Dr.
John Dougan
Assistant Professor
History of the Recording Industry
Survey of the Recording Industry
History of Country Music
Free Expression
Publicity in the Music Industry
Office: BAS N543
Phone: 615.898.5468
Email: jdougan@mtsu.edu
John Dougan, received his B.A. in English from
Westfield State College in Massachusetts, and an M.A. and Ph.D.
in American Studies from the College of William & Mary with a
concentration in 20th century American vernacular music, African
American studies, and cultural studies. Dr. Dougan specializes
in popular music research on vernacular music and music-making
and its relationship with media such as journalism, television,
and film, the material culture of popular music (e.g., record
collecting), and the political, social, and economic contexts
within which music is created and consumed. Prior to coming to
MTSU, Dr. Dougan played drums in r&b and punk bands, was assistant
editor of the trade publication Music/Video Retailer, and spent
15 years as a freelance music critic contributing essays and reviews
on music and popular culture to numerous magazines and newspapers
including Rolling Stone, Spin, Option, City Pages, CD Review,
Arts Midwest Jazzletter, Artscape, and Rock and Roll Disc. Most
recently he has published dozens of artist biographies and critical
discographies for the All Music Guide series of books and website
(allmusic.com) and has published essays and reviews in American
Music, Journal of Popular Music Studies, Appalachian Journal,
and the Virginia Magazine of History and Biography. He is currently
a music, film, and television critic for popmatters.com
and is a member of the American Studies Association, the Society
for American Music, and the International Association
