I don't know how the state of Tennessee handles a situation in which you don't have a title for a vehicle .
The state of Arizona has a process for a bonded title to be issued for a vehicle without a title .
I believe you need to post a $3000 bond and then the MVD does a search for previous owners,  titles and insurance data, when they are satisfied that the vehicle isn't stolen, a permanent  title is issued and you get your bond money refunded .
This process may take a year .