NASHVILLE, TN (WGNS) - The Tennessee Historical Society and the Tennessee Historical Commission have announced that the 2025 Tennessee History Book Award will go to co‑authors Mary Ellen Pethel and Don Cusic for their new biography, Howdy! The Minnie Pearl Story, published by the University of Tennessee Press. The annual award recognizes outstanding scholarship on Tennessee’s past, and this year’s judges say the winning book stands out for its lively writing, rich imagery, and deep understanding of a beloved state icon.

Two other titles were named finalists: Tennessee Samplers: Female Education and Domestic Arts 1800–1900 by Jennifer C. Core and Janet S. Hasson, and Andrew Jackson: Old Hickory in Christian America by Jonathan M. Atkins. All three books were reviewed by a panel of historians from across Tennessee.

Judges praised Howdy! as the definitive biography of Minnie Pearl, the stage persona of Sarah Cannon, who grew up in Centerville before becoming one of the most recognizable figures in country music. Despite never recording a hit song, Pearl became a national favorite through her comic timing, television presence, and unmistakable charm. The book explores how she navigated gender, class, and cultural expectations in a male‑dominated industry, and how her influence shaped the social and political landscape of country music.

One judge noted that Pethel and Cusic’s writing mirrors Pearl’s own warmth, calling the prose “conversational, consistently engaging, and thoughtful.”

Anna Durham Windrow, president of the Tennessee Historical Society, said the organization is thrilled to add the biography to its distinguished list of winners. This marks the 27th year of the award and the third year of the Society’s partnership with the Tennessee Historical Commission. Miranda Montgomery, the Commission’s interim executive director, echoed that excitement, saying the program highlights the importance of works centered on Tennessee history.

Both authors teach at Belmont University. Cusic is a longtime music business professor and historian, while Pethel, an associate professor of history, previously won the award in 2022 for her biography of Pat Summitt.