Lady Vols’ 2019-20 Non-Conference Basketball Schedule Set

Lady Vols’ 2019-20 Non-Conference Basketball Schedule Set

Posted on June 5, 2019
Credit: UT Athletics

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The 2019-20 Tennessee women’s basketball non-conference schedule is set, and the Lady Vols, will face three opponents that finished among the top six nationally in the final 2018-19 AP Poll.

Head coach Kellie Harper‘s first year at the helm of the Big Orange women will be highlighted by road contests at No. 3 Notre Dame (Nov. 11), No. 6 Stanford (Dec. 18) and No. 2 UConn (Jan. 23) as well as a home contest vs. No. 22 Texas (Dec. 8). Tip times and television network assignments will be available at a later date when the information has been approved for release.

Stanford, UConn, Texas and Notre Dame are listed at No. 3, 7, 15 and 17 in Charlie Crème’s 2019-20 Way-To-Early Top 25, which was released on April 22. UT is ranked No. 24 on that list.

Tennessee begins the campaign on Oct. 29 with a home exhibition game vs. Carson-Newman before Harper makes her official Big Orange debut on the road vs. ETSU in Johnson City on Nov. 5. The Lady Vols will play their regular season home opener on Nov. 7, as Central Arkansas comes to Thompson-Boling Arena for the third time since 2015.

In the earliest match-up in the history of their 29-game series, the Lady Vols and Fighting Irish will convene in Notre Dame, Ind., on Nov. 11. It will mark their fifth meeting during that month, but their first non-January regular-season match-up since 2006.

Following the trip to the Joyce Center, the Lady Vols return to Knoxville for a six-game home stand. UT hosts Tennessee State on Nov. 14, Stetson on Nov. 19 and Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Nov. 26. December home tilts include Air Force on Dec. 1, Texas on Dec. 8 and Colorado State on Dec. 11. The meetings with UAPB, Air Force and CSU will be the first ever with those schools.

A West Coast trip comes next, with UT making stops at Maples Pavilion to meet Stanford on Dec. 18, followed by a trek to Portland, Oregon, to face Portland State for the initial time on Dec. 21. A home contest vs. another first-time opponent in Howard on Dec. 29 closes out the 2019 portion of the schedule.

Conference play will be underway already when Tennessee pays its first visit to Connecticut since Jan. 6, 2007.  The Lady Vols and Huskies will do battle for the 23rd time, with UConn holding a 13-9 all-time advantage but UT riding a three-game series winning streak.

As part of the two-year agreement, UConn will host UT during the 2019-20 season (Jan. 23, 2020), with a portion of the proceeds benefitting the Pat Summitt Foundation and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. In the 2020-21 season, the Lady Vols will host the Huskies in Knoxville (date to be determined), with a portion of the proceeds again benefitting the Pat Summitt Foundation and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, as well as the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.

The Lady Vols return two starters and six letterwinners for 2019-20. Returning starters include 6-2 junior forward Rennia Davis (14.9 ppg., 7.7 rpg.) and 6-0 sophomore guard Zaay Green (9.6 ppg., 4.0 rpg., 2.3 apg.). Davis was an All-SEC Second Team honoree a year ago, while Green was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team.

Also back are 6-3 redshirt senior forward Lou Brown (three-year letterwinner and graduate transfer from Washington State who sat out last season with a knee injury), 6-4 junior center Kasiyahna Kushkituah (4.8 ppg., 3.5 rpg.), 6-1 sophomore forward Rae Burrell (3.6 ppg., 2.8 rpg.), 6-0 sophomore guard Jazmine Massengill (3.4 ppg., 3.4 rpg.) and 6-3 senior center Kamera Harris (0.6 ppg., 1.0 rpg.). Kushkituah has 11 starts to her credit and likely would have had more if not for an early season injury that kept her out of several games and hampered her mobility.

Tennessee welcomes five new players to the program in 2019-20. Tennessee boasts the No. 9 recruiting class in the nation, featuring 6-2 guard Jordan Horston (No. 2 overall player/No. 1 guard by espnW HoopGurlz), 6-5 center Tamari Key (No. 45 overall player by Dan Olson College Girls Basketball Report) and 6-5 forward/center Emily Saunders (No. 88 overall player by ProspectsNation.com).  UT also adds 5-6 three-point shooting ace Jessie Rennie from Australia as well as 6-3 Knoxville native and JUCO transfer forward/center Jaiden McCoy from Northwest Florida State College.

The Southeastern Conference portion of Tennessee’s schedule is expected to be released in late-August, but 2020 SEC foes should be shared in the near future.

Season tickets typically go on sale in early September, and single-game tickets are usually available in October.

 

UT Athletics

Garth Brooks and Blake Shelton Team Up for New Single, “Dive Bar”

Garth Brooks and Blake Shelton Team Up for New Single, “Dive Bar”

Posted on June 5, 2019

Garth Brooks and Blake Shelton have joined forces for a new duet, “Dive Bar,” which will be featured on Garth’s upcoming album, FUN. Garth revealed the details about the song at Blake’s Ole Red Nashville on June 5.

Penned by Garth, Mitch Rossell and Bryan Kennedy, “Dive Bar” will be shipped to country radio on June 18. Garth and Blake will perform the single live for the first time during Garth’s Stadium Tour in Boise, Idaho, on July 19.

Garth’s Stadium Tour, which features in-the-round staging, has already visited St. Louis, Glendale, Gainesville, Minneapolis (x2) and Pittsburgh, with upcoming sold-out shows in Denver (June 8), Eugene (June 29) and Boise (July 19 and 20).

photos: Garth Brooks by NCD; Blake Shelton by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

Midland to Drop Sophomore Album, “Let It Roll,” on Aug. 23

Midland to Drop Sophomore Album, “Let It Roll,” on Aug. 23

Posted on June 5, 2019

Midland—the trio comprised of Mark Wystrach, Cameron Duddy and Jess Carson—will drop sophomore album, Let It Roll, on Aug. 23.

Like their 2017 debut album, On the Rocks, the new LP was co-produced by Dann Huff, Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne. Since releasing On the Rocks, Midland has toured with George Strait, Tim McGraw, Dwight Yoakam and more, as well as winning the 2018 ACM Award for Top New Duo/Group.

“We want to keep things fresh and real,” says Cameron. “The beauty of being in Dripping Springs [Texas] and spending so much time on the road, we don’t get caught up in what’s trending. We’re able to follow our hearts—and our livers—to where we think country is the best.”

“Everything we’ve learned out on the road touring On The Rocks is all right here on this album,” says Mark. “These songs are deeply personal and from the heart.”

“A lot of what was is still so cool, and with the help of Dann, Shane and Josh, as well as the support of Scott [Borchetta] and Big Machine, we’re able to be true to the music and keep our kind of country alive,” adds Jess.

The album’s lead single, “Mr. Lonely,” is currently No. 37 on Billboad’s Country Airplay chart after eight weeks. The trio co-penned the new tune with Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne.

photo by NCD

Listen to Chris Stapleton’s New Song, “The Ballad of the Lonesome Cowboy,” From “Toy Story 4”

Listen to Chris Stapleton’s New Song, “The Ballad of the Lonesome Cowboy,” From “Toy Story 4”

Posted on June 5, 2019

Chris Stapleton recorded a new song, “The Ballad of the Lonesome Cowboy,” for the soundtrack to Toy Story 4, which will be available on June 21 when the film opens nationwide.

Penned by Randy Newman, the new tune was written from the perspective of Woody, the pull-string cowboy voiced by Tom Hanks.

“Woody feels like he was a lonesome cowboy until someone comes along and changes his world,” says Randy. “Chris Stapleton did a great job on this song.”

“To me, what has made the Toy Story films hold up over time has been the strength of the stories and the songs and the writing and the characters,” adds Chris. “There’s something for people of all ages to enjoy in the world that is Toy Story. It’s a tremendous honor to get to sing a Randy Newman song in what is without question one of the most iconic animated franchises in history.”

Listen to “The Ballad of the Lonesome Cowboy” below.

photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

Maren Morris & Stevie Nicks Team Up With Sheryl Crow for New Single, “Prove You Wrong” [Listen]

Maren Morris & Stevie Nicks Team Up With Sheryl Crow for New Single, “Prove You Wrong” [Listen]

Posted on June 5, 2019

Maren Morris and Stevie Nicks lent their vocals to Sheryl Crow’s new single, “Prove You Wrong,” which will impact country radio on June 17.

The new single will be featured on Sheryl’s upcoming duets album, Threads, which is set to be released this summer. The 17-song offering includes collaborations with Johnny Cash, Keith Richards, Joe Walsh, Willie Nelson, Emmylou Harris, Jason Isbell, Chris Stapleton and more. Sheryl signed a new record deal with Big Machine Label Group for the collaborative project.

Sheryl noted via Twitter that Vince Gill, Joe Walsh and Waddy Wachtel contributed their guitar chops to “Prove You Wrong.”

Listen to “Prove You Wrong” below.

photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

Vote Now: CMT Reveals 5 Finalists for Video of the Year at CMT Awards

Vote Now: CMT Reveals 5 Finalists for Video of the Year at CMT Awards

Posted on June 5, 2019

CMT revealed its five finalists for Video of the Year at the CMT Awards on June 5:

  • Carrie Underwood – “Cry Pretty”
  • Kane Brown – “Good as You”
  • Keith Urban feat. Julia Michaels – “Coming Home”
  • Kelsea Ballerini – “Miss Me More”
  • Luke Combs – “She Got the Best of Me”

Fan voting via Twitter trimmed the initial 14 nominees down to the five finalists.

Fans can now vote via Twitter for their favorite finalist by using #CMTawards with the artist-specific hashtag below (both hashtags are required for the vote to count). Voting will remain open through the live broadcast of tonight’s show, which begins at 7 p.m. CT.

  • #VoteCarrie
  • #VoteKane
  • #VoteKeith
  • #VoteKelsea
  • #VoteLuke

photos by AFF-USA.com

Tanya Tucker to Release New 10-Song Album This Summer

Tanya Tucker to Release New 10-Song Album This Summer

Posted on June 5, 2019

Tanya Tucker will release her new album, While I’m Livin’, on Aug. 23.

The 10-song offering, which was co-produced by Brandi Carlile and Shooter Jennings, features seven original tracks that were co-penned by Brandi, Tim Hanseroth and Phil Hanseroth (Tanya teamed with the songwriting trio to pen one song, “Bring My Flowers Now”). Tanya also included covers of Miranda Lambert’s “The House That Built Me,” Waylon Jennings and David Lynn Jones’ “High Ridin’ Heroes,” and Josefus’ “Hard Luck.”

“Brandi is truly out of this world,” says Tanya. “She’s talented, smart, funny, never ever slows down and has a heart of gold. I just love her. She was like my shadow when we were in the studio. Every time I turned around, she was there. And Shooter, I’ve known him since he was a baby. He’s the one who brought us all together. So I’m ready to get this music out there because it’s different than anything I’ve ever done.”

The upcoming album represents Tanya’s first new album of original songs since the release of Tanya in 2002.

Watch the video for Tanya’s new song, “The Wheels of Laredo.”

 

photo by Arroyo/O\’Connor, AFF-USA.com

Lady Vols in the WNBA Update: June 4

Lady Vols in the WNBA Update: June 4

Posted on June 4, 2019
Credit: UT Athletics

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The WNBA season tipped off a couple weeks ago, and former Tennessee players already have made a mark in the league in 2019.

Former Lady Vol Diamond DeShields scored a season-high 21 points against Seattle on June 1 and helped the Chicago Sky defeat the Storm 83-79. She also collected five rebounds, two steals and one block in 35 minutes of action. Her next game is on June 5 against the Washington Mystics (CBS Sports Network).

DeShields is one of three LVFLs to score in double digits already this season. Shekinna Stricklen collected 15 points during 22 minutes of duty and led the Connecticut Sun to an 80-74 victory against the Las Vegas Aces. Her next game is June 6 against the Los Angeles Sparks.

Mercedes Russell was the other UT player to achieve a double-digit game with 10 points against Atlanta and was just shy of a double-double with seven rebounds. She helped the Seattle Storm defeat the Dream 83-79.

Candace Parker, meanwhile, remains sidelined. The L.A. Sparks star is recovering from a hamstring injury that has plagued her since the preseason.

 

Diamond DeShields

Chicago Sky | G | 2nd Season

DeShields has started in both of the Chicago Sky’s games so far this season. She is averaging 10.5 ppg. and 3.0 rpg. thus far. Her next game is June 5 at the Washington Mystics at 7 p.m. ET (CBS Sports Network).

Isabelle Harrison

Dallas Wings | F/C | 4th Season

After sitting out all last season due to medical reasons, Harrison has been averaging a little over 18 minutes a game and tallying 2.5 ppg. and 5.5 rpg. The next game for her is on June 7 at the Indiana Fever beginning at 7 p.m. (CBS Sports Network).

Glory Johnson

Dallas Wings | F | 7th Season

Johnson has started in both contests for the Dallas Wings this season. In 25 minutes of action per game, she has produced 5.5 ppg. and 7.5 rpg. She also has made a three-pointer in both games so far this season.

Candace Parker

Los Angeles Sparks | F/C | 12th Season

Parker has been sidelined with a hamstring injury since the preseason.

Mercedes Russell

Seattle Storm | C | 2nd Season

Russell has already played in four games this season and averages 18.6 minutes per contest. With more time on the court compared to last season, she has been contributing 4.8 ppg. and 5.3 rpg.. The Seattle Storm continues its season tonight against Minnesota at 10 p.m. (Twitter).

Shekinna Stricklen

Connecticut Sun | G/F | 8th Season

Stricklen has started in all four games so far this season for the Connecticut Sun. She is sitting at 7.8 ppg. and has chipped in 2.0 rpg. and 1.5 apg. so far this season. She also has been shooting a staggering 83.3 percent on free throws. Her next game is June 6 against the L.A. Sparks at 7 p.m. (League Pass).

 

UT Athletics

Morgan Wallen Scores 2nd No. 1 Single With “Whiskey Glasses”

Morgan Wallen Scores 2nd No. 1 Single With “Whiskey Glasses”

Posted on June 4, 2019

After 40 weeks at country radio, Morgan Wallen’s single, “Whiskey Glasses,” has topped both the Billboard Country Airplay chart and Mediabase chart.

Penned by Ben Burgess and Kevin Kadish, “Whiskey Glasses” mirrored the ascent of Morgan’s previous No. 1 single, “Up Down,” which topped the charts in June 2018 after 32 weeks.

“Lyrically, ‘Whiskey Glasses’ is a heartbreak song, but I didn’t want it to feel like that so we tried to get clever in the studio,” says Morgan to NCD. “I didn’t want it to feel sad, so I told [producer Joey Moi] that I wanted to make the song kind of feel more drunk as it went along. We kept adding little things here and there to make it almost wobble.”

Morgan will join Florida Georgia Line’s Can’t Say I Ain’t Country Tour in June.

“I’m just glad people are liking it,” adds Morgan.

photo by Curtis Hilbun, AFF-USA.com

Watch Baseball-Playing Brett Young Go Back to His College Roots in New Video for “Catch”

Watch Baseball-Playing Brett Young Go Back to His College Roots in New Video for “Catch”

Posted on June 4, 2019

Brett Young will try to score his sixth consecutive No. 1 single with the release of “Catch” on June 3. The new tune, which was co-penned by Brett, Ashley Gorley and Ross Copperman, is the second single released from Brett’s 2018 sophomore album, Ticket to L.A.

“‘Catch’ is a song that I wrote with Ashley Gorley and Ross Copperman, and it was a song that kinda was born out of another song,” says Brett. “We were in a write and somebody threw out the word ‘catch’ as an idea, as just a word in a line of the song. Ashley Gorley stood up and said he’d be right back, and he walked outside and he came back and he goes, ‘Okay, we gotta book another write, because I’ve got an idea for a song called “Catch,” where it’s a play on the word “catch” and I think we can go a lot of places with this, I’m very excited.’”

The songwriting trio reconvened a short time later to grind out the catchy new idea.

“We got back together, and just got really excited about, not only the kinda tongue-in-cheek, play-on-word nature of it, but also I think it’s kind of normally the girl that goes out with her girlfriends hoping not to meet a guy or not to be bothered by guys, and we just thought it was kind of a fun twist on it—the guy going out to spend time with his buddies, and ends up seeing a girl and the rest was history. And so it’s a fun one for me and the play on words with ‘catch’, but also, me having spent so much of my life playing baseball.”

Directed by Seth Kupersmith and filmed at Brett’s alma mater—the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss)—the video chronicles the semi-autobiographical story of the former college baseball pitcher and an early love interest.

Watch the new video for “Catch” below.

photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

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