Dierks Bentley is gearing up for his second annual Seven Peaks Music Festival in Buena Vista, Colo., on Labor Day Weekend (Aug. 30–Sept. 1). Artists joining Dierks this year include Luke Bryan, Maren Morris, Jon Pardi, Mitchell Tenpenny, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Ryan Hurd, Steep Canyon Rangers, The War and Treaty, Tenille Townes, Caylee Hammack and more.
To get the party started on Aug. 30, the festival curated a lineup of artists who inspired Dierks’ love of ’90s country, including Travis Tritt, Tracy Lawrence, Diamond Rio and Deana Carter, with a special performance by Dierks’ own Hot Country Knights.
As the Arizona native told Kix Brooks of American Country Countdown, there’s nothing else like his “unique” festival, which combines elements of current country, ’90s country, Texas country, bluegrass and more.
“I’m from out West—that’s kind of where my heart always will be, and so I’m trying to find as many excuses to get out there as possible, so starting a festival in the mountains of Colorado was definitely a little bit selfish, but it’s just a great hang,” says Dierks. “And it’s just a great place to be even if there was no music. This is where I would spend every Labor Day, just sitting in a lawn chair. But you add Luke Bryan, Maren Morris, Mitchell Tenpenny, Jon Pardi, Tenille Townes, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band—we have a whole night devoted just to ’90s country because, you know, I love ’90s country. It’s a very unique festival. There’s nothing else out there like it. And, we also have great bluegrass and some Texas country, so there’s a lot going on. All the things I love are incorporated into this festival.”
Trey Smith has been cleared to play Saturday on UT’s offensive line, but what will that line look like now that the 2017 Freshman All-American is back in the mix?
Watch as Cainer breaks down what could be the new-look offensive line for the firsts series against Georgia State.
Eric Cain / Credit: Cumulus Knoxville Staff Photos
(This is the first in a two-part series on Tee Martin. The first part, how he got into coaching.)
By Jimmy Hyams
Tee Martin brought home a national championship to Tennessee in 1998.
And now, a decade after he began his college coaching career, he comes home to coach as a Vol assistant.
Martin makes his debut as UT’s receivers coach and pass game coordinator this Saturday against Georgia State at 3:30 p.m.
The long and winding road home took him to Atlanta, New Mexico, Kentucky and USC. And it wasn’t until his fourth interview at Tennessee that he became a Vol again.
Martin interviewed for a Tennessee job in 2009 when UT hired Kiffin, in 2010 when Derek Dooley was hired, and after Butch Jones’ second year in 2015. Twice he didn’t get hired. The third time he turned down Jones.
“The timing was not right,’’ Martin said. “It didn’t work out.’’
The timing is right now, Martin said, because of head coach Jeremy Pruitt and athletic director Phillip Fulmer, the coach of that 1998 national championship team.
“It’s really cool and it’s a unique situation,’’ said Martin. “I’m back at my alma mater and I have nothing but positive memories. It’s nostalgic, surreal.
“With that being said, this means more to me than any other job I’ve had.’’
It means a lot to the Vol Nation, which is thrilled to have Martin back on Rocky Top.
And it means a lot to the UT players, many whom respect Martin for the simple fact he was a national title ring.
The coaching bug bit Martin when he was a 10-year old, organizing an informal youth league in Mobile, Ala.
The community was Birdsville, where every street was named after a bird. Team names were Eagles, Ravens, Cardinals.
“I was the organizer and coach,’’ Martin said. “I knew I only wanted to play quarterback if I played football because quarterback challenged me. I don’t know if I’d like football if I played any other position than quarterback.’’
Other sports intrigued him as well. Mobile is the home of Hank Arron and his exploits rubbed off on Martin.
“Baseball was my favorite sport growing up,’’ said Martin, who was a pitcher, shortstop and centerfielder. “I played way more baseball than football.’’
He was a sprinter in track, a forward in basketball.
“Mobile, Alabama was a big hub for sports,’’ Martin said. “Whether it was basketball, football or baseball. During that time, a lot of guys were going to college and making it to the pros.’’
There was also the influence of the Senior Bowl held in Tee’s home town. Martin would sit in the lobby of the local hotel and watch guys like Jimmy Johnson and Dan Marino stroll by.
“It was like living a dream,’’ Martin said, who ran into Mean Joe Greene.
“I couldn’t speak to him,’’ he said. “I couldn’t get the words out of my mouth.’’
Martin lived the dream of playing quarterback at a major college. But his pro career was short lived. He was in Philadelphia when the Eagles drafted Donovan McNabb. He was in Oakland when the Raiders acquired Rich Gannon.
In the pros, though, he engaged some bright offensive minds like Kevin Gilbride, Andy Reid, Norv Turner, Marc Trestman, Jim Harbaugh.
“Jim Harbaugh was one of my favorite quarterbacks growing up,’’ Martin said.
Martin applied the knowledge he learned from those coaches to enter the profession.
And now, he’ll apply it as a Tennessee assistant coach.
Dylan Scott and wife Blair welcomed baby girl Finley Gray to the family on Aug. 28.
Finley Gray joins older brother Beckett Scott Robinson, 20 months, in the Scott household.
“Beckett loves his little sister and so does momma and daddy,” said Dylan via Instagram. “Everyone meet Finley Gray. Born today, 8 pounds 3 ounces and 20 inches long! I’ve watched my wife do this twice now and she is a rockstar!!!”
A post shared by Dylan Scott (@dylanscottcountry) on
Dylan and Blair were married in 2016, and as Dylan told Nash Country Daily, the couple has known each other for more than 10 years.
“We started dating at 15, so she’s known since then exactly what I wanted to do,” said Dylan. “She’s never once given me a hard time. There were times when we were dating and I’d tell her, ‘I just don’t know if this is what I’m really supposed to be doing. It’s just so tough. All these other guys are coming on the scene and going straight to the top.’ And she’d just tell me, ‘You have the best job, you’re there, you’re doing it, it will work.’ She was just a great motivator. She still is.”
Dylan scored hits “My Girl” and “Hooked” in 2016 and 2017, respectively. He recently released a new EP, An Old Memory, which features covers of Keith Whitley songs.
Rodney Atkins and wife Rose Falcon welcomed baby boy Scout Falcon Atkins to the family on Aug. 26.
Scout joins big brother, Ryder, 20 months, in the Atkins household. Rodney also has a son, Elijah, 17, from a previous marriage.
Rodney and Rose were married in November 2013.
Rodney scored a handful of No. 1 hits in the 2000s, including “Watching You,” “These Are My People,” “It’s America” and more. His recent single, “Caught Up in the Country,” featuring the Fisk Jubilee Singers, peaked at No. 21 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart. Rose has penned songs for a number of artists, including Faith Hill, Lady Antebellum and more.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee football team’s offensive and defensive lines each received a game-week boost on Wednesday, with defensive tackle Aubrey Solomon and offensive lineman Trey Smith both being cleared to play in Saturday’s season opener.
Tennessee head coach Jeremy Pruitt emphasized the importance of each of the players being available ahead of Saturday’s matchup with Georgia State at 3:30 p.m.
“In the last two days we really got some good news, starting with Aubrey (Solomon),” Pruitt said. “He’s a guy that’s worked really hard since he’s been here. I’m glad to see that he gets rewarded and gets a chance to compete and play.
“Trey Smith is going to be able to play some snaps on Saturday. That’s a great thing for Trey. This is something that Trey and his family decided to do, and along with our doctors here at the university and people across the country, [we] have come up with a plan for him to be able to play the game that he loves.”
A two-year starter at various positions along the offensive line, Smith has played 19 games since arriving in Knoxville – all of them as a starter. He was named All-SEC Second Team and SEC All-Freshman in 2017, starting games at left tackle, left guard and right guard. As a freshman in 2017, Smith captured FWAA Freshman All-America honors and in 2018 collected Preseason All-SEC First Team accolades.
Solomon, a former five-star recruit, appeared in 18 games at Michigan, totaling 24 tackles and two TFLs. He had 18 tackles and two TFLs while appearing in all 13 games as a true freshman in 2017 before being limited by injury in 2018.
“Everybody’s excited, fired up, ready to play,” Pruitt said. “You know you don’t get many opportunities, right? Everything we do, starting from when we were little kids playing in the back yard, playing Pop Warner, junior high ball, in the weight room, all the way, there are very few moments that you get to play in a game or coach in a game.
“So, you take advantage of it. And everybody in our program is excited about this game.”
Bituli Out For Opener
Pruitt announced Wednesday that senior linebacker Daniel Bituli is out for Saturday’s season opener.
Tennessee’s linebacker group boasts a wealth of experience and depth, with five scholarship upperclassmen.
“All of our linebackers could be our signal callers,” Pruitt said. We’ve got guys like Shanon Reid and Will Ignont that have been in the system for two years now.
“Jeremy Banks, he’s probably not ready to call signals, but he is a guy from last year when we moved him over from the fall really picked it up really fast. We got some guys in there that can operate.”
Preseason freshman All-American Henry To’o To’o could be the first true freshman to start at linebacker in the season opener since A.J. Johnson and Curt Maggitt in 2011.
Redshirt freshman J.J. Peterson and redshirt sophomore Solon Page join Reid, To’o To’o and Ignont round out the unit.
Head Coach Jeremy Pruitt Press Conference | Aug. 28, 2019
Opening statement:
“In the last two days we really got some good news, starting with Aubrey (Solomon). It’s a guy that’s worked really hard since he’s been here. I’m glad to see that he gets rewarded and gets a chance to compete and play.
“Trey Smith is going to be able to play some snaps on Saturday. That’s a great thing for Trey. This is something that Trey and his family decided to do, and along with our doctors here at the university and people across the country, [we] have come up with a plan for him to be able to play the game that he loves.
“We had really good work this week. Offensively, I still see the maturity of our team, starting at the quarterback position and the wide receivers. [We’re] still moving some guys around up front. We look to play a lot of folks. On the defensive side, still a lot of youth. [We’ve] got some guys that won’t be able to play this weekend, but that’s okay, it’s opportunities for other folks.”
On the plan for Trey Smith:
“It’s a plan that our doctors came up with and as far as playing in the game, Trey is like any other guy on our team. He’ll definitely play some, how much, I don’t know. He’s practiced a few times this camp. He’s worked really hard since this all began. [He’s] probably in the best shape of his life. I think he weighs about 320 pounds. When we got here he weighed 365, so he’s worked really hard and I’m proud that he’s getting an opportunity to do what he loves to do.”
On the status of Bryce Thompson’s situation:
“I’ve said this – this will be the third time that I’ve said it – I can’t comment about that situation. He’s suspended from our team right now. There will be a point in time I’m sure they’ll be a lot of things that will come out, but right now we can’t comment.”
On Trey Smith playing guard as opposed to left tackle this year:
“Well, he’s probably more of a guard. He’s a guy that can probably play all five positions, but I think he’s more comfortable playing inside, so that’s where we want to give him a chance to be at his best.”
On impact of Aubrey Solomon getting to play and what he expects:
“We’ve practiced all camp by giving the same amount of reps to everyone. We’re going to play a lot of guys on the defensive front. Aubrey is a guy that can play anywhere up and down the line of scrimmage, so it definitely gives us a little more depth there.”
On when Trey was cleared to play and whether or not his snaps are being managed:
“We definitely have a plan in place with our medical staff. We’re keeping it in house, because I don’t think it’s really smart to let our opponents know how many snaps Trey is or isn’t going to play.”
On how conversation with Trey went when he found out he was cleared to play this weekend:
“I’m sure Trey has wanted to play the entire time. There hasn’t been any secrets about that, which is why him and his family have thoroughly investigated this, along with our medical staff to give him the best opportunity to have success, not only right now, but for the rest of his life.”
On if lack of contact in practice will affect Trey’s play on the field:
“When you play football it truly is a developmental game, especially at his position. Trey is a really talented guy, but there’s no doubt that the more practices you get, the better that you’ll perform. He’s really worked hard at the skill sets, just not with everyone else, so we’ll see how he does.”
On whether or not Trey will need to be cleared each week:
“We’re not going to get into the plan. That’s Trey and his family’s business, along with the medical staff.”
On Daniel Bituli’s status for Saturday:
“He’s not going to be able to play this week.”
On if freshman LB Henry To’o To’o is able to call signals:
“Yes, all of our linebackers could be our signal callers. We’ve got guys like Shanon Reid and Will Ignont that have been in the system for two years now. J.J. Peterson, he’s more like a freshman because he missed all summer and fall camp last year. Jeremy Banks, he’s probably not ready to call signals, but he is a guy from last year when we moved him over from the fall really picked it up really fast. We got some guys in there that can operate.”
On which coaches will be in the press box and on the field:
“You know, I don’t really think that’s relevant with our game plan and anything else. I think that we would like to keep that in-house.”
On Jeremy Banks being up to speed to play linebacker:
“Yes, he can.”
On tackling in the first game:
“We call it ABCs. We work every day on footwork, block protection and tackling. Every single day. It is interesting, years ago my coach told me that if you couldn’t tackle, we wouldn’t recruit you. But back then, every drill was a tackle drill. It’s not that way anymore. When you watch, like I mentioned it today, bowl games there goes a period of time from when teams have played. It seems like there’s a lot more missed tackles and more points in bowl games. Usually starting the year, you get a couple of scrimmages there. Every day when you thud, if you get your body in the right position and the right body angles and attack the ball the right way, you get plenty of opportunities. I’m sure when you look around college football as the season goes, guys become better at what they are trying to do.”
On how coaching tackling has changed:
“We’ve not changed the way we’ve practiced the last 10 years that I’ve been in college football and even when I was a high school coach. We practice the same now as we did back then. We never took guys to the ground unless we were going to scrimmage. All that’s the same. There’s not as many practices – that’s probably where there’s a difference. When I was in school, 25 years ago, we had three-a-days for two weeks. Now we don’t even have two-a-days. So, now, it’s just really cutting down on the amount of the days that you’re actually really out there.”
On if the team has had to overcome adversity this week:
“This week there hasn’t been any adversity for us. We’re getting ready to play Georgia State. Everybody’s excited, fired up, ready to play. You know you don’t get many opportunities, right? Everything we do, starting from when we were little bitty kids, you know playing in the back yard, playing Pop Warner, junior high ball, in the weight room, all the way, there are very few moments that you get to play in a game, coach in a game, so you take advantage of it. And, everybody in our program is excited about this game.”
Our Cumulus Broadcasting Knoxville sports department staff was there as Vols head football coach Jeremy Pruitt held his Georgia State week Wednesday press conference.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee has announced that Trey Smith is cleared to play in the season opener on Saturday versus Georgia State.
“My family and I consulted with several of the best doctors in the country, and a plan has been developed that allows me to compete with my teammates on gameday,” Smith said. “My family and I are confident in that plan. The coaches and staff here at Tennessee have always had my best interests at heart and I can’t thank them enough. Thanks to all of the fans and my teammates for all of their support.”
Smith has started all 19 games he has played in during his career. He earned All-SEC Second Team and SEC All-Freshman honors in 2017 when he became the first Vol true freshman to start at left tackle in over 30 years. He collected FWAA Freshman All-America honors in 2017 and nabbed preseason All-SEC First Team accolades in 2018.
“This is Trey’s decision and our medical staff has done a great job throughout this entire process,” head coach Jeremy Pruitt said. “The main priority has been and always will be Trey’s health. Our doctors have implemented a plan that will allow Trey to play, and we are excited for him.”
Smith has been an active speaker to youth groups and elementary schools during his time at Tennessee and spearheaded a coat drive for Knoxville Area Rescue Ministry (KARM) during the 2018 season, where over 1,000 coats were donated over five days because of his efforts.
He was named to the 2018 SEC Community Service Team and is a nominee for the 2019 AFCA Good Works Team as a member of the 2019 Wuerffel Trophy Preseason Watch List.
After nominations for the 53rd CMA Awards were revealed this morning, many country stars—including Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Luke Combs, Maren Morris, and more—posted their reactions to the news via social media. Check out some of the responses below, as we continue to update the page.
Happy Gods Country is getting some CMA love but mostly happy for some of my favorite people getting nominated Scott Hendricks, Jenee Fleenor, Sophie Muller and Garth Brooks!!! I’m damn proud to work with each you. Congratulations! @CountryMusic
Thank you. Thank you to the fans, thank you to my team, my band, my family, my fiancé, my songwriting buddies, my peers, country radio, and @CountryMusic for the consideration. It’s a country boy’s dream come true. #CMAawardspic.twitter.com/SAQaWyvMPs
Might be the first and last time @billboard let’s us go live.. all good tho cause this boy has just been nominated for @cma’s New Artist of the Year! Feeling quite blessed this mornin #CMAawardspic.twitter.com/mIbYVnatsb
What a way to start the day!! Appreciate the love here @CountryMusic! 💛 Real excited about what we’ve accomplished together as a band so far and can’t wait to share what else we’ve been working on. #CMAawardshttps://t.co/CsyusiZlxq
will this is really wonderful and exciting and I can’t wait to be there and celebrate country music with my friends. thank you thank you thank you. ❤️ https://t.co/L5A7ch9ywe
Tennessee picked up its first win of the 2019 campaign before Georgia State even came to town – but could it get another right before kickoff?
Volunteer coach Jeremy Pruitt said offensive lineman Trey Smith (blood clots) will be a game-time decision. However, another major question surrounding the team was answered Tuesday evening.
After an eight-month waiting period, Michigan transfer Aubrey Solomon has officially been granted immediate eligibility for the Volunteers. Needless to say, this is huge news for the defensive line and the defense overall.
Solomon is a former 5-star recruit from the class of 2017 and hails from Leesburg, Ga. where he attended Lee County High School. The now 6-foot-3, 299-pound defensive tackle played in the 2017 U.S. Army All-American Bowl and was ranked as the nation’s No. 2 defensive tackle prospect at the time.
The Georgia Class 6A Defensive Player of the Year was a welcomed addition into the defensive rotation at Michigan in 2017. As a freshman, Solomon managed 18 tackles, two for loss, in 13 games played. A lack of playing time and injuries hampered Solomon as a sophomore before deciding to transfer in December of 2018.
In January, Solomon picked Tennessee and arrived on campus – partially because of the connections made through recruiting by Jeremy Pruitt and members of his staff dating all the way back to Solomon’s freshman campaign in high school.
Cumulus Knoxville Staff Photos / Credit: Sam Forman
The new Vol went through winter workouts, spring practice and fall camp all while waiting his ruling from the NCAA on if he’d claim an immediate waiver to get on the field. Tuesday evening, Tennessee received the news it wanted as Solomon was officially cleared to suit up for the Volunteers four days before kickoff.
“I’m beyond excited to be playing football this season,” Solomon said through a UT release. “I can’t wait to suit up with my brothers.”
Solomon later added that, “I’m ready to roll. Go Vols.”
Tennessee lost its three starters on the defensive line from 2018 and graduated four seniors. It’s key returner, junior Emmit Gooden, was lost early in camp with an ACL injury. The Vols’ top returners in the group include only three players who registered a snap from last season in Matthew Butler, John Mincey and Ja’Quin Blakely.
Can Solomon, who can play every position on the defensive line, capture the promise he once held as a prospect? Time will tell. He has looked quick and athletic during media viewing periods of practice, but that often doesn’t tell the whole story.
Tennessee is thrilled to just have him on the field as he will likely be lined up for the first snap on defense.
But what about Trey Smith’s availability for Saturday and the upcoming season? His medical condition is nothing to scoff at and the program has taken the appropriate measures to protect Smith while attempting to find a plan to get him back on the field.
“I know for us to start with, everybody is always going to ask about Trey Smith,” Pruitt said in Monday’s game week press conference with the media. “The plan has not changed with Trey. Our doctors and medical folks will continue to work hard to try and find a way to allow him the opportunity to play. He has had a chance to participate in a couple of practices this camp and we’ll just kind of stay the course there and it’ll really be a game time decision with that.”
Smith has been in full pads, gone through weights and conditioning, as well as drills throughout fall camp. During sessions of full-contact, Smith usually sits out or goes against a dummy pad while the media is in attendance.
Some members of the media have been in the belief for some time that Smith will play this season and start as early as Saturday. Pruitt even (on Monday) went as far as to call it a ‘game time decision.’ I know Smith wants to play. The coaches want him to play and the fans want him to play.
Hear Austin Price of Volquest chat Trey Smith on Producing The Facts Podcast (37 min mark)
His safety and health will always be the main criteria.
If Tennessee found the plan it’s been searching for, I believe Smith will be out there on Saturday. Not only would the junior be the team’s best offensive lineman and starting left guard – Smith would be a calming presence for an unstable group that will mix in true freshmen at the tackle positions.
As a former player, you can only lead your teammates so far from the weight room and the sidelines. Being on the field makes a world of difference. We’ll see if Smith gains that opportunity once again. If he does, the process will have been checked out and been cleared by the medical staff. Judging by Smith’s participation in camp and comments from Pruitt on Monday, I believe they are close.
Tennessee got better this week with the Solomon news, it took a hit with the Bryce Thompson indefinite suspension and we’ll have to wait and see if and when Smith plays.
One thing is for sure. It’s Football Time in Tennessee once again.
