MTSU Honors Grammy-Nominated Alums At L.A. Reception

/by

Jessi Alexander, Middle Tennessee State University President Sidney A. McPhee and Dean of the College of Media and Entertainment Beverly Keel. Photo: Andrew Oppmann

Middle Tennessee State University gathered alumni, supporters and friends on Feb. 1 in Los Angeles to honor its six former students with nominations in the 2025 Grammy Awards.

Six MTSU-trained professionals received eight Grammy nominations this year, including singer-songwriters Jessi Alexander (two nominations) and Jaelee Roberts, and audio production engineers Brandon Bell, Jason Hall (two nominations), Bobby Holland and Jimmy Mansfield.

At Saturday’s event, MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee and Beverly Keel, dean of the College of Media and Entertainment, named Alexander an honorary professor in the Recording Industry Department. A former College of Media and Entertainment student, Alexander earned two nominations: one for Songwriter of the Year, Non-Classical, (based on a selection of songs written and co-written), and another for Best Song Written for Visual Media for her work on “Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma” by Luke Combs.

First-time Grammy nominee Roberts, a 2023 commercial songwriting alumna, was presented with a certificate during the event recognizing her nomination as part of the group Sister Sadie for Best Bluegrass Album.

Multiple-winner and nominee Bell, a 2004 Department of Recording Industry alum, captured another Grammy for his mixing work on Billy Strings Live Vol. 1, which won for Best Bluegrass Album. Strings captured the same award in 2021.

The number of MTSU-connected Grammy winners since 2001 currently stands at more than 20 recipients, with nearly 50 Grammys, including nine repeat winners in categories from classical, pop, rock, country, gospel and rap.

Lorie Hollabaugh
Latest posts by Lorie Hollabaugh (see all)