WH: Q&A: Alumni speaks on time at UT, representing ACL headliner Tyler, the Creator
Growing up in Waco, Kevin Shivers enjoyed Motown music with his parents and loved hip-hop and rap. Shivers, a radio-television-film alumnus, didn’t consider a career in music until after he finished his studies in the Live Music Capital despite loving the concert scene, but now is this year’s Billboard’s R&B/ Hip-Hop Power Player’s Choice recipient. The Daily Texan spoke with Shivers about his studies at UT and what it’s like representing Austin City Limits Music Festival headliner Tyler, the Creator.
The Daily Texan: What was your experience like studying at the University?
Kevin Shivers: (UT’s film) program was really good. I had counselors, professors and academic advisors that prepared me for internships. And, those internships and experiences that I had in LA prepared me for an entry-level career in Hollywood. I’m currently the chairman of Moody’s Advisory Council board, and I love giving back to UT. I spend a lot of time helping students get jobs in Hollywood, at WME and other places, and I’m always grateful for everything the University did for me. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t go.
DT: Do you feel like it was a missed opportunity not studying music here, or are you thankful for the fact that you had a more fun relationship with music while you were learning?
KS: I’m very lucky to (have gone) to film school because I grew up loving movies because my mother loved movies. I wanted to go see if that was the career for me, and unfortunately, I wasn’t any good in that career. It made my unique ability and my passion working in music, but for me to get to my real love, I had to realize that I was bad at the other thing. I’ve got no regrets.
DT: While you were attending UT, did you go to concerts frequently? What was your relationship with music?
KS: 100 percent. When I went to school, Stubb’s was a venue that was having a lot of shows, and I went to a lot of shows and stuff all over the city. I was immersed in the culture. I was doing ACL, I was doing South By Southwest. I was always going to live music.
DT: ACL has changed a lot since then — what are your thoughts on that?
KS: ACL is my favorite festival. … I’ve been to every one. I love the festival. That’s just one that I don’t miss. … It kind of gives me chills because Austin is a music town. ACL is just a music lovers’ festival. People get there early and they watch music all day long. It’s just beautiful.
DT: With your relationship to the Austin music environment in mind, how does it feel having someone you represent headlining the festival?
KS: Being at every festival — it was always my dream (to) work with somebody (who) can headline ACL. I take a lot of pride in that. I have a lot of friends that I went to college with, or was friendly with in Austin, who all came down and went to the festival. My nephew is 16 (and) he came to the show. It can’t get better than that.
DT: So you were able to see Tyler’s show last weekend? How was that?
KS: 100 percent, from start to end … It was incredible. I thought he did a really good job. That the production was on point. I was very, very proud of him.
