Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country | Founded 05-05-05

February 8, 2007 issue

ASU Enters Music Business with Split Rail Records

Story by David Brewer

Look out New York and Los Angeles; the next big record executive may come from right here in Boone. After several years of planning, ASU’s music industry studies program is on the verge of signing bands to the student-run Split Rail Records label.

An actual working record label in every sense of the word, the new venture was established by the Hayes School of Music to give music industry studies students the best possible hands-on experience. All students participating in the music industry studies program are required to participate in the Split Rail Records class for at least one semester.

With the Robert S. Gilley recording studios at their disposal, Split Rail Records participants will be involved with every aspect of signing, recording, distributing, marketing and selling original releases recorded by bands the students sign.

“I’m very interested in getting my students practical, real-world experience,” said Kim Wangler, director of music industry studies. “It’s not me letting the students run some of the class. This is a student-run record label.”

The music industry studies program educates students in three main areas of the business, including recording sciences, music products and management. With many students in the program competing with applicants from across the country for internships in their field, Split Rail Records will give them experience unattainable at other schools in North Carolina.

Though it took several years for Split Rail Records to become a reality, Wangler and her students are taking their new opportunity seriously. Beginning last fall, students drafted contracts, designed a logo and collaborated on decisions concerning the artistic direction that the label should take.

Understandably, some students were chomping at the bit to sign bands and immediately start making records. While Wangler appreciates the students’ enthusiasm, she and Ashley Graham, the label’s first president, knew the importance of taking it slowly and making wise decisions in the early stages.

“We made a lot of decisions that would affect the future,” said Graham. “We laid down a lot of groundwork.”

Under Graham’s initial leadership and Wangler’s supervision, the six leadership teams and five vice presidents involved with Split Rail Records began negotiating with bands that the students felt were talented and possessed the potential to grow with the label.

“It’s an incredible opportunity,” said Graham.

At the beginning of this semester, Graham left the label to start an internship in the music media and licensing department at MTV. Fellow student Bryan Chisholm stepped into the role as president.

According to Chisholm, Split Rail Records could have its first two bands signed by the end of next week. “We’re moving at a really good pace now,” said Chisholm. “Hopefully it will just take off.”

Chisholm doesn’t just have his fingers crossed, however. Split Rail’s marketing teams are moving into place and are preparing to properly promote the bands and their first Split Rail releases.

“My greatest hope is the label to become recognized statewide and throughout the Southeast,” said Chisholm. “It’s just another great thing that ASU has to offer.”

Chisholm also noted that Split Rail isn’t limiting itself to any particular genre of music, instead choosing to pursue high-quality artists of all kinds.

“We’re not looking for a certain style of music; we’re looking for good music,” said Chisholm. “We’re trying to help out and support local musicians that make good music.”