TN House votes to clear way for town to change its name to Rocky Top

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Arkansas-Tennessee Live Blog

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The state House has voted to allow Lake City to change its name to Rocky Top despite ongoing legal efforts by the rights owners of the bluegrass standard to block the move.

The chamber on Monday voted 89-0 in favor of the measure sponsored by Republican Rep. John Ragan of Oak Ridge, who said the state would not be liable if the Gatlinburg-based House of Bryant wins its lawsuit.

If the Senate goes along with bill, Lake City could vote to make the name change official.

"Rocky Top" is the fight song of the University of Tennessee and is one of several state songs. And as one co-sponsor pointed out to jeers from his colleagues, it was also the name of an FBI bribery sting of state lawmakers in 2005.