Phoenix

By Alex Jackson
“Andrew, get that damn piece of paper!” was the last piece of advice that Drew “Phoenix” Purcell, a Communication major at George Mason University, heard from his father. Drew was in the midst of his music enthusiast phase that would end up lasting a lifetime. Since the‘90s grunge that catapulted his passion for music and the opportunity to work on music tours for artists such as Matchbox 20, Avril Lavigne, or Gavin Degraw, Drew has a developed mania for music. More over, he knew he needed that degree and more, he found his fix in the field of Communication.
At the ripe age of 20, Drew knew he wanted to live his life discovering the newest talent in the music industry. Working for The Syndicate, a music marketing and promotion company, in 2002 gave him the opportunity to spear major music production campaigns. It put him in dead center of the communication line between the record label and the listeners. Having been able to cultivate relationships in the music industry Drew realized he wanted to cultivate relationships with the future of the industry and join the artist and repertoire (A&R) field. The primary duty of an A&R representative is to attend shows, discover musical talent, make a personal connection with the artists, and court them into the professional side of the industry. All of this having been something Drew did regularly outside of work; he knew A&R was the perfect fit.
Who wouldn’t want to make a career out of doing something you love? But it takes a lot more than going to shows and meeting bands to be successful in this industry; you must be able to communicate.
After Drew’s father advised him to earn a degree, Drew enrolled into the Northern Virginia Community College in Fairfax, Virginia and earned his Associate’s Degree. Wanting to pursue his dream of music, he dreamed of attending the Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA ever since he was a young teenager. After having to forgo that dream, Drew enrolled into George Mason University as a Communication major with an emphasis in Public Relations. George Mason is well-known for their prestigious Communication department, award-winning professors, and of course the Final Four. But why would Drew choose Public Relations over, perhaps, Music Theory?
“I love generating relationships and talking to people…I have a passion for communication.” Not only does Drew’s eclectic style and enormously vibrant, and sometimes large, headphones make his passion for music evident, when he presents himself to a room of strangers he commands attention and respect, showing his passion for communicating with those around him.
“Communication and Public Relations is all about generating relationships, establishing rapport, and maintaining that.” Along with working for The Syndicate, Drew also worked for Octagon, an entertainment-consulting firm, doing celebrity acquisitions and endorsements, and went on to found his own music production label, AP Label Group. Having an outstanding resume and an entrepreneurial quality does not come from good looks and charm, but from the ability to generate and maintain relationships, as well as a positive reputation, and Drew has undoubtedly mastered this core foundation of Communication.
Drew has Communication down pat, but what about the strength to withstand the pressure and judgments made in the music industry? About making it in the music industry, Drew states, “ You have to have a thick skin and negotiate around obstacles with people, and that’s life in general.” Not only is that life, it is part of the curriculum in the George Mason Department of Communication. “The skills I’m learning here at George Mason are helping me to navigate around those different obstacles, and are extremely important lessons for me…it’s been awesome.”
You are probably thinking Drew had planned on getting a college degree since high school graduation. Although a very good student and impressive in the classroom, Drew responded to my inquiry about wanting a degree as follows, “I was never fond of school…Do I really need it? Not really.” Drew takes pride in things that make a difference to himself, including but not limited to, “talking to people and learning about them, looking into their soul, the art of body language, eye contact, tone of voice…real life s***!”
Why take the risk of enrolling in a university when the things you want to learn about aren’t in a textbook? Regardless of that answer, Drew is a student for a reason. “What I’m hoping for with a degree in Communication is for more of a launching pad and giving me the know-how…although I do not need a degree, it sets me apart from many others.”
In the music industry, it is not Drew’s colorful sneakers, tall Mohawk, or diverse music selection on his iPod that make him unique; it is his eternal passion, desire to generate relationships, and a degree from George Mason University that set him apart. Receiving an education from George Mason goes far deeper than pleasing music industry officials and his future is very bright.
“Open every door to every opportunity. If the door is locked, find a window and break into it…although, I myself have never been much of a high risks person. But I made a promise to my father, to get that damn piece of paper.”