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Opinion
254 results total, viewing 21 - 40
I had my first taste of chewing tobacco when I was 15 years old. Warren County Twist should have had a warning label on it plainly stating, “Take two aspirins before inserting.” This was back in 1962. I reckon you chewed at your own risk in those days…. more
Shel Silverstein wrote a song made famous by Johnny Cash in 1969 entitled “A Boy Named Sue.” It lays out the chronology of a young man struggling through life burdened with such a misfit name…. “Some gal would giggle and I’d turn red, And some guy’d laugh and I’d bust his head, I tell you, life ain’t easy for a boy named Sue.” more
When you think about big businesses headquartered in Tennessee most folks think of FedEx, Dollar Store, Bridgestone or Cracker Barrel. There was one up until 2010 that I had no clue was headquartered in Tennessee; that little gem is Pilot Flying J. Until January 16, 2024, the company was headquartered out of Knoxville and headed by the Haslam family. Yes, former Governor Bill Haslam along with his brother Jimmy, owner of the Cleveland Browns, made their fortune through the company founded by their father. more
Sunday night, Brittany and I had the opportunity to see Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons in Nashville. It was an amazing concert and the first time I’ve ever been to the Opry House. I’m not a regular concertgoer because let’s be honest, how can anyone afford the expense, but last night was something special. more
Daddy didn’t cook. Ever! He farmed a mite and drove a truck for a living. He was always working. Maybe he didn’t have time to take up the culinary arts. But more probably, he left it up to Mother because it was easier for him and she was way much better at it than he was. more
The recent clash of winter is some of the worst in my memory. With arctic blasts and subzero windchills, these temperatures aren’t for everyone. The snow and ice only compounded the headache. Then you have to add the fact that almost every school in the state hasn’t had school in over a week. more
I first started running when I said something, or did something, to make Leon mad. He was the older brother. By five years! I couldn’t stand and fight. He’d beat the living daylights out of me! more
Like most jobs, at least high-profile positions, there is usually something that resembles a job search to fill the void. In August Dr. Walter Butler announced his plans to retire on December 31, 2023. It’s extremely important to put the right person in the position of President. more
In the late 1960s and into the early 1980s, the Nashville Sound began to evolve into a much smoother and richer sound. The twangy classic sound was still popular on some fronts but to keep up with the growth of rock n’ roll, rhythm and blues, and ever-changing pop sound the Nashville Sound gave birth to what many country music historians or enthusiasts refer to as Countrypolitan. more
Over Christmas dinner, my eldest granddaughter seemingly intrigued about the possibilities, asked what I thought of the rapidly growing popularity of A.I. I was caught off guard, with a fork full of sweet potato casserole suspended halfway to my mouth. It took me a second— more
Politics is destroying everything we know and love. Families, friendships, reputations… nations, the planet… nothing is spared from its wrath. more
Few figures have left as profound an impact as Owen Bradley on music. He was a visionary producer and a key architect of the Nashville Sound, Bradley played a pivotal role in transforming country music from its rustic roots to a polished, sophisticated sound that resonated with a broader audience. more
I quit doing New Year Resolutions after I incorrectly predicted in 1958, 1959, and 1960 that the old rickety, run-down, falling in, dilapidated, ramshackle bridge across the Middle Fork of the Obion River just north of Gleason would fall into the muddy water before the first December snow. more
A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about Brenda Lee being #1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 and naturally, after I wrote it I got to thinking about her recording career. I Googled a few songs to see who wrote what and then noticed that Owen Bradley was her main producer once upon a time. That then led to another rabbit hole where I started reading about Bradley and the Nashville Sound. So for the next couple of weeks, and yes, that means I’m going to drag the readers down the rabbit hole on various tangents about country music. I hope you enjoy and fasten your seatbelts because it might get a little bumpy. more
My journey continues in the news business, despite the speculation that I retired. Yes, it is true, I sold the newspaper and printing business to my daughter, Brittany and her husband, Jason R. Martin. That was October 1, 2023. They operate the only home-owned media company in Carroll County. I continue as the news editor and publisher emeritus. more
Time keeps marching on. As we bid farewell to the old and welcome the new, there’s a palpable sense of anticipation in the air. The ticking clock symbolizes not just the passage of time but the chance for a fresh start, a canvas waiting to be painted with the vibrant hues of new adventures and new memories. more
End of the year reports were a lot simpler when I was a boy. Eisenhower reelected to another term. Yankees win the World Series. The yearly inflation rate rises 0.28 percent. Swanson introduces TV dinners. Elvis Presley has a hit record. more
The events of World War I left an indelible mark on humanity. Amidst the horrors of trench warfare on the Western Front, an unexpected and extraordinary event occurred during the Christmas season of 1914 – the Christmas Truce. This unplanned ceasefire defied the brutality of war, offering a brief respite in the form of shared humanity and camaraderie. more
I didn’t see it by accident. It was right in the front window. On the top shelf! I did a quadruple take and eased up on my tiptoes to get a better look. And stuck my nose to the glass…. more
Few holiday traditions can boast the enduring legacy impact of Tennessee’s Santa Train. Originating in 1943 as a goodwill gesture by the Louisville and Nashville Railroad, this annual event has become a beacon of festive cheer, winding its way through the landscapes of Tennessee, Kentucky, and Virginia for over seven decades. more
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