From ‘Rocky Top’ to ‘Tennessee Waltz,’ corruption scandals are an old song in Tennessee

As the state legislature enters its special session, reporters and watchdogs are circling to make sure everyone plays by the rules. In their new book, Welcome to Capitol Hill, authors Joel Ebert and Erik Schelzig reveal that Tennessee has had more than its fair share of political scandals over the last 50 years.

From bribery to sexual harassment to selling pardons for cash, these scandals, and their aftermath, have helped shape today’s political landscape and the rules politicians and lobbyists have to follow.

This is Nashville sits down with the authors and with Keel Hunt, whose book Coup investigates why a Democrat-controlled Tennessee legislature changed history by installing a Republican governor three days early.

First, we’ll talk with WPLN news producer Cindy Abrams about a visit to Nashville from one of soccer’s biggest stars.

Guests:

• Joel Ebert, assistant director of the speaker series at the University of Chicago Institute of Politics, co-author of Welcome to Capitol Hill
• Erik Schelzig, editor of Tennessee Journal, co-author of Welcome to Capitol Hill
• Keel Hunt, columnist for The Tennessean, author of Coup

This episode was produced by Char Daston.