As everyone already knows, CMT invaded campus last week and it was kind of awesome if you’re into having celebrities, free stuff and television crews all over campus.

As if I wasn’t already excited enough about the event, it was announced that one of my favorite bands of all time was the main act. I know not everyone was stoked about Big and Rich performing, but I could not have been more ecstatic.

My love for Big and Rich stems way back to just before the beginning of their career, when “Save A Horse, Ride A Cowboy” was still a rising single and not the country anthem it is known as now.

I have always been down for a good concert, even when I was a child. My mom has always been right by my side, but it was a rare occurrence that my dad would volunteer to come along with us. Not to say he hadn’t been dragged to concerts with us before- Britney Spears circa 2001, for example. However, when we heard Big and Rich were coming to Paducah, Ky., back in 2005, he was on board.

I will never forget throwing on my peasant skirt and cowboy hat and toting my homemade sign to the concert with my parents.

We all had so much fun and it is one of my happiest and most special memories from my childhood, which brings me to why the Big and Rich concert in Murray was so special for me now, nearly 10 years later.

My dad lost his battle to cancer in 2010, four years ago this week. Every year since then when the holiday season rolls around it always feels more bittersweet, but this year, because of the amazing opportunity Murray State won, it made it all seem more bearable.

Being able to rekindle that connection with not only Big and Rich last week, but with my dad, was something that I could not be more thankful for. I will never forget being able to experience that concert with my dad and the connection I felt being able to see them again.

I could feel my dad’s spirit right there with me that night, enjoying the concert right along with me. I wish there was a way to let all the people at CMT know how much this concert meant to me, but I truly am thankful to Murray State’s students, faculty and anyone else who voted in the contest for the opportunity to relive that memory.

Column by Breanna Sill, Features Editor