The Tennessee History Nerd

We'd love to hear what you think!

In 1796, Tennessee became the 16th state in the Union—but that moment didn’t come easily.

Before statehood, this land was a rugged frontier—marked by scattered settlements, political uncertainty, and a determined push toward self-government. The people here weren’t waiting around for permission. They were building something.

In this first episode of The Tennessee History Nerd, we step back into that world to trace Tennessee’s path to statehood—how it happened, who made it happen, and why it still matters today.

Because Tennessee didn’t just join the Union—it earned its place in it.

So grab your favorite beverage, find a comfortable place, and let’s go back to where it all began.

Sources

• Tennessee Encyclopedia — https://tennesseeencyclopedia.net
• Tennessee Blue Book
• Tennessee History for Kids — https://www.tnhistoryforkids.org

🎙️ Credits

Hosted by Big John Summers
Produced by Summers Media Enterprises

Music by Big John Summers

📣 Follow & Support

Follow The Tennessee History Nerd on Facebook, Instagram, and X for additional content, including on-location videos and historical insights from around the state of Tennessee as well as other places that bear relevance.

Support the show on Patreon for:

• Early access to episodes
• Ad-free listening
• Exclusive bonus content, including full-length interviews

🔗 Links

🎧 Support the show on Patreon (early access, bonus content, interviews):
https://www.patreon.com/s

Support the show by subscribing to Patreon!

Check out our sister podcast Dauphin Island Diaries

Advertise with us!  [email protected]

Check out merchandise from The Tennessee History Nerd.   www.summersmediaenterprises.com/merch

Subscribe to Patreon   Patreon.com/summersmediaenterprises

If you enjoyed this episode, follow the show, share it with someone who loves history, and leave a review—it helps more folks discover the stories of the Volunteer State.

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Enter BIGJOHN as the discount code in the comment field when you reserve a cabin or cottage at Birdsong for 20% off the reservation price!

Be sure to listen each week in October to the latest update for The Tennessee History Nerd...and catch up on any Season 1 episodes you may have missed!

Check out our sister podcast Dauphin Island Diaries wherever you're listening right now!

Be sure to click follow or share in your podcast app to make sure you never miss an episode of The Tennessee History Nerd...and share your favorite episode with someone!

If you enjoyed this episode, follow the show, share it with someone who loves history, and leave a review—it helps more folks discover the stories of the Volunteer State.

We'd love to hear what you think!

Welcome to The Tennessee History Nerd.

This podcast is a labor of love—an exploration of the places, people, and stories that make Tennessee what it is. From quiet cemeteries and forgotten landmarks to well-known events seen in a new light, this project is built on the belief that history isn’t distant… it’s all around us.

In this introductory episode, I share where this journey begins, what shaped my interest in Tennessee history, and what you can expect as we move forward.

At its core, this podcast is built on five ideas:
Resurrection, Recollection, Rectification, Relationships, and Responsibility.

It’s about bringing forgotten stories back to life, revisiting the ones we think we know, restoring depth where it’s been lost, connecting people to the places around them, and preserving these stories so they don’t disappear.

This is Tennessee’s story—told one place, one person, one moment at a time.

🎙️ Credits

Hosted by Big John Summers
Produced by Summers Media Enterprises

Music by Big John Summers

📣 Follow & Support

Follow The Tennessee History Nerd on Facebook, Instagram, and X for additional content, including on-location videos and historical insights from around the state of Tennessee as well as other places that bear relevance.

Support the show on Patreon for:

• Early access to episodes
• Ad-free listening
• Exclusive bonus content, including full-length interviews

🔗 Links

🎧 Support the show on Patreon (early access, bonus content, interviews):
https://www.patreon.com/s

Support the show by subscribing to Patreon!

Check out our sister podcast Dauphin Island Diaries

Advertise with us!  [email protected]

Check out merchandise from The Tennessee History Nerd.   www.summersmediaenterprises.com/merch

Subscribe to Patreon   Patreon.com/summersmediaenterprises

If you enjoyed this episode, follow the show, share it with someone who loves history, and leave a review—it helps more folks discover the stories of the Volunteer State.

If you enjoyed this episode, follow the show, share it with someone who loves history, and leave a review—it helps more folks discover the stories of the Volunteer State.