Exploring Life & Business with Anthony Corder of SAE Institute Nashville

Today we’d like to introduce you to Anthony Corder. 

Hi Anthony, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
I started in the industry as lead vocalist with Memphis-based heavy metal band, Tora Tora. We were launched by A&M Records and have remained active with all original members for the past 30 years. I stepped away from my artist pursuit of touring while focusing on my family to work in the corporate sector. I was asked to join an Executive Training Program for RCA, Provident Label Group, and SONY Music learning label operations. I was assigned to work in Artist Development/Marketing Research. I learned so much about the industry from the executives that I never knew about from an artist’s perspective. I transitioned to from label operations over to music publishing connecting me to the creative Nashville community. While working in music publishing, I was offered an adjunct teaching job at Belmont University. I have been surrounded by some incredible mentors throughout my career and I have always wanted to encourage other people who wanted to pursue the entertainment industry. It takes a village to be successful and I have been afforded some amazing opportunities so I wanted to find ways to “pass it on”. I love our industry because it is always changing, we are all as creators in a service industry are continually learning and growing. As I was adjunct teaching and doing independent consulting, I was contacted by a friend about the opportunity to teach full-time with SAE Institute. I am currently the Entertainment Business Program Chair with SAE Institute Nashville and releasing a brand new single “Trip the Light Fantastic” with Tora Tora on Friday, Sept 3. 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I could write a book on challenges. I have had many peaks and valleys. TORA was guided into the industry by our mentor and owner of Ardert Studios, John Fry. We had a successful launch with A&M Records with radio support, #1 videos on MTV, and a flourishing touring schedule. As we were promoting the record, our label sold and that changed our entire trajectory. The sale had an effect on our promotional team and distribution, so it changed our momentum. The good thing was we had incredible record label and team working with us to keep championing us. So, we continued to push forward with two more albums and touring that helped us build our fanbase that we still are releasing music to today. 

I also was caught in a corporate merger while working for one of the biggest record labels. I had a position based in New York but was living here in Nashville. I had to make several moves within the company to try and find a slot for myself. Ultimately, I received an offer to move to another division of the company but the overlap of positions ended up with a downsize that eliminated my job. 

I believe we meet people for a reason and that relationships are our resources. They help us find opportunities and overcome obstacles. 

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about SAE Institute Nashville?
We are a creative media college that provides our students with valuable, hands-on training in their chosen areas of study. Under the guidance of industry-experienced faculty, students gain the essential experience they need for entry-level jobs in the creative media industry. Students are supported in their job searches by SAE Institute’s career services team, and international network of alumni, many of whom are leaders in the music, film, game arts, and live performance arenas. SAE Institute Nashville offers accredited programs in Audio, and Entertainment Business focused on preparing students for employment in the creative media industry upon graduation. Learn more at usa.sae.edu. 

At SAE Institute our mission is to help aspiring professionals prepare for entry-level positions in the creative media and entertainment industries, through a dynamic curriculum delivered in an engaging, diverse, and creative environment. 

Website: https://nashville.sae.edu/ 

Email: [email protected] 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saeinstituteusa/ 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/saeinstituteusa 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sae.nashville 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/SAEInstituteUSA 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/sae-institute-usa-/ 

We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
Covid-19 made me realize how important the little things are to all of us. I really love in-person classes at SAE and live shows with Tora Tora. I know for me I enjoy the social interaction and human connection. We have all gone through this pandemic facing health, financial and personal issues. Each of us just reaching out to each other, a quick personal DM, text, call or even a livestream can have a profound effect on our perspectives. We need each other. We need to encourage each other to stay positive and hopeful. 

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://nashville.sae.edu/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saeinstituteusa/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sae.nashville
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/saeinstituteusa
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/SAEInstituteUSA
• Other: toratoramusic.com

Image Credits
Photo acoustic: Gary Parlow Alley shot, Live Shots: Josh Harshman