Jeremy Banks has been dismissed from the Tennessee football team – per head coach Jeremy Pruitt.
Statement from Tennessee football head coach Jeremy Pruitt
“I have made the decision to remove Jeremy Banks from our football program.
While I will continue to support Jeremy in the next steps in his life, information I recently received made it clear that this decision is in the best interest of the football program and the university.”
A video obtained by TMZ was released shortly thereafter of Banks outside of an establishment in Knoxville on August 24. In the video, an alleged threat was made to a female. Earlier in the week, WBIR of Knoxville released police footage of the Banks arrest on September 15 where the former linebacker belittled and made inappropriate comments towards police officers.
Banks played a reserve role in the linebacking corps this season after appearing in 2018 as a running back.
Cumulus Knoxville Staff Photos / Credit: Sam Forman
Tennessee Athletics hosted a dedication ceremony Friday afternoon for the new Doug Dickey Hall of Fame Plaza.
The beautiful, outdoor plaza is located outside the north entrance of Neyland-Thompson Sports Center and is the centerpiece of a corridor to and from Stokely Hall that is used regularly by Tennessee student-athletes who call that residence hall home. A well manicured gathering space in which University of Tennessee Athletics Hall of Fame inductees are honored with individualized pavers, the plaza also is sure to receive a large volume of fan traffic on UT gamedays.
In only six years as head coach, from 1964 through 1969, Doug Dickey rebuilt the Tennessee football program and guided the Vols to a national championship and two Southeastern Conference titles.
As the university’s athletics director for 18 years starting in 1985, he managed a burgeoning budget that allowed UT to remain in the forefront of college sports competition.
In sum, Dickey’s contributions in coaching and administration combined to form a unique chapter in the history of Tennessee athletics. His lasting legacy has been duly noted with a string of prestigious awards paying homage to his achievements in both fields.
Hosted by current Director of Athletics Phillip Fulmer, Friday’s program also included remarks from football VFLs Lester McClain and Bob Johnson, as well as current Lady Vols basketball coach Kellie Harper, former Southeastern Conference commissioner Roy Kramer and Dickey himself.
Fulmer closed the program by unveiling a bust of Dickey that now is on permanent display in the plaza.
Friday’s dedication was coordinated in conjunction with the reunion of the 1969 Tennessee football team on its 50th anniversary. Dickey led that squad to an SEC Championship and a 9-2 overall record. Fulmer was a sophomore offensive guard on that team.
Keith Urban announced that his 7th All for the Hall benefit concert will take place on Feb. 10 at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena with an all-star lineup that includes Ingrid Andress, Luke Combs, Lauren Daigle, Brothers Osborne, Blake Shelton, Chris Stapleton, Tenille Townes and Tanya Tucker. During this year’s concert—which is themed Under the Influence—each artist will perform a song that was recorded by an artist who strongly influenced them, in addition to one of their own hits.
“Ken Burns’ documentary has shown us that we are all very much influenced by our heroes,” said Keith. “So this year’s All for the Hall benefit is our chance to acknowledge those that have been an influence on us and helped shape the artists that we are today. Somehow these shows always seem to take on a life of their own. They’re incredibly fun to do, and you never quite really know what’s gonna happen. So we’ll roll with it and turn Bridgestone into one huge club!”
Over the years, Keith’s All for Hall concerts have raised $3.4 million in support of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s education programs.
Tickets go on sale on Oct. 18 at 10 a.m. CT. Additional performers will be announced in the coming weeks.
Maren Morris enlisted the talents of Hozier for a new rendition of her current single, “The Bones.” Maren co-penned the tune, which is featured on her 2019 album, Girl, with Laura Veltz and Jimmy Robbins.
“When I first heard [Hozier’s] ‘Like Real People Do,’ I think I could actually hear my heart breaking and then immediately felt songwriter envy that I didn’t write it first,” says Maren. “Hozier’s soul and vulnerability is so arresting and fit so well with the foundational theme of my song ‘The Bones.’ I feel so grateful to have him on it.”
Currently, Maren’s original version of the single is No. 35 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart after six weeks.
Listen to Maren and Hozier’s new collaboration below.
Carrie Underwood stopped by The Late Show With Stephen Colbert on Oct. 3 for a sit-down interview and to perform her new song, “Low.”
During her interview with Stephen, Carrie chatted about her 15th anniversary of trying out for American Idol, flying on a plane for the first time, getting college credits while on Idol, hosting the upcoming CMA Awards with Dolly Parton and Reba McEntire and more.
When Stephen asked Carrie about the CMA Awards’ theme this year—celebrating the legacy of women in country music—she was ready to explain.
“I feel like women are the backbone of country music, when you think back to some of the greatest country artists of all time, like Dolly, Reba, Loretta, Patsy, yeah, Tammy—they don’t even need last names,” said Carrie. “They taught me how to sing, they taught me how to act, how to dress, how to be onstage, they taught me that anything was possible. They’re why I get to do what I get to do, so I’m glad we’re celebrating that and hopefully we can keep that legacy going.”
After the chat, Carrie performed “Low,” a tune she co-penned with Hillary Lindsey and David Garcia for her 2018 album, Cry Pretty.
Check out Carrie’s performance of “Low” and her interview below.
Dan + Shay’s Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney have teamed with Justin Bieber to try to score their seventh No. 1 single with the release of “10,000 Hours.”
Co-penned by Dan, Shay, Justin, Jessie Jo Dillon, Jordan Reynolds and Jason Boyd, “10,000 Hours” features Shay and Justin trading vocals alongside Dan’s production.
The tune is the first new music from Dan + Shay since the release of their 2018 self-titled album.
Ronnie Dunn will release a new country/rock cover album, Re-Dunn, in January 2020.
The 24-track album features popular tunes originally recorded by Bob Seger, Tom Petty, Van Morrison, Hank Williams, Eric Clapton, George Strait, Tom T. Hall, Eddy Arnold and more.
Ronnie recently released two tracks: Tom T. Hall’s “That’s How I Got to Memphis” and Paul Carrack’s “How Long,” which Ace scored a Top 5 hit with in 1975.
Listen to “That’s How I Got to Memphis” and “How Long” below.
Re-Dunn Track List
1.“Amarillo by Morning” — (originally recorded by Terry Stafford)
2. “Long Cool Woman (In A Black Dress)” — (originally recorded by The Hollies)
3. “That’s How I Got to Memphis” — (originally recorded by Tom T. Hall)
4. “It Never Rains In Southern California” — (originally recorded by Albert Hammond)
5. “How Long” — (originally recorded by Paul Carrack)
6. “Drinkin’ Thing” — (originally recorded by Gary Stewart)
7. “Together Again” — (originally recorded by Buck Owens)
8. “Peaceful Easy Feeling” — (originally recorded by the Eagles)
9. “Against The Wind” — (originally recorded by Bob Seger)
10. “If You Don’t Know Me By Now” — (originally recorded by Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes)
11. “I Won’t Back Down” — (originally recorded by Tom Petty)
12. “Cowboy Rides Away” — (originally recorded by George Strait)
13. “Showdown” — (originally recorded by Electric Light Orchestra)
14. “Wonderful Tonight” — (originally recorded by Eric Clapton)
15. “Ashes By Now” — (originally recorded by Rodney Crowell)
16. “That’s The Way Love Goes” — (originally recorded by Johnny Rodriguez)
17. “I’m Not In Love” — (originally recorded by 10cc)
18. “Brown Eyed Girl” — (originally recorded by Van Morrison)
19. “You Don’t Know Me” — (originally recorded by Eddy Arnold)
20. “Ridin’ My Thumb To Mexico” — (originally recorded by Johnny Rodriguez)
21. “A Showman’s Life” — (originally recorded by Jesse Winchester)
22. “Good Time Charlie’s Got The Blues” — (originally recorded by Danny O’Keefe)
23. “Amie” — (originally recorded by Pure Prairie League)
24. “I Can’t Help It (If I’m Still In Love With You)” — (originally recorded by Hank Williams)
The survivors and families of the 58 victims who were killed during the mass shooting at the Route 91 Harvest Festival in Las Vegas on Oct. 1, 2017, have reached a $735 million to $800 million settlement with MGM Resorts.
MGM Resorts owns Mandalay Bay Hotel, where a lone gunman opened fire from the 32nd floor during Jason Aldean’s headlining set on Oct. 1, 2017, killing 58 people and injuring hundreds more.
“Our goal has always been to resolve these matters so our community and the victims and their families can move forward in the healing process,” said Jim Murren, CEO of MGM Resorts. “This agreement . . . is a major step, and one that we hoped for a long time would be possible.”
An independent administrator will be appointed by the court to allocate funds to those claimants who agree to the deal. Lawyers hope to complete the settlement by 2020.
Vols WR Jauan Jennings / Credit 99.1 The Sports Animal
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee returns to action this Saturday as No. 3 Georgia comes to town for a primetime showdown at Neyland Stadium. Both teams are coming off an open date last weekend.
The Vols and Bulldogs will square off under the lights for the first time since 2011. Kickoff for Saturday’s game is slated for 7 p.m.
Broadcast Info
Saturday’s contest will be televised on ESPN with Sean McDonough (PxP), Todd Blackledge (analyst) and Holly Rowe (sideline) on the call.
Fans can also listen to Tennessee’s radio broadcast on the Vol Network (WIVK-FM 107.7) as well as satellite radio (Sirius Ch. 78, XM Ch. 191, Internet Ch. 962). Bob Kesling (PxP), Tim Priest (analyst) and Brent Hubbs (analyst) will call the action all season long.
Need to Know Tennessee-Georgia Connections
You’d be hard-pressed to find two coaching staffs more familiar with each other than Tennessee and Georgia. Six of UT’s 11 full-time coaches have worked at UGA at one point in their careers while Georgia has two coaches that have spent time on the Vols’ staff in the past (Sam Pittman & Charlton Warren).
Special Teams Have Been Special
One of the Vols’ biggest strengths this season have been on special teams. Junior kicker Brent Cimaglia has been perfect this season, going 9-for-9 on field goals and 11-for-11 on extra points. The Nashville native is tied for first in the FBS in field goal percentage while ranking 26th nationally in scoring at 9.5 points per game. Cimaglia has made his last 11 field goals and has hit eight of his last 10 field goal attempts of 40 or more yards.
Behind 2018 freshman All-American Joe Doyle, who was named to the Ray Guy Award Watch List last week, UT ranks 18th nationally in net punting with a 44.4 average. The Vols rank 12th in the country in punt return average (17.8 yards/return) and 25th in the nation in kickoff returns (25.0 yards/return).
The Big Orange are also the only team in the nation that has not allowed a single kickoff return yard this season, thanks in large part to the powerful leg of sophomore Paxton Brooks, who has recorded 19 touchbacks in 20 kickoffs this season. UT has only allowed 12 punt return yards this year as well.
Bituli’s Return Bolsters Defense
After missing the first two games of the season with an injury, linebacker Daniel Bituli has returned to start the past two games for the Vols. The Nashville native recorded eight tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble in UT’s last game against Florida. Bituli has led the Big Orange in tackles in each of the last two years, making him the fifth player in program history to lead the team in tackles in consecutive seasons.
OSKIE!
After struggling to create turnovers in the first two games of the season, Tennessee’s defense has stepped its game up in a big way in the last two games. The Vols have intercepted multiple passes in back-to-back games for the first time since Sept. 27 (at Georgia) and Oct. 4, 2014 (vs. Florida).
UT intercepted two passes at Florida on Sept. 21 and had four picks in a 45-0 rout of Chattanooga on Sept. 14. The Vols’ four interceptions against the Mocs were the most in a single game since also tallying four in the Outback Bowl against Northwestern on Jan. 1, 2016.
Series History: Georgia Series tied, 23-23-2
Saturday will mark the 49th meeting between the Volunteers and Bulldogs. The first meeting between the two programs came way back in 1899, when UT defeated UGA, 5-0. Georgia has won two straight in the series, but the Vols hold a 12-11-1 edge in the series in games played in Knoxville.
A win for Tennessee on Saturday would be the program’s first victory over a top-10 team since defeating No. 10 Georgia, 51-33, in Athens in 2006.
About Georgia
Like the Vols, the Bulldogs are also coming off a bye week. Georgia enters Saturday’s game with a perfect 4-0 record after positing wins over Vanderbilt, Murray State, Arkansas State and then No. 7 Notre Dame. UGA is led by Kirby Smart, who has guided the program to a 36-10 record and a CFP National Championship Game appearance during his three-plus seasons as head coach.
The Dawgs have been one of the nation’s top offensive teams this season, ranking 11th in the country and third in the SEC in scoring at 42.8 points per game. UGA does the majority of its damage on the ground, leading the SEC with 253 rushing yards per game. Junior running back D’Andre Swift leads the potent rushing attack with 388 yards and three touchdowns while averaging 7.9 yards per carry.
Georgia has been just as dominant defensively, ranking second in the SEC in scoring defense (10 points/game) and total defense (262.5 yards/game). The Bulldogs are allowing just 57 yards per game on the ground, which leads the SEC and ranks fifth nationally. Junior linebacker Monty Rice leads the team with 22 tackles while the defensive back duo of Mark Webb and J.R. Reed have been disruptive for opposing offensives as well. Webb has 19 tackles and two forced fumbles while Reed has 18 tackles, an interception and three pass breakups. UGA also has 10 players that have recorded a sack this season.
The Bulldogs also have one the top kickers in college football in Rodrigo Blankenship, who is a perfect 8-for-8 on the year, including 4-for-4 on kicks from 40-plus yards.
Game Promos SEC Nation on Rocky Top: SEC Network’s traveling pregame show, SEC Nation, will be on site at historic Ayres Hall on Saturday. The show, which is hosted by Laura Rutledge and features analysts Paul Finebaum, Marty Smith, Tim Tebow and Marcus Spears, will air on the SEC Network from 10 a.m. – noon ET.
1969 SEC Championship Team: Tennessee’s 1969 SEC Championship team will be honored during Saturday’s contest. The 1969 team, coached by Doug Dickey, won UT’s second SEC title and featured Tennessee greats such as Lester McClain, Tim Priest, Steve Kiner and Phillip Fulmer.
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