Max Fulwider ’95

Music

Biography

I am a band director and performing/recording musician in Nashville, TN. I started pursuing a performance career the moment I moved to Nashville in 1995, while simultaneously working toward a Masters in Music Education from Belmont University. I have been the band director at Christ Presbyterian Academy since January 2003. Many of my students have gone on to careers in music, ranging from a university music professor to indie rock stars. I have performed with many artists and bands including Apollo LTD, The Temptations, Frankie Valli, Brenda Lee, Steve Gatlin, The Stars of the Lawrence Welk Show, Christafari, Heidi Burson, Lazo, The Nobility, Alan Frew from Glass Tiger, Nicole C. Mullen, The Happy Racers, Pat Patrick Band, The Continentals, and many, many more. Currently, I am the horn section leader for The Downtown Band (Jordan), one of Nashville's leading corporate/wedding bands. I have performed in 48 states and 20 countries around the world, and I'll continue to perform or play music until the sun sets on my life.

What were some of your most valuable experiences at Taylor?

I was at Taylor at a time when we had a ton of musical talent within the music department and also non-music majors. I learned through community. Community with these musicians and the connections I made led to opportunities in my future. One opportunity was learning about a summer Christian music touring group called the Continentals. This was not a Taylor opportunity, but one that was introduced to me through a Taylor student. The Continentals connections led me to Belmont University. My connections at Taylor furthered my career in Nashville, both as a performing musician and as the band director at CPA. Another valuable experience at Taylor was when Dr. Harrison would bring in guest artists to play with the jazz band. We had some great guests. Either my junior or senior year a saxophonist, Hal Melia, and his band came. They were amazing! I had a project in one of my music courses (maybe even a senior seminar) to interview a professional musician to receive advice about a career in music. I interviewed Hal, and his advice was for me to go straight to grad school and get my Masters in Music Education. It was THE BEST advice I could have ever received. This guy was at the top of his game, had just filmed the movie Dick Tracy with Madonna as her backing band, and was barely making a living. He had a family and kids, and was trying to go back and get his Masters in Music Education while working as a full-time musician and being a husband and father. Needless to say, I took his advice. Other experiences are the many opportunities provided us at Taylor to see beyond the cornfields of Indiana. Discipleship, community, servanthood, and so many other wonderful experiences.

How did your classes or interactions with professors at Taylor impact your growth?

I had deep relationships with many of my professors. They were mentors to me, some more than others. I feel like they would have done anything for me, and treated me as if I was their own family. They pushed me to be better and to follow Christ.

How can Taylor graduates use their unique Taylor education and its liberal arts foundational core as an asset in your discipline?

Modern culture is super saturated with secular world views. The arts are a perfect place to share Christ to the world because we tell stories through music, visual art, dance, theater, and more. A Taylor grad can also simply be the example of Christ in a broken world.

What advice or encouragement could you provide for Taylor students in your vocational discipline?

Step One: Practice. Practice. Practice. And when you are finished practicing...go practice. Seriously, you need to be good. Step Two: Be a good hang. Do not be the judge of someone else's lifestyle. Instead love them as Christ loved you. Build relationships. Be a friend. Be a neighbor. Love each other. Step Three: Be an example. Lead by doing. Remember the towel you get for graduation? Serve others. Lift the heavy gear. Help the instrumentalist with the extra equipment load their car or set up. You see it needs to be done, then do it. Step Four: Keep the faith. Study his Word and pray (one could argue this is step one, but that person needs to go practice). Step Five: Don't listen to the negativity in your mind, instead go practice. Never give up if you are called to perform. God gifted you with this passion, so follow through. Keep your eyes on Him. Step Six: Be disciplined while accomplishing everything above and more. The "and more" are the things on your heart or the other advice you receive from a trusted sage. I wish you all the best, and I am available to talk to you via phone, text, email, FaceTime, or in person.