Vanderbilt Blair School of Music will host An Evening with Rick Beato Thursday, September 11, 2025, 7:30 p.m., in Ingram Hall. A musician, producer, author and YouTube sensation, Beato’s videos have generated more than 1.5 billion views as he’s interviewed an astonishing array of superstar artists, musicians, and producers, covering a wide range of music genres. The September event, sponsored by Gibson Guitars, Gibson Gives, and BMI, marks Beato’s first-ever public Nashville appearance.
Known for his extended artist interviews and deep dives into songwriting, music theory and recording techniques, the live show will feature behind-the-scenes industry stories, live performances, and his trademark “What Makes This Song Great” multi-track breakdown of a famous release, as well as the possibility of a surprise special guest.
The program has a unique Vanderbilt connection as Thomas Verrier, Blair associate professor of conducting, was a college roommate of Beato’s at Ithaca College in New York. The two have stayed in touch throughout their distinguished music careers and Beato has previously visited Blair for sessions with students.
“Through his success on YouTube, the world has come to recognize what I’ve known and appreciated for 40 years: Rick Beato is not only enormously gifted as a musician, but he has an insatiable curiosity and a relentless enthusiasm for teaching others,” said Verrier.
A central theme of Beato’s online content is an emphasis on the importance of music education. He has previously partnered with Gibson Guitars, and its charity foundation Gibson Gives, to release two Rick Beato signature Les Paul guitar models, with proceeds benefiting Save the Music, a non-profit organization providing support and advocacy for music education programs.
To celebrate the Nashville event, Gibson Gives will donate a $2,500 scholarship and five Gibson Epiphone guitars to W.O. Smith Community School, which makes instruments and low-cost music lessons available to disadvantaged Nashville Youth. Blair School of Music supports W.O. Smith with student volunteers who offer on-site instruction each week in a variety of disciplines, including violin, piano, drums, trumpet, voice and more.
“Rick is an incredible inspiration and leader in music culture. We are honored to partner with Vanderbilt Blair School of Music to celebrate Rick and bestow the Gibson Gives scholarship donation to W.O. Smith Community Music School,” said Beth Heidt, chief marketing officer. “We are joined in the shared mission to inspire and change lives through music, to continue to provide funds, instruments and ongoing education access.”
“The Gibson Gives scholarship donation will benefit W.O. Smith Music School’s incredible music education for deserving Nashville students,” said Valerie Cordero, W.O. Smith CEO. “We are grateful to have the support of Rick Beato and Vanderbilt Blair School of Music. Through this gift, students who may not otherwise be able to access quality instruction will experience the life-affirming power of music.”
The September 11 program is also sponsored by performing rights organization BMI, for which Beato has been a registered songwriter his entire career. Although as a performer and writer he is primarily known for his work in the rock music genre, he scored a #1 country radio hit in 2013 as a co-writer of “Carolina,” recorded by the band Parmalee. “Rick Beato is a master musician who has taken his knowledge of aesthetic aptitude to a worldwide audience,” said Clay Bradley, BMI vice president of creative.
Rick Beato holds a master of music in jazz guitar from New England Conservatory. Among the many dozens of important musicians he has interviewed are Sting, David Gilmour, Kirk Hammett, Brian May, Hans Zimmer, Steve Lukather, Keith Jarrett, Joe Bonamassa, Keith Urban, Pat Metheny, Billy Corgan, Steve Vai, Brad Paisley, Seal and Alan Parsons.
Tickets to An Evening with Rick Beato will go on sale Friday, July 11, 2025, 10:00 a.m., at http://BeatoAtBlair.com. The event is free to Vanderbilt students.
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An Evening with Rick Beato
Date: Thursday, September 11, 2025, 7:30 p.m.
Venue: Ingram Halll, Vanderbilt Blair School of Music
Address: 2400 Blakemore Ave. (entrance on Children’s Way), Nashville 37212
Parking: Free parking is available in the Vanderbilt West Garage on Children’s Way, directly across from Blair School of Music.
Rick Beato: Official site
Rick Beato: YouTube