You're listening to Foggy Mountain Breakdown performed by Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs. Earl Scruggs is from Flint Hill, North Carolina and Lester Flatt is from Overton County, Tennessee.

From the Driver's Seat in Tennessee. (Photo Courtesy of Chris Haven)

In 1776, the territory of Tennessee was annexed to North Carolina and in 1777 it was named Washington County. In 1784 the land was placed under the direct control of the US Government until, in 1796, Tennessee became the 16th state of the United States. Tennessee is a land of beautiful mountains and valleys, crossed with fast moving, clear streams and rivers. The Great Smokey Mountains are located in much of the state and its eastern end borders with North Carolina. Virginia and Kentucky are to the north. It is bordered by Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi to the south. Its western end is at the Mississippi River and the states of Arkansas and Missouri border its western side.

Memphis is located on the banks of the Mississippi River and it is the recognized home of Rock N Roll. There is a very strong Blues influence in Memphis, which is often credited with originating much of what was to become Rock N Roll.

Unusual Occurrance in Memphis:

In 1877, Scientific American Magazine was puzzled, trying to figure out why and how thousands of live snakes rained down on the city during a cloudburst! The largest of them was approximately 18 inches long.

In Nashville, Country Music was led to prominence in America and around the world, through the efforts of the Nashville music establishment. The signs of its music history abound in Nashville. The Hermitage, Andrew Jackson's home, is also located in Nashville.

Chattanooga is located on the banks of the Tennessee River. It was an important transportation center before and during the Civil War; it was imperative that General Grant capture the city. The battles that resulted (Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, Chickamauga) left thousands dead on each side. Located there is also the Chattanooga Choo-Choo railway station built in 1908. Chattanooga has a beautifully restored downtown district and riverfront area. Lookout Mountain has many sights, including Ruby Falls, Rock City, The Incline Railroad (the steepest railway in the world) and overlook areas that allow lofty views of Chattanooga.

The worst train wreck in American history occurred at Dutchman's Curve, outside Nashville on July 9, 1918.

The deadliest maritime accident in U.S. history, the Sultana Disaster, occurred a few miles north of Memphis on April 27, 1865.