Many years ago I lived in a 2 story farmhouse on Manson Pike and like most of the places my parents either rented or was buying it was short-lived. We had bought this home with 5 acres and lived there from 1977 into 1978. I have fond memories of it even though it's long gone. I'm pretty sure the new hospital sits on some of those 5 acres now. What does this have to do with "Cow Jam 1981?" Not much probably, but one of my memories of living in that farmhouse was that on one night a big rock concert was held on the property that was behind ours. I remember my father cussing about it the day of the show. I could see the glow of the lights and hear the music throughout the night. This "Cow Jam 1981" reminds me of that night. I've yet to find any definitive answer on the nature of that concert from 1977/8, but it was perhaps similar to this one. It's also curious to me to see that the DNJ says it's going to take place on the McFarlin farm which was next to the property we were living on in 1977/8, while the notice from the MTSU student paper Sidelines says the concert is going to take place on Primm's Farm. This would have placed the event also near our old place on Manson Pike. Sure, it's several years later, but I suspect the location saw concerts there often over the years. If you happened to attend this show let me know in the comments.
Acts noted to be playing April 23, 1981:
Billy Earl McClelland Band
Square Wave
The Piggys
The Winters Brothers
Cow Jam notice in the April 22, 1981 DNJ
Sidelines April 14, 1981
Sad Postscript: There was a second "Cow Jam" held later on September 24, 1981. After the show was over an attendee, a young 18 year old man Stacey Thatcher, was walking home on Highway 96 when he was sideswiped by a hit and run vehicle. Thatcher was alive at this point, but couldn't walk to get help. He passed away due to the injuries before being found several hours later. Sheriff Craig Snell was quoted in the DNJ that he would try to prevent any future "Cow Jams." The driver of the hit and run car would be found and sentenced to 5 years in prison for vehicular homicide. The parents of Stacey Thatcher filed wrongful death suits totaling $8.25 million against the driver and passengers in the car and the organizers of the event. I know they got a very small portion of this from the driver as part of his sentencing, but I don't know about the rest. Money, however large an amount, is no solace for the life of a child. I hope they found peace. The only references to "Cow Jam" I could find in 1982 and 1983 were all references to this tragedy. Some sage advice: don't drive drunk.
