MOVIES AND FAMOUS PEOPLE FROM TENNESSEE

Hi Ya'll,

Monday morning.............back to the old grind. Let's start the day with a few movie facts. Here's a list of a few of the movies that were filmed in Tennessee.

“The Firm”, starring Tom Cruise was filmed in Memphis in 1993.

In 1997, “Wag The Dog”, starring Dustin Hoffman and Robert DeNiro, was filmed in Nashville.

I loved the movie “Rainman” with Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise. It was made in Memphis in 1997.

Also in 1997, the movie “Silence of the Lamb” was filmed in Memphis. Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins starred in this thriller.

Nashville was the city where “The Green Mile”, with Tom Hanks, was made in 1998.

Another Tom Hanks movie was “Castaway”. It was filmed in Memphis in 2000.

And who could forget the movie “Walk the Line in 2004”? The movie about Johnnie Cash was made in Memphis.

I don’t think we can stop without mentioning some music trivia about Nashville and some of the famous people associated with Music City USA.

The National Life & Accident Company founded the Grand Ole Opry in 1925 but it was originally called The WSM Barn Dance. WSM stands for “We Shield Millions” and that was the slogan for the National Life & Accident Company.

The longest home of the Grand Ole Opry was the Ryman Auditorium which is also known as the “Mother Church of Country Music.” It was at the Ryman Auditorium from 1925 until 1974 when it moved to the Opry House.

Do you remember what price was on the price tag of Minnie Pearl's hat? It was $1.98.

And check this out………Bill Monroe is known as the "Father of Bluegrass Music”, Roy Acuff was the “King of Country”, and Chet Atkins is known as “Mr. Guitar.”

Do you know who Jimmy Dean is? He rose to fame as a Country music entertainer in 1961 with his song “Big Bad John” which won him a Grammy Award for Best Country and Western Recording. He had several other hits in the ‘60s but then in 1969 he founded the Jimmy Dean Sausage Company with his brother Don.

And Dolly Parton (she is my all time favorite entertainer) first became famous as the featured female singer on Porter Wagoner's show. Today she is one of the most famous celebrities in show business now.

It’s been a long time ago but Randy Travis used to wash dishes at the Nashville Palace.

And lastly, portions of 16th and 17th Avenue South in Nashville are known as Music Row. Music Row is an area just to the southwest of Downtown Nashville that is home to hundreds of businesses related to the country musci, gospel music, and contemporary Christian music industries.

I hope I was able to give you a few facts you didn't already know.

Take care,
YOUR FAVORITE TENNESSEAN
EUNICE