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.
The late WIVK/Knoxville VP/GM Bobby Denton was inducted to the Country Radio Hall of Fame on Wednesday, June 19th in Nashville, Tennessee.
Denton spent his entire 49-year career at WIVK/Knoxville, helping build the station into the iconic radio brand it is today. Denton started on the air and rose to a leadership position at WIVK and, its parent company, Dick Broadcasting where he was elevated to VP in 1981.
In that role, Denton was responsible for the company’s radio stations in Knoxville, Nashville, Greensboro, NC, Colorado Springs, CO, and Birmingham, AL.
Denton helped WIVK in garnering numerous industry awards, including eight CMA Station of the year honors; five ACM Station of the Year trophies, and four Marconi Awards.
In addition to this year’s inclusion in the Country Radio Hall of Fame, Denton is also a member of the Opryland Disc Jockey Hall of Fame, and the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame. Denton enters the Country Radio Hall of Fame posthumously, after passing away following a short bout with cancer in 2014.
Congratulations to Bobby Denton and his family on this incredible honor. WIVK would not be what it is today without Denton and the impact that his life had on everyone who he encountered.
The Teen Choice Awards announced its first wave of nominations on June 19.
Dan + Shay, Thomas Rhett, Kelsea Ballerini, Kacey Musgraves, Kane Brown, Billy Ray Cyrus and Lil Nas X earned multiple nominations on the country front.
Lil Nas X led all artists with five nominations, including three for his crossover hit, “Old Town Road.”
Check out all of the country music-centric nominees below.
Choice Country Artist
Brett Young
Dan + Shay
Kacey Musgraves
Kane Brown
Kelsea Ballerini
Thomas Rhett
Choice Country Song
Maren Morris, “Girl”
Kane Brown, “Good as You”
Thomas Rhett, “Look What God Gave Her”
Kelsea Ballerini, “Miss Me More”
Kacey Musgraves, “Rainbow”
Dan + Shay, “Speechless”
Choice Song: Male Artist
Lil Nas X, “Old Town Road”
Khalid, “Better”
Shawn Mendes, “If I Can’t Have You”
Travis Scott, “SICKO MODE”
Louis Tomlinson, “Two of Us”
Post Malone, “Wow”
Choice Collaboration Lil Nas X (feat. Billy Ray Cyrus), “Old Town Road [Remix]” BTS (feat. Halsey), “Boy With Luv”
Sam Smith & Normani, “Dancing With A Stranger”
Ed Sheeran & Justin Bieber, “I Don’t Care”
Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper, “Shallow”
Julia Michaels (feat. Niall Horan), “What A Time”
Choice R&B/Hip-Hop Song
Lil Nas X (feat. Billy Ray Cyrus), “Old Town Road [Remix]”
Meek Mill (feat. Drake), “Going Bad”
Mustard & Migos, “Pure Water”
Post Malone & Swae Lee, “Sunflower (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse)”
Khalid, “Talk”
Post Malone, “Wow”
Choice Breakout Artist
Lil Nas X
Billie Eilish
HRVY
Juice WRLD
Lizzo
ROSALÍA
Choice Male Artist
Lil Nas X
Ed Sheeran
Khalid
Post Malone
Shawn Mendes
For the first time since the tragic death of their three-year-old son, River, on June 6, Granger Smith and wife Amber spoke directly to the public in a new 28-minute video, Finding Light in Our Darkest Time. The new video, which was released via YouTube on June 19, also features clips and photos of River.
During the first 10 minutes of the video, the couple speaks directly to the camera, sharing some of the details surrounding River’s tragic accident, while thanking fans and hospital staff for their care, love and support. Granger and Amber reiterated their commitment to each other and their family—daughter London, 7, and son Lincoln, 5—as well as their faith.
Granger revealed the accident occurred when he was outdoors doing gymnastics with London, while River and Lincoln were playing with water guns.
“Somewhere between 30 seconds and three minutes—we don’t know—Amber and I are inside our pool gate doing CPR on our son,” says Granger.
Granger noted that River lived just over 1,000 days, adding, “If you could live those days barefoot, red hair flying back on your tractor full speed ahead, if you could do that with your family around you, with no real care in the world, that’s a good 1,000 days, that’s a good way to live.”
Granger and Amber asked that donations be made—in lieu of sympathies—to Dell Children’s Medical Center, the Central Texas hospital where River was treated. In addition, Granger and Amber honored River with a T-shirt, which is on sale now for $21.99, that features an excavator adorned with “Riv,” with 100 percent of the proceeds benefiting Dell Children’s Medical Center. As it currently stands, donations in River’s memory and T-shirt sales have raised more than $100,000 for Dell Children’s Medical Center.
Granger also released a statement with the video, which you can read below.
“We’ve been on quite the journey these past few weeks. I’ve been dark on social media, but I still have a full understanding of the responsibility placed upon me as a public figure. I can choose to snuff that influence, or instead use my platform (in relevancy big or small) towards what I believe is right. I believe I’m obligated on certain levels to include you guys in my current journey, as I’ve been involved either personally or musically in yours.
The finality and mortality brought on by death makes life feel fragile. It can weaken, terrify and separate those close to it. But it can also awaken us. It can remind us never to take a moment with those we love for granted. In my house, we have united stronger and closer than we’ve ever been. We’ve cried. We’ve smiled. I’ve held my family tight. I’ve found strength from God and used that in the face of adversity so that my wife and children can rely on me. I’ve guarded my heart and my mind during weak moments and graciously accepted all of the encouragement and empathy from so many. I have realized that I will not slave over a search for answers, but instead for meaning. I will focus and then cultivate the light from a dark place, the good from the bad, God’s will from my own plans. I can rest assured knowing that River’s assignment on earth was always intended for 1116 days and not only did he live it to the fullest, but he lived it loved by so many, including a mother, father, sister and brother who held nothing back and have no regrets on how much he felt that love. We should all be so blessed to be able to live like Riv.
-Granger
P.S.-Thank you for all the love, prayers and support. We feel it!
Tony Vitello – UT Baseball HC / Credit: UT Athletics
Following a remarkable first two seasons leading the Tennessee baseball program, head coach Tony Vitello has agreed to a contract extension through June of 2024, Director of Athletics Phillip Fulmer announced Wednesday.
The extension includes salary increases, with Vitello set to earn $580,000 next season. His salary rises to $650,000 by the end of the agreement.
Vitello—a first-time head coach—has rejuvenated the Tennessee program since arriving on Rocky Top in June of 2017. During his first two years as head coach, he has led the Volunteers to 69 victories, including 40 wins in 2019—the first 40-win season for the program since 2005. His 29 victories in 2018 were the most by a first-year head coach in program history.
Most notably, Vitello led UT back to the NCAA Tournament this season for the first time since 2005, ending a 14-year drought for the program. The Vols went 2-2 to finish as runner-up to host and No. 14 national seed North Carolina in the NCAA Chapel Hill Regional.
Vitello in 2019 led the Vols to their best finish in Southeastern Conference play since 2005, as they posted 14 wins to finish third in the Eastern Division. Tennessee won five series in SEC play (its most since 2005) and also finished the year with 26 victories over non-conference teams (its most since 2000).
“Impressive doesn’t begin to describe the job Tony has done with our baseball program these past two seasons,” Fulmer said. “I believe we have in Coach Vitello one of the nation’s brightest young head coaches. From managing the game, to player development, to recruiting and relating to today’s student-athletes—Tony has a firm grasp on all aspect of leading a major program. He’s surrounded himself with an outstanding staff, and we are going to support them as Tennessee baseball continues to climb.”
The Big Orange exploded out of the gates this season with the best start in program history, winning their first 15 games. Tennessee was ranked in the top 25 for 10 weeks and racked up nine wins over ranked teams, the most in a season since 2014. In Vitello’s two seasons at the helm, the Vols have won 16 games against ranked opponents.
Tennessee showed vast improvement in all three phases of the game in 2019, especially on the mound and in the field. The Vols boasted one of the nation’s top pitching staffs and fielding teams this past season, tying the program record with 10 shutouts (second among Division I teams), while also finishing among the national leaders in strikeout-to-walk ratio (ninth), WHIP (10th), walks allowed per nine innings (14th), ERA (19th) and fielding percentage (14th). UT’s .979 fielding percentage was the best in program history.
The Vols’ offensive production also saw an increase under Vitello in 2019. Tennessee scored 378 runs, had 173 extra-base hits, hit 53 home runs and had a slugging percentage of .407, all marks that were the best since 2010. UT was one of the country’s most proficient base stealing teams as well, leading the SEC with 108 stolen bases this season. Junior speedster Jay Charleston finished the year with 41 steals, becoming the first SEC player to steal 40-plus bases in a season since VFLs Chris Burke (49) and Stevie Daniel (46) both accomplished the feat back in 2001.
Vitello and his staff have already had seven players selected in the Major League Baseball Draft over their first two seasons in Knoxville. Tennessee had six players taken in the 2019 MLB Draft. Andre Lipcius (third round), Garrett Stallings (fifth round), Andrew Schultz (sixth round), Zach Linginfelter (ninth round), Ricky Martinez (18th round) and Charleston (26th round) each were selected. This season marked the first time that UT had four or more players taken in the first nine rounds of the draft since 2001 when Burke (first round), Wyatt Allen (first round), Jeff Christensen (fifth round) and Daniel (sixth round) were chosen.
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