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Everything You Need to Know About “ACM Presents: Our Country” TV Special on April 5

Posted on April 3, 2020

From times and tributes to performers and pre-show, here’s everything a country music fan needs to know about the ACM Presents: Our Country TV special.

Date: Sunday, April 5

Time: 8–10 p.m. ET/PT

Television Station: CBS

Stream: CBS All Access

Host: Gayle King

Location: Stars will perform from their homes.

Performers: Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Kane Brown and John Legend, Luke Bryan, Brandi Carlile, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Sheryl Crow, Florida Georgia Line, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Tim McGraw, Old Dominion, Brad Paisley and Darius Rucker, Thomas Rhett, Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani, Shania Twain, Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban

Tribute: Luke Bryan, Brad Paisley and Darius Rucker will honor Kenny Rogers, who passed away on March 20.

Set List:

Kelsea Ballerini – “homecoming queen?”
Dierks Bentley – “I Hold On”
Kane Brown & John Legend – “Last Time I Say Sorry”
Luke Bryan – “Most People Are Good”
Brandi Carlile – “The Joke”
Eric Church – “Never Break Heart”
Luke Combs – “Beautiful Crazy”
Sheryl Crow – “I Shall Believe”
Florida Georgia Line – “Blessings”
Lady Antebellum – “What I’m Leaving For”
Miranda Lambert – “Bluebird”
Little Big Town – “Next To You”
Tim McGraw – “Humble And Kind”
Old Dominion (Matthew Ramsey and Trevor Rosen) – “Some People Do”
Brad Paisley & Darius Rucker – “Mud On The Tires” & “Wagon Wheel”
Thomas Rhett – “Be A Light”
Blake Shelton & Gwen Stefani – “Nobody But You”
Shania Twain – “Honey, I’m Home” & “Man! I Feel Like a Woman”
Carrie Underwood – “Drinking Alone”
Keith Urban – “Wasted Time”
Brad Paisley & Darius Rucker – “Lucille” & “The Gambler”
Luke Bryan – “Coward Of The County”

Pre-Show: 7 p.m. ET/6 p.m. CT via Facebook & Amazon Music on Twitch

Pre-Show Performers: Lauren Alaina, Ingrid Andress, Gabby Barrett, Lee Brice, Blanco Brown, Lindsay Ell, Riley Green, Mickey Guyton, Caylee Hammack, Ashley McBryde, Jake Owen, Carly Pearce, Tenille Townes, Chris Young

Pre-Show Tribute: Chris Young will honor Joe Diffie, who passed away on March 29.

photos: Dierks Bentley, Miranda Lambert, Luke Bryan by Curtis Hilbun, AFF-USA.com; Carrie Underwood by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

Audio: Pruitt “We’ve been able to do a little football. From a mental standpoint, it’s probably been good for these guys.”

Posted on April 3, 2020

Tennessee Volunteers head football coach Jeremy Pruitt spoke to the media on Friday via a Zoom audio teleconference. He gave an update on how the coaches and team has been handling the circumstances with social distancing due to COVID-19. Listen to that entire visit with Q&A below.

Vols HC Jeremy Pruitt / Credit: UT Athletics

Miranda Lambert

Posted on April 3, 2020

Miranda Lambert revealed rescheduled dates for her Wildcard Tour, which will now resume in October. Originally scheduled dates in April and May have been rescheduled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Miranda’s tour will recommence on Oct. 8 in Spokane, Wash., with special guests Cody Johnson and Lanco. Tickets purchased for the original tour dates will be honored for the rescheduled dates. For any further ticket inquiries, please reach out to point of purchase.

Wildcard Tour (rescheduled dates)

*Lanco will not perform

photo by Curtis Hilbun, AFF-USA.com

CMT Awards Rescheduled for Oct. 14

Posted on April 3, 2020

The 2020 CMT Music Awards—originally slated for June 3—will now take place on October 14.

CMT released a statement on April 3: “Our top priority this last month has been rebuilding our hometown of Nashville following the tornado and ensuring the safety of our fans, employees, artists and partners during the COVID-19 crisis. As we look forward to celebrating country music’s biggest stars together with our community and viewers, we will continue to follow the guidance of the CDC and local public health officials.”

The fan-voted CMT Awards hand out annual awards in a number of categories, including Video of the Year, Collaborative Video of the Year, Breakthrough Video of the Year and more.

Last year, the show at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena included performances by Carrie Underwood, Dan + Shay, Kane Brown, Kelsea Ballerini, Luke Bryan, Maren Morris, Thomas Rhett, Boyz II Men, Brandi Carlile, Brett Young, Keith Urban, Little Big Town, Luke Combs and more.

photos by Curtis Hilbun, AFF-USA.com

TV Special “ACM Presents: Our Country” Announces 25-Song Performance List & Facebook Pre-Show

Posted on April 3, 2020

The Academy of Country Music announced the 25-song list for its two-hour TV special, ACM Presents: Our Country, which will air live on April 5 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CBS.

Performers include Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Kane Brown and John Legend, Luke Bryan, Brandi Carlile, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Sheryl Crow, Florida Georgia Line, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Tim McGraw, Old Dominion, Brad Paisley and Darius Rucker, Thomas Rhett, Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani, Shania Twain, Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban. Luke Bryan, Brad Paisley and Darius Rucker will honor Kenny Rogers, who passed away on March 20.

The two-hour special, which will be hosted by Gayle King, will feature conversations and at-home acoustic performances, along with clips of their favorite moments from the ACM Awards 55-year history. Artists will appear from their homes via video chat to share their thoughts and perform acoustic songs. Additionally, video clips from previous ACM Award broadcasts will allow viewers to reminisce with them about their favorite ACM moments.

The ACM Awards were originally planned to air from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on April 5. The Academy scrapped the plan on March 15 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The ACM Awards have been rescheduled for Sept. 16.

In addition, fans are invited to enjoy more performances during the pre-show on the Academy of Country Music’s Facebook page on April 5 at 7 p.m. CT. Lauren Alaina, Ingrid Andress, Gabby Barrett, Lee Brice, Blanco Brown, Lindsay Ell, Riley Green, Mickey Guyton, Caylee Hammack, Ashley McBryde, Jake Owen, Carly Pearce, Tenille Townes and more will appear from their homes to share heartfelt messages with their fans and perform acoustic versions of their hits. The pre-show will also pay tribute to 6-time ACM Award nominee Joe Diffie, who died on March 29, with a special performance by Chris Young.

ACM Presents: Our Country performances will include:

Kelsea Ballerini – “homecoming queen?”
Dierks Bentley – “I Hold On”
Kane Brown & John Legend – “Last Time I Say Sorry”
Luke Bryan – “Most People Are Good”
Brandi Carlile – “The Joke”
Eric Church – “Never Break Heart”
Luke Combs – “Beautiful Crazy”
Sheryl Crow – “I Shall Believe”
Florida Georgia Line – “Blessings”
Lady Antebellum – “What I’m Leaving For”
Miranda Lambert – “Bluebird”
Little Big Town – “Next To You”
Tim McGraw – “Humble And Kind”
Old Dominion (Matthew Ramsey and Trevor Rosen) – “Some People Do”
Brad Paisley & Darius Rucker – “Mud On The Tires” & “Wagon Wheel”
Thomas Rhett – “Be A Light”
Blake Shelton & Gwen Stefani – “Nobody But You”
Shania Twain – “Honey, I’m Home” & “Man! I Feel Like a Woman”
Carrie Underwood – “Drinking Alone”
Keith Urban – “Wasted Time”
Kenny Rogers Tribute – featuring Brad Paisley & Darius Rucker performing “Lucille” & “The Gambler” and Luke Bryan performing “Coward Of The County”

photos by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

Loretta Lynn Records New Cover of Patsy Cline’s “I Fall to Pieces” [Listen]

Posted on April 3, 2020

Loretta Lynn released a newly recorded cover of Patsy Cline’s “I Fall to Pieces” on April 3.

Written by Hank Cochran and Harlan Howard, “I Fall to Pieces” was Patsy’s first No. 1 hit on the country charts in 1961. Before her death in a plane crash in 1963, Patsy was an established star who took up-and-comer Loretta under her wing to help her navigate the male-dominated world of country music.

Loretta’s new recording was released in celebration of the upcoming book, Me & Patsy Kickin’ Up Dust (April 7), which was penned by Loretta and daughter Patsy Lynn Russell. According to a press release, the book is an “up-close-and-personal portrait of a friendship that defined a generation and changed country music indelibly–and a meditation on love, loss and legacy.”

Listen to Loretta’s new version of “I Fall to Pieces” below.

photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

John Prine Battles COVID-19 & Pneumonia in Hospital ICU: “He Is Very Ill”

Posted on April 3, 2020

John Prine’s wife, Fiona, provided an update on her husband’s condition via Instagram on April 2.

Fiona confirmed that John, 73, has been diagnosed with COVID-19, as well as pneumonia in both lungs. John has been in the hospital since March 26 and using a ventilator since March 28.

“He is very ill and yet I remain hopeful that he can continue to fight this devastating virus and come home where we can care for him,” said Fiona, in part.

Fiona’s complete statement is below.

“This is John’s 8th day in ICU . He is receiving excellent medical care and being treated with kindness and compassion by the entire team looking after him day and night.I cannot be with him which makes this nightmare all the more distressing for me. As you know, John was put on a ventilator last Saturday. He still needs quite a bit of help with his breathing. Like many patients currently in ICU beds all around the world, John has pneumonia in both lungs. He has also developed some peripheral issues that are being treated with meds, including antibiotics. He is very ill and yet I remain hopeful that he can continue to fight this devastating virus and come home where we can care for him. I don’t have the words to adequately Thank You all for the outpouring of love and prayers that John and our family has received this last week. It means the world to us to have your love and support at this difficult time. On behalf of me and our boys—Jody, Jack and Tommy—please know that we are keeping you all in our hearts with a prayer that you stay safe and healthy. Please continue to send Love, Prayers and Positive Energy to John. He needs us now more than ever. John loves you and I love you too.”

John is a two-time Grammy winner, Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member, PEN New England Lyrics Award recipient, and a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominee. John was a recipient of the Recording Academy’s 2020 Lifetime Achievement Award. John’s catalog includes iconic songs “Sam Stone,” “Angel From Montgomery,” “Paradise,” “Hello In There,” “Illegal Smile,” “That’s The Way The World Goes ‘Round,” “Speed Of The Sound Of Loneliness,” “In Spite of Ourselves,” “I Just Want To Dance With You” and more.

John’s songs have been recorded by Johnny Cash, Carly Simon, Bette Midler, Bonnie Raitt, Norah Jones, George Strait, Miranda Lambert, Zac Brown Band and many others.

photo by Steven Bergman, AFF-USA.com

April 3: Live-Stream Show Calendar With Brad Paisley, Brantley Gilbert, Chase Rice & More

Posted on April 3, 2020

Country stars are trying to do their part to keep us entertained during our self-quarantines (hopefully) due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Here’s a rundown of what to expect as some of our favorite stars perform live and chat via social medial.

April 3 (updated throughout the day)

Stephanie Quayle: 10 a.m. CT – Facebook
Seaforth: 3 p.m. CT – Instagram
Ty Bentli Show Happy Hour with Jimmie Allen: 5 p.m CT – Instagram
Michael Ray: 6 p.m. CT – Instagram
Chase Rice: 6 p.m. CT – Facebook & Instagram
Niko Moon: 7 p.m. CT – Facebook & Instagram
Tucker Beathard: 7:30 p.m. CT – Facebook & Instagram
Ashley McBryde: 7:30 p.m. CT – YouTube
Brad Paisley: 8 p.m. CT – Facebook & Instagram
Brantley Gilbert with Colt Ford: 8 p.m. CT – Instagram

photos: Brad Paisley by Curtis Hilbun, AFF-USA.com; Brantley Gilbert by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

Keith Urban Drops Illuminating New Video for “God Whispered Your Name” [Watch]

Posted on April 2, 2020

Keith Urban released a new video for his single, “God Whispered Your Name.” Penned by James Slater, Shy Carter, Micah Carter and Chris August, “God Whispered Your Name” is Keith’s first new music in 2020.

The new video juxtaposes Keith in the isolation of a dark room (warehouse in Nashville) with the expansiveness of performing atop a boulder on mountainous terrain (outside Lancaster, Calif.).

“I wanted to first try and capture a sense of isolation, a lonely, dark place, that transitions into light a bit more as the video progresses, which for me is how I found my own world opening up as I went along my journey,” says Keith. “That dark and lonely place, was underneath a warehouse in Nashville, literally the darkest, dank and smelly place. We spent the whole morning there shooting everything that you now see in the first part of the video.”

The second part of the almost-four-minute clip finds Keith jamming atop a boulder, which had some inherent risks.

“Playing guitar atop a boulder is definitely not a great idea,” adds Keith “You just kinda lose yourself in what you’re doing, and every minute or two you realize what you’re doing, and you think, ‘I better not fall off this big ass boulder!’ For me, a good music video takes the song to another level. It maybe gives the song a bit more dimension, and hopefully we’ve done that with this one.”

Watch the video for “God Whispered Your Name” below.

photo by Curtis Hilbun, AFF-USA.com

VIDEO: Josh Ward & Eric Cain talk Vols Football recruiting and more

Posted on April 2, 2020

The Sports Animal’s Josh Ward or Sport180 and Eric Cain of TSL caught up today via zoom to discuss some Tennessee football notes.

Josh and Cainer broke down the Vols’ two commits this week in Jaylen Wright and Walker Merrill and went over the challenges moving forward after missing spring practice.

Enjoy. More to come from these two throughout the pause in sports.