Within the past decade, Huntington has drastically improved its music and entertainment scene. Growth of live music locales like The Loud, 9th Street Live and summer concert series provide exposure and experience to local artists. This change has opened new doors for Huntington musicians, especially Marshall students looking to launch a music career.
One live music location is The Market, a combined space for different attractions set up to maximize the social setting. Phil Nelson, co-founder of Capital Venture — the company responsible for The Market — put the idea together eight years ago.
“It was kind of a vision I had from my travels where you combine shopping, retail and activities with the focus of having a large common area for folks to share their meals,” Nelson said. “With eight to 10 businesses, everyone can get something different.”
While the idea may be simple, the execution has brought significant development and attraction to the area, especially for music. The Market hosts a summer concert series each year, showcasing local artists and bands.
“We select consistently strong bands and performers that have been in the tri-state a while and are usually previous performers,” Nelson said. “We try to throw in a few new bands or groups. This year is no exception. We have two or three new bands and one or two new performers.”
With the concert series growing, Nelson has been looking to improve the connection between The Market and Marshall. Their performers, despite being local, do not consistently target Marshall talent. Nelson hopes this can change soon.
“We are open, and we can strengthen the relationship of the dialogue and find ways to get Marshall students down here to perform,” Nelson said.
These Marshall-focused goals are great news for students on the precipice of a music career and looking to showcase their skills, like Ryann Province.
Province is a triple major of filmmaking, creative writing and advertising. Additionally, she is a singer-songwriter under the name “Ryann Renae.” She has released three projects: “Secrets” (2020), “Echoes” (2023) and “Three” (2025).
“At this point, [music] doubles as a passion and an outlet for creativity,” Province said. Despite not being her career focus, though, she still enjoys sharing her art with the world. Her methods of exposure have capitalized on the world of multimedia.
“I’ve found it a bit difficult to find local businesses and festivals that want to book a solo-act guitarist, so I’ve slowed down a bit on the gigging front in recent years,” Province said. “However, I’ve been able to find other ways of promoting my music, such as recorded performances for television and web-show spots as well as live performances for events.”
Province recently performed in the MarshallUTEDx event where she shared her strength in cultivating her music alter-ego, Ryann Renae.
Another Marshall student breaking into the world of music is Sydney Ooten.
Ooten is a current Marshall student studying jazz and commercial music. She is a member of several local bands, including Soul Stampede, a funk and soul ensemble, and Fifth Avenue Funk Machine. Additionally, she plays for Huntington’s Jewel City Jazz Orchestra.
“I’m so honored to be a part of Marshall’s top large and small jazz ensembles as well as Huntington’s very own Jewel City Jazz Orchestra, which is a professional gigging big band,” Ooten said. “I regularly gig in Huntington and northern WV with a quartet to do weddings and other small reception-type events.”
Ooten began her time at Marshall with the pedal to the metal and lost her energy and love of the music by the end of her first year. After recognizing her burnout, she stumbled upon a unique and revitalizing opportunity.
“I ended up auditioning for a jazz ensemble and discovered my love for improvised music and also found my closest group of friends in the process,” Ooten said. She enjoys practicing, performing and sharing her love of music with the area.
Ooten has used her success in Huntington and Marshall to achieve a place in Indiana University and Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, where she will continue to cultivate her love and enthusiasm for music. Ooten attributes much of her acceptance to the music program at Marshall, which provided her the connections and networking to move forward.
“During my recent graduate school auditions, I found that mentors willing to go to bat for you mean so much. I believe that my professors’ recommendations played a huge part in my acceptance to Indiana University and Cincinnati Conservatory of Music,” Ooten said.
As to future Marshall music students and local artists, Ooten recommends relationships.
“Your professors are valuable resources. Make connections through your passion for music, cultivate meaningful relationships, never stop practicing and don’t be afraid to say no,” Ooten said. “Audition for the jazz studies program, too.”
Claire Johnson can be contacted at [email protected].