Bob Mulloy, Belmont Influenced Music Row
When the nation celebrates its birthday on Friday, Nashville will be one of many cities across America shooting off fireworks, with Phil Vassar and the Lost Trailers taking part in a celebration expected to draw 100,000 people to Riverfront Park.
Another anniversary is coming up on Sunday that has its own impact on Music City and its creative community. Bob Mulloy was born 75 years ago in Nashville. The name won’t mean much to a lot of readers, but he’s had a huge impact on who works on Music Row and who records there. Bob created a Music Business program at then-tiny Belmont College in 1972. The school is located near the end of 16th Avenue, literally 1.1 miles from the first recording studio on the Row, where Marty Robbins cut “El Paso” and Johnny Cash did “Ring Of Fire.”
At the time, the music business was a tight, informal pursuit where who you knew meant a lot more than what you knew. Music is heard, not seen, so there was a huge amount of misunderstanding about sound as a product. Who you know is still important today, but expectations are higher in part because of the Belmont program, which has its own way of sorting out future pros from wannabes. Brad Paisley met producer Frank Rogers there, Josh Turner got his first publishing deal through a fellow Belmont student, and the school’s other alumni include Trisha Yearwood, Ty Herndon, Restless Heart’s Larry Stewart, Lee Ann Womack, Julie Roberts and “You’re Gonna Miss This” songwriter Ashley Gorley, just to name a handful.
Belmont’s campus includes a rather impressive studio, where the halls are lined with gold records, demonstrating just how important its program is to the industry. The program’s creator died 10 years ago, but his impact is still remembered: Those professional-level recording facilities are named the Robert E. Mulloy Student Studios.
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Pat McMakin says:
Bob had a unique gift in his ability to see the need for educated people in the music business and his ability to rally the major players on Music Row around the his efforts with Belmont. I was an assistant studio manager (as a student) at the original Turnley Studios at Belmont, graduating in 1978. I have spend 30 years on Music Row and over 25 of them managing studios. Bob gave me my first opportunity not only as an engineer, but learning some leadership and responsibility as well. Without his prompt, I may have never discovered any of what I have made my living doing (and loving) for so long. I dare say that his work has impacted the entire US music industry, one graduate at a time.
Todd Adams says:
It’s true few people, outside of those who knew him, knew what kind of impact Bob had on the country music industry. I had the pleasure of getting to know him (as well as Brad Paisley and Frank Rogers) in my time at Belmont, 1991-1994. The music business program Bob created there is unique and special. He was a visionary who saw a need and built an impressive program to meet the need. Bob was a very affable and fatherly figure. It’s hard to believe it’s been ten years since his passing. He was a great man. He loved his program, his school, and his students.
Jim Summers says:
As the brother-in-law of the Late Bob Mulloy and fromer stuedent at Belmont I would like to say it is about time Bob’s contribution to Belmont,to Nashville music in general and Music Roe in specific, was recognized. I find somewhat disappointing the fact that only recently has Belmont acknowledged the tremendous contribution Bob made to the school in giving a scholarship in his name. I want to thank Tom Roland for his excellent article. I agree with one of the respoinants who noted Bob’s unique gift, I would also add to that comment his passion for Belmont and music. God bless his memory.
Jody Williams says:
Immediately upon my arrival at BMI in 1976 as a “management trainee”, Frances Preston required me to go meet Bob Mulloy to get an overview of the industry I was entering. First, he became my friend. Second, he suggested that I audit Belmont’s Survey class that was taught by Bill Denney. That class, and Bob’s mentoring interest in me prepared me to make the most of my experience at BMI. Bob, just like Frances, always made me feel like I would amount to something. I’ve continued to have respect for Belmont, it’s faculty and mission, since that time. For me, Bob Mulloy’s memory is the heart of Belmont.
Jimmy Ray Stout says:
I was saddened to hear of the passing of Mr Mulloy. I was involved with the Belmont Glee Club way back in the day (1966,67). Mr Mulloy was as you may already know the director of the program. He taught more about 32 voices sounding as one and the shear joy of performing. Our main job was to get others interested in the music program at Belmont. We gave up our spring vacation to but “Bob’s Dirty Thirty +2″ on the road for a week. That comradely and selling the program, was something I will never forget. Those memories are ones that you dont easily forget. Thanks Mr. Mulloy for the good times