Lawmakers in Tennessee are looking to change the state’s official song.
Since 2012, the Volunteer State’s official song has been “Tennessee” by John R. Bean. One of the new suggestions is a southern rock anthem, “Cooperhead Road” by Steve Earle. The newly introduced bill (HB1437/SB1521) is supported by Rep. Bo Mitchell and Sen. Heidi Campbell.
Steve Earle is an actor, producer, author, and singer, who released his first EP in 1982. “Cooperhead Road” was released six years later and was his best-selling single. The song itself reflects on a Tennessee family’s history and makes reference to the city of Knoxville.
The song reached the number 10 spot on the Billboard Rock Tracks Chart, and it currently has over 200 million views on YouTube.
If passed, it would become the eleventh official state song.
There is another bill being introduced that is seeking to make “The Tennessee In Me” by Debbie Mathis Watts the official state song.
