Fourteen Student-Athletes Named Arthur Ashe Sports Scholars

Fourteen Student-Athletes Named Arthur Ashe Sports Scholars

Posted on April 30, 2019
Credit: UT Athletics

Fourteen Tennessee student-athletes earned Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar honors for the 2018-19 academic year.

Sponsored by Diverse: Issues in Higher Education, the Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar Awards honor undergraduate students who have excelled in the classroom as well as on the athletic field. To qualify for consideration, a student-athlete must be at least a sophomore, maintain a GPA of 3.2 or higher and demonstrate a record of service to the campus or community.

“I am so proud of these 14 student-athletes,” Senior Associate Athletics Director and Assistant Provost Joe Scogin said. “The Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar recognition celebrates student-athletes that take advantage of every opportunity college athletics provides. These students choose to give their all for Tennessee – in the classroom, competitively and throughout our amazing community. I’m delighted that we get to take a moment to celebrate the incredible student-athletes that represent the University of Tennessee each and every day.”

Inspired by tennis legend Arthur Ashe, Jr.’s commitment to education as well as his love for the game of tennis, U.S. colleges and universities are invited to participate in this annual awards program by nominating their outstanding sports scholars. In addition to their athletic ability and academic performance, Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars demonstrate a commitment to community service and student leadership. This is the 27th year of the awards, which began in 1992.

2018-19 Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars
First Team
Colin Zeng – Men’s Swimming and Diving
Nick Boogades – Men’s Track and Field
Shae Yanez – Soccer
Chelsea Seggern – Softball

Second Team
Matthew Butler – Football
Mariah Smith – Women’s Golf
Waverly Whiston– Women’s Golf
Tjasa Pintar – Women’s Swimming and Diving
Ariadna Riley – Women’s Tennis
Ashley Morgan – Softball
Matty Moss – Softball

Third Team
Lenysse Dyer – Women’s Track and Field
Asha Phillips – Volleyball

Fourth Team
Cheyenne Labruzza – Football

 

UT Athletics

Florida Georgia Line to Make Ryman Auditorium Debut

Florida Georgia Line to Make Ryman Auditorium Debut

Posted on April 30, 2019

Florida Georgia Line will headline its first show at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium on May 29, but fans won’t be able to attend via conventional ticket purchases.

The invitation-only event will air live on SiriusXM’s The Highway (channel 56) at 8 p.m. CT on May 29. Fans can enter a sweepstakes at siriusxm.com for the chance to win tickets to the concert.

“The first time BK and I heard ourselves on the radio was on SiriusXM,” says FGL’s Tyler Hubbard. “So, to come together now for our first full-blown concert at the Ryman is really special.”

“There is a magical feeling when you walk into the Ryman and this is a place that has always been on our bucket list to play,” adds FGL’s Brian Kelley. “We are so excited for this show and can’t wait to bring our FGL vibes to the Mother Church!”

photo by Jason Simanek

Everything You Need to Know About the Billboard Music Awards on May 1 With Dan + Shay, Kane Brown, FGL, Kelly Clarkson & More

Everything You Need to Know About the Billboard Music Awards on May 1 With Dan + Shay, Kane Brown, FGL, Kelly Clarkson & More

Posted on April 30, 2019

From nominations and notes to performers and presenters, here’s everything a country music fan needs to know about the 2019 Billboard Music Awards on May 1.

  • Date: Wednesday, May 1
  • Time: 8 p.m. ET/PT
  • Location: MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas
  • TV Channel: NBC
  • Online Stream: NBC.com/live
  • Host: Kelly Clarkson
  • Performers: Taylor Swift and Panic! At The Disco’s Brendon Urie, Halsey, Ciara, Lauren Daigle, Dan + Shay with Tori Kelly, Halsey, Jonas Brothers, Khalid, Madonna and Maluma, Panic! at the Disco, Paula Abdul, Mariah Carey, Kelly Clarkson, Ariana Grande
  • Presenters: Asher Angel, Becky G, Chrissy Metz & Justin Hartley, Cobie Smulders, Dave Bautista & Kumail Nanjiani, David Guetta, Erin & Sara Foster, Eva Longoria, Florida Georgia Line, Jennifer Hudson, Jesse Spencer, Julia Michaels, Julianne Hough, Kane Brown, Olivia Wilde, Beanie Feldstein & Kaitlyn Dever, Ralph Macchio, Rob Gronkowski, Ross Lynch & Kiernan Shipka, Sabrina Carpenter, Sophie Turner & Tye Sheridan, Terry Crews, and William Zabka
  • BBMA Icon: Mariah Carey
  • Red Carpet Coverage: @BBMAs on Twitter at 6 p.m. ET / 3p.m. PT with hosts Sway Calloway, Sofia Reyes and Jaymes Vaughan

Check out all of the country-centric nominations below.

Billboard Chart Achievement Award (all genre)
Dan + Shay
Drake
Ariana Grande
Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper
Dua Lipa

Top Duo/Group (all genre)
Dan + Shay
BTS
Imagine Dragons
Maroon 5
Panic! At The Disco

Top Radio Song (all genre)
Bebe Rexha & Florida Georgia Line, “Meant to Be”
Zedd, Maren Morris & Grey, “The Middle”
Khalid & Normani, “Love Lies”
Maroon 5 ft. Cardi B, “Girls Like You”
Post Malone, “Better Now”

Top Country Artist
Jason Aldean
Kane Brown
Luke Combs
Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line

Top Country Male Artist
Jason Aldean
Kane Brown
Luke Combs

Top Country Female Artist
Maren Morris
Kacey Musgraves
Carrie Underwood

Top Country Duo/Group
Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line
Old Dominion

Top Country Tour
Luke Bryan
Kenny Chesney
Shania Twain

Top Country Album
Jason Aldean, Rearview Town
Kane Brown, Kane Brown
Luke Combs, This One’s For You
Dan + Shay, Dan + Shay
Carrie Underwood, Cry Pretty

Top Country Song
Kane Brown, “Heaven”
Luke Combs, “She Got the Best of Me”
Dan + Shay, “Speechless”
Dan + Shay, “Tequila”
Bebe Rexha & Florida Georgia Line, “Meant to Be”

Top Dance/Electronic Song
Zedd, Maren Morris & Grey, “The Middle”
DJ Snake ft. Selena Gomez, Ozuna & Cardi B, “Taki Taki”
Calvin Harris & Dua Lipa, “One Kiss”
Marshmello & Bastille, “Happier”
Tiësto & Dzeko ft. Preme & Post Malone ,“Jackie Chan”

photo by Curtis Hilbun, AFF-USA.com

Jake Owen & Girlfriend Erica Hartlein Welcome Baby Girl

Jake Owen & Girlfriend Erica Hartlein Welcome Baby Girl

Posted on April 30, 2019

Jake Owen and girlfriend Erica Hartlein welcomed daughter Paris Hartley Owen into the world on April 29.

Jake shared the news via Twitter, noting that his daughter shares a birthday with Willie Nelson: “It’s a Willie great day!! Well Happy Birthday to born on this day April 29th, 1933. Also, happy birthday to my little beautiful daughter, Paris Hartley Owen born today April 29th, 2019. .”

Jake and Erica have been dating since 2017. Jake also has a six-year-old daughter, Pearl, with ex-wife Lacey Buchanan.

Congrats to Jake and Erica.

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

Old Dominion Scores 6th No. 1 Hit on the Billboard Country Airplay Chart With “Make It Sweet”

Old Dominion Scores 6th No. 1 Hit on the Billboard Country Airplay Chart With “Make It Sweet”

Posted on April 29, 2019

The guys from Old Dominion—Matthew Ramsey, Trevor Rosen, Geoff Sprung, Brad Tursi and Whit Sellers—scored their sixth No. 1 hit on the Billboard Country Airplay with “Make It Sweet.” The new track, which was co-penned by the band with Shane McAnally, is also No. 1 on the Mediabase chart this week.

“We walked into the studio one day without discussing what we wanted the next step for our band to be,” says Matthew. “The plan was to write a song and record it on that same day. What happened was something we could never have planned. The words fell out and the next thing we knew, we had recorded ‘Make It Sweet.’ It’s raw, natural and 100 percent us. We are so proud and grateful to have the opportunity to share such a meaningful moment for our band with the world.”

“Make It Sweet” is the lead single from Old Dominion’s upcoming third studio album. The band is currently on the road for its 50-plus-date Make It Sweet Tour.

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

Blake Shelton & Luke Bryan to Headline Concerts to Celebrate the Expansion of Ole Red

Blake Shelton & Luke Bryan to Headline Concerts to Celebrate the Expansion of Ole Red

Posted on April 29, 2019

Blake Shelton and Luke Bryan will headline two concerts during the grand opening week (May 23–26) of Ole Red Tishomingo’s new music hall, The Doghouse.

Luke will headline at The Doghouse on May 23 (tickets on sale on May 2), while Blake will headline on May 24 (tickets on sale on May 3).

Proceeds from the ticket sales for Luke and Blake’s shows will benefit the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Foundation.

“It’s unreal to me that a spot like The Doghouse exists in Tishomingo,” says Blake. “Growing up, if I wasn’t outdoors hunting or fishing, I was looking for a stage to play music. The Doghouse is going to be the best place to see all the great talent that exists in this part of the country. I’m excited to get the party started with my friend Luke and support a cause that’s so close to my heart.”

The Doghouse’s weekly programming will include: Thursday Night Jams; Live in Concert on Friday nights; the Shindig dance party on Saturday nights; and more.

Blake opened Ole Red Tishomingo—a restaurant, live-music venue and retail space—in his home state of Oklahoma in 2017. Blake has opened additional Ole Red venues in Nashville (May 2018) and Gatlinburg (March 2019) with a fourth location in Orlando slated to open in 2020.

photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

Maren Morris Adds New Dates to “Girl: The World Tour”

Maren Morris Adds New Dates to “Girl: The World Tour”

Posted on April 29, 2019

Maren Morris added a handful of new dates to her Girl: The World Tour, which kicked off earlier this month.

New stops include Philadelphia, Minneapolis, Jacksonville and more. Tickets for many of the new dates go on sale on May 3, with pre-sale beginning on April 30.

Girl: The World Tour (new dates)

  • Sept. 5 | Wallingford, CT | Oakdale Theatre
  • Sept. 7 | Philadelphia | The Met Philadelphia
  • Sept. 12 | Mesa, AZ | Mesa Amphitheater
  • Sept. 26 | Des Moines, IA | Des Moines Water Works Park
  • Sept. 27 | Columbia, MO | Roots, Blues & BBQ Festival
  • Nov. 16 | Minneapolis, MN | The Armory
  • Nov. 21 | Jacksonville, FL | Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena
  • Nov. 22 | Duluth, GA | Infinite Energy Arena
  • Nov. 23 | Greensboro, NC | Greensboro Coliseum Complex

photo by Curtis Hilbun, AFF-USA.com

Jennifer Nettles to Perform National Anthem at Kentucky Derby

Jennifer Nettles to Perform National Anthem at Kentucky Derby

Posted on April 29, 2019

Jennifer Nettles will have the honor of singing the national anthem before the start of the 145th Kentucky Derby on May 4.

Jennifer follows in the hallowed hoofprints of previous country stars who have performed the anthem at the Derby, including Lady Antebellum (2016), Jo Dee Messina (2014), Martina McBride (2013), Rascal Flatts (2010) and more.

Jennifer’s performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” will be broadcast live on NBC and take place in front of approximately 160,000 fans attending the 2019 Kentucky Derby. Jennifer will perform the anthem in the Kentucky Derby Winner’s Circle just after 5 p.m. ET, immediately prior to the race.

photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

Blake Shelton & Kelly Clarkson Turn “UglyDolls” Premiere Into Family Night

Blake Shelton & Kelly Clarkson Turn “UglyDolls” Premiere Into Family Night

Posted on April 29, 2019

Blake Shelton and Kelly Clarkson turned the L.A. premiere of UglyDollys on April 27 into a family friendly event.

Blake was in attendance with his girlfriend Gwen Stefani and her three kids—Kingston Rossdale, Apollo Rossdale and Zuma Rossdale—while Kelly was in tow with husband Brandon Blackstock, children River Rose and Remy, and step-children Savannah and Seth.

Blake and Kelly voice animated charters in the UglyDolls movie, which is based on the UglyDolls toy brand that features “characters who are distinct for their endearing ‘ugliness’ in a wonderful ‘uglyverse’ where differences are celebrated and embraced.”

According to the movie’s press release, “Unconventionality rules in UglyDolls, the new animated family adventure based on the beloved toy brand. In the adorably different town of Uglyville, the free-spirited Moxy and her friends confront what it means to be different, struggle with their desire to be loved, and ultimately discover that you don’t have to be perfect to be amazing because who you truly are is what matters most.”

Blake’s character, Ox, fancies himself the defacto mayor of the UglyDolls, while Kelly voices Moxy, the confident leader of the group.

STXfilms will release UglyDolls in theaters May 10. An animated kids series is also underway with a full series order from Hulu.

Check out some pics from the event, courtesy of O’Connor, AFF-USA.com.

photos by O\’Connor, AFF-USA.com

Grand Ole Opry to Honor Randy Travis on 60th Birthday

Grand Ole Opry to Honor Randy Travis on 60th Birthday

Posted on April 26, 2019

Randy Travis will make a special appearance on the Grand Ole Opry stage on May 4 to celebrate his 60th birthday.

Charles Esten, Josh Turner and Charlie Worsham are all scheduled to appear on the Opry on Randy’s birthday, as is fellow Country Music Hall of Fame member Don Schlitz, who penned a number of Randy’s biggest hits, including “Deeper Than The Holler,” “Forever And Ever, Amen,” “Heroes And Friends,” “On the Other Hand” and “Point Of Light.”

Randy will release his new book, Forever and Ever, Amen: A Memoir of Music, Faith and Braving the Storms of Life, on May 14. Randy, with the help of author Ken Abraham, shares stories of his working-class childhood, country music career, medical problems, broken marriage and more.

“I didn’t really feel I had a book to write until I stood on the distant shore and looked back over the ripples my life has made—on myself and on others,” said Randy. “My songs were the stories of my life and I learned from those who listened, they were theirs too—my fans inspired me and continue to do so.”

photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

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