What does Sevier County think about Kanye? Well, one man claims 'he got my girlfriend'

Ryan Wilusz | Knoxville

Show Caption Hide Caption Kanye West: Local reactions to Sunday Service in Pigeon Forge Kanye West is coming to Pigeon Forge, and Sevier County residents had some interesting reactions — like, "He married my girlfriend."

Kanye West caused a mini uproar when he decided to participate in a Pigeon Forge religious youth conference next month. Let's just say it caused some East Tennesseans to bow their heads and others to scratch them.

Or, in Robert Crocker's case, his head is over his heels.

"He married my girlfriend," the Sevierville resident said. "That's the one that got away."

Of course, Crocker was joking about Kim Kardashian. He's actually a fan of Kanye, and so are some of the others Knox News chatted with in downtown Sevierville on Wednesday.

Robert Crocker, Sevierville

Robert Crocker said he likes the idea of Kanye coming to Pigeon Forge because he shares a lot in common with the musician.

"He's a Christian and he's a Republican and he likes Trump and I like Trump," he said. "Maybe he can bring the parties together."

The one word Crocker said he would use to describe Kanye is "unusual."

"He's not the regular-type person you'd see on the street," he said. "And he got my girlfriend. I'm not real happy about that."

Matti Fagan, Kodak

Matti Fagan said she believes people are going to attend the Strength to Stand Youth Conference just because of Kanye's name recognition, rather than the conference itself.

"It's going to be definitely exciting," she said. "The whole industry of tourism is so essential, but it's kind of annoying. I'm so grateful to have so many tourists come, but I don't want it to be a whole crazy event."

Fagan said she's not an avid Kanye fan. She associates him with controversy but occasionally listens to his music and appreciates the changes he has made when it comes to faith.

"If he's bettering himself, good for him," she said. "It's definitely a change-up."

More: Kanye West calls himself 'the greatest artist that God has ever created' at Joel Osteen service

Emily Palmer, Seymour

Emily Palmer said she did not think Sevier County was big enough to attract Kanye, but she's glad to hear he is coming for a Christian conference.

"I think it's great, and I think that's great for the community," she said. "And everybody needs some Christian music in their life."

Palmer said she does not listen to his music, but she has heard some songs before and knows he has some good ones.

"I think he's great," she said. "It's not my type of music. ... He has good music, yes. He's very lyrical. I will give him that."

Jeff Beaulieu, Gatlinburg

Jeff Beaulieu said he was "shocked" to hear Kanye was coming to Pigeon Forge, which he said is "good news" for Sevier County.

"Maybe it's better coming to small place than a big place," he said. "Maybe he's already been to all the big places and now he needs to hit the small places."

Beaulieu said Kanye's choice to make a Christian album was a "great transition."

"As we go through our life, we learn things about ourselves," he said. "And maybe that's what's happened."

Beyonca Amburgey, Sevierville

Beyonca Amburgey said she is a fan of Kanye's earlier music, and it's "pretty neat" that he's coming to Sevier County.

"I wouldn't think that he would actually do that, but this year he's been getting everybody close back to God with all his little summits, retreats and everything," she said. "I think that's good. It'll be good for the community "

She described Kanye as a "versatile" artist and has enjoyed watching him change up his music with his most recent album, "Jesus Is King."

"You can get lost for a while," she said. "You can get lost and lose your faith and everything. But then for you to actually bring your faith back up — I think it's good."