In 2013, John and Martina McBride opened The Blackbird Academy. Disheartened by stories from alumni of many audio programs around the country, John wanted to open a school where students would spend 100% of their time learning hands-on, in a world-class studio and massive live sound facility, on the same gear top music producers and session artists use every day, teaching students the real life aspects of the music industry and how to apply them.

The Academy is a wonderful resource for those interested in having a career in music, but we understand that not everyone can move to Nashville and attend our program. What we want more than anything is to give access to the knowledge and information necessary for having a career in music, to anyone who wants to learn. That’s why we have our student discount plan for those of you at school. We hope it encourages more students to have access to all of the information they’ll need to be thoroughly prepared for a career in music. With Inside Blackbird, we make this knowledge accessible, no matter where you are in the world.

Music education is the heart of Inside Blackbird. Many of our videos center around topics that are covered in the Academy’s curriculum, and our Academy faculty will guide you through these lessons with passion and expertise. Inside Blackbird is the perfect medium for someone just beginning their music career, music majors, post-grads, aficionados, music professionals, or anyone who just has a passion for music. There’s something here for everyone. As a student, your education is important to us, and we hope to give you the insight you need as you make your way into the industry.