Tennessee House Takes Up Bills Honoring Dolly Parton

Skyline of downtown Nashville, Tennessee, USA.

A bill to make Dolly Parton’s version of “Amazing Grace” the official song of Tennessee. HB 0938/SB 1416 was introduced back in February by Rep. Mike Sparks (R-Smyrna) and Sen. Raumesh Akbari (D-Memphis) and if passed, would make the hymn written by John Newton in the 1760s and sung by Parton the state song. Other musicians from Tennessee have also recorded the song, including Elvis Presley, Willie Nelson, Aretha Franklin, Little Richard, the Oak Ridge Boys, Merle Haggard, Alan Jackson, and Garth Brooks. The bill passed in the House 91-1 on Monday (April 5th).