Mr. James Rushing is an accomplished songwriter.  He has written hit songs in the genres of country, bluegrass and gospel music.  His songs have been recorded by such artists as Garth Brooks, Dolly Parton, Ricky Scaggs, Charlie Pride, and many others.  Mr. Rushing was nominated to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in both 2017 and 2018.  Mr. Rushing is also a military veteran, having served in the 1st Special Forces Group at the very beginning stages of the Vietnam War. Today, he is here to talk about his remarkable life and the lessons he has learned along the way.  Join Tom and new co-host Fred Stallcup as they interview Mr. Rushing.

Every boy at some point wishes and pretends that he could play professional football and make it all the way to the Superbowl.  This guest actually lived it!  Dave Hathcock started football “late” in his life, playing in Memphis.  He was pretty good…and was signed to the legendary Green Bay Packers under Coach Vince Lombardi.  His rookie year saw him playing in Super Bowl I!  Listen to Dave Hathcock’s incredible and inspiring story with hosts Tom Price and Chris Sockwell.

In 1954, Mr. Bob Jones was just 21 years old, but already an experienced spy for the American National Security Agency.  One of the very first NSA field agents, his missions frequently brought him to Europe where he was tasked with gathering information about America’s allies as well as its enemies.  His is a story full of intrigue, violence, and espionage.  Mr. Jones has recorded his incredible story in a short book titled, “Room 204: Story of a Cold War Spy.”   

Dez Dickerson was a guitar prodigy.  In 1979, he earned the spot of lead guitarist for Prince and was a founding member of Prince and the Revolution.  His solo in the song "Little Red Corvette" is considered by Guitar World Magazine to be the 64th greatest of all time.  Leaving Prince and the Revolution, he continued his musical career while also following a pathway to religion.  Today, he is the leader of "We Are Here" Church in Columbia.  Join Tom Price and Lake Stallcup as they spend an hour with one of History's Hook's most fascinating guests.

Starting life off from the humblest beginnings, Andrew Johnson rose from a simple tailor to a statesman. The only Southerner to remain in the Senate following secession, Johnson was chosen by Abraham Lincoln as his vice-president in 1864. Following Lincoln’s assassination a few months later, Johnson found himself hated by many of his fellow Tennesseans and distrusted by the Washington establishment. The first president to be impeached, Johnson was also a brave leader who did his best to heal the nation following the Civil War. Kendra Hinkle, museum specialist at the Andrew Johnson National Historic Site in Greeneville, TN discusses the 17th President.

As part of the series on Tennessee’s three presidents, this episode of History’s Hook focuses on the first of them: Andrew Jackson. Old Hickory, the first populist president changed the face of American politics. Join hosts Tom Price and Dr. Barry Gidcomb as they speak with Marsha Mullin, Vice President of Collections and Research, and chief curator at the Hermitage, The Home of Andrew Jackson, just outside of Nashville.

Tennessee boasts three presidents.  Host Tom Price begins his three part presidential series by interviewing the long-time director of the President James K. Polk Home and Museum, John Holtzapple.  Polk is one of the least-known presidents in American history, but as you will hear, deserves to be remembered as one of the most successful.  His accomplishments include starting the Naval Academy, the modern postal system, and the Independent Treasury System…none of which were his main goals…which he also accomplished in a promised single term of office.

History’s Hook hosts Tom Price and  Jo Ann McClellan discuss the lives of several African-Americans who started life in Maury County, Tennessee and went on to national acclaim in various pursuits.  Included are the stories of renowned chef to the rich and famous, Rufus Estes; Moses McKissack, a brick maker whose descendants include some of the most highly sought-after architects in the world; and Rev. Edmond Kelley, an enslaved man who was able to obtain his own freedom, then that of his wife and children by becoming one of the most influential preachers in the North, all prior to the Civil War. 

Episode#32: Study in Leadership: Major General William Hickman, Part 2Onthis episode, we continue our look at the extraordinary life of a manwho has found great success as a career military man. Major GeneralWilliam Hickman spent 36 years serving his country. Born and raisedin Maury County, Gen. Hickman attended local schools before attendingVanderbilt University. As an ROTC student there, upon graduation, hewas commissioned into the army as a 2ndlieutenant in 1983. Over the next three decades, he rose through theranks holding various field and staff commands including company,battalion, and brigade commands with the 101stAirborne Division. Between 2003-2008, Gen. Hickman served threetours of duty in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Serving inover 30 countries, he joined the Central Command Staff as militaryassistant to General David Patraeus. He became commanding general ofthe JointReadiness Training Center at Fort Polk, Louisiana, Deputy Commanderfor the U.S. Army in the Middle East, and finally, DeputyChief of Staff, Strategic Plans and Policy, NATO’s Allied CommandTransformation. Retiring from the military in 2019 as a majorgeneral, Gen. Hickman is now senioradvisor at Compass Executives Group, assisting businesses in crisismanagement, strategic planning and decision-making, coaching andleader development, and supply chain management. Tom Price and Dr.Barry Gidcomb lead the discussion.

Episode31: Case Study in Leadership: Major General William HickmanOnthis episode, we look at the extraordinary life of a man who hasfound great success as a career military man. Major General WilliamHickman spent 36 years serving his country. Born and raised in MauryCounty, Gen. Hickman attended local schools before attendingVanderbilt University. As an ROTC student there, upon graduation, hewas commissioned into the army as a 2ndlieutenant in 1983. Over the next three decades, he rose through theranks holding various field and staff commands including company,battalion, and brigade commands with the 101stAirborne Division. Between 2003-2008, Gen. Hickman served threetours of duty in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Serving inover 30 countries, he joined the Central Command Staff as militaryassistant to General David Patraeus. He became commanding general ofthe JointReadiness Training Center at Fort Polk, Louisiana, Deputy Commanderfor the U.S. Army in the Middle East, and finally, DeputyChief of Staff, Strategic Plans and Policy, NATO’s Allied CommandTransformation. Retiring from the military in 2019 as a majorgeneral, Gen. Hickman is now senioradvisor at Compass Executives Group, assisting businesses in crisismanagement, strategic planning and decision-making, coaching andleader development, and supply chain management. Tom Price and Dr.Barry Gidcomb lead the discussion.