By Rachel Crenshaw, student news writer
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky.—Hands were clapping and feet were tapping to the sounds of Buzz Cason, author, songwriter, publisher and director of Creative Writers Group, and his guitar as he performed a concert for Campbellsville University in The Gheens Recital Hall recently.
Cason emphasized his road to success and several of the people he met along the way that left a lasting impression on him including Hank Williams, Tony Moon, Mac Gayden and Arthur Alexander.
Cason said he was saved at the age of 9. However, he said, the Lord took hold of him 30 years ago and made him realize there was a wall standing in the way of their relationship. He said, “You have to open the door to receive His full blessings.”
Cason also shared Hebrews 11:6 in which he implied that it takes faith to walk with the Lord and that He will reward those who seek him.
Cason then performed a medley of several inspirational songs including: “I Saw the Light,” “I'll Fly Away” and “Let the Circle Be Unbroken,” in which he encouraged audience participation and was joined by Dr. John Hurtgen, dean of the School of Theology and professor at CU.
Cason also performed many of the songs he had written and co-written over his lifetime including: “Love's the Only House,” recorded by Martin McBride and co-written with Tom Douglas, “Everlasting Love” co-written with Mac Gayden, and “Soldier Of Love,” recorded by the Beatles, Pearl Jam and Marshall Crenshaw.
“It is a pleasure and honor to be part of Campbellsville University,” said Cason during his performance. “I feel like I am part of a big family.”
Cason has been newly appointed as a Campbellsville University trustee and has participated in several activities involving the university. Beginning at 3:30 p.m. on the day of the concert, Cason was available to autograph his book, “Living the Rock ‘n' Roll Dream: The Adventures of Buzz Cason,” in CU's Barnes & Noble Campus Bookstore.
Cason had also performed a concert last spring on CU's campus in which he conveyed his career in the music industry by emphasizing his lifelong journey to success.
In addition, Cason has provided services to CU's School of Music by recording the contemporary musical production “Just a Breeze to a Hurricane,” and the recent musical still being produced, titled “Prodigal.”
Matt Hodge, producer of both musicals said, “Cason has been a wonderful person to work with, and has also given me lots of great advice about the industry and what I can do to succeed in it.”
Cason said, at the performance, that he is looking forward to providing further aid to the institution of Campbellsville University and to any student looking for a career in the music industry.
Cason has the distinction of being the only known songwriter to have songs recorded by the Beatles, U2, Pearl Jam, Gloria Estefan and Jimmy Buffett, Cason has enjoyed long lasting success.
His 2009 release “Busload Of Love” contains 17 new songs. He is now touring as a soloist as well as with his band, The Love Notes.
Appearances include South By Southwest in Austin, Texas; Larry Joe Taylor's Texas Music Festival in Stephenville, Texas; Tommy Alverson's Family and Friends Fest in Texas; Michael Hearne's Big Barn Dance Music Festival in Taos, N.M.; the Chattahippie Music Festival in Chattanooga, Tenn.; the Rock ‘n' Roll Hall Of Fame, The Country Music Hall Of Fame and various other club venues around the country.
Cason works out of Berry Hill, Tenn., home of his Creative Workshop recording studio and where he continues to write and produce for and with various artists. He is host of buzzinamerica.com which features live music and interviews of multiple genres.
For more information about Cason, visit www.buzzcason.com .
Campbellsville University is a private, comprehensive institution located in South Central Kentucky. Founded in 1906, Campbellsville University is affiliated with the Kentucky Baptist Convention and has an enrollment of 2,601 students who represent 93 Kentucky counties, 27 states and 31 foreign nations. Listed in U.S.News & World Report's 2009 “America's Best Colleges,” CU is ranked 22nd in “Best Baccalaureate Colleges” in the South for the second consecutive year. CU has been ranked 16 consecutive years with U.S.News & World Report. The university has also been named to America's Best Christian Colleges®. Campbellsville University is located 82 miles southwest of Lexington, Ky., and 80 miles southeast of Louisville, Ky. Dr. Michael V. Carter is in his tenth year as president.