Greg Tucker, Murfreesboro Post, November 2, 2016 After a successful tour of western Canada with Rusty Elder and the White Crackers, Rutherford County native Larry Pinkerton returned to Tennessee with fellow “Cracker” Paul Hollowell. Primarily a blues guitarist, Pinkerton saw in Canada the international popularity of country music and honed his…
Susan Harber, The Daily News Journal, October 29, 2016 Nina Katherine Haynes Walkup was an extraordinary historian and my friend in Smyrna. She always had a smile and kind word for me. Just weeks before her passing, Katherine contacted me inquiring on any new historical information I had on record…
Greg Tucker, The Murfreesboro Post, October 25, 2016 Country music was never favored by this Rutherford County native, but it provided some rare opportunities for a virtuoso guitarist. “Guitarist Larry Pinkerton plays at a level way above everybody else,” says bassist Avent Lane. “I’ve worked with guitarists locally, in Nashville…
Susan Harber, ‘Smyrna Tennessee History (Facebook)’ October 16, 2016 Mary Jackson Overall (1844-1929) was a Rebel spy on a high level in Middle Tennessee. As a sleuth for the Confederate Army, she had close ties to Rutherford County scouts throughout the war; and she maintained a strong presence in Smyrna.…
Submitted by William Hastings, Cantonment, Florida, TN, September 13, 2016 My grandparents, William Clinton Hastings and Lillian Elizabeth Norris were married in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, on May 3, 1908. Will, as he was called had a sister Maggie who was seven years older than he and he had a twin brother,…
Susan Harber, The Daily News Journal, August 13, 2016 Lights! Camera! Action! Today’s story centers on glamour, sophistication and the lure of Hollywood. Lascassas was home to one of the greatest character actors to grace the big screen. This performer was cast by his original name, John Pickard, and attained…
Susan Harber, Daily News Journal, July 17, 2016 “Take what you have and make what you want” is my favorite all-time phrase for community, workplace and family. These famed words were the anthem of acclaimed principal Anderson D. Washington and can be viewed on the Hilltop Park Trail today. Smyrna…
Susan Harber, Daily News Journal, Sunday, July 31, 2016 Jess Claiborne Neely, a Smyrna sports legend, was born January 4, 1898, to William and Mary Gooch Neely. Jess was the grandson of John Gooch, a farmer and breeder of thoroughbred horses at Goochland. John was well-known and highly respected as…
Nancy De Gennaro, Daily News Journal, June 19, 2016 MURFREESBORO — To hear John Oldham and Frances Victory talk about their first meeting is almost like listening to teenagers. With his arm wrapped around her tightly, he grinned from ear to ear as she spoke. She giggled as they shared…
Susan Harber, Daily News Journal, June 19, 2016 Bennett Smith is not a proverbial name to historians, yet this pioneering settler shaped our Rutherford County of today. Smith was a man of strengths and weaknesses and was definitely rough-hewn and unpolished as a wealthy and influential leader. Maj. Smith was…
