NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Jack White played his new single “Lazaretto” for a couple of hundred fans on Record Store Day and four hours later a copy of the performance was available on a limited run of vinyl.
The singer and guitarist called it the “world’s fastest-released record.”
But don’t look for it in the Guinness World Record Book, as White admitted he doesn’t know if anyone else has attempted the feat. The stunt was a promotion for Record Store Day and his upcoming album, “Lazaretto.”
White performed Saturday morning at his Third Man Records label. As he was playing, fans could watch on television the acetate record being cut in a room behind the stage. After the title song from the upcoming album, he also recorded a cover of Elvis Presley’s “Power of My Love,” which was the B-side on the record. The master was then hustled over to the United Record Pressing plant, also in Nashville.
After the recording was finished, White played a short set of fan favorites, including “Hotel Yorba,” along with songs from his new album, which will be released in June. White will be touring this summer, including headlining gigs at the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in Tennessee, and the Glastonbury Festival in England.
White said he was worried about so many things that could have gone wrong in the recording or pressing process that would have stalled the record.
___
MCEWEN, Tenn. (AP) - The deadly explosion at a McEwen ammunition plant was accidental, according to a preliminary investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
ATF spokesman Michael Knight said it will now be up to the Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration to determine fault and whether there were any safety violations at the plant. The state agency also will determine penalties, if appropriate.
The explosion Wednesday afternoon at Rio Ammunition, about 55 miles west of Nashville, killed Rodney Edwards and injured three others. Joey Clark was listed in stable condition at Vanderbilt University Medical Center on Saturday. The other two victims were discharged earlier in the week.
A news release from Rio parent company Maxam said the Tennessee plant produced shotgun cartridges, and the blast occurred during the company’s cartridge loading operations. ATF said the explosion, which blew out two of the walls and part of the roof, occurred in an area of the mezzanine that fed the loading machine.
ATF’s National Response Team responds to significant explosives and arson incidents, and its investigation of the Rio Ammunition plant explosion marks only the sixth time the team has been activated in fiscal year 2014.
Knight said the team was brought in to McEwen because the plant where the explosion occurred had federal licenses to manufacture firearms and explosives. He said the response is part of the agency’s strategy to protect the public with regards to the firearms and explosives industry.
___
DANDRIDGE, Tenn. (AP) - Jefferson County Sheriff Bud McCoig says deputies did nothing wrong in the three inmate deaths at the county jail since January.
The Knoxville News Sentinel reports (https://bit.ly/1mmOCsz) McCoig held a press conference on Friday where he suggested that a lawsuit by the widow of one of the inmates was meant to damage his chances at re-election.
McCoig is seeking a second term and is being challenged by former Sheriff David Davenport, whom McCoig unseated in the last election.
Speaking of the recent deaths, McCoig said two inmates committed suicide and one died from a heart attack.
McCoig said he has asked the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation to look into the deaths.
Donna Free sued the county earlier this week over the death of her husband, Jeffrey Free, who was serving a sentence for serving a sentence for driving under the influence. Donna Free claims jail staff knew her husband was suicidal but left him unsupervised. He was found hanged in his cell.
___
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) - The Memphis Area Transit Authority is considering a proposal to end shuttle rides to area sporting events.
The agency is taking written comments through April 25 on the proposal to stop offering shuttles to Grizzlies’ games, University of Memphis men’s basketball games, the Southern Heritage Classic and the AutoZone Liberty Bowl.
MATA officials told The Commercial Appeal (https://bit.ly/1itIIFs) that they have to make up for about $2.5 million in budget cuts, and the shuttles lose about $100,000 annually.
Mary Jane and James Landry, both 66, are Memphis Grizzlies season ticket holders who have used shuttles to get to games for four or five years.
“If I had known this I would have never renewed my tickets,” said Mary Jane Landry.
The Landrys say they would have to arrive hours before a game to access parking for the disabled that they need and parking elsewhere would require them to walk further than they’re able.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.