Study of how UT’s future football non-conference schedules compares to rest of the SEC

Study of how UT’s future football non-conference schedules compares to rest of the SEC

Posted on May 16, 2019
ATHENS, GA – SEPTEMBER 29, 2018 – Defensive lineman Darrell Taylor #19 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the game between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Tennessee Volunteers at Sanford Stadium in Athens, GA. Photo By Maury Neipris/Tennessee Athletics

By Vince Ferrara / @VinceSports

Major college football non-conference scheduling in the future is changing, especially in the SEC.

The high-profile home-and-home series announcements are popping-up frequently these days.

SEC teams (for the most part) have long operated with the four-game non-conference scheduling philosophy of one Power 5 opponent, two Group 5 opponents and one FCS opponent. That model has been beneficial for the SEC in getting into the College Football Playoff.

Which teams have enhanced their future non-conference football schedules? The list below will show that the power programs, Georgia and Alabama especially, are taking on more challenges outside of the tough 8-game conference schedule.

Georgia will play three Power 5 non-conference opponents in 2028 (at Texas/vs. FSU/vs. GT) and 2029 (vs. Texas/at Clemson/at GT) in addition to their 8 SEC games. That’s challenging, and opposite of the narrative of “SEC teams never play anybody outside the league.” Alabama has shifted away from neutral site games to home-and-home games against big-time name programs. Some other league teams are starting to schedule more home-and-home series against Power 5 programs.

So why the change?

Kirby Smart told Tony Barnhart of the SEC Network, “This is the future.”

I believe what that means is that this model of tougher non-conference opponents is planning and preparation for an expanded 8-team college football playoff that they anticipate will eventually happen. Two losses while playing a gauntlet schedule should still get you into the expanded playoff. You can accomplish that while providing your fan base with much more appealing games they’ll pay top dollar to see face their team.

Which SEC teams have not adjusted yet? Which schools look like they schedule to be try to be bowl eligible? I took a harder look to try to get some answers.

Below is a summary of future non-conference schedules for all 14 SEC teams. Those are broken down into three categories…Power 5 (includes Notre Dame,) Group 5 (includes rest of the independents) and FCS. This is a list of different opponents. There are single games, home-and-home series and annual games.

The point is to highlight the scheduling differences, the frequency of tough or easy games and the variety of opponents for fans to experience. You can look through the schedules, compare them and determine who you think has the easiest future non-conference schedules and who has the most challenging schedules. Order listed is based on different Power Five conference opponents scheduled in the future.

My source for the schedules is FBSchedules.com, which is a fantastic website that also gives us the annual helmet schedules for college football.

Vince’s View On Future SEC Football Schedules
Georgia
8 Power Five – Notre Dame (2019) Georgia Tech (annual to 2037) Virginia (2020) Oregon (2022) Oklahoma (2023/2031) Clemson (2024/2029/2030/2032/2033) UCLA (2025/2026) FSU (2027/2028)
5 Group of Five – Arkansas St, ULM, San Jose St, UAB, Kent St
2 FCS – Murray St & ETSU
15 Different Teams Scheduled (53% Power Five)
42 Total Games Set
33 Power Five Games Scheduled

Alabama
7 Power Five – Duke (2019) USC (2020) Miami (2021) Texas (2022/2023) West Virginia (2026/2027) Notre Dame (2028/2029) Oklahoma (2032/2033)
8 Group of Five – New Mexico St, Southern Miss, Georgia St, Kent St, Utah St, ULM, Central Michigan & Western Kentucky
3 FCS – Western Carolina, UT Martin & Mercer
18 Different Teams Scheduled (39% Power Five)
25 Total Games Set
11 Power Five Games Scheduled

Mississippi State
6 Power Five – Kansas St (2019) NC State (2020/2021) Arizona (2022/2023) Arizona St (2024/2025) Minnesota (2026/2027) Texas Tech (2028/2029)
8 Group of Five – Louisiana Lafayette, Southern Miss, New Mexico, Tulane, Louisiana Tech, Memphis, UMass & Troy
7 FCS – Abilene Christian, Alabama A&M, Eastern Illinois, Northwestern St, SE Louisiana, Eastern Kentucky & Alcorn St
21 Different Teams Scheduled (29% Power Five)
31 Total Games Set
11 Power Five Games Scheduled

Auburn
6 Power Five – Oregon (2019) North Carolina (2020) Penn St (2021/2022) Cal (2023/2034) Baylor (2025/2026) UCLA (2027/2028)
7 Group of Five – Tulane, Kent St, Southern Miss, UMass, Akron, Georgia St & Western Kentucky
4 FCS – Samford, Alabama A&M, Alabama St & Mercer
17 Different Teams Scheduled (35% Power Five)
22 Games Set
10 Power Five Games Scheduled

Missouri
5 Power Five – West Virginia (2019) Boston College (2021/2024) Kansas St (2022/2023) Colorado (2025/2030) Illinois (2026/2027/2028/2029)
13 Group of Five – Wyoming, Troy, Eastern Michigan, BYU, Louisiana-Lafayette, Central Michigan, North Texas, Middle Tennessee, New Mexico St, Memphis, Buffalo, UMass & Miami (OH)
4 FCS – SE Missouri, Central Arkansas, South Dakota & North Dakota
22 Different Teams Scheduled (22% Power Five)
33 Total Games Set
11 Power Five Games Scheduled

Vanderbilt
5 Power Five – Purdue (2019/2029) Kansas St (2020) Stanford (2021/2024/2025/2027) Wake Forest (2022/2023) NC State (2026/2028)
6 Group of Five – Northern Illinois, UNLV, Colorado St, Louisiana Tech, Hawaii & Georgia St
2 FCS – ETSU & Mercer
13 Different Teams Scheduled (38% Power Five)
28 Total Games Set
11 Power Five Games Scheduled

LSU
5 Power Five – Texas (2019/2020) UCLA (2021/2024) Clemson (2025/2026) Oklahoma (2027/2028) Arizona St (2029/2030)
9 Group of Five – Georgia Southern, Utah St, UTSA, Rice, Central Michigan, ULM, New Mexico, Army & South Alabama
3 FCS – Northwestern St, Nicholls St & McNeese St
17 Different Teams Scheduled (29% Power Five)
23 Total Games Set
10 Power Five Games Scheduled

Ole Miss
5 Power Five – Cal (2019) Baylor (2020) Louisville (2021) Georgia Tech (2022/2023) Wake Forest (2024/2025)
7 Group of Five – Memphis, New Mexico St, Middle Tennessee, Georgia Southern, Tulane, Liberty & Troy
8 FCS – SE Louisiana, SE Missouri, Austin Peay, Central Arkansas, Mercer, Furman, The Citadel & Eastern Kentucky
20 Different Teams Scheduled (25% Power Five)
25 Total Games Set
7 Power Five Games Scheduled

Texas A&M
5 Power Five – Clemson (2019) Colorado (2020/2021) Miami (2022/2023) Notre Dame (2024/2025) Arizona St (2026/2027)
7 Group of Five – Texas St, UTSA, North Texas, Fresno St, Kent St, New Mexico & Appalachian St
2 FCS – Lamar & Abilene Christian
14 Different Teams Scheduled (36% Power Five)
19 Total Games Set
9 Power Five Games Scheduled

Florida
4 Power Five – Miami (2019) FSU (annual to 2037) Colorado (2028/2029) Texas (2030/2031)
4 Group of Five – South Alabama, New Mexico St, USF & Charlotte
4 FCS – UT Martin, Towson, Eastern Washington & Samford
12 Different Teams Scheduled (33% Power Five)
34 Total Games Set
24 Power Five Games Scheduled

South Carolina
2 Power Five – North Carolina (2019/2023) Clemson (annual to 2037)
7 Group of Five – Appalachian St, East Carolina, Coastal Carolina, Troy, Georgia St, Charlotte & Akron
1 FCS – Charleston Southern
10 Different Teams Scheduled (20% Power Five)
33 Total Games Set
21 Power Five Games Scheduled

Arkansas
3 Power Five – Notre Dame (2020/2025) Texas (2021) Oklahoma St (2024/2027)
7 Group of Five – Colorado St, San Jose St, Western Kentucky, Kent St, Georgia Southern, BYU & Liberty
4 FCS – Portland St, Missouri St, Arkansas-Pine Bluff & Western Carolina
14 Different Teams Scheduled (21% Power Five)
18 Total Games Set
5 Power Five Games Scheduled

Tennessee
3 Power Five – Oklahoma (2020/2024) Pitt (2021/2022) Nebraska (2026/2027)
9 Group of Five – Georgia St, BYU, UAB, Charlotte, Troy, Bowling Green, South Alabama, Ball St & Army
2 FCS – Chattanooga, Furman
14 Different Teams Scheduled (21% Power Five)
18 Total Games Set
6 Power Five Games Scheduled

Kentucky
1 Power Five – Louisville (annual to 2022)
9 Group of Five – Toledo, Eastern Michigan, Kent St, ULM, New Mexico St, Miami (OH,) Ball St, Akron & Ohio
6 FCS – UT Martin, Eastern Illinois, Chattanooga, Youngstown St, Eastern Kentucky & Murray St
16 Different Teams Scheduled (6% Power Five)
24 Total Games Set
4 Power Five Games Scheduled

Summary: Tennessee’s future schedule needs to be beefed-up for the fans and for business. Early-season high-profile games can bring you gate revenue, even if the team isn’t competing for championships. UT should operate with higher standards than the schedule reflects.

Tennessee is tied with Arkansas with the fewest future non-conference games scheduled. UT also has the second fewest Power 5 opponents and total games vs. Power 5 opponents.

Georgia has five more Power 5 non-conference opponents scheduled than Tennessee. The Bulldogs have 24 more games booked than the Vols at this point.

With scheduling of Power 5 opponents needing to be done so far in advance, UT can ill afford to wait until it returns to prominence. If UT schedules eight years in advance after starting to win again, who’s to say UT will still be winning then? Or, what if UT does put it together competing for a college football playoff position one year in the future, but it’s playing three or four weak non-conference opponents while it’s SEC opponents aren’t as good as expected? Will UT miss out on a playoff opportunity?

I’d like to see UT schedule like it expects to be good. The trend is going towards a tougher schedule in the SEC, even with a challenging conference slate. If for no other reason, do it because fans want better games.

Find more of my broadcasting work at VinceSports.net.

Watch Blake Shelton’s Fearless Performance of “God’s Country” on “The Voice”

Watch Blake Shelton’s Fearless Performance of “God’s Country” on “The Voice”

Posted on May 15, 2019

Blake Shelton took a break from his coaching duties on The Voice on May 14 to perform a fiery rendition of his new single, “God’s Country.” The gritty performance elicited a standing ovation from his fellow judges Adam Levine, Kelly Clarkson and John Legend.

The new tune is the first sample of music from Blake’s upcoming 12th studio album. Penned by Michael Hardy, Jordan Schmidt and Devin Dawson, “God’s Country” follows Blake’s previous Top 10 single, “Turnin’ Me On,” which was featured on his 2017 album, Texoma Shore.

“‘God’s Country’ is a song that has a strong and deep meaningful lyric, but at the same time it leaves it up to the listeners interpretation,” Blake said. “But no matter where you are from or where you’re standing it is my belief that you’re standing in God’s Country. It’s really about a state of mind. Wherever you’re from and how you feel about that place. For me it’s about being from Oklahoma—where I was born, raised and still live today.”

Watch Blake’s performance of “God’s Country” below.

photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

“Nashville” Actress Clare Bowen Plans Self-Titled Debut Album

“Nashville” Actress Clare Bowen Plans Self-Titled Debut Album

Posted on May 15, 2019

Clare Bowen was a fixture on CMT’s Nashville as Scarlett O’Connor for six seasons from 2012–2018. In addition to her acting duties, Clare toured with the Nashville troupe between seasons and sang a number of songs on the 22 soundtracks the show inspired.

The 35-year-old Australian native revealed she is planning to release her self-titled debut album on July 12. Produced by Josh Kaufman, the upcoming album features songwriters Amy Wadge, Wyatt Durrette, Nathan Chapman and Lori McKenna. Clare also worked on the album with husband and longtime collaborator Brandon Robert Young, who co-wrote many of the album’s songs with Clare.

On May 23, Clare will released the album’s lead single, “Let It Rain,” a soulful anthem about surviving life’s hardships and letting go of fear.

Clare will embark on a headlining tour this summer, including stops in Nashville, Chicago and New York.

photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

Reba McEntire and Brooks & Dunn Are “Having a Great Time” as They Extend Their Las Vegas Residency With New Dates

Reba McEntire and Brooks & Dunn Are “Having a Great Time” as They Extend Their Las Vegas Residency With New Dates

Posted on May 15, 2019

You can never have too much of a good thing . . . especially in Vegas.

On that note, dig this: Reba McEntire and Brooks & Dunn have extended their Sin City residency—Reba, Brooks & Dunn: Together in Vegas—with eight new dates at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace to close out 2019.

In addition to the previously announced dates of June 26, 28 and 29 and July 3, 4 and 5, newly announced dates include:

  • December 4, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13 and 14

Tickets for the new dates go on sale on May 17 at noon PST.

Since premiering the residency in June 2015, the trio has played more than 80 shows over the course of the last four years.

“We’re having a great time on the Las Vegas residency with Reba,” said Ronnie Dunn to Nash Country Daily. “Kix and I kid all the time that we ran up and down the road on buses for 20 years just to get a chance to do this. It’s as fun and convenient as you can get in this business. We’re having a great time.”

photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

Abby Anderson’s “Fearless” Piano Ballad Featured in Upcoming Mutt Movie, “A Dog’s Journey” [Listen]

Abby Anderson’s “Fearless” Piano Ballad Featured in Upcoming Mutt Movie, “A Dog’s Journey” [Listen]

Posted on May 15, 2019

Abby Anderson has a new song, “Fearless,” featured on the soundtrack of the upcoming pooch picture, A Dog’s Journey, which opens in theaters on May 17. The new flick is the sequel to 2017’s A Dog’s Purpose, starring Dennis Quaid and Marg Helgenberger.

Abby’s version of “Fearless,” which was penned by Jayson DeZuzio and Jillian Strauss, features her soaring vocals behind a driving piano with guitar accompaniment.

Listen to Abby’s new ballad below.

 

photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

Vol Pass for Football on Sale Now

Vol Pass for Football on Sale Now

Posted on May 15, 2019
Credit: Ut Athletics

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Efficient and affordable, the Vol Pass will make its debut for the 2019 football season and is officially on sale now at AllVols.com.

The Vol Pass gives Tennessee football fans the opportunity to attend every game in Neyland Stadium this fall for just $280.

An alternative to the traditional season ticket, the Vol Pass allows fans to secure seats to all home games via an online selection process before each game and features mobile ticket delivery.

The Vol Pass has been immensely popular for Tennessee men’s and women’s basketball over the last three seasons, and Tennessee Athletics is expanding the program to football.

After the initial purchase, the Vol Pass membership is activated with an AllVols.com account. On the Monday morning prior to each home game, Vol Pass members will receive access to select their tickets from a seat inventory until Noon ET on Friday.  During the seat selection process, members will have the opportunity to purchase additional single game tickets, if available, at face value.

Tickets with a QR code to scan must be downloaded to a mobile phone to gain entry into each game. No tickets will be mailed or held at will call for pick up.

Additionally, season tickets remain on sale for the 2019 football season at AllVols.com and fans are encouraged to lock in their seat location today.

 

UT Athletics

CMT Awards to Feature Performances by Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Dan + Shay, Kelsea Ballerini, Maren Morris & More

CMT Awards to Feature Performances by Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Dan + Shay, Kelsea Ballerini, Maren Morris & More

Posted on May 15, 2019

CMT announced its first slate of artists scheduled to perform at the CMT Awards on June 5: Carrie Underwood, Dan + Shay, Kane Brown, Kelsea Ballerini, Luke Bryan, Maren Morris and Thomas Rhett.

More performers will be announced in the coming days in what CMT is calling 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.

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)

photos by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

Trio of Vols Selected for NBA Draft Combine

Trio of Vols Selected for NBA Draft Combine

Posted on May 14, 2019
Credit: Ut Athletics

CHICAGO — Three Tennessee men’s basketball players will have a chance to showcase their talents this week in front of all 30 teams at the 2019 NBA Draft Combine.

Two-time SEC Player of the Year Grant Williams and the All-SEC duo of Jordan Bone and Admiral Schofield were named to the 66-player roster released by the NBA. Tennessee’s three participants are tied for the most of any program.

The NBA Draft Combine will take place Thursday and Friday at Quest Multisport in Chicago. The event allows the best draft-eligible players to participate in physical measurements, interviews, shooting, strength and agility drills and five-on-five games in front of NBA personnel. ESPN2 will provide coverage both days from 3-7 p.m. ET.

NBA coaches, general managers and scouts will be on hand to evaluate players in preparation for the annual NBA Draft, which takes place on June 20 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.

A consensus first-team All-American, Williams ranked among the nation’s most versatile and efficient players this year, averaging 18.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.1 steals per game. The Charlotte, N.C., native 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).

Bone set the Tennessee single-season record for assist/turnover ratio at 2.91, surpassing the previous record set in 2002-03. The Nashville, Tenn., native recorded 215 assists this season, which ranked as the third most all time in a single season by a Vol and the most ever by a junior. He averaged 13.5 points per game and ranked third in the SEC with 5.8 assists per game.

Schofield, who was one of only five seniors to be chosen for the combine, ranked fifth in the SEC in scoring (16.5 ppg) and field-goal percentage (.474). As a high-volume shooter, the Zion, Ill., native shot 50 percent or better from the floor 18 times as a senior and led the team with 74 3-pointers and a 42-percent clip from beyond the arc.

The trio helped the Vols (31-6) advance to the Sweet Sixteen and match the program record for wins in a single season and played a critical role in this year’s team setting program records for points, field goals made, assists and blocks.

A total of 46 Vols have been chosen in the NBA Draft. Most recently was Josh Richardson in the 2015 NBA Draft, when the Miami Heat took him in the second round with the 40th overall pick. The last first-round pick selected from UT was Tobias Harris in 2011, when Charlotte took him 19th overall.

 

UT Athletics

Kacey Musgraves, John Prine, Brandi Carlile, Dave Cobb & More Earn Americana Awards Nominations

Kacey Musgraves, John Prine, Brandi Carlile, Dave Cobb & More Earn Americana Awards Nominations

Posted on May 14, 2019

The nominees for the 2019 Americana Honors & Awards were announced on May 14. Artists with multiple nominations include Dave Cobb, Lori McKenna, Yola and John Prine.

The 2019 Americana Honors & Awards show will be held September 11 at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. The ceremony is the centerpiece of AmericanaFest (Sept. 10–15), which features more than 100 artists performing at different venues throughout Nashville. For ticket information, visit americanamusic.org.

Check out the full list of nominees.

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
“To the Sunset,” Amanda Shires, Produced by Dave Cobb
“The Tree,” Lori McKenna, Produced by Dave Cobb
“The Tree of Forgiveness,” John Prine, Produced by Dave Cobb
“Walk Through Fire,” Yola, Produced by Dan Auerbach

ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Brandi Carlile
Rhiannon Giddens
Kacey Musgraves
Mavis Staples

DUO/GROUP OF THE YEAR
I’m With Her
Our Native Daughters
Tedeschi Trucks Band
The War and Treaty

EMERGING ACT OF THE YEAR
Jade Bird
J.S. Ondara
Erin Rae
The War and Treaty
Yola

INSTRUMENTALIST OF THE YEAR
Chris Eldridge
Eamon McLoughlin
Chris Powell
Michael Rinne

SONG OF THE YEAR
“By Degrees,” Mark Erelli, Rosanne Cash, Sheryl Crow, Lori McKenna, Anais Mitchell & Josh Ritter, Written by Mark Erelli
“Mockingbird,” Ruston Kelly, Written by Ruston Kelly
“People Get Old,” Lori McKenna, Written by Lori McKenna
“Summer’s End,” John Prine, Written by Pat McLaughlin and John Prine

Lifetime Achievement Awards will be announced in the coming weeks.

Who’s New: Brinley Addington

Who’s New: Brinley Addington

Posted on May 14, 2019

Brinley Addington

Born: Kingsport, Tenn.
Lives: Nashville
Age: 30
EP: Songs From a Bar
Single: “Come Back”
Twitter: @brinley_
Instagram: @brinleyaddington
Facebook: @brinleyaddington

Since making his way to Music City more than 10 years ago, Tennessee native Brinley Addington has been pounding the musical pavement. The traditionally-steeped troubadour co-penned Tyler Farr’s recent single, “I Should Go to Church Sometime,” and has secured opening gigs for a number of artists, including Chris Young, Jon Pardi, Thomas Rhett and more. Brinley dropped his five-song EP, Songs From a Bar, in 2018, and recently released new single, “Come Back.”

How did you get started in music?

The first time I sang in front of a crowd was in a talent show in the fourth grade, but I feel like I really got started by singing in church when I was 12 years old.

At what age did you realize you wanted to make music your career?

I’ve always loved music, but when I was about nine years old, I became obsessed with music. I had no idea where to even start, but that’s when I started dreaming.

Who are some of musical influences?

Alan Jackson, George Strait, James Taylor, Randy Travis and Vince Gill.

What three words describe you as a musician?

Honest, heartfelt, country.

What would you say is unique about your sound?

It’s a reflection of who I am, where I’m from and what I listen to.

What does your new single, “Come Back,” say about you?

Since it was inspired by something I was living at the time, I feel like it’s spot-on about what I was going through and how I felt. I really tried to be honest about where I was and let it come through in the song.

What was the first concert you attended?

I was really little so I don’t remember much, but it was Randy Travis and Alan Jackson. Pretty great one to get started with.

What’s the last song you heard that blew you away?

Cole Swindell’s “Break Up in the End.” I haven’t been hit that hard by a song in a while.

Where is the craziest place you’ve performed?

I got asked to play a song on an airplane one time. There may have been a crazier place I’m forgetting, but that was definitely the most awkward.

What’s the first thing you do after a show?

Drink a beer.

What’s your favorite song to cover?

“Time Marches On” by Tracy Lawrence.

What family member or friend has been the most supportive of your musical career?

My mom. She’s been there for me and encouraged me every step of the way in my career and my personal life. This business can be hard at times, and I don’t think I’d be where I am if she hadn’t been in my corner on those hard days.

photo courtesy of Marbaloo

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