Ken Spring

Biography

Dr. Spring is a cultural sociologist in Belmont University’s Department of Media and Entertainment Industries, where he has been a dedicated member of the academic community since 2001. He earned an M.A. in Sociology with a concentration in community development from the University of Toledo and a Ph.D. in Sociology with a specialization in social and cultural theory from Vanderbilt University. His teaching portfolio includes Media and Cultural Theory, Media and Entertainment, Creative Industries, and Research Methods, and he is the co-creator of Bonnaroo U, a signature program offering students immersive, behind-the-scenes experiences in festival culture and live entertainment. Dr. Spring’s research centers on musical nostalgia and its role in shaping identity within popular culture. His commitment to service has been recognized through the Harold Love Community Service Award from the Tennessee Governor’s Office and the Tennessee Department of Higher Education for his leadership in founding the YMCA Literacy Program in Middle Tennessee. Widely sought after as a commentator on culture and media, Dr. Spring has been interviewed by more than 50 local and national news outlets and featured in internationally aired documentaries on Bravo!, Current TV, and PBS.