Commentary: How Music Shapes History, Public Opinion, and Even Politics by MTSU Professor Larry Burriss

Nov 20, 2025 at 08:26 pm by WGNS News


COMMENTARY - Since September, over 1,000 artists and music labels have joined a global effort to remove their music from Israel. Music is powerful because people find personal meaning in it, use it in different ways, and hear it everywhere—from movies to major events. Throughout history, songs have inspired people, told stories about war, and even influenced public opinion, like during the Vietnam War. With today's media commentary on this subject, here is MTSU Professor Larry Burriss... Hear more from Dr. Burriss HERE

About Dr. Burriss - Dr. Larry Burriss is a highly accomplished professor of journalism with extensive experience in both academia and professional media. He teaches introductory journalism courses, media law, and quantitative research methods at the graduate level.

His academic credentials are impressive, holding five degrees:

Dr. Burriss has a distinguished career in print and broadcast news, public relations, and academic research. He has published extensively in both scholarly and popular publications, covering topics such as presidential press conferences, NASA photography, radio news, adolescent social media use, legal research, and even studies on Middle Earth.

In addition to his teaching and research, Dr. Burriss has held numerous leadership roles, including director of the School of Journalism, dean of the College of Mass Communication, and president of the MTSU Faculty Senate. His contributions to the state include being appointed by Governor Phil Bredesen to serve on the Tennessee Board of Regents.

A decorated professional, Dr. Burriss has won first place in the Tennessee Associated Press Radio Contest nine times. He also has a distinguished military background, serving as a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Air Force. His active-duty service included deployments to Mali, Somalia, Bosnia, Central America, Europe, and the Pentagon.

Dr. Burriss continues to inspire students and colleagues with his vast knowledge, experience, and dedication to the field of journalism and media studies.

 

 

 

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