Reba McEntire Receives 2018 Kennedy Center Honors Award: “I Was Born an Entertainer to Help Heal Hearts”

Reba McEntire Receives 2018 Kennedy Center Honors Award: “I Was Born an Entertainer to Help Heal Hearts”

Posted on December 3, 2018

Following in the hallowed footsteps of Merle Haggard, Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Loretta Lynn and more, Reba McEntire was honored at the 2018 Kennedy Center Honors during a ceremony in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 2.

Lady Antebellum, Brooks & Dunn and Reba’s daughter-in-law, Kelly Clarkson, performed in honor of Reba.

Sometimes when we meet our heroes, it doesn’t always pan out how you hope,” said Kelly before performing “Fancy,” “but meeting Reba, being friends with her and eventually becoming family has been one of the highlights of my life – truly.”

“I’ve been here three times before tonight,” said Reba from the stage. “Once for Dolly, once for Loretta [and] Carol Burnett, once for Lily. And I sat right over there and I thought, ‘Wow, how many people have been in this room?’ I know that I was born an entertainer to help heal hearts—by singing, by acting, by letting people laugh. I love to help people with their problems when they come into a concert. I hope that they dust their problems off their feet and come in and have a good time, recharge their batteries, and when they leave they can pick their problems up that are just a little bit lighter when they go home. That’s what I was supposed to do in this life. I’m not a political person, but being here, going back to this building in Washington, D.C., I respect and I honor the people who took their time to help us, to make this country bigger, better, for all the people across the United States—east and west, north and south. Thank you all if you’ve had any part to do with that. Thank you all very, very much. Because we’re here to entertain. We’re here to make you laugh, to make you smile. And if that heart hurts, hopefully the songs that we sing, that we were moved by when we heard them the first time, by the time we sing them and it touches your heart, hopefully it touches you enough to make a difference. I am very proud of this. This moves me beyond words. I’m very honored to be a part of this class, and a part of this idea that started many, many years ago. Thank you for this honor. Thank you for our friendship. And thank you for all the friends that I’ve made, and all the years that I’ve gotten to be a part of the Kennedy Center Honors. Thank you all with all my heart.”

In addition to Reba’s award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement, the 2018 class included Cher, Philip Glass and Wayne Shorter. Hamilton co-creators Lin-Manuel Miranda, Thomas Kail, Andy Blankenbuehler and Alex Lacamoire were honored for their “transformative work.”

The 41st Kennedy Center Honors ceremony will be broadcast on CBS on Dec. 26 at 9 p.m. ET.

photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

Darius Rucker Reunites Hootie & the Blowfish for 44-Date “Group Therapy Tour”

Darius Rucker Reunites Hootie & the Blowfish for 44-Date “Group Therapy Tour”

Posted on December 3, 2018

Darius Rucker will reassemble one of the most prolific bands of the 1990s—Hootie & the Blowfish—for a 44-date headlining tour in 2019.

Darius and his crew—Mark Bryan, Dean Felber and Jim Sonefeld—announced the new trek, dubbed the Group Therapy Tour, on Today on Dec. 3. The tour will kick off on May 30 in Virginia Beach, Va., and make additional stops in Atlanta, L.A., Houston, New York City, Detroit, Nashville and more. The Barenaked Ladies will serve as direct support.

“Once the four of us met and started playing shows, we toured for years before signing a record deal,” says Darius, who has scored nine No. 1 singles on the country charts over the last 10-plus years.

“There’s nothing like playing music live,” says Mark. “For the first time in nearly 20 years we’ll be coming back to Columbia, South Carolina, where it all began.”

“And we’re ready to rock,” adds Darius.

Tickets go on sale to the public on Dec. 7, with pre-sale opportunities available at 10 a.m. local time on Dec. 3.

Hootie & the Blowfish’s 1994 debut album, Cracked Rear View, is one of the Top 10 best-selling albums of all time, according to the RIAA.

Group Therapy Tour

May 30 | Virginia Beach, Va. | Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater
May 31 | Raleigh, N.C. | Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek
June 1 | Atlanta, Ga. | Cellairis Amphitheatre at Lakewood
June 6 | Orange Beach, Ala. | The Wharf
June 7 | Tampa, Fla. | MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre
June 8 | West Palm Beach, Fla. | Coral Sky Amphitheatre
June 13 | Austin, Texas | Austin360 Amphitheater
June 14 | Houston, Texas | The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion presented by Huntsman
June 15 | Dallas, Texas | Dos Equis Pavilion
June 19 | Phoenix, Ariz. | Ak-Chin Pavilion
June 21 | Chula Vista, Calif. | North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre
June 22 | Las Vegas, Nev. | T-Mobile Arena
June 23 | Irvine, Calif. | FivePoint Amphitheatre presented by Mercury Insurance
June 25 | Los Angeles, Calif. | Hollywood Bowl
June 28 | Wheatland, Calif. | Toyota Amphitheatre
June 29 | Mountain View, Calif. | Shoreline Amphitheatre
July 11 | Englewood, Colo. | Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre
July 13 | Maryland Heights, Mo. | Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
July 14 | Rogers, Ark. | Walmart AMP
July 19 | Monticello, Iowa | Great Jones County Fair
July 20 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Riverbend Music Center
July 21 | Burgettstown, Penn. | KeyBank Pavilion
July 26 | Cleveland, Ohio | Blossom Music Center
July 27 | Bristow, Va. | Jiffy Lube Live
July 28 | Camden, N.J. | BB&T Pavilion
Aug. 2 | Guilford, N.H. | Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion
Aug. 3 | Mansfield, Mass. | Xfinity Center
Aug. 4 | Saratoga Springs, N.Y. | Saratoga Performing Arts Center
Aug. 8 | Columbia, Md. | Merriweather Post Pavilion
Aug. 9 | Canandaigua, N.Y. | Constellation Brands-Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center
Aug. 10 | New York, N.Y. | Madison Square Garden
Aug. 16 | Detroit, Mich. | DTE Energy Music Theatre
Aug. 17 | Noblesville, Ind. | Ruoff Home Mortgage Music Center
Aug. 18 | Des Moines, Iowa | Iowa State Fair
Aug. 22 | St. Paul, Minn. | Minnesota State Fair
Aug. 23 | East Troy, Wis. | Alpine Valley Music Theatre
Aug. 24 | Tinley Park, Ill. | Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
Aug. 29 | Toronto, Ont. | Budweiser Stage
Aug. 30 | Hershey, Penn. | Hersheypark Stadium
Aug. 31 | Hartford, Conn. | XFINITY Theatre
Sept. | 5 Charlotte, N.C. | PNC Music Pavilion
Sept. | 6 Birmingham, Ala. | Oak Mountain Amphitheatre
Sept. | 7 Nashville, Tenn. | Bridgestone Arena
Sept. | 13 Columbia, S.C. | Colonial Life Arena

photo by Jason Simanek

No. 11 Lady Vols battle past Cowgirls 76-63

No. 11 Lady Vols battle past Cowgirls 76-63

Posted on December 2, 2018
Lady Vols G Evina Westbrook / Credit: UT Athletics

Stillwater, Okla. — Sophomore Evina Westbrook poured in a career-high 29 points to lead No. 11/11 Tennessee to a gritty road win over Oklahoma State on Sunday, 76-63.

Junior Rennia Davis and freshman Zaay Green were also in double figures for Tennessee (6-0) with 15 each, with Green posting a new career high. Cheridene Green was a presence on the boards, pulling down a career-best 13 rebounds.

The Cowgirls (6-1) were led in scoring by Braxtin Miller, who finished the day with 29 points. Also in double digits for OSU were Jaden Hobbs, who went 4-of-6 from behind the arc for 12 points, and Vivian Gray, who tallied 14 points.

Meme Jackson got off to a fast start for the Lady Vols, grabbing a rebound and driving the full length of the court to score Tennessee’s first points on a layup before then forcing the Cowgirls into a turnover on the inbounds pass. UT was hot from the floor in the opening minutes, hitting eight of its first nine shots and with all five starters contributing to its first 10 points.  The Lady Vols jumped out to a 14-7 lead before OSU battled back, cutting it to 14-12 off a pair of free throws by Abbie Winchester with 3:48 in the period. Tennessee battled back to extend its lead to 25-17 with just over a minute in the quarter, but OSU closed out the stanza with a 5-0 run to cut UT’s lead to 25-22 at the end of the first.

Just over two and a half minutes into the second quarter, OSU tied it up at 29-all on a Hobbs 3-pointer before taking its first lead on the next possession off a Miller layup. The teams traded baskets until Miller knocked down a trey to end the half, putting Oklahoma State up 43-40.

Westbrook kicked things off in the second half, knocking down a three on UT’s first possession to kick off a 17-3 run that put the Lady Vols up 57-46 midway through the third quarter. Tennessee capitalized on six forced turnovers in the period and took a 61-49 lead into the final stanza.

The Cowgirls chipped away at UT’s lead to start the fourth stanza, pulling within five by the 4:18 mark. Zaay Green and Cheridene Green hit back-to-back buckets to turn the tide for the Lady Vols, however, extending UT’s lead to 70-61 with 3:20 left in the game.  OSU answered with a pair of made free throws, but Westbrook poured in another six points and Tennessee sealed a 76-63 victory.

Up Next: Tennessee returns to Thompson-Boling Arena to host Stetson at 7 p.m. on Wednesday. Fans attending the game can take part in WINSDAY, a Tennessee Athletics promotion in which a variety of prizes will be given away throughout the game, by registering at the FanHQ table on the concourse level. The game is available for streaming on SECN+.

Balanced Attack: All five of Tennessee’s starters contributed a basket to the team’s first 10 points, and that trend carried through the game with Westbrook, Davis, and Z. Green all finishing in double figures. UT has had at least three players in double figures in every game this season.

Dominating the Paint: The Lady Vols outscored OSU in the paint ,48-18, marking the fifth time this season UT has outscored opponents in the paint.

Westbrook’s Career Night: With 29 points on the night, sophomore Evina Westbrook set a new career high for the second time this season. Her previous career high was 20, set against UNC Asheville on Nov. 14. As a freshman her highest point total was 18 against Auburn.

No. 6 Vols Cruise to 79-51 Win Over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi

No. 6 Vols Cruise to 79-51 Win Over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi

Posted on December 2, 2018
Vols F Kyle Alexander / Credit: UT Athletics

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — No. 6 Tennessee cruised to a 79-51 win over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi behind a balanced offensive attack Sunday afternoon at Thompson-Boling Arena.

Admiral Schofield led the way with 16 points to go along with a career-high-tying four steals. Grant Williams chipped in 14 points, nine rebounds, four assists and two blocks. Fellow junior Jordan Bowden also scored 14 points off the bench to go with four rebounds and a pair of steals.

Kyle Alexander rounded out the double-digit scoring for the Vols, recording 12 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks for the third double-double of his career. Point guard Jordan Bone finished with a career-high 10 assists, seven points and two steals.

The Vols (6-1) had the hot hand in the second half, connecting on 60 percent (15-of-25) of their field-goal attempts. UT shot 53 percent for the game, marking the fifth game this season the Big Orange has eclipsed 50-percent shooting.

Tennessee’s defense also had another strong performance, tallying a season-high 10 steals to go along with six blocks while forcing 14 turnovers. In all seven games this season, UT has won the turnover margin against its opponents. The Vols held Texas A&M-Corpus Christi to 32 percent shooting from the floor on the day.

The Islanders (4-4) got an early jump in the game, taking a 15-8 lead behind a trio of 3-pointers. Tennessee heated up on both ends of the floor, however, closing the half on a 26-4 run over the final 12:36 in the frame to take a 34-19 lead into break.

The Vols shot 46 percent (11-of-24) from the floor while holding Texas A&M-Corpus Christi to 27 percent (8-of-30) shooting during the opening 20 minutes. Schofield led all scorers with nine points during the half. Alexander chipped in an additional eight while grabbing four rebounds.

BALANCED OFFENSIVE ATTACK: For the fourth consecutive game, four different Tennessee players scored in double-digits. Tennessee has had at least four double-figure scorers in six of its seven game this season. Eight different Vols have eclipsed the 10-point mark in a game this year.

UP NEXT: Tennessee travels to Phoenix, Arizona, to take on top-ranked Gonzaga in the Jerry Colangelo Classic next Sunday. The game tips at 3 p.m. ET and will be televised on ESPN.

-UT Athletics

 

Playing Surface Conversion Underway at Robert M. Lindsay Field at Lindsey Nelson Stadium

Playing Surface Conversion Underway at Robert M. Lindsay Field at Lindsey Nelson Stadium

Posted on December 1, 2018
Lindsey Nelson Stadium / Credit: UT Athletics

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee baseball program is embarking on its first major stadium project since 2010 with the conversion of Lindsey Nelson Stadium’s grass field to artificial turf.

The project will not only help the Vols’ baseball program but the community as a whole, with the City of Knoxville and the surrounding community both set to benefit from the new field.

Tennessee will now be able to host a series of tournaments that will positively affect commerce, bringing more people to campus and Knoxville. Additionally, the ability to host camps without compromising the playing field will allow the staff to form closer relationships with the baseball community and others around the state of Tennessee. More community service activities and alumni events will now be able to take place on the field as well.

“We’re committed to maintaining first-class facilities at Tennessee, and this project gets us off to a great start at Lindsey Nelson Stadium,” Tennessee Director of Athletics Phillip Fulmer said. “We made this decision with player development in mind. Converting the field from natural grass to an artificial surface gives (head coach Tony) Vitello and his staff more flexibility in terms of when they can practice and how they can practice.

“It also expands the calendar in terms of scheduling games and camps. Getting greater, year-round use from the facility was also something we desired. We expect this new surface to open up new opportunities for youth baseball events, community service and beyond, strengthening the Knoxville community’s bond with Lindsey Nelson Stadium and Tennessee Baseball.”

Carolina Green is currently performing the work on Robert M. Lindsay Field. The 126,000 square-foot surface that will be installed is a product of FieldTurf, which is the industry leader in artificial turf. FieldTurf’s primary manufacturing facility is located in nearby Calhoun, Georgia.

“The field is at the centerpiece of this 2018-19 project,” Vitello said. “But upgrades and work will also be done on the home bullpen area, our batting cages and the players’ locker room.”

Over the last year, the team clubhouse and weight room saw updates as well.

“I consider myself a traditionalist, but player development and building a winning program is more important than any personal preference. All evidence points to this surface being a key component of accomplishing those two major goals.”

“Coach Fulmer has spent a great deal of time and energy in an effort to make sure every sport here at UT is seen as important and takes winning championships very seriously,” Vitello said. “Our student-athletes are incredibly fortunate to immediately benefit from these actions that support that philosophy. Our administration’s belief in our staff and our program prior to seeing results will be something that will go a long way for us.”

The playing surface and facility upgrades are scheduled to be completed prior to the Vols’ season opener versus Appalachian State on Feb. 15, 2019.

-UT Athletics

 

Hoops Preview: No. 11 Lady Vols vs. Oklahoma State

Hoops Preview: No. 11 Lady Vols vs. Oklahoma State

Posted on December 1, 2018
Credit: UT Athletics

No. 11/11 Tennessee (5-0) plays its third straight game away from Knoxville, but its first true road contest of the season, when it squares off with NR/RV Oklahoma State (6-0) in the SEC/Big 12 Challenge on Sunday afternoon. Tip time is set for 3 p.m. CT (4 ET) at Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater, Okla., and the match-up will be televised by FS1.

The Lady Vols have had a full week between games, last playing on Nov. 24 as they beat UAB in overtime, 73-69, to capture the Junkanoo Division title at the 2018 Women’s Junkanoo Jam in Bimini, Bahamas. UT defeated Clemson, 78-66, in its opening round game on Nov. 22. Sophomore Rennia Davis was named the tourney’s MVP and was joined on the all-tournament team by senior teammate Meme Jackson.

OSU, meanwhile, will be playing its third game in six days when UT comes to town. The Cowgirls beat Wichita State, 60-47, on Tuesday and defeated Texas State, 66-55, on Friday night before turning its focus toward the Lady Vols.

BROADCAST INFORMATION

  • Tracy Warren (play-by-play) and Dan Hughes (analyst) will describe the action for FS1
  • Mickey Dearstone is handling the call for IMG College/Lady Vol Network radio/online broadcasts for the 20th season. A link to the live audio stream can be found on each game’s Hoops Central page or the Lady Vol schedule on UTSports.com.
  • Air time for games on the Lady Vol Radio Network generally occurs 30 minutes prior to tip-off.
  • For UT home games (after football season has concluded), the Lady Vol Network has a low-power transmitter that makes the game available on the radio at 99.3 FM.

2018 SEC/BIG 12 CHALLENGE

  • This marks the fifth SEC/Big 12 Challenge in women’s basketball.
  • The SEC/Big 12 Challenge will feature 10 squads from the SEC against every team from the Big 12. This is the third season in which 10 games will be played. The format consists of five home games on campus sites for each conference.
  • This year’s challenge includes five games that will feature at least one ranked opponent in either the Associated Press or USA TODAY Coaches poll.
  • In 2016, the SEC edged the Big 12, 6-4, in the first 10-game slate. Last season, both teams split the Challenge with a 5-5 mark.

RECAPPING UT’S SEASON SO FAR

  • Tennessee is off to a 5-0 start for the fourth time in Holly Warlick‘s seventh season as head coach and looking to go 6-0 for just the third occasion under her watch. Last year’s squad got off to a 15-0 start.
  • UT opened 2018-19 with three easy wins over Presbyterian, UNC Asheville and Florida A&M before remaining unbeaten with a pair of challenging triumphs over Clemson (78-66) and UAB (73-69 OT) to win the Junkanoo Division title at the 2018 Women’s Junkanoo Jam in Bimini, Bahamas.
  • The Lady Vols are outscoring foes, 83.4-52.2 and outrebounding them 49.4-33.2 through five games.

THE LADY VOLS’ LAST GAME

  • No. 11/11 Tennessee came from 12 points down in the fourth quarter to send the game to overtime and seize a hard-fought victory over UAB, 73-69, on Saturday in the Junkanoo Division title game at the 2018 Women’s Junkanoo Jam.
  • Sophomore forward Rennia Davis, who was named the tournament MVP, led the Lady Vols (5-0) with 18 points, including three huge second-half three-pointers at Gateway Christian Academy Gymnasium. Sophomore point guard Evina Westbrook tossed in 16 points, followed by sophomore center Kasiyahna Kushkituah, who registered her first career double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds.
  • Senior Meme Jackson, who had 14 points in Thursday’s Junkanoo Jam win over Clemson, had eight points and eight boards vs. UAB and joined Davis on the all-tournament team.
  • The upset-minded Blazers upped their lead to 12 early in the fourth period at 58-46 and had a 60-48 advantage with 7:41 to go. Davis, however, stared that deficit in the face and made some big plays, draining three-consecutive long-range threes that cut the gap to six, 63-57, with 5:20 to go. After a Kuzmanic layup with 5:07 remaining made it 65-57 Blazers, UT didn’t allow UAB another point in regulation.

ABOUT OKLAHOMA STATE

  • Oklahoma State is led by head coach Jim Littell, who is in his eighth season in Stillwater. He owns a 153-80 career record, all at OSU.
  • The Cowgirls returned two starters and six total letterwinners from a year ago. They have eight players who are freshmen (3) or sophomores (5).
  • Returning starters include guards Braxtin Miller and Jaden Hobbs. Miller was a Big 12 All-Freshman Team choice a year ago and received honorable mention All-Big 12 accolades. Five-star prep standout Vivian Gray joined the squad this season after playing at Fort Lewis College and averaging 18.5 points and 7.8 rebounds there as a freshman.
  • OSU went 21-11 overall and 11-7 in the Big 12 a year ago, finishing third in the league and making the NCAA Tournament. The Cowgirls beat Syracuse in the first round, 84-57, before falling to eventual NCAA runner-up Mississippi State, 71-56, in the second round.
  • OSU met UT in the Cancun Challenge last season on Nov. 24, with the Lady Vols prevailing, 79-69.

THE COWGIRLS’ LAST GAME

  • Sophomore forward Vivian Gray led three players in double figures with 25 points, as Oklahoma State improved to 6-0 with a 66-55 victory over Texas State Friday night at Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater.
  • Gray finished 10 of 19 from the field, including 3-of-4 marksmanship from beyond the arc, and pulled down six rebounds.
  • Sophomore guard Braxtin Miller added 15 points, nine rebounds and eight assists, while sophomore guard Jaden Hobbs connected on four of seven treys to tally 14 points.

ABOUT THE SERIES

  • Sunday’s match-up between Tennessee and Oklahoma State will be the third meeting between these schools.
  • The contest will feature UT’s first visit to Stillwater and the first time these squads have played anywhere other than a neutral site.
  • Last season, Mercedes Russell led four players in double figures, notching 25 points and eight rebounds in No. 12/14 Tennessee’s 79-69 win over previously-unbeaten Oklahoma State on Nov. 24 at the Cancun Challenge in Mexico.
  • Jaime Nared and Rennia Davis posted double-doubles of 21 points and 10 rebounds, and 12 points and 10 rebounds, respectively, while Anastasia Hayes chipped in 10 points.
  • Nared moved past the 1,000-point plateau, pushing her to 1,004 in her 100th career game.
  • UT jumped out to a 25-10 early second quarter lead but had to repeatedly stave off Cowgirl comeback attempts.
  • OSU’s Loryn Goodwin, who had a game-high 29 points, cut UT’s lead to six with 4:36 to go. Russell answered with back-to-back buckets, and Tennessee held on for the win.
  • The only other meeting between Tennessee and OSU took place on Dec. 4, 1992, in the Rainbow Wahine Classic in Honolulu, Hawaii. UT claimed a 69-60 victory in that contest.
  • The Lady Vols are 56-22 all-time against schools from the Big 12 Conference. UT had wins over Texas and OSU last season.

NEXT UP FOR UT AND OSU

  • After the OSU game, Tennessee returns home to host Stetson on Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET (SECN+) before heading to Austin for the annual showdown with Texas next Sunday at noon CT/1 ET (ESPN2).
  • Oklahoma State, meanwhile, hosts Houston Baptist next Saturday before heading to the West Coast to battle UCLA on Dec. 16.

UT Athletics

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