Bill Boner

He cheated on his law school exam and wasn't allowed to take the bar exam, but still went on to a great political career in Nashville. He was elected to Congress and later as Mayor of Nashville, at which point he went on the Donahue show with his mistress, an aspiring country singer, to whom he was engaged, even though he was still married to his third wife, who had no idea anything was going on.

The people of Nashville didn't like this one bit. Bill Boner was not reelected, even though he ran for several minor offices, one of which was something on the level of dog catcher. After that didn't pan out, Bill had many jobs including delivering newspapers and the Yellow Pages.

Boner memorabilia is all over Nashville estate sales, and as far as I know I am the biggest collector of it. I have a Boner t-shirt, Boner nail files, Boner hats and Boner fans; I am a Boner fan. A fun party game is to make the bone in the Boner logo look like a penis, which is surprisingly easy if you have a blue Sharpie.

And that's your Nashville moment for today.

Comments

[Jill]

There's an image of a bone in the center of the "O" in
"Boner" on the campaign sign. Clever. I would've used a picture of an erect penis, but that's why I wasn't running Boner's campaign. Got wood?

Well, maybe Bill Boner should open a travel agency and name it "Boner Voyage."

Good thing thing Mrs. Boner didn't name her child as Mrs. Head named her child--Gay ( See Mom and Pop Culture Shop books section). We don't need a GAY BONER, do we?

[Jill]

Whew. Mr. and Mrs. Boner had the good sense not to name their child Richard. We don't need a Dick Boner, do we?

[ann of vermont]

It's a cross between a Bay City Rollers album cover and a Cub Scout pack photo. Only I don't think Cub Scouts are encouraged by publicists to touch themselves during photo shoots, and Ian here clearly was. (S-a-t-u-r-d-a-y...NIGHT!)

[ann of vermont]

Oops. I see now the Comments link is BELOW the item. Okay, so for this one I think "Mr. and Mrs. Boner had the good sense not to name their child Rock Hard." Or: "Mr. and Mrs. Boner had the good sense not to name their child "Patrol"--for those times when his name might appear backwords, on a list, as in "Boner, Patrol"

[Lee Summers a.k.a. Leon Summers, Jr.]

Hi Bill Boner fans,

I'm a New Yorker who was born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee. I presently reside in Harlem, USA where I have lived for decades.

When I was 17, back in 75,' 76' -- with my two harmonizing buddy/classmates, I sang a campaign song for Bill Boner. I met him when he had orchestrated a huge food drive competition for high schools. As I was president of the Stratford High School student body, I was my school's representative. I recall the losing school's (which my school lost) student body presidents having had to get pies in their faces. I took one. I recall, for some reason, to show sportsmanship, so did Bill Boner.

I also have some vague recollection of Bill Boner having something to do with my being selected to attend Boys State -- another positive, life altering experience I had as an African American teen in Nashville.

Bill Boner was one of the first real high profile achievers in life I ever met. I took pride in knowing him as a teenager. Now, some 25 or 30 years later, I have performed on Broadway, on TV, in films and have written and produced shows for Off-Broadway.

I have pursued a life of excellence and achievement and it was folks like Bill Boner, who taught me at a young age that big things could be done in life.

I salute you Bill Boner, my old friend.

Bill Boner, I can see your life has had many hills and valleys and that your spirit has demonstrated unyielding resilience. If this post should find its way to you, I would love to hear from you sir.

Cordially,

Lee Summers (Leon Summers, Jr, Junior Class President 1975, President of the Student Body, Stratford High School, Class of 1976)

Mr. Boner is a teacher at my school :-P

[Carly Beals]

I have him for US Government this year.