Blessing or blasphemy? Some businesses wear faith on their sleeves

July 3, 2003, Thursday, BC cycle Blessing or blasphemy? Some businesses wear faith on their sleeves BYLINE: By BOBBY ROSS JR., Associated Press Writer SECTION: Business News; State and Regional LENGTH: 766 words DATELINE: PLANO, Texas A raspy voice blares from a CD player as Amen Gutter Systems owner Trey Snider and two helpers install rain gutters on a tree-shaded brick home in this Dallas … Continue reading Blessing or blasphemy? Some businesses wear faith on their sleeves

Game shows no trivial pursuit for Tennessee professor

The Associated Press June 2, 2003, Monday, BC cycle Game shows no trivial pursuit for Tennessee professor BYLINE: By BOBBY ROSS JR., Associated Press Writer SECTION: Entertainment News LENGTH: 676 words DATELINE: JACKSON, Tenn. As a little boy, Steve Beverly would put on a white suit, use a stick as a microphone and imitate Jack Narz, who hosted the short-lived quiz show “Dotto” in 1958. … Continue reading Game shows no trivial pursuit for Tennessee professor

Jail Escapee Shot Holding Son at Gunpoint

May 10, 2003 Saturday Jail Escapee Shot Holding Son at Gunpoint BYLINE: BOBBY ROSS Jr.; Associated Press Writer SECTION: DOMESTIC NEWS LENGTH: 353 words DATELINE: SMITHVILLE, Tenn. A jail escapee who stole a deputy’s gun and patrol car and then kidnapped her 3-year-old son was shot Friday as she held the gun to the boy’s head in a standoff with police. The boy, splattered with his mother’s blood, was not … Continue reading Jail Escapee Shot Holding Son at Gunpoint

Condemned inmate says government, military control his mind

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Condemned inmate says government, military control his mind

BYLINE: By BOBBY ROSS JR., Associated Press Writer

SECTION: State and Regional

LENGTH: 851 words

DATELINE: NASHVILLE, Tenn.

Less than a week away from his scheduled execution, former Texas drifter Paul Dennis Reid says he’s ready to die for seven murders at fast-food restaurants that terrorized two Tennessee cities in 1997.

But Reid, 45, still maintains his innocence. He says he dropped his appeals, clearing the way for his death by lethal injection Tuesday, “not because I can’t win these cases or not because I am the killer or the executioner or that I’ve had any involvement in it.”

Rather, he blamed a government and military conspiracy to use him as “an experimental lab rat.” The former Oklahoma City resident said he did not know the reason for the conspiracy.

“I deal with it on a daily basis,” Reid told The Associated Press in an interview Wednesday at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution.

Reid suggested scientific technology is used to control his mind and body.

“At times they have the ears ringing at a low level. At times they have the ears ringing at a high-pitched level. They have the scientific technology where they can cause parts of your body to itch, to move – to flicker,” he said.

Reid, dressed in a white prison jumpsuit and restrained by handcuffs, said the conspiracy started in 1985 while he was serving time in Texas for armed robberies. He said the government and military enlisted fellow inmates and his own family members to perform psychological tests on him.

“Well, naturally, out of 800 inmates, some of the convicts came back and conveyed this to me,” Reid said.

It wasn’t the first time Reid alleged such a conspiracy.

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Fallen Marine from Tennessee ‘laid down his life for his friend’

The Associated Press State & Local Wire April 15, 2003, Tuesday, BC cycle Fallen Marine from Tennessee ‘laid down his life for his friend’ BYLINE: By BOBBY ROSS JR., Associated Press Writer SECTION: State and Regional LENGTH: 688 words DATELINE: GALLATIN, Tenn. Before David Nixon sent his son off to war, he admonished him: “Don’t try to be a hero.” But when duty required a … Continue reading Fallen Marine from Tennessee ‘laid down his life for his friend’

During Gospel Music Week, Christian music reigns in Nashville bars, nightspots

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The Associated Press State & Local Wire

April 10, 2003, Thursday, BC cycle

During Gospel Music Week, Christian music reigns in Nashville bars, nightspots

BYLINE: By BOBBY ROSS JR., Associated Press Writer

SECTION: Domestic News; State and Regional

LENGTH: 591 words

DATELINE: NASHVILLE, Tenn.

Fiberglass horses and neon signs emblazoned with “Budweiser” and “Jose Cuervo” aren’t usually part of the backdrop for a Christian music concert. And the patrons at the Wildhorse Saloon don’t typically order iced tea and water.

But this is Gospel Music Week, when some of Nashville’s most popular bars and nightspots trade lying-and-cheating songs for hymns about prayer and redemption.

Dressed in black and strumming a guitar, 37-year-old Paducah, Ky., native Eric Horner looked like any other country music singer as he joined an ear-piercing band onstage at the Wildhorse. But the lyrics of his new album’s title cut, “Prayer Warrior,” gave him away.

“The army of the Lord must daily take our stand,” Horner sang at a talent showcase Tuesday. “He is our rock, our sword, our shield, even on the battlefield.”

About 3,000 Christian music artists, promoters, retailers and record executives have gathered in Nashville for events that culminate with the 34th annual Dove Awards on Thursday night. The awards recognize everything from staid gospel quartets and country to rock, rap and teen pop.

Nashville may be the home of country music, but the Christian music industry – with 50 million albums sold and $1 billion in revenue in each of the last two years – is also a force here.

Continue reading “During Gospel Music Week, Christian music reigns in Nashville bars, nightspots”

Gov. Bredesen meets with Tennessee guard members awaiting deployment

Gov. Bredesen meets with Tennessee guard members awaiting deployment BYLINE: By BOBBY ROSS JR., Associated Press Writer SECTION: State and Regional LENGTH: 714 words DATELINE: FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. Gov. Phil Bredesen offered his prayers and support Monday to hundreds of Tennessee guard members awaiting deployment from Fort Campbell, an Army post straddling the Tennessee-Kentucky line. In his first visit to the post, the Tennessee governor … Continue reading Gov. Bredesen meets with Tennessee guard members awaiting deployment

Ramsey crusades against debt and overspending

The Associated Press March 30, 2003, Sunday, BC cycle Ramsey crusades against debt and overspending BYLINE: By BOBBY ROSS JR., Associated Press Writer SECTION: Business News LENGTH: 757 words DATELINE: NASHVILLE, Tenn. A chorus of cheers filled the Cornerstone Church’s arena-style sanctuary as Christian financial guru Dave Ramsey snapped a pair of metal scissors. The crowd squealed with delight as Ramsey sliced a credit card … Continue reading Ramsey crusades against debt and overspending

War opponents hold rallies across Tennessee

March 20, 2003, Thursday, BC cycle War opponents hold rallies across Tennessee BYLINE: By BOBBY ROSS JR., Associated Press Writer SECTION: State and Regional LENGTH: 960 words DATELINE: NASHVILLE, Tenn. Peter Fossel, a 57-year-old former Marine, wore a Purple Heart he won in the Vietnam War as he joined more than 300 anti-war protesters outside the Nashville federal building Thursday. He carried a sign that read: “Why War? Wage Peace.” “This … Continue reading War opponents hold rallies across Tennessee