Who We Are
Shannon Pollard
Grew Up: Nashville, TN
Background: As a musician, I am a veteran of the early 1990s-early 2000s local Nashville indie rock scene. I have played drums for almost 30 years but now mainly play acoustic guitar because it’s quieter. I also taught Don Cusic’s History of the Recording Industry class at Belmont University.
Title at Plowboy Records: President
Musical Influences: George M. Cohan, Jimmie Rodgers, George and Ira Gershwin, Buddy Holly & The Crickets, Art Blakey, D.J. Fontana via Elvis, Scotty and Bill, Muddy Waters, Chuck Berry, Merle Haggard, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Minor Threat, R.E.M, The Stone Roses, Nirvana & Paul M. Dougherty
Plowboy Records’ mission statement: Plowboy Records was established to promote and further the legacy of the late singer Eddy Arnold as well as to provide a platform for recorded projects that focus on the creation of authentic music regardless of genre.
Favorite record label(s): Chess, Atlantic/Stax era and Dischord. All were/are innovative and historically filled a niche overlooked by major labels.
Favorite Eddy Arnold song or performance: My go-to song is the 1961 version of Cattle Call but also his cover of the Wayward Wind is killer.
What is your favorite memory of your grandfather?
Hanging out with him in his office listening to records. He was always really proud of the quality of his sound system and he would put a record on the turntable, sit back in his chair, close his eyes and when the song was finished he would open his eyes, look at me and smile. That famous smile said it all and I sure do miss it. We would listen to a wide range of music such as Bing Crosby, Arthur Fiedler, Roger Miller, Roy Orbison, Glenn Miller, Cowboy Jack Clement, James Taylor, Anne Murray and of course, Eddy Arnold.
Don Cusic
Grew up: Compton, Maryland
Background in music: Played in bands in high school in college; in music business since 1973 with trade magazines, a label (Monument), manager, songwriter, musician, etc. I have taught about the music business at Universities since 1982.
Title at Plowboy Records: Director of Special Projects
Musical Influences: Hank Williams, Roger Miller, the Beatles, Elvis, Chet Atkins, and the 1960s.
Plowboy Records’ mission statement: Plowboy Records was established to promote and further the legacy of the late singer Eddy Arnold as well as to provide a platform for recorded projects that focus on the creation of authentic music regardless of genre. We want to create great recordings and let the world hear them.
Favorite record label(s): Monument (it’s part of my past), Sun, Atlantic, Curb and Plowboy
Favorite Eddy Arnold song or performance: “Cowpoke” (written by Stan Jones)
What do you teach and what is your area of expertise in music?
I teach the “History of the Recording Industry”—which covers the period from 1877 (when the phonograph was invented by Edison) to the current time. It covers all genres of music as well as the business and technology developments.
