Declan McMahon



Projects by Declan McMahon

Journalism Story

More Than Music

More  Than Music

Taken by Jordan Porter. Jadon passionately singing, with more performers on stage out of focus and frame.

Media Contacts
Jordan Porter
Taylor Gibson
Declan  Mcmahon

BLOOMINGTON, Indiana (Apr. 3, 2025) — Jadon Perkins is a 22 year old senior at Indiana University studying Liberal Arts and Music Performance. Since his early childhood, he has grown a massive love not just for music but actually getting up on stage and performing as well. 

Taken by Jordan Porter. Group of performers, Jadon and Luther included near the very center, pose for a group photo after a long day of performances.

Music has been a massive part of Jadon’s life, stemming from Wes Montgomery.  John Leslie Montgomery, nicknamed “Wes”, was an American jazz guitarist born in the great state of Indiana. He had a very unique way of playing the guitar and performance due to the way he plucked the strings with the side of his thumb as well as the wide range of his singing voice. Unfortunately, Wes passed away in 1968. However, his legacy lives on through performers just like Jadon. Jadon grew up surrounded by music because of people in his life, like his uncle, that shared the joy of music with him. When reflecting on him, Jadon shared that his uncle taught him “that you can live off of music, you don’t have to have a [traditional] job if you don’t want to, it’s possible to live off music.” Having this belief instilled into Jadon at such a young age gave him the confidence and guidance that he needed to follow his dream and choose his true path in life. 

Taken by Jordan Porter. Luther Allison listens to questions about his career in music.

As early as third and fourth grade, Jadon talked about performing at talent shows and in the choir. In choir, he was given solos that motivated him to shine brighter and brighter on stage. These opportunities planted a seed that grew into the love of performance that Jadon continues to nourish today. Jadon tells a story about when he was ten years old and performed at Lucas Oil Stadium for a preseason game played by the Indianapolis Colts against the Green Bay Packers. Jadon recalls the day by saying “it was my first time really on the big stage, so… I was about 10, 11 years old? I was scared because everyone was saying come on up, but I didn’t want to. However, I went up there and sang.” He then talks about how after that one performance, he knew he was hooked. His life’s purpose is to sing for people and share with them intense emotions and unforgettable experiences. Seeing that look and joy in people’s eyes is so rewarding for Jadon but also performing is a way for Jadon to be “his truest form of himself.” Jadon when talking shows his empathetic side as well for performance because nobody knows what people are going through. It is because of this that he wants to give his best performance every time. Jadon is able to to ensure that he is remembered for not only his performance but his message as well. 

Taken by Jordan Porter. A close up of instruments on stage.

Now the message in this case is music. Jadon sings covers of songs for wedding events or corporate events. He tries to bring every song to life by putting a lot of energy into his performance. He believes music and performance go hand in hand “without music you can’t perform… the message is in the music and performing is just spreading the message of the music to the audience.”

Taken by Jordan Porter. Sign for the “Marcellus Neal and Frances Marshall Black Culture Center” located at 275 North Eagleson Avenue.

On Thursday, March 27, 2025, we attended one of Jadon’s performances as a member of the IU soul revue for the Lincoln Jazz Orchestra. The IU soul revue is the only ensemble that you can receive college credit. This ensemble was built for the purpose of preserving black music. The performance absolutely blew us away, Jordan and the rest of the performers were incredible. They created a very unique and entertaining sound and everyone in the audience was loving it. When we asked Jordan how it feels to perform, he briefly talked about how he almost blacks out and lets the music and performance take over so not even he knows what type of dance moves he will use. He draws from performers like Bruno Mars and talks about how one day he wants to be as big as him. Seeing the joy and overwhelming emotion that Jadon displayed throughout this performance really brings it all together to how music and performance are so much bigger than simply attending an event. It’s about the stories, the passion, the message and so many more special ingredients that go into it. 

Jadon Perkins recounts on the significance of music and performance to him. Luther Allison, a musician that attended the performance, shares his thoughts on hard work as a performer.

Jadon Perkins, the 22 year old student from IU, don’t be surprised if you hear this name again performing at a stadium just like his inspiration Bruno mars, or leaving a massive cultural impact just like Wes Montgomery. One thing is for certain this Indiana native is destined for big things.

 

Public Relations Story

‘Watch Out’ – Apple’s Newest Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contacts
Joanna Clohessy
Wesley Sewell
Declan McMahon

CUPERTINO, California (Sept. 9, 2014) – Groundbreaking “Apple Watch” launched Tuesday at the annual conference by Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook, in Cupertino, CA, providing Apple users with a never-before level of technological personalization.

Apple’s annual conference, its “Special Event”, was held at the Flint Center for Performing Arts in Cupertino, California, hosting around two thousand Apple enthusiasts brimming with excitement over the unexpected announcement of the Apple Watch. In the last segment of the conference, Tim Cook, CEO, dressed casually in a button down and jeans, announced that there was “one more thing.” The Apple Watch was then launched with a seamless, professional video highlighting both the beauty, form, and capabilities of the product itself.

“Apple Watch is the most personal device we have ever created,” Cook said. “We sought out to make the best watch in the world.” The watch works seamlessly with the iPhone, and also acts as a fitness device, with a fully customizable user interface and endless capabilities. The Apple Watch, like both the iPod and iPhone before it, utilizes its own navigational technology, this time, the digital crown of the watch.

Made to be worn, the watch is “just as much about technology as it is style and taste,” Cook said. He then introduced a video about the design of the watch, narrated by Jony Ive, Senior VP of Design for Apple, which went into more detail of the capabilities the watch possessed. The watch senses when it is being raised, and lights the screen up, as well as providing smart responses, efficient display of information, and a button to immediately show favorite contacts.

Middle-aged woman using Apple Watch.
A middle aged woman uses the Apple Watch to text her children throughout the day. She also uses the timer and gentle reminder functions of the Apple Watch to make sure she completes her itinerary for the day.

The watch boasts an impressive retina display, laminated and hardened with sapphire, the hardest material after diamond. As well as sensing touch, the interface senses force, adding an additional dimension to the user experience – providing access to an entirely different range of controls. The audio is provided by a Taptic device inside of the watch itself, gently physically alerting the user to notifications, along with a water-resistant speaker for alerts. The heart of the watch is the S1 chip – an entire computer system on the inside of a watch.

The Apple Watch detects heart rate, steps, and activity, which allows the product to suggest goals based on daily activity levels. Upon completion, the user is awarded with badges. The watch itself is incredibly accurate, using multiple technologies, keeping accuracy to plus or minus 50 milliseconds.

College student works out with Apple Watch.
An Indiana University student uses the Apple Watch to track his workouts in the Student Recreation Center. He also uses it to track his steps, heart rate and respiratory rate outside of the gym.

There is a range of watch faces available, as well as customizable interfaces and the physical straps of the watch itself. There is a sports band, a leather band with concealed magnets for ease of adjustment, a classic leather buckled watch, a stainless steel bracelet, and a Milanese loop with a magnetic closure. Jony Ive acknowledged that “one size wouldn’t fit everyone,” and explained the availability of two watch sizes, and three watch versions. The original Apple Watch, the Apple Watch Sport, and the Apple Watch Edition. The sport Collection has a case that is 60% stronger than that of typical steel, and the Edition Collection boasts 18k gold.

Kevin Lynch then took the stage to deliver the very first live demo of the Apple Watch. He succinctly and confidently demonstrated the navigation of the watch using the digital crown, the touchscreen, and the haptics. The watch boasts an analog watch face, a watch face featuring the Earth and solar system, and many more. Personal control of music and calendar are also available. He then demonstrated how to haptically draw to send and receive text messages, send and receive heart rate, and communicate with notification prompts.

The Apple Watch and iPhone have been designed to seamlessly work together, updating each other on activity, sending emails, texts, and everything in between.

The Apple Watch will be available for purchase starting in early 2015 starting at $349 (US). It is compatible with iPhone 5, 5c, 6, 6s, and 6s Plus, or any phone running the latest version of iOS8. The Apple Watch is beautiful, functional, and something to enrich people’s lives. It is the most personal device Apple has ever created.

Apple unveils a video package showing off the diversity of their new watches. Apple is launching into a new world of technology with one eye focused on the present and one looking out at the future. 

Apple CEO Tim Cook talks about the innovation of Apple’s Newest product and how it will revolutionize health and fitness for its users. With great excitement Cook talks about the various ways the watch can be used as well as briefly talking about what the future holds. 

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