Hello, everyone. I hope you’re ready for some cooler weather. I know I am.

You know how much I love history. Recently, I have become friends with Big John Summers, a.k.a. The Tennessee History Nerd. You can follow him on Facebook and Instagram for all sorts of information on Tennessee history and his travels around the state. The History Nerd makes a practice of visiting historical markers all throughout the state and doing research with locals who know more about the stories behind them, really digging into the historical importance behind the markers. We share a common passion for history. This past month, I was able to sit down with John.

Mr. Murfreesboro: When did you start loving history?
The Tennessee History Nerd: Well, my mom was a history teacher, but before she was ever a history teacher, we would go to places like battlefields and things to do with history.

Why is that?
One reason was they were free, unlike Opryland, which was kind of expensive. Not only were they cheap, but you can learn stuff at a battlefield. I remember going to the Stones River National Battlefield; I remember going to Chickamauga [Georgia] as a kid. We visited the Hermitage. I can remember going on a summer vacation with family near Sarasota, Florida, and we visited the Ringling Brothers Circus Museum.

I wonder why that museum was there?
That was the winter home for a lot of the performers.

That was cheap entertainment back in the day. I remember going to the circus as a kid. I loved seeing all the animals.
Another reason I think I love history is that I’ve always been curious. Growing up in Warren County, we would get out, ride bikes, be riding down the road exploring things, and the road would stop. There were different trails, and I always wondered who else traveled down these trails.

[Something I found interesting about Big John, who is indeed a big dude: I found out he is a Marine veteran and also a Church of Christ preacher. I’ve never heard of such a thing. Thanks, Big John, for your service.]

Did you go to Parris Island in South Carolina? [the depot where Marine recruits would undergo rigorous basic training]
It was my honor and privilege to do so. Yes, I did go to Parris Island.

Was Parris Island tough?
Yes it was!

That was a dumb question . . . You know all these historical signs—you’re going through a city in Tennessee, and you know the story behind the story. I think that’s so cool.
A lot of times those historical marker signs are a gateway. There are times when I don’t even realize there’s anything of any value in a particular area to know from an historical standpoint until I see that historical marker side. And then I take that sign as my gateway to look into it deeper.

I understand you have a podcast. What is the name of it?
Yes, I do. It’s called the Tennessee History Nerd Podcast. They’re all 30 to 60 minutes long, pretty much.

Tell me a little bit about the podcast.
Well, I interview folks who may or may not be history nerds like myself, but they know the story behind the story. I try and get subject matter experts, like yourself, and we sit down and talk.

The most recent episode I did—it was a little bit of nepotism going on there, I guess—but I interviewed my dad. Because the episode before that was an episode on Cannon County, and he worked in Cannon County for 43 years as a live X-ray technician. He worked in the old hospital. He also worked in the hospital that exists there today. You can still see the old hospital in downtown Woodbury.

A lot of people don’t realize the influence that Cannon County has had on Rutherford County, and the whole world. You have Dr. Carl Adams, who helped start Murfreesboro Medical Clinic and NHC after that. You had the Minor Bragg family, whose son John Bragg was a state representative for years, and Tommy was the mayor of Murfreesboro for years. They had a printing business and owned the Rutherford Courier. John Bragg, along with Dr. Robert Sanders and President Ronald Reagan, got the seatbelt law passed in 1996. Gosh, I remember going on vacation with my family and never wearing a seatbelt.
I do, too. I used to lay in the back window.

In your opinion, who are the three most influential people in Tennessee history?
I would say Andrew Jackson, James K. Polk and John Sevier.

Why did you choose them?
One might say expansion. They all played major roles in the expansion of the United States of America, beginning with John Sevier. He was the first governor of the state of Franklin, which later became the state of Tennessee.

Where did the name the Tennessee History Nerd come from?
Well, Bill, I was leading a Sunday school class at the Smith Grove Church of Christ in Cannon County and we were doing the Bible Bowl, and a lady by the name of Brooke Slaughter, who is Dr. Brooke Baughman today, called me a “history nerd.” That is where the Tennessee History Nerd was born.

Where can people find you, Big John?
Folks can subscribe to my page on Facebook, follow me on Instagram, or check out my podcast. I also preach at the Grundy Street Church of Christ in Tullahoma. You can also hear me on the Mr. Murfreesboro Show on Friday, Oct. 30, at 9 a.m. on WGNS 1450 AM or 100.5 and 101.9 FM talk radio.

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Remember to always go out and do something nice for somebody. God bless!