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Tennessee's latest state song might not have made it to Gov. Bill Lee's desk if not for a basket of wine and cheese left on singer Jamie Dailey's front porch.
Driving the news: About 10 years ago, songwriter Karen Staley left a CD of song demos and a welcome basket outside Dailey's Brentwood home.
The intrigue: With lyrics describing the peaceful rolling hills of rural Tennessee, the song took Dailey back to his childhood in the small town of Gainesboro. He knew he had to sing it.
Between the lines: The song has a topical element that echoes long-running debates in Nashville.
Flashback: Staley wrote the song in 2004, when the Williamson County farm where she kept a horse was facing redevelopment.
State of play: After Dailey & Vincent added the song to their setlist, it gained traction among fans and eventually won support from lawmakers.
How it works: Tennessee has several state songs, including "Rocky Top," "Tennessee Waltz" and "Smoky Mountain Rain."
What she's saying: "It was mind-blowing because it had just laid dormant," Staley says of the song's winding journey.
What to watch: A new Dailey & Vincent album featuring a studio recording of "I'll Leave My Heart in Tennessee" is set for release in August.
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