Kim Madeline, a special lecturer in the journalism department, fills two contrasting roles during sun up and sun down.

By day, Madeleine teaches at Oakland University and runs his own public relations and marketing firm called KRM Communications, LLC. By night, he hauls out his various guitars to perform with his band at local venues.

The band, The Clatter, is comprised of drummer Dennis Zabis, bassist Lou Wysocki and Madeleine on guitar. They formed about four years ago and play classic rock and Motown tunes.

Madeleine began his musical career as clarinetist, but soon realized that it was more fun to be able to sing while playing an instrument.

At age 10, the music he listened to influenced him to learn to play the guitar.

“The Beatles, the Stones, they just wanted to make you play guitar,” Madeleine said, “so that’s what we did.”

Before starting college, Madeleine’s first band, The Flexx Band, was close to reaching a record deal. Their contact at Warner Brothers, however, left before they were able to finalize negotiations.

At 19, Madeleine decided that he should go back to school as opposed to purely touring and living the rock star life. He attended MSU and, with the drummer, revived The Flexx Band.

“We actually played all the time at Michigan State,” Madeleine said. “We played every weekend, we had a booking agent, so, to be blunt, it was way more fun because I was getting an education and playing rock and roll.”

Every few years, The Flexx Band plays a reunion show.

Amy Eckhardt was a student of Madeleine’s this past summer and wasn’t aware that her teacher was a rock star until a couple of weeks into the semester. She attended a gig The Clatter played at Clancy’s in Clinton Township on Sept. 24.

“The most entertaining part of the evening was hearing Kim hit the high notes while singing,” Eckhardt said. “If you have never heard him speak, he has a very low voice. We were all surprised that he could sing that high.”

Donna Tinker, a public relations minor at OU, attended the show with her husband Brian after Madeleine mentioned during class that he is in a band.

“It was really fun to see students and faculty watching everyone and having a good time,” Tinker said.  “It was nice to see Kim as a person as opposed to just a faculty member.”

Both students believe that in addition to being a good musician, Madeleine offers something special when he teaches.

“(Kim) is tremendously excited about what he does and that is quite obvious when you see him teach,” Eckhardt said. “He doesn’t treat students like just students — he sees us as the future of the industry.”

Tinker said Madeline is passionate about what he does and wants his students to learn.

Just as many students at OU have a soft spot for Madeleine, he enjoys teaching them.

“My favorite aspect is mentoring students,” he said. “I find that Oakland students are very solid students who really seem to want to do well in the real world.”

When he’s not teaching or playing his guitar, Madeleine enjoys playing golf, traveling and spending time with wife, Linda, and two sons.

To sample some of The Clatter’s music, visit www.myspace.com/theclatterdetroit

Upcoming shows:

NOV. 5

Mayflower Lanes in Redford, Mich. at 9:00 p.m.

NOV. 12

Clancy’s Irish Pub in Clinton Twp., Mich. at 9:30 p.m.

DEC. 9

Edison’s in Birmingham, Mich. at 9:00 p.m.

DEC. 10

Edison’s in Birmingham, Mich. at 9:00 p.m.