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Dr. Mark Crawford
Coordinator, Commercial Music, Music Business

Dr. Mark Crawford, a native of Decatur, IL, is the Coordinator of Commercial Music. He has been in this position since the fall of 1998.  In this position he serves as the advisor for Commercial Music majors, places interns, maintains a rapport with the music industry, and teaches within the Commercial Music core.

He taught previously for eight years at Freed-Hardeman University where he directed the Concert, Pep, Jazz, and Pit bands in the Music Department.  He also taught Introduction to Business, Small Business Management, Employee Relations, and Human Resource Management for the Business Department.

Dr. Crawford's completed degrees include the Master of Music from Austin Peay University, the Doctorate of Education and Master of Education degrees  from Vanderbilt University, and the Bachelor of Science in Instrumental Music Education (K-12) and an Associate of Science degrees from Freed-Hardeman University.

Other studies include 30 graduate hours in Commercial Music from the University of Memphis and Middle Tennessee State University, undergraduate minors in Music Theory, Business Administration, and Psychology, as well as classes from University of Texas (San Antonio), Eastern Illinois University, Nashville Tech, and Harding University at Florence, Italy.

His musical experiences include writing and co-producing five independent music projects, performing at Opryland, and Fiesta, Texas theme parks; three appearances on TNN's You Can Be A Star, three time first place winner for the West Tennessee Songwriters' Association songwriting contest; past member of the Nashville Community Orchestra, the Jackson, TN Community Band, and the Jackson Community Jazz Band; road work and vendor support for various artists; multiple "garage" bands, numerous demos, story line and music composer for a children's musical, Director of the Chester County Community Band, interim band director for Nashville Christian School, and guest conductor. He has also served as Music Director for It's A Wonderful Life, My Fair Lady, Fiddler on the Roof, Camelot, The Music Man, and Annie. He was even in a band with members that went on to form the platinum selling rock group, Fuel.

In 2008, he composed a tribute song honoring the 10 anniversary of the passing of singer/songwriter/musician, Carl Perkins. The song was produced and recorded with family members and close friends of Perkins. The song was released as a single in West Tennessee, and the proceeds went to the Carl Perkins Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse.

His past school ensembles performed at the 1996 Summer Olympics, the Music Jamboree Festival at Branson, MO, various conventions and Jazz festivals, produced five recording projects, and headlined off campus venues, the largest audience being over 2,000 people. His present Commercial Music ensembles have opened for Larry Gatlin, performed at the Country Music Hall of Fame, perform at least once a semester on campus, as well as at local schools and community events.

During the summer of 2010, he organized a study abroad course and traveled to London to study the "British Invasion." Once in England, he and his students visited Abbey Road Studios, the British Experience Museum, Albert Hall, and other music related sites, as well as spent time visiting the Beatles' hometown of Liverpool.  An avid traveler himself, he has been to all fifty states and 10 foreign countries.

Contact Dr. Crawford
Office: PA 274, (615) 963-5210