Tennessee tight ends coach Brian Niedermeyer spoke to the media in a group session Wednesday afternoon.
Video: Brian Niedermeyer on Chaney “He can really do anything. He’s been so creative over his career.”
Country Stars Remember Earl Thomas Conley, Including Blake Shelton, Trisha Yearwood, Chris Young & More
After hearing the news that Earl Thomas Conley passed away on April 10, many country stars—including Blake Shelton, Trisha Yearwood, Chris Young, Toby Keith and more—shared their thoughts and remembrances of the great singer/songwriter via social media.
My heart is absolutely destroyed today… I’m sad to report that Earl Thomas Conley passed away very early this morning. Earl was my all time favorite singer, hero and my friend. Prayers to his family. We will all miss you deeply my brother. Now go rest… pic.twitter.com/W75ZVV6fbe
— Blake Shelton (@blakeshelton) April 10, 2019
So sad to hear #EarlThomasConley passed away today. He was a huge influence on my style and songwriting. I studied his records like text books and could play every note of every song. Truly one of the all time greats in country music. #RipEarlThomasConleyhttps://t.co/IRwrhcPf2p
— John Rich (@johnrich) April 10, 2019
An all time great. Earl Thomas Conley passed away today. Huge influence on me. Loved him. Prayers to his family. -T
— Toby Keith (@tobykeith) April 10, 2019
I ❤️ ETC. RIP Earl Thomas Conley#OnceInABlueMoon
— Maggie Rose (@IAmMaggieRose) April 10, 2019
Rest In Peace singing brother Earl Thomas Conley gone this morning at age 77 … so very sad … via @Tennessean https://t.co/VSzPr1nihi
— The Oak Ridge Boys (@oakridgeboys) April 10, 2019
RIP Earl Thomas Conley… sad day for country music pic.twitter.com/bxgEIlbSJU
— ChrisYoungMusic (@ChrisYoungMusic) April 10, 2019
Very sad to hear about the passing of Earl Thomas Conley, 🙏 to his family #onceinabluemoon #restinpeace https://t.co/9sWdxJiei8
— Bellamy Brothers (@BellamyBrothers) April 10, 2019
I am so sad to hear this news. ETC you will be greatly missed. 💔 https://t.co/K9RWGmAujK
— Trisha Yearwood (@trishayearwood) April 10, 2019
ETC – what a voice- Holding Her And Loving You #missingyou RIP – another great gone
— Kix Brooks (@KixBrooks) April 11, 2019
Can’t believe Earl Thomas Conley is gone. A complete original voice in country music. He will be sadly missed. I have listened to him about a million times and learned so much from his music. Rest easy sir.
— Randy Houser (@RandyHouser) April 11, 2019
Earl Thomas Conley was the reason i became a country singer. Holding Her and Loving You. He was the most soulful singer country music has ever known. My thoughts are with his family,especially his children. Thank you Earl for blessing us all who love this wonderful music we live.
— Clay Walker (@ClayWalker) April 11, 2019
I’m saddened to hear about ETC’s passing. He was a great singer and made some classic country hits that we’ll love forever. I met him a couple times and you never had to wonder how he felt about things. I think that’s how we all want to be.
— Josh Turner (@joshturnermusic) April 11, 2019
RIP “ETC”… Man what a voice this guy had. Spent many nights listening and playing his songs. Country Music lost a great one today guys. #EarlThomasConley #ETC pic.twitter.com/pkuzW3yHyk
— Jason Aldean (@Jason_Aldean) April 10, 2019
photo courtesy RCA/Country Weekly
Old Dominion Celebrates “Whirlwind Weekend” With ACM Award, National TV Performance, Top 5 Hit & Songwriting No. 1
The guys from Old Dominion—Matthew Ramsey, Trevor Rosen, Geoff Sprung, Brad Tursi and Whit Sellers—are having a heck of a week, to say the least.
Not only did Old Dominion win the ACM Award for Group of the Year and perform their current Top 5 single, “Make It Sweet,” during the ACM Awards show on April 7, but the band is also celebrating the success of Michael Ray’s current No. 1 hit, “One That Got Away,” which Matthew and Trevor co-penned with Jesse Frasure and Josh Osborne.
Matthew and Trevor heard the news that “One That Got Away” was No. 1 on the Mediabase chart while they were in Las Vegas for the ACM Awards. Of course, they hit up Michael Ray via text and partook in a little Sin City celebration.
“It was funny because we were texting with Michael [Ray] and we were like, ‘We should have a shot,'” said Trevor. “You know, and we just thought we were going to go have a shot with Michael, and we walked in and it turned into a number one party.”
“Yeah, it was huge,” added Matthew.
“And it was really cool just to see all the different artists and all of our crew and team there,” said Trevor. “I mean, you could never plan for a weekend like this. So, just to have the No. 1 song, and to win an award and get to perform, it’s kind of a whirlwind.”
The band is currently headlining the Make It Sweet Tour, with dates through this fall.
photo by Arroyo/O\’Connor, AFF-USA.com
Earl Thomas Conley Dead at 77
Earl Thomas Conley has passed away at age 77. The news, which Blake Shelton announced via Twitter, was confirmed by Earl’s brother, Fred Conley, via the Tennessean, who said Earl died at 12:20 a.m. on April 10 after suffering from a dementia-like condition.
Earl was known for blending different musical styles with deep, intelligent lyrics into what was called “thinking-man’s country,” often bending the rules of what was considered traditional country. Earl recorded 18 No. 1 hits in the 1980s, including “Fire and Smoke,” “Somewhere Between Right and Wrong,” “Right From the Start,” “Love Out Loud” and more.
Earl released five Top 10 albums, including his gold-certified Greatest Hits in 1985, as well as recorded duets with legends like Emmylou Harris and Keith Whitley.
Earl’s early songwriting credits include “Smoky Mountain Memories” for Mel Street and “This Time I’ve Hurt Her More Than She Loves Me” for Conway Twitty.
Blake Shelton cited Earl as his “all-time musical hero,” telling Country Weekly in 2002 that his favorite song was Earl’s “What I’d Say” and his career highlight was co-writing “All Over Me” with Earl.
“I got up extra early that morning so I would be awake and alert,” said Blake in 2002. “I was so nervous I must have drank two pots of coffee. So when I got to his house, the first thing I did after meeting him was ask him if I could use his bathroom. When I got in there, the only thing I could think of was, ‘I’m using Earl Thomas Conley’s toilet.’”
My heart is absolutely destroyed today… I’m sad to report that Earl Thomas Conley passed away very early this morning. Earl was my all time favorite singer, hero and my friend. Prayers to his family. We will all miss you deeply my brother. Now go rest… pic.twitter.com/W75ZVV6fbe
— Blake Shelton (@blakeshelton) April 10, 2019
photo courtesy of RCA/Country Weekly/Earl Thomas Conley
Big Machine Artist Lauren Jenkins Loses Irreplaceable Items After Backpack Theft
Big Machine artist Lauren Jenkins, who released her debut album, No Saint, on March 15, lost a number of irreplaceable items when her backpack was stolen in Nashville on April 10.
According to several tweets from Lauren, the backpack contained a number of priceless items, including hard drives with songs from the past 12 years, song notebooks and journals, as well as a lap top, clothes, shoes, makeup, jewelry and more.
Lauren was headed to Texas for a gig when she discovered the backpack was stolen out of a friend’s truck.
One of Lauren’s acquaintances started a GoFundMe page, with the goal of raising $5,000 to replace some of Lauren’s stolen goods.
You can read a number of Lauren’s tweets below.
Flying to Texas this morning. Backpack was in friends truck that was taking me to the airport. Assholes busted window and grabbed it. Clothes, shoes, makeup, guitar pedals, CDs, laptop, hard drives, all gone
— Lauren Jenkins (@Lauren_Jenkins) April 10, 2019
If you live in the Nashville area (was stolen from sylvan park / the nations) I had a black back packing bag. Inside, (of the things they couldn’t try to pawn) was my Tom petty T, thrift store fringe jacket (wore on the today show), a “more love” tee (was gonna wear to tortuga)..
— Lauren Jenkins (@Lauren_Jenkins) April 10, 2019
… pretty sure I packed my Janis T (wore in no Saint music video), my only jeans.. journals and song note books (including the notebook that has the song I wrote yesterday)… uhhh a cvs toothbrush??
— Lauren Jenkins (@Lauren_Jenkins) April 10, 2019
So yeah, I know it’s just “stuff”… but the thing is, I don’t have $ to just buy more “stuff”. Everything I own I wear all the time because I only have one of those things. One belt. One pair of black jeans. One vintage Springsteen tee
— Lauren Jenkins (@Lauren_Jenkins) April 10, 2019
… but beyond that (which can be replaced over time and many goodwill racks)… is the creative hours and work that is lost. Those hard drives hold all my work for the past 12 years. Those journals and notebooks hold intimate confessions…
— Lauren Jenkins (@Lauren_Jenkins) April 10, 2019
… yeah, maybe I’m pissed that the 4 rings I wear on my right hand EVERY DAY, the ear cuffs I wear every day, and the bandana I wear on my left wrist every day and every show are gone. They are small things, but you feel violated when someone takes something that ain’t there’s
— Lauren Jenkins (@Lauren_Jenkins) April 10, 2019
if you need help, $$, support… how about you ask and ask again. There’s a lot of people willingly to give you the shirt off their back if you’re hard up. But if you just steal, you might not understand the value of what your stealing can’t be cashed in at a pawn shop
— Lauren Jenkins (@Lauren_Jenkins) April 10, 2019
Like… all my jewelry… as in 6 things total…. https://t.co/l8yuHXrnBl
— Lauren Jenkins (@Lauren_Jenkins) April 10, 2019
I’m grateful they didn’t have time to get my guitar as the car alarm went off.. show must go on… and we are both playing @festivaltortuga this weekend (but @brittanyhellyes @LizJaneSings I may need to borrow mascara, brush, bra, curling rod, etc) https://t.co/RU174zrk6m
— Lauren Jenkins (@Lauren_Jenkins) April 10, 2019
photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com
CMA Fest Reveals Additional Performers for Nissan Stadium, Including Brett Young, Chris Janson, Lindsay Ell, Marty Stuart & More
The Country Music Association has revealed additional performers for its nightly shows at Nissan Stadium on June 6–9.
Brett Young will take the stadium stage Saturday night (June 8), while Chris Janson will perform Sunday night (June 9). Nissan Stadium openers include Marty Stuart on Thursday (June 6), Jo Dee Messina on Friday (June 7), Billy Ray Cyrus on Saturday (June 8) and David Lee Murphy on Sunday (June 9).
Artists performing the national anthem at the stadium include a student group from Nashville School of the Arts on Thursday (June 6), Lindsay Ell on Friday (June 7), Runaway June on Saturday (June 8) and Jimmie Allen on Sunday (June 9).
More festival news and lineup additions will be announced in the coming weeks. A limited number of four-day passes for the nightly performances at Nissan Stadium are still available at CMAfest.com.
Previously announced performers include:
Nissan Stadium Stage
Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Brothers Osborne, Kane Brown, Luke Bryan, Luke Combs, Dan + Shay, Florida Georgia Line, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Tim McGraw, Maren Morris, Old Dominion, Pistol Annies, Rascal Flatts, Thomas Rhett, Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban
Chevy Riverfront Stage, 10 a.m.–5:15 p.m. each day
A Thousand Horses, Lauren Alaina, Jimmie Allen, Danielle Bradbery, Lee Brice, Easton Corbin, Jordan Davis, Devin Dawson, Jessie James Decker, Gavin DeGraw, Russell Dickerson, Eli Young Band, Lindsay Ell, Tyler Farr, Gone West, Riley Green, Hunter Hayes, Walker Hayes, High Valley, Home Free, Ryan Hurd, LOCASH, Maddie & Tae, Ashley McBryde, Scotty McCreery, Eric Paslay, Carly Pearce, Cassadee Pope, RaeLynn, Mason Ramsey, Michael Ray, Tyler Rich, Runaway June, Dylan Scott, Granger Smith, Mitchell Tenpenny, Morgan Wallen and Aaron Watson
Budweiser Forever Country Stage, 11 a.m.–4:45 p.m. each day
Keith Anderson, Deana Carter, John Carter Cash, Joe Diffie, George Ducas, Charles Esten, Andy Griggs, Halfway to Hazard, Ty Herndon, Honky Tonkin’ with Tracy Lawrence, Little Texas, Lonestar, The Marshall Tucker Band, Kendell Marvel, Neal McCoy, Montgomery Gentry, Lorrie Morgan, The Nelsons, Jerrod Niemann, Jamie O’Neal, The Road Hammers, Ray Scott, Shenandoah, Sister Hazel, Ricky Skaggs, Kiefer Sutherland, Thompson Square, Uncle Kracker, Mark Wills, Rita Wilson and Darryl Worley
Outdoor daytime stages, including Chevy Riverfront and Budweiser Forever Country are free and open to the public. All artist lineups are subject to change. Additional stage lineups, Xfinity Fan Fair X activities, and more will be announced in the coming weeks.
photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com
Craig Morgan Completes 11th USO Tour Spanning 5 Countries Over 7 Days
Country star Craig Morgan—who spent 10 years on active duty in the U.S. Army in the 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions—recently completed his 11th USO Tour, which spanned seven days and five countries, including Germany, Afghanistan, Qatar, Iraq and Italy.
Craig was joined by a host of celebrities and athletes on the recent tour, including chef Robert Irvine, surfer Makua Rothman, former MLB player Shane Victorino, and UFC fighters BJ Penn, Felice Herrig and Chris Weidman.
Since Craig’s first USO Tour in 2002, he has visited 15 countries during 11 tours, entertaining more than 45,000 service members. Craig served in the Army for 10.5 years, with an additional 6.5 in the Army Reserves.
In 2018, Craig was awarded the Army’s Outstanding Civilian Service Medal in recognition of his dedication to entertaining troops and their families around the world. The Outstanding Civilian Service Medal is one of the highest awards that the Department of the Army can bestow upon a civilian. The Army recognized Craig for his significant dedication to supporting military members who have served their country, often in harm’s way.
Craig has scored numerous Top 10 hits over his career, including “That’s What I Love About Sunday,” “Redneck Yacht Club” and “Bonfire.”
photo courtesy DoD by U.S. Army Sgt. James K. McCann
Video: Watch Tennessee football spring practice #13
Here’s video of the University of Tennessee at 2019 spring football practice #13 in Knoxville.
Video: Tee Martin on Guarantano “Really impressed by his arm talent. Really impressed by him mentally.”
Tennessee Volunteers wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator Tee Martin spoke to the media on Tuesday in a press conference setting. This was Martin’s first full availability since joining the staff.
Video: DC Derrick Ansley “I think we have a lot of talent”
Tennessee Volunteers defensive coordinator Derrick Ansley spoke to the media on Tuesday in a press conference setting. This was Ansley’s first full availability since joining the staff.
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