Hall of Fame Songwriter Performs as U of A McIlroy Family Visiting Professor

Photo Courtesy of Randy Goodman

Hall of Fame songwriter Randy Goodrum performs at U of A's Faulkner Center April 30. Free tickets can be reserved on a first come, first served basis starting April 1.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Acclaimed songwriter Randy Goodrum, one of this year’s 2020-21 McIlroy Family Visiting Professors in the Visual and Performing Arts, will perform a free concert at the University of Arkansas featuring some of his biggest hits and personal stories.

Goodrum will perform at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 30, in the Jim and Joyce Faulkner Performing Arts Center. The event is presented by the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences and its Department of Music.

The evening will begin with Goodrum sharing some of his hits, interspersed with personal stories. In the second half of the concert, Goodrum will be joined by faculty and students from the Department of Music.

“The evening will be filled with great music, nostalgia, comradery and fun,” said Ronda Mains, professor and chair of the Department of Music. “The audience is certain to recognize and enjoy the songs Randy will sing, and our faculty and student musicians are so excited to perform with this musical legend.”

A Grammy-nominated writer and Nashville Songwriter Hall of Fame inductee, Goodrum has been writing songs for major recording artists for several decades.

The Arkansas native has written No. 1 songs in each of the four decades since his first No. 1 hit, 1978’s “You Needed Me.” Goodrum’s songs, like "Oh, Sherrie," have appeared across genres, ranging from top 40 to adult contemporary, to country, rock, jazz and R&B.

Goodrum has worked with musicians including George Benson, Toto, Chicago, Steve Perry and Anne Murray, and his songs have been recorded by Kenny Rogers, Barry Manilow, Natalie Cole, Olivia Newton-John, Tammy Wynette, Ray Charles, Dusty Springfield, and Gladys Knight.

“Having an artist and musician of Randy’s caliber join us as a McIlroy Family Visiting Professor is a true honor,” said Todd Shields, dean of Fulbright College. “This will be an amazing opportunity to hear directly from one of music’s best, right here on campus. It will truly be an evening to remember so make sure to reserve your tickets soon.”

The performance is free and open to the public. Free general admission tickets will be available on a first come, first served basis starting Wednesday, April 1.

To reserve tickets to the performance, please visit www.UarkArtsTickets.com or the FPAC Box Office, in person Monday through Friday 1:30-5 p.m. or call 479-575-5387.

About the McIlroy Family Visiting Professorship in the Visual and Performing Arts: The professorship, established in the university's J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, supports the teaching and work of professional artists who impart highly specialized knowledge essential to students' artistic, educational, and career enrichment and of value to the community at large. It was made possible through the philanthropy of Hayden and Mary Joe McIlroy and the Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation.

About the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences: The J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences is the largest and most academically diverse unit on campus with three schools, 16 departments and 43 academic programs and research centers. The college provides the core curriculum for all University of Arkansas students and is named for J.

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs.