Vocal powerhouses Pink and Chris Stapleton teamed up for a new song, “Love Me Anyway,” which is featured on Pink’s new album, Hurts 2B Human.
Pink co-penned the tune with Allen Shamblin and Tom Douglas, the songwriting tandem behind Miranda Lambert’s “The House That Built Me.” The heavy-hearted piano ballad features Chris’ harmony vocals.
This isn’t Pink’s first foray working with a country artist—she collaborated with Kenny Chesney in 2016 for the duet, “Setting the World on Fire,” which hit the top of Billboard’s Country Airplay chart later that year.
Listen to “Love Me Anyway” below.
photos: Pink by Curtis Hilbun; Chris Stapleton by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com
Garth Brooks will make his mobile game debut on May 1 as he teams with Words With Friends for the final pre-sale of The Legacy Collection, his upcoming seven-disc vinyl collection that feature five albums: No Fences, The Chase, In Pieces, Fresh Horses and Triple Live.
On May 1 at 8:15 p.m. CT, Garth will co-host Words With Friends LIVE, the nightly trivia game broadcast within Words With Friends 2. In conjunction, the final pre-order window for special numbered editions of The Legacy Collection will open on that same day at 6 p.m. CT.
“For years, Words With Friends has been bringing the world together to play and build relationships between families, strangers and friends,” said Garth. “Their journey leads those who play to each other. I am a big fan and big player of Words With Friends and my relationships with my family and friends are better for it. It is an honor to team with them to spread the words of love, music and unity.”
To join Garth in his Words With Friends LIVE co-hosting debut, log in to Words With Friends 2 on May 1 at 8:15 p.m. CT. Additionally, from May 1–5 players of Words With Friends will be treated to additional in-game Garth Brooks activities, like Garth-inspired ‘Word of the Day’ entries.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – University of Tennessee women’s basketball head coach Kellie Harper announced Thursday that Lacey Goldwire has joined her staff as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator.
She will be part of a Lady Vol program that includes previously-announced assistants Jon Harper and Jennifer Sullivan.
The 2019-20 campaign will mark her eighth season full-time and her 12th year overall in the coaching profession, including stops at Oklahoma State, Morehead State, Iowa, Arkansas and now Rocky Top. She has been part of programs that have earned postseason berths in nine of 11 seasons.
“We are very excited to be adding Lacey Goldwire to our coaching staff,” Harper said. “Lacey is a person of high character and has a wonderful personality. She is a terrific recruiter and has knowledge and experience in the SEC that will prove to be very beneficial for our program.”
Goldwire comes to Knoxville from the University of Arkansas, where she spent the past two seasons as an assistant on Mike Neighbors’ staff. Since arriving in April 2017, she has helped in the rebuilding process as the Razorbacks went from 13-18 in Neighbors’ first season to 22-15 a year ago with a trip to the SEC Tournament championship game and the WNIT third round.
Prior to joining Neighbors in Fayetteville, Goldwire contributed to four postseason appearances in as many years at the University of Iowa. She worked with the wing players and served as the recruiting coordinator for the Hawkeyes, helping set the table for this season’s run to the NCAA Elite Eight.
Her initial season in Iowa City was the first of back-to-back trips to the NCAA Tournament. A 27-win season included a second round appearance in the Big Dance in 2013-14. Iowa returned to the NCAA Tournament in 2014-15 and defeated 14th-seeded American (75-67) in the first round and 11th-seeded Miami (88-70) in the second round. The victory secured a Sweet Sixteen berth at home on Mediacom Court in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
The Hawkeyes closed their season with a 26-8 record overall, a runner-up finish in Big Ten Conference play with a 14-4 mark, and a No. 11 national ranking in the USA Today Top 25 Coaches’ Poll — then the highest for the program since 1995-96 (No. 7 in AP, No. 9 in USA Today). UI was one of 13 teams nationally to finish undefeated at home with an 18-0 mark, setting a program record for wins at home in a single season.
Goldwire and the Hawkeyes were one win shy of 20 in 2015-16, playing in the WNIT, but they reached 20 wins in 2016-17 and went deep into the WNIT bracket with wins over Missouri State, South Dakota and Colorado.
During her time in Iowa, Goldwire worked with consensus All-America selection Samantha Logic, whose honors also included being named a WBCA Division I Coaches All-American, USBWA All-American, ESPN Second Team All-American and Third Team Associated Press All-American. Logic was the only player in NCAA history to accumulate at least 1,500 career points, 800 rebounds, 800 assists and 200 steals. She also was one of 12 players in the country to be invited to attend the 2015 WNBA Draft, where she was selected with the 10th overall pick by the Atlanta Dream.
Goldwire spent the 2012-13 season as an assistant coach at Morehead State. Prior to joining the Eagles’ staff, Goldwire served on the Oklahoma State staff for four seasons — two as a student assistant (2008-10) and two as a graduate assistant (2010-12).
Following Oklahoma State’s tragic loss of its head and assistant coach during a plane crash in November of 2011, Goldwire was elevated to interim assistant coach, where she took on added recruiting duties. During her time with the program, the Cowgirls won 80 games and advanced to the postseason all four years, winning the 2012 WNIT championship.
A native of Oklahoma City, Goldwire played collegiately at East Central (Okla.) University, where she ranks fifth in career scoring with 1,340 points. She averaged 21.1 points and 5.9 rebounds as a senior and was tabbed Lone Star Conference North Co-Player of the Year and Second-Team All-South Central Region. She also earned ECU’s Athlete of the Year honor in 2007-08. She was named honorable mention All-LSC following her sophomore and junior campaigns.
Goldwire, an all-state and all-city player at Del City (Okla.) High School, graduated from Oklahoma State with a bachelor of science in education and a master’s degree in teaching, learning and leadership in 2010.
Eric Church added four new dates to his current 2019 Double Down Tour, including stops in San Francisco (Sept. 28), Grand Rapids, Mich. (Oct. 4 and 5), and Birmingham, Ala. (Oct. 26).
Eric kicked off his 2019 Double Down Tour in January, having already performed more than 25 shows. Tickets for the new dates go on sale on May 3, with pre-sale for fan club members starting on April 30.
2019 Double Down Tour (new dates in bold)
April 27–28 | Greenville, S.C. | Bon Secours Wellness Arena May 3–4 | Pittsburgh, Pa. | PPG Paints Arena May 10–11 | Denver, Colo. | Pepsi Center May 17–18 | Los Angeles, Calif. | Staples Center May 25 | Nashville, Tenn. | Nissan Stadium June 28–29 | George, Wash. | The Gorge Amphitheatre July 5 | Ottawa, Ontario, Canada | Ottawa Bluesfest July 7 | Cavendish, Prince Edward Island, Canada | Cavendish Beach Music Festival Sept. 13–14 | Green Bay, Wisc. | Resch Center Sept. 20–21 | Calgary, Alberta, Canada | Soctiabank Saddledome Sept. 28 | San Francisco, Calif. | Chase Center Oct. 4–5 | Grand Rapids, Mich. | Van Andel Arena Oct. 11–12 | Philadelphia, Pa. | Wells Fargo Center Oct. 25 | Little Rock, Ark. | Verizon Arena Oct. 26 | Birmingham, Ala. | Legacy Arena at the BJCC Nov. 1 | Manchester, N.H. | SNHU Arena Nov. 2 | Hartford, Conn. | XL Center Nov. 15–16 | Washington, DC | Anthem Nov. 22–23 | Sacramento, Calif. | Golden 1 Center
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Kyle Phillips had a breakout senior season in 2018 for the Vols. The Nashville, Tenn., native totaled 55 tackles, five sacks and eight TFLs, while starting all 12 games and capturing Tennessee’s Defensive MVP honor at the end-of-year banquet.
His top highlight came when he intercepted Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts in the third quarter on the Third Saturday in October, making the pick while engaged with an offensive lineman, before breaking four tackles and rumbling 27 yards for a touchdown.
That play perfectly summed up Phillips’ season and career, and it’s why he has a great shot at being selected at the 2019 NFL Draft this weekend (Thursday to Saturday) in Nashville.
Phillips showed off his athleticism, but also his heart.
Alabama had a commanding lead in the the third quarter, but the 6-4 277-pounder continued to play hard despite the score. And he surely wasn’t about to be tackled before scoring his first-career touchdown.
He was productive, versatile and worked his tail off at Tennessee.
“I never give up,” Phillips said. “No matter what the score is. We don’t look at the score. We play until the whistle. My mindset has always been to go hard each and every rep and each and every play. That’s just how I was built.”
Projections tab Phillips as the Volunteer with the best chance of being selected by an NFL team this weekend after his standout senior season and impressive performances at the East-West Shrine Game, the NFL Regional Combine Invitational in Kansas City, Mo. and his Pro Day in Knoxville.
Phillips, who graduated with a degree in sports management in three years from Tennessee and pursued a master’s degree as a senior, would be a high priority free agent signing for NFL teams if he is not selected.
“A lot of teams have shown interest in me,” Phillips said. “They really like my versatility. I can be a contributor right away. A lot of teams are thinking that I could be a third-day draft pick.
“Coach (Jeremy) Pruitt and his staff showed my versatility this year – being able to play at the end spot and being able to play inside. It allowed me to make a lot of plays.”
Fellow defensive linemen Shy Tuttle and Alexis Johnson, defensive back Micah Abernathy, linebacker Jonathan Kongbo and graduate transfers Keller Chryst, a quarterback, and Madre London, a running back, are also hoping to hear their names called in the draft, and will likely sign NFL contracts this weekend.
While the NFL Draft will take place in downtown Nashville, Phillips will be close by at the house where he grew up. He will be spending time with friends and family, including his mother Teresa Phillips – the Director of Athletics at Tennessee State.
At the conclusion of the 2018 season, Phillips began training at XPE Sports in Boca Raton, Fla. where VFLs Derek Barnett and Rashaan Gaulden had also prepped for the NFL. There, Phillips focused on preparing for the East-West Shrine Game before readying himself for the Regional Combine and Pro Day.
The training produced impressive results.
Phillips ran a 40-yard dash in the 4.6s at 277 pounds.
“I had a really good week at the East-West Game that allowed me to open eyes for different teams and scouts,” he said. “Then, I backed it up at the regional combine, and did the same at my Pro Day.
“Any opportunity that came my way, I had to show my abilities.”
Since his Pro Day at Tennessee in March, Phillips has split his time between Knoxville and Nashville, and continues to work out daily.
He is passionate about his university and the direction the football program is headed.
“This staff and Coach Pruitt have a great track record of developing players,” Phillips said. “They are great coaches and come from winning programs. The definitely instilled that winning attitude in me and my team. They have risen the expectations for us as players. Coach (Tracy) Rocker has done a great job of keeping us accountable. He is a coach that won’t settle.”
Phillips was a five-star recruit when he came to Tennessee in 2015. He battled injuries for much of his first two seasons, before starting seven games as a junior in 2017 and emerging as one of the Vols best players and unquestioned leaders in 2018.
He played for three defensive coordinators and three defensive line coaches.
“I kind of am an underdog, and I am kind of a guy that people wrote off,” Phillips said. “I had to work my way back up to prove I can play at the next level, and be a great player at the next level.”
Along the way, he earned his degree and collected numerous academic honors, including CoSIDA Google Cloud Academic All-District first-team accolades last fall.
The next chapter in his story begins this weekend. Phillips is naturally excited.
He is also reflective and thankful for his time on Rocky top.
“Tennessee is the best place to play college football,” Phillips said. “The atmosphere is unmatched. The passion of the fans is unmatched. It’s a place I can call home always. I will miss the atmosphere, the fans and ’Running through the T.’ I’m a VFL and I know I’m always welcomed back.
“I’m proud of what I’ve done at Tennessee, and I’m definitely going to miss it.”
Reggie Cobb’s Son Will Announce 49ers Second-Round Pick on Friday
The San Francisco 49ers announced that Reggie Cobb’s son, DeMarcus, will announce their second-round draft pick on Friday in Nashville.
The 49ers currently have the No. 36 overall pick in the second round.
Reggie Cobb passed away on Saturday morning at the age of 50. He was one of the top running backs in Tennessee history, leading the Vols in rushing in 1987 and 1988 and rushing for 225 yards against Auburn in 1989.
Cobb was a second-round pick in the 1990 NFL Draft and starred for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before returning to Tennessee to finish his degree in 1999. He was a longtime scout for the 49ers, who also announced they will leave a seat open in honor of Cobb in their draft room this weekend.
Two other Tennessee legends, Al Wilson and Jamal Lewis, are scheduled to announce draft picks on Friday, as well.
Wilson is slated to announce the Denver Broncos’ second-round pick (No. 41), while Lewis is expected to announce one of the Baltimore Ravens’ two third-round picks (No. 85, No. 102).
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The University of Tennessee placed 41 student-athletes on the 2018-19 Winter Southeastern Conference Academic Honor Roll that was announced Wednesday by league commissioner Greg Sankey.
The UT women’s swimming and diving program led the way with 21 making the list. Men’s swimming and diving boasted 15 members earning academic honors, while the men’s basketball and women’s basketball teams had three and two honorees, respectively.
A total of 705 student-athletes were named to the 2018-19 Winter SEC Academic Honor Roll. It includes the sports of men’s and women’s basketball, equestrian, gymnastics, and men’s and women’s swimming and diving. It is based on grades from the 2018 Spring, Summer and Fall terms.
Any student-athlete who participates in a Southeastern Conference championship sport or a student-athlete who participates in a sport listed on his/her institution’s NCAA Sports Sponsorship Form is eligible for nomination to the SEC Academic Honor Roll.
The following criteria will be followed: (1) A student-athlete must have a grade point average of 3.00 or above for either the preceding academic year (two semesters or three quarters) or have a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or above at the nominating institution. (2) If a student-athlete attends summer school, his/her grade point average during the summer academic term must be included in the calculation used to determine eligibility for the Academic Honor Roll. (3) Student-athletes eligible for the Honor Roll include those receiving an athletics scholarship, recipients of an athletics award (i.e., letter winner), and non-scholarship student-athletes who have been on a varsity team for two seasons. (4) Prior to being nominated, a student-athlete must have successfully completed 24 semester or 36 quarter hours of non-remedial academic credit toward a baccalaureate degree at the nominating institution. (5) The student-athlete must have been a member of a varsity team for the sport’s entire NCAA Championship segment.
University of Tennessee 2018-19 Winter SEC Academic Honor Roll Members
Marty Stuart’s 18th annual Late Night Jam will return to Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium on Wednesday, June 5 at 9 p.m. CT.
The event, in association with Marty Stuart’s Congress of Country Music, will take place during CMA’s Music Festival week and feature a hand-picked lineup of musicians and entertainers, including Steve Miller, Sheryl Crow, Dierks Bentley and Tyler Childers.
Tickets for Stuart’s Late Night Jam will go on sale on April 26 at 10 a.m. CT.
Miranda Lambert and her pet pooches will be taking part in the MuttNation March through downtown Nashville on June 6 during CMA Fest week. The almost-one-mile march, which aims to raise awareness and funds for shelter pet adoption, will start at Nissan Stadium, continue across the Nashville pedestrian bridge and end at the Walk of Fame Park, where Storme Warren will interview Miranda in a live broadcast.
“We’re hoping that 1,000 or more people, some with their furry friends, will join us walking in support of shelter pet adoption,” said Miranda, the proud owner of eight rescue animals.
In addition, MuttNation will entertain CMA Fest attendees for the third year with adoptable dogs on the floor of Xfinity Fan Fair X at the Music City Center on June 6–9 from 12 p.m–3 p.m. Bev Lambert, Miranda’s mom and co-founder of the MuttNation Foundation, will be on-site to have photos taken with each of the new forever families. More than 100 shelter dogs found forever homes during the event in 2017 and 2018.
Miranda and Bev started the MuttNation Foundation in 2009, an organization with the mission of ending animal suffering and homelessness on every front. The foundation has successfully raised millions of dollars to aid organizations, government institutions and entities that build animal shelters for better care and increased pet adoption.
A number of country stars raised a glass in support of the T.J. Martell Foundation’s Best Cellars event at Loews Vanderbilt Hotel Nashville on April 22. The wine-tasting event, which also featured a gourmet dinner, helped raise more than $400,000 to benefit the T.J. Martell Foundation, the music industry’s leading foundation to fund innovative cancer research.
Country stars in attendance included Kix Brooks, Michael Ray, Carly Pearce, Hunter Hayes, Cole Swindell, Big Kenny Alphin of Big & Rich, Charles Kelley of Lady Antebellum, Trevor Rosen of Old Dominion, Bryan White and more.
Best Cellars provided guests the opportunity to mingle with the country stars while sipping rare wine and enjoying a sit-down dinner. Chefs Vivian Howard and Jason Stanhope created the dinner menu.
Kiefer Sutherland has announced a new tour in support of his sophomore album, Reckless & Me, which drops on April 26.
The tour kicks off on May 29 in Austin, with additional stops in Nashville, St. Louis, Boston, New York and more. Tickets go on sale on April 26. Additional dates are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
“I couldn’t have imagined the depth with which I have fallen in love with touring,” says Kiefer. “To have the opportunity to convey intimate, personal stories to an audience has proven to be priceless.”
Kiefer Sutherland Tour
May 29 | Austin, TX | 3Ten Austin City Limits Live
May 30 | The Woodlands, TX| Dosey Doe – The Big Barn
May 31 | Fort Worth, TX | Billy Bob’s Texas
June 1 | West Siloam Springs, OK | Cherokee Casino West Siloam Springs
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