The 26-year-old has scored back-to-back No. 1 singles on the Billboard Country Airplay chart with “Up Down” (June 2018) and “Whiskey Glasses” (June 2019). His current single, “Chasin’ You,” is No. 14 on the chart after 32 weeks.
But it wasn’t that long ago that the Sneedville, Tenn., native was a relative unknown. As a 20-year-old, he competed on Season 6 of The Voice in 2014, where he joined Team Usher and Team Adam Levine, before being eliminated in the playoff rounds.
“The Voice was a blessing for sure,” said Morgan to Nash Country Daily in 2017. “I really had no idea what to expect, going into it. None at all. And I didn’t know who I was as an artist and I really didn’t know who I was as a person at that time. I was 20 years old and my whole world had just changed. I went on there and I didn’t have my voice figured out either. I was forcing things that didn’t need to be forced and probably doing damage to my voice at the time. So I sounded more like a pop singer when I first went to try out for the show. So they wanted me to sing pop, which I understand, but I’m like ‘No, I want to sing country’ and there was a vocal coach behind the scenes and she really helped me figuring out my sound, like, ‘you don’t have to do this with your voice, just let it be natural, do what feels okay.’ And she really helped me to get my normal voice that ended up being the one I have now. You know, I’ve got rid of all the growl and all that stuff that I was doing and ended up being way more of a country voice than I really thought that I had. And I definitely think that’s my favorite thing that happened throughout the show.”
When longtime The Voice coach Blake Shelton was recently asked about a former contestant who slipped though the cracks, he referenced Morgan’s journey.
“Everybody has their own different kind of journey and things,” said Blake. “I think the one that I look back on now and go, ‘What the hell,’ is Morgan Wallen, you know? [laughing] He was on the show. He wasn’t even on my team. He was on Adam’s team—the whole thing just seemed screwed up, you know? It’s like he was on the show and he didn’t even get through the Battle [rounds] and now here he is having these gigantic, huge number one hits, and I can’t take any of the credit. It’s like, ‘I had him right there and he got away.’”
Season 18 of The Voice is currently airing on Monday and Tuesday nights on NBC.
On March 15 at 2:45 p.m., Nashville Mayor John Cooper announced the closure of bars throughout Davidson Country—including downtown’s famed Lower Broadway district—in response to the COVID-19 public health emergency.
The Metro Board of Health convened for an emergency meeting on March 15 at 5 p.m., unanimously approving the mayor’s proposal, which includes:
closing bars throughout Davidson County, including Lower Broadway
limiting restaurant seating to less than 50 percent of capacity, with no more than 100 individuals allowed in a given establishment
limiting bar service at restaurants to 50 percent capacity with no standing allowed
The Metro Board of Health has scheduled an emergency meeting for today at 5:00 PM. In advance of that meeting, I am asking for specific, short-term action to be taken effective immediately regarding our bars and restaurants. pic.twitter.com/xxbuwYypbC
The Academy of Country Music has postponed the 55th ACM Awards, which were scheduled to take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on April 5.
The ACM Awards will now take place in September, although no exact date has been announced. The decision continues ongoing actions to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, which was labeled a pandemic on March 11 by the World Health Organizations.
Below is the official statement from the Academy, which was released on March 15:
The 55th Academy of Country Music Awards™ scheduled to air live on the CBS Television Network on Sunday, April 5th from Las Vegas is postponed and will be rescheduled to air on CBS in September, at a date, time and venue to be determined. The health and safety of our artists, fans, industry, staff and partners is our number one priority.
“The ACM Awards® is a tentpole event for our Country Music industry, and the Academy of Country Music® and dick clark productions went to great lengths to find a safe solution for the show to go on so that we can honor our artist community. This decision involved many partners, stakeholders and the industry who we have been in constant conversations with over the past several days as the situation has developed. We look forward to identifying a future date that we can celebrate with our Country community safely,” said Damon Whiteside, CEO of the Academy of Country Music.
Refunds will be issued for tickets purchased for the ACM Awards and ACM Party for a Cause® events, including ACM Lifting Lives® Topgolf Tee-Off and ACM Beach Bash. Please monitor our ACM website and social accounts for information on how to claim your refund.
Our Mother, Jacqueline McEntire, made that wonderful cross over into Heaven today. She had a wonderful, full, healthy life and was absolutely ready to go. The cancer might think it won the battle but we’re giving God all the credit on selecting the time for her to go home to Him. She was ready to see our Daddy, her mama and daddy and all her family and friends.
Down here, Alice, Pake, Susie and I, grandkids and great grandkids all got to visit with her either in person or over the phone. She left knowing how much she is loved and we all know how much she loved us.
We are very thankful for all the prayers, cards, calls, visits, the care-givers with their huge hearts, and the time God gave us with Mama.
Jackie, Jac, Ms McEntire, Mama, Mama Jac, Momo Jac, Grandma, Grandma Jac, whatever the title was at the time – she gave you her undivided attention. We’re all going to miss her but we have so many wonderful memories.
Thank you Lord for that.
In lieu of flowers, the family lovingly asks that memorials be sent to the Reba McEntire Fund to benefit the Jacqueline McEntire Library Fund.
Donations can be made online at https://www.texomagivingpartners.org/donate or mailed to:
The Reba McEntire Fund
5036 Reba Drive
Denison, Texas, 75020
In the memo line please write “Jacqueline McEntire”
Phone: THF – Texoma Giving Partners at 903.337.0755
“The past several days have been filled with uncertainty and have presented unique and challenging circumstances. A growing public health crisis has led to difficult but necessary decisions. I personally am grateful for the courageous leadership of Southeastern Conference Commissioner Greg Sankey, UT Chancellor Plowman and the rest of our conference presidents, chancellors and ADs. Dialogue is ongoing. We are all in uncharted territory, and there is no manual to guide our decision making. However, we must continue to act with abundant caution while prioritizing health and safety throughout our campuses and communities.
“I am heartbroken for our student-athletes who have poured their heart and soul into their training and now find themselves in a season of uncertainty. There are many lingering questions related to academics, eligibility, training schedules, housing and various other internal operations for which we do not yet have answers. But I am focused on actively engaging in the dialogue that is to come as we work to support our young men and women—highlighting their physical, mental and emotional wellness—to help them move forward.
“To our incredible fans, donors and alumni—I understand the frustration that comes along with canceled events, ticket refunds and many lost opportunities to celebrate Tennessee wins and championships. But I’m confident that these circumstances will stir the passion of the world’s most extraordinary fanbase, and that your love for the Vols and Lady Vols will shine through like never before when the action eventually resumes.
“Please take care of yourselves and each other as we navigate the days to come together, prioritizing the greater good.”
Here’s how University of Tennessee athletes have reacted to the sports cancellations and postponements due to the coronavirus and related subjects on Twitter.
— Ticket “Hollywood” Gaines (@TheRealTicket0) March 12, 2020
VolNation THANK YOU! It’s been such a long season with a lot of ups and downs but unfortunately it’s over! We’re gonna keep working and getting ready for the next season! Love y’all and thanks for the support in tough moments! #BleedOrange#GBO 🧡
Looking back on it, I cannot put into words how devastated I would’ve been if my senior year was cancelled the day before SEC play starts. Feel for all these guys.
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Hatch Show Print, Historic RCA Studio B and the CMA Theater at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum will be closed temporarily to the public March 14 though March 31.
Starting on March 16, the Hall of Fame will begin issuing refunds on all purchases with arrival dates between March 14-31, 2020. If you would prefer to reschedule for a different date, please email the HOF by March 16: [email protected].
Please allow up to 30 days for the refund to be processed.
The Grand Ole Opry will pause performances that include a live audience through April 4, including performances on March 13.
During this time, the Saturday Night Grand Ole Opry Show will return to its original format as a live radio broadcast without a live audience. Fans around the world can still tune in to the Saturday night broadcasts at opry.com and wsmonline.com, Opry and WSM mobile apps, SiriusXM Satellite, and its flagship home, 650 AM-WSM.
Guests with tickets for cancelled performances can contact Grand Ole Opry Customer Service for help at (800) SEE OPRY or go to opry.com.
As Tennessee Athletics and the UT Office of Emergency Management closely monitor coronavirus (COVID-19) developments, the health of our student-athletes, staff and campus community remains at the forefront of all decision making. These are unique circumstances, and responsible and deliberate decisions are being made in consultation with public health authorities. Given the fluid nature of ongoing developments, we will share new, pertinent information as it becomes available.
The Southeastern Conference on March 13 announced that all athletics activities, including competitions, team and individual practices, meetings and other organized gatherings, will be suspended through at least April 15, due to continuing developments related to COVID-19.
The SEC had previously announced (on March 12) that all competition was suspended until March 30. That suspension of competition has been extended through April 15 and now includes all organized team activities.
SEC athletics programs will cease practices, individual and team workouts effective the end of the day on Friday, March 13. Team meetings (to communicate logistics) shall conclude no later than 5 p.m. local time on Monday, March 16.
Tennessee, along with all SEC member institutions, will continue to provide student-athletes with care and support to meet needs in areas including academics, medical care, mental health and wellness, nutrition and housing as needed.
Tennessee Director of Athletics Phillip Fulmer released the following statement on March 13.
“The past several days have been filled with uncertainty and have presented unique and challenging circumstances. A growing public health crisis has led to difficult but necessary decisions. I personally am grateful for the courageous leadership of Southeastern Conference Commissioner Greg Sankey, UT Chancellor Plowman and the rest of our conference presidents, chancellors and ADs. Dialogue is ongoing. We are all in uncharted territory, and there is no manual to guide our decision making. However, we must continue act with abundant caution while prioritizing health and safety throughout our campuses and communities.
“I am heartbroken for our student-athletes who have poured their heart and soul into their training and now find themselves in a season of uncertainty. There are many lingering questions related to academics, eligibility, training schedules, housing and various other internal operations for which we do not yet have answers. But I am focused on actively engaging in the dialogue that is to come as we work to support our young men and women—highlighting their physical, mental and emotional wellness—to help them move forward.
“To our incredible fans, donors and alumni—I understand the frustration that comes along with canceled events, ticket refunds and many lost opportunities to celebrate Tennessee wins and championships. But I’m confident that these circumstances will stir the passion of the world’s most extraordinary fanbase, and that your love for the Vols and Lady Vols will shine through like never before when the action eventually resumes.
“Please take care of yourselves and each other as we navigate the days to come together, prioritizing the greater good.”
Additional guidance and precautionary measures are available at the university’s COVID-19 page: https://www.utk.edu/coronavirus
Competitions and Tickets
Single-game tickets for baseball and softball purchased directly through AllVols.com or Tennessee Athletics will be refunded in the form of the original payment. Fans will not need to request a refund; those purchases will be automatically refunded in seven to 10 business days. Refunds will be issued to the original purchaser of record.
Tennessee Athletics will follow up with communication to baseball and softball season-ticket holders related to refunds based on the restriction duration.
Refunds for ticket purchases made via cash or check could take up to six weeks to process.
For questions related to refunds or ticket purchases, please contact the Tennessee Athletic Ticket Office at (865) 656-1200.
Tennessee’s Chevrolet Orange & White Game will not be played on April 18. The status of the game will be determined at a later date.
The NCAA Rowing Championships, scheduled to be hosted by the University of Tennessee and take place in Oak Ridge from May 29-31, have been canceled.
Recruiting & Travel
For the health and safety of all involved, the SEC is prohibiting its coaches from conducting off-campus recruiting activities or hosting prospective student-athletes on official or unofficial campus visits at this time.
At the institutional level, effective March 10, nonessential UT-related international and domestic travel outside the state of Tennessee was suspended.
Other Events
All third-party competitions, events and tours scheduled to take place at UT athletic facilities through March 30 are canceled. Events scheduled after that date will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis moving forward.
The Tennessee Football Coaches Clinic, originally scheduled for March 26-28, has been canceled. Coaches who pre-registered for the event will be refunded. In addition, Tennessee’s Pro Day, originally scheduled for March 26, has been postponed until further notice.
Chris Young dropped a piano-driven version of his current Top 40 single, “Drowning.”
Co-penned by Chris, Corey Crowder and Josh Hoge, “Drowning” was partly inspired by the death of Chris’ close friend, Adam Carnes, and features lyrics: “So tonight I’m gonna pull out pictures, ones with you in ’em / Laugh and cry a little while reminiscing / By myself, I can’t help that all I think about is / How you were taken way too soon / It ain’t the same here without you / I gotta say, missing you comes in waves / And tonight I’m drowning”
“I actually wrote this song with two of my really good friends, Corey Crowder and Josh Hoge,” says Chris. “All of us were writing to that hook, which Corey actually brought in that day, and we just all thought that it was an amazing idea and it was something that was gonna touch pretty much anybody that has ever lost anyone. I actually wrote it about a friend of mine, Adam, who passed away many years ago. It’s just a really, really special song to me and I hope it really touches a lot of people.”
“Drowning” follows the release of Chris’ Top 5 hit “Raised on Country.” Listen to the piano-driven version of “Drowning” below.
![Chris Young Drops Piano-Driven Version of Top 40 Single, “Drowning” [Listen]](https://cdn.socast.io/6616/sites/602/2020/03/13135701/Chris-young-CH.jpg#aqua_resizer_image_not_local)
