Trevecca students get real-world industry experience at K-Love Fan Awards Weekend
Britney Kent will start her senior year at Trevecca in the fall. A music business major, she was determined to make this summer count.
“This summer, I decided to stay in Nashville,” Kent said, “and I made it my goal to be involved in as many music-related events as I can.”
That determination meant volunteering for the K-LOVE Fan Awards Weekend, held May 25-27 at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel. A weekend of meet-and-greets and concerts, the annual event is capped off with an awards show featuring the best of the best of Christian music.
Trevecca has served as an official sponsor for the weekend the past four years, offering a unique opportunity for students to gain real-world music business experience—and internship credit—by volunteering at the event.
“I am interested in pursuing a career in the Christian music industry, and Trevecca connects students with some great volunteer opportunities throughout the weekend,” Kent said. “Last year … I was able to use my experience as my practicum, which was an extra bonus.”
Throughout the weekend, students help with everything from set-up and teardown to escorting celebrities and helping backstage during the awards show. Kent served backstage during this year’s award show, held May 27 at the Grand Ole Opry House, working with artists such as Mercy Me as well as Trace Adkins and Dennis Quaid, stars of the movie I Can Only Imagine.
“This gave me the opportunity to interact with many industry professionals and to see what goes on behind the scenes of an award show,” Kent said. “You never really understand what all goes into events like the K-LOVE Fan Awards until you’re backstage and see the craziness.”
Some of that “craziness” called for Kent to think on her feet. When Mercy Me and their group, which included Adkins and Quaid, decided to walk in the front entrance where all the fans were gathered, Kent had to find extra security personnel to escort the group to the backstage area.
“It was a hectic experience,” she recalled.
For Kent, who has volunteered for the weekend for the past two years, the experience is well worth the momentary stress. She says she’d encourage students, particularly those interested in pursuing careers in music business, to take part in the annual event.
“I think it’s so important for students to take advantage of the opportunities Nashville has to offer, especially while still in college,” she said. “This city is great, and there are so many incredible opportunities here—like K-LOVE—that are a great way to gain hands-on experience and meet a lot of industry people.”
Media contact: Mandy Crow, mmcrow@trevecca.edu, 615-248-1695