A number of artists are joining forces for the To Nashville, With Love benefit concert on March 9 at Marathon Music Works.
Ashley McBryde, Brandi Carlile, Brothers Osborne, Dan Auerbach, Jason Isbell, Margo Price, Sheryl Crow, Soccer Mommy and Yola are slated to take the stage to help raise money for the To Nashville, With Love Fund, which was created by a group of music industry professionals to assist those affected by the tornadoes that struck Middle Tennessee on March 3. All donations to this fund will be administered by The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee.
“Amanda [Shires] and I are proud to call Nashville our home, and we’re proud of the Nashville community’s ability to come together in a time of crisis,” says Jason Isbell. “We’re lucky that our home and our loved ones are safe, but we know that isn’t the case for many Nashvillians. I’m happy to do what I can to help the city recover.”
Keith Urban stopped by The Late Show With Stephen Colbert on March 5 to perform his new song, “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.
“‘God Whispered Your Name’ really spoke to me the very first time I heard it,” says Keith. “The opening line, ‘I was so cold and lost / and nothing seemed to ring true’—God, I know that place so well, and the rest of the song unfolded, and I just followed it every step of the way. At the end of the day if I’m gonna record a song that I didn’t write, like this one, then it’s gonna be a song that speaks to me really strongly. And ‘God Whispered Your Name’ absolutely spoke to me and tells my journey in such a profound way going through a season in life of being very lost and lonely and confused and not knowing how to get out of that, and then the chorus hits: ‘God whispered your name’ and everything starts to open up and become clear. And that second verse when it said, ‘I can feel the sunshine for the first time in a while,’ again, it just went right to the core of me. And [it was] the most extraordinary song, and I just knew right then and there I had to get into the studio and record it.”
Watch Keith’s performance of “God Whispered Your Name” below.
GREENVILLE, S.C. – No. 6 seed Tennessee overcame a 13-point second-quarter deficit and ended up winning by 13, in a 64-51 victory over 11th-seeded Missouri in the second round of the SEC Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on Thursday night. The Lady Vols advance to play No. 3 seed Kentucky (21-7) at 8:15 p.m. on Friday in the SEC Third Round.
UT (21-9), which won its fourth straight game, put three players in double figures. Sophomore Rae Burrell led the team with 16 points, and juniors Rennia Davis and Kasiyahna Kushkituah finished with 15 and 13, respectively.
Missouri (9-22) was led by Aijha Blackwell with 13 and Hannah Schuchts with 11.
The Tigers got off to a hot start with Blackwell and Jordan Roundtree combining for nine points to give Missouri a seven-point lead four minutes in before Rennia Davis knocked down a long-range jumper to end the Mizzou run and pull the score to 9-4 at the media timeout. Following the timeout Blackwell converted on a three, but Kushkituah got the put-back on the other end and freshman Jordan Horston followed it up with a driving layup on the next possession to move the score to 12-8 with just under two minutes remaining in the quarter. The Tigers answered with a 5-0 run before redshirt junior Jaiden McCoy hit a pair free throws to send UT into the second period trailing 17-10.
Mizzou struck first to start the second quarter, but Kushkituah rallied UT, scoring five-straight points to pull the Big Orange within four just 1:15 in. The Tigers bounced back with a 9-0 run to lead by 13 at the 5:10 mark before the Lady Vols outscored Missouri 11-6 to close the half down by eight at 34-26.
Freshman Tamari Key was the first to score in the second half, putting in a turn-around jumper that Burrell followed up with a baseline three to pull UT within three just over a minute into play. A minute and a half later Davis converted on an old fashioned three-point play to tie the score at 34-all. Mizzou built its lead back up to six off free throws and a Jordan Chavis layup before Burrell scored seven-straight points to give UT its first lead of the game at 41-40 with 3:39 left in the period. Burrell scored two more points on a running jumper, and Kushkituah and Horston each added buckets to extend the Tennessee run to 13-0 and stretch the lead to 47-40. Jazmine Massengill beat the shot clock to score the final bucket of the quarter and put the score at 49-40 heading into the final stanza.
Davis hit a free throw at the start of the fourth to stretch the Lady Vols’ run to 16-0 before Hayley Frank posted a 3-point play to cut the score to 43-50. Kushkituah stretched the lead back to nine before the media timeout, but Schuchts hit a three to cut the deficit to six with 4:52 left in the game. Horston and Davis combined for four-straight points for UT to boost the lead back to 10 by the 2:39 mark. Mizzou scrapped back within seven off free throws, but Tennessee closed out the game with an 8-2 run to win 64-51.
Up Next: The Lady Vols advance to the SEC Third Round, where they will face No. 3 seed Kentucky on Friday. The game will tip off 25 minutes following the conclusion of the 6 p.m. contest (approximately 8:15 p.m.) It will be televised on the SEC Network and broadcast on SEC Radio Network, SiriusXM 374, Sirius 138/XM 190 and Lady Vol Network radio stations.
Rae Can Play: Sophomore Rae Burrell, who scored just two points in the first half against the Tigers, put up a 9-0 run all on her own in the third quarter, fueling a 16-0 spree that moved UT from being down five midway through the period to leading by 10 points a minute into the fourth. She finished the day with a game-high 16 points, marking the fourth time in eight career starts she’s led Tennessee in scoring.
Kasi Stepping Up: Junior Kasiyahna Kushkituah poured in 13 points against Missouri, finding her way into double digits for the first time since her 13-point performance against Air Force on Dec. 1, 2019. Prior this game her highest point total this season in an SEC contest was eight points against Ole Miss on Jan. 9.
Comeback Kids: Tennessee overcame a 13-point deficit against Mizzou to win by 13 points. It’s the largest comeback UT has made since bouncing back to win after being down 20 points in the third quarter against Stetson on Dec. 5, 2018.
Keeping Shooters Quiet: Tennessee ranks fifth in the country in field goal percentage defense. While the Tigers shot 48 percent from the floor in the first half (12 of 25), UT held them to just 13.3 percent in the second half (4 of 30), putting Mizzou’s field goal percentage for the game at 29.1. It is the 10th time the Lady Vols have held a team below a 30 percent field goal percentage this season. Only four teams have shot better than 40 percent against Tennessee this season, one of which was Missouri which shot 40.4 percent the first time the two teams met.
Turnovers In Check: The Lady Vols turned the ball over just 10 times against Missouri (including once in the second half), making it their best outing of the season. Their previous best was 11 turnovers against Stanford, and their lowest total against an SEC opponent was 12 twice vs. Ole Miss and at LSU this season.
On Thursday, Tennessee baseball held a free kids clinic to benefit those affected by the mid-state tornadoes earlier this week. Vols head coach Tony Vitello, RHP Sean Hunley (Mount Juliet, TN) and LHP Will Mabrey (Cookeville, TN) spoke to the media just before the camp started about the event and the concern over their home towns being impacted directly. Videos are courtesy of WVLT-TV 8 Knoxville. Special thanks to them.
All-SEC candidate makes meaningful impact off the court
John Fulkerson was named to the 2020 SEC Community Service Team for men’s basketball, the league announced Thursday.
A redshirt junior from Kingsport, Tennessee, Fulkerson has been one of the nation’s most efficient offensive performers this season. He ranks second in the SEC and 11th nationally with a .616 field-goal percentage.
A candidate for All-SEC honors, Fulkerson has started every game for the Vols and is the team’s leading scorer and rebounder.
His impact in community outreach efforts has been equally as impressive, and a 24-hour span earlier this week illustrated his commitment to enriching the lives of others.
Fulkerson delivered an historic performance—highlighted by a career-high 27 points—to power Tennessee past sixth-ranked Kentucky Tuesday night at Rupp Arena. The game tipped off at 9:05 p.m. ET, and the Vols didn’t arrive back on the UT campus until after 3 a.m. ET Wednesday morning. Despite the lack of rest, Fulkerson honored a commitment to make a 10 a.m. ET appearance at an area elementary school on Wednesday, where he read to students as part of the Read Across America initiative.
Wednesday’s appearance was the latest in a long line of service activities Fulkerson has participated in. He has been very active with Big Buddies Tennessee, which pairs a UT student with an individual who has an intellectual disability to form meaningful, one-on-one friendships. Fulkerson most recently took part in a Big Buddies dance in late February.
In December, Fulkerson spent an afternoon engaging with local children in conjunction with the opening of Knoxville’s Emerald Youth Haslam-Sansom Ministry Complex. And in each of the last four summers, he has joined his Vol teammates at the annual Hoops for Hope basketball clinic that benefits the Down Syndrome Awareness Group of East Tennessee.
He has served for multiple years as one of the basketball program’s representatives on UT’s Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC), and he also serves on the SEC Student-Athlete Leadership Council for men’s basketball.
A multi-year VOLScholar, Fulkerson is on track to graduate in May with a degree in Recreation and Sport Management.
This marks the 22nd year for the SEC Community Service Team for men’s and women’s basketball. All 21 league-sponsored sports have had a Community Service Team since 2004, with at-large teams being chosen from 1999-2003. The SEC began the concept with a football Community Service Team in 1994.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. –Tennessee softball home games are now underway, and the 2020 season marks the addition of several fan experience enhancements at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium.
A variety of ticket packages and single-game tickets remain at AllVols.com.
The Lady Vols’ season continues at home this weekend when they host ETSU, Stanford and Toledo for the Tennessee Invitational Friday through Sunday.
Earlier this academic year, Tennessee thoughtfully implemented beer sales at home football, soccer, volleyball, basketball and baseball events with positive results.
In keeping with established protocol at other UTAD venues, sales procedures will remain consistent at softball games:
A maximum of two alcoholic beverages may be purchased per transaction, and fans are asked to be patient while waiting in line.
Per Southeastern Conference policy, each alcoholic beverage must be poured into a clear cup upon purchase.
Alcohol will not be allowed to leave the stadium. Personnel at the gates will ensure that all cups containing alcohol are poured out and empty as patrons exit the venue.
Regardless of age, everyone will be required to produce a valid photo ID each time alcohol is purchased. Accepted IDs include valid driver’s licenses (cannot be paper), military ID cards, passports, and government-issued photo ID cards.
Individuals consuming alcohol must be able to produce a valid photo ID at all times.
Individuals will be ejected from the venue and are subject to prosecution if they pass off alcohol to a minor, attempt to use a fake ID, or are intoxicated.
Beer sales at softball will conclude each game at the middle of the fifth inning. The point of sale for beer at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium is located in the concourse behind the first-base line.
Additionally, in an effort to keep fans safe from foul balls this season, the stadium’s safety netting now extends farther down the first- and third-base lines.
All season long, Tennessee’s “Fan HQ” team is based in the concourse area behind home plate. Fans have the opportunity to win a host of prizes while cheering on the Lady Vols including a free Chick-Fil-A sandwich, queso from Moe’s Southwest Grill and much more.
Additionally, when attendees catch foul balls, they can return them to a member of the event management or fan experience staff in exchange for a Lady Vol branded softball.
Beginning March 20, every SEC series will feature a pre-game Kids’ Corner plus post-game autographs with select members of the team. For more information about all activities and offers this season at Sherri Parker Lee click HERE.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The Lady Vols will remain home for their final tournament of non-conference play and welcome ETSU, Stanford and Toledo for the Tennessee Invitational this Friday-Sunday at Sherri Parker Lee.
Tennessee (10-7) looks to build some momentum behind two consecutive home wins and recover from disappointing play in its previous two tournaments in Tampa, Fla., and Johnson City, Tenn., respectively, that resulted in a 2-5 showing.
However, UT goes into the weekend as the easy favorite with a 27-1 all-time record at the Tennessee Invitational and boasts a combined 23-6 edge over its weekend opponents.
Full Schedule (all times ET and subject to change)
Friday, March 6
G1 10:00 am ETSU vs. Toledo
G2 12:30 pm Stanford vs. Toledo
G3 3:00 pm Tennessee vs. ETSU
G4 5:30 pm Tennessee vs. Stanford
Saturday, March 7
G5 10:00 am Stanford vs. ETSU
G6 12:30 pm Tennessee vs. Toledo
G7 3:00 pm Seed #1 vs. Seed #4
G8 5:30 pm Seed #2 vs. Seed #3
Sunday, March 8
*G9 9:30 am Loser G7 vs. Loser G8
*G10 12:00 pm Winner G7 vs. Winner G8
*Tennessee will play in game 10 regardless of outcome of games 7 and 8
Broadcast Info
All UT games will be streamed on WatchESPN.com and the ESPN app. Andy Brock and Madison Shipman will have the call for the Lady Vols matchups this weekend.
Fans can also listen to the games on UTSports.com and the UT Gameday app with Brian Rice providing coverage.
Quick Hits
Double Down
Tennessee has recorded 14 double plays so far this season, with a single-game season high three against USF on Feb. 22 that ties for a program record. The achievement has only occurred on three occasions, the last time coming at Virginia Tech in 2015. The only other time a UT team had three double plays was in 1998 versus Kansas. The Lady Vols’ 0.82 double plays per game leads the SEC and ranks second in the nation.
Seggern Takes ‘Em for the Team
Senior Chelsea Seggern quickly jumped into another top-10 category early in the season, albeit a painful one. Recording eight hit-by-pitches so far, Seggern ranks seventh all-time in UT history after being pegged at the plate 27 times since she joined the Lady Vols family in 2017. The Thrall, Texas, native ranks second in the SEC and sixth in the nation in HBP per game (0.47). Seggern is also ranked 20th in the nations with 0.576 on base percentage.
Pitching Coming Together
Despite UT’s expected ace Ashley Rogers temporarily sidelined, the young pitching staff has maintained its competitiveness behind freshman starter Callie Turner, who ranks third in the SEC and 30th in the nation with seven victories. Newcomer and redshirt sophomore transfer Samantha Bender has also been reliable for the Lady Vols in the circle recording two saves so far this season, which ranks fifth in the conference and 18th in the nation. Bender has a 3-1 win-loss record om 27.1 innings pitched.
Freshmen’s First Dingers
Kiki Milloy and KK McCrary have stood out for their impressive play at the plate in the early 2020 season. Milloy who was the leadoff hitter in the 2020 lid-lifter, was the first freshman to go yard in their first collegiate at-bat for the Lady Vols since at least 2012, while McCrary was the first of the eight freshmen to go yard at Sherri Parker Lee. McCrary blasted a 2-run homer through centerfield against UT Martin on Feb. 25 to become the first freshman to record a dinger in a home opener since Meghan Gregg hit two against Northern Iowa on March 6, 2015.
Hail Tennessee
Nearly half of the Lady Vols squad is made up of in-state talent. There are nine Tennessee natives on the 2020 roster, believed to be a record for the program. Seniors Treasuary Poindexter (Covington, Tenn.) and Cailin Hannon (Franklin, Tenn.) and sophomores Kaili Phillips (Ooltewah, Tenn.) and Ashley Rogers (Athens, Tenn.) are joined by freshmen Anna Fox (Columbia, Tenn.), KK McCrary (Murfreesboro, Tenn.), Josie Willingham (Medon, Tenn.), Anna Hazlewood (Martin, Tenn.) and Madison Webber (Sevierville, Tenn.).
25th Anniversary
On Feb. 23, 1996, Tennessee fielded its first softball team at the 10th Annual Louisiana Classics in Lafayette, La. A 1-0 loss to Baylor, a program that had been around since 1979, marked the beginning of what would become one of the Vols and Lady Vols premier athletic programs. The Lady Vols bounced back the following day to pick up the program’s first win, a 5-4 victory over the Bears and eventually took the series in a rubber match on Feb. 25, a 9-8, eight-inning victory. Fast forward to 2020 and 1,124 wins later, the Orange and White opens the programs 25th year in extant as the season commences on Feb. 8 in Tempe, Ariz., against Northwestern.
All-American Homecoming
In late January, Tennessee announced that it would host the U.S. Women’s National Team as part of Team USA’s “Stand Beside Her” Tour – a nationwide tour where the Red, White and Blue will face top Division I collegiate teams in preparation for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. On April 8, the Lady Vols face off against the WNT at Sherri Parker Lee and will welcome back Tennessee great Monica Abbott, a four-time All-American (2004-07), three-time SEC Pitcher of the Year (2004, 05, 07), USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Year trophy winner and NCAA/UT program record holder. Tickets for the event are currently sold out, but the game will be broadcast on ESPN2.
Scouting Report
ETSU
2020 record: 7-10, 0-0 SoCon
Series: 19-1
Last meeting: A 20th-ranked UT fell 4-3 on March 1, 2019 in Johnson City, Tenn.
Key players/stats: Kylie Toler was named SoCon Player of the Week and leads the team with 13 RBI and three homers. The Bucs clipped the Lady Vols 100-game win streak against in-state opponents in the recent stunner.
Stanford
2020 record: 18-3, 0-0 Pac-12
Series: 3-5
Last meeting: A second-ranked Tennessee downed the 13th-ranked Cardinal 3-1 in Cathedral City, Calif., on Feb. 23, 2014
Key players/stats: Led by Hannah Howell’s .444 batting average and Teaghan Cowles 20 runs. In the circle, Alana Vawter is undefeated with a 1.13 ERA and has thrown 37 strikeouts.
Toledo
2020 record: 9-4, 0-0 MAC
Series: 2-0
Last meeting: A 14th-ranked Lady Vols squad won 6-2 in Knoxville in 2018
Key players/stats: Led by Hannah Howell’s .444 batting average and Teaghan Cowles 20 runs. In the circle, Alana Vawter is undefeated with a 1.13 ERA and has thrown 37 strikeouts.
Cumulus Nashville will be hosting a Cumulus Cares Tornado Relief Radiothon on March 6 at Edley’s Bar-B-Que in East Nashville.
Cumulus stations WKDF (Nash FM 103.3), WSM-F (95.5 Nash Icon), WGFX (104-5 The Zone), WTN (Super Talk 99.7) and WQQK (92Q) will broadcast live from Edley’s at 908 Main Street from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Listeners can text “NASHVILLEStrong” to 68683 for the direct link to make a donation to Tennesseans in need. In addition, Cumulus Nashville will be collecting diapers, blankets, baby formula, wipes, gloves, toothpaste, Ziploc bags, Tide pods and feminine hygiene products at accessible areas near the broadcast site.
Jeremy Pruitt and Doug Pederson / Credit: UT Athletics
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Super Bowl LII champion head coach Doug Pederson of the Philadelphia Eagles and Tennessee head coach Jeremy Pruitt headline the 2020 Tennessee Football Coaches Clinic, which will be held March 26-28 at the Anderson Training Center.
The clinic is open to all high school and middle school head and assistant coaches.
Pederson, who also won a Super Bowl as a player, owns 15 years of coaching experience, including three as the offensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs and four as the head coach of the Eagles. He has quickly established himself as one of the league’s top coaches, compiling two NFL East titles, three playoff appearances and a Super Bowl title.
The clinic will start on Thursday night with a barbecue dinner followed by presentations from NFL coaches and keynote speakers. FCS, Division II & Division III national championship coaching staffs will speak on Friday followed by a steak dinner and chalk talk sessions with these speakers and the Tennessee football coaching staff. Attendees will also have the opportunity to attend spring football practice Friday afternoon. The clinic will conclude on Saturday with talks by Pruitt and Vol assistant coaches.
