Luke Combs Shares Unreleased Track, “Every Little Bit Helps” [Listen]

Luke Combs Shares Unreleased Track, “Every Little Bit Helps” [Listen]

Luke Combs is on an unbelievable hot streak right now.

The North Carolina native is the first country artist in history whose first five singles have reached No. 1 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart. His sixth single, “Beer Never Broke My Heart,” is currently No. 2 on the chart after only 11 weeks. In addition, Luke recently made history as the first artist to simultaneously top all five Billboard country charts for multiple weeks: Top Country Albums, Hot Country Songs, Country Airplay, Country Streaming Songs and Country Digital Song Sales. He was also inducted into the Grand Ole Opry earlier this month.

As he continues working on his sophomore album, Luke hasn’t been shy about sharing new tunes with his fans, which is exactly what he did on July 25 when he sampled “Every Little Bit Helps” on his YouTube page.

Check out the new track.

photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

Zac Brown Band Announces New Album, “The Owl,” & Releases New Single, “Leaving Love Behind” [Listen]

The field mouse is fast, but the owl sees at night.

Zac Brown Band announced they will release their sixth studio album, The Owl, on Sept. 20.

According to a press release, “The Owl will feature intricate melodies and dynamic vocal arrangements that Zac Brown Band has long been known for, as well as explore new sounds through unexpected collaborations with producers and writers across different facets of the music world, including Skrillex, Andrew Watt, Jason ‘Poo Bear’ Boyd, Max Martin, Benny Blanco, Ryan Tedder and more.”

The title was inspired by the lore surrounding the great horned owl, which can see perfectly at night, making it a reliable guide, even during dark times.

In addition, ZBB is back on country airwaves with the release of their new single, “Leaving Love Behind.”

“We’ve been working tirelessly on this album over the past couple years, ensuring every detail is perfect,” said Zac Brown. “We are always pushing ourselves as musicians by blurring genre boundaries and incorporating all kinds of music we are personally inspired by, elevating what we are capable as a group. This album will have something for everyone, The Owl is exciting, raw, and unexpected. We couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve accomplished on this record and can’t wait to finally share it with the fans.”

ZBB is currently headlining The Owl Tour through August.

Listen to “Leaving Love Behind” below.

photo by Curtis Hilbun, AFF-USA.com

Vols to Visit Kansas for Big 12/SEC Challenge

Vols to Visit Kansas for Big 12/SEC Challenge

Matchups for the 2020 Big 12/SEC Challenge were announced Thursday, and Tennessee is slated to visit Kansas on Saturday, Jan. 25.

The high-profile showdown serves as a rematch of last season’s top-five clash in the NIT Season Tip-Off championship game, which the second-ranked Jayhawks won in overtime.

Other challenge matchups set for Jan. 25 are: Kansas State at Alabama, TCU at Arkansas, Iowa State at Auburn, Baylor at Florida, Kentucky at Texas Tech, LSU at Texas, Mississippi State at Oklahoma, Missouri at West Virginia and Oklahoma State at Texas A&M.

“The Big 12/SEC Challenge is a unique opportunity to showcase our basketball programs,” SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said. “Playing the event on a single-date in January puts our programs in the college basketball spotlight.”

All 10 games will air across ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU and will be available on the ESPN app. ESPN’s College GameDay Covered by State Farm–the Saturday roadshow that discusses the top storylines of the college basketball season–will originate from one of the challenge sites.

At historic Allen Fieldhouse, the Jayhawks enjoy one of the nation’s most daunting homecourt advantages. Kansas owns a 234-13 (.947) home record under longtime head coach Bill Self, who boasts more conference titles (14) than home losses (13) at KU.

Tennessee owns a 1-3 all-time record vs. Kansas, dating to 2009. That first-ever meeting took place at Allen Fieldhouse, with KU claiming a 92-85 victory. The Vols avenged that loss the following season by upsetting the top-ranked Jayhawks in Knoxville on Jan. 10, 2010. The four previous meetings have been decided by an average of nine points.

Tennessee’s all-time record against current members of the Big 12 stands at 14-17. Fifth-year UT head coach Rick Barnes—who spent 17 seasons coaching in the Big 12 before transitioning to Knoxville—owns a 160-94 record against current Big 12 teams and has led his teams to seven wins over Kansas. Barnes’ Texas squad posted a 74-63 win at Allen Fieldhouse in 2011.

The 2020 Big 12/SEC Challenge marks the event’s seventh year. Tennessee is 4-1 in the event, as the Vols did not take part in the inaugural challenge. Four of the SEC’s 14 teams are idle during the challenge each year because there are only 10 teams in the Big 12.

The Big 12 won the challenge in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2019. The SEC claimed its lone win in 2018, and the series was tied in 2017. The Big 12 has a cumulative advantage of 35-25 (.583).

Tennessee’s 2019-20 non-conference schedule now features contests against Florida State, Purdue or VCU, Memphis, Cincinnati, Wisconsin and Kansas.

UT Athletics
Ryan Johnson and Trey Smith Named to Wuerffel Trophy Watch List

Ryan Johnson and Trey Smith Named to Wuerffel Trophy Watch List

Credit: UT Athletics

FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. – Tennessee offensive linemen Ryan Johnson and Trey Smith have been named to the 2019 Wuerffel Trophy Watch List, as announced by the Wuerffel Trophy and Chick-fil-A Foundation® on Thursday afternoon.

Johnson and Smith are two of 93 players from college football’s Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) to be named to the preseason watch list. The SEC had 14 players named to the list, leading all conferences.

The Wuerffel Trophy, known as “College Football’s Premier Award for Community Service,” is presented each February in Fort Walton Beach.  Named after 1996 Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Danny Wuerffel from the University of Florida, the Wuerffel Trophy is awarded to the FBS player that best combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement.

Johnson, who is entering his redshirt junior season for the Vols, has been a mainstay along UT’s offensive front for the past two seasons. He started all 12 games for the Big Orange in 2018 after starting the final four contests of the 2017 season. As a redshirt sophomore, Johnson was named to the 2018 Google Cloud Academic All-District Team and earned a spot on the Fall SEC Academic Honor Roll.

The Brentwood, Tenn., native was also named to the PFF College SEC Offensive Team of the Week on Nov. 13 after the Vols’ 24-7 upset victory over No. 11 Kentucky. Johnson was recently chosen to be a member of the 2019-20 VOLeaders Academy Class as well. He has already earned a degree in civil engineering and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in structural engineering.

Smith started all 12 games for Tennessee as a true freshman in 2017 en route to earning All-SEC second team and SEC All-Freshman Team honors as well as Freshman All-America honors from multiple organizations. The Jackson, Tenn., native was a preseason All-SEC selection in 2018 and started the first seven games of last season before having to miss the remainder of the year due to blood clots.

Smith was named to the 2018 SEC Community Service Team and was a member of the 2017-18 VOLeaders Academy Class that traveled to Ecuador for a 10-day cultural exchange trip that provided applied leadership and service opportunities focused on community development and social change through sport.

A current list of nominees can be found at www.wuerffeltrophy.org beginning on Aug. 1. Semifinalists for the award will be announced on Nov. 5 and finalists will be announced on Nov. 18. The formal announcement of the 2019 recipient will be made at the National Football Foundation’s festivities in New York City on Dec. 10. The presentation of the 2019 Wuerffel Trophy will occur at the 51st All Sports Association Awards Banquet on Feb. 14, 2020 in Fort Walton Beach.

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

 

UT Athletics

“CMA Fest TV Special” Reveals 29-Song Lineup

“CMA Fest TV Special” Reveals 29-Song Lineup

If you weren’t lucky enough to be one of the 80,000-plus fans who descend on Nashville during each day of CMA Fest this year, Thomas Rhett and Kelsea Ballerini have you covered.

Kelsea and TR will once again co-host an upcoming three-hour television special on ABC that features 2019 CMA Fest performances from more than two dozen artists. Filmed during Nashville’s annual CMA Fest on June 6-9, the television special will include more than 30 of country music’s biggest names as they hit the stage during the four-day event, including Dierks Bentley, Kane Brown, Luke Bryan, Dan + Shay, Florida Georgia Line, Chris Janson, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Midland, Old Dominion, Pistol Annies, Rascal Flatts, Blake Shelton, Thomas Rhett and Brett Young.

The TV special will also feature collaborations between Lil Nas X, Billy Ray Cyrus and Keith Urban; Kelsea Ballerini and The Chainsmokers; Brothers Osborne, Brooks & Dunn and Ashley McBryde; Brantley Gilbert and Lindsay Ell; Tim McGraw and Luke Combs; Maren Morris and Brandi Carlile; and Carrie Underwood and Joan Jett.

2019 marks Thomas Rhett’s fourth year co-hosting the event, while Kelsea returns for a third year. The TV special will air on Aug. 4 at 7 p.m. CT on ABC.

Check out this year’s lineup below.

  • Kelsea Ballerini – “Miss Me More”
  • Kelsea Ballerini and The Chainsmokers – “This Feeling”
  • Dierks Bentley – “Living”
  • Brothers Osborne – “I Don’t Remember Me (Before You)”
  • Brothers Osborne and Brooks & Dunn– “Hard Workin’ Man”
  • Brothers Osborne with Brooks & Dunn and Ashley McBryde – “You’re Gonna Miss Me When I’m Gone”
  • Kane Brown – “Good as You”
  • Luke Bryan – “Knockin’ Boots”
  • Luke Combs – “Beer Never Broke My Heart”
  • Dan + Shay – “All To Myself”
  • Florida Georgia Line – “Talk You Out Of It”
  • Brantley Gilbert and Lindsay Ell – “What Happens In A Small Town”
  • Chris Janson – “Good Vibes”
  • Miranda Lambert – “Locomotive”
  • Lil Nas X with Billy Ray Cyrus and Keith Urban – “Old Town Road”
  • Little Big Town – “The Daughters”
  • Tim McGraw and Luke Combs – “Real Good Man”
  • Midland – “Mr. Lonely”
  • Maren Morris – “Girl”
  • Maren Morris and Brandi Carlile – “Common”
  • Old Dominion – “Make It Sweet”
  • Pistol Annies – “Sugar Daddy”
  • Rascal Flatts – “Back to Life”
  • Blake Shelton – “God’s Country”
  • Thomas Rhett – “Look What God Gave Her” and “T-Shirt”
  • Carrie Underwood – “Southbound”
  • Carrie Underwood and Joan Jett – Medley of “I Hate Myself for Loving You,” “Bad Reputation,” Crimson and Clover,” “Fresh Start” and “I Love Rock ‘N’ Roll”
  • Keith Urban – “We Were”
  • Brett Young – “Here Tonight”

photos: Maren Morris, Dierks Bentley & Luke Bryan by Curtis Hilbun; Carrie Underwood by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

Watch Midland Perform “Mr. Lonely” on “The Tonight Show”

Watch Midland Perform “Mr. Lonely” on “The Tonight Show”

Midland—the trio comprised of Mark Wystrach, Cameron Duddy and Jess Carson—stopped by The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on July 24 to perform their new single, “Mr. Lonely.”

Penned by the trio with Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne, “Mr. Lonely” is the lead single from Midland’s upcoming sophomore album, Let It Roll, which drops on Aug. 23. The fast-moving honky-tonker is currently No. 35 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart after 15 weeks.

Midland will kick off its Mr. Lonely Tour on Sept. 17.

Watch Midland perform “Mr. Lonely” on The Tonight Show below.

photo by Andrew Lipovsky/NBC

Lifetime Releases Trailer for New Movie About Patsy Cline & Loretta Lynn [Watch]

Lifetime Releases Trailer for New Movie About Patsy Cline & Loretta Lynn [Watch]

Lifetime released the first trailer for its new friendship flick, Patsy & Loretta, which chronicles the real-life bond between Patsy Cline and Loretta Lynn in the 1950s and ’60s.

Before her death in a plane crash in 1963, Patsy was an established star who took up-and-comer Loretta under her wing to help her navigate the male-dominated world of country music.

Starring roles feature Megan Hilty as Patsy and Jessie Mueller as Loretta. Filmed in Nashville in the spring, Patsy & Loretta was directed by Callie Khouri, who created Nashville.

“I sure loved Patsy,” said Loretta via Facebook. “It broke my heart when we lost her. We always had lots of fun together. This movie is coming out this Fall.”

Patsy & Loretta is set to air on Lifetime on October 19 at 7 p.m. CT.

Watch the new trailer below.

Chris Young & Lauren Alaina Drop New Studio Video for “Town Ain’t Big Enough” [Watch]

Chris Young & Lauren Alaina Drop New Studio Video for “Town Ain’t Big Enough” [Watch]

Chris Young has found success in the past by collaborating with other artists, including No. 1 hits, “Think of You,” featuring Cassadee Pope, and “Sober Saturday Night,” featuring Vince Gill.

Chris has gone back to the well once more by teaming with Lauren Alaina on “Town Ain’t Big Enough,” which will be featured on his upcoming eighth studio album.

The breakup anthem, which was penned by Chris, Cary Barlowe, Corey Crowder and Shay Mooney (who also contributed background vocals on the track), features the soaring chorus: “This town ain’t big enough, Your friends and mine run into each other all the time, Seems like there ain’t no place to run, This town ain’t big enough for both of us.”

Chris and Lauren dropped a new video that features the tandem recording “Town Ain’t Big Enough” in the studio.

photos by NCD

Dolly Parton, Ricky Skaggs, Marty Raybon & More Earn International Bluegrass Music Awards Nominations

Dolly Parton, Ricky Skaggs, Marty Raybon & More Earn International Bluegrass Music Awards Nominations

Nominees for the 2019 International Bluegrass Music Awards were announced today (July 24) at a press conference in Nashville. Notable names earning nominations—with country music ties—include Dolly Parton, Ricky Skaggs, Marty Raybon and more.

Winners will be announced at the International Bluegrass Music Awards on Sept. 26 at the Duke Energy Performing Arts Center in Raleigh, N.C.

Here is the full list of nominees.

2019 Hall Of Fame Inductees

  • Mike Auldridge
  • Bill Emerson
  • The Kentucky Colonels

2019 Distinguished Achievement Award Recipients

  • Katy Daley
  • Mickey Gamble
  • Dan Hays
  • Allen Mills
  • Moonshiner

Entertainer Of The Year

  • Balsam Range
  • Sam Bush Band
  • The Earls of Leicester
  • Del McCoury Band
  • Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers

Vocal Group Of The Year

  • Balsam Range
  • I’m With Her
  • Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
  • Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out
  • Sister Sadie

Instrumental Group Of The Year

  • Sam Bush Band
  • Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper
  • The Earls Of Leicester
  • Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder
  • The Traveling McCourys

New Artist Of The Year

  • Appalachian Road Show
  • Carolina Blue
  • High Fidelity
  • Mile Twelve
  • Billy Strings

Song Of The Year

  • Dance, Dance, Dance – Appalachian Road Show (artist), Brenda Cooper/Joseph Cooper/Steve Miller (writers)
  • The Girl Who Invented The Wheel – Balsam Range (artist), Adam Wright/Shannon Wright (writers)
  • The Guitar Song – Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers with Del McCoury (artist), Bill Anderson/Jamey Johnson/Vicky McGehee (writers)
  • The Light In Carter Stanley’s Eyes – Peter Rowan (artist), Peter Rowan (writer)
  • Next Train South – Po’ Ramblin’ Boys (artist), Mac Patterson (writer)
  • Take The Journey – Molly Tuttle (artist), Molly Tuttle/Sarah Siskind (writer)
  • Thunder Dan – Sideline (artist), John Manning (writer)

Album Of The Year

  • City On A Hill – Mile Twelve (artist), Bryan Sutton (producer), Independent (label)
  • Del McCoury Still Sings Bluegrass – Del McCoury Band (artist), Del and Ronnie McCoury (producers), McCoury Music (label)
  • For The Record – Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers (artist), Joe Mullins (producer), Billy Blue Records (label)
  • I Hear Bluegrass Calling Me – Carolina Blue (artist), Bobby Powell, Tim and Lakyn Jones (producer), Pinecastle Records (label)
  • Sister Sadie II – Sister Sadie (artist), Sister Sadie (producer), Pinecastle Records (label)

Gospel Recording Of The Year

  • Acres Of Diamonds – Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers (artist), Joe Mullins (producer), Billy Blue Records (label)
  • Gonna Sing, Gonna Shout – Claire Lynch (artist), Jerry Salley (producer), Billy Blue Records (label)
  • I Am A Pilgrim – Roland White and Friends (artist), Ty Gilpin and Jon Weisberger (producer), Mountain Home Music Company (label)
  • I See God – Marty Raybon (artist), Jerry Salley (producer), Billy Blue Records (label)
  • Let My Life Be A Light – Balsam Range (artist), Balsam Range (producer), Mountain Home Music Company (label)

Instrumental Recording Of The Year

  • Cotton Eyed Joe – Sideline (artist), Tim Surrett (producer), Mountain Home Music Company (label)
  • Darlin’ Pal(s) Of Mine – Missy Raines with Alison Brown, Mike Bub, and Todd Phillips (artists), Alison Brown (producer), Compass Records (label)
  • Earl’s Breakdown – The Earls Of Leicester (artist), Jerry Douglas (producers), Rounder Records (label)
  • Fried Taters and Onions – Carolina Blue (artists), Bobby Powell, Tim and Lakyn Jones (producer), Pinecastle Records (label)
  • Sunrise – Sam Bush & Béla Fleck (artist), Akira Otsuka and Ronnie Freeland (producer), Smithsonian Folkways Records (label)

Collaborative Recording Of The Year

  • Burning Georgia Down – Balsam Range with Atlanta Pops Orchestra Ensemble (artists), Balsam Range (producer), Mountain Home Music Company (label)
  • Darlin’ Pal(s) Of Mine – Missy Raines with Alison Brown, Mike Bub, and Todd Phillips (artists), Alison Brown (producer), Compass Records (label)
  • The Guitar Song – Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers with Del McCoury (artist), Bill Anderson/Jamey Johnson/Vicky McGehee (writers)
  • Please – Rhonda Vincent and Dolly Parton (artists), Dave Cobb, John Leventhal, Frank Liddell (producers), MCA Nashville (label)
  • Soldiers Joy/Ragtime Annie – Roland White with Justin Hiltner, Jon Weisberger, Patrick McAvinue, and Molly Tuttle (artists), Ty Gilpin, Jon Weisberger (producer), Mountain Home Music Company (label)

Male Vocalist Of The Year

  • Shawn Camp
  • Del McCoury
  • Russell Moore
  • Tim O’Brien
  • Danny Paisley

Female Vocalist Of The Year

  • Brooke Aldridge
  • Dale Ann Bradley
  • Sierra Hull
  • Molly Tuttle
  • Rhonda Vincent

Instrumental Performers Of The Year

Banjo

  • Gina Furtado
  • Mike Munford
  • Noam Pikelny
  • Kristin Scott Benson
  • Scott Vestal

Bass

  • Barry Bales
  • Mike Bub
  • Beth Lawrence
  • Missy Raines
  • Mark Schatz

Fiddle

  • Hunter Berry
  • Becky Buller
  • Jason Carter
  • Michael Cleveland
  • Stuart Duncan

Resophonic Guitar

  • Jerry Douglas
  • Andy Hall
  • Rob Ickes
  • Phil Leadbetter
  • Justin Moses

Guitar

  • Kenny Smith
  • Billy Strings
  • Bryan Sutton
  • Molly Tuttle
  • Josh Williams

Mandolin

  • Alan Bibey
  • Sam Bush
  • Sierra Hull
  • Ronnie McCoury
  • Frank Solivan

photo by Curtis Hilbun, AFF-USA.com

Oak Ridge Boys Announce New Holiday Album & 30th Annual Christmas Tour

Oak Ridge Boys Announce New Holiday Album & 30th Annual Christmas Tour

The Oak Ridge Boys—Joe Bonsall, Duane Allen, William Lee Golden and Richard Sterban—are getting a jump on the Christmas season by announcing the release of their new holiday album and upcoming tour.

Produced by Dave Cobb (Jason Isbell, Chris Stapleton), the new holiday album, Down Home Christmas, will be released on Oct. 25. The 10-song offering features classics like “Silent Night” and “Amazing Grace” with newly penned songs by some of Nashville’s top songwriters.

In addition, the Oaks will once again celebrate the Christmas season with their 30th annual holiday tour. Kicking off on Nov. 13 in Branson, Mo., the Down Home Christmas Tour will make more than 30 stops.

Down Home Christmas is a project that we are happy to share with the world and, rest assured, you will hear these songs on our upcoming 30th annual Christmas tour,” says Joe Bonsall. “The instrumentation is sparse, yet incredibly put together, and the vocals are rich and vibrant. Many of the songs were freshly written by a stable of Nashville’s top songwriters.”

Down Home Christmas Track List & Songwriters

  1. The Family Piano (Aaron Raitiere)
  2. Angels (Aaron Raitiere)
  3. Bring Daddy Home For Christmas (Channing Wilson, Aaron Raitiere)
  4. Reindeer On The Roof (Jake Mitchell, Aaron Raitiere)
  5. Silent Night (Franz Xaver Gruber, Joseph Mohr)
  6. Hallelujah Emmanuel (Robert Jason, Paul Bradley Jr.)
  7. Down Home Christmas (Mando Saenz, Aaron Raitiere)
  8. South Alabama Christmas (Jamey Johnson)
  9. Don’t Go Pullin’ On Santa Claus’ Beard (Anderson East, Aaron Raitiere)
  10. Amazing Grace (John Newton)

Down Home Christmas Tour

Nov. 13 | The Mansion Theatre | Branson, Mo.
Nov. 14 | The Mansion Theatre | Branson, Mo.
Nov. 15 | Orpheum Theatre | Sioux City, Iowa
Nov. 16 | Deadwood Mountain Grand Hotel | Deadwood, S.D.
Nov. 17 | Aberdeen Civic Arena | Aberdeen, S.D.
Nov. 18 | Wild Rose Casino & Resort | Jefferson, Iowa
Nov. 19 | Hartman Arena | Park City, Kan.
Nov. 20 | The Mansion Theatre | Branson, Mo.
Nov. 21 | The Mansion Theatre | Branson, Mo.
Nov. 22 | Peoria Civic Center Theater | Peoria, Ill.
Nov. 23 | The Vern Riffe Center For The Arts | Portsmouth, Ohio
Nov. 24 | River City Casino | St. Louis, Mo.
Nov. 30 | Memorial Hall | Independence, Kan.
Dec. 1 | McCain Auditorium | Manhattan, Kan.
Dec. 4 | UMBC Events Center | Baltimore, Md.
Dec. 5 | Riviera Theatre | N. Tonawanda, N.Y.
Dec. 6 | Palace Theatre | Greensburg, Pa.
Dec. 7 | Roland E. Powell Convention Center | Ocean City, Md.
Dec. 11 | Paramount Theater | Anderson, Ind.
Dec. 14 | Honeywell Center | Wabash, Ind.
Dec. 15 | Renfro Valley Entertainment Center | Renfro Valley, Ky.
Dec. 18 | Mayo Civic Center Presentation | Rochester, Minn
Dec. 19 | Five Flags Center | Dubuque, Iowa
Dec. 20 | Shooting Star Casino Hotel | Mahnomen, Minn.
Dec. 21 | Crystal Grand Music Theatre | Wisconsin Dells, Wis.
Dec. 22 | Rialto Square Theatre | Joliet, Ill.

photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

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