It’s been nearly a decade now since James Franklin left Vanderbilt to become head coach of the Penn State Nittany Lions. As the first Black head football coach in Vanderbilt history, Franklin had an impressive record in a short period. His teams were 24-15 over that three-year run. That included appearances in the Liberty Bowl, Music City Bowl, and the BBVA Compass Bowl. There were even appearances in the Top 25 and a pair of nine win seasons. That success earned him plenty of national attention and was responsible for his being hired at Penn State. Not everyone was thrilled…
Author: Ron Wynn
By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — It’s been a busy year for comedian, actor, producer and podcaster Kevin Hart. But Hart’s latest honor represents his greatest achievement. It was announced last week that he’s been chosen to receive the Kennedy Center’s Mark Twain Prize for lifetime achievement in American humor. This award represents a career highlight, and it spans the three decades that’s seen Hart move from doing open mic nights in Philadelphia to become one of his generation’s top performers. Now 44, he began as a teen performing at venues such as The Laff House in his hometown under…
By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN —Thanksgiving week is proving more special than usual for Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell. Not only are they starring in “Good Burger 2,” which is streaming this week on Paramount +, but they will be riding in the Burgermobile at Macy’s famous Thanksgiving Day Parade. It will be airing on NBC (locally WSMV-4) at 7:30 a.m. CT and also streamed on Peacock. This will be the 97th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Though it had previously been announced that the Bugermobile would be part of the Parade, Thompson and Mitchell’s participation wasn’t announced until last…
By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — The Tennessee Titans set a record Sunday, though it’s not one of distinction. Their 20-6 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was their eighth straight road defeat. They have not won a road game since defeating the Green Bay Packers last November. This one also featured all the problems that have plagued them the entire season as they fell to 3-6. Once again they were unable to score touchdowns, even in the red zone. They had to settle twice for field goals, first after what had looked like an impressive first quarter drive, the…
Major League Baseball finally got some good news last week following a postseason marked by criticism from many quarters about a new playoff system that seemed to negate regular season success (the elimination of all 100-win teams in early rounds) and a World Series between the Texas Rangers and Arizona Diamondbacks that drew record low ratings numbers and resulted in a five game Rangers win. But there was nothing but positive response to the announcement that longtime Atlanta Braves third base and infield coach Ron Washington would be joining the Los Angeles Angels as their new manager. Washington signed a…
By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — Anthony Anderson has enjoyed success in both comedic and dramatic roles, from “Black-ish” to “Law & Order.” In recent years he’s also entered a third area, that of hosting game shows, and in that one he’s been joined by his mother Doris Bowman. It was announced last Friday that the duo will be teaming up to do another program. They’re the new hosts of Fox’s upcoming music show “We Are Family,” which premieres Wednesday, Jan. 3. Anderson and Bowman replace Jamie Foxx and his daughter Corinne Foxx, who had previously been announced for “We…
Though they’ve only played eight games to date, the Tennessee Titans are already looking towards next year. They’re certainly not going to say that with nine games remaining on the schedule, five of the final seven at home. They’re also still mathematically in the playoff race, though realistically at 3-5, they’d need to win at least seven and maybe eight of the last nine to have a shot. Jacksonville is already three games ahead in the division race, and they show no signs of fading over the second half. But more importantly, the Titans have yet to win on the…
By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — One of the nation’s premier vocalists will be appearing Sunday in Franklin. The legendary Mavis Staples will be performing a benefit concert for the African American Heritage Society of Williamson County (AAHS). The event will be held at Liberty Hall in The Factory at Franklin and is produced by the ERACE Foundation. Staples will be joined by Tommy Sims and Tom Douglas as well as other special guests. The night will begin with a writer’s round hosted by Sims. The segment will be a combination of the songwriter’s original songs and some of the…
One of the greatest two-way careers in Major League Baseball history ended last week. Dusty Baker’s retirement concluded the second chapter of a true lifetime spent in the sport. Baker broke in as a 19-year-old outfielder with the Atlanta Braves, though he didn’t become a regular until 1972. One of his outfield mates and mentors was the great Hank Aaron. Baker would play 19 years in the big leagues. Among his achievements were two all-star selections, two Silver Slugger awards and one Golden Glove selection. He was even the first MVP winner when the championship series began honoring those…
NASHVILLE, TN — Mike Epps has attained prominence as a comedian and actor, and has also periodically contributed to many philanthropic enterprises. Now his latest mission is very close to home. The native of Indianapolis plans to revitalize his childhood street. His efforts will be chronicled on HGTV‘s “Buying Back the Block.” Epps and his wife and design enthusiast Kyra Epps have begun to revitalize the area. They previously transformed an abandoned firehouse into their stunning new family home. The series highlights a pair of major renovation projects over a 12-week period. In each episode, they update a house by…