By Vennesha Price (The Bolivar Bullet)
The dream of a 10-year-old guitar player is now being realized, operating behind the scenes as one of the most dependable production leaders at Delta State University’s Delta Music Institute (DMI). What began as a childhood love for sound and rhythm eventually grew into a full career in studio management, live event operations, and technical production across the Mississippi Delta. Today, Austin Rutledge is the Studio and Production Manager at DMI, where he oversees multiple studios, supports major campus and community events, and mentors students who are stepping into the entertainment industry.
“Some of the things that I do is handle maintaining all of our studios, all of our equipment, and making sure everything runs smoothly here at DMI,” said Rutledge.
Rutledge’s professional story didn’t start in a studio. It started in Brandon, Mississippi, where he was born and raised. By age ten, he had already picked up a guitar and started performing with friends throughout middle and high school. That early love for music naturally led him toward Delta State University, where he quickly discovered that the technical side of the industry — audio engineering, lighting, production logistics, and behind-the-scenes operations — was where he truly fit and felt at home.
After finishing two years at Holmes Community College, Rutledge moved to Cleveland in 2017 and began studying at Delta State. He completed his bachelor’s degree in Entertainment Industry Studies with a concentration in Audio Engineering in 2019. Not long after, he stayed on to pursue his master’s, earning his MBA in Entertainment Industry Studies in 2024.
Now, Rutledge is responsible for maintaining three commercial studios, an immersive audio room, a computer lab, two rehearsal rooms, and even a mobile studio built into a bus. His role also expands beyond the university. He manages live event production for major community festivals, books outside recording clients, and works with students to ensure they have everything they need to learn, practice, and build confidence in the field.
“We have a lot of high-end equipment, and technology changes fast. So, every time something new comes in, it motivates me. I just want to learn as much as I can so I’m fully equipped in every part of the industry,” said Rutledge. Rutledge also handles lighting and production for the Bologna Performing Arts Center, assists with events at the GRAMMY Museum® Mississippi, and provides full-scale production support for large local festivals. For example, he recently managed the entire stage production for Octoberfest in downtown Cleveland. In the spring, he and the DMI team will lead production for the annual Juke Joint Festival in Clarksdale, supplying multiple stages, crews, and students to support artists from around the world.
Rutledge’s drive comes from seeing growth — in himself and in the students around him. He sees each new project as a chance to improve, refine his skills, and push himself further in the industry. While he loves what he does in the Delta, he is also honest about his long-term goals and the future he envisions.
“I don’t think I’ll stay in the Delta forever. I’d like to eventually be part of something larger — maybe a big production company, a major venue, or even a large-scale music festival. But right now, I’m using this opportunity to learn everything I can,” said Rutledge.
For the time being, Cleveland and DMI is fortunate to have him. From spotlighting major performers to guiding students through their first studio session, Rutledge continues to strengthen the region’s creative landscape. What began as a young boy strumming a guitar has grown into a career built on passion, precision, and a genuine love for music — both onstage and behind the scenes.
