Mississippi State University art teacher Marc Poole’s love for art takes many forms. As a professor, Poole spends his days sharing his love for art. But, on Saturday, Jan. 18, he will share the art of music will the Starkville community by taking his one-man show to Polliwogs, starting around 9:30 p.m.
“Polliwogs is a great place for a small acoustic guitar show because is very laid-back and easy-going with a fun crowd,” Poole said.
Poole’s musical career began during his last semester studying at MSU when he began to play in the band Southfire. After playing with Southfire for two years, they signed with A&M records in Nashville.
“We cut the CD, shot a video and then A&M Nashville went out of business right when we got signed. But it really showed me what the music business was like,” Poole said.
Poole then decided to attend graduate school at MSU, and during that time he played with another band, Groove Bucket. Groove Bucket began havingshows out of town almost every weekend. Poole decided that his first duty was to receive his masters, not play, so he quit the band.
Poole received his masters and began teaching at MSU, which he said will continue to be his priority. But, music certainly took the back burner. It was not until about a year ago when Poole became friends with the group Uncle Sideshow and participated in late-night jam sessions with them at his house that Poole’s love for music was revived.
“I’ve been playing solo shows for about a year now, but this time, I have no aspirations to play outside of the Golden Triangle,” Poole said.
However, Poole’s first love is still teaching. Poole said that many of his teachers have had an incredible impact on him.
“They leave impressions on you and open your eyes to what the world is about,” Poole said.
Poole said he finds teaching to be a very interesting profession, with each day in the classroom different than the next.
“I grew up on a farm and hated it; my worst day at school is still 10,000 times better than my best on the farm,” Poole said. “I learn a lot from my students-their creativity and idealism keeps me going. They show me how to do new things, and it is very interesting to see where they go with what I give them.”
Poole also enjoys painting portraits and illustrating during his breaks from school.
“First and foremost, I am an artist. Painting is how I sustain myself during the summer, and it is a very good getaway,” Poole said.
Poole’s various talents and hobbies all spring from his love for art, and his expression of music springs from his love of all forms of art.