Carrie Underwood’s Upcoming Tour Stop in Toronto Gets Bumped by NBA Finals

Carrie Underwood’s Upcoming Tour Stop in Toronto Gets Bumped by NBA Finals

Posted on May 29, 2019

Fans of the Toronto Raptors may be elated for the team’s first appearance in the upcoming NBA Finals, but it has put Carrie Underwood’s fan in a pickle.

Carrie’s upcoming Cry Pretty Tour stop in Toronto at the Scotiabank Arena on June 9 has been postponed due to the scheduling conflict.

The Scotiabank Arena revealed the news via Twitter: “Due to the Raptors advancing to the NBA Finals & the technical set up requirements of the league, the Carrie Underwood concert on June 9, 2019 will be rescheduled to a later date still to be announced. All tickets for the June 9 concert will be valid for the newly announced date.”

The Toronto Raptors take on the Golden State Warriors in the best-of-seven series that kicks off on May 30 in Toronto, with additional games slated for Toronto on June 2 and Oakland on June 5 and June 7. If necessary, the teams will play games in Toronto on June 10, Oakland on June 13 and Toronto on June 16.

In addition, Twenty One Pilots’ concert at Scotiabank Arena on May 29 has been cancelled, while Eros Ramazzotti’s concert on June 15 has been postponed.

Garth Brooks Heads North for New Stadium Tour Date

Garth Brooks Heads North for New Stadium Tour Date

Posted on May 29, 2019

Garth Brooks is heading north this summer.

The G-man is bringing his Stadium Tour to Mosaic Stadium in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, on Aug. 10. This will be Garth’s first time headlining a concert in Regina and the first country concert at Mosaic Stadium.

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).

Tickets for the show in Regina will go on sale on June 7 at 10 a.m. CT for $94.95.

photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

CMT Awards Add Performers Luke Combs, Keith Urban, Zac Brown Band, Sheryl Crow, Brett Young & More

CMT Awards Add Performers Luke Combs, Keith Urban, Zac Brown Band, Sheryl Crow, Brett Young & More

Posted on May 29, 2019

CMT announced an additional round of artists scheduled to perform at the CMT Awards on June 5: Boyz II Men, Brandi Carlile, Brett Young, Keith Urban, Little Big Town, Luke Combs, Sheryl Crow, Tanya Tucker, Trombone Shorty and Zac Brown Band.

Previously announced performers include Carrie Underwood, Dan + Shay, Kane Brown, Kelsea Ballerini, Luke Bryan, Maren Morris and Thomas Rhett.

A number of artists will collaborate onstage, including Brandi Carlile and Tanya Tucker; Brett Young and Boyz II Men; Thomas Rhett, Little Big Town and Trombone Shorty; and Sheryl Crow and Maren Morris.

CMT boasts the event will feature a “record-breaking number of performances.” Hosted by Little Big Town, the fan-voted award show will air live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on June 5 at 7 p.m. CT. Voting is now open at cmt.com until 11:59 p.m. ET on June 4.

Check out the nominations below.

Video of the Year: Best video of the year; awarded to the artist and the video director. Final nominees announced the morning of the show, with final voting held on social media during the live telecast.

  • Carrie Underwood – “Cry Pretty”
  • Chris Janson – “Drunk Girl”
  • Cole Swindell – “Break Up in the End”
  • Dan + Shay – “Speechless”
  • Dierks Bentley feat. Brothers Osborne – “Burning Man”
  • Eric Church – “Desperate Man”
  • Florida Georgia Line – “Simple”
  • Kacey Musgraves – “Rainbow”
  • 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”
  • Maren Morris – “GIRL”
  • Zac Brown Band – “Someone I Used To Know”

Male Video of the Year: Best video by a male artist; awarded to the artist

  • Cole Swindell – “Break Up in the End”
  • Eric Church – “Desperate Man”
  • Jason Aldean feat. Miranda Lambert – “Drowns The Whiskey”
  • Kane Brown – “Lose It”
  • Kenny Chesney – “Get Along”
  • Luke Bryan – “Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset”
  • Thomas Rhett – “Life Changes”

Female Video of the Year: Best video by a female artist; awarded to the artist

  • Brandi Carlile – “The Joke”
  • Carly Pearce – “Closer To You”
  • Carrie Underwood – “Love Wins”
  • Kacey Musgraves – “Space Cowboy”
  • Kelsea Ballerini – “Miss Me More”
  • Maren Morris – “GIRL”
  • Miranda Lambert – “Keeper of the Flame”

Duo of the Year: Best video by a duo; awarded to the artists

  • Brothers Osborne – “I Don’t Remember Me (Before You)”
  • Dan + Shay – “Speechless”
  • Florida Georgia Line – “Simple”
  • LOCASH – “Feels Like A Party”
  • Maddie & Tae – “Friends Don’t”
  • Sugarland feat. Taylor Swift – “Babe”

Group Video of the Year: Best video by a group; awarded to the artists

  • Eli Young Band – “Love Ain’t”
  • LANCO – “Born to Love You”
  • Little Big Town – “Summer Fever”
  • Midland – “Burn Out”
  • Old Dominion – “Hotel Key”
  • Zac Brown Band – “Someone I Used To Know”

Breakthrough Video of the Year: Best video from an artist’s major breakthrough album; awarded to the artist (male, female or group/duo)

  • Ashley McBryde – “Girl Goin’ Nowhere (At Marathon Music Works)”
  • Jimmie Allen – “Best Shot”
  • Jordan Davis – “Take It From Me”
  • Mitchell Tenpenny – “Drunk Me”
  • Morgan Wallen – “Whiskey Glasses”
  • Runaway June – “Buy My Own Drinks”
  • Tenille Townes – “Somebody’s Daughter”

Collaborative Video of the Year: Best video from a collaboration; awarded to the artists

  • Brantley Gilbert and Lindsay Ell – “What Happens In A Small Town”
  • Darius Rucker feat. Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Charles Kelley – “Straight To Hell”
  • Dierks Bentley feat. Brothers Osborne – “Burning Man”
  • Jason Aldean feat. Miranda Lambert – “Drowns The Whiskey”
  • Keith Urban feat. Julia Michaels – “Coming Home”
  • Sugarland feat. Taylor Swift – “Babe”

CMT Performance of the Year: Musical performance on a television show, series or variety special on CMT; awarded to the artist (individual, group or duo)

  • Boyz II Men and Brett Young – “Motownphilly” (CMT Crossroads)
  • Luke Combs and Leon Bridges – “Beautiful Crazy” (CMT Crossroads)
  • Maren Morris and Brandi Carlile – (“You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman” (2018 CMT Artists of the Year)
  • Brett Eldredge and Meghan Trainor – “Let You Be Right” (CMT Crossroads)
  • Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman and Gladys Knight – “I Can’t Make You Love Me” and “Help Me Make It Through the Night” (2018 CMT Artists of the Year)
  • Zac Brown Band and Shawn Mendes – “Keep Me In Mind” (CMT Crossroads)

photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

Five Vols Grab Six Athlon Sports Preseason All-SEC Honors

Five Vols Grab Six Athlon Sports Preseason All-SEC Honors

Posted on May 28, 2019
Credit: UT Athletics

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Led by two honors for rising senior wide receiver Marquez Callaway, five Tennessee football players recently grabbed preseason All-SEC honors from Athlon Sports.

Callaway collected second-team accolades as a specialist as well as fourth-team honors as a wide receiver.

Rising seniors Darrell Taylor, an outside linebacker, and Nigel Warrior, a defensive back, were named to the third-team defense, while rising sophomore cornerback Bryce Thompson was named to the fourth-team defense.

Rising junior running back Ty Chandler joined Callaway on the fourth-team offense.

Callaway enters the 2019 season as one of Tennessee’s most experienced offensive players with 62 receptions, 1,011 receiving yards and seven touchdown catches in his career. He also holds a 13.4 yards per punt return average and has returned two punts for touchdowns in his career.

Taylor was Tennessee’s Team MVP in 2018 after leading the Vols with eight sacks, 11 tackles for loss and three forced fumbles. The Waverly, Va., native had three sacks and forced two fumbles at No. 2 Georgia and collected National Defensive Player of the Week honors following a four-sack game against Kentucky.

Warrior has started 24 consecutive games for the Vols at safety and has 169 career tackles. He finished second on UT with 64 stops in 2018. The Duluth, Ga., native was 13th in the SEC with 83 tackles in 2017.

Thompson snagged FWAA Freshman All-America honors and was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team in 2018. He finished as the highest-graded true freshman cornerback in the nation after leading Tennessee with three interceptions and 10 total passes defended.

Chandler has proved to be a threat to score every time he touches the ball in his two seasons on Rocky Top. In 23 games, he has rushed for 935 yards and six touchdowns, while averaging 5.0 yards per carry. He had two touchdowns of at least 75 yards in 2018 and became the first Volunteer running back with a touchdown reception in three-straight games in program history. The Nashville, Tenn., native also returned a kick 91 yards for a score in 2017.

 

UT Athletics

Tennessee Basketball to Face Washington in Toronto

Tennessee Basketball to Face Washington in Toronto

Posted on May 28, 2019
Credit: UT Athletics

Knoxville, Tenn. — The Tennessee basketball program will make its Canadian debut next season as the Volunteers are set to face Washington as part of the James Naismith Classic on Saturday, Nov. 16, in Toronto.

The Volunteers and Huskies will meet at Scotiabank Arena, home of the NBA’s Toronto Raptors and the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs. It will be the first-ever meeting between the programs, and the game will be administered by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. The inaugural James Naismith Classic tripleheader event also features a game between Buffalo and Harvard and a matchup of Rutgers and St. Bonaventure.

Tickets for the James Naismith Classic will go on sale to the general public on Friday, May 31 via all Ticketmaster locations and the Scotiabank Arena box office. Game times and television broadcast information will be released at a later date.

In their second season under the direction of head coach Mike Hopkins, the Huskies won the 2019 Pac-12 regular-season championship and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Washington finished with a 27-9 (15-3 Pac-12) record.

Hopkins has led UW to back-to-back 20-win seasons and has claimed consecutive Pac-12 Coach of the Year honors.

“We’re appreciative of being included in the James Naismith Classic and are looking forward to competing against a really well coached Washington program that we have a lot of respect for,” Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes said. “I know from experience that these events hosted by the Naismith Hall of Fame are great experiences for our players and fans. Having the opportunity to showcase Tennessee basketball in Canada is a big deal. Canadian basketball continues to showcase tremendous growth and outstanding coaching while producing world-class players.”

Next season’s Tennessee-Washington clash will be UT’s first meeting with a Pac-12 opponent since facing Oregon in the 2016 Maui Invitational. Tennessee is 18-11 all-time against current members of the Pac-12.

Vols head coach Rick Barnes owns a 30-22 career record against current members of the Pac-12. Washington is the only Pac-12 school he has never faced.

Dr. James Naismith, known as the inventor of the game of basketball, was born in Almonte, Ontario on Nov. 6, 1981.

“Without Dr. James Naismith, the game we celebrate and cherish may not exist,” President and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame John L. Doleva said. “We are very proud to honor him with the inaugural James Naismith Classic in Ontario at Toronto’s iconic venue, Scotiabank Arena. The Hall of Fame is a global museum, honoring basketball greats from countries around the world, and we’re excited to be hosting six teams in Canada this fall.”

The Tennessee-Washington clash is believed to be the first time a University of Tennessee athletic team has ever competed in Canada.

Tennessee has had three all-time men’s basketball lettermen from Canada (all from Ontario), most recently forward Kyle Alexander (2015-19).

Basketball development in Canada has exploded in recent years, and the country is now a top producer of elite talent. A total of 18 Canadian players have been selected in the NBA Draft in the past decade.

And several Canadian standouts have blossomed into stars at the NCAA level in recent years, including names such as R.J. Barrett, Luguentz Dort, Jamal Murray and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

UT Athletics
Kane Brown Scores 4th No. 1 Single With “Good as You”

Kane Brown Scores 4th No. 1 Single With “Good as You”

Posted on May 28, 2019

Kane Brown scored his fourth consecutive No. 1 single as “Good as You” ascended to the top of both the Billboard Country Airplay chart and Mediabase chart this week.

“Good as You” was co-penned by Kane, Brock Berryhill, Shy Carter, Taylor Phillips and Will Weatherly. The tune follows previous No. 1 singles “Lose It,” “Heaven” and “What Ifs.”

“Good as You” is featured on Kane’s 2018 sophomore album, Experiment.

The video for the slow-jam features highlights of Kane’s marriage to Katelyn Jae in 2018, including the ceremony, reception, fireworks and a pre-wedding tattoo.

photo by NCD

Midland’s Mark Wystrach Gets Engaged to Ty Haney

Midland’s Mark Wystrach Gets Engaged to Ty Haney

Posted on May 28, 2019

Midland frontman Mark Wystrach, 39, is engaged to Ty Haney, 30.

Mark shared the news via Instagram with a few pics of his bride-to-be and her new ring, along with the caption: “Popped THE QUESTION and @ty_haney had the answer I was lookin’ for!!!”

Ty is the founder and CEO of Outdoor Voices, an active-wear apparel company.

Congrats to the couple.

https://www.instagram.com/p/ByA2wk-hmQH/

 

main photo by Curtis Hilbun, AFF-USA.com

Lauren Alaina Announces Headlining Tour & Drops Throwback Video for “Ladies in the ’90s”

Lauren Alaina Announces Headlining Tour & Drops Throwback Video for “Ladies in the ’90s”

Posted on May 28, 2019

Lauren Alaina will hit the road this fall for her headlining That Girl Was Me Tour.

Kicking off on Sept. 14 in Columbia, Mo., the nine-date tour will make additional stops in New York, Boston, Atlanta, Nashville and more. Filmore will serve as support on eight dates. Tickets go on sale on May 31.

That Girl Was Me Tour

Sept. 14 | Columbia, MO | The Blue Note
Sept. 19 | Warrendale, PA | Jergel’s Rhythm Grille
Sept. 20 | New York, NY | Bowery Ballroom
Sept. 21 | Richmond, VA | The National
Sept. 26 | Boston, MA | Paradise Rock Club
Oct. 3 | Columbus, OH | The Bluestone*
Oct. 5 I |ndianapolis, IN | 8 Seconds Saloon
Oct. 24 |Atlanta, GA | Buckhead Theatre
Oct. 25 | Nashville, TN | Exit/In

*Opener to be announced later

In addition to the tour new, Lauren recently released her new video for “Ladies in the ’90s.” The throwback clips pegs Lauren as the host of home-shopping channel LVC and pays homage to many of those rad products from the ’90s, including slap bracelets, moon shoes, butterfly hair clips and more. Check out the new video below.

photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

ACM Announces Special Award Honorees, Including Miranda Lambert, Kacey Musgraves, Brooks & Dunn, Martina McBride & More

ACM Announces Special Award Honorees, Including Miranda Lambert, Kacey Musgraves, Brooks & Dunn, Martina McBride & More

Posted on May 28, 2019

The Academy of Country Music announced its special awardees for the 13th annual ACM Honors ceremony, which will take place August 21 at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium.

In addition to previously announced Songwriter of the Year Award winner Shane McAnally, the ACM Honors will pay tribute to a number of artists—and a film—for their specific achievements, including Brooks & Dunn, Martina McBride, Miranda Lambert, Kacey Musgraves, Rodney Crowell, Kye Fleming, Billy Joe Shaver, Gayle Holcomb and A Star Is Born.

Check out the list of awardees, awards and past winners below.

Brooks & Dunn and Martina McBride

Cliffie Stone Icon Award: This award is presented to a country music artist, duo/group or industry leader who throughout their career has advanced the popularity of the genre through their contributions in multiple facets of the industry such as songwriting, recording, production, touring, film, television, literary works, philanthropic contributions and other goodwill efforts.
Past Winners: Alabama, Bob Beckham, Garth Brooks, Glen Campbell, Johnny Cash, Charlie Daniels, Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers, Crystal Gayle, Merle Haggard, Emmylou Harris, George Jones, George Strait, The Judds, Brenda Lee, Loretta Lynn, Willie Nelson, The Oak Ridge Boys, Dolly Parton, Charley Pride, Jerry Reed, Tex Ritter, Marty Robbins, Kenny Rogers, Billy Sherrill, Ricky Skaggs, The Statler Brothers, Mel Tillis, Randy Travis, Tanya Tucker, Conway Twitty, Porter Wagoner, Keith Whitley, Hank Williams, Hank Williams Jr., Bob Wills, Dwight Yoakam and Alan Jackson.

Gayle Holcomb

Gary Harber Lifting Lives Award: This award is presented to a country music artist, duo/group or industry professional who is devoted to improving lives through the power of music, has a generosity of spirit, and is committed to serving others, voted on by the ACM Lifting Lives Board of Directors.
Past Winners: Brooks & Dunn, Dolly Parton, Vince Gill, Lonestar, Martina McBride, Neal McCoy, Reba McEntire, Montgomery Gentry, Rascal Flatts, LeAnn Rimes, Carrie Underwood and Darius Rucker.

Miranda Lambert

Gene Weed Milestone Award: This award is presented to a country music artist, duo/group or industry leader for a specific, unprecedented or outstanding achievement in the field of country music during the preceding calendar year.
Past Winners: Jason Aldean, Garth Brooks, Luke Bryan, Kelsea Ballerini, George Burns, Kenny Chesney, Jeff Foxworthy, Merle Haggard, Gayle Holcomb, Loretta Lynn, Little Big Town, Willie Nelson, Jennifer Nettles, Blake Shelton, George Strait, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood and Sam Hunt.

Kacey Musgraves

Jim Reeves International Award: This award recognizes an artist or industry leader for outstanding contributions to the acceptance of country music throughout the world.
Past Winners: Joe Allison, Bill Boyd, Garth Brooks, Steve Buchanan, Joe Cates, Eric Church, Dick Clark, Roy Clark, Al Gallico, Merv Griffin, Jim Halsey, Alan Jackson, Ken Kragen, Lady Antebellum, Sam Louvello, Thurston Moore, Charlie Nagatani, Buck Owens, Dolly Parton, Rascal Flatts, Roy Rogers, Bob Saporiti, Louise Scruggs, Dinah Shore, Taylor Swift, Keith Urban, Jeff Walker, Jo Walker-Meador, Bill Ward and Rob Potts.

Rodney Crowell, Kye Fleming and Billy Joe Shaver

Poet’s Award: This award is presented to a country music songwriter for outstanding and longstanding musical and/or lyrical contributions throughout their career, with special consideration given to a song or songs’ impact on the culture of country music.
Past Winners: Bill Anderson, Bobby Braddock, Toby Keith, Willie Nelson, Shel Silverstein, Felice and Boudleaux Bryant, Guy Clark, Jack Clement, Hank Cochran, Dean Dillon, Merle Haggard, Tom T. Hall, Harlan Howard, Kris Kristofferson, Bob McDill, Roger Miller, Buck Owens, Eddie Rabbitt, Fred Rose, Don Schlitz, Cindy Walker, Jimmy Webb, Hank Williams, Matraca Berg and Norro Wilson.

Shane McAnally

Songwriter of the Year Award: This award is presented to an individual known predominately as a songwriter, selected by a Professional Panel of judges composed of songwriters, publishers, producers, and performing rights organization representatives.
Past Winners: Ross Copperman, Dallas Davidson, Luke Laird, Shane McAnally, Lori McKenna, Roger Miller and Rhett Akins.

A Star Is Born

Tex Ritter Film Award: This award recognizes an outstanding television movie, series or feature film released during the preceding calendar year which prominently features country music.
Past Winners: Beer For My Horses, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Country Strong, Crazy Heart, Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors, Nashville, O Brother, Where Art Thou, Sweet Dreams and Walk the Line, among others.

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

Fox’s Summer Concert Series Features Country-Heavy Lineup, Including Michael Ray, Justin Moore, Big & Rich, Runaway June & More

Fox’s Summer Concert Series Features Country-Heavy Lineup, Including Michael Ray, Justin Moore, Big & Rich, Runaway June & More

Posted on May 28, 2019

Fox & Friends’ annual All-American Summer Concert Series will feature a country-heavy lineup this season.

Eli Young Band, Michael Ray, Rodney Atkins, Walker Hayes, Big & Rich, Runaway June, Justin Moore and Phil Vassar are all set to perform live from Fox Square—the plaza outside the network headquarters in New York—on their respective dates, which run every Friday from May 31 to the end of August.

Concerts for the Fox and Friends‘ All-American Summer Concert Series are free for the public and held on Fox Square at 48th Street and 6th Avenue in Midtown Manhattan. The concerts are also streamed online.

Check out this year’s lineup below.

May 31: Eli Young Band
June 7: Michael Ray
June 14: Rodney Atkins
June 21: Jefferson Starship
June 28: Walker Hayes
July 5: Big & Rich
July 12: Runaway June
July 19: Phil Vassar
July 26: Skillet
Aug. 2: Justin Moore
Aug. 9: TBD
Aug. 16: Newsboys
Aug. 23: Kool & the Gang
Aug. 30: TBD

photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

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