Wednesday 17 July 1974 | Nashville, Tennessee, USA
On 17 July 1974, Wings held a press conference in Nashville, Tennessee — just hours before guitarist Jimmy McCulloch was arrested and jailed for reckless driving. The conference was held at the farm where Wings had been staying during their Nashville period.
The Setting
The farm was owned by songwriter Claude ‘Curly’ Putman Jr — best known for writing Green Green Grass of Home — and had been rented by the band for $2,000 a week. Wings had been rehearsing in the garage during their Nashville stay.
The press conference was deliberately low-key. Paul McCartney sat in a rocking chair on the front porch, with Linda McCartney and drummer Geoff Britton nearby. Local reporters were stationed on the steps and lawn below.
What Was Said
At the time, the McCartneys were uncertain about the future of Wings and were reportedly considering dropping both McCulloch and Denny Laine from the band. When asked about McCulloch's run-in with the law, McCartney confirmed it had happened but declined to elaborate:
“Yeah, I think so, yes. But I’d rather not talk about it.”
— Paul McCartney, Nashville press conference, 17 July 1974
After the Conference
Following the press conference, the McCartneys posed for photographs, after which the full band held a four-hour meeting. That evening, an overdub session was held at the Sound Shop Studio for Denny Laine's song Send Me The Heart — the band's final work in Nashville. Wings left the city the following day.
Key Facts
| Date | Wednesday 17 July 1974 |
| Location | Curly Putman's farm, Nashville, Tennessee |
| Farm owner | Claude 'Curly' Putman Jr |
| Weekly rent | $2,000 |
| Present | Paul McCartney, Linda McCartney, Geoff Britton, local press |
| Evening session | Sound Shop Studio — overdubs for Send Me The Heart (Denny Laine) |
| Final Nashville work | Yes — Wings left Nashville on 18 July 1974 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where did Wings stay during their Nashville sessions in 1974?
Wings rented a farm owned by songwriter Claude 'Curly' Putman Jr for $2,000 a week. They rehearsed in the garage and held their Nashville press conference on the front porch on 17 July 1974.
Was Wings considering breaking up in July 1974?
At the time of the Nashville press conference, the McCartneys were uncertain about the future of Wings and were reportedly considering dropping Jimmy McCulloch and Denny Laine from the band.
Who was Curly Putman?
Claude 'Curly' Putman Jr was an American country songwriter best known for writing Green Green Grass of Home. He owned the Nashville farm rented by Wings during their 1974 recording sessions.
→ 17 July in Beatles History
→ July in Beatles History
→ Wings' Jimmy McCulloch is arrested in Nashville – 17 July 1974
→ Paul McCartney: Beatles History, Solo Career, Songs & Legacy
→ The Beatles Knowledge Hub
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