Walt Aldridge: Up close and professional

Walt Aldridge will be joining the UNA faculty this fall in the Department of Entertainment Industry.

Students planning on studying in the Department of Entertainment Industry this fall will now have the privilege of working with a professional singer/songwriter. Country music writer, Walt Aldridge, is well known in the music industry not only as a singer/songwriter, but also as a producer and engineer.

He will be teaching a general class called Survey of Audio Recording, as well as two advanced classes, Recording Techniques and Music Technology and MIDI. Aldridge said that he is teaching the behind-the-scenes part of recording because students need to understand the reality of the music industry. He feels that it is important for students to know more than just the glamorous part.

“I taught as an adjunct faculty member for seven years when I lived here before and really enjoyed the experience,” Aldridge said. “Initially, I saw it as a community service and a chance to give back to a program that had been instrumental in helping me find my way into the business. But I began to develop a real sense of important accomplishment when I saw former students going on to find jobs in the industry and expressing their gratitude to me for my part in the process. When I was contacted to teach classes this fall, the timing felt just right to me.”

Not only does Aldridge have previous experience teaching students in a classroom, he has also conducted workshops throughout the U.S. and Canada. He explained he is unsure of what his teaching style is, but he teaches from an experienced perspective instead of only teaching from a textbook. Aldridge said he hopes students will be able to use his class as a “guide for this part of their journey.” He wants to create an environment where students feel comfortable to ask anything and find the hard answers.

Although Aldridge is well known for writing country music, on his own time he listens to music more towards the categories of pop and alternative. If he had only one album to listen to, it would be “The Best of Ray Charles.”

Singing River Records, the UNA student-run record label, is something Aldridge plans on getting involved in. According to him, the label is a great chance for students to learn what recording and promoting music is about. Aldridge also wants to find out more about the local acts and venues and said that he is always keeping an eye out for fresh talent.