Jennifer E. Ruch is a Texas native but is spending some time in the Volunteer state as she works toward her PhD in Public History at Middle Tennessee State University. She holds a B.A. in History and an M.A. in Public History from Texas State University.

She also teaches American history at MTSU, serves as a Research Assistant to the Center for Historic Preservation, and works at the Grand Ole Opry House in the roll of Ambassador. She specializes in American cultural history with a special interest in American music, material culture, and popular culture. Her current research explores musical hybrids and their relativity to memory studies, materiality, and heritage making processes.