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Tennessee: Culture at a glimpse.

By Deedee GOLDRAINFEATHERS

Tennessee, the meeting place, as its name describes, is a place where you will find a rich vibrant mixture of culture, history, landscape, and vibrant wildlife (Awesome America, 2007). Labeled the “volunteer state” seems to capture its family oriented home welcoming nature. One such event that helps demonstrate this culture is the Strawberry festival held every May in Humboldt County. Founded in 1934, this event gives its residents the opportunity to express its creativity through various parade floats and its American devotion through its barbeque cook-off (Americantowns.com, 2011).

Musically colorful with blues, rock n roll, country, jazz, and folk music the state has produced many great musicians and genres. One well known city for its eclectic musical background and cultural heritage is Memphis. Known for their musical versatility to use everyday items such as jugs and spoons and create a danceable rhythm, Memphis musicians were no stranger to musical innovation (jcalidxc, 2011). More recently successful musicians such as Freesol have also been fortunate to call Memphis home. Started in 2003, this group’s name also expresses the Tennessee Culture. Its name represents free expression focusing on going beyond doing things the typical way (Freesol, n.d.). It is through such expressions that one gets a sense of what having a heritage from the state is all about.

When focusing on any state’s history, one must make note of that state’s Native American heritage. In Western Tennessee the dominant tribe was the Chickasaw. Men of this tribe were hunters and females typically were the farmers and caregivers at home (Native Languages of the Americas, 2011). Native American influences are still relevant today. One such influence is found in the eco-friendly golf course that was renovated and reopened by artist, actor, and successful entrepreneur Justin Timberlake. Named Mirimichi, the course is known as the “place of happy retreat”. This golf course is located in Millington Tennessee and is the first course to receive the Certified Audubon International Classic Sanctuary designation (Worldgolf, n.d.). It also received the first Environmental Stewardship Award from the Tennessee Turfgrass Association (Mirimichi, 2011). These exemplary accomplishments are perfect examples of how one of this state’s own has made a conscious effort to make the health of our environment a priority. Such an effort helps demonstrate the natural co-existence and dedication to wildlife that is instilled within the heart of those who call Tennessee home.

References:

Americantowns (2011). West Tennessee Strawberry Festival. Retrieved September 7th 2011 from http://www.americantowns.com/tn/humboldt/events/west-tennessee-strawberry-festival-5

Awesome America (2003-2007). Awesome America. Retrieved September 7th, 2011 from http://awesomeamerica.com/tennessee/

Freesol. (n.d.) Biography. Retrieved September 7th 2011 from http://www.freesolmusic.com/bio/default.aspx

Jcalidxc. (2011, April 9) Meet the Famous Musicians of Memphis. Retrieved September 7th from http://www.all-about-musicians.com/meet-the-famous-musicians-from-memphis/

Mirimichi. (2011) About. Retrieved September 7th from http://www.facebook.com/MirimichiGolf & http://www.mirimichi.com/2011/01/mirimichi-receives-environmental-stewardship-award.html

Native Languages of the America’s. (2011). Chickasaw Indian Fact Sheet. Retrieved September 7th from http://www.bigorrin.org/chickasaw_kids.htm

WorldGolf.com (n.d.) Mirmichi Golf Course. Retrieved September 7th 2011 from http://www.worldgolf.com/courses/usa/tennessee/millington/mirimichi-golf-course.html