MTSU Mondays: Legendary Rascals member to be honored, rare books series slated for spring

A founding member of the legendary rock band The Rascals will receive a special honor from Middle Tennessee State University.

Felix Cavaliere will be spotlighted with the Free Speech in Music Award at 7 p.m. Feb. 23 in Tucker Theatre, located inside MTSU’s Boutwell Dramatic Arts Auditorium (615 Champion Way).

“Felix Cavaliere has contributed so much through his music and engagement with American society," said Ken Paulson, director of the Free Speech Center at MTSU.

“From the anthemic 1968 hit 'People Got to Be Free' to his early commitment to onstage diversity to years of supporting important causes, Felix has lived his lyrics.”

Presented by the Free Speech Center at MTSU in partnership with the university's Center for Popular Music and College of Media and Entertainment, the honor recognizes artists who have used their talents, fame and visibility to address important social issues and who have demonstrated the power of music as a form of free speech.

The event, which is free and open to the public, will include a conversation between Cavaliere and Paulson, and a special appearance by the artist’s current touring band, Felix Cavaliere’s Rascals.

Cavaliere, who now lives in Nashville, is a member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with The Rascals, the Songwriters Hall of Fame, Vocal Group Hall of Fame and Musicians Hall of Fame.

No. 1 hits from The Rascals include 1966's "Good Lovin'," and "People Got to Be Free" in 1968. Both featured Cavaliere’s distinctive lead vocals and Hammond B-3 organ.

“Music is the ultimate expression of free speech; to receive this award is undoubtedly a feather in my cap as a musician,” Cavaliere said. “I believe in the power of words and ... it seems there is always a time that our First Amendment rights are being threatened, and I'm truly grateful to play my part in keeping its torch burning bright."

The Feb. 23 discussion at Tucker Theatre will also preview Cavaliere’s autobiography, "Memoir of a Rascal: From Pelham, NY to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame," which will be published in mid-March.

Rare books lecture series

Thanks to a personal connection MTSU Political Economy Research Institute Director Dan Smith has with Lubbock, Texas-based The Remnant Trust, MTSU is the recipient of rare books and manuscripts on loan for University Honors College students to utilize with the annual Spring Lecture Series.

The valuable books and papers include “The Consolation of Philosophy” (Boethius), “Machiavelli the Prince,” bibles, Sir Isaac Newton’s “The Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy,” Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense” and more.

The books will be the subject of a lecture series called “Exegesis," which takes place Mondays at 3 p.m. through April 4 (except March 7 — during spring break) in Honors Room 106 in the University Honors College.

Mainly a class for students, the lectures are also free and open to the public, although seating is limited.

Reach reporter Nancy DeGennaro at degennaro@dnj.com. Keep up with restaurant news by joining Good Eats in the 'Boro (and beyond) on Facebook and follow Murfreesboro Eats on TikTok.

This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: MTSU Mondays: Famed Rascals member nets honor, rare books series set