“Smoky Mountain Rain” Tennessee’s New State Song
The competition to become Tennessee’s new state song has been won by “Smoky Mountain Rain,” made famous by country star Ronnie Milsap. The song, written by Nashville songwriters Kye Fleming and Dennis Morgan, is one of Milsap’s 40 No. 1 hits.
Tennessee’s House Budget Subcommittee unanimously approved the resolution designating the tune an official state song last week at its final meeting. The “Smoky Mountain Rain” resolution has already been approved by the Senate.
The resolution was sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Tim Burchett, R-Knoxville, while Rep. Joe McCord, R-Maryville, handled it in the House.
Tennessee already has seven official state songs, more than any other state, “Tennessee Waltz” and “Rocky Top” being the most famous. The lyrics to all seven – plus the “official Tennessee Bicentennial Rap Song” – are available here.
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At the very least this story should have included the names of the writers of this song.
“Smoky Mountain Rain” was written by Rhonda Fleming and Dennis Morgan. Congrats!
No offence to Ronnie (he puts on a heck of a show) but why do we need another song? Rocky Top and Tennessee Waltz are just fine.