George Strait Breaks George Strait’s Attendance Record at Houston Rodeo

George Strait Breaks George Strait’s Attendance Record at Houston Rodeo

George Strait one-upped himself during the final night of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo on March 17.

With 80,108 fans in attendance at NRG Stadium, George surpassed the venue’s previous record of 80,020 attendees, which the King of Country set in 2013. Special guests Robert Earl Keen and Lyle Lovett were also featured during George’s performance, which marked his 30th time onstage at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

George will release his 30th studio album, Honky Tonk Time Machine, on March 29. The new album features 13 songs, including 12 originals and a cover of Johnny Paycheck’s “Old Violin.” George co-penned eight of the tracks, including a duet with Willie Nelson, “Sing One With Willie.” Longtime collaboration Dean Dillon co-penned seven songs, while George’s son, Bubba, co-penned 10 tracks.

photo courtesy of Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

Dolly Parton Opens Dollywood for the 2019 Season With New Additions [Photo Gallery]

Dolly Parton Opens Dollywood for the 2019 Season With New Additions [Photo Gallery]

Dolly Parton visited Dollywood on March 15 and 16 to help kick off the 2019 season at the theme park that has featured her name for more than 30 years.

Dolly officially opened the season with the annual Festival of Nations (March 16–April 14), which highlights musical cultures from around the world. In addition to new headliners Lizt Alfonso Dance Cuba and Drumstruck, this year’s acts include Invaders Steel Orchestra, Atahualpa, De Temps Antan and Les Grand Hurleurs.

The Festival of Nation’s Passport to Food—helmed by Cuban culinary celebrity Chef Pepin—will showcase dishes from Trinidad, Canada, South Korea, Cuba, Ecuador and more.

In addition to performing, Dolly announced that the park’s $37-million expansion—Wildwood Grove—will open May 10 and 11. Dolly will return to Pigeon Forge this spring for the official ceremony.

Wildwood Grove will feature 11 new experiences for guests, including a new restaurant, climbing structure and roller coaster called the Dragonflier.

“This area is going to give families a place to explore, play and imagine together—but more importantly—it’s a place where they can spend more time together,” Dolly said. “I believe everyone has a song in their heart that needs to be set free. Wildwood Grove will be a place where families can learn together about what their heart song truly is.”

Upcoming Dollywood Events

  • Dollywood’s Festival of Nations: March 16–April 14
  • Barbeque & Bluegrass Festival: May 24–June 2
  • Summer Celebration: June 22–Aug. 4
  • Harvest Festival: Sept. 27–Nov. 2
  • Smoky Mountain Christmas: Nov. 9–Jan. 4

Check out our photo gallery from opening weekend of the Festival of Nations, courtesy of photographer Curtis Hilbun, AFF-USA.com.

photos by Curtis Hilbun, AFF-USA.com

Country Music Hall of Fame Class of 2019 Includes Brooks & Dunn, Ray Stevens & Jerry Bradley

Country Music Hall of Fame Class of 2019 Includes Brooks & Dunn, Ray Stevens & Jerry Bradley

The Country Music Association announced its Class of 2019 for the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Modern Era: Brooks & Dunn

Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn of Brooks & Dunn are the best-selling duo in country music history with 27.5 million U.S. units sold, according to the RIAA. Let that sink in for a minute

With their high-energy live show, they broke out of the box like a bull from the bucking chute, earning four No. 1 singles in a row starting with “Brand New Man” in 1991. They remained in the Top 10, with very few exceptions, until their final release as a duo in 2009. On April 5, Brooks & Dunn will release a new album, Reboot, which features an all-star cast of artists, includingKacey Musgraves, Kane Brown, Thomas Rhett, Brett Young, Lanco, Ashley McBryde, Midland, Luke Combs, Brothers Osborne, Cody Johnson, Jon Pardi and Tyler Booth.

With their 11 platinum albums, they have amassed more than 80 industry awards, including two Grammy, 20 CMAs and 29 ACMs, making them the second-most-awarded act in ACM history. They have been named Entertainer of the Year four times collectively by the ACM and CMA.

Veteran Era: Ray Stevens

Twelve-time nominated and two-time Grammy Award winner Ray Stevens has spanned the generations with 60 years of comedic musical talent, including songs such as his multi-million selling hit “The Streak” and his classic pop standard “Everything Is Beautiful.” Throughout his career, Stevens has sold more than 40 million albums and continues daily office operations at his home base, Ray Stevens Music, located on Nashville’s historic Music Row.

Stevens hosts Ray Stevens CabaRay Nashville, a 30-minute weekly music/talk show airing on Public Television. The music legend recently opened his very own Nashville entertainment venue, the CabaRay Showroom, a 35,000 square foot music venue where Stevens performs weekly live concerts. In the summer of 2018, Stevens’ legacy was cemented into the history of Nashville when he received his very own star on the Music City Walk of Fame.

Songwriter/Musician/Non-Performer: Jerry Bradley

Jerry Bradley has left an indelible mark on the Country Music business. He was the head of RCA Records from 1973 to 1982. During his tenure, Ronnie Milsap, Dolly Parton and Jerry Reed achieved pop-crossover stardom, and Elvis Presley returned to the Country hit parade. Bradley signed Milsap to RCA. In addition, he signed Alabama, and was at the helm of the label as the group achieved stardom with its first chart-topping successes. He oversaw the creation of Country Music’s first Platinum-certified album, Wanted! The Outlaws, ushering in an entire era of Country Music with its stars Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Jessi Colter and Tompall Glaser leading an “outlaw” movement.

As a record producer, Bradley has worked with such Country Music Hall of Fame members as Eddy Arnold, Floyd Cramer, Charley Pride and Dottie West. He was a longtime board member of the Country Music Association and CMA Board President in 1975. He was a key figure in orchestrating CMA’s annual Fan Fair. After the Gaylord company bought Acuff-Rose Publishing in 1985, Bradley was named the head of its newly formed Opryland Music Group. For OMG’s 16th Avenue label, Bradley continued to produce hits for Pride. Among the publishing company’s success stories were Kenny Chesney, Skip Ewing and Aaron Tippin, all of whom became top recording artists.

Bradley belongs to one of the greatest dynasties of the Nashville music industry. His father was Country Music Hall of Fame member Owen Bradley. Jerry’s uncle was Country Music Hall of Fame member Harold Bradley, a member of the fabled “A-Team” of session musicians and believed to be the most recorded guitarist in history. Bradley’s uncle Charlie and cousin Bobby Bradley are noted recording-studio engineers. His aunt was the pioneering female Music Row office manager Ruby Bradley Strange. Jerry’s sister is retired BMI executive Patsy Bradley. His wife Connie Bradley was the chief of ASCAP’s Music City office from 1980 to 2010. His son is artist manager Clay Bradley.

photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA

Tennessee Chosen for “NCAA March Madness Confidential”

Tennessee Chosen for “NCAA March Madness Confidential”

Credit: UT Athletics

Turner Sports and CBS Sports’ joint coverage of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship includes the return of “NCAA March Madness Confidential,” providing exclusive, behind-the-scenes access to seven NCAA Tournament teams, including Tennessee.

The Volunteers are one of only seven teams selected for this year’s Confidential series, joining Kentucky, Michigan, Houston, Nevada, Marquette and Murray State.

Production crews have been embedded with the teams since Selection Sunday and will chronicle their NCAA Tournament journeys.

Tennessee (29-5) departs Wednesday for Columbus, Ohio, where the second-seeded Vols will open tournament play against 15th-seeded Colgate Friday at 2:45 p.m. ET (CBS).

Tennessee’s award-winning VFL Films unit also will provide in-depth multimedia coverage throughout UT’s NCAA Tournament run, so Big Orange fans will have no shortage of outstanding content during The Big Dance.

Throughout the NCAA Tournament, features will run across multiple platforms – including studio coverage across TBS, CBS, TNT and truTV – with online distribution via the official @MarchMadness Twitter and Facebook pages, @MarchMadnessTV, NCAA.comand CBS Sports and Turner Sports social media accounts.

Fans also are encouraged to follow Tennessee’s team accounts on Twitter and Instagram, @Vol_Hoops.

For the ninth consecutive year, Turner Sports and CBS Sports will provide live coverage of all 67 games from the 2019 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship across four national television networks – TBS, CBS, TNT and truTV – and NCAA March Madness Live. This year’s tournament tips off with the NCAA First Four™ on truTV on Tuesday, March 19, and Wednesday, March 20 (6 p.m., ET, both days).

CBS will broadcast this year’s NCAA Final Four National Semifinals on Saturday, April 6, along with the National Championship on Monday, April 8.

 

UT Athletics

Tim McGraw to Perform Free Concert at the NFL Draft in Nashville

Tim McGraw to Perform Free Concert at the NFL Draft in Nashville

Music City is living up to its moniker as host of the 2019 NFL Draft. More than 20 Nashville-based acts will perform during the three-day event (April 25–27), including Tim McGraw.

Tim will perform a free outdoor concert on Lower Broadway on Friday, April 26, at the Draft Main Stage, which is where the player selections will take place. His performance will begin at conclusion of selection activities on April 26. The Draft Main Stage will be located at First and Broadway. More acts will be announced in the coming weeks.

Downtown Nashville’s Lower Broadway and the area outside Nissan Stadium will host free, public activities for the 2019 NFL Draft during the three-day celebration. Representing the largest festival footprint ever created by the NFL, fans can participate in interactive exhibits, immersive games, virtual reality experiences, free player autograph sessions and more.

NFL Draft Experience

  • April 25 (Thursday): Noon to 10 p.m.
  • April 26 (Friday): Noon to 10 p.m.
  • April 27 (Saturday): 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Activities

  • Autograph Stage with current NFL players and NFL Legends
  • Interactive games, Play Football clinics, and PLAY 60 Zone presented by Danimals® for the smallest NFL fans
  • Photo with the Vince Lombardi Trophy
  • NFL Shop presented by Visa at Draft with exclusive NFL merchandise
  • Taste of Tailgate with Nashville restaurants and Bud Light Bars
  • NFL Draft Experience Draft X stage with 1 Nashville-based artists of all genres
  • Look Like a Pro: Step inside a replica NFL Draft Main Stage bearing a draft day jersey of your favorite NFL team and have your photo taken. Share your photos through your favorite social channel and Fan Mobile Pass.
  • PEPSI NFL Helmet Photo Opportunity: Find your favorite NFL team oversized helmet and have your photo taken. Share your photos through your favorite social channel and Fan Mobile Pass.
  • Combine Corner
  • 40-Yard Dash: Race down the field against your opponents and digital NFL players on a giant 40-yard long LED wall.
  • Vertical Jump: Jump as high as you can and hit the corresponding flag to discover your vertical reach just like at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Schermerhorn Symphony Center will host the Selection Square, which features the team tables where representatives from each club will make their Draft selections. The NFL Draft red carpet will take place on April 25 (Thursday) at The Green at Riverfront Park.

Admission to the 2019 NFL Draft is free and open to the public. Fans can follow the action at NFL Draft 2019 with the Fan Mobile Pass app.

photo by Curtis Hilbun, AFF-USA.com

[Live] Watch the Country Music Hall of Fame Announce Its Class of 2019

[Live] Watch the Country Music Hall of Fame Announce Its Class of 2019

Today, the Country Music Association will elect one new member/act to the Country Music Hall of Fame in each of its three categories: Modern Era, Veteran Era and Songwriter/Musician/Non-Performer (this category rotates, and this year a non-performer will be elected).

Reba McEntire will host the announcement at the Hall of Fame’s rotunda on March 18 at 10 a.m. CT.

You can watch the announcement live on the link below.

Vols Earn No. 2 Seed in NCAA Tournament, Will Face Colgate

Vols Earn No. 2 Seed in NCAA Tournament, Will Face Colgate

UT Men’s Basketball Team / Credit: UT Athletics

Hours after playing in the SEC Tournament Championship game, Tennessee learned its NCAA Tournament draw Sunday.

The Volunteers (29-5) earned a program-best No. 2 seed for the third time ever (also in 2006 and 2008) and will travel to Columbus, Ohio.

Tennessee’s first-round opponent in South Region action is 15th-seed Colgate on Friday. Two days later, the winner of that game will then face the winner of the first-round matchup between Cincinnati and Iowa.

The Vols are 0-2 all-time against Colgate—winners of this year’s Patriot League Tournament—with setbacks coming in 1955 and 1960, both at neutral sites.

This is Tennessee’s 22nd all-time NCAA Tournament appearance, while Vols head coach Rick Barnes—a National Coach of the Year candidate for the second consecutive season—is making his 24th appearance as a head coach.

Tennessee has played two NCAA Tournament games in Columbus, going 2-0 in 2007 with victories over Long Beach State and Virginia.

University of Tennessee students can request NCAA Tournament tickets via BigOrangeTix.com.

-UT Athletics

Vols Fall in SEC Tournament Championship Game to Auburn 84-64

Vols Fall in SEC Tournament Championship Game to Auburn 84-64

Bridgestone Arena in Nashville / Credit: UT Athletics

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — No. 8 Tennessee couldn’t match No. 22 Auburn’s hot shooting, falling, 84-64, in the SEC Tournament Championship Game on Sunday at Bridgestone Arena.

The Vols (29-5) played one of their least efficient games of the season on the offensive end, turning the ball over 17 times. That led to 21 points for Auburn. The Tigers (26-9) did what they do best and rained 3-pointers to keep the momentum in their favor, connecting on 15 long balls.

Tennessee’s offense went cold in the first half, going on a seven-minute scoring drought and missing 10 consecutive shots. UT was up early on the Tigers with a 17-13 lead.

Auburn capitalized on its opportunities and swung the momentum in its favor. While the Vols struggled on offense, the Tigers rattled off a 16-0 run to take a commanding 13-point lead. On the defensive end, AU forced the Vols into 12 turnovers and held the Big Orange to 32 percent shooting from the floor. At the break, Auburn held a 32-23 advantage over the Vols.

Vols junior Lamonte Turner was hot early on, scoring eight points behind a pair of 3-pointers in the first four minutes. He finished with a season-high 24 points on 7-of-12 shooting and four 3-pointers.

The only success UT found in the opening period was on the glass, where it held a 26-19 advantage and limited Auburn to just four offensive rebounds. Grant Williams had seven boards in the first half but couldn’t find any rhythm on the offensive end, scoring just two points. The SEC Player of the Year finished with 13 points, eight rebounds, two assists and two blocks.

Tennessee got going in the second half, converting on 11 out of 13 shots during one stretch, but it was too late. Auburn built its lead to 23 points with 11:22 to go and cruised to victory. Despite a 13-5 run by the Vols, the Tigers caught fire from deep and knocked down 10 3-pointers in the period.

AU dominated the glass after intermission, out-rebounding Tennessee, 20-7, and grabbing nine offensive rebounds. After having only one second-chance point in the first half, the Tigers capitalized on their opportunities and had 16 second-chance points in the second half.

Bryce Brown led the Tigers in scoring with 19 points behind five 3-pointers, while Chuma Okeke totaled 18 points and 13 rebounds to help Auburn win the championship.

Despite the loss, Tennessee players were recognized for their play throughout the tournament, as Williams and All-SEC wing Admiral Schofield were named to the 2019 SEC All-Tournament Team.

Next up, the Vols will compete in the NCAA Tournament, which begins next week. The tournament seeds and complete, 68-team field will be announced Sunday night on CBS starting at 6 p.m. ET.

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