After topping the country charts with more than 30 No. 1 singles, Tim McGraw is climbing a new chart—the New York Times Best-Sellers List—with his co-authored book, Songs of America, which debuted at No. 2 in the Hardcover Nonfiction category.
photo by Curtis Hilbun, AFF-USA.com
In addition to his work in the aforementioned genres of music and writing, Tim has carved out a respectable career as an actor over the last 15 years. The Louisiana native has co-starred in a number of mainstream flicks, including Friday Night Lights, Four Christmases, Country Strong, The Blind Side and more.
The accomplished singer, author and actor recently sat down with Kix Brooks of American Country Countdown to chat about his multi-medium creative process, including how he prepares for his various acting roles.
“You know, if we’re at a restaurant or if I’m walking around with my daughters and they’re shopping and I find a bench to sit on, I’m always watching people trying to figure out their story or try to make up a scenario that’s going on,” says Tim. “I think that’s part of the creative process, and I think that also helps me as an artist, helps me as an actor, is to put those scenarios together and sort of create this world that you see.”
Tim is on the road this summer with more than 15 tour dates, including stops in Atlantic City, Las Vegas, Phoenix and more.
Luke Bryan kicked off the summer season with his Sunset Repeat Tour at Boston’s Gillette Stadium on June 21.
In addition to playing his hits for the sold-out crowd, Luke created a halftime experience of his own by inviting recently retired All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski of the New England Patriots to join him onstage.
The crowd treated Gronk to a loud ovation, and Luke, with football in hand, took the opportunity to send the receiver on a fade route. After overthrowing Gronk on his first attempt, Luke got the ball back from a crowd member—after some pleading—and completed a 15-yard throw to the three-time Super Bowl champ.
“I can now say I completed a pass to Gronk in Gillette Stadium,” Luke said. “How cool is that?”
Tennessee point guard Jordan Bone had his name called as an NBA Draft pick in Thursday night’s draft. Bone was selected late in the draft in the 2nd Round (#57) by the New Orleans Pelicans. That pick was shipped to the Atlanta Hawks and then ultimately landing with the Detroit Pistons.
In the video below, watch the reaction to seeing the announcement of his selection on the TV broadcast as his brother Josh Bone was addressing the party. It is incredible.
Below that is the explanation of what transpired in that moment as described by Jordan and Josh Bone via Emily Proud of WKRN in Nashville.
Kane Brown joined forces with electronic music producer/DJ Marshmello for a new single, “One Thing Right.”
Penned by Kane, Marshmello, Jesse Frasure, Josh Hoge and Matthew McGinn, “One Thing Right” is Marshmello’s first collaboration with a country artist. The tune was initially slated for Kane’s 2018 sophomore album, Experiment, but Kane decided to send it to Marshmello after meeting him at the 2018 American Music Awards.
“Marshmello had reached out to say congratulations while I was at the AMAs,” says Kane. “I sent him the song and he ended up being really passionate about it, and said he wanted to even make it a single, so we ended up working on it together. I am a huge Marshmello fan and think he is an incredible artist in his space, so I am thrilled to be able to get to collaborate with him on this. It’s amazing seeing a song you wrote come to life like that.”
Marshmello and Kane will bring “One Thing Right” to Good Morning America’s Summer Concert Series on August 30.
To celebrate the fifth anniversary of his recording deal with Warner Music Nashville, Cole Swindell will release a new EP, Down Home Sessions V.
Beginning with the release of “Drinkin’ Hours” on June 21, Cole will drop a new song every month for the next five months.
“I can’t believe I am about to release my fifth Down Home Sessions,” says Cole. “It’s one of my favorite projects because it allows me to share songs I have written between albums. I’m excited to roll this one out a little differently by giving the fans one song a month for the next five months focusing on fun, uptempo music.”
Cole has released a Down Home Sessions EP each of the last four years and supported them with four Down Home Tours.
Brett Young announced plans for the release of a new five-song EP, The Acoustic Sessions, which will feature stripped-down versions of songs from his 2018 sophomore album, Ticket to L.A.
New tracks and accompanying videos will be unveiled monthly, culminating with the EP’s release on Sept. 13. The first new track/video, which was released in May, features Brett teaming with Lady Antebellum’s Charles Kelley for a performance of “Here Tonight.”
The second installment is Brett’s acoustic rendition of his current single, “Catch,” which you can watch below. The EP will also include “Don’t Wanna Write This Song,” “Chapters” and “Ticket to L.A.”
Singer/songwriter Heidi Merrill filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against Carrie Underwood, NBC and the NFL over “Game On,” the 2018 theme song to Sunday Night Football.
According to the lawsuit, Heidi claims that her song, “Game On,” which she penned with three others in 2016, recorded and posted to YouTube in 2017, is “substantially—even strikingly—similar, if not identical” to Carrie’s version of the song, which was co-penned by Carrie, Chris DeStefano and Brett James.
Heidi also claims she met Carrie’s producer, Mark Bright, at an event in Nashville and pitched the song to him.
Heidi and the co-writers of the song have named Carrie, Mark Bright, NBC, the NFL, Sony Corp., Warner Music Group and more as co-defendants in the lawsuit, which was filed in New York on June 19.
The plaintiffs are seeking an unspecified amount in damages.
It was a night to remember for the Tennessee basketball program, as three Volunteers were selected in Thursday’s NBA Draft.
Grant Williams was the first Vol to hear his name called, as the Boston Celtics selected the forward with the 22nd overall pick.
Admiral Schofield then was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers with the 42nd overall pick. Schofield is expected to end up with the Washington Wizards as part of a draft-day trade.
The New Orleans Pelicans later drafted point guard Jordan Bone with the 57th overall pick before executing a trade that will send Bone to the Atlanta Hawks and in the end the Detroit Pistons.
This marks the sixth time multiple Vols have been selected in a single draft. Two Vols were picked in 1989, 2002 and 2014. Tennessee had three players chosen in 1950 and 1977—but both those drafts included many more rounds than the current two-round format.
The last time multiple Vols were selected was 2014, when Jarnell Stokes (35th, Utah) and Jordan McRae (58th, San Antonio) were chosen in the second round.
Tennessee is the first school to have three upperclassmen selected in the same draft since Vanderbilt in 2012.
The number of NBA Draft picks produced by Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes now rises to 27 dating to 1990. Over the last 10 years, Barnes has seen 10 of his players drafted.
Williams brings Barnes’ total number of first-round draft picks to 15.
GRANT WILLIAMS
BOSTON CELTICS | FIRST ROUND | 22ND PICK
As a junior this past season, Williams became just the sixth SEC player to earn consensus first-team All-American status in the last 10 years, and he was the first SEC player to do so since 2016.
Williams is Tennessee’s ninth first-round NBA Draft pick and the first since Tobias Harris went 19th overall to Charlotte in 2011. As the 22nd overall selection, Williams also is UT’s highest draft pick since Harris.
Williams was just the fifth Tennessee player with remaining collegiate eligibility ever to hear his name called in the NBA Draft, joining fellow juniors Bernard King (1977), Marcus Haislip (2002) and Jarnell Stokes (2014) and Harris (2011), who was a freshman.
The Celtics have previously drafted three players from Tennessee. Boston selected Marshall Hawkins in 1948, Bobby Croft in 1970 and Steve Hamer in 1996.
A Charlotte, North Carolina, native, Williams established himself as one of the nation’s most versatile and efficient players this past season, averaging 18.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.1 steals per game. He also shot 57 percent from the field and an impressive 82 percent from the free-throw line.
Williams ranked in the top 10 in the SEC in scoring (1st), field-goal percentage (2nd), free-throw percentage (5th), rebounding (7th) and assist/turnover ratio (10th). He moved into the top 10 on UT’s all-time career lists for blocks (3rd/160), free-throw attempts (3rd/661), free throws made (4th/501) and offensive rebounds (8th/257). He also ranks 12th in scoring with 1,629 career points.
A finalist for virtually every major national player of the year award, Williams’ list of postseason honors was extensive. He was named SEC Player of the Year and a first-team All-SEC performer—both for the second straight season. He also was named to the SEC Community Service Team, SEC All-Tournament Team and was the USBWA District IV Player of the Year.
Williams managed to graduate in only three years, earning his degree in Supply Chain Management—with a collateral in Marketing—in May.
ADMIRAL SCHOFIELD
PHILADELPHIA 76ERS (to WASHINGTON WIZARDS) | SECOND ROUND | 42ND PICK
As a senior this past season, Schofield led the Southeastern Conference in field goals made and ranked fifth in the league in scoring (16.5 ppg) and field-goal percentage (.474). He led Tennessee with 74 3-pointers made and shot .418 from beyond the arc—the highest by a Vol since Chris Lofton shot .419 in 2006-07.
A first-team All-SEC performer, he was a candidate for the Wooden Award, the Naismith Trophy and the Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award.
Schofield had a knack for stepping up in big games. He averaged 18.4 points, 6.3 rebounds and shot 42 percent against ranked opponents last season and erupted for a career-high 30 points in Tennessee’s upset win over top-ranked Gonzaga.
He finished his UT career ranked seventh in program history in 3-pointers made (184) and career 3-point field-goal percentage (.387). He also ranks 14th in rebounds (704) and 16th in scoring (1,570).
Schofield is the sixth Vol ever to be drafted by the Sixers franchise. The previous selections were Gene Tormohlen in 1959 (the 76ers were then the Syracuse Nationals), Austin “Red” Robbins in 1966, Bill Justus in 1969, Larry Robinson in 1973 and Dan Federmann in 1984.
In Washington, Schofield is set to join fellow VFL Jordan McRae (2011-14).
Schofield received his degree in African Studies in May.
JORDAN BONE
NEW ORLEANS PELICANS (to ATLANTA HAWKS then to DETROIT PISTONS) | SECOND ROUND | 57TH PICK
Bone established himself as one of the nation’s most poised and explosive guards during a standout junior campaign. One of 10 finalists for the Bob Cousy National Point Guard of the Year Award and a second-team All-SEC honoree, Bone averaged career-highs for scoring (13.5 ppg), assists (5.8 apg) and rebounds (3.2 rpg).
He set the Tennessee single-season record for assist/turnover ratio at 2.91, and he also owns the best career assist/turnover ratio in program history at 2.70.
The Nashville, Tennessee, native ranked eighth in the SEC in field-goal percentage (.465) last season while starting all 37 games. His most memorable outing came against fourth-ranked Kentucky on March 2, when he went 5-for-5 from 3-point range and finished with a career-high 27 points in the win.
Bone’s 405 career assists are the seventh-most in program history.
He followed Williams as the sixth Vol with remaining college eligibility ever to get drafted.
And Bone became the first UT player ever drafted by the New Orleans Pelicans.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The Major League Baseball season has nearly reached its halfway point while other professional leagues are also well into their respective seasons.
Tennessee is well-represented at all levels of professional baseball this season with numerous former players on rosters, including five VFLs currently in the Major Leagues.
Check out how UT’s former players are doing so far this season below. Updates will be posted throughout the summer on UTSports.com.
Senzel has established himself as the starting center fielder for the Reds after being called up from the Triple-A Louisville Bats back in May. Since his Major League debut on May 3, he has recorded an on-base streak of 20 games that spanned from May 10 to June 1. In the Reds recent road-trip, Senzel averaged .286 with five doubles and 16 total bases. Senzel hit his sixth home run of the season in a loss to the Rangers on June 14 and has two hits, two runs and three RBI over his past three games.
Christian Stewart — OF, Detroit Tigers Season: 52 G, 19 R, 43 H, 13 2B, 1 3B, 5 HR, 24 RBI, 24 BB, .234 AVG, .322 OBP, .397 SLG
In his first full season in the Major Leagues, Stewart has solidified himself as an everyday starter in the Tigers’ outfield. The Atlanta native is batting .279 in the month of June after struggling at the plate last month. Stewart went 2-for-4 with two runs and an RBI in an 8-7 loss at Pittsburgh on June 19.
Through 18 appearances in 2019, Godley has split time as a relief and starting pitcher for the Diamondbacks. Godley is 2-0 in June and had allowed just one run on four hits in four appearances to start the month, but struggled in his most recent appearance, giving up six runs on seven hits in 4.2 innings of relief against Washington on June 16.
Steckenrider has appeared in 15 games this season for the Marlins, giving up 10 runs through 14.1 innings pitched. However, he is holding opposing hitters to a .173 average and has a WHIP of 0.98. Steckenrider is currently on the 60-day injured list with a right flexor strain and will remain idle until the beginning of July.
Gomes has split time at catcher this season for the Nationals with appearances in 46 games (44 starts). He has amassed nine runs on 34 hits with a .224 average. Gomes had a two-run double in Washington’s last road game on June 11 against the White Sox and has a four-game hit streak snapped on June 16 versus Arizona.
Martin has bounced around this season, already seeing action with four different teams. After being called up from the Double-A Quad Cities River Bandits on June 14, Martin made an appearance for the Express but gave up seven runs on eight hits in just one inning.
Maddox has appeared in 31 games thus far for the Flying Squirrels after being released by the Erie SeaWolves. He has amassed 17 hits and scored 10 runs with one home run. Maddox went 0-for-4 with a walk in a loss to the Trenton Thunder on Wednesday.
Jordan Rodgers — 3B, Florida Fire Frogs (A-Advanced – Atlanta Braves) Season: 19 G, 6 R, 14 H, 3 2B, 4 RBI, 2 BB, .259 AVG, .293 OBP, .315 SLG
Rodgers has played in 19 games this season for the Fire Frogs, recording 14 hits and 17 total bases. Over his last two contests, Rodgers has three hits, a run scored and an RBI. He also has a hit in five of his last 10 games played.
After starting the year with the Double-A Erie SeaWolves, Simcox has spent most of this season with the A-Advanced Lakeland Flying Tigers. In 48 games with the Tigers, he has racked up 45 hits, in eight doubles and three triples.
After starting the season in Dayton and a brief stint in Chattanooga, Cox has emerged as one of the top relievers for the Daytona Tortugas this season. He has recorded five saves and not allowed a run in any of his 11 appearances. Through 13.0 innings, he has totaled 23 strikeouts while giving up just eight hits. Cox slammed the door with a scoreless ninth inning to pick up his fifth save of the year on Wednesday in a 5-4 victory over the Florida Fire Frogs.
Andrew Lee — P, Potomac Nationals (A-Advanced – Washington Nationals) Season: 14 App, 9 GS, 2-4, 3.45 ERA, 62.2 IP, 28 R, 24 ER, 48 H, 26 BB, 65 K, 1.18 WHIP
Since being called up to the Potomac Nationals on March 31, Lee has started nine games and picked up two wins with a 3.45 ERA. In 62.2 innings pitched, he has racked up 65 strikeouts, which currently leads the team. Lee picked up a no-decision in his last start on June 16 after allowing four runs in 5.2 innings pitched while striking out five.
Warren has appeared in 20 games for the Threshers, posting a 1-0 record and two saves. In 29.0 innings of work, Warren has amassed 49 strikeouts, which ranks fifth on the team, and has posted a 3.41 ERA. Warren has not allowed a run and has given up just six hits over his last six appearances. He racked up four strikeouts in 1.2 innings against Bradenton in his last outing on Wednesday.
Benito Santiago — C, Johnson City Cardinals (Rookie-Advance – St. Louis Cardinals) Season: N/A
Santiago was assigned to the Cardinals Extended Spring Training on June 12.
Serrano and the GCL Astros begin their season on June 24 against the GCL Marlins at 12 p.m. ET.
Matt Ramsey — P, Free Agent Salt Lake Bees (AAA): 12 App, 0 GS, 0-3, 5.27 ERA, 13.2 IP, 12 R, 8 ER, 16 H, 8 BB, 15 K, 1.76 WHIP
Los Angeles Angels (MLB): 1 App, 0 GS, 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 1.0 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 H, 0 BB, 1 K, 0.00 WHIP
Ramsey made 12 appearances for the Salt Lake Bees before making his Major League debut for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in a 11-5 victory over the New York Yankees on April 25. In that outing, Ramsey threw one scoreless inning and recorded his first-career strikeout in the big leagues. Ramsey was optioned back down to Salt Lake on April 26 and made five more appearances with the Bees before being released from the Angels organization on June 4.
Scotty McCreery dropped a new video for his current single, “In Between.” Directed by Jeff Ray, the new clip showcases Scotty’s multifaceted persona, from his energetic performances onstage to quiet moments at home with wife Gabi and dog Moose. The video also includes footage from Scotty and Gabi’s honeymoon in Bora Bora in 2018, as well as Scotty hanging with friends, playing golf and more.
Penned by Scotty, Frank Rogers, Jessi Alexander and Jonathan Singleton, “In Between” follows previous No. 1 singles “Five More Minutes” and “This Is It.” All three songs are from Scotty’s 2018 album, Seasons Change.
“‘In Between’ is a song that kinda talks about where I was at in life when I was writing it,” says Scotty to NCD. “I feel like a lot of folks can relate to it.”
With lyrics like “I’m in between / Friday night wild / And quiet Sunday morning / Between / Done after one / And keep on pouring / Ain’t too high / Ain’t too low / Just holding down the middle / I’m steady as I go,” the tune conjures up references to those years in your early 20s when many people are trying to transition from their teenage years to the full-fledged responsibilities of adulthood.
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![Scotty McCreery’s New Video for “In Between” Showcases Dynamic Persona [Watch]](https://cdn.socast.io/6616/sites/602/2019/06/20143752/Scotty-Mccreery.jpg#aqua_resizer_image_not_local)
