Lipscomb’s School of Music welcomes music legend Mark Needham for workshop

Producer for Dolly Parton, The Killers, Imagine Dragons, P!nk and more will visit Lipscomb University Oct. 25 for an Artist Development Incubator Workshop.

Keely Hagan | 615-966-6491  |  10/11/2023

The Lipscomb School of Music is getting in on the Dolly Fever that hit campus recently when it was announced that the “Dolly Parton and the Makers: My Life in Rhinestones” fashion exhibition was premiering on campus this fall. Award-winning music producer, engineer, and artist development legend Mark Needham (markneedham.com), who recently wrapped production on Dolly Parton’s new album Rockstar and has worked with her on several of her recent projects, is coming to campus for a special Artist Development Incubator Workshop on Wednesday, Oct 25.

Needham is also well-known in the industry for his work with Fleetwood Mac, P!nk, Chris Tomlin, Mt. Joy and countless others. His production and artist development expertise became the stuff of legend when he discovered and launched the careers of The Killers and Imagine Dragons.

An L.A. and Nashville-based producer and mixer, Needham will join Lipscomb’s Director of Music Industry Studies John J. Thompson for a wide-ranging conversation about his career, the challenges facing artists today, what makes music special and a lot more.

“It’s always an honor to be invited to speak to a new generation of artists, producers, engineers and mixers,” Needham says.

“Opportunities like these are special indeed,” explains Thompson, who developed the Artist Development Incubator program several years ago. “There’s great wisdom, knowledge and passion living in the hearts and minds of artists, producers and professionals like Mark Needham.

“Our students get to hear from various experts in their classes, but these Incubator Workshops are a chance to invite others into the conversations as well. We know that it’s not only Music Industry Studies majors – or even songwriting and production majors – who will benefit from Mark’s expertise.”

The workshop will begin at 7 p.m., on October 25, in Stowe Hall (Swang Business Center, Room 108), and is open to the public but seating is limited. Advance tickets are required and can be reserved here.

Proceeds from the $5 general admission charge will benefit “Red Dog Productions,” the new Live Music Practicum at Lipscomb.

Explaining its name, Thompson says, “When one of our practicum students found out that baby bison were called red dogs, we knew that this practicum had found its name.”

Red Dog Productions regularly offers live events at The Well, across from campus on Granny White Pike, with a slate of songwriter rounds and artists who showcase throughout the season. The Dolly Jam, a Country/Americana writers round, will be held at 7 p.m. on Oct 19, at The Well. To see the complete list of Fall 2023 events and get your tickets click here.