Ken Paulson(I)

Ken Paulson is the producer and host of The Songwriters," a television show on PBS television affiliates in 55 markets nationwide featuring interviews with inductees into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. Paulson also was the host of the Emmy-recognized television program "Speaking Freely," seen in more than 60 PBS markets nationwide over five seasons. An expert on the First Amendment and the media, Paulson is also a columnist for USA Today and regularly appears in national news media. Appearances have included the New York Times, Washington Post, Wall St. Journal, the CBS Morning Show, Good Morning America, the CBS Evening News and ESPN. A dean and professor at Middle Tennessee State University near Nashville, Paulson has expertise in media law and content, as well as popular culture and music. He was appointed by Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam to the Tennessee Entertainment Commission in 2017. Paulson is also the author of multiple stage shows, including "Shut Up and Dance," an exploration of pop music and democracy, and "Saving Democracy in a Single Bound," a multi-media presentation about free speech and the marketplace of ideas. The shows tour America's college campuses. "Music Matters," a weekly radio feature on free speech and music written and narrated by Paulson is broadcast on NPR-affiliate WMOT Radio. His podcast "Americana Music News" is distributed via iTunes, Snitcher and other podcast platforms.