Spring Football Returns Tuesday, Chevrolet Orange & White Game Details Announced

Spring Football Returns Tuesday, Chevrolet Orange & White Game Details Announced

Posted on March 9, 2020
UT Football / Credit: UT Athletics

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Riding a wave of momentum to close the 2019 season, Tennessee football returns to the field for the start of 2020 spring practice on Tuesday afternoon. A total of 15 workouts culminate with the Chevrolet Orange & White Game at 4 p.m. ET on Saturday, April 18 in Neyland Stadium.

The Chevrolet Orange & White Game will be carried live on SEC Network+ via WatchESPN.com and the ESPN App. It will also be carried on affiliates of the Vol Network with pre-game air time at 3:45 p.m. ET. Bob Kesling, Tim Priest, Brent Hubbs and Kasey Funderburg will be on the radio call. The radio broadcast will be available on UTsports.com and the UT Gameday App as well.

Admission and parking is FREE for the Chevrolet Orange & White Game. Gates open at 2:30 p.m. Vol Village in Lot 9 will open at noon. Located directly west of Neyland Stadium, Vol Village will feature music, face painting, photo opportunities with Smokey and the spirit squad, food vendors, inflatables, giveaways, interactive areas, autographs with VFLs and other activities.

Athletic department staff members will be available on gameday to provide one-on-one service to fans interested in exploring the stadium to review available seating inventory. Fans interested in scheduling an appointment on April 18 or any other date can do so HERE. Throughout the game, fans will have a chance to win season tickets. Alcohol sales will also be in effect.

Third-year head coach Jeremy Pruitt welcomes back a talented squad, a newly-signed top-10 recruiting class and 98.5 percent of the Vols’ total offense from a year ago. Tennessee reeled off six consecutive victories, finished 5-3 in SEC play and won the Gator Bowl over Indiana. The team carries the second-longest active winning streak among Power Five programs into its season-opener on Sept. 5 against Charlotte.

Season tickets for the 2020 Tennessee campaign are on sale now at AllVols.com and start as low as $300. Season tickets can also be purchased by calling (865) 946-7000. The Vol Pass also is returning for the 2020 football season. A great option for fans interested in experiencing Neyland Stadium from a different vantage point each game, those interested in learning more about the Vol Pass are encouraged to call (865) 946-7000.

Key Spring Dates
Tuesday, March 10 – spring practice begins
Sunday, March 15-Saturday, March 21 – spring break
Thursday, March 26 – Pro Day
Thursday, March 26-Saturday, March 28 – Coaches Clinic
Saturday, April 18 – Chevrolet Orange & White Game, 4 p.m.

Spring Practice Dates (closed to general public) 
Tuesday, March 10
Thursday, March 12
Tuesday, March 24
Friday, March 27
Saturday, March 28
Tuesday, March 31
Thursday, April 2
Friday, April 3
Saturday, April 4
Tuesday, April 7
Thursday, April 9
Saturday, April 11
Tuesday, April 14
Thursday, April 16

-UT Athletics

Listen to Maren Morris’ Vulnerable New Single, “To Hell & Back”

Listen to Maren Morris’ Vulnerable New Single, “To Hell & Back”

Posted on March 9, 2020

Maren Morris will follow up her multi-week No. 1 single, “The Bones,” with the release of “To Hell & Back.”

The new tune, which was penned by Maren, Jessie Jo Dillon and Laura Veltz, will impact country radio on March 30.

“I wrote ‘To Hell & Back’ with my friends Jessie Jo Dillon and Laura Veltz, who wrote ‘Rich’ with me, so they’re kind of my go-to girls on really, really important songs,” says Maren. “I feel like this song came out of a time when I was ending a relationship and I was in a really dark place. And I had kinda started growing deeper feelings for this new guy and he was so accepting and non-judgmental of my process of healing from that other relationship, and kinda gave me space and understood my mess. And I thought that was such a pure kind of love to receive from someone, where they’re like, ‘I know you’re not ready for us yet, I know that you’re not ready for me yet, but I’m gonna wait until you get out of hell,’ and so that’s where that song was inspired from.”

Listen to “To Hell & Back” below.

photo by Curtis Hilbun, AFF-USA.com

Carrie Underwood on Confidence: “Some Days You’ve Just Got to Fake It”

Carrie Underwood on Confidence: “Some Days You’ve Just Got to Fake It”

Posted on March 9, 2020

Carrie Underwood has mastered a number of musical skill sets since launching her career in 2005. Singing? Check. Performing? Check. Songwriting? Check. Marketability? Check.

But Carrie has also has shown a willingness to step out of her comfort zone to try new endeavors, including starting her own Calia clothing line in 2015, co-producing her Cry Pretty album in 2018, and writing her first book, Find Your Path, in 2020.

As Carrie told Kix Brooks of American Country Countdown, the best way to gain confidence is by doing, but sometimes “you’ve just got to fake it.”

“Some days you’ve just got to fake it, man [laughing],” says Carrie. “I’m not gonna lie. Some days you don’t feel confident. You don’t feel up to it or you don’t feel… whatever it is, but I feel like the more you step into that role anyway . . . the more you start to feel it. So, if I’m going into a situation that I question—like producing, I had never done it before [Cry Pretty]. I don’t know how to be a producer. I’ve worked with plenty, so it was kind of like in the beginning, it’s like, ‘Okay, just kind of pretend like you know what you’re doing [laughing] until you actually do,’ and I feel like that worked.”

Carrie launched a new fitness app, fit52, in conjunction with the release of her new book, Find Your Path, which hit the shelves on March 3.

photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

Kane Brown Scores 5th Consecutive No. 1 Single With “Homesick”

Kane Brown Scores 5th Consecutive No. 1 Single With “Homesick”

Posted on March 9, 2020

Kane Brown scored his fifth consecutive No. 1 single as “Homesick” ascended to the top of both the Billboard Country Airplay chart and Mediabase chart this week.

Penned by Kane, Brock Berryhill, Matthew McGinn and Taylor Phillips, “Homesick” is featured on Kane’s 2018 album, Experiment.

“‘Homesick’ is just kinda personal because we’ve done so many shows in the last couple of years, and I’m never home,” says Kane. “I miss my dogs, I miss my family and my friends. I had it tattooed on me already, so it kinda made sense [as a single].”

The tune follows previous No. 1 singles “Lose It,” “Heaven,” “What Ifs” and “Good as You.”

photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

Nashville’s Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival (March 23–28) to Be Rescheduled

Nashville’s Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival (March 23–28) to Be Rescheduled

Posted on March 9, 2020

The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) has decided to reschedule the Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival, which was slated for March 23–28 in Nashville.

In light of the tornado damage Nashville suffered on March 3, as well as the coronavirus outbreak, the NSAI plans to postpone the festival until the summer.

“After heavy consideration, in light of the tornado this week as well as growing health concerns over the coronavirus, we have decided to reschedule Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival to later this year, in the summer,” said NSAI executive director Bart Herbison. “We feel this is the responsible decision, and it is supported by Tin Pan venues and sponsors involved in the festival. We want to thank everyone who had planned to participate in or attend the festival, and appreciate the support in rescheduling it.”

More than 400 artists were scheduled to descend upon Nashville for the 28th annual Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival. During the six-day festival, 10 Nashville venues were to host 100 shows, featuring some of the industry’s best singer/songwriters, including Hayes Carll, Jamey Johnson, Allison Moorer, Mindy Smith and more.

The NSAI noted that it is possible that several of the venues will move forward with the previously scheduled events, which will be decided between the venues and participants, and it is possible that several events will now be modified to benefit tornado relief efforts. Venues scheduled to take part in this year’s festival include Analog at Hutton Hotel, The Bluebird Cafe, Cross-Eyed Critters Watering Hole, Douglas Corner Cafe, Fat Kat Slims, The Listening Room, The Lounge at City Winery, NashHouse Southern Spoon & Saloon, 3rd & Lindsley and True Music Room & Bar.

For those who purchased Tin Pan South Fast Access Passes to the festival and/or registered for the Tin Pan South Songwriting Seminar, the option to receive a refund or to transfer the passes or registration to the newly scheduled date will be available.

photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

Gospel Music Hall of Fame Announces Class of 2020

Gospel Music Hall of Fame Announces Class of 2020

Posted on March 9, 2020

The Gospel Music Association (GMA) announced its Hall of Fame inductees for 2020: 4Him (Contemporary Christian), Commissioned (Gospel), The Isaacs (Southern Gospel) and Bill Hearn (non-performing).

The Class of 2020 will be recognized at the 7th annual GMA Honors and Hall of Fame Induction ceremony on May 6 in Nashville.

In addition, the GMA will recognize its 2020 Honorees at the ceremony: Chris Tomlin for Angel Armies, Steve Moore for The Shalom Foundation, Wes Campbell and Dave Wagner for Thriving Children’s Foundation, and Willie Moore Jr. for Bethany Christian Services.

Presenters and performers will be announced in the coming weeks.

Artists are eligible for inclusion in the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame after 25 years of participation in music and ministry. The GMA Hall of Fame Committee is comprised of historians and industry leaders from various gospel music genres.

photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

No. 11 Vols Fall to Wright State in Series Finale

No. 11 Vols Fall to Wright State in Series Finale

Posted on March 9, 2020
UT Baseball / Credit: UT Athletics

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – No. 11 Tennessee dropped Sunday’s series finale against Wright State, 6-3, at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

The Raiders (5-9) secured the series win with Sunday’s victory, while the Volunteers lost their first weekend series of the year.

The Big Orange managed to make things interesting with three runs over the final three innings after falling behind 6-0. The Vols had the tying run at the plate in the bottom of the ninth, but Christian Scott struck out and Jake Rucker flew out to right field to end the rally.

For the third straight game, UT struggled to get the bats going against Wright State’s starting pitcher. Austin Cline held the Vols (14-2) to just three hits in five shutout innings to earn his second win of the year.

Tennessee’s middle infield tandem of Liam Spence and Max Ferguson accounted for the majority of the Vols’ offense on Sunday, combining for five of the team’s eight hits. Spence finished the day with three hits and a walk while Ferguson went 2-for-4 with a pair of RBI.

Tyler Black had a big day for the Raiders, leading them with three hits, two runs and two RBI, including a two-run homer in the sixth inning.

Chase Wallace started for the Vols and fell to 1-1 on the year after giving up two runs on four hits in four innings of work.

Tennessee will look to rebound from Sunday’s loss on Tuesday night when in-state foe ETSU visits Lindsey Nelson Stadium for a midweek matchup. First pitch is slated for 6 p.m.

Notable
Spence Ties Career High
Spence was one of the bright spots at the plate for Tennessee on Sunday, tying a career high with three hits. The junior infielder from Geelong, Australia reached base in all four of his plate appearances and also scored a run.

Connell and Pleasants Impressive in Relief
Kirby Connell and Elijah Pleasants were solid in relief for the Vols on Sunday, holding Wright State to just two hits over the final 3.1 innings of the game. The duo also combined for three strikeouts and walked just one batter.

Box Score (PDF) | Season Stats (PDF) | Series Stats (PDF) | VIDEO: Vitello Postgame | VIDEO: Ferguson Postgame

-UT Athletics

Lady Vols Dominate Stanford, 5-0, in Finale of Tennessee Invitational

Lady Vols Dominate Stanford, 5-0, in Finale of Tennessee Invitational

Posted on March 9, 2020
Lady Vols Softball / Credit: UT Athletics

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – A career day from sophomore catcher Ally Shipman and complete game shutout in the circle from freshman Callie Turner pushed the Tennessee softball team past Stanford, 5-0, on Sunday at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium to close out the Tennessee Invitational.

Turner’s performance was the first complete game shutout of her young Tennessee career. She routinely pitched to contact, allowing her defense to put in work behind her, giving up just four hits and a walk on an efficient 82 pitches.

The Lady Vols (14-8) offense went to work early, putting a run across in three of the first four innings, tattooing the Cardinal (22-4) for seven hits in those same four innings.

Shipman strung together a career-high four hits with two extra-base-hits, putting a double into the gap in right centerfield in the third and going yard for her second homer of the season to put UT up 3-0 in the fourth.

Senior outfielder Cailin Hannon (2-for-4) was huge for the Orange & White, tallying RBI’s in the first and third to put UT up early, along with a third in the seventh inning to add insurance to the Lady Vols advantage.

The victory was Tennessee’s first shutout of 2020 and its third consecutive win of the weekend.

Shipman Stays Hot
Ally Shipman was hot throughout the Tennessee Invitational, tallying 12 hits in 16 at-bats for a .750 average, recording 3+ hits in three of her five outings. She also concluded the weekend with four extra-base-hits and six RBIs.

Up Next
Tennessee returns to action for a midweek matchup with North Carolina inside Sherri Parker Lee Stadium. First pitch on Tuesday night is slated for 8 p.m. ET on ESPNU.

Box Score 

-UT Athletics

Rossini Festival

Rossini Festival

Posted on March 8, 2020

The Annual Knoxville Opera Rossini Festival takes place Saturday, April 18th in Downtown Knoxville!

UT Sweeps Day with Second Win Over ETSU

UT Sweeps Day with Second Win Over ETSU

Posted on March 7, 2020
Lady Vols Softball / Credit: UT Athletics

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – After a nearly four-hour game to start the day, Tennessee made up the time as it swiftly dismantled ETSU 10-2 in five innings on a walk-off walk to sweep day two of the Tennessee Invitational.

The Lady Vols recorded a season-high 15 hits to keep the Bucs (8-13) off balance on Saturday night.

In what became a rubber match, UT picked up the series win over ETSU after dropping a game in Johnson City, Tenn., on March 1, before recovering with a 10-1, run-rule win yesterday.

The Lady Vols move to 13-8 on the season as they head into their final two non-conference match-ups before SEC play begins next weekend at Texas A&M.

Leading 9-2 heading into the top of the fifth, UT turned its 16th double of the season with the bags full to prevent any runs and set up the early finish.

After loading the bases in the bottom of the fifth, junior Ashley Morgan (0-for-1) drew the walk on a full count to bring in freshman Kiki Milloy from the hot corner.

The Lady Vols offense pounced immediately as it rattled off four quick runs in the bottom of the first behind five consecutive hits at the top of the order.

UT’s first three batters, Chelsea Seggern, Amanda Ayala and Ally Shipman went 6-for-6 collectively through the opening two innings at the plate and accounted for six of the first seven runs.

Seggern (3-for-4) lit up the night with three consecutive extra-base hits, raking a pair of doubles to tie a single game career high and her first triple of the season to set the table for Ayala (3-for-3) and Shipman (3-for-3).

Six different Lady Vols recorded hits, while three different players record two RBIs each.

Samantha Bender (2-0) picked up back-to-back wins today in the circle after coming in to relieve Callie Turner who started against ETSU. In 3.0 innings of work Bender gave up just three hits.

Next Up
Tennessee finishes off its weekend with a 12 p.m. ET rematch with Stanford for the tournament title. The game will be streamed live on SECN+.

Box Score

-UT Athletics

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