MID-SOUTH MEMORIES
25 years ago — 1998
“It’s not rock and roll, it’s not an attitude,” said Garth Brooks in a preconcert press conference Thursday from The Pyramid, where he was playing the first of three, record-holding sold-out shows. Yet the humble, softspoken Garth, the one who was answering questions in the third person, was also another Garth, the one racing across a steely, smoke-filled stage later that night. Among the 20,124 were young, old and couples galore. Garth’s demographic is so broad, in fact the country music icon could probably make a go of it in the next presidential campaign.
50 years ago — 1973
For years, it’s been said Elvis makes a cool $5 million per annum, or about $11,000 a day — that he gets a fabulous amount for appearing from time to time at Las Vegas, and that wily Col. Tom Parker always gets the top dollar for his boy. But how about $500,000 for a week’s performance? That tops his $11,000 considerably. A syndicate of British promoters reportedly is trying for this coup.
75 years ago — 1948
City officials will consider the General Motors Train of Tomorrow, scheduled to appear here March 13-14, as a merchandising display. This interpretation, voiced yesterday by City Commissioner Boyle, vice mayor, will allow General Motors to follow its policy of non-segregation without a repetition of the Freedom Train incident.
100 years ago — 1923
H.B. Mccalla, a native of Rosemark, Tenn., has taken charge of the post office at Kerrville, Tenn.
125 years ago — 1898
John R. Schorr, who started training horses when a small boy, is now in charge of one string of race horses owned by his father in Memphis.