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

So this may come as a surprise to some or maybe no one at all but Brenda Lee, age 79, has been at the #1 spot on Billboard’s chart for the second week in a row. “Rocking Around the Christmas Tree” was originally cut in 1958, when she was 13 years old. more

The very best thing about December is it comes around every year. Like clockwork! And you don’t have to “Deck the halls with boughs of holly” to enjoy it. You don’t have to find a pony under the tree every year; or, as you get older, wake up to a brand new red Mercedes Benz sitting in your driveway. more

Mountain Dew, the citrus-flavored soda that has become a staple in the world of soft drinks, has a rich and intriguing history. From its humble beginnings in the 1940s to its global popularity today, Mountain Dew has undergone numerous transformations, both in terms of its flavor profile and marketing strategies. more