethical Christian principles.

Honor Code:

As members of the Belmont community, students, faculty, staff and administrators are all responsible for ensuring that their experiences be free of behaviors which compromise value. In order to uphold academic integrity, the University has adopted an Honor System. Students and faculty will work together to establish the optimal conditions for honorable academic work. Following is the Student Honor Pledge that guides academic behavior:

"I will not give or receive aid during examinations; I will not give or receive false or impermissible aid in course work, in the preparation of reports, or in any other type of work that is to be used by the instructor as the basis of my grade; I will not engage in any form of academic fraud. Furthermore, I will uphold my responsibility to see to it that others abide by the spirit and letter of the Honor Pledge."

Course Requirements:

Thu: Sept 13: EXAM #1

Tue: Oct 9: EXAM #2

Tue: Nov 6: EXAM #3

Thu: Nov 29: EXAM #4

POP QUIZZES (Unannounced) (5 pts each)

Attendance: Will be computed from Pop Quizzes.

Materials:

The American Recording Industry by Don Cusic (Course Pack)

Prepared Assignments: None

Testing: 5 Exams.

Basis of Grade Evaluation:

EXAM #1 (100 pts)

EXAM #2 (100 pts)

EXAM #3 (100 pts)

EXAM #4 (100 pts)

EXAM #5 (FINAL) (100 pts)

POP QUIZZES (Unannounced) (5 pts each)

TOTAL POINTS: 600 max. Grading: A=93-100%; A-=90-92%; B+=87-89%, B=83-86%, B-=80-82%; C+=77-79%, C=73-76%; C-=70-72%; D+=67-69%, D=63-66% D-=60-62%; F=59% & below.

Accommodation of Disabilities: In compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act, Belmont University will provide reasonable accommodation of all medically documented disabilities. If you have a disability and would like the university to provide reasonable accommodations of the disability during this course, please notify the Office of the Dean of Students located in Beaman Student Life Center (460-6407) as soon as possible.

Some notes and observations:

All of the overheads in the course and all of the Study Guides will be on WebCT; I will also email them to your "Pop" account.

DOING WELL IN THE COURSE: I have found that students who do best in the course (1) do not believe I have done everything for them when I post the overheads but also take notes in class; (2) re-copy your notes after the lecture--expanding on the material while it is still fresh in your mind; (3) join "study groups" to go over the Study Guides; (4) purchase the books and read them; (5) do not wait until the night before the Exam to read the books but read the and mark them as the course progresses; (6) go over the material several times before the Exam; (7) get a good night's sleep before the Exam.

MAKE-UPS: In accordance with Music Business policy, there will be no make-up Exams given in this course; if you miss an Exam, the Final Exam will count double. If you miss two Exams, the Final will count triple. Also, when I give Exams back, I go over them in class and you may ask any questions you wish. I will not go over Exams individually in my office. Also note:

You may choose to "skip" an Exam and let the Final count double; however, you are not allowed to begin an Exam, decide you don't want to finish and opt out. Once you begin the Exam, you must complete it.

If you take all of the Exams, I will drop the lowest grade and count the Final double, if it is to your advantage.

The Final Exam is mandatory.

Please bring a No. 2 lead pencil with you on Exam day.

CELL PHONES: You don't have to turn them off; however, if they ring, I answer them

COMPUTERS: You are welcome to use your computer for notes in class; however, if you want to sit in class and check your email and/or surf the net, please sit in the back. (Personally, I don't believe spending $1,000 to check emails is a good use of money.)

PLEASE NOTE: "Excused absences" must be approved by the Provost (athletics and music performances) or Tammy Whitaker (sickness).

After you have finished an Exam, please don't ask me about questions on the Exam, or advising questions, or other questions that require more than a nod because other students are taking Exams and do not like the distraction. Each semester there are complaints from students who are trying to finish an Exam while another student is engaging the teacher in questions or conversation. Therefore, I will not answer questions or engage in discussions during the Exam time while others are taking Exams.

SCHEDULE: MBU 213: FALL, 2007:

The course will be divided into four sections:

EXAM #1: 1800-1929: pp 1-143

EXAM #2: 1930-1954: pp. 144-269

EXAM #3: 1955-1977: pp 270-362

EXAM #4: 1978-2000: pp 363-406

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER:

Thu: Sept 13: EXAM #1

Tue: Oct 9: EXAM #2

Thu: Oct 11: FALL BREAK

Tue: Nov 6: EXAM #3

Thu: Nov 22: Thanksgiving

Thu: Nov 29: EXAM #4

Tue: Dec 4: LAST DAY OF CLASS

Wed: Dec 5: Academic Preparation Day

Fri Dec 14: COMMENCEMENT: 7:30 p.m.: Curb Event Center

Here is the schedule for Final Exams for classes I teach:

Thu: Dec 6: FINAL EXAM: 2 p.m. (for 2 p.m. class)

Fri: Dec 7: FINAL EXAM: 11 a.m. (for 12:30 p.m. class)

Tue: Dec 11: FINAL EXAM: 2 p.m. (for 3:30 p.m. class)

These are the times you are scheduled to take the Exam. Since some of you will wish to take the Final at another time, then you may come to another scheduled time under these conditions:

1. Those who are registered for the class are guaranteed a seat;

2. If there are no chairs and seats available, I cannot give a Final Exam (I can not and will not give an Exam to someone sitting on the floor!);

3. If there are no seats and you choose to wait, then you will only have the remaining time to finish the Exam (i.e. these Exams are scheduled in two hour blocks; if you take a seat an hour after the scheduled starting time, then you only have one hour to complete your Final);

4. If you have chosen to take the Exam at the last chosen time possible, then find you are unable to do so, you will receive an "I" in the course and a "make-up" will be scheduled for next semester.

MBU 2130: SCHEDULE: FALL, 2007

Thu: Aug 23: CLASS 1: 19th century; Minstrel Shows, Civil War, Vaudeville (pp 1-15)

Tue: Aug 28: CLASS 2: Industrial Revolution, Invention of Phonograph, Graphophone, Gramophone, Development of Victor and Columbia labels, Earliest recordings (pp 16-45)

Thu: Aug 30: CLASS 3: Tin Pan Alley, Creation of ASCAP, 1909 Copyright Law, Invention of movies, Development of Radio, World War I (pp 46-68)

Tue: Sept 4: CLASS 4: The 1920s, Broadway musicals, Harlem Renaissance, Development of Jazz (pp 69-105)

Thu: Sept 6: CLASS 5: Development of Blues, Country and Gospel (black and white) music (pp 106-133)

Tue: Sept 11: CLASS 6: Creation of RCA, Development of networks on radio, Recording companies of 1920s, "talkies" (pp 134-143)

Thu: Sept 13: CLASS 7: EXAM #1 (pp 1-133)

Tue: Sept 18: CLASS 8: The Great Depression, Development of Decca, EMI, and Columbia Records with CBS, Radio in 1930s, Bing Crosby (pp 144-165)

Thu: Sept 20: CLASS 9: Blues and Country Music in 1930s; development of jukeboxes, Singing Cowboys (pp 166-187)

Tue: Sept 25: CLASS 10: Creation of BMI, airplay of records, pre-World War II; formation of Capitol; V-Discs, Frank Sinatra; R&B and Country music (pp 200-219)

Thu: Sept 27: CLASS 11: Pre-World War II and World War II

Tue: Oct 2: CLASS 12: World War II and post-World War II (pp 220-237)

Thu: Oct 4: CLASS 13: Rhythm and Blues and early Rock and Roll (pp 238-269)

Tue: Oct 9: CLASS 14: EXAM #2 (pp 144-269)

Thu: Oct 11: FALL BREAK

Tue: Oct 16: CLASS 15: The Rock Revolution, creation of Warner Brothers; creation of organizations (pp 270-293)

Thu: Oct 18: CLASS 16: Folk Music, Brill Building, payola (pp 294-309)

Tue: Oct 23: CLASS 17: The '60's: Part 1 (pp 317-359)

Thu: Oct 25: CLASS 18: The '60's: Part 2 (pp 317-359)

Tue: Oct 30: CLASS 19: The '60's: Part 3 (pp 317-359)

Thu: Nov 1: CLASS 20: The 1970s; Tape, Deaths of Elvis and Bing Crosby (pp 360-362)

Tue: Nov 6: CLASS 21: EXAM #3 (pp 270-362)

Thu: Nov 8: CLASS 22: Crash of '79, Fragmenting of Rock: Heavy Metal, Punk, Disco (pp 363-372)

Tue: Nov 13: CLASS 23: Digital Technology, MTV and Video, Hip Hop and Rap (pp 373-378)

Thu: Nov 15: CLASS 24: The 1980s

Tue: Nov 20: CLASS 25: The Millenials, Retailing; 1990s trends (pp 391-400)

Thu: Nov 22: THANKSGIVING

Tue: Nov 27: CLASS 26: CLASS 26: Major labels (pp 401-406)

Thu: Nov 29: CLASS 27: EXAM #4 (pp 363-406)

Tue: Dec 4: CLASS 28: LAST CLASS

Wed: Dec 5: Academic Preparation Day

Thu: Dec 6: FINAL EXAM: 2 p.m. (for 2 p.m. class)

Fri: Dec 7: FINAL EXAM: 11 a.m. (for 12:30 p.m. class)

Tue: Dec 11: FINAL EXAM: 2 p.m. (for 3:30 p.m. class)

Fri: Dec 15: COMMENCEMENT: 7:30 p.m.: Curb Event Center

Don Cusic: Bio

Don Cusic is one of the premier historians of country music, an internationally known scholar and writer and a pioneer in the field of music business education, developing courses, curriculum and material for the music business programs at Belmont University and Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU). As an author, teacher, historian, songwriter and executive, Cusic has been actively involved in the music business since 1973.

Cusic is the author of fifteen published books, including the biographies Gene Autry: His Life and Career and Eddy Arnold: I'll Hold You In My Heart and an encyclopedia of cowboys, Cowboys and the Wild West: An A-Z Guide from the Chisholm Trail to the Silver Screen. Other books include Johnny Cash: The Songs, The Sound of Light: A History of Gospel and Christian Music, Music in the Market, Baseball and Country Music, Poet of the Common Man: Merle Haggard Lyrics, Willie Nelson: Lyrics 1959-1994, Hank Williams: The Complete Lyrics, Reba McEntire: Country Music's Queen, Randy Travis: King of the New Traditionalists, The Poet as Performer, and Sandi Patti: The Voice of Gospel. He has also contributed entries to a number of encyclopedias, including the Grove Dictionary of Music, The Guinness Encyclopedia of Blues and Gospel, The Encyclopedia of United States Popular Culture, The Protestant Encyclopedia, The Tennessee Encyclopedia and the Country Music Encyclopedia published by the Country Music Foundation. He has two entries ("Johnny Cash" and "Loretta Lynn") in the three volume source book Icons published by Greenwood Press. In addition, he is currently the editor of The Western Way, the publication of the Western Music Association.

His chapter on "Johnny Cash and C.S. Lewis" is published in Literary Cash in and his chapter "Cowboys in Chicago" is published in The Hayloft Gang, a companion book to the PBS documentary on WLS in Chicago.

Don Cusic has had over 500 articles published since he began writing. He has been the Country and Gospel Editor for Record World and Cashbox, a columnist for Music City News and album reviewer and special correspondent for Billboard.

He has written album liner notes for Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, George Jones, Sonny James, Gary Paxton, George Beverly Shea, Sheb Wooley and Floyd Cramer. He assisted with the Time-Life series on Country Music and wrote the booklet notes on the songs for Tammy Wynette. He wrote the liner notes for the Reader's Digest album on George Beverly Shea.

Don Cusic has presented academic papers for the Popular Culture Association, the Popular Culture Association of the South, the American Studies Association, the International Association for the Study of Popular Music, the International Country Music Conference, the International Popular Culture Conference (in Oxford, England), the Tennessee Philological Society, the Tennessee Folklore Society, the Western Music Association, the Baseball Symposium, the International Association for the Study of Popular Music and the Music Educators Industry and Entertainment Association (MEIEA)

In addition to his articles, liner notes and papers, Don Cusic has had songs recorded by the Lewis Family, Lynn Morris, Linda Davis, Eve Goldberg, Pam Mark Hall, Carroll Baker, Darrell McCall and Chris LeDoux. His photography won a Tennessee Press Association award in l973 and he did the cover and liner photography for a Word album by Teddy Huffam and the Gems. He has hosted a television show, "The Music Biz," written for The Nashville Network and appeared a number of times on CMT programs, including the "Controversy" series, "Greatest Patriotic Songs," "Waiting in the Wings" and others; he appeared on a number of TNN shows, including "Life and Times" of Eddy Arnold" and the A&E Biography Series (on Hank Williams). He also appears on the BBC series "Lost Highway: The History of Country Music."

Don Cusic was born in St. Mary's County, Maryland. He attended St. Mary's College and the University of Maryland where he received a B.S. in Journalism. Cusic moved to Tennessee in 1972.

Cusic's first job in the music industry was with the Country Music Association as a staff writer, then with Record World, a trade publication as Nashville editor. From there he joined Monument Records where he served as head of Artist Development and International Liaison (Monument was distributed by CBS International). After leaving Monument, Cusic and Dan Beck formed a management and public relations company where they managed Riders in the Sky and Dickie Lee. After the management/pr company Cusic became the first Nashville editor for Contemporary Christian Music magazine, then joined Cashbox as Country and Gospel Editor. During this period he served for three years on the Gospel Music Association's Board of Directors.

Don Cusic joined the faculty at Middle Tennessee State University in 1982 teaching courses in the music business. He earned a Masters and Doctorate in Literature from MTSU. Since August, 1994 he has been Professor of Music Business at Belmont University.

Cusic is the founding member and Chair of the Belmont Book Award, given each year to the best book in country music, and a member of the Ray and Pat Browne Book Award committee for the best book in popular culture from the Popular Culture Association. He is on the Editorial Boards of three academic journals, Journal of Popular Culture, Studies in Popular Culture and Popular Music and Society.

He is a member of the Country Music Association (Lifetime), Western Music Association (Lifetime), the Gospel Music Association (Lifetime), the National Association of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS), the Popular Culture Association, the Tennessee Folklore Society, the International Bluegrass Music Association and the Music Educators Industry and Entertainment Association (MEIEA).