Since then, Professor Kelly has held many different roles, contributed immensely to the college, and is currently the chair of the Department of Accounting, Economics, and Finance. He also has a passion for music that he has brought to Flagler College to provide students with unparalleled opportunities.
Kelly researched and wrote an article titled “Not Your Parent’s Top 20: Or Is It?” which was published in the journal American Music Perspectives. The article examines how consumers’ tastes and preferences in popular music are influenced by previous generations.
Kelly also organized the 2023 RPM (Research in Popular Music) Conference, which was held on campus in September 2023. The conference attracted scholars from the field of music business from New York University, Boston University, Berklee College of Music, University of Southern California, and other colleges. The Journal of Popular Music Education printed a special edition of the conference proceedings.
In addition, Kelly teaches BUS 340 Business of the Music Industry, which was taught for the first time in the fall 2023 semester. The course examines the history of popular music, publishing, copyrights, record labels and contracts, and the business of live music.
In 2025, Kelly is bringing a student record label to Flagler College. There will be a contest this March where students will submit ideas for the name and a winner will be chosen. There will also be a new course in fall 2025 taught by Kelly that gives students the opportunity to record, promote, and market an album for an artist from Flagler College.
