CMT, Red Cross & WSMV News Partner for Tornado Relief Telethon on March 5, 4-7 PM
The Red Cross, CMT and local NBC affiliate WSMV News 4 have joined forces to host a telethon on March 5 to support Middle Tennessee tornado relief efforts.
The telethon will be filmed live at CMT Studio in downtown Nashville with country music artists, local television personalities and volunteers answering phones to take donations. News 4’s Tom Randles will anchor coverage alongside CMT’s Cody Alan.
The telethon will air live on WSMV News 4 from 4–7 p.m. In addition, CMT will feature the telethon across its social media platforms. All donations will support the American Red Cross.
You can also donate online via the Red Cross.
photos by AFF-USA.com
Extra-Base Hits Fuel UT’s Run Rule vs Lipscomb
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The Lady Vols took care of business in their first of a seven-game homestand, downing Lipscomb 9-1 in five innings behind timely hitting and focused defense.
Heading into Wednesday being outscored 23-4 in first innings, Tennessee (10-7) closed the gap a bit recording four runs to get a comfortable lead that it would hold onto the remainder of the game.
After senior Chelsea Seggern (1-for-1) drew the lead-off walk, a string of multi-base hits sparked the Lady Vols for the rest of the evening. Junior Amanda Ayala (1-for-1) knocked a deep double to left field that fell just inside the line to put the pair into scoring positions and set the table.
Sophomore catcher Ally Shipman (1-for-2) belted a two-RBI triple into center field to bring in Seggern and Ayala before Kaili Phillips (1-for-3) punctuated the scoring with a two-run shot over the left field wall to give UT a 4-0 lead.
“I think the girls really bought into the game plan that we had for the first pitcher that we faced tonight,” said co-head coach Karen Weekly. “They went up there and just really trusted their swings and did some good damage.”
The following inning, freshman KK McCrary (1-for-2) doubled to bring in Seggern, who recorded a game-high three runs, and Jenna Holcomb (1-for-2), who finished with two on the night. McCrary and Shipman combined for six of the Lady Vols’ nine RBIs as UT kept its undefeated home streak on March 4 alive. Tennessee is 12-2 all-time on the day, and 10-0 in Knoxville.
In the bottom of the third, Seggern brought in freshman shortstop Josie Willingham (0-for-1) on an RBI single. Continued patience at the plate fell in favor of the Lady Vols, who recorded nine walks on Wednesday night. A pair of those walks turned into RBIs for McCrary and Shipman as the bases remained loaded in the bottom of the third frame.
Giving up just one hit through the first four innings, freshman Callie Turner was one out away from recording her first one-hit shutout before giving up two hits and a walk in the top of the fifth. The freshman picked up her seventh win of the season, throwing one strikeout in 5.0 innings.
“I liked the way our pitcher came out and threw a first-pitch strike, got the first batter early in the game,” Weekly said. “I thought she Callie really set the tone for our defense. I liked the way we executed the game plan in the first inning and then continued in the second inning.
“We didn’t settle for the four runs in the first, we continued in the second inning and put more runs on the board.”
Next Up
The Lady Vols continue their homestand with the Tennessee Invitational on March. 6-8. UT will host ETSU at 3 p.m. and Stanford at 5:30 p.m. on Friday before opening Saturday at 12:30 p.m. against Toledo in a round-robin format that will peg the top-finishing team against the team with the fewest wins later Saturday. Consolation and championship rounds will be played on Sunday, with the Lady Vols playing at 12:30 p.m., regardless of finish.
-UT Athletics
Tennessee Baseball to Hold Free Kid’s Clinic to Benefit Those Affected by Midstate Tornadoes
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee baseball will hold a free kid’s clinic on Thursday, March 5 from 4:30-6 p.m. at Lindsey Nelson Stadium, with donations being accepted to help benefit those affected by the devastating tornadoes in Nashville and surrounding areas in the midstate.
UT players and coaches will be on hand to provide instruction as well as sign autographs for those in attendance. The clinic is limited to kids in kindergarten through eighth grade (K-8).
There will also be ticket giveaways and the chance to win Tennessee baseball gear.
Those who plan on attending are asked to park in the G16 garage located on the corner of Volunteer Blvd. and Pat Head Summitt St.
A parking map can be found by clicking HERE.
-UT Athletics
![Garth Brooks Recognizes Tornado Victims During Acceptance of Gershwin Prize for Popular Song [Watch]](https://cdn.socast.io/6616/sites/602/2020/03/05102941/Garth-Brooks-Ta.jpg#aqua_resizer_image_not_local)
Garth Brooks Recognizes Tornado Victims During Acceptance of Gershwin Prize for Popular Song [Watch]
The Library of Congress honored Garth Brooks with the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song during a tribute concert on March 4 in Washington, D.C.
Bestowed in recognition of the legendary songwriting team of George and Ira Gershwin, the Gershwin Prize recognizes a living musical artist’s lifetime achievement in promoting the genre of song as a vehicle of entertainment, information, inspiration and cultural understanding. Past recipients include Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder, Sir Paul McCartney, songwriting duo Burt Bacharach and the late Hal David, Carole King, Billy Joel, Willie Nelson, Smokey Robinson, Tony Bennett and Emilio and Gloria Estefan.
During his acceptance speech at the ceremony, Garth took a moment to recognize the victims of the tornadoes that swept through Tennessee during the early hours of March 3, killing 25 people and destroying hundreds of structures.
“In honor of our sweet, sweet Volunteers from the great state of Tennessee,” said Garth, “I’m going to request, humbly, a moment of silence for those who have fallen and those who are still missing.”
Garth, who is 58 years old, is the youngest recipient of the award. He is also the second country artist to receive the award, following Willie Nelson (2015). The concert will air on PBS stations nationwide in spring 2020.
photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com
Willie Nelson Tribute Concert Featuring George Strait, Eric Church, Chris Stapleton, Emmylou Harris & More to Air on A&E
An all-star cast of performers hit the stage to pay tribute to country icon Willie Nelson at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Jan. 12, 2019.
The tribute concert—Willie: Life & Songs of an American Outlaw—featured performances by Willie, Chris Stapleton, Emmylou Harris, Eric Church, Jimmy Buffett, Bobby Bare, Jamey Johnson, Lukas Nelson, Margo Price, Micah Nelson, Nathaniel Rateliff, Ray Benson, Steve Earle, Alison Krauss, The Avett Brothers, George Strait, Jack Johnson, John Mellencamp, Kris Kristofferson, Lee Ann Womack, Lyle Lovett, Norah Jones and The Little Willies, Sheryl Crow, Susan Tedeschi & Derek Trucks, and Vince Gill.
A&E announced it will air a two-hour television special, Willie Nelson: American Outlaw, at 10 p.m. ET on April 12.
The TV special features more than 20 never-before-televised performances from the tribute concert, exclusive interviews, behind-the-scenes footage of Willie and some of music’s biggest superstars, and an all-star singalong of Wille’s classic hit “On The Road Again.”
photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com
![Dixie Chicks Drop First Single in 13 Years With “Gaslighter” [Listen]](https://cdn.socast.io/6616/sites/602/2020/03/04135752/Dixie-Chicks-AFF.jpg#aqua_resizer_image_not_local)
Dixie Chicks Drop First Single in 13 Years With “Gaslighter” [Listen]
Natalie Maines, Emily Robison and Martie Maguire of the Dixie Chicks dropped their first single in 13 years with the release of “Gaslighter” on March 4. The new tune serves as the title track to the Dixie Chicks’ upcoming eighth studio album, which is slated to drop on May 1.
Co-produced by the band and Jack Antonoff, Gaslighter will follow the Dixie Chicks’ 2006 album, Taking the Long Way.
The trio also released a new video for “Gaslighter,” which was directed by Seanne Farmer. Check out the new clip below.
photo by AFF-USA.com
Mitchell Tenpenny, Devin Dawson, Hardy & More to Headline Tornado Relief Benefit Concert at Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row
A number of country artists—including Mitchell Tenpenny, Devin Dawson, Hardy, Jessie James Decker, The Band Camino, Chuck Wicks and more—will join forces for a Tornado Relief Concert on March 9 at Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row Nashville.
Tornadoes ripped across Tennessee in the early hours of March 3, including a direct hit in downtown Nashville around 12:40 a.m. The tornadoes have claimed at least 24 lives. More than three dozen people are still unaccounted for, while hundreds of structures suffered damage.
The benefit concert, presented by Nash FM 103.3, will also feature a charity raffle with autographed guitars and memorabilia. All of the proceeds and donations from the event will directly benefit Hands On Nashville, which connects volunteers to critical issues facing Middle Tennessee.
Tickets are on sale now. Must be 21 years of age or older to attend. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com
Viva Las G-Man: Garth Brooks Announces Stadium Show in Las Vegas
Following upcoming stops in Charlotte, N.C., (May 2) and Cincinnati (May 16), Garth Brooks announced he is bringing his Stadium Tour to Las Vegas on Aug. 22.
Garth will perform at Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium—the first major concert at the venue, which is still under construction. Allegiant Stadium will serve as the home to the NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders in 2020.
Tickets for the new show in Las Vegas will go on sale on March 13 at 10 a.m. PDT for $94.95 via Ticketmaster.
Garth’s Stadium Tour visited 10 cities in 2019: St. Louis, Glendale, Gainesville, Minneapolis (x2), Pittsburgh, Denver, Eugene, Boise (x2), Regina (x2) and Knoxville. Garth performed his first 2020 Stadium Tour show in Detroit on Feb. 22.
photo by Curtis Hilbun, AFF-USA.com
Dierks Bentley’s Hot Country Knights Announce Debut Album, “The K Is Silent”
The Hot Country Knights—a band fronted by an incognito Dierks Bentley—announced their debut album, The K Is Silent, will drop on May 1.
The 10-song offering, which was produced by Dierks, features collaborations with Travis Tritt on “Pick Her Up” and Terri Clark on “You Make It Hard.” Dierks co-wrote five songs on the upcoming album, while songwriters Jim Beavers, Brett Beavers, Jon Randall, Brett Tyler and Jon Nite co-penned multiple tracks.
The Hot Country Knights are comprised of Dierks’ road band, performing ’90s-esque country tunes while donning aliases, mullet wigs and over-the-top attire from the era. The Hot Country Knights feature lead singer Douglas “Doug” Douglason, lead bass player Trevor Travis, lead guitarist Marty Ray “Rayro” Roburn, fiddle player Terotej “Terry” Dvoraczekynski, steel guitarist Barry Van Ricky and percussionist Monte Montgomery.
“We were out on the road singing a lot of other people’s hits, and we called them ‘Greatest Hits’ because by us singing them, it actually made them great,” Doug Douglason says. “But this is a step beyond our Greatest Hits. This is all original material, and it’s the best stuff to come out of Nashville from a man band in several decades.”
The band will hit the road for their One Knight Stand Tour this spring. The 13-date tour kicks off on April 7 in San Diego, making additional stops in L.A., Boston, Atlanta, Nashville and more. Hannah Dasher, Tenille Townes, Rachel Wammack and Lainey Wilson will provide support during various stops.
The K Is Silent Track Listing & Songwriters
- “Hot Country Knights” – Brett Beavers, Jim Beavers, Cassady Feasby, Ben Helson, Dan Hochhalter, Chase McGill, Steve Misamore, Jon Nite, Jon Randall, Tim Sergent, Brett Tyler and Dierks Bentley
- “Pick Her Up” (Featuring Travis Tritt) – Dierks Bentley, Brett Beavers and Jim Beavers
- “Asphalt” – Jim Beavers, Jon Nite and Brett Tyler
- “Moose Knuckle Shuffle” Brett Beavers, Jim Beavers, Buddy Brock, Dan Hochalter, Chase McGill, Zach Turner and Brett Tyler
- “Then It Rained” – Brett Beavers, Jon Nite and Jon Randall
- “Wrangler Danger” – Dierks Bentley, Brett Beavers and Jim Beavers
- “Mull It Over” – Dierks Bentley, Jim Beavers and Jon Randall
- “Kings Of Neon” – Dierks Bentley, Brett Beavers and Chase McGill
- “You Make It Hard” (Featuring Terri Clark) – Dierks Bentley, Brett Beaver, Jim Beavers, Mary Hilliard Harrington, Jon Randall and Luke Wooten
- “The USA Begins With US” – Dierks Bentley, Brett Beavers and Jim Beavers
photo courtesy UMG Nashville
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