The proposal to designate "Tennessee" by John R. Bean as a state song advanced in the State Senate yesterday and is up for a floor vote. Sen. Jamie Woodson's bill (SB1910) cleared the State and Local Government committee by a vote of 7 to 1.

And guess who voted against it? Stacey Campfield, for some bizarre reason. Apparently he has also been lobbying against the bill.

On his blog, Campfield said last night that "You may think I am kidding but there is a move to make a song by "Roy D. Mercer" one of the states 8 official state songs." He goes on to say "If you are not familiar with 'Roy D. Mercer' he was a semi well known crank caller who would call random people, make threats of "I am going to whip your @$$!" record it and put it out for the public to hear."

First of all, the late John R. Bean's character was named "Leroy Mercer," not "Roy D. Mercer." "Roy D. Mercer" is a complete ripoff by two lowlife DJs in Oklahoma who came along long after John R. Bean was gone. "Leroy Mercer" was the real deal, and a beloved East Tennessee original.

Second of all, John R. Bean made those prank call cassette tapes for friends, who copied and traded them among their friends and so on. He didn't "put them out there," yet they managed to gain a widespread cult following (and at least one cheap imitation) because they were so hilarious.

Anyway, Campfield seems to be suggesting the song is inappropriate because John R. Bean threatened to whip somebody's ass every now and then, like there's something wrong with that?

My guess is Campfield has never heard the song. Or, as Betty Bean said, "Stacey Campfield is a carpetbagger who isn't even from around here. He doesn't get it."

We are told that Steve Hunley is a big fan of John R. Bean and one of the forces behind getting recognition for the song. We are also told that he commissioned a professional studio recording by his brother Con Hunley, and that it might be played in the Senate when the bill is introduced for the floor vote by sponsor Sen. Jamie Woodson.

We also hear that Hunley and Knox Co. Mayor Tim Burchett, also a supporter of the bill, aren't too happy with their (former?) pal Campfield.

BONUS: Tennessee, by John R. Bean

SEE ALSO: The committee vote video with Sen. Woodson's endorsement (1:40:20 in or scroll down in the links and click on SB1910), and Campfield (objecting): The song never charted. Every senator knows somebody with a guitar and a song about Tennessee.