Nashville Then: 30 years ago in May 1994

Golfers wait their turn to play during the Sara Lee Classic’s Vince Gill $25,000 Pro-Celebrity Skins Game at the Hermitage Golf Course in Nashville on May 2, 1994. From left are Johnny Bench, Mark Rypien, Gill and Nancy Lopez.

Deaderick Jones of Whites Creek High returns a shot during the TSSAA District 23 tournament at Cedar Hill Park in Nashville on May 2, 1994. Jones, the defending champion, won the title again with a 6-1, 6-1 victory over Maplewood High’s Jason Allen.

Elephants from the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus parade past the state Capitol in the rain on their way to the Municipal Auditorium after arriving in Nashville on May 3, 1994.

Incumbent Metro Sheriff Hank Hillin, center right, and his wife Mary Frances exchange a kiss after unofficial election returns showed him losing his job to Metro Council member Gayle Ray in the Democratic primary for sheriff in Nashville on May 3, 1994.

Metro Council member Gayle Ray, front, celebrates her victory in the Democratic primary for Metro sheriff alongside her husband, Norman, at the Loew’s Vanderbilt Plaza on May 3, 1994. Ray defeated incumbent Sheriff Hank Hillin and will become Nashville's first female sheriff.

Fans enter the Randy Travis gift shop at 1514 Demonbreun St. on Music Row on May 5, 1994. Store manager Kenny Roths said the store is holding its own in a town crowded with souvenir shops.

Country singer Crystal Gayle is flanked by Symphony Ball chairpersons Julie Boehm, left, and Tish Schermerhorn during a luncheon and fashion show at Harry B’s in Nashville on May 5, 1994. The show featured evening wear designed by Pamela Dennis.

Jeff Tinnell enjoys a Davidoff Special “T” cigar at the Uptown’s Smoke Shop in Nashville on May 5, 1994. Uptown’s Smoke is the only authorized retail outlet in Tennessee for the pricey cigars.

“Good Morning America” hosts Charles Gibson, left, and Joan Lunden interact with the audience during a show that aired live from the stage of the Grand Ole Opry House in Opryland on May 6, 1994.

“Good Morning America” hosts Charles Gibson, left, and Joan Lunden interview members of the country band Alabama during a show that aired live from the stage of the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville on May 6, 1994.

Country star George Jones opens his concert at Opryland's Theater by the Lake with his self-deprecating song "No Show Jones" on May 6, 1994.

Opryland theme park cast member Jeff Smith, second from right, joins original "Hee Haw" cast members, from left, Gunilla Hutton, George “Goober” Lindsey, Grandpa Jones and Lulu Roman for a skit during Opryland’s Hee Haw Live show at the Acuff Theater on May 6, 1994.

Tina Wilkins, right, gives the thumbs up to friend Jill Baker, left, while Lucynda Butts, center, deals with the wind as they line up for Tennessee State University's commencement on campus in Nashville on May 7, 1994. A total of 868 students graduated, making it the school largest graduating class ever.

Laura Davies hoists her championship trophy after beating defending champion Meg Mallon by one stroke during the Sara Lee Classic tournament at the Hermitage Golf Course in Nashville on May 8, 1994. The final round drew about 19,000 people, the largest Sunday crowd in the LPGA event's seven-year history.

Musician Timmy Probst, top center, plays the guitar and sings for tips in hopes of being discovered while at Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge on Lower Broadway in Nashville on May 9, 1994. Probst is one of six musicians who plays regularly at the country music landmark.

Paul Hackett, right, and her son, Danny, wait for customers to show up at his strawberry patch near Portland on May 10, 1994. The Hackett family has been in the strawberry growing business for decades.

Songwriter Don Schlitz, center, performs during an evening of music at The Bluebird Café in Nashville on May 10, 1994.

Visitors stroll through historic Printer's Alley in downtown Nashville on May 11, 1994.

Joyce Stubblefield, who was a waitress at the Pancake Pantry for more than 30 years, stops by for a stack of pancakes at the Hillsboro Village restaurant on May 12, 1994.

The Broadway Dinner Train waits for patrons to board at its Riverfront Depot in Nashville on May 12, 1994. A four-course gourmet dinner is served Friday and Saturday nights on the 2½-hour train trip.

Sculptor Russ Faxon of Bell Buckle installs statues he created of country music greats Roy Acuff and Minnie Pearl at the Ryman Auditorium on May 13, 1994. They are part of the venue's renovation.

Hats are de rigueur at the Iroquois Steeplechase in Nashville, even for infants. Erin Claire Barnes, age 8 months, sports a distinctive headpiece during the event at Percy Warner Park on May 14, 1994. She was at the races with her dad, Doug Barnes.

Senior Dutch, with Lisa McCarthy aboard, clears a jump during the Marcellus Frost Steeplechase race at the 53rd Iroquois Steeplechase at Percy Warner Park on May 14, 1994.

Metro Mayor Phil Bredesen christens the Mr. Roy, one of Opryland’s new water taxis, at a ceremony at Riverfront Park in downtown Nashville on May 17, 1994. The boat was named after the late country great Roy Acuff, who died in 1992.

Workers demolish the old Crescent Theater building at 415 Church St. on May 19, 1994. The theater, which has been vacant since 1982, is being torn down to make way for a parking lot.

John J. Hooker, 63, of Nashville talks about qualifying as an independent candidate to run against three-term Democratic Sen. Jim Sasser on May 19, 1994. Hooker says he has no expectation of winning.

Nashville's Rew Woodruff, left, battles for possession of the ball with Arkansas’ Boyna Bear during the Metros' 7-4 victory at Drakes Creek Park in Nashville on May 21, 1994. Nashville improved its record to 4-4 for the season.

Meharry Medical College graduate Ileta Beasley smiles during the graduation ceremonies at the Nashville school's amphitheater on May 22, 1994. Beasley, one of 180 students earning degrees, received her master’s in science and public health.

Tennessee Gov. Ned McWherter, right, reaches up to tap a sign announcing American Airlines’ daily nonstop service to London as he leads a procession to the inaugural flight at Nashville International Airport on May 26, 1994.

Cub Scouts Robert Frazior, 9, left, and Shawn Dowlen, 8, plant U.S. flags on gravesites at Nashville’s National Military Cemetery on Gallatin Pike on May 28, 1994. Scout troops placed 30,000 flags on the graves in preparation for Memorial Day.