WDBJ7 Roanoke News and Weather NRV Lynchburg Danville | Virginia could get a new state song
Member Center:
In the past decade, thousands of songs have been submitted.The Commonwealth is having a hard time carrying a tune. It's been a decade since Virginia had an official state song.
The old state song, "Carry Me Back to Old Virginia" was retired in 1997 because of racially offensive lyrics. Some wonder if that was the day the music died.
Leslie Brooks and Ray Roberts are the latest songwriters who want to win the coveted spot in history. Their song, "Virginia, Where Heaven Touches Earth," was inspired by a poem about a 1927 map of Blacksburg.
"I feel like the song stands on its own feet," says Ray Roberts. "If people get a chance to hear it, they like it."
Delegate Dave Nutter submitted it for the General Assembly to consider. It'll likely end up in the hands of Senator Emmett Hanger.
When "Carry Me Back" was retired, Hanger took over the search for a new tune. More than 400 songs were submitted. Competition was fierce. Hanger says he was even sued by one disgruntled songwriter.
Roberts and Brooks hope their song goes down in history. "It's very exciting," says Roberts. "We're honored. We're totally honored."
Senator Hanger wants to restart the selection process.
