Ronnie Milsap's Hit Song 'Smoky Mountain Rain' Wins Race To Become New State Song

Nashville, TN (Top40 Charts/ Webster PR) - The competition to become Tennessee's new state song has been won by "Smoky Mountain Rain," made famous by country music star Ronnie Milsap who has had 40 No 1 hits, "Smokey Mountain Rain" being one of them.

Here are the first couple of lines from the resolution:

WHEREAS, made famous by country music legend Ronnie Milsap, "Smoky Mountain Rain" pays homage to the Great Smoky Mountains, which draw 2.2 million tourists annually to the State of Tennessee from around the world; and
WHEREAS, written by Nashville songwriters, Kyle Fleming and Dennis Morgan, "Smoky Mountain Rain" tells the story of a special, enduring love of a Tennessee sweetheart and the storyteller's return to Tennessee and the Great Smoky Mountains in search of that which he holds most dear; and

WHEREAS, the Tennessee cities of Knoxville and Gatlinburg are featured as part of the storyline of the song;

The 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 at https://www.tennesseeanytime.org/homework/songs.html.