Thomas Albert appointed KCTM Music and Studio Supervisor
The Kentucky Center for Traditional Music (KCTM) at Morehead State University is pleased to announce one of its own success stories is taking a new role to help students find their success on stage and in the studio.
KCTM has named Thomas Albert (Class of 2014) music and studio supervisor and lecturer. Albert will oversee the KCTM's recording facilities, maintain and expand the KCTM archives and contribute to the academic and technical development of students pursuing a degree in traditional music studies.
Albert's earliest childhood memories involve music. He watched his father, the late MSU communications professor Dr. Lawrence Albert, play the banjo, guitar and mandolin. In addition to vividly remembering sitting on the living room floor using a cassette tape recorder to capture the sounds of his folk group rehearsing, he also remembers being encouraged to follow his passion as an adult.
"The value of education was instilled in me at a young age," he said. "My parents always encouraged me to pursue a career that would bring great happiness as opposed to a career that may bring great financial wealth at the expense of being unhappy."
In 2008, Albert attended college far from home, but he still longed for the mountains, friends and family, and the music of eastern Kentucky. Upon transferring to Morehead State, he enrolled in Jesse Well's "Class Banjo," inspired by seeing Wells perform while growing up in Morehead.
On the way to earning a Bachelor of Arts in Traditional Music Studies in 2014, he said he had many mentors who helped him become the musician he is today, including former KCTM director Raymond McLain. Albert racked up several memorable performances playing with the Mountain Music Ambassadors. These include a trip to the People's Republic of China, where they performed bluegrass, old-time, and country music to a packed auditorium in Tianjin.
"The outpouring of appreciation from this audience reaffirmed in me the worldwide impact of music as well as its ability to break the barriers of language," he said.
Two years after graduating from MSU, Albert returned to KCTM in 2016 as an adjunct professor until 2024, when he took on his current position.
Albert steps into the role previously held by Jesse Wells (Class of 2007). During his tenure, Wells made immeasurable contributions to the center's mission and programs. A world-class multi-instrumentalist and recording engineer, he plays with Grammy-nominated artist Tyler Childers and The Food Stamps and previously played with bands like The Wooks and Town Mountain.
Although Wells is stepping down from his full-time role to accommodate his growing touring schedule, he will remain an integral part of the KCTM team as an adjunct faculty member.
"It is truly an honor to follow in the footsteps of Jesse Wells and the impact he has had on the KCTM," Albert said. "I look forward to encouraging more eager minds to dig deeply into the archives. Additionally, I am excited for the opportunity to assist students, visiting artists, and community members in artistic creation within the KCTM's robust recording studio."
"It is also exciting to welcome Thomas Albert as our new music and studio supervisor/lecturer," said current KCTM director Daxson Lewis (Class of 2016). "Thomas has shared his diverse skills and passion for traditional music with our students since 2016 as an adjunct instructor, and I look forward to seeing his vision and passion come to life in this new role."
Albert looks forward to taking what he has learned in the classroom, on stage and in the studio and helping students carve out promising futures in traditional music.
"One of the greatest experiences of my involvement at the KCTM was being inspired by fellow students, who became life-long friends, colleagues, and professionals," Albert said. "There is no greater place to immerse oneself in traditional music studies than the heart of the source: Morehead, Kentucky, and the surrounding southern mountain region."
The Kentucky Center for Traditional Music preserves, teaches, helps develop and celebrates our rich mountain heritage. KCTM provides a nationally accredited, quality education in traditional music styles, including Bluegrass, Old Time, Country, Ballad Singing, Blues, Celtic, Western Swing and more. The KCTM offers the only Bachelor of Arts in Traditional Music in Kentucky, along with a minor.
For more information or to learn more about KCTM, email kctm@moreheadstate.edu or call 606-783-9001.
