A Full-Circle Moment

Bo Koster’s return to Athens with his band, My Morning Jacket, wasn’t just another stop on their tour—it was a meaningful reunion, both for Koster and for the city that remains a short, yet significant, part of his story.

“It felt like a homecoming,” says Koster, AB ’96. “When I look back at my degree from OU, I’m grateful for the well-rounded education it provided, [which] … opened up new avenues and introduced me to people and ideas that have made my life much richer.”

Koster’s April 2025 visit was especially poignant as the first time he’s returned to Athens since graduating—and also because it represents a celebration of the connections and experiences that shaped his career.

Although this return is a big deal for Koster, School of Media Arts and Studies Director Josh Antonuccio, BSC ’96, MED ’17, equally felt the excitement of having the band come to Athens. He also appreciated the chance to reconnect with Koster, with whom he performed while they were both undergraduates.

“I remember listening to Pink Floyd around the time we met, a band who was huge for both of us,” Antonuccio says of those days. “Seeing Bo go to being with MMJ and then on to tour with [Pink Floyd bassist] Roger Waters was surreal. I remember being in an arena audience watching him play the intro to the iconic ‘Great Gig in the Sky.’ It was stunning, thinking of how full-circle he had come in that moment.”

For Koster, becoming the keyboardist for indie rock band My Morning Jacket wasn’t a straightforward path. Originally from Lakewood, Ohio, Koster’s first attempt at a formal music education led him to a music school after high school, but it just wasn’t the right fit. After making the difficult decision to leave, he transferred to Ohio University, reconnecting with friends and immersing himself in Athens’ music scene.

He would jam out in a small basement room in James Hall with Antonuccio and across Athens at institutions like Casa Nueva and The Dugout (now the site of Silver Serpent Exotic Gifts) with local bands, including Easy Steam Engine, dreaming of a future as a full-time musician and developing skills he would need along the way.

“I’m especially thankful for the experiences outside of music. While I consider myself mostly self-taught in music, I’ve learned that the true value of education is not in specializing, but in learning how to continuously educate and challenge yourself,” says Koster, who studied political science and economics in his undergrad years. “An education, like the one I received at OU, was the foundation for a lifetime of exploring diverse interests and growing in ways that go beyond just one field. … Regardless of whether you’re an artist or not, having a broad understanding of the world is crucial—it allows you to experience life on a deeper and more meaningful level.”

After graduating in 1996, Koster’s path took him to Los Angeles, where he pursued various musical opportunities and worked on eclectic projects, playing with everyone from jazz and hip-hop musicians to acclaimed artists like Mike Garson. But a chance conversation at a party led to an invitation to audition for My Morning Jacket, which had formed in 1998 and needed a new keyboardist.

Koster joined the band in 2003 and first appeared on their 2005 breakout album Z. After that, his career skyrocketed. He toured the world with My Morning Jacket, played alongside the likes of Roger Waters and Ray LaMontagne, and contributed to albums that became pillars of indie rock.

Over the years, Koster and Antonuccio lost touch, each forging their own paths in the music world. (Read more about Antonuccio’s in his Last Word Q&A.)

But life has a funny way of bringing people back together, and the pair reconnected about 10 years ago, when My Morning Jacket was touring through Columbus. In the years to follow, the idea to bring the band to Ohio University, specifically the Music Industry Summit, began to take shape.

“Bo was always such an incredible musician, and I have loved seeing all he’s accomplished,” says Antonuccio, who is also the director of the Music Industry Summit. “As the Music Industry Summit has grown, we are always looking at ways to bring back our alumni in the creative industries. It’s about creating opportunities for students to learn directly from people who have made it in the world. So we thought, why not try go get Bo and My Morning Jacket back to OHIO?”

Getting any major artist to Athens is no simple task, however, and My Morning Jacket was no exception. Touring bands have countless variables, from album releases to travel schedules, but after working for nearly a year to make it happen, the timing finally aligned.

“Josh and I have been talking about this for years—it’s always tough to get the schedule to work, and Athens is not your typical tour stop,” Koster says. “It had to be the right time and fit into our touring schedule. We never quite figured it out until recently when he mentioned doing a keynote speech and a show. That’s when I said, ‘Finally, we’re doing it!’”

Although scheduling My Morning Jacket for the 2025 Music Industry Summit in March didn’t work out and the band had a packed tour schedule promoting the release of their new album, is, they were eager to find time to connect with the Athens community and OHIO students. Antonuccio and his team identified a special opportunity for a one-off event: On April 17, My Morning Jacket performed at Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium, hosted by the Music Industry Summit and OHIO Live.

“It felt a bit surreal [coming back to Athens], like I was going back in time,” Koster says. “It was also heartwarming.  So much of my musical and personal identity was influenced by my time in Athens, and it felt great [performing in Mem Aud]. It was such a perfect Athens day. The vibes were great. I spent some time walking all over campus … and reminisced about my life and how I got there. The show was stellar, and we really felt the love in the room. I feel incredibly lucky to have had that full-circle moment with my band and friends. Lots of gratitude.”

The band also engaged in a conversation with Stereogum managing editor Chris DeVille, BSJ ’06, at the Athena Cinema the night before the show, where they discussed their new album and how they got to where they are today.

“It was nice to share those experiences with students and people from the community,” Koster says. “Hopefully it inspires people to make their own way in the world, or maybe it helps them parent children with creative aspirations. It’s incredibly valuable for young people to hear how others have navigated their way through life and found their calling. At 18 or 19, it’s hard to know what you’re supposed to do, and I feel lucky that I knew I was drawn to the piano and music. It felt like I didn’t have a choice in the matter. I enjoy sharing that with younger people—what it takes, how it happens, and how they can carve their own path to find their niche in the world.” For the students who attended the conversation or concert, Antonuccio hopes the experience conveyed a message of persistence and passion.

“Bo’s story is a great example of how you have to take risks and follow what matters to you. He went to LA, and that’s where things really took off. You never know what will happen when you follow your heart,” he says. “And Bo’s story with MMJ is not just about the music—they’ve built a fan community, a loyal following that understands the ethos of the band. They’re a reminder that if you do things right, it can resonate with so many people.”

As My Morning Jacket wraps up their tour this fall, Koster continues to embrace the unpredictable nature of life on the road. And though his career has taken him all over the world, he is grateful it has brought him back to Athens, if only for one night.

Feature photo: Alumnus and keyboardist Bo Koster performs with his band, My Morning Jacket, at Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium in April. Photo by Scotty Hall