Wesleyan Alum Follows Her Heart to Music City
Mary Elice Cuff '10 combines her communications degree and love of music and ends up at the epicenter of all things country
By Leona Baker | November 30, 2010
"It's basically a dream come true," says Virginia Wesleyan alumna Mary Elice Cuff (she goes by "Elice") of her internship and subsequent freelance position with the CMT Radio Network in Nashville, Tennessee. Among her job duties: rubbing elbows with some of the biggest names in country music and pop culture — from Taylor Swift and Luke Bryan to Paula Deen, Jeff Bridges and Robert Plant.
"Those are the moments when I can't believe people consider this a job," says Cuff, who completed the internship while finishing up her degree in communications with dual tracks in journalism and media studies during the spring semester of 2010. When her internship was complete, the company hired her on for a freelance position that lasts through December.
The CMT Radio Network operates the popular syndicated show CMT Radio Live with Cody Alan as well as an entertainment news division that generates "daily roundups" featuring information, interviews and sound bites that are distributed to more than 180 affiliate stations around the country. Cuff is primarily involved in the latter, putting her writing and communications skills to good use, conducting artist interviews, organizing events and even working on the CMT Awards and other television specials.
"I must say my proudest moment was meeting Taylor Swift," says the outgoing 22-year-old.
Swift hosted a media day in October in advance of the release of her highly anticipated third album, Speak Now. Cuff was able to brainstorm interview questions to ask the artist — "basically things I had always wanted to ask her," she explains. The event included the chance to preview several tracks from the album before it was released, a privilege Cuff describes as "the coolest thing ever." When she actually got to meet the young star she so idolizes, she says she was rendered nearly speechless.
"It's just really incredible to see an artist who has so much success and power who is so grounded and so appreciative to her fans and the people who have helped her."
Originally from Salisbury, Maryland (near Ocean City), Cuff felt certain she was destined for a move to Music City.
"I've always known I wanted to work in country music, so I knew I needed to be in Nashville to make those connections," she says. "Being landlocked is different, but the Southern hospitality is something that is indescribable — everyone is so embracing and sincere. Plus, everyone there is just as passionate and totally immersed in music."
Cuff credits her success to her varied experiences at Wesleyan and beyond — from public speaking class, the Marlin Chronicle and the Wesleyan Activities Council to the women's lacrosse team and previous media internships. On the academic side, she's especially thankful to one demanding professor.
"I feel like I owe Dr. Jackson everything," Cuff says. "She's tough and hard on you, but it's very rewarding in the end."
Dr. Kathy Merlock Jackson, program coordinator for the VWC Communications Department, isn't surprised Cuff got her proverbial cowgirl boot in the door.
"From the minute Elice arrived on campus, she was a celebrity junkie committed to breaking into the entertainment industry, and her first choice was CMT," Jackson says. "Her determination, energy, and warm personality enabled her to land a position in the field that she loves. Today she's not just following country music stars on Facebook and Twitter; she's working with them, building her own career along with theirs, and making the most of her communications degree."
Once her freelance position has ended, Cuff hopes to work for a record label or management company, most likely in Nashville.