Tennessee head coach Jeremy Pruitt spoke to the media at his weekly Monday press conference ahead of Saturday’s Georgia game at Neyland Stadium.
Chris Lane scored the second No. 1 single of his career as “I Don’t Know About You” ascended to the top of the Mediabase chart this week.
Penned by Ashley Gorley, Hardy, Hunter Phelps and Jameson Rogers, “I Don’t Know About You” is featured on Chris’ 2018 album, Laps Around the Sun. Chris notched his first No. 1 single in 2016 with “Fix.”
As Chris told Kix Brooks of American Country Countdown, “I Don’t Know About You” has become synonymous with a line from its chorus, instead of its title, which isn’t totally out of the norm. How many times have you heard someone refer to Tim McGraw’s “Something Like That” as the “Barbecue Stain” song or Chris Young’s “Gettin’ You Home” as the “Black Dress” song?
When it comes to “I Don’t Know About You,” Chris says fans have given it the alias of “Wrist Tattoo Bible Verse” song, which is actually the lyric from the chorus that initially grabbed him: “What’s your name, what’s your sign, what’s your birthday? / What’s your wrist tattoo bible verse say? / Tell me this, do you kiss on the first date? / Don’t hold anything back.”
“There were a lot of lines that stood out in this song, but the one line that stood out to me, honestly, is the same line that I think stands out to everybody else—the ‘wrist tattoo bible verse’ line, because people don’t call this song ‘I Don’t Know About You,’ which is the real name of it,” says Chris. “I don’t care if I’m in a grocery store or whatever, people will come up and say, ‘I love your “wrist tattoo bible verse” song’ [laughing]. So, people have associated that line as being the line of the song.”
photo by Curtis Hilbun, AFF-USA.com
Hit songwriter and producer Michael James Ryan—known professionally as busbee—died on Sept. 29 at the age of 43.
Busbee was diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer over the summer, according to a friend.
Busbee’s songwriting credits include Maren Morris’ “My Church,” Florida Georgia Line’s “H.O.L.Y.,” Keith Urban’s “Fighter,” Garth Brooks’ “People Loving People,” Lady Antebellum’s “You Look Good,” Carly Pearce’s “Every Little Thing” and more.
Busbee also produced and co-produced albums for a number of artists, including Maren Morris, Keith Urban, Lauren Alaina, Lady Antebellum, Carly Pearce and more.
A host of stars reached out via social media to share their condolences.
This just doesn’t seem fair. I will always love you and the songs and albums I was lucky to make with you, Busbee. Rest well, my sweet friend. 💔 pic.twitter.com/9DKsU5G77a
— MAREN MORRIS (@MarenMorris) September 30, 2019
I absolutely can’t accept the loss of mine and Gwen’s friend Michael (Busbee)..Too much to say for social media. Too much pain and unfairness period. I guess sometimes you gotta dig extra EXTRA deep for peace to continue to have faith. And I will because Michael ALWAYS had faith.
— Blake Shelton (@blakeshelton) September 30, 2019
No words. Rest easy my sweet, sweet friend. 💔 @busbee pic.twitter.com/EKA1FVoaIU
— Carly Pearce (@carlypearce) September 30, 2019
photo by Ty Bentli, Nash Country Daily
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Former Lady Vol basketball standout Diamond DeShields played a key role, as the USA women finished the tournament 6-0 and claimed a FIBA AmeriCup gold medal on Sunday night in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
In the title contest, the USA defeated previously unbeaten Canada (5-1), 67-46, to end that nation’s back-to-back streak of AmeriCup crowns.
The USA, which outscored its six opponents by 38.7 points per game during the tournament, featured three players on the AmeriCup All-Star Five Team, including DeShields, Jordin Canada and tourney MVP Sylvia Fowles.
DeShields started all six games and was second on the squad at 9.8 points per contest. She also was second for the Americans in assists (20) and three-pointers (5), and third in steals (6). The LVFL shot 53 percent from the field (23-43), 41 percent from long range (5-12) and 88 percent from the free throw line (8-9).
In the gold medal game, the USA led 14-9 in a low scoring first quarter, and Canada scored the first seven points of the second quarter to pull ahead 16-14. A three from Canada’s Miranda Ayim pushed Canada in front 19-18 and with 3:21 remaining before intermission and following a three from Canada’s Aaliyah Edwards, the USA led by a point, 25-24.
Getting four points from (Jordin) Canada, three points from DeShields and two points from Tina Charles, the Americans closed out the first half with 9-0 run to create some breathing space and take a 34-24 lead to the locker room at halftime. A 23-14 third quarter by the USA put the game out of reach.
“It’s always an honor to be recognized as one of the top players in a tournament like this,” DeShields said. “There are so many great players, talented players, and I’m just honored.”
The USA has played in four previous FIBA Americas Championships, historically used as a qualifier for an Olympics or FIBA World Cup, in 1989, 1993, 1997 and 2007.
The top eight nations at the 2019 FIBA AmeriCup, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and the USA, qualified to compete in one of two 2019 FIBA Americas Pre-Olympic Qualifying Tournaments, Nov. 10-18.
Prior to the gold medal game, the eight qualified teams were drawn into two groups of four, and Canada will host in Edmonton Group A, which also includes Cuba, Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. Group B, which features Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and the USA, will compete in Bahia Blanca, Argentina. The top two teams from each of those groups will earn the right to play in one of the 2020 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments (sites TBD), Feb. 2-10.
As was the case over the past three quadrenniums, the 2019-20 USA National Team roster, which currently lists 34 athletes, will be fluid. It is expected that the official, 12-member 2020 U.S. Olympic Team will be comprised of players from the 2019-20 USA National Team.
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Blake Shelton will release a new album, Fully Loaded: God’s Country, on Dec. 13.
The 12-song offering will feature five new tunes—including “God’s Country” and current single, “Hell Right”—with seven previously recorded hits. The upcoming album aligns titularly with past compilations, Loaded (2010) and Reloaded (2015).
“Well, I knew the label would come up with some plan to release an album,” says Blake. “I’ve been vocal about how much I like this new way of releasing songs more frequently. It keeps me excited and gives me the opportunity to find the hot new song that I love and get it out to the fans quickly. I think they like it too. With five new songs on this album, you’ve got ‘God’s Country,’ ‘Hell Right’ and a few more that haven’t come out yet—maybe I wasn’t supposed to say that. But the fans will hear most of the music on Fully Loaded before it hits the streets in December.”
“God’s Country” is nominated for Video, Single and Song of the Year at the upcoming CMA Awards in November. Blake also earned a nomination for Musical Event of the year for his collaboration with Garth Brooks on “Dive Bar.”
photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com
The Academy of Country Music recently announced the addition of seven new ACM Decade Awards: Song of the Decade, Album of the Decade, Artist-Songwriter of the Decade, Breakout Artist of the Decade, Single of the Decade, Songwriter of the Decade and Music Event of the Decade.
Three of the aforementioned awards—Breakout Artist of the Decade, Single of the Decade and Musical Event of the Decade—have been presented to Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley of Florida Georgia Line.
The ACM Breakout Artist of the Decade Award acknowledges an artist that first impacted country music in the decade and has contributed to the country music format in a meaningful way. Factors considered include success at radio, commercial media, sales and streaming, creative integrity, touring statistics, artistic merit and ACM Award recognition.
FGL’s 2012 No. 1 hit, “Cruise, was recognized as the ACM Single of the Decade Award, which recognizes a single that has impacted country music over the decade. The factors considered include success at radio, commercial media, sales and streaming, artistic merit and ACM Award recognition.
Florida Georgia Line received the ACM Music Event of the Decade Award for their 2017 No. 1 hit, “Meant to Be,” with Bebe Rexha. The award recognizes a recording performed by artists who do not regularly perform together that has impacted country music over the decade. The factors considered include success at radio, commercial media, sales and streaming, artistic merit and ACM Award recognition.
Previously announce recipients of the ACM Decade Awards include:
The ACM Album of the Decade will be announced next.
photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com
Allen, Briggs, Brooks and Johnson join AD ranks
Tennessee Director of Athletics Phillip Fulmer recently promoted longtime senior staffer Angie Boyd Keck to Senior Associate Athletics Director. In addition, Keck has also assumed the role of Senior Woman Administrator.
Keck served as an associate AD since 2008. Her ascension to SWA comes after the departure of Donna Thomas, who retired in July. Keck retains her responsibilities as the sport administrator for women’s basketball, men’s and women’s golf, rowing and volleyball.
“Angie is a natural fit for our SWA role,” Fulmer said. “She’s one of the sharpest administrators I’ve been around, and she has a deep love and sense of loyalty to the University of Tennessee. In everything she does, Angie is always thinking about our student-athletes. She has a real passion for making sure we’re supporting them as best we can and making sure they’re equipped to succeed in all their endeavors.”
This fall, Keck began a four-year term on the NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Committee. She also has served on UT’s exempt staff council, the Work Culture Improvement Team and is a member of Women’s Leaders in College Sports.
A two-time Tennessee graduate, Keck was a captain on the Lady Vols golf team and is a member of the University of Tennessee Athletics Hall of Fame. She began her career in intercollegiate administration when she was hired in UT’s women’s athletics department in 1994.
In addition to Keck’s promotion, four other Tennessee Athletics staffers were promoted to the AD ranks. Those individuals are Assistant Athletics Director for Player Relations and Development Dr. Mikki Allen, Assistant Athletics Director for Business and Finance Brad Briggs, Assistant Athletics Director for Administration Tara Brooks and Assistant Athletics Director for Development Blake Johnson.
Additional administrative duties previously held by Thomas have been distributed among multiple senior staff members, including Brooks (deputy Title IX coordinator for athletics), Senior Associate Athletics Director for Regulatory Affairs Andrew Donovan (track & field/cross country administrator) and Senior Associate Athletics Director Dara Worrell (University of Tennessee Athletics Hall of Fame administrator).
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Tennessee Athletics is debuting its first official podcast series next week, with the first episode of “A Host of Volunteers” available on Friday, Oct. 4.
Hosted by Barry Rice of VFL Films and Ben Bates of The Vol Network, “A Host of Volunteers” features interviews with football VFLs along with Vol Network archive material. There’s plenty of John Ward play-by-play mixed in with memories enthusiastically shared by the players, coaches and administrators who made history, played in the games or symbolize the memorable moments orange-blooded diehards associate with Tennessee football.
The first of 10 episodes in the podcast’s debut season is titled “When Johnny Comes Marching Home” and spotlights the first year of the Johnny Majors era, Tennessee’s 1977 campaign. Guests in the first episode include Pat Ryan, Pert Jenkins, Eddy Powers and Larry Seivers along with former UT coaches Majors and Bill Battle.
“A Host of Volunteers” provides an audio deep dive into the Tennessee gridiron history books.
Fans can subscribe at Apple Podcast, iHeart Radio or wherever they get their podcasts.
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![Jason Aldean Shares Track List to Upcoming Album & Releases New Song, “Dirt We Were Raised On” [Listen]](https://cdn.socast.io/6616/sites/602/2019/09/27103334/Jason-Aldean-CH.jpg#aqua_resizer_image_not_local)
Jason Aldean shared the track list to his upcoming ninth studio album, 9, which is set to drop on Nov. 22. The 16-song offering features a host of top songwriters, including Josh Thompson, Jordan Schmidt, Brad Warren, Brett Warren, Ben Hayslip, Rhett Akins and more, as well as artist/songwriters Morgan Wallen, Tyler Hubbard and Brantley Gilbert.
“People buy albums with eight songs for 10 bucks now, but with 9, it’s like you’re getting two whole albums at once,” says Jason. “I want fans to feel like they’re getting more than they bargained for, and I want it to be something they listen to from top to bottom, and never hit skip . . . or thumbs down or whatever.”
In addition to previously releasing lead single “We Back,” “Blame It On You,” “I Don’t Drink Anymore” and “Keep It Small Town,” Jason shared a new song, “Dirt We Were Raised On,” which you can listen to below.
9 Track List & Songwriters
1. “Tattoos and Tequila” (Michael Dulaney, Neil Thrasher)
2. “Blame It On You” (Kurt Allison, John Edwards, Tully Kennedy, Michael Tyler, Brian White)
3. “Champagne Town” (Matt Dragstrem, Josh Thompson)
4. “Some Things You Don’t Forget” (Nick Brophy, Michael Dulaney, Jennifer Hanson, Neil Thrasher)
5. “Got What I Got” (Thomas Archer, Alex Palmer, Michael Tyler)
6. “Keeping It Small Town” (Jaron Boyer, Ben Hayslip, Morgan Wallen)
7. “Camouflage Hat” (Ben Hayslip, Jameson Rodgers, Josh Thompson)
8. “Came Here to Drink” (Jaron Boyer, Alex Palmer, Michael Tyler)
9. “We Back” (Tyler Hubbard, Jordan Schmidt, Brad Warren, Brett Warren)
10. “Dirt We Were Raised On” (Rhett Akins, Jaron Boyer, Josh Thompson)
11. “I Don’t Drink Anymore” (Kelly Lovelace, CJ Solar, Neil Thrasher)
12. “Cowboy Killer” (Jaron Boyer, Josh Hoge, Michael Tyler)
13. “One for the Road” (Lynn Hutton, Brandon Kinney, Josh Thompson)
14. “Talk About Georgia” (Kurt Allison, Tully Kennedy, Michael Tyler)
15. “The Same Way” (Brock Berryhill, Brantley Gilbert, Cole Taylor)
16. “She Likes It” (Jaron Boyer, Ben Stennis, Michael Tyler)
Since releasing his self-titled debut album in 2005, Jason has dropped new albums at a prolific rate—never waiting more than two calendar years between projects. Jason’s most recent album, 2018’s Rearview Town, spawned four No. 1 hits, including the title track, “You Make It Easy,” “Drowns the Whiskey” and “Girl Like You.”
photo by Curtis Hilbun, AFF-USA.com
Reba McEntire will be honored with the Artist of a Lifetime award at the CMT Artists of the Year celebration on Oct. 16 at Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center.
“I have loved entertaining people since I was a little girl and after being in the music business more than 40 years, I’m still having so much fun,” says Reba. “For CMT to recognize me as the Artist of a Lifetime is pretty special.”
This year’s Artists of the Year celebration will honor five artists—Carrie Underwood, Dan + Shay, Kane Brown, Luke Combs and Thomas Rhett—and will feature surprise musical pairings and guests.
Merle Haggard received the inaugural Artist of a Lifetime award in 2014, followed by Kenny Rogers (2015), Shania Twain (2016) and Loretta Lynn (2018).
The Artists of the Year celebration will air on CMT on Oct. 16 at 8 p.m. ET.
photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com
