Ronnie Milsap

Country great Ronnie Milsap's #1 hit "Smoky Mountain Rain" has been named Tennessee's 8th state song. The House Budget Subcommittee unanimously approved the resolution designating the song, and it has also been approved by the Senate. It was sponsored in the Senate by Senator Tim Burchett (R-Knoxville), while Representative Joe McCord (R-Maryville) handled it in the House.

The first few lines of the resolution state:

"WHEREAS, made famous by Country music legend Ronnie Milsap, "Smoky Mountain Rain" pays homage to the Great Smoky Mountains, which draw 2.2 million tourists annually to the State of Tennessee from around the world; and WHEREAS, written by Nashville songwriters, Kye Fleming and Dennis Morgan, "Smoky Mountain Rain" tells the story of a special, enduring love of a Tennessee sweetheart and the storyteller's return to Tennessee and the Great Smoky Mountains in search of that which he holds most dear."

The lyrics to all Tennessee state songs, including the "Tennessee Waltz" and "Rocky Top," can be found at www.tennesseeanytime.org/homework/songs.html. For more on Ronnie Milsap, check out www.ronniemilsap.com.

By: Mary Lynne O'Neal

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