G. Gordon Liddy in Murfreesboro

The G-Man did his nationwide radio show from WGNS on Thursday (12/6/07).  Prior to the coast-to-coast feed, Murfreesboro Vice Mayor Chris Bratcher presented G. Gordon Liddy with the Key To The City.  Mr. Liddy quickly popped-back, “But is this the key to the jail too, in case I get there?”

G. Gordon Liddy and Radio America’s Jenn Shirley began the broadcast.  Mr. Liddy was certainly well fed while in the Heart of Tennessee.  Our friends at Kirkenburts’ Smokehouse Grill brought their famous smoked wings and other goodies so the G-Man would not get hungry.

 

 

 

Murfreesboro firearms manufacturer Ronnie Barrett joined-in on the nationwide program to talk about his world famous 50 caliber semi-automatic rifles that are manufactured here.  As you remember, Ronnie was once a deputy with the Rutherford County Sheriffs Office.  He later opened his own photography studio, which was next to WGNS.  His love for rifles and his knowledge of lenses and scopes led to the creation of the now famous Barrett 50 caliber models 82A1, 99, 95, M468 and other weapons.

The WGNS studios saw a steady stream of listeners coming by to watch a very gracious G-Man.  A new musical group known as Cowboy Crush sang the National Anthem.  (L-R photo ID)  Becky Priest of the singers, joins Diamond Gusset jeans spokesperson and Warner Brothers recording artist Michael Peterson, along with other Crush members Trenna Barnes, Renae Truex and Debbie Johnson.

Andrea Calfee (left photo) has been a G. Gordon Liddy listener for a good while.  She came by to meet the G-Man and also to leave an old American flag at the station.  She told Gordon that the flag was flown over the nation’s capitol in 1968 when she and her husband John were married.  She brought the flag by to allow WGNS to dispose of it properly.

 

Another listener was  Manchester’s WMSR News Director Scott Vaughn (right photo). 

 

 

 

 

 

Everybody wanted their picture with the G-Man.  He never seemed to tire of going along with the wishes of others.  And after lunch and the entourage had left, a handwritten note was found under the equipment in the WGNS’ studio.  It simply said thank you for the hospitality.  You guessed it.  This was quietly left by Mr. Liddy and Jenn Shirley.  (left photo) Bart and the G-Man chat in the station’s lounge. (right photo) Jo Todd, G. Gordon Liddy and Dr. John Todd, pastor of Murfreesboro’s First Presbyterian Church.

 

The Rutherford County Sheriffs Office gave Mr. Liddy a “blue light” escort from WGNS to Puleo’s Grille.  There were people waiting at the front door.  Most wanted the G-Man to sign a copy of his book.  Listeners streamed by the table during lunch and were still waiting at the front door when he had to  leave for Nashville. 

 

During lunch the G-Man and Sheriff Truman Jones shared stories and discovered they had much in common.  One listener who was getting their shirt signed, quietly noted that some people don’t handle fame well,  Mr. Liddy was humble and very hospitable.  Hopefully, he will return to Murfreesboro soon.

 

(L-R) Lee Ann Walker, Lilian Branson and G. Gordon Liddy enjoy a relaxing lunch with a restaurant filled with people wanting to meet the G-Man.  Puleo’s Grille officials said the G-Man brought such a crowd that it broke all previous records at the local eatery.

 

After the lunch, Mr. Liddy got a Rolling Thunder escort to Nashville.  By the way, a special thank you to Bryan Barrett and Scott Walker who calmly and professionally took us through some challenging moments prior to the broadcast and worked with Franklin in D.C. to route WGNS through the infamous “Ram-Master Control” at Radio America in Washington.  

CLICK WEB ADDRESS for a link to Rolling Thunder’s view of the Liddy visit as written by Tom Kovach http://www.renewamerica.us:80/columns/kovach/071207