Embedded Files
On Saturday Sept 11, 2010, the University of Tennessee played the University of Oregon (ranked #7 in the nation at the time of the game). Tennessee was the definite underdog having gone through 3 different Head Coaching changes in the 3 years prior to the game, with the ensuing considerable attrition in players and depth (having only about 77 players at the time of the game).
But, even considering all these reasons to 'not expect' victory, still the never ending, never waning enthusiasm of the UT faithful ("I'm proud to be a UT Vol") was evident and captured in this and other articles by George Schroeder, reporter for the Register-Guard Newspaper of Eugene, Oregon.
Schroeder, reporting for the Oregon based newspaper, covered the entire week of pre-game activities for the UT - Oregon game.
This particular article was posted on the Register-Guard Newspaper Website on Friday, Sept 10, 2010. However, fearing that it might 'go away' someday, I cut and pasted it for this site so that you, too, could forever better understand and appreciate the UT fans enthusiasm for UT football and for the song, Rocky Top.
He wrote several other articles during that week. They are all excellent and though written for the enjoyment and edification of the Oregon fans, they were also warmly received and appreciated by UT Fans around the world.
Some of the 'other articles can be found at these links:
An article on the Register-Guard website about the Persona Non Grata coach of 2009.
An article on the Register-Guard Website Friday Sept 10 ,2010 about the new UT coach, Derek Dooley.
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But perhaps the following article best shows the real picture of UT Football as it tells about the Song: Rocky Top !!
Rocky Top is played repeatedly throughout the game. (Understatement of the universe)
You either love this song (you do if you are a UT Fan or Alumnus)
Or you hate it (if you are the other team and its fans.)
But this song has a storied history.
George captured that history in this article.
So without further ado, Here it is !!!
This is the original sheet music version of Rocky Top, mentioned in the article below.
Picture by George Schroeder
To hear this song performed by the U. Tenn. Marching Band, CLICK HERE
Schroeder: A state’s soul, in song
Schroeder: A state’s soul, in song
Register-Guard columnist
Appeared in print: Friday, Sep 10, 2010
GATLINBURG, Tenn. — The spirit of Tennessee football hangs above the hearth in a worn motel lobby.
Boudleaux and Felice Bryant wrote the bluegrass song in about 10 minutes, music and lyrics, too. Surely they never imagined what it would become.
“Wish that I was on old Rocky Top, down in the Tennessee hills ...”
The original handwritten sheet music resides at the Rocky Top Village Inn. Just below the manuscript is a photograph of Neyland Stadium, taken just before kickoff sometime in the early 1970s.
Get used to “Rocky Top,” Duck fans. You’re going to hear it a lot on Saturday.
Around here, the tune is as ubiquitous as the color orange. And it has long been synonymous with Tennessee football.
Which is why I’m here, in a resort town at the gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, searching for the essence of a culture.
We could talk forever about General Robert Neyland, who built the football program into a statewide phenomenon and a national power.
In 21 years — three times interrupted by military service — he led the Volunteers to four national championships. His “Maxims of Football” are still revered (One example: “If at first the game — or the breaks — go against you, don’t let up ... put on more steam.”)
We could focus on the Vol Navy, a flotilla of tailgating watercraft on banks of the Tennessee River, just down the hill from the stadium.
A former Vols broadcaster unintentionally started that tradition in the 1960s. George Mooney was simply looking for a way to beat the heavy traffic when he took his runabout on a 20-minute cruise from his home, tied up to a tree and climbed to the stadium.
“It just developed since then,” Mooney says. Now, hundreds of boats cluster along the banks on gameday, a floating party rivaled only by Husky fans on Lake Washington.
We could list the Vols’ six national championships and dozens of all-Americans. And also, the two almost-Heismans that still burn, Johnny Majors in 1956 and Peyton Manning in 1997.
If you’re spoiling for a fight, suggest either vote came out right, and get ready.
We could discuss the checkerboard end zones, the Power T, or Smokey the blue tick coonhound.
All of these, and so much more, define the passion that permeates an entire state and unites people from the nearby hills and the faraway Mississippi River, from Johnson City to Memphis. As Vols basketball coach Bruce Pearl puts it:
“Tennessee football, that’s our fall. That’s what we do.”
That’s who they are.
And what’s unique — what’s maybe the most unifying symbol — is the song. Nothing says Tennessee football like “Rocky Top,” which is why I made the short drive from Knoxville into the hills, looking for answers.
“When they wrote that song right there, they weren’t thinking of football,” says Jay Jenkins, pointing to the sheet music.
For 20 years, Jenkins and his family have managed the Rocky Top Village Inn (which is owned by the Bryant family, though Boudleaux and Felice died years ago) and the Bryants’ music publishing business.
And Jenkins is right. Boudleaux and Felice, married songwriters with more than 200 Top-40 hits to their credit, weren’t trying for the connection when they penned “Rocky Top” in 1967, at another Gatlinburg motel.
The song is about clinging to a way of life that’s disappearing, and celebrating despite hard times. There’s a note of defiance, too.
It is not about football. But somehow, it’s a perfect fit.
“It’s something deep down, in our roots, our origins,” Jenkins says. “It’s upbeat. It’s about (life is) rough, but they still had time for fun.”
Jenkins beams while talking about the Bryants, and “Rocky Top.” When the topic turns to the Vols, his grin widens.
He grew up in Cosby, a mountain town about 20 miles from here, not far from the North Carolina border. And by default, he grew up a Vols fan.
What does Tennessee football mean around here?
“It’s almost like religion,” Jenkins says. “It’s pretty strong. People put their heart in it. A lot of people decide how their week will go based on what (happens in) that ballgame.”
Jenkins isn’t optimistic about the Vols’ chances against Oregon, but in the big picture, he’s hopeful.
“Everybody goes through transition,” he says. “Coach Dooley, I believe, will get it turned around.”
Later, Jenkins revises his prediction for Saturday.
“Tell ’em I said it was the Vols all the way,” he says. “Or else they might come and hang me.”
And we get back to talking about the song. Dozens of versions have been recorded, many without banjos.
Tennessee’s marching band first played it in 1972, as part of a halftime show. It’s been on a continuous loop ever since, at Neyland Stadium and in the heads of opponents.
Suddenly Jenkins asks: “If I get you a copy, will you get you a frame?”
He leaves the lobby, crosses the parking lot, disappears into another building. He returns with a replica of the original sheet music — and, as a bonus, two copies of the Ten Commandments.
“That’s Southern hospitality for you,” says the desk clerk.
Yes, it is.
Before leaving, I ask directions for the best view of the actual Rocky Top, which is supposedly a sub peak of Thunderhead Mountain, a few miles away.
Jenkins shakes his head.
“Mrs. Bryant would always tell me there ain’t no such place,” he says. “It’s fictitious.”
Sorry, Jenkins is wrong. No question, Rocky Top is very real.
E-mail george.schroeder@ registerguard.com. Follow at twitter.com/GeorgeSchroeder
George Schroeder has been a columnist at The Register-Guard since 2007. His work has twice been recognized among the nation’s best columns by the Associated Press Sports Editors. He previously worked at The Oklahoman newspaper of Oklahoma City and the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette of Little Rock. He is currently president of the Football Writers Association of America and is a regular contributor to SI.com. He welcomes your feedback. Follow him on Twitter.
For those of you who would like to see more GBO (Go Big Orange) Tennessee Football enthusiasm,
you will find these links very interesting:
Here is a 49 second clip of the song, Rocky Top, that you may have clicked on earlier at the link under the sheet music picture.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKbOtWeAEnY
And this is an 8 min 31 seconds Salute to the Hill with the U Tenn Pride of the Southland Band making its entrance to Neyland Stadium in Knoxville. This is a 'must watch' video if you want to see the excitement of UT football fans.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaTbniMUr8k&NR=1
Its football time in Tennessee ! This is a typical Pregame show. 8:23 minutes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQcXDLAAXWQ&NR=1
Tenn Football team "Running through the T" 39 seconds
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRmqpCuP__s&NR=1
Last but not least, a Short documentary of 2 min 47 Seconds explaining how Rocky Top came to be (with Manning, Summit, and others). This is a great summary.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQPOTUJZO2M&feature=related
This will soon be a link to a Vol Walk with the new Coach, Derek Dooley, (as soon as it goes up on You Tube.)
The Vol faithful are all hoping CDD (Coach Derick Dooley) will be a 'keeper' and will restore UT to its former 'greatness'
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