When I think of Tennessee, I think of the electricity of young Elvis, country, blues and jazz music, the world Davy Crockett lived in, and, of course, mouth-watering, world-class barbeque!  Beyond that, it is a beautiful state with three distinct regions.  Eastern Tennessee is heavily forested foothills.  Middle Tennessee is gentle rolling bluegrass hill country known for its fine Tennessee Walking Horses.  Western Tennessee has rich river bottom lands where most of the state’s cotton is grown.

It is the Volunteer State, so named because of the response of its settlers to volunteer to fight in the Mexican War.  War, especially the Civil War, is a huge part of its history.  The name Tennessee was derived from the Cherokee town name of “Tanasi”.  It was initially claimed by Spanish explorer DeSoto in 1540 and later claimed by France and England.  England succeeded in its ownership claims after the French Indian Wars in 1763.  Then in 1796 it became the 16^th state of the United States.  During the Civil War, Tennessee joined the Confederacy although there was much pro-Union sentiment.  Because of that inherent conflict, Tennessee was the scene of extensive military action.  Many of the states historical sites today revolve around this time period.

The population today is about 5,900,000.  By population it is the 16^th largest state and by area it is the 36^th largest.  It is a predominantly industrial state and most of its residents live in urban areas.  Their most important economic products are chemicals, textiles, lumber, metals and tobacco.  Since the 1970’s the state has been very aggressive in attracting new industries to keep the economy diverse.  Many new industries have moved in from northern industrial states and from Japan.  There are over 200 Fortune 500 companies with a large presence.  The state is 15^th best in the nation for business tax friendliness.

Politically, Democrats have dominated since the Civil War, although their power has declined in recent years.  The 11 major cities rank below the national cost of living and housing is among the lowest in the nation at 16^th among the 50 states in median monthly housing costs for owner occupied units with a mortgage.

Recreation and leisure enjoyment are plentiful.  The 1996 Olympic Whitewater events took place on the Ocoee River in the southeastern part of the state and there are ample rivers for canoeing and inner tubing.  It is host to numerous major NASCAR events.  It is 20^th among the states in number of private golf courses.  And for you fishermen, there is year-round fishing for bass, trout and walleye.

Now is a good time to plan a trip to coincide with the Mid-South Fair in Memphis Sept. 21-30.  It is a 151 year-old tradition showing the best and the latest in the region.  It’s such a big deal that even the Memphis schools let out early on the first Friday of the Fair.