Nashville Then: September 1974

The new Tennessee Supreme Court takes the oath of office from Gov. Winfield Dunn, right, in ceremonies at the State Capitol Sept. 2, 1974. The justices are Ray L. Brock Jr., left, Robert E. Cooper, William H.D. Fones, Joe W. Henry and William J. Harbison.

Johnny Cash, center, rushes through the entrance to the Vanderbilt HospitalÕs emergency room Sept. 2, 1974 where they were attending to his son, John Carter Cash. The four-year-old was seriously injured in a jeep mishap not far from the CashÕs lakeside home in Hendersonville according to the police.

Some joyful and other grim, these students walk up the sidewalk to Issac Litton Junior High School for the first day of Metro classes Sept. 3, 1974.

Nelle Payton, 20, displays her three-inch nails Sept. 4, 1974 that she has been growing for six months. Payton said they come in handy for dialing phones and picking up things, but has to buy gloves a size too big.

Jacinto Catbagan, associate professor of ceramics at Middle Tennessee State University, places a ceramic sculpture in Centennial Park Art Center Sept. 4, 1974 for his upcoming one-man show.

Tour golf star Lee Elder, left, checks in at the Howard Johnson's Motor Inn with manager Paul Cohn Sept. 5, 1974 to begin his weekend in Nashville to compete in the annual Ted Rhodes golf tournament.

Gene Kittrell, left, shows how a floor-length fur coat unzips during his annual fall fashion outing at Cain-Sloan Sept. 5, 1974. The model is Dianne Whittaker.

Model Sandra Fulton shows off an outfit that includes a nostalgic rhinestudded evening hat during the Gene KittrellÕs annual fall fashion outing at Cain-Sloan Sept. 5, 1974.

Father Ryan quarterback Mike Wright (11) heads up field as a teammate set to block Clarksville Northwest defensive back Frank Williams (19). Ryan surprises Northwest in the season opener 25-6 at West End Junior High Sept. 5, 1974.

Ronnie Milsap, in his manager Jack Johnson's office, talks about his success Sept. 6, 1974, just less than two years from moving to Nashville in hoping to become a country singer. Milsap has released four top ten single records and two albums with RCA Records.

Mike Fitts, the state architect for Tennessee, talks about the $8 million War Memorial Plaza legislative office building Sept. 6, 1974. Fitts said they are pushing for a December completion date and one of the first events expected is the inauguration of a new governor in mid-January.

Pittsburgh Steelers and former Tennessee State quarterback "Jefferson Street" Joe Gilliam, left, chats with his father, Tennessee State assistant head coach Joe Gilliam Sr. at the TigersÕ practice Sept. 6, 1974 at VanderbiltÕs Dudley Field.

Tennessee State running back Nate Jackson watches as the Tigers offense polished up Sept. 6, 1974 on Vanderbilt's Dudley Field, where they will face Middle Tennessee State University in their opener the next night.

After Tennessee State practice at Vanderbilt's Dudley Field Sept. 6, 1974, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback "Jefferson Street" Joe Gilliam, with sunglasses, greets his former teammates.

Tennessee State coach John Merritt makes a point to one of his players during action against Middle Tennessee State at Vanderbilt's Dudley Field Sept. 7, 1974. The Blue Raiders put together a stunning fourth quarter rally to upset favored Tennessee State 20-10.

Tennessee State kicker James Matthews (9), with holder Lonnie Stewart (19), kicks a 22-yard field goal on the Tigers first series of the game against Middle Tennessee State at VanderbiltÕs Dudley Field Sept. 7, 1974. The Blue Raiders put together a stunning fourth quarter rally to upset favored Tennessee State 20-10.

Tennessee State coach John Merritt, second from right, talks to quarterback Lonnie Stewart (19), while former TSU great, Joe Gilliam, now with the Pittsburgh Steelers, looks on against Middle Tennessee State at VanderbiltÕs Dudley Field Sept. 7, 1974.

Middle Tennessee State quarterback Fred Rohrdanz (12) fires a pass down field against Tennessee State at Vanderbilt's Dudley Field Sept. 7, 1974. The Blue Raiders put together a stunning fourth quarter rally to upset favored Tennessee State 20-10.

Tennessee Ernie Ford, center, leads the group through a preview dress rehearsals of Opryland's "Country Music USA" before a receptive Grand Ole Opry House audience Sept. 9, 1974. The group will be leaving for a tour of Russia.

Tennessee Ernie Ford, left, and Sandi Burnett sing a duet during a preview dress rehearsals of OprylandÕs ÒCountry Music USAÓ show before a receptive Grand Ole Opry House audience Sept. 9, 1974. The group will be leaving for a tour of Russia.

M.A. Cookson adjusts one of the many rides in the Midway Sept. 10, 1974 that many visitors will enjoy at the 1974 Tennessee State Fair when it opens Friday the 13th.

With blocking like this, it easy to see how Maplewood High has surged to No. 6 in the state after two victories. In the front line Sept. 10, 1974 are Tammy Davis, left, Jack Reed and Phyllis Jones. The backs are Bobby Leggs (21) and Preston Brown (32).

Members of the state advisory board for the Tennessee Performing Arts Center make plans Sept. 11, 1974 for a weekend visit to the Kennedy Center in Washington to see what a functioning center really like. They are George Clark, left, Mrs. Hugh Stallworth, Mrs. John Tune, Mrs. Clark and Mr. Tune. The map shows the counties and cities where fund-raising campaigns for a $4 million permanent endowment for the center is under way.

Fair manager Ted Vaughan, left, looks on as John Gatlin, Metro building inspector, checks out one of the 34 rides of the midway Sept. 12, 1974 before the Tennessee State Fair opens the next day. Gatlin is paid by the Fair Board to constantly check the rides during the 10-day fair.

Bonnie Sloan, who became the first totally deaf player in professional football last year, was recently placed on waivers by that team, the St. Louis Cardinals. Sloan scans the NIL magazine Sept. 12, 1974 that named him ÒLineman of the DecadeÓ for the 1960s when he starred at Nashville Isaac Litton High School.

Singing star Patti Page rehearses Sept. 12, 1974 for her performances with the Nashville Symphony the next two nights at the War Memorial Auditorium. Tickets for the annual Pops concert are $2 to $6.

Allison Donoho, 2, daughter of Jim Donoho, resolutely attack a cloud of cotton candy bigger than she is as the Tennessee State Fair gets under way Sept. 13, 1974. But foul weather put a damper on the opening day.

Country-style artists Scott and Mary Osterday enjoy this sparkling waterfall at their home near Hohenwald, Tenn. Sept. 13, 1974, and find it a continuously provocative subject to paint or to draw. They are soon having a showing at the Tyco Gallery in Nashville.

Members of the Metro Council's Charter Revision Committee discuss proposed charter amendments Sept. 13, 1974 with Mayor Beverly Briley, third from left, and Asst. Metro Atty. Larry Snedeker, second from left. Members are Councilmen James Hamilton, left, Roger Baskette, Tandy Wilson, William Higgins and Kenneth Miller. Wilson is chairman of the committee.

Steve Sloan's second season at the helm of the Vanderbilt program started here when the young Commodores head man, third from right, sprinted onto the field for the UT-Chattanooga game Sept. 14, 1974.

Vanderbilt running back Lonnie Sadler (33) leaps behind a block by teammate Howard Buck (73) and explodes for yardage in the Commodores unveiling of the new veer offense in the season opener against UT-Chattanooga Sept. 14, 1974 at Dudley Field.

Vanderbilt starting quarterback Fred Fisher (12) pitch outs to his running back in the new veer offense against UT-Chattanooga in their season opener at Dudley Field Sept. 14, 1974. The Commodores won 28-6 before 20,000 fans.

UT-Chattanooga's Mike Hogan, center, runs into a wall of Vanderbilt defenders as he attempts to score on fourth down from the Commodores one-yard line in the season opener Sept. 14, 1974. In on the stop were Ed Oaks (24), Mark Llewellyn (87), Joe Reynolds (43) and Tom Galbierz (54).

Songwriter Eddie Miller makes preliminary tests on his riding lawnmower using an umbrella as a deceleration device Sept. 15, 1974. Miller plans a local version of Evel KnievelÕs attempt to jump the Snake River Canyon with his plans to jump a 27-inch drainage ditch on his ÒSky Blade.Ó

The 69th annual Tennessee State Fair spreads out its tents and its barkers and its crowds as hundreds converge on it to sample it offerings Sept. 16, 1974.

For her expression Sept. 18, 1974, Nadine of Sunbarr isn't too nervous about appearing in the annual Nashville Kennel Club Dog show set Sept. 22nd at the Municipal Auditorium. Nadine, a Borzoi, is own by Mrs. Martha Denton, left.

Visitors of the 69th annual Tennessee State Fair are enjoying the rides of the midway at night Sept. 18, 1974.

English actor Anthony Quayle, in Nashville Sept. 19, 1974 for an interview, has come to Tennessee for the formation of the Clarence Brown Scholar's Troupe at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. He had worked with the drama department there earlier this year as a member of the cast of ÒThe Headhunters,Ó a new drama.

Brentwood Academy coach Carlton Flatt, who team is 3-0 and ranked No. 1 in the state in Class A, checks out three of the Eagles top linemen Sept. 19, 1974. They are Mike McNair, left, Phillip Burkhalter and Kelly Swift. McNair and Swift are tackles and Burkhalter is a guard-linebacker.

Tennessee First Lady Betty Dunn, left, honorary chairman of the Cumberland Chapter of the Hemophilia Fund Drive, chats with Mrs. Margaret Echard of Memphis, regional representative for the Hemophilia Association, Miss Faye Jarrette, vice president of the Cumberland chapter and Mrs. Lee Whitehurst, secretary, at a coffee given by the chapter Sept. 19, 1974 at the party room of Commerce Union Bank in Green Hills.

Father Ryan quarterback Mike Wright (11) rolls out around right end for a long gainer as he gets a block from teammate Joey Wood (23) against Antioch High Sept. 20, 1974. The no. 2 ranked Ryan won 43-14 over the Bears before an estimated crowd of 5,000 at Antioch.

Father Ryan head coach Boots Donnelly, left, talks with an official about something on the field against Antioch High Sept. 20, 1974. The no. 2 ranked Ryan won 43-14 over the Bears before an estimated crowd of 5,000 at Antioch.

Vanderbilt running back Jamie O'Rourke (44) leaps over the pile from the one-yard line for Commodores third touchdown of the game against VMI at Dudley Field Sept. 21, 1974. They went on to a 45-7 victory before 16,500 faithful fans.

Vanderbilt sophomore running back Adolph Groves (37), the former Maplewood High star, and backfield coach Art Zeleznik are caught in a serious sideline after Groves scored his third touchdown of the game against VMI at Dudley Field Sept. 21, 1974.

VMI running back Ronnie Moore, center, is in a heap of trouble as he finds himself in a squeeze between fast-closing Vanderbilt freshman linebacker Kimmie Weaver (68) and junior linebacker Paul Brogdon (32) at Dudley Field Sept. 21, 1974.

Vanderbilt junior placekicker and linebacker Mark Adams (66) approaches the ball held by teammate David Lee during their 45-7 victory over VMI at Dudley Field Sept. 21, 1974. Adams booted six conversions and a 40-yard field goal.

Tennessee State running back Nathan Simpson (21) high-steps his way through traffic on his way to a 78-yard rushing performance against Alabama A&M Sept. 21, 1974. The Tigers went on to win 36-0 before 12,000 at W.J. Hale Stadium.

Tennessee State head coach John Merritt takes a rest on the bench before the start of the second half against Alabama A&M Sept. 21, 1974. The Tigers went on to win 36-0 before 12,000 at W.J. Hale Stadium.

Dr. Lucius Walker Jr., center, associate general secretary of the National Council of Churches of Christ, talks to the Rev. Kelly Miller Smith, right, pastor of the First Baptist Church Capitol Hill, and the Rev. Peter Paris, minister of social concerns, at a reception following church services at First Baptist Sept. 22, 1974.

Bouders Milk Run, a one-year old Pointer, gets a big kiss from handler Ann Schwartz after she was judged Best In Show at the Nashville Kennel Club's annual Dog show at Muncipal Auditorium Sept. 22, 1974.

WSM-TV 4 News placed an ad in the Sept. 23, 1974 issue of The Tennessean to promote a breakthrough in electronic journalism. They have a new portable color videotape system that lets viewers see news events within minutes of their happening.

It look like it might be just a bit chilly for those cold watermelons, as autumn descends on Nashville on schedule for once Sept. 23, 1974. Z.J. Creasey is all bundled up against the cool morning as he tends the stand of his father, E.N. Creasey, at the Metro Farmers Market.

Treasure hunters comb the turf at the fairgrounds Sept. 23, 1974, searching for coins lost by visitors after the 1974 Tennessee State Fair ended the day before.

United Way balloons festoon the air at the almost finishes new Memorial Plaza in front of the State Capitol where the agency's 1975 campaign got under way with a rally Sept. 25, 1974.

All the area's organizations line up on the almost finishes new Memorial Plaza in front of the State Capitol for the United Way's 1975 campaign rally Sept. 25, 1974.

The Rev. Carl Resener, right, director of the Nashville Union Rescue Mission, and Buddy Lucas, left, and Harrison Tritschler, businessmen who have been active in the MissionÕs work for the past 20 years, stand outside the facility in downtown Nashville Sept. 25, 1974.

Phila Rawlings Hack shows off her latest cookbook, "Kountry Kooking," Sept. 25, 1974. The book has two jackets, one that will be used in all the bookstores and one prepared especially for Opryland. ÒI have already sold 3,000 copies of the book and it has just been off the press for two weeks,Ó she added.

Tom McGinnis, owner of three Big Star supermarkets in the Nashville area, holds two $1 bills and a $10 bill Sept. 25, 1974. Although the center bill appears to be worth $10 on first glance, it is the work of an enterprising counterfeiter, McGinnis said, who has cut the number 10 from a bill, glued it to the $1 bill and used it to buy merchandise at one of his stores.

Nashville Memorial Hospital's "Cain-Sloan Caper" day, held on Sept. 26, 1974, at the store's RiverGate Mall branch to benefit the hospital, was opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Taking part were Mrs. Beverly Briley, left, Congressman and Mrs. Richard Fulton, J.D. Elliott and Mrs. Todd Francis.

Nashville Buick dealer Frank Davis, center, surrounds himself with mighty attractive company Sept. 26, 1974 as he shows one of the automobiles that will serve as official cars for the Music USA Pro-Celebrity Golf Tournament Oct. 11-13 at Harpeth Hills. With Davis, from left clockwise, are tournament hostesses Diane Kelly, Joyce Rankhorn, Barbara Harris, Lynn Shonnon, Melinda Hale and Christiansen.

A volunteer fireman sprays down the smoldering rubble of the main building of Hydra-Sports Boats at Smyrna Airport Sept. 26, 1974. The estimated $105,000 blaze apparently began in a volatile acetone solution used in making of fiberglass, officials said.

Two-year-old Stephanie Thompson peers over the shoulder of her father, Stephen Thompson of Lebanon, Tenn., from beneath the umbrella that keeps them both dry as they shop in downtown Nashville Sept. 27, 1974 at Sixth Avenue and Church Street.

Vanderbilt head coach Steve Sloan, center, tries on a Bear Bryant hat given to him by the Alabama coach Sept. 27, 1974 on the condition that he wear it at Denny Stadium for the game the next day. Checking out their coach in the hat are players Jamie OÕRourke, left, and Mark Adams.

The dining room at Belle Meade mansion will be set, like here Sept. 28, 1974, as it was in the heyday of this historic house for the upcoming Harding Ball for the guests to see. Among the hostesses and their escorts will be many who have family links to the Hardings and Jacksons, its original owners. From front, clockwise, are Anne Cowan (with mandolin), Peter Jacobson, Evelyn Byrd, David Buntin, Pamelia Williams, Jeff Nelson, Elizabeth Harding Elliston (great-great-granddaughter of Selene Harding Jackson), Andrew Byrd, Karen Corder, David Mountcastle, Allison Buntin and Paul Worley. Table setting is by Michael Corzine.

Vanderbilt quarterback Fred Fisher (12) toss the pitch out to his running back Jamie O'Rourke (44) as a Alabama's defender close in on him at Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Sept. 28, 1974.

With Vanderbilt's Jay Chesley (7) covering Alabama's Randy Billingsley (26), Commodores defender Joe Reynolds (43) heads for Crimson Tide quarterback Richard Todd (14) at Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Sept. 28, 1974.

Alabama quarterback Richard Todd (14) gets assistance from two Crimson Tide trainers after being shook-up against Vanderbilt at Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Sept. 28, 1974. He later returns to the game.

Vanderbilt head coach Steve Sloan, left, a former Crimson Tide quarterback under Bear Bryant, offers his congratulations to Bryant after his Commodores had dropped a hard-fought 23-10 decision to Alabama at Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Sept. 28, 1974.

This photograph, taken with a fisheye lens, shows what appears to be a gigantic steel spider web. Actually it is a picture of TVA electricity transmission lines near Berry Road Sept. 29, 1974.

Miss Louise Davis, left, writer for The Tennessean magazine, has jut had a new children's book published, "Snowball Fight in the White House." At an autographing party Sept. 30, 1974 at Cokesbury Book store in Green Hills, Miss Davis delivers a copy to Julia Todd and her mother, Mrs. A.M. Todd.

Former Vanderbilt star Jan van Breda Kolff, left, talks with his head coach, Larry Brown of the Denver Nuggets, Sept. 30, 1974. Van Breda Kolff, a rookie with the American Basketball Association, and his team will meet the Atlanta Hawks in an exhibition game for the Bellevue Jaycee Charities the next night at VanderbiltÕs gym.

Dede Thompson, a Nashville competitive swimmer, wears the Speedo Lycra skin suit by White Stag Sept. 30, 1974. The suits, which fit like a second skin, have caused a furor on the swimming scene and a change in AAU rules.

Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper relaxes at their home on Preston Dr. Sept. 30, 1974. The Washington's Smithsonian Institute has ask her to lead off their series, "Women in Country Music.Ó She, with her husband, the Clinch Mountain Clan and guest fiddler Tex Logan, will perform Oct. 20th at the Smithsonian.