Russell Dickerson and wife Kailey announced via Instagram on April 15 that they are expecting their first child.
“THE DAD SHOES ARE OFFICIALLY OFFICIAL! WE’RE HAVING A BABY!!” said Russell in the post.
Russell and Kailey were married in 2013.
Russell is trying to score his fourth No. 1 single with “Love You Like I Used To.” The new tune, which is the first sample of new music from Russell’s upcoming sophomore album, serves as a love letter to Kailey.
“The beginning of this song is intentionally different from me,” says Russell. “It makes you think it is a breakup song, but it is really a lead up to how great loves evolve and get better over time. Like all of my songs, I’ve lived it. I started dating my wife 10 years ago, and it is true—I don’t love her like I used to, and I think a lot of people will be able to relate to this song. It’s a really special song that I’m crazy proud of!”
After topping the charts with “Yours” and “Blue Tacoma” in 2018, Russell scored his third No. 1 single with “Every Little Thing” in November 2019. All three of Russell’s No. 1 songs are featured on his 2017 debut album, Yours.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — University of Tennessee women’s basketball head coach Kellie Harper confirmed Wednesday that graduate transfer Keyen Green has signed an athletics scholarship and an SEC Grant-In-Aid agreement to join the Lady Vol program for the 2020-21 campaign.
Green, a 6-foot-1 forward/center, comes to Rocky Top from Liberty University, where she has spent the past four seasons, redshirting in 2018-19 due to an ankle injury. She graduated in May 2019 with a degree in finance and has been working on a master’s degree in business administration. She will have one season of eligibility remaining.
“Keyen brings maturity and game experience to our team,” Harper said. “She is productive in the paint and aggressively rebounds the ball. She provides us another person of high character, and we are excited to welcome her to our program.”
A native of Philadelphia, Pa., and graduate of Phil-Mont Christian Academy, Green averaged 13.1 points and 7.2 rebounds in 93 career games for the Lady Flames, starting 91 of those contests. She connected on a very impressive 60 percent of her field goal attempts during her time in Lynchburg and 48 percent of her rebounds came on the offensive end.
She finished her career at LU ranked No. 9 in program history for points (1,215), No. 10 for rebounds (673) and tied for eighth in both double-doubles (17) and 20-point games (13).
An All-ASUN Conference First Team selection in 2019-20 (Liberty’s first ever), Green bounced back in strong fashion from her injury redshirt season in 2018-19. She paced the Lady Flames in points (13.9 ppg.), rebounds (7.5 rpg.), blocked shots (0.7 bpg.) and field goal percentage (.590). Her field goal percentage ranked No. 1 in the ASUN and No. 11 nationally. Green’s 13.9 scoring average was the highest by a Lady Flame since the 2013-14 season.
As a sophomore, prior to Liberty’s move to the ASUN, Green was the 2017-18 Big South Player of the Year and an All-Big South First Team honoree. She led the Big South and was No. 11 in the NCAA in field goal percentage (.610), while ranking No. 8 in scoring (12.9 ppg.) and No. 3 in offensive rebounds (2.8 rpg.). She also pulled down 6.2 rpg. while scoring in double figures in 22 games and recording five double-doubles.
Interestingly enough, the final contest of Green’s sophomore season came in Thompson-Boling Arena, as Liberty faced off against the Lady Vols in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. While her team fell, 100-60 on March 16, 2018, the Lady Flames standout was perfect from the field (4-4) and two of three at the charity stripe for 10 points in 19 minutes of play. She also contributed two rebounds and a steal vs. Tennessee in the match-up.
Earning Big South Freshman of the Year, Big South All-Freshman and All-Big South Second Team recognition in 2016-17, Green was the league leader in field goal percentage (.598), offensive rebounds (3.6 rpg.) and double-doubles (9), while ranking second in rebounding (8.1), fourth in blocked shots (1.0 bpg.), sixth in defensive rebounds (4.5 rpg.) and 10th in scoring (12.3 ppg.). She was the first player in history to win eight Big South Freshman of the Week honors.
Green was a three-star prospect and the No. 47 forward in the prep class of 2016, according to espnW HoopGurlz. She tallied more than 1,400 points and 1,100 rebounds at Phil-Mont Christian, averaging 21.0 ppg. and 13.0 rpg. to earn all-state honors in Pennsylvania and Bicentennial Athletic League (BAL) Co-Player of the Year accolades as a senior.
The signing of Green marks the third incoming graduate transfer in Lady Vol history and the first committing to UT during the Kellie Harper era. The most recent was Lou Brown, a 6-3 forward from Washington State, who inked with the Big Orange in April 2018, sat out a year due to injury and played the 2019-20 campaign. The first was Schaquilla Nunn, a 6-3 forward who came to Tennessee from Winthrop and played on Rocky Top during the 2016-17 season.
Green joins fall signees Tess Darby (6-1, G/F, Greenfield, Tenn. ) and Destiny Salary (6-0, G, Jonesboro, Ark.). To read about Darby and Salary, please click here.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee head football coach Jeremy Pruitt has accepted Peyton Manning’s “ALL IN Challenge.” Vol fans can now enter to win an unforgettable Tennessee game day traditions experience package at allinchallenge.com/Tennessee.
The “ALL IN Challenge” was launched by Fanatics founder and Executive Chairman Michael Rubin, giving fans a chance at once-in-a-lifetime experiences with celebrities, personalities, athletes and coaches. All proceeds from the challenge go to COVID-19 relief and will help eliminate food insecurity during these challenging times. The “ALL IN Challenge” aims to be the world’s largest digital fundraiser in history by raising tens of millions of dollars to feed those in need.
Tennessee fans can enter at allinchallenge.com/Tennessee starting at $10 a donation for a chance to win the following game day experience package for you and three friends:
Four (4) round trip coach tickets, two (2) night hotel stay and ground transportation to/from destination airport
Arrival on game day via the Vol Navy
Private premium tailgate area pregame
Walk the “Vol Walk” alongside Coach Pruitt
Watch pregame warmups from the sideline with men’s basketball head coach Rick Barnes and women’s basketball head coach Kellie Harper (schedule permitting)
Run Through the T
Orchestrate the ‘Pride of the Southland” band’s playing of “Rocky Top” in the second quarter
Watch the remainder of the game from the suites
Attend Coach Pruitt’s postgame press conference
A complete Tennessee/Fanatics apparel package with gear to wear to the game.
The sweepstakes is valid for participants ages 18 or older, and the game will be mutually agreed upon. A $10 donation will grant you 10 entries into the sweepstakes. Fans choosing to donate more will gain more entries into the sweepstakes. For more information visit, allinchallenge.com.
Runaway June’s Jennifer Wayne revealed via Instagram on April 15 that she has been diagnosed with COVID-19.
Along with a statement that describes why she decided to reveal the news and how she’s been combating the virus, Jennifer shared a photo of herself holding a “3 Things I’m Grateful For” sign.
Jennifer’s entire statement is below:
“I’ve been struggling with whether or not to share, because to be honest it’s kind of rocked me and I wasn’t sure that putting it on a public platform was right for me. But as I’ve been telling people, I’ve had so many people reach out and say they have/had the virus and what did I do, what were my symptoms etc. So anyway, I am sharing this because I did contract Covid 19 (I’m assuming from the grocery store, it’s the only place I’ve been?!) and I had some great advice from doctors and friends and family (@travelingwithfinn !)… and this helped me kick this things ass. Everyone is different, and each body’s immune system fights it off in a different way, so I am definitely not saying I have any answers… just wanted to share what I did in case it helps. I loaded up on Vitamin C, Vitamin D3, B complex; chaga mushrooms and ZINC! Lots of Zinc. I also drank more water and Gatorade then I ever have in my life. I wanted to flush that thing out of my system. Those vitamins and staying hydrated and rest were a lifesaver for me. I’ve read lots of articles about what to do as far as self isolation etc… but not so many on what to do to combat it because there is so much unknown. But that seemed to really help me and I really felt I needed to share. Next up, donating my blood and plasma to help others. Sorry for the long post, and sending LOTS of love to all of you and hope you are staying healthy and safe!”
Runaway June—comprised of Naomi Cooke, Hannah Mulholland and Jennifer Wayne—released their new album, Blue Roses, in 2019, which featured Top 5 single, “Buy My Own Drinks.”
Scotty McCreery will present a virtual concert via Club Cooee, an online chat community where members create avatars and interact socially. Club Cooee will host Scotty—transformed into a 3D avatar—in concert for a limited time over two weekends on April 24–26 and May 1–3.
“In this unsettling time where everyone has to be physically isolated because of COVID-19, it’s great to find a fun way to bring people together for some entertainment in the virtual world of Club Cooee,” said Scotty. “I never thought I’d become a game avatar, but I’m always up for trying something new. Looking forward to seeing everyone at Club Cooee!”
Club Cooee is available for free on Google Play and the Apple App Store. Once installed, the user will select a starter 3D avatar and nickname and then be taken to the app’s main dashboard where they will find Scotty-branded buttons. During the event, there will also be a special “Live Now!” button so users can directly join the virtual concert.
Scotty will be the first musical artist to perform in Club Cooee and the first country music artist ever to host a virtual concert in any gaming world.
Vols long snapper Riley Lovingood / Credit: UT Athletics
IRVING, Texas – Tennessee long snapper Riley Lovingood was selected as a member of the 2020 National Football Foundation Hampshire Honor Society, the NFF announced Wednesday.
Lovingood joins 12 other VFLs who have received the honor since its inception in 2007.
Qualifications to join the NFF Hampshire Honor Society include achieving a 3.2 cumulative grade point average throughout entire course of undergraduate study, being a starter or significant contributor during the 2019 season and meeting all NCAA-mandated progress towards degree requirements.
Lovingood was the primary long snapper for all 13 games of the 2019 season for the Vols. He handled two different punters and snapped for All-SEC Second Team kicker Brent Cimaglia, who made 23 of 27 field goal attempts and was perfect on extra points. During the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl, the Hendersonville, Tenn., native injured his knee after snapping on the game-winning extra point, but returned for a crucial snap on a punt in the final minutes.
He was a four-time SEC Academic Honor Roll recipient while also completing his master’s degree in communications studies in December 2019 with a 3.21 GPA.
E.J. Anosike (pronounced: ann-uh-SICK-ee), a 6-6, 245-pound forward from East Orange, New Jersey, has signed an institutional aid agreement and plans to enroll at Tennessee this summer and play for the Volunteers as a graduate transfer during the 2020-21 season.
The name is familiar to many Tennessee fans, as his older sister, Nicky Anosike, was a two-time national champion with the Lady Vols basketball program from 2004-08 and twice was named to the NCAA All-Final Four Team. He plans to wear her No. 55 next season.
E.J. Anosike will earn his degree in Finance and Business Economics, with a minor in Accounting, from Sacred Heart University in May. He achieved a 3.57 GPA and received the 2020 Northeast Conference Men’s Basketball Scholar-Athlete Award.
A first-team All-NEC selection last season, Anosike ranked among the top 20 in all of Division I in offensive rebounds per game (4.18, fourth), total rebounds per game (11.6 rpg, sixth), double-doubles (18, seventh) and defensive rebounds per game (7.42, 19th). His career rebounding averages climbed from 3.9 rpg as a freshman to 8.1 ppg as a sophomore to a league-leading 11.6 rpg as a junior. Prior to transferring to Tennessee, Anosike was on track to become the just sixth player in NEC history to reach 1,000 career rebounds.
“Aside from being a great person from a great family, E.J. brings experience and toughness,” Vols head coach Rick Barnes said. “Anyone who averages a double-double for an entire season and displays the versatility he has is impressive. He also plays with tremendous competitive spirit, which is valuable for any team.”
Anosike started all 33 games for Sacred Heart this past season and led the team in scoring (15.7 ppg), rebounding (11.6 rpg), offensive rebounding (4.2 orpg) and minutes played (33.2 mpg) while shooting .484 from the field. He logged eight 20-point games and was a five-time NEC Player of the Week.
His 27 career double-doubles are fifth-most among all returning Division I players nationally.
Over the last two seasons, he started all 65 games in which he appeared. In his 94 career games, Anosike averages 11.7 points and 8.0 rebounds.
As his role expanded year over year, the Pioneers’ win total improved from 10, to 15, to 20 this past season.
A 1,000-point scorer at New Jersey’s Paramus Catholic High School, Anosike spent a postgrad year at St. Thomas More School in Montville, Connecticut, before enrolling at Sacred Heart.
Anosike becomes the second New Jersey native to suit up for the Vols, joining Steve Hirschorn (1968-72, Springfield, N.J.). He will be the sixth incoming graduate transfer in program history, following forward John Fields (2010-11), guard Antonio Barton (2013-14), guard Ian Chiles (2014-15), forward Lew Evans (2016-17) and guard James Daniel III (2017-18).
Tennessee’s crop of newcomers for the 2020-21 season now stands at four. Anosike joins incoming freshmen Keon Johnson, Jaden Springer and Corey Walker Jr.
Singer/songwriter Jameson Rodgers has used his writing chops to co-pen tunes like Luke Bryan’s “Born Here, Live Here, Die Here,” Jason Aldean’s “Camouflage Hat” and Florida Georgia Line’s “Wish You Were On It.”
The Mississippi native, who dropped his debut single, “Some Girls,” in 2019, is back with a new release of his own, “Cold Beer Calling My Name.” The spirited song features vocals from Luke Combs, who took Jameson on the road with him as part of his Beer Never Broke My Heart Tour in 2019.
Thomas Rhett and Little Big Town are among the more than two dozen stars taking part in ABC’s The Disney Family Singalong on April 16. The show will feature “celebrities with their families as they take on their favorite Disney tunes from their homes.”
Thomas Rhett will perform “Do You Wanna Build a Snowman” from Frozen, while Little Big Town will tackle “A Spoonful of Sugar” from Mary Poppins.
Hosted by Ryan Seacrest, The Disney Family Singalong will also include remote performances and appearances by Ariana Grande, Tori Kelly, Demi Lovato, Christina Aguilera, Erin Andrews, Michael Bublé, Kristin Chenoweth, Auliʻi Cravalho, Luke Evans, Jordan Fisher, Josh Gad, Derek Hough, Julianne Hough, Carrie Ann Inaba, Kenny Ortega, Donny Osmond, Bobby Bones, Amber Riley, John Stamos and many more.
The Disney Family Singalong will premiere on April 16 at 8 p.m ET/5 p.m. PT on ABC.
Many of the announced performances are below.
“A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes” from Cinderella – Demi Lovato and Michael Bublé
“A Spoonful of Sugar” from Mary Poppins – Little Big Town
“Be Our Guest” from Beauty and the Beast – Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert, with a special appearance by Julianne Hough
“Can You Feel the Love Tonight” from The Lion King – Christina Aguilera
“Colors of the Wind” from Pocahontas – Tori Kelly
“Do You Want to Build a Snowman” from Frozen – Thomas Rhett
“Friend Like Me” from Aladdin – James Monroe Iglehart with Broadway Company of Disney’s Aladdin
“Gaston” from Beauty and the Beast – Josh Gad, Luke Evans and Alan Menken
“How Far I’ll Go” from Moana – Auliʻi Cravalho
“I Won’t Say I’m In Love” from Hercules – Ariana Grande
“I Wan’na Be Like You” from The Jungle Book – Darren Criss
“I’ll Make A Man Out Of You” from Mulan – Donny Osmond
“It’s a Small World” – John Stamos
“Let It Go” from Frozen – Amber Riley
“The Bare Necessities” from The Jungle Book– Erin Andrews, Bobby Bones, Carrie Ann Inaba and Marcus Scribner
“Under The Sea” from The Little Mermaid – Jordan Fisher
“You’ve Got a Friend In Me” from Toy Story – Josh Groban
![Jameson Rodgers Drops New Single, “Cold Beer Calling My Name,” Featuring Luke Combs [Listen]](https://cdn.socast.io/6616/sites/602/2020/04/15115157/Jameson-Rodgers-AFF.jpg#aqua_resizer_image_not_local)
