The University of Memphis student-run music label, Bluetrip Records, has changed its name to BlueT.O.M. The name stands for "Blue Tigers of Memphis."
Although the organization changed its name, they will continue to offer the same quality of work that it has become known for.
"We want the label's name to reflect its origins as well as to promote school spirit and student participation," said Tonya Butler, music business professor.
Butler founded BlueT.O.M. and record company operations in a 2005 class. The organization is a division of the music industry program and the Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music.
Members of the Music and Entertainment Industry Student Association and students of the record company operations class run the daily operations of the label.
"Every spring the class would take over running the label, and for the rest of the year, MEISA would run the label," said Evanthia Mataragas, vice-president of MEISA. "Choosing the artists, working with the artists, making the CDs and everything that goes with running a label we would do.
"It is a lot of work, but I love it."
BlueT.O.M. will be celebrating its second birthday this spring. Recently the label broke away from the MEISA to form its own entity.
"MEISA used to run the label, but now they are separate," Mataragas said. "The record label got so big and so popular that we felt it necessary to separate the two organizations."
Although Butler founded and created the label, it is totally run by students.
"The students do everything for the label," Mataragas said. "It is run just like a real label, which means we sometimes have very heated discussion about the artists. We have a diverse mix of artists and label representatives.
"The reps are all pushing for their particular artists while others push for other artists."
Jennifer McCord believes that BlueT.O.M. is a great opportunity that has helped her learn so much about herself and the music industry.
"Working in a project from beginning to end is something that I have heard of, but doing it, putting together a record from start to finish is a great feeling," she said. "Seeing the process, finding and developing artists is much need and worthwhile experience."
On Dec. 1 BlueT.O.M. will be putting on its annual Idol Search event.
Winners from Idol Search 2005 will be special guest performers at this year's events.
The winners of this event will be included on a premiere BlueT.O.M. compilation record that will be available for pre-release Dec. 2.
