October 13, 2026 | 7 pm @ Birthplace of Country Music Museum
The Birthplace of Country Music Museum presents a Speaker Session at the museum with Alex Campbell titled "True Crime, Innovative Learning, & the Classroom"Tuesday, Oct.13 at 7 p.m.
The public is invited to join the Birthplace of Country Music Museum and high school teacher Alex Campbell for the October installment of the museum’s monthly Speaker Sessions. During this conversation, Campbell shares the story of how his students tackled a class project and solved a real-life cold case in the process.
Campbell’s sociology class at Elizabethton High School is known for its hands-on, project-based learning approach that challenges students to solve real-world problems through research, teamworkand critical thinking. The class gained national attention after students investigated the decades-old “Redhead Murders” cold cases, helping develop a criminal profile that later aligned with evidence identified by investigators. Their work became the basis for the hit true-crime podcastMurder 101,highlighting how students can make a real impact beyond the classroom. The podcast has been adapted into a three-part episodic documentary of the same name by Amazon Prime Video. Campbell’s sociology program encourages students to explore sociology, psychology, criminal justiceand ethics while developing communication and investigative skills through meaningful community-centered projects.
Campbell is a social studies teacher at Elizabethton High School. In 2025 one of his classes worked with the Birthplace of Country Music Museum on another project-based learning undertaking focused on Appalachian ballads. He lives in Elizabethton with his wife, Brittney, and his two sons. He has been a teacher for 24 years and has received Teacher of the Year honors twice. He has authored one book, "Ten Lessons That Will Get You Fired: But You Must Teach Immediately," which chronicles his teaching journey from a traditional classroom to authentic learning through the mistakes made and the lessons learned. When he is not teaching, he enjoys cooking, lifting weightsand exploring true crime.
Speaker Sessions are hosted monthly by the Birthplace of Country Music Museum and are designed to connect audiences with artists, scholars, historiansand other experts who explore the rich musical and cultural heritage of Appalachia and beyond. Through engaging presentations, conversationsand demonstrations, the series offers unique opportunities to learn more about the people, traditions, musicand stories that have shaped the region and country music. Every Speaker Session is free and open to the public.
October’s Speaker Session is held in-person in the Performance Theater at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum from 7 – 8:30 p.m. and streamed onRadio Bristol’s YouTube. This event is free and open to the public. Anyone who is planning on attending can register for this event viathis linkor visitBirthplaceOfCountryMusic.org/Main-Events.
Category: Lecture