Lady Vols in the WNBA Update: August 20

Posted on August 20, 2019
Credit: UT Athletics

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. —  With the WNBA season less than a month away from the playoffs, former Lady Vols are leaving their marks on the court.

Diamond DeShields notched a season-high 28 points against Las Vegas on Aug. 18, which also tied her career high. Altogether, the LVFL has scored in double digits 22 times this season and has now found her way into double figures for 16-straight games. DeShields leads her team in scoring with 15.3 ppg., ranking ninth overall in the league.

Candace Parker scored a season-high 21 points against Seattle on Aug. 4 to earn WNBA Western Conference Player of the Week honors. She followed that up with a double-double in the next game, tallying 12 points and 11 rebounds against Phoenix on Aug. 8.

Connecticut Sun’s Shekinna Stricklen tied her season high of 24 points against Seattle on Aug. 16. Her team is one of only three to already clinch a spot in postseason play.

On Aug. 16 Isabelle Harrison tied her career high of 15 points as the Wings defeated the New York Liberty. She then followed that up by tying her career high in rebounding on Aug. 18, recording a double-double against Connecticut with 11 points and 13 rebounds.

Fellow Dallas player Glory Johnson also recently posted a season high, scoring 20 points to help the Wings claim victory over the Sparks on Aug. 14.

Mercedes Russell has stepped up for Seattle this year and has started in 24 games so far, despite not having any starts in the lineup last year. She is currently averaging 7.5 ppg. and 6.2 rpg. while competing for 25.8 mpg. The former Lady Vol has also been shooting at 51.5 percent from the field, ranking her sixth in the league.

Competition around the league starts heating up even more as the regular season comes to a close on Sept. 8, with playoffs kicking off three days later.

 

Diamond DeShields

Chicago Sky | G | 2nd Season

DeShields has started in all 26 of the Chicago Sky’s games this season. She is averaging 15.3 ppg., 5.8 rpg. and shooting a steady 83.5 percent from the free throw line. She leads the team in scoring and is currently ranked ninth in the league in ppg. Her next game is Tuesday when the Sky travel to Atlanta at 7 p.m. ET (Twitter and The U Too).

 

Isabelle Harrison

Dallas Wings | F/C | 4th Season

After sitting out all of last season due to medical reasons, Harrison has been averaging a little over 24.9 minutes a game while tallying 8.2 ppg. and 5.5 rpg. Along with her recent double-double, Harrison has now scored in double digits 10 times this season. She’ll hit the court again Thursday, traveling to Minnesota for an 8 p.m. ET tip (League Pass).

 

Glory Johnson

Dallas Wings | F | 7th Season

Johnson has appeared in 21 games for Dallas, starting in 13. She’s currently averaging 7.7 ppg. and 5.6 rbg., while playing 24.0 mpg. The LVFL recently scored in double digits for three-straight games, including a season-high of 20 points against the Los Angeles Sparks. She’ll hit the court again Thursday, traveling to Minnesota for an 8 p.m. ET tip (League Pass).

 

Candace Parker

Los Angeles Sparks | F/C | 12th Season

Initially sidelined with a hamstring injury at the start of the season, Parker saw action in seven games before suffering an ankle injury on July 9 against Dallas. She returned to action on Aug. 1 against Las Vegas and scored 16 points. The former Lady Vol has been averaging 9.4 ppg. and 6.4 rpg. through the 13 games in which she’s been active. The Sparks return to action Tuesday at 10:30 p.m. ET as they host the Minnesota Lynx (NBA TV, Spectrum, Sportsnet, NBA TV Canada).

 

Mercedes Russell

Seattle Storm | C | 2nd Season

Russell has been given a bigger role this year for the Storm as she has seen action in all 28 games and started in 24. She is averaging 7.5 ppg. and 6.2 rpg. with 25.8 mpg. She currently ranks 18th in the league in rebounding and sixth in field goal percentage with 51.5 percent.  She recently scored 10 points against Washington and 12 points against Los Angeles. Seattle hosts the Indiana Fever on Sunday, facing off at 7 p.m. ET (JoeTV and League Pass).

 

Shekinna Stricklen

Connecticut Sun | G/F | 8th Season

Stricklen has started in all 27 games this season for the Connecticut Sun, as the team is in second place in the league standings and has clinched a playoff spot. She is sitting at 8.9 ppg. and has chipped in 1.9 rpg. while playing 23.4 mpg. so far this season. Her next game is against the Las Vegas Aces on Friday starting at 7:30 p.m. ET (NBA TV, NESN+, NBA TV Canada).

 

UT Athletics

Dwight Yoakam Announces 9-Date Las Vegas Residency

Dwight Yoakam Announces 9-Date Las Vegas Residency

Posted on August 20, 2019

Dwight Yoakam will bring his distinctive croon and swiveling hips to the Wynn’s Encore Theater in Las Vegas for nine dates this winter.

The nine-date residency, billed as An Evening with Dwight Yoakam & the Bakersfield Beat, is scheduled to take place on Dec. 4, 6, 7, 10, 12 and 14, as well as March 4, 6 and 7.

Beginning with the Dust Bowl era, Dwight will take the audience on a musical excursion exploring the history of the sounds associated with Bakersfield, Calif., through songs and storytelling. The showcase will reflect the concepts that created his self-curated SiriusXM channel, Dwight Yoakam & The Bakersfield Beat.

Tickets ($59.50–$175 plus fees) go on sale on Aug. 23 at 10 a.m. PDT.

photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

Michael Ray to Headline “CMT on Tour” With Jimmie Allen & Walker County

Michael Ray to Headline “CMT on Tour” With Jimmie Allen & Walker County

Posted on August 20, 2019

Michael Ray will headline the 19th annual CMT on Tour.

The tour will kick off on Oct. 17 in Greensboro, N.C., making additional stops in Birmingham, Fort Wayne, New York and more.

Jimmie Allen and Walker County will provide support. Tickets go on sale on Aug. 23 at 10 a.m. CT.

“I’m so honored to be headlining CMT on Tour with Jimmie and Walker County,” says Michael Ray. “I think CMT has a great way of putting a package together that really sets up artists for the next chapter.”

CMT on Tour

Oct. 17 | Greensboro, NC | Cone Denim Entertainment Center
Oct. 18 | Birmingham, AL | Iron City
Nov.1 | Grand Rapids, MI | 20 Monroe Live
Nov. 2 | Fort Wayne, IN | The Clyde Theatre
Nov. 22 | Lexington, KY | Tipsy Cow Bar
Nov. 23 | Macon, GA | The Crazy Bull
Dec. 5 | New York, NY | The Gramercy Theatre
Dec. 6 | Sayreville, NJ | Starland Ballroom
Dec. 7 | Clifton Park, NY | Upstate Concert

Additional cities to be announced at a later date.

photo by Curtis Hilbun, AFF-USA.com

Grand Ole Opry to Feature New Dolly Parton Exhibit

Grand Ole Opry to Feature New Dolly Parton Exhibit

Posted on August 20, 2019

Dolly Parton is celebrating her golden anniversary—that’s 50 years—as a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 2019.

In honor of the anniversary, the Opry is hosting a new exhibit, Dolly: My Opry Memories, which features 24 wardrobe pieces Dolly has worn on the Opry stage over the last 50 years.

Garments featured in the exhibit include:

  • Dress worn on the evening of her Opry induction (1969)
  • Gown worn for a duet with fellow Opry member Vince Gill while singing “I Will Always Love You” (1995)
  • Ensemble worn during a surprise Opry appearance to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Reba McEntire’s Opry debut (2017)

Also included in the exhibit in the Opry House’s historic Studio A are exclusive videos of Dolly recounting some of her favorite Opry memories, along with rarely seen performance clips spanning her five decades of Opry membership.

Tickets for the exhibit, which runs from Sept. 3 to Oct. 31, are $17.

“It was always my dream to be on the Opry,” says Dolly. “I actually got to sing on the Grand Ole Opry when I was about 10 years old. I officially became a member back in 1969 and I cannot believe [I’m celebrating] 50 proud years of being a member of the Grand Ole Opry! They call it the ‘Mother Church’ because the old Ryman was a church, but it’s sacred to me, wherever it goes—the church of my heart. For me, the Opry is like the song ‘New York, New York’—if you can make it there, you can make it anywhere. I am excited to be coming back home to celebrate 50 years of membership.”

The Opry will celebrate Dolly Week in October with a number of performances on Oct. 10, 11 and 12.

  • Oct. 10 | Opry Country Classics featuring performances of Dolly’s No. 1 hits
  • Oct. 11 | Dolly’s Mountain Soul: Bluegrass, Americana & Roots Music honors Dolly
  • Oct. 12 | Dolly Parton’s 50th Grand Ole Opry Anniversary Celebration featuring Dolly Parton and many more (two shows)

Over the course of her career, Dolly has earned eight Grammy Awards, 10 Country Music Association Awards, five Academy of Country Music Awards and three American Music Awards. In 1999, Dolly was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. She has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame—both as a solo artist and as a member of Trio. She became a member of the National Academy of Popular Music Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2001. Broadcast Music Inc. (BMI) honored her with their Icon Award in 2003, and in 2004 the U.S. Library of Congress presented her with their Living Legend Award. In 2005, she was presented the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government, the National Medal of Arts. Dolly will be honored as MusiCares Person of the Year during Grammy Week in February.

photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

Luke Bryan Celebrates 10-Year Anniversary of Sophomore Album, “Doin’ My Thing,” With Vinyl Release

Luke Bryan Celebrates 10-Year Anniversary of Sophomore Album, “Doin’ My Thing,” With Vinyl Release

Posted on August 20, 2019

Luke Bryan will celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the release of his sophomore album, Doin’ My Thing, by releasing the album on vinyl for the first time on Oct. 4.

Initially released on Oct. 6, 2009, Doin’ My Thing spawned Luke’s first No. 1 single, “Rain Is a Good Thing,” as well as the follow-up No. 1 hit, “Someone Else Calling You Baby.”

The 13-track deluxe vinyl record features two bonus tracks, “Ya’ll Can Have This Town” and “Favorite Flowers.” The deluxe edition will also be released digitally on Oct. 4.

Doin’ My Thing Track List
Side A:
1. Rain Is A Good Thing
2. Doin’ My Thing
3. Do I
4. What Country Is
5. Someone Else Calling You Baby
6. Welcome To The Farm
7. Apologize
Side B:
8. Every Time I See You
9. Chuggin’ Along
10. I Did It Again
11. Drinkin’ Beer And Wastin’ Bullets
12. Ya’ll Can Have This Town (Bonus Track)
13. Favorite Flowers (Bonus Track)

photo by Curtis Hilbun, AFF-USA.com

Florida Georgia Line’s Tyler Hubbard & Wife Hayley Welcome Baby Boy

Florida Georgia Line’s Tyler Hubbard & Wife Hayley Welcome Baby Boy

Posted on August 20, 2019

Florida Georgia Line’s Tyler Hubbard and wife Hayley welcomed their second child, a baby boy named Luca Reed Hubbard, on Aug. 19.

“Words can’t describe the overwhelming emotions that I experienced last night as we witnessed the miracle of life,” said Tyler, in part, via Instagram. “I couldn’t be more proud of my amazing wife @hayley_hubbard through this whole journey. She’s an absolute angel and meant to be a mother. I thank God for answering our prayers and bringing Luca into the world peacefully and smoothly. I didn’t think life could get any better but it just did.”

According to People, Luca Reed weighed in at 8 lbs., 11 oz., and measured 20.5 inches long.

Tyler and Hayley’s new addition with join 20-month-old big sister, Olivia, in the Hubbard household.

Congrats to the family.

photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

Guarantano Named to Unitas Golden Arm Award Watch List

Guarantano Named to Unitas Golden Arm Award Watch List

Posted on August 19, 2019
Credit: UT Athletics

BALTIMORE, Md. – Tennessee quarterback Jarrett Guarantano added another notch to his preseason awards list after being named to the 2019 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Watch List presented by A.O. Smith Corporation on Monday.

Named after Unitas, the eventer of football’s two-minute drill, the award is presented annually to college football’s top senior or fourth-year junior quarterback set to graduate with their class by the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation.

Guarantano is one of 49 FBS quarterbacks recognized and one of just four signal callers from the SEC on the docket. The redshirt junior passed for 1,907 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2018 while throwing only three interceptions, the fewest of any FBS quarterback who started 12 or more games.

Last season, the Lodi, N.J., native shattered the UT record for consecutive pass attempts without an interception by tossing 166 straight passes without a pick, breaking the old mark of 143 set by Casey Clausen in 2003.

The announcement comes after Guarantano was featured on the 2019 Maxwell Award Preseason Watch List, awarded to college football’s best all-around player.
To see the complete 2019 Golden Arm Award Watch List, click HERE.

The Vols open their 2019 season on Aug. 31 when they welcome Georgia State to Neyland Stadium. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. on ESPNU. Fans can purchase season and single-game tickets as well as the new Tennessee football Vol Pass by visiting AllVols.com.

Tennessee 2019 Preseason Watch List Selections 
Darrell Taylor – Chuck Bednarik Award, Butkus Award, Bronko Nagurski Trophy
Jarrett Guarantano – Maxwell Award, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award
Ty Chandler – Doak Walker Award
Dominick Wood-Anderson – John Mackey Award
Brandon Kennedy – Rimington Trophy
Ryan Johnson – Wuerffel Trophy
Trey Smith – Wuerffel Trophy
Riley Lovingood – Patrick Mannelly Award

 

UT Athletics

Dan + Shay Score 6th No. 1 Single With “All to Myself”

Dan + Shay Score 6th No. 1 Single With “All to Myself”

Posted on August 19, 2019

Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney of Dan + Shay scored their sixth No. 1 single as “All to Myself” ascended to the top spot on both the Billboard Country Airplay chart and Mediabase chart this week.

Penned by Dan, Shay, Jordan Reynolds and Nicolle Galyon, “All to Myself” is the third single from the duo’s 2018 self-titled album, following No. 1 singles “Tequila” and “Speechless.”

“Thank you to our fans for believing in this song since day one, and fighting for it be a single,” said the duo, in part, via Instagram. “Please help us say thanks by tagging your local country radio station. It feels extra special.”

View this post on Instagram

all to myself is officially #1, and it feels extra special.  at the beginning of push week, the deficit seemed nearly impossible to overcome, but our team fought tirelessly (seriously, NONSTOP effort), and our country radio family stepped up for us in a way that reminded us how lucky we truly are to be a part of such a wonderful community.  thank you to every program director, music director, and anyone at any radio station who threw us a few extra spins this week.  every single one of you made a difference, and we’ll forever be grateful.  thank you to our fans for believing in this song since day one, and fighting for it to be a single.  we always trust you, because you’ve always got our backs.  if you’ve made it this far in this novel of a caption, please help us say thanks by tagging your local country radio station in the comments of this post.  and if you so happen to know the individual handles of our @wmnashville promo team, please shower them with love too.  we’re just so unbelievably happy right now. 🌙

A post shared by Dan + Shay (@danandshay) on

The duo is on the road with Florida Georgia Line as part of their Can’t Say I Ain’t Country Tour. They will join Shawn Mendes in the fall on his self-titled tour in Australia.

photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

ACM Honors Ceremony Announces Final Performer & Presenter Lineup

ACM Honors Ceremony Announces Final Performer & Presenter Lineup

Posted on August 19, 2019

The Academy of Country Music announced its final performer and presenter lineup for the 13th annual ACM Honors ceremony.

Performers: Lauren Alaina, Caylee Hammack, Chris Janson, Miranda Lambert, Maddie & Tae, Ashley McBryde, Midland, Billy Joe Shaver, Tenille Townes, Keith Urban, Chris Young.

Presenters: Lauren Alaina, Bobby Bones, Chris Janson, Barbara Mandrell, Shane McAnally, Midland, Keith Urban, Trisha Yearwood, Chris Young.

The ACM Honors, which will take place on August 21 at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, will recognize the special honorees and off-camera category winners from the 54th ACM Awards, including Brooks & Dunn, Martina McBride, Miranda Lambert, Shane McAnally, Kacey Musgraves, Rodney Crowell, Kye Fleming, Billy Joe Shaver, Gayle Holcomb and A Star Is Born.

Tickets for the ACM Honors are on sale now.

Check out the list of awardees, awards and past winners below.

Brooks & Dunn and Martina McBride

Cliffie Stone Icon Award: This award is presented to a country music artist, duo/group or industry leader who throughout their career has advanced the popularity of the genre through their contributions in multiple facets of the industry such as songwriting, recording, production, touring, film, television, literary works, philanthropic contributions and other goodwill efforts.
Past Winners: Alabama, Bob Beckham, Garth Brooks, Glen Campbell, Johnny Cash, Charlie Daniels, Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers, Crystal Gayle, Merle Haggard, Emmylou Harris, George Jones, George Strait, The Judds, Brenda Lee, Loretta Lynn, Willie Nelson, The Oak Ridge Boys, Dolly Parton, Charley Pride, Jerry Reed, Tex Ritter, Marty Robbins, Kenny Rogers, Billy Sherrill, Ricky Skaggs, The Statler Brothers, Mel Tillis, Randy Travis, Tanya Tucker, Conway Twitty, Porter Wagoner, Keith Whitley, Hank Williams, Hank Williams Jr., Bob Wills, Dwight Yoakam and Alan Jackson.

Gayle Holcomb

Gary Harber Lifting Lives Award: This award is presented to a country music artist, duo/group or industry professional who is devoted to improving lives through the power of music, has a generosity of spirit, and is committed to serving others, voted on by the ACM Lifting Lives Board of Directors.
Past Winners: Brooks & Dunn, Dolly Parton, Vince Gill, Lonestar, Martina McBride, Neal McCoy, Reba McEntire, Montgomery Gentry, Rascal Flatts, LeAnn Rimes, Carrie Underwood and Darius Rucker.

Miranda Lambert

Gene Weed Milestone Award: This award is presented to a country music artist, duo/group or industry leader for a specific, unprecedented or outstanding achievement in the field of country music during the preceding calendar year.
Past Winners: Jason Aldean, Garth Brooks, Luke Bryan, Kelsea Ballerini, George Burns, Kenny Chesney, Jeff Foxworthy, Merle Haggard, Gayle Holcomb, Loretta Lynn, Little Big Town, Willie Nelson, Jennifer Nettles, Blake Shelton, George Strait, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood and Sam Hunt.

Kacey Musgraves

Jim Reeves International Award: This award recognizes an artist or industry leader for outstanding contributions to the acceptance of country music throughout the world.
Past Winners: Joe Allison, Bill Boyd, Garth Brooks, Steve Buchanan, Joe Cates, Eric Church, Dick Clark, Roy Clark, Al Gallico, Merv Griffin, Jim Halsey, Alan Jackson, Ken Kragen, Lady Antebellum, Sam Louvello, Thurston Moore, Charlie Nagatani, Buck Owens, Dolly Parton, Rascal Flatts, Roy Rogers, Bob Saporiti, Louise Scruggs, Dinah Shore, Taylor Swift, Keith Urban, Jeff Walker, Jo Walker-Meador, Bill Ward and Rob Potts.

Rodney Crowell, Kye Fleming and Billy Joe Shaver

Poet’s Award: This award is presented to a country music songwriter for outstanding and longstanding musical and/or lyrical contributions throughout their career, with special consideration given to a song or songs’ impact on the culture of country music.
Past Winners: Bill Anderson, Bobby Braddock, Toby Keith, Willie Nelson, Shel Silverstein, Felice and Boudleaux Bryant, Guy Clark, Jack Clement, Hank Cochran, Dean Dillon, Merle Haggard, Tom T. Hall, Harlan Howard, Kris Kristofferson, Bob McDill, Roger Miller, Buck Owens, Eddie Rabbitt, Fred Rose, Don Schlitz, Cindy Walker, Jimmy Webb, Hank Williams, Matraca Berg and Norro Wilson.

Shane McAnally

Songwriter of the Year Award: This award is presented to an individual known predominately as a songwriter, selected by a Professional Panel of judges composed of songwriters, publishers, producers, and performing rights organization representatives.
Past Winners: Ross Copperman, Dallas Davidson, Luke Laird, Shane McAnally, Lori McKenna, Roger Miller and Rhett Akins.

A Star Is Born

Tex Ritter Film Award: This award recognizes an outstanding television movie, series or feature film released during the preceding calendar year which prominently features country music.
Past Winners: Beer For My Horses, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Country Strong, Crazy Heart, Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors, Nashville, O Brother, Where Art Thou, Sweet Dreams and Walk the Line, among others.

photos: Miranda Lambert & Keith Urban by Curtis Hilbun; Chris Young & Lauren Alaina by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

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