The band Felix Tandem performs at the Wesley Arena Theatre April 3, 2025.
There is a consensus among music lovers that Cookeville is lacking in its local music scene. That is where UNCLE comes along.
UNCLE, abbreviated for unique/underrepresented new creative live experiences, serves to ensure that people in Cookeville don’t have to go far for a hit of dopamine.
“It’s about growing the Cookeville music scene,” Chelsie Kross, the program director of WTTU, Tech’s radio station, said. “Especially the campus music scene with cool concerts and shows from cool bands from both in and outside of Cookeville.”
The organization started in 2011. Founded by Austin Phy, Blake Marlow, and Amy Rauch, all former DJs for WTTU. The trio took advantage of the SOLO event fund, which provides registered sustent organizations with funding for events and activities. Wanting to start an alternative to the “big name” SOLO concerts held each semester, the organization brought local, Nashville, and regional artists to campus.
“I don’t often go to shows in Cookeville because there usually isn’t any,” Kross said. “I usually go to Nashville even to find a crappy garage band show because even Cookeville doesn’t have that.”
The club held a show on April 3 at the Wesley Arena Theater. with the band “Felix Tandem”, a band based in Nashville. The band covered songs of the 90’s alternative rock variety. Some of the songs they covered included Creed’s “Higher” and Nirvana’s “On A Plane”.
Other artists included Glomus, a local rock band and Elliot Klein, a music student at Tech.
“Like most social activities, UNCLE’s momentum really took a hit during the pandemic, and this is the first year we are really getting back on our feet,” wrote an email from Kassi Thomas, an Tech professor and advisor for UNCLE. “I credit that to my co-advisor, Mr. Smith, bringing in the O.G. ‘s like myself and alum Blakce Marlow, who has graciously been helping us wrangle rockers’ equipment and egos this spring, as well as our incredible President Mikalah Simmons.”
The club isn’t just limited to concert shows. UNCLE. also hosts other events, like open mic nights and poetry readings, all held at the Wesley Arena Theatre.
“I just see such a lack of shows or people interested in music here at tech. Knowing that uncle is trying to do that makes me happy.”
The next concert hosted by UNCLE is April 24.
Bands and artists who wish to participate in the organization can email kthomas@tntech.edu.
