Balancing a full course load with a career in the music industry may sound like a challenge, but it’s one that Matt Allum takes in stride. A native of Atlanta, Georgia, Allum is a student in the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Haslam College of Business Full-Time MBA program, as well as a rising country singer-songwriter. His music is inspired by Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd and country legends Alan Jackson and George Strait.
Music Meets Ambition
An independent artist signed with a label in Nashville, Allum began writing songs in 2020. His passion for songwriting, and the way music connects people has always been a meaningful part of his life. He credits storytelling as a defining strength in his music.
“I’ve started taking a glorified approach to songwriting,” Allum says. “I’m trying to bring back imagery and storytelling to music.”
In 2023, he took a leap of faith and began singing. Since then, there’s been no looking back.
“After taking that big step, I found that people love my music, and it’s inspired me to keep going.”
He now has 30,000 subscribers on Apple Music and Spotify.
New Doors Open in Tennessee
Uncertain where his journey would lead, Allum chose to pursue an MBA with a concentration in supply chain management. With family nearby and the music capital of the world just a few hours away, UT felt like the perfect fit.
Allum has found a rhythm that works to manage his demanding schedule: focusing on school during the week and traveling to Nashville on weekends to write and record.
“Because of my class schedule and the ability to go to Nashville on the weekends, I’ve been able to optimize my writing and performances to further my business,” he said.
Allum credits the Anderson Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation as a key part of his success at UT. He first learned about the center during orientation and was drawn to the opportunities and connections it offered. One such opportunity was performing at the tailgate before the SEC Pitch Competition last fall.
This summer, Allum plans to release new songs and continue performing at local venues in Knoxville’s Old City and Market Square.
CONTACT
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Morgan Lounds, marketing and events coordinator, mlounds@vols.utk.edu
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