Spotted: Famous People from Jackson, TN

Jackson, Tennessee is located midway between Nashville and Memphis. With a population of just over 65,000 people, it might not seem like the type of place that produces famous people. But you'd be surprised to know that Jackson has produced several notable figures in history, from actors to musicians, to politicians. In this article we'll take a look at some of the most famous people from Jackson and their contributions to society.

Isaac Hayes
Isaac Hayes was born in Covington, Tennessee but spent most of his childhood in Jackson. He was a soul musician and a composer. Hayes was one of the originators of soul music in the 1960s and had several hit songs during his career, including "Walk On By," "Shaft," and "Theme from The Men." He won numerous awards, including an Academy Award for Best Original Song for the theme song of the movie "Shaft." He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002. Hayes died in 2008 at the age of 65.

Casey Jones
Casey Jones was a railroad engineer born in Jackson in 1863. He became famous for his heroic actions in 1900 when he crashed his train to avoid hitting another train that had stalled on the tracks. He died in the accident but was able to save the lives of all his passengers. Jones is now remembered as a folk hero for his bravery and quick thinking.

Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash was born in Kingsland, Arkansas, but his family moved to Dyess, Arkansas when he was young. Cash spent much of his time in Jackson, Tennessee, and was even arrested there at one point. Cash was a country musician and songwriter who had a long, successful career. Some of his most famous songs include "Folsom Prison Blues," "Ring of Fire," and "I Walk the Line." He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1980 and died in 2003 at the age of 71.

Tamara Tunie
Tamara Tunie is an actress who was born and raised in Jackson, Tennessee. She is probably best known for her role as Medical Examiner Melinda Warner on the television show "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit." Tunie has also appeared in other TV shows and movies, including "24," "The Devil's Advocate," and "Flight." In addition to acting, Tunie is also a producer and director.

Carl Perkins
Carl Perkins was a rockabilly musician born in Tiptonville, Tennessee, but he spent much of his early career playing music in Jackson. Perkins is best known for his song "Blue Suede Shoes," which was famously covered by Elvis Presley. Perkins was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987 and continued to perform and record music up until his death in 1998.

Jackson, Tennessee might not be a major city, but it has definitely produced its fair share of famous people. From musicians to actors to folk heroes, the people from Jackson have made their mark on history. It just goes to show that sometimes the smallest towns can have the biggest impact. Have you ever visited Jackson, Tennessee? If not, you might want to add it to your list. Who knows, maybe you'll even run into a future famous person while you're there!