Lady Vols’ Kara Lawson Going into Tennessee Sports Hall

Lady Vols’ Kara Lawson Going into Tennessee Sports Hall

Credit: UT Athletics

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame will induct a nine-person 2019 class on Saturday night, and former Lady Vol basketball standout and 2008 U.S. Olympic gold medalist Kara Lawson will be among five with University of Tennessee ties in that illustrious group.

Lawson, who played for the Big Orange from 1999-2003, will join fellow UT luminaries Kippy Brown, David Cutcliffe, Charles Davis and Peyton Manning in the 53rd-annual induction ceremony at the Omni Nashville Hotel.

A native of Alexandria, Va., Lawson was a 2003 WBCA All-American and was honored three times by the Associated Press, including second-team All-America honors in 2003, third-team accolades in 2002 and honorable mention status in 2001. She was a four-time All-SEC First Team choice by the coaches and was All-SEC First Team by the media in 2002 and 2003 and second team in 2000 and 2001.

Other honors include the 2003 Francis Pomeroy Naismith Award, which goes to the best player 5-feet-8 and under, as well as the 2004 Woody Hayes National Scholar-Athlete Award, 2003 NCAA All-Final Four Team, 2003 All-Mideast Regional Team, 2002 and 2003 SEC All-Tournament Teams, 2001 and 2003 SEC Community Service Teams, and 2000 SEC All-Freshman Team.

During Lawson’s stint at Rocky Top, Tennessee compiled a 136-17 record, winning four SEC titles and an SEC Tournament crown. The Lady Vols also went to three NCAA Final Fours, finishing second in 2000 and 2003, and placing third in 2002.

Lawson wrapped up her career as the program’s fourth all-time leading scorer and currently stands at No. 6 with 1,950 points. She averaged 13.6 points per contest for her career and had a best season average of 15.1 as a junior followed by a 14.4 average as a senior to complete a four-year run of averaging double figures in points.

In regard to three-point shooting career marks, Lawson continues to rank No. 2 in career three-point field goal percentage at .415 (256-617) and No. 3 in career three-pointers made (256). She stands No. 3 (79, 1999-2000) and No. 5 (77, 2002-03) in single season treys made and is No. 4 (.450, 2002-03) and No. 6 (.436, 1999-2000) in single season three-point field goal percentage. Her total of 79 threes in 1999-2000 still stands as a UT freshman record.

Lawson ranks No. 3 in career free throw shooting (.847) and No. 5 for a single season (.884, 2002-03). She also ranks No. 6 in career assists (456).

Off the court, the 2003 UT graduate with a degree in finance was a 2003 NCAA Woman of the Year Finalist, a 2003 CoSIDA First-Team Academic All-American, a three-time SEC Academic Honor Roll selection and a 2003 recipient of Torchbearer distinction at the University of Tennessee. The latter honor is the highest recognition a UT student can receive.

Lawson, who joined Lady Vol alums Tamika Catchings and Candace Parker on the 2008 Olympic Team in Beijing, China, went on to a 13-year career in the WNBA, playing for the Sacramento Monarchs, Connecticut Sun and Washington Mystics. She has transitioned well into broadcasting, enjoying great success as an announcer and studio analyst for men’s and women’s basketball with ESPN and currently serving as an analyst for television broadcasts of the NBA’s Washington Wizards. She was the first woman to work as a national broadcast analyst for an NBA game when she called the Wizards’ game vs. the New Orleans Hornets on Jan. 12, 2007.

In addition to her broadcasting career, Lawson also stays active in the game as a coach, working with the fast-growing 3×3 version of basketball. She led the U.S. 3×3 team to gold at the 2017 World Cup and directed the USA to gold again at the 2018 Summer Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

 

UT Athletics

Pons Prepping for U20 European Championships

Pons Prepping for U20 European Championships

Credit: UT Athletics

Tennessee rising junior Yves Pons is spending his summer with the U20 French National Team in preparation for the FIBA U20 European Championships July 13-21 in Israel.

The French U20 squad boasts a FIBA world ranking of No. 5 and is competing out of Group A along with Great Britain, Montenegro and Turkey. There are four four-team groups.

France’s first game in the group phase is against Montenegro on July 13 in Ramat Gan.

Prior to the championships, Pons and the French team are playing a pair of exhibitions against Turkey this weekend.

Pons is one of two NCAA student-athletes on the French U20 squad, joining Central Arkansas sophomore Eddy Kayouloud.

As a sophomore for the Vols last season, Pons appeared in 35 games with 13 starts. He shot .516 from the field and averaged 2.2 points and 1.8 rebounds per game. He scored five or more points six times last season, with a career-high 10 points in Tennessee’s win over Eastern Kentucky on Nov. 28.

UT Athletics
Sheryl Crow’s New Album of Collaborations Features an All-Star Cast of Country Stars

Sheryl Crow’s New Album of Collaborations Features an All-Star Cast of Country Stars

Sheryl Crow released the art and track listing for her upcoming album of collaborations, Threads, which is set to drop on Aug. 30.

photo by Dove Shore

The 17-song album features collaborations with a number of country artists, including Maren Morris, Chris Stapleton, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Margo Price, Jason Isbell, Kris Kristofferson, Emmylou Harris and Vince Gill.

Sheryl signed a new record deal with Big Machine Label Group for the collaborative project.

Threads Track List & Songwriters

  1. “Prove You Wrong” ft. Stevie Nicks & Maren Morris | Writers: Sheryl Crow, Al Anderson, Leslie Satcher
  2. “Live Wire” ft. Bonnie Raitt & Mavis Staples | Writers: Sheryl Crow, Jeff Trott
  3. “Tell Me When It’s Ove”r ft. Chris Stapleton | Writers: Sheryl Crow, Chris Stapleton
  4. “Story Of Everything” ft. Chuck D, Andra Day & Gary Clark Jr. | Writers: Sheryl Crow, Steve Jordan, Carlton Ridenhour
  5. “Beware Of Darkness” ft. Eric Clapton, Sting & Brandi Carlile | Writer: George Harrison
  6. “Redemption Day” ft. Johnny Cash | Writer: Sheryl Crow
  7. “Cross Creek Road” ft. Lukas Nelson (digital/physical) / ft. Margo Price (vinyl) | Writers: Sheryl Crow, Jeff Trott
  8. “Everything Is Broken” ft. Jason Isbell | Writer: Bob Dylan
  9. “The Worst” ft. Keith Richards | Writers: Mick Jagger, Keith Richards
  10. “Lonely Alone” ft. Willie Nelson | Writers: Sheryl Crow, Shane McAnally
  11. “Border Lord” ft. Kris Kristofferson | Writers: Kris Kristofferson, Donnie Fritts, Stephen Bruton, Terry Paul
  12. “Still The Good Old Days” ft. Joe Walsh | Writers: Sheryl Crow, Joe Walsh
  13. “Wouldn’t Want To Be Like You” ft. St. Vincent* | Writers: Sheryl Crow, Jeff Trott
  14. “Don’t” ft. Lucius | Writer: Sheryl Crow
  15. “Nobody’s Perfect” ft. Emmylou Harris** | Writers: Sheryl Crow, Jeff Trott
  16. “Flying Blind” ft. James Taylor | Writers: Sheryl Crow, Chris Stapleton
  17. “For The Sake Of Love” ft. Vince Gill | Writer: Sheryl Crow

photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

Chris Young Releases Heartfelt Tune, “Drowning,” Inspired by Friend’s Death [Listen]

Chris Young Releases Heartfelt Tune, “Drowning,” Inspired by Friend’s Death [Listen]

Chris Young released a new song, “Drowning,” from his upcoming eighth studio album, Raised On Country, which is expected to drop later this year.

Co-penned by Chris, Corey Crowder and Josh Hoge, “Drowning” was partly inspired by the death of Chris’ close friend, Adam, and features lyrics: “So tonight I’m gonna pull out pictures, ones with you in ’em / Laugh and cry a little while reminiscing / By myself, I can’t help that all I think about is / How you were taken way too soon / It ain’t the same here without you / I gotta say, missing you comes in waves / And tonight I’m drowning”

“When I wrote this song with Corey Crowder and Josh Hoge, we each thought of someone that we lost way too soon,” said Chris via Instagram. “For me, it was one of my best friends, Adam. Missing you comes in waves and tonight I’m drowning. This one is for you, brother.”

Listen to “Drowning” below.

photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

Florida Georgia Line Drops Acoustic Remixes of “Cruise” & “Talk You Out of It” [Listen]

Florida Georgia Line Drops Acoustic Remixes of “Cruise” & “Talk You Out of It” [Listen]

To celebrate kicking off their Can’t Say I Ain’t Country Tour on June 13, Florida Georgia Line dropped acoustic remixes of their 2012 smash hit, “Cruise,” and current single, “Talk You Out of It.”

“Cruise” remains the best-selling digital country single of all time, while “Talk You Out of It” is currently No. 17 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart after 32 weeks.

FGL’s 30-plus-date Can’t Say I Ain’t Country Tour features support from Dan + Shay, Morgan Wallen, Canaan Smith and Hardy.

“You know, for us, it’s just elevating the production a little bit, changing it up, switching it up, bringing a different feel to the show, and then switching up our set list as well, adding some new music in there,” says FGL’s Tyler Hubbard. “Just trying to create an experience that’s different from the last time. We’ve got a lot of amazing fans that show up—some people show up to 10, 20 shows a year—so it makes it fun for us, too. We don’t want to be playing the same exact thing for years on end, so we just like to mix it up, keep it fresh and keep it fun for us and fun for the fans.”

Listen to FGL’s new remixes of “Cruise” and “Talk You Out of It” below.

photo by NCD

Trisha Yearwood to Hit the Road for First Solo Run in 5 Years With “Every Girl On Tour”

Trisha Yearwood to Hit the Road for First Solo Run in 5 Years With “Every Girl On Tour”

Fresh off of releasing her new single, “Every Girl in This Town,” Trisha Yearwood announced she will hit the road for her first solo run in five years with the Every Girl On Tour.

Kicking off on Oct. 3 for a three-night run with the Nashville Symphony at Schermerhorn Symphony Center, the 23-date tour will made additional stops in Atlanta, Chicago, Boston, New York and more.

“I can’t wait to take my tour solo for the first time in five years,” says Trisha. “I’ve been absolutely overwhelmed by the positive response to ‘Every Girl in This Town’ and, as enthusiastic as folks are about my new music and the upcoming tour, I don’t think there is anyone more excited than me.”

Tickets go on sale on June 21 at 10 a.m. local time. Special fan club pre-sale begins on June 19 at 10 a.m. local time.

Every Girl On Tour

  • Oct. 3 | Nashville, TN | Schermerhorn Symphony Center
  • Oct. 4 | Nashville, TN | Schermerhorn Symphony Center
  • Oct. 5 | Nashville, TN | Schermerhorn Symphony Center
  • Oct. 13 | Atlanta, GA | Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre
  • Oct. 24 | Carmel, IN | The Center for the Performing Arts – The Palladium
  • Oct. 2 | St. Louis, MO | Stifel Theatre
  • Oct. 26 | Cincinnati, OH | Taft Theatre
  • Oct. 27 | Cleveland, OH | Playhouse Square – KeyBank State Theatre
  • Nov. 2 | Tulsa, OK | Brady Theater
  • Nov. 3 | Sugar Land, TX | Smart Financial Centre
  • Nov. 4 | Fort Worth, TX | Bass Performance Hall
  • Nov. 7 | Chicago, IL | The Chicago Theatre
  • Nov. 8 | Milwaukee, WI | Riverside Theater
  • Nov. 9 | Minneapolis, MN | Orpheum Theatre
  • Nov. 21 | New York, NY | Town Hall Theatre
  • Nov. 22 | Boston, MA | Wilbur Theatre
  • Nov. 23 | Wilkes-Barre, PA | The F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts
  • Nov. 24 | Glenside, PA | Keswick Theatre
  • Dec. 4 | Melbourne, FL | Maxwell C. King Center for the Performing Arts
  • Dec. 5 | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Parker Playhouse
  • Dec. 6 | Clearwater, FL | Ruth Eckerd Hall
  • Dec. 7 | Jacksonville, FL | Florida Theatre
  • Dec. 8 | Naples , FL| Artis-Naples – Hayes Hall

photo by Curtis Hilbun, AFF-USA.com

Bonnaroo Kicks Off With Performances by Ricky Skaggs, Morgan Evans, Ashley Monroe, Steve Earle & More

Bonnaroo Kicks Off With Performances by Ricky Skaggs, Morgan Evans, Ashley Monroe, Steve Earle & More

Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival kicked off on June 13 with a number of country performances on the Grand Ole Opry Stage, including Old Crow Medicine Show, Ricky Skaggs, Riders in the Sky, Steve Earle, Morgan Evans, Ashley Monroe, Molly Tuttle and Wendy Moten.

A number of additional country-centric artists will hit various stages at Bonnaroo over the next three days, including Maren Morris (June 15), Kacey Musgraves (June 15), John Prine (June 15), Ruston Kelly (June 15), Brandi Carlile (June 16) and more

The 2019 Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival continues through June 16 at Great Stage Park, the 700-acre farm and event space located just 60 miles south of Nashville in Manchester, Tenn.

Check out some photos of Night 1 from the Grand Ole Opry Stage, courtesy of photographer Chris Hollo.

FRIDAY, JUNE 14
Phish (Late Evening Set)
Childish Gambino
Solange
The Avett Brothers
Brockhampton
GRiZ
RL Grime
Beach House
GRiZ SuperJam
NGHTMRE
Gojira
Courtney Barnett
Girl Talk
AJR
Catfish And The Bottlemen
K.Flay
Anoushka Shankar
Nahko & Medicine For The People
Liquid Stranger
Deafheaven
Parquet Courts
Rival Sons
Ibeyi
Jade Cicada
Las Cafeteras
Cherry Glazerr
The Teskey Brothers
Medasin
Tyla Yaweh
Ducky
Monsieur Periné
Mersiv
Crooked Colours

SATURDAY, JUNE 15
Post Malone
Odesza
Hozier
Kacey Musgraves
The National
The Lonely Island
ZHU
Juice WRLD
Joe Russo’s Almost Dead
Gucci Mane
John Prine
Jim James (Full Band)
Maren Morris
Gramatik
Shovels & Rope
Unknown Mortal Orchestra
Quinn XCII
Clairo
Bishop Briggs
Hippo Campus
Space Jesus
Tokimonsta
Chelsea Cutler
The Record Company
SNBRN
Ruston Kelly
Whipped Cream
Rubblebucket
Little Simz
Memba
Deva Mahal
DJ Mel

SUNDAY, JUNE 16
Phish (2 Sets)
The Lumineers
Cardi B
Brandi Carlile
Illenium
Walk The Moon
Mac DeMarco
King Princess
Lil Dicky
G Jones
Trampled By Turtles
The Wood Brothers
Hobo Johnson & The Lovemakers
Princess (Featuring Maya Rudolph & Gretchen Lieberum)
The Soul Rebels
The Lemon Twigs
Two Feet
AC Slater
CID
Dombresky
Bombino
Faye Webster
Ripe
Kikagaku Moyo
Igloohost

photos by Chris Hollo, Grand Ole Opry

Jimmy’s blog: Harper brushes off Auriemma comments

Jimmy’s blog: Harper brushes off Auriemma comments

By Jimmy Hyams

The Tennessee Lady Vols won 19 games last season – the fewest since 1976.

The team was on the NCAA Tournament bubble for the first time. It wasn’t competitive in the SEC regular-season race. The coach was fired.

So Kellie Harper, a former star for the Lady Vols, takes over a rebuilding job that features a brutal non-conference schedule featuring Notre Dame, Texas, Stanford and – for the first time in more than a decade – UConn.

UConn coach Geno Auriemma didn’t seem to think playing Tennessee was a big deal, calling it “just another game.’’

That was a slap in the face to a storied program that has won eight national championships. But, fact is, it’s a program that hasn’t been to the Final Four since 2008 and hasn’t won an SEC title of any sort in four years.

Harper was asked recently her reaction to Auriemma’s comment.

“Well, I think everybody is entitled to their own opinion,’’ Harper said. “I don’t think we’re just another program, but I guess everybody can say whatever they feel like they need to say.’’

Her thoughts on playing UConn?

“Well, it’s a big game that’s going to do a lot of good,’’ Harper said. “I think there’s a lot of fundraising around that game. There’s a lot of excitement and a lot of talk generated about that game. Hopefully there’s some foundation that can benefit greatly because of it.’’

While UConn v. UT is just another game to Auriemma, don’t be surprised if it’s one of the highest TV rated women’s regular-season games this season, even if UT’s program hasn’t been on par with UConn’s for quite a while.

Would Harper like to play UConn on a regular basis?

“It’s a good question,’’ she said. “I think it’s something we’ll have to sit down and evaluate as a staff and look at our current schedule and see what commitments we have for the future.

“But obviously for us we want to play really high-caliber teams. Obviously, UConn is that. We’ll just have to look and see if that schedule will allow for that and see where we go from there.’’

UT-UConn was once the best rivalry in women’s basketball, featuring two iconic coaches with talented players.

“When the teams were playing No. 1 (v.) No. 2 it was really good for women’s basketball,’’ Harper said. “There was a lot of rivalry and competitiveness around in that game. A lot of people talked about it. A lot of people watched it. Maybe even non-women’s basketball fans watched that game. So, it was good for our game.’’

What was Harper’s opinion of Auriemma when she played for UT?

“Honestly as a player, I didn’t have a lot of opinions on coaches,’’ Harper said. “I really couldn’t go there. I respected everybody that we played and everybody’s coaching staff. I didn’t have any insight.’’

Was Harper offended when Aeriemma throw barbs at Pat Summitt?

“That was after my time,’’ Harper said. “I think Geno is a very good coach and he’s a clever coach as well.’’

For Tennessee to return to greatness, it must play at a high level every game.

“I think the great teams are consistent,’’ Harper said. “They don’t have a lot of off nights. I think that’s going to be a word that we’re going to use a lot.

“And you just don’t flip the switch for games. You have to be consistent in practice and in your daily routine and understand that the process is going to be the most important thing for our team. We’re going to work really hard about how we’re doing things daily to reach a goal, but the end is not the most important thing right now. It is the daily process. It’s going to help us be the best basketball team we can be.’’

Harper says there is “definitely’’ more parity in the women’s game compared to 20 years ago.

“You have more teams going to the NCAA tournament that have an opportunity to win the national championship,’’ she said. “Right now, to put yourself in a contention to be in the Final Four, you’re not just trying to beat three teams. You’ve got 10-15 teams that can get there every single year. So we want to be one of those teams.’’


Sponsored by Big Kahuna Wings: The wings that changed it all

Old Dominion to Host Westwood One’s 4th of July Holiday Special

Old Dominion to Host Westwood One’s 4th of July Holiday Special

The guys from Old Dominion—Matthew Ramsey, Trevor Rosen, Geoff Sprung, Brad Tursi and Whit Sellers—will deliver some fireworks of their own on July 4 as they co-host Westwood One’s annual holiday special, Celebrate the USA.

Old Dominion: photo by AFF-USA.com

During the four-hour holiday special, the quintet will share their favorite Fourth of July memories and play tunes from their catalog, including brand-new single, “One Man Band.” In addition, the broadcast will feature summer-themed music from many of OD’s all-star friends, including Kenny Chesney, Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line, Jason Aldean and Thomas Rhett, who will also share some of their memorable Fourth of July moments.

Stations can air Westwood One’s Celebrate the USA with Old Dominion between July 4 and July 7, 6 a.m. to midnight. Check your local listings for air times.

photo by Curtis Hilbun, AFF-USA.com

Luke Bryan Looks to Find Songwriting Magic With Cole Swindell on “Sunset Repeat Tour”

Luke Bryan Looks to Find Songwriting Magic With Cole Swindell on “Sunset Repeat Tour”

Luke Byran kicked off his headlining Sunset Repeat Tour on May 31 with support from longtime friend Cole Swindell, who has toured with Luke a number of times—both as an opener and as his merch-selling dude.

Six shows are already in the books, with more than 20 dates remaining, so there’s a good chance Luke and Cole will join forces to pen a few songs during their downtime. The guys have co-penned tunes before, including Florida Georgia Line’s smash hit, “This Is How We Roll,” as well as “I Just Want You” from Cole’s self-titled debut album in 2014.

As Luke told Kix Brooks of American Country Countdown, he’s really looking forward to hanging with his friend and letting the “vibe of the tour breed new music.”

“I’m really excited about those little opportunities to have fun song ideas,” says Luke. “When you’re hanging after a show, you know, having some drinks, talking, cutting up—you get fun song ideas, and you’re like, ‘Hey, we need to write this idea!’ As long as you’re out there living in the moment of the tour, you can let the vibe of the tour breed new music.”

Sunset Repeat Tour

June 13 | Phoenix, Ariz. | Ak-Chin Pavilion
June 14 | Albuquerque, N.M. | Isleta Amphitheater
July 11 | Saratoga Springs, N.Y. | Saratoga Performing Arts Center
July 13 | Wantagh, N.Y. | Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater
July 19 | Orange Beach, Ala. | The Wharf Amphitheater
July 20 | Orange Beach, Ala. | The Wharf Amphitheater
July 21 | Brandon, Miss. | Brandon Amphitheater
July 25 | Birmingham, Ala. | Oak Mountain Amphitheatre
July 26 | Atlanta, Ga. | Cellairis Amphitheatre at Lakewood
Aug. 17 | St. Louis, Mo. | Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
Aug. 18 | Indianapolis, Ind. | Ruoff Home Mortgage Music Center
Aug. 22 | Fresno, Calif. | Save Mart Center
Aug. 23 | Sacramento, Calif. | Toyota Amphitheatre
Aug. 24 | Mountain View, Calif. | Shoreline Amphitheater
Sept. 5 | Toronto, Ontario, Canada | Budweiser Stage
Sept. 7 | Holmdel, N.J. | PNC Bank Arts Center
Sept. 8 | Virginia Beach, Va. | Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater
Sept. 12 | Bethel, N.Y. | Bethel Woods Center for the Artsbethel
Sept. 14 | Cleveland, Ohio | Blossom Music Center
Oct. 12 | Raleigh, N.C. | Coastal Credit Union Music Park
Oct. 25 | Detroit | Ford Field

photo by Curtis Hilbun, AFF-USA.com

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