A conflicting air of excitement and resentment floated around Belmont’s campus as CMT–Country Music Television–made its annual trek to campus, bringing with it barricades, closed streets, re-routed traffic, buses bigger than some houses and lines of fans hoping to get a glimpse of a star. Or two.

The April 14 awards show, televised nationally from the Curb Event Center, has used the facility for several years, and it continues to be a bit controversial among students, faculty and staff. A quick survey of those who were affected by it on a chilly spring afternoon, however, showed strong feelings both pro and con.

“I’m sure it’s good recognition [for the school],” said Aaron Phipps, a Belmont music business major. But does it offer benefits to students? “None. And the gym is closed and I was really upset about that.”

Freshman music major Ryan Aucoin noted Belmont “ gets a good amount of money, I would assume, but besides that it promotes the school’s name as a music school.”

Those long-range benefits, however, have more immediate consequences for some.

“I think the event itself is a good thing for the campus,” freshman Charla Smith said. “But overall, from the viewpoint of the student, a simple thing like parking and getting to class on time can become a large issue.”

Ryan Sherman, music business, related a story about a friend that tried to get to her car to leave campus to go to work. Sherman said she was stopped by a security officer and angrily cursed and yelled at the officer about how much she paid in tuition and fees and how outrageous it was that she could not get to her car when she had to go to work.

“The security officer finally let her pass,” Sherman said.

“They should refund us … or give us class off and maybe a T-shirt or a keychain,” he added wryly.
Music business major Chris Dempski, though, saw one significant benefit: “Kids getting involved and getting experience.”
 
Working as a talent escort for Kenny Chesney’s band was exciting for Marcy Johnson, a sophomore music business major. “I love it because it’s an opportunity to work and be around the atmosphere since this is what I want to do,” she said. “There are really no benefits other than music business students get to work it. There’s really no reward for others, but it’s cool that it’s at our school.”

It also brings many out-of-towners to Belmont, including two middle-aged women who had driven from Maryland and were waiting patiently Monday afternoon for a glimpse of their favorite country artist on the red carpet (which, this year, was a startling magenta).

“I just can’t wait to see Gretchen Wilson,” one of the women said. “I can’t believe she’ll be standing here in a couple of hours.”

But the other, poking fun at the young demographic of Miley Cyrus fans, said, “Oh, I can’t wait to see Hannah Montana.”

Tina Kadow, who drove from Chicago, said, “We’ve been outside since 8 a.m., but it was worth it because we just saw Keith Urban.”

Marie Hitchcock and Donna Sholl hadn’t spotted a star, but said, “We are so excited. We love country music and we drove all the way from Iowa. That’s nine hours, but it’s totally worth it.”
Nearby, a little girl in a pink mesh cowgirl hat tugged at her father’s coat, giddy with excitement.

“We were just looking for something to do with the kids over their spring break that didn’t involve going to Orlando,” said the man, who had brought his family from Massachusetts. “The lines are a little bit longer at Disney.”

Savannah Packard, Ashley Buckberg, Nick Popham, Lauren Sharpe, Jennifer Bauder, Erin Carson, Corey Long, Hadley Long, Pierce Greenberg, Dena Adams, Ryan Kraemer and Joseph Shelby contributed to the CMT reporting.