Chris Stapleton has once again lent his vocal chops to an artist outside of the country genre. Chris is featured on a new song, “Blow,” from Ed Sheeran’s upcoming duets album, No. 6 Collaborations Project, which will drop on July 12.
In addition to Chris, the high-energy anthemic rock song features Bruno Mars.
“Bruno, Chris and I had a lot of fun recording,” says Sheeran. “Play them loud, tell your mates, enjoy.”
In recent years Chris has teamed with Justin Timberlake (“Say Something”) and Pink (“Love me Anyway”). More than 20 artists are featured on No. 6 Collaborations Project, including Eminem, 50 Cent, Justin Bieber, Skrillex, Cardi B, Khalid and more.
In honor of National Dive Bar Day on July 7, Garth Brooks hosted a special Inside Studio G on Facebook Live to announce he’ll be embarking on a seven-date Dive Bar Tour this summer. The new trek takes its name from Garth current single, “Dive Bar,” which features Blake Shelton.
Garth’s first show will take place at Joe’s on Weed Street in Chicago on July 15. Tickets for the concert will be available to win exclusively on two Chicago country radio stations: WUSN and WEBG. All ticket holders must be 21 and over.
Additionally, Jimmy Kimmel Live will air Garth’s performance of “Dive Bar” live from the Chicago show on July 15 on ABC at 10:35 p.m. CT.
“Sometimes, man, [a dive bar is] your church,” said Garth. “A church is people who are like you that are searching, and sometimes you need a shoulder to lean on. That’s what a dive bar is. That’s what a good one is anyway. We’re gonna go to seven of them. It’s gotta be Chicago.”
“Dive Bar” will be featured on Garth’s upcoming album, FUN. Penned by Garth, Mitch Rossell and Bryan Kennedy, “Dive Bar” was shipped to country radio on June 18, which is the only place you can hear it right now.
“It sounds fresh, and it sounds like summer to me,” Garth says. “Blake kept pushing for it to be more steels, more country and stuff. Blake was nothing short of fantastic.”
Garth and Blake will perform the single live for the first time during Garth’s Stadium Tour in Boise, Idaho, on July 19. Garth also revealed that he and Blake are shooting a music video for the new tune.
No Tennessee men’s basketball team won more games (31) in a season than the 2018-19 version.
No UT men’s basketball team spent more time ranked No. 1 (four weeks). Last season, no other UT team in any sport was close to being ranked No. 1. In fact, only two other teams were ranked in the top 10.
No UT men’s basketball team had more players taken in the modern two-round NBA draft (three).
Rick Barnes’ team also beat top-ranked Gonzaga and thrilled fans with a perfect home record.
The Vols won 11 SEC games in a row, routing Georgia by 46.
While the team didn’t bring home a banner – no other UT team won a banner, either — it did achieve more than any other sports team at UT this past season, giving them the No. 1 ranking in my poll.
Here’s a look at how I ranked other UT sports teams:
Soccer. The best season in program history saw the team go 16-3-3, play great defense and reach the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament.
Volleyball. This team went from 10th in the SEC to second. Under the leadership of first-year coach Eve Rackham, it went from 3 SEC wins to 11, the biggest jump in program history,.
Softball. Compared to UT baseball, the softball team won more games, had a higher SEC finish and was often ranked in the top 10 this season. That’s reason enough to rank the Lady Vols over UT’s surprisingly good baseball team.
Baseball. Tony Vitello’s team won 40 games for the first time since 2005. They made the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2007. Yet, the Vols were still a nine seed in the SEC Tournament.
Women’s swimming and diving. This team was fourth in the SEC, eighth in the NCAAs.
Men’s tennis. Chris Woodruff’s squad overachieved, reaching the SEC tournament final and placing fourth in the SEC regular season. It made the NCAA Sweet 16.
Men’s swimming and diving. This team was third in the SEC and 11th in the NCAAs and produced UT’s only national champion: diver Colin Zeng.
Women’s tennis. This team made the SEC tournament quarterfinals and placed fourth in the regular season with a 9-4 record.
Men’s golf. Brennan Webb’s team made the quarterfinals of SEC match play and was sixth in the NCAA regionals.
Women’s golf. Judi Pavon’s team was 10th in the SEC and 24th and last among those that advanced to the NCAA Championships.
Men’s cross country. Placed fourth in the SEC.
Women’s basketball: Won only 19 games – the fewest in 42 years. Placed eighth in the SEC and lost in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
Football. Went 5-7 in Jeremy Pruitt’s first season and beat two ranked teams (Auburn, Kentucky) but still failed to make a bowl game, finished last in the East and had a better SEC record than only two teams (Arkansas, Ole Miss). That puts them behind Lady Vols basketball.
Men’s track and field. Placed sixth indoors, seventh outdoors in the SEC but scored just one point in the NCAA outdoor championships.
Women’s cross country. Placed seventh in the SEC, fourth in NCAA South Region.
Women’s track and field. Placed eighth indoors, ninth outdoors in the SEC and scored just one point in the NCAA outdoor championships.
Rowing. Placed sixth in the Big 12.
A few other notes:
The Vols had a combined winning record in all sports against six other SEC teams, tied four and had losing record against only three (Auburn, Arkansas, Mississippi State).
The Lady Vols had a combined winning record against 11 other SEC teams, tied one and had a losing record against just one (Vanderbilt).
All totaled, UT had a combined winning record against 11 SEC teams, tied one (Auburn) and had a losing record against one (Vanderbilt).
Fourth of July country playlists have been done to death . . . and they all end with Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA.”
While’s there’s nothing wrong with that, this year we decided to fire things up with the Biggest July Fourthin’ Country Playlist ever created.
To build our list, we combed through the musical catalogs of everyone from A to Z—that’s Aaron Tippin to Zac Brown Band—and selected their FOURTH career single. And wouldn’t you know it, our Biggest July Fourthin’ Country Playlist is full of great songs, including the very fitting “Happy, Happy Birthday Baby” by Dolly Parton, “Chasin’ That Neon Rainbow” by Alan Jackson, “House Party” by Sam Hunt, “Boot Scootin’ Boogie” by Brooks & Dunn and many more.
Check out our Top 40 July Fourthin’ Songs below, with the Playlist on Spotify & YouTube.
Aaron Tippin
“There Ain’t Nothin’ Wrong With the Radio”
Alabama
“Tennessee River”
Alan Jackson
“Chasin’ That Neon Rainbow”
Brett Eldredge
“Beat of the Music”
Brooks & Dunn
“Boot Scootin’ Boogie”
Carrie Underwood
“Don’t Forget to Remember Me”
Chris Janson
“Buy Me a Boat”
Chris Young
“Gettin’ You Home (The Black Dress Song)”
Clay Walker
“Dreaming With My Eyes Open”
Clint Black
“Walkin’ Away”
Cole Swindell
“Let Me See Ya Girl”
Conway Twitty
“It’s Only Make Believe”
David Lee Murphy
“Dust on the Bottle”
“Deana Carter
“How Do I Get There”
Dierks Bentley
“Lot of Leavin’ Left to Do”
Dixie Chicks
“Wide Open Spaces”
Dolly Parton
“Happy, Happy Birthday Baby”
Dustin Lynch
“Where It’s At (Yep, Yep)”
Dwight Yoakam
“Little Sister”
Faith Hill
“Take Me as I Am”
Florida Georgia Line
“Stay”
Garth Brooks
“The Dance”
George Strait
“Unwound”
Johnny Cash
“There You Go”
The Judds
“Girl’s Night Out”
Keith Whitley
“Miami, My Amy”
Kenny Chesney
“Fall in Love”
Kris Kristofferson
“Lovin’ Her Was Easier (Than Anything I’ll Ever Do Again”)
Lady Antebellum
“Need You Now”
Little Big Town
“Bring It On Home”
Luke Bryan
“Do I”
Martina McBride
“My Baby Loves Me”
The Mavericks
“What a Crying Shame”
Miranda Lambert
“New Strings”
Sam Hunt
“House Party”
Shania Twain
“Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under”
Caroline Jones may have some complex musical skills—guitar, banjo, mandolin, Dobro, keys and lap steel—but if you want a simple look at who she is as an artist, check out her new song, “Gulf Coast Girl,” which features Kenny Chesney, Jimmy Buffett, Lukas Nelson and Mac McAnally (aka The Pelicanaires).
Co-written by Buffett and McAnally specifically for Caroline, “Gulf Coast Girl” embodies the always-sunny, laid-back attitude of Caroline’s life in West Palm Beach, Fla.
“It was an honor to have such iconic and respected artists write this song for me and have the opportunity to collaborate with them on it,” says Caroline. “I have known Mac for almost 10 years now, and have had the privilege of going out on tour with both Jimmy and Kenny. They have all become friends and mentors, which I am grateful for.”
Caroline, who is currently on the road with Zac Brown Band, opened for Kenny during his recent Songs for the Saints Tour.
Directed by Stan Kellam, the new video for “Gulf Coast Girl” was filmed in sunny locations along Gulf Shores, Mobile, Apalachicola, Destin, Pensacola, St. Petersburg, Tampa, Biloxi, Galveston, New Orleans and more.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — One of the many highlights for LVFLs in the WNBA over the past few weeks was the return of Candace Parker for the Los Angeles Sparks.
Parker played her first game of the season on June 18. After easing her way back into action, she has now scored in double digits in her last three games, including a double-double against the Phoenix Mercury.
Diamond DeShields also has been lighting it up on the court, scoring double digits in five of the last six games she has played, including a 23-point effort against the Los Angeles Sparks. She is currently averaging 14.8 ppg., which leads the Chicago Sky and ranks 13th in the league.
Seattle’s Mercedes Russell is another former Lady Vol who currently sits in the top 25 in a stat column, as she is 23rd in rebounding with an average of 6.1 rpg. in the league. Russell has also made an impact in scoring, tallying double digits in the past two games for Seattle.
Shekinna Stricklen had a season high of 24 points for the Connecticut Sun in an 86-76 win over Atlanta. The Sun is now No. 2 in the league with a 9-4 overall record.
After having to sit out two games due to a concussion, Isabelle Harrison returned for the Dallas Wings and has scored in double digits in the last three games. Her teammate, Glory Johnson, recently left the Wings temporarily to compete in the EuroBasket tourney for the Montenegro team.
Diamond DeShields
Chicago Sky
G | 2nd Season
DeShields has started in all 12 of the Chicago Sky’s games this season. She is averaging 14.8 ppg., 5.8 rpg. and shooting 78.1 percent from the free throw line thus far. She leads the team in scoring and is currently ranked 13th in the league. Her next game is July 2 at the Las Vegas Aces at 3 p.m. ET (Twitter).
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 22 minutes a game and tallying 7.2 ppg. and 4.2 rpg. She recently scored 12 points and collected six rebounds against Minnesota. The next game for her is on July 5 against the Indiana Fever beginning at 8 p.m. (CBS Sports Network).
Glory Johnson
Dallas Wings
F | 7th Season
Johnson has started in five of six contests played for the Dallas Wings this season.She recently just left to play in the EuroBasket league for the Montenegro team. She has no exact return date, but is expected to be back sometime this month.
Candace Parker
Los Angeles Sparks
F/C | 12th Season
After being sidelined with a hamstring injury, Parker has started in all five games in which she has been active. She is currently averaging 9.4 ppg. and 7.0 rpg. She most recently led the Sparks in two victories with 18 points against Las Vegas, followed by 12 points against Chicago. Parker also recorded a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds against Phoenix. Her next contest is July 7 against the Washington Mystics at 5 p.m. (League Pass).
Russell has already played in 14 games this season and averages 25.5 minutes per contest. With more time on the court compared to last season, she has been contributing 7.1 ppg. and 6.1 rpg., which ranks at 23rd in the league. The Seattle Storm continues its season July 5 against the Atlanta Dream at 10 p.m. (League Pass).
Shekinna Stricklen
Connecticut Sun
G/F | 8th Season
Stricklen has started in all 13 games this season for the Connecticut Sun, as the team is in second place in the league standings. She is sitting at 9.8 ppg. and has chipped in 1.6 rpg. while playing 23.8 mpg. so far this season. Stricklen also has been shooting an impressive 88.9 percent on free throws. Her next game is July 6 against Minnesota at 2 p.m. (ESPN2).
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The University of Tennessee placed 59 student-athletes on the 2018-19 First-Year SEC Academic Honor Roll that was announced Tuesday by SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey.
The rowing program led the way for UT with 12 student-athletes honored. Women’s swimming and diving, and baseball (6), soccer (5), softball (5), men’s swimming and diving (5), and volleyball (5) all put five or more on the list.
A total of 1,002 student-athletes from around the league were named to the 2018-19 First-Year SEC Academic Honor Roll, which is based on grades from the 2018-19 academic calendar.
Any student‐athlete who participates in a Southeastern Conference championship sport or a student‐athlete who participates in a sport listed on his/her institution’s NCAA Sports Sponsorship Form is eligible for nomination to the Academic Honor Roll.
The following criteria will be followed:
(1) A student‐athlete must have a grade point average of 3.00 or above for either the preceding academic year (two semesters or three quarters) or have a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or above at the nominating institution.
(2) If a student‐athlete attends summer school, his/her grade point average during the summer academic term must be included in the calculation used to determine eligibility for the Academic Honor Roll.
(3) Student‐athletes eligible for the Honor Roll include those receiving an athletics scholarship, recipients of an athletics award (i.e., letter winner), and non-scholarship student‐athletes who have been on a varsity team for two seasons.
(4) Prior to being nominated, a student‐athlete must have successfully completed 24 semester or 36 quarter hours of non‐remedial academic credit toward a baccalaureate degree at the nominating institution.
(5) The student‐athlete must have been a member of a varsity team for the sport’s entire NCAA Championship segment.
2018-19 First-Year SEC Academic Honor Roll University of Tennessee
Industry insiders, media, family and friends gathered at the Country Music Hall of Fame on July 1 for a sneak peek at Kacey Musgraves’ new exhibit.
Officially opening on July 2 and running through June 7, 2020, Kacey Musgraves: All of the Colors explores the musical and personal journey of the six-time Grammy winner, from her upbringing in Texas and her diverse musical influences to her innovative songwriting and award-winning albums.
“I absolutely adore the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum,” says Kacey. “It’s a privilege to have them curate an exhibit that will showcase pieces from moments all the way back to my childhood that are very special to me.”
Kacey Musgraves: All of the Colors features stagewear, handwritten lyrics and personal artifacts, including:
Tip jar used by Kacey and Alina Tatum when they performed as yodeling duo Texas Two Bits
Detention notice received for “continuous classroom disruption” during high school
Manuscript for “Fallin’,” a song written by Kacey with Miranda Lambert
Manuscript for “Slow Burn,” written by Kacey and the co-producers—Daniel Tashian and Ian Fitchuk—of her recent album, Golden Hour
Satin dress embellished with sequins, beads, rhinestones and tasseled fringe, designed by Enrique Urbina. Kacey wore the dress at the 2014 Grammy Awards
Western-inspired black Atelier Versace pantsuit ensemble with gold-beaded fringe worn by Kacey at the 2018 CMA Awards
In support of the exhibition’s opening, Kacey will participate in a conversation in the museum’s CMA Theater on Saturday, July 6 at 2 p.m., sharing personal stories and memories associated with the exhibit.
Since the release of his self-titled debut album in 1993 to his duets album with Faith Hill in 2017—and the 13 studio albums in between—there’s been at least one constant in Tim McGraw’s music career: producer Byron Gallimore, who also produced Tim’s newest songs, “Neon Church” and “Thought About You.”
Byron has been at the helm of all 15 of Tim’s studio albums, winning a number of trophies along the way, including multiple ACM and CMA awards for Album of the Year and Single of the Year. Byron has also copped a Grammy for Best Country Album for producing Faith Hill’s Breathe, and he has been recognized for his work with Lee Ann Womack, Sugarland, Phil Vassar and more.
While an artist of Tim’s caliber—and longevity—typically uses a number of producers over his career, Tim tells Kix Brooks of American Country Countdown that working with his best friend is about trust.
“I just completely trust Byron’s ears and his thought process and what he does,” says Tim, “We’ve known each other for so long. We’re best friends, so we spend a lot of time together, go on vacations together, and we’re always talking about music and talking about sounds, and we work really well together as producers. I’m not a learned musician. I can’t read music. I don’t know anything technically about music, but I know what I want to hear, and when we’re working together, he speaks my language. He always knows that I want to push things. And, he lets me push stuff, and, as I like to describe it, you know the rumble on the side of an interstate that you hear when you’re running off the road? He lets me hit that every now and then without running into the ditch too far.”
Arkansas native Heath Sanders left his job in the oil fields last year to pursue music full-time—and it seems to be working out well for the singer/songwriter. The 35-year-old brings his real-world experience to the stage every night, whether he’s opening for guys like Drake White and Cory Smith, or playing to a crowd of one. Heath recently signed a publishing deal with Sony ATV and released new single, “Down on the South.”
How did you get started in music?
I was raised by a very religious and musically involved family. My folks started putting me onstage as soon as I could walk. I got a drum set for Christmas when I was 10 and played in church until my late teens. I guess you could say I never really had a choice in the matter . . . and I’m damn grateful for it.
At what age did you realize you wanted to make music your career?
Where I’m from, most of us go to work right out of high school, and that’s just about as good as it gets for the majority. And hell, we like it that way, but we sure ain’t the kind to pass up the opportunity to do something we love for a living. [I got] the opportunity of a lifetime just over a year ago, and I ain’t looked back since.
Who are some of musical influences?
So many. From the harmonies of Southern gospel all through my childhood to the heavy hitters like Zeppelin, GNR and Steve Miller—even to the more modern rock of Tool and Metallica. On the country side, Garth Brooks, Shenandoah, Randy Travis and the like have always felt like home to me.
What three words describe you as a musician?
Hungry. Grateful. Honest.
What would you say is unique about your sound?
I hope it’s the honesty that an audience feels most. I hope I convey to them that I truly understand what its like to live like most of them do.
What does your new single, “Down on the South,” say about you?
It’s more of a window to the lifestyle and environment that shaped who I am. I guess if it says anything about me as far as the person I am today, it shows a true appreciation for my youth and reveals how hopelessly nostalgic I am.
What was the first concert you attended?
Tool. Little Rock, Arkansas, in 2002. And it was freakin’ amazing!
What’s the last song you heard that blew you away?
“Moon Over Mexico” by Luke Combs. What a song. It paints a picture in your head. You can almost taste the ocean air. Incredible. Getting to know some of the guys behind some of my favorite music—guys like Ray Fulcher and Jonathan Singleton—has definitely been one of the highlights of my career so far.
Where is the craziest place you’ve performed?
The Rosemont in Chicago. Sharing the stage with Cody Johnson and Justin Moore was unbelievable. That place was sold out to a rowdy crowd. I’ll never forget it!
What’s the first thing you do after a show?
I’ll grab a beer and hit the crowd. I love meeting the folks who allow me to do this for a living.
What’s been your most exciting or unusual fan encounter?
I played a show for a soldier who was set to ship out the following day. He shook my hand, and left a patch in it when he let go. You could feel the fear, pride and honor. It chilled me to the bone.
What’s your favorite song to cover?
“Sunday in the South” by Shenandoah. It’s hands-down one of my favorite songs.
What family member or friend has been the most supportive of your musical career?
Definitely, Momma. She’s been riding my hind end to pursue this for years. Now that it’s headed in the right direction, I get told, “I told you so” quite often. Momma knows best, I reckon.
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Born: Marshall, Ark.
