I encountered the Gridiron Show when I was a teen (my father was active in SDX/SPJ), and I remember removing flats from the National Guard Armory the day after the show. That was where I met Hank Dye, doing manual labor. Years later, Hank and I worked together, and I assisted a bit with the show's production. I marveled at the wit and skill that produced the scripts and song lyrics, and I long for the spirit of good-natured fun that existed then. As Bob Hope said, "Thanks for the memories."
Frank Crowell invested a lot of time and effort into the Gridiron. Humor is a great unifier and when we produce thin-skinned, humorless pols we suffer for it far more than simply missing an annual program. When a President Trump quit attending the Kennedy Awards and kaboshed the White House Correspondents Dinner we all lost a bit of the fiber that held us together.
He was Austin Adkinson, information director for the Tennessee Municipal League. He came to Nashville after years with the AP in Columbia, S.C., Charlotte, N.C., and Washington, D.C. As a sideline, he edited the magazine of the state life insurance association, which indirectly led him back to Washington to work with the National Association of Life Underwriters. Among his newspaper jobs before the AP was one at The Post-Intelligencer in Paris, Tenn. He was solid and an uncompromising editor when I asked him to review anything I'd written.
Reminds me of the Chicago Bar Show ... an absolute delight of a tradition, it was the Bar Association's lampooning of local and national politics through song and dance. You would think that this being Music City we could replicated that here. Know the Chicago Bar Show cast goes on tour after its annual show ... perhaps we can invite them here.
The Gridiron was indeed a special tradition that created and deepened many friendships in media and politics. In addition to the others mentioned, journalist Drue Smith played a leading role in its support and success.
I do remember it because I performed in it one year while a reporter at The Tennessean! Thought about it randomly today and googled which brought me here. Am sad that it doesn't happen now, I had a good time.
When the Forrest atrocity was taken down, I was reminded of the only Gridiron Show I saw (probably the last). Just after it was put us, performers sang, "I Wish It Were in Dickson," a parody of the obvious.
A kinda Dr. Feelgood article. History of fun interactions between two important institutions, media & politics. However, Keel you kept the real story in the basement under wraps. It is that one magic word that connects the two. It is that one enduring word that creates that strong brotherhood. ACCESS. One would sell their soul for access.
I encountered the Gridiron Show when I was a teen (my father was active in SDX/SPJ), and I remember removing flats from the National Guard Armory the day after the show. That was where I met Hank Dye, doing manual labor. Years later, Hank and I worked together, and I assisted a bit with the show's production. I marveled at the wit and skill that produced the scripts and song lyrics, and I long for the spirit of good-natured fun that existed then. As Bob Hope said, "Thanks for the memories."
Frank Crowell invested a lot of time and effort into the Gridiron. Humor is a great unifier and when we produce thin-skinned, humorless pols we suffer for it far more than simply missing an annual program. When a President Trump quit attending the Kennedy Awards and kaboshed the White House Correspondents Dinner we all lost a bit of the fiber that held us together.
Drue was so proud of her role. The Gridiron Show wouldn’t be possible now. Angry offended humorless politicians would walk out in droves. Sad.
He was Austin Adkinson, information director for the Tennessee Municipal League. He came to Nashville after years with the AP in Columbia, S.C., Charlotte, N.C., and Washington, D.C. As a sideline, he edited the magazine of the state life insurance association, which indirectly led him back to Washington to work with the National Association of Life Underwriters. Among his newspaper jobs before the AP was one at The Post-Intelligencer in Paris, Tenn. He was solid and an uncompromising editor when I asked him to review anything I'd written.
Reminds me of the Chicago Bar Show ... an absolute delight of a tradition, it was the Bar Association's lampooning of local and national politics through song and dance. You would think that this being Music City we could replicated that here. Know the Chicago Bar Show cast goes on tour after its annual show ... perhaps we can invite them here.
I second what Rod says below
"Humor is a great unifier and when we produce thin-skinned, humorless pols we suffer for it"
I remember laughing a lot during the Gridiron shows. Thanks for reminding us Keel.
The Gridiron was indeed a special tradition that created and deepened many friendships in media and politics. In addition to the others mentioned, journalist Drue Smith played a leading role in its support and success.
I do remember it because I performed in it one year while a reporter at The Tennessean! Thought about it randomly today and googled which brought me here. Am sad that it doesn't happen now, I had a good time.
When the Forrest atrocity was taken down, I was reminded of the only Gridiron Show I saw (probably the last). Just after it was put us, performers sang, "I Wish It Were in Dickson," a parody of the obvious.
A kinda Dr. Feelgood article. History of fun interactions between two important institutions, media & politics. However, Keel you kept the real story in the basement under wraps. It is that one magic word that connects the two. It is that one enduring word that creates that strong brotherhood. ACCESS. One would sell their soul for access.