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Williams, Schofield Garner Preseason SEC Honors

Posted on October 17, 2018

A voting panel of SEC and national media members included Tennessee’s Admiral Schofield and Grant Williams on its listing of preseason honorees, the league announced Wednesday.

Schofield, a senior wing from Zion, Illinois, was a preseason All-SEC second-team selection and was among 10 players who received at least one vote for SEC Player of the Year.

Williams, a junior forward from Charlotte, North Carolina, landed on the preseason All-SEC first team and also was picked to repeat as the SEC Player of the Year.

Williams received the league’s top individual honor from both the coaches and the Associated Press back in March. He could be the first player to repeat since Arkansas’ Corliss Williamson won the award in 1994 and 1995.

After winning the regular-season championship last year, the Volunteers were picked to finish second in this year’s SEC race. Kentucky was projected to claim the 2019 league crown.

Tennessee returns 14 players from last year’s SEC Championship team that finished 26-9 and 13-5 in SEC play. Reigning SEC Coach of the Year Rick Barnes enters his fourth year with the Vols needing only four wins to ascend past the legendary John Wooden into 26th place on the all-time Division I wins list.

Season tickets remain available, and single-game tickets are moving fast. Tennessee’s home games against West Virginia (Jan. 26) and Kentucky (March 2) are already sold out, and fewer than 400 tickets remain available for the home game against Florida on Feb. 9.

UT Athletics

Davis Named Preseason All-SEC

Posted on October 16, 2018

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Tennessee women’s basketball team has been picked to finish third in the Southeastern Conference this year, and sophomore Rennia Davis has been chosen to the seven-member Preseason All-SEC Team, in voting by a select panel of SEC and national media members.

Mississippi State, the reigning SEC regular-season champion and national runner-up, was projected to finish first. Defending SEC Tournament champion South Carolina was picked to finish second, followed by UT, Georgia and Missouri to round out the top five.

The Lady Vols finished 25-8 overall and tied for fourth in the SEC a year ago with an 11-5 mark. They return a pair of SEC All-Freshman Team members (Davis and classmate Evina Westbrook) as well as senior wing Meme Jackson who started every game of the 2017-18 campaign. Seventh-year head coach Holly Warlick also welcomes her second straight top-5 recruiting class as well as graduate transfer Lou Brown who started 23 games and led Washington State University in rebounding last season.

Davis, a 6-foot-2 guard/forward from Jacksonville, Fla., was one of seven players named to the Preseason All-SEC squad. Other members include Caliya Robinson (Georgia), Anriel Howard (Mississippi State), Teaira McCowan (Mississippi State), Sophie Cunningham (Missouri), Alexis Jennings (South Carolina), and Chennedy Carter (Texas A&M). Mississippi State’s Teaira McCowan was tabbed for SEC Women’s Basketball Player of the Year.

As a freshman Davis averaged 12.0 points and 7.6 rebounds per game, starting in 32 of 33 contests and tallying nine double-doubles. Twice named SEC Freshman of the week, she finished the season ranked No. 11 in rebounding in the SEC.

The Lady Vols play their lone exhibition game on Nov. 5 vs. Carson-Newman (7 p.m. ET) and open the 2018-19 regular season vs. Presbyterian at 2 p.m. on Nov. 11. Both games will be played at Thompson-Boling Arena.

Order of Finish

1. Mississippi State
2. South Carolina
3. Tennessee
4. Georgia
5. Missouri
6. Texas A&M
7. Kentucky
8. Auburn
9. LSU
10. Alabama
11. Arkansas
12. Florida
13. Vanderbilt
14. Ole Miss

Player of the Year
Teaira McCowan, Mississippi State

Preseason All-SEC
Caliya Robinson, Georgia
Anriel Howard, Mississippi State
Teaira McCowan, Mississippi State
Sophie Cunningham, Missouri
Alexis Jennings, South Carolina
Rennia Davis, Tennessee
Chennedy Carter, Texas A&M
UT Athletics

Video: Ty Chandler talks about Jennings, Guarantano and getting the ball

Posted on October 16, 2018

Tennessee running back Ty Chandler spoke to the media in a group setting on Tuesday of Alabama week.

Vols RB Ty Chandler / Credit: WNML Staff

Video: Trey Smith “We didn’t sit there and sulk when things didn’t go our way”

Posted on October 16, 2018

Tennessee offensive lineman Trey Smith spoke to the media in a group setting on Tuesday of Alabama week.

Sam Hunt, Jason Aldean & Luke Bryan to Headline 2019 Stagecoach Festival [+ Full Lineup]

Posted on October 16, 2018

Stagecoach Music Festival announced that Luke Bryan, Sam Hunt and Jason Aldean will headline its three-day musical extravaganza in Indio, Calif., in April 2019.

Luke will headline opening night on April 26, while Sam will be featured on April 27 and Jason will close the festival on April 28.

“I always get fired up when I see Stagecoach as one of my stops on tour,” says Luke. “This crowd never lets me down.”

“Stagecoach is hands down one of the best country music festivals around,” adds Sam. “We’ve been looking forward to coming back for three years. Can’t wait!”

“Headlining Stagecoach always feels like a bucket list show for me,” says Jason. “You can’t beat looking out at the sea of fans with that California backdrop.”

The 13th annual Stagecoach Festival will also feature more than 50 additional country acts, including Cole Swindell, Lauren Alaina, Kane Brown, Cam, Luke Combs, Old Dominion, Scotty McCreery, Terri Clark, Ashley Monroe and more.

Festival passes go on sale on Oct. 19 at 11 a.m. PT, ranging from $349 (three-day general admission) to $1,399 (three-day reserved seating).

2019 Stagecoach Lineup

Abby Anderson
Adam Hambrick
Ashley Monroe
Aubrie Sellers
Becca Mancari
Brandon Lay
Bret Michaels
Cam
Carlton Anderson
Charley Crockett
Cody Johnson
Cole Swindell
Cordovas
Danielle Bradbery
Dan Tyminski
Dawn Landes
Devin Dawson
Filmore
Jason Aldean
Jessie James Decker
Jimmie Allen
Joe Diffie
Jon Langston
Jordan Davis
Kane Brown
King Leg
Lanco
Lauren Alaina
Luke Bryan
Luke Combs
Lynyrd Skynyrd
Mark Chesnutt
Michael Ray
Mitchell Tenpenny
Old Dominion
Parker Millsap
Rachel Wammack
Rita Wilson
Ross Ellis
Ruby Boots
Russell Dickerson
Sam Hunt
Sammy Kershaw
Scotty McCreery
Smithfield
Terri Clark
The Wild Feathers
Tom Jones
Travis Denning
Tyler Rich
Whiskey Myers
Whitey Morgan
William Prince

photo by Jason Simanek

“Women Want to Hear Women With Elaina” Featuring Tenille Townes

Posted on October 16, 2018

You know you’re doing something right when Miranda Lambert and Little Big Town handpick you as the opener for their Bandwagon Tour, right? Well, that is exactly what happened to Tenille Townes this summer.

When it comes to Tenille’s talents, I was actually a little slow to the party. Not anymore, thanks in part to everyone who saw her on tour and tweeted us to feature her!

Tenille is talented, intelligent and thoughtful beyond her years. I really think you’re going to love this one. Enjoy!

Podcast Participants:

Tenille Townes
Elaina Smith, host of WWTHW

Videos:

Tenille “Plays It Forward” by Covering Dolly Parton’s “Coat of Many Colors,” which reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in 1971.
Tenille performs her new single, “Somebody’s Daughter.”

Tenille’s Women Want to Hear Women Playlist

Need a refresher what #WomenWantToHearWomen is all about?
Past episodes:
Kacey Musgraves
Dolly Parton
Carly Pearce
Shawna Thompson of Thompson Square
Tegan Marie
Clare Dunn
Stephanie Quayle
Sarah Darling
Rachel Reinert
Carrie Underwood
Abby Anderson
Runaway June
Kalie Shorr
Rachel Wammack
Jessie Chris

Video: Jennings meets with media for first time since reinstatement

Posted on October 16, 2018

Tennessee wide receiver Jauan Jennings spoke with the media in a group setting on Monday of Alabama week. Video courtesy of University of Tennessee Athletics. Microphone for questions was not passed around, so questions are a little more difficult to hear, but are still audible. Apologies for that.

New Alan Jackson Documentary Premieres on Oct. 16 on AXS TV [Watch Sneak Peek]

Posted on October 16, 2018

Country Music Hall of Fame member Alan Jackson is the subject of a new documentary, Small Town Southern Man, that will premiere on AXS TV on Oct. 16.

The feature-length documentary chronicles Alan’s life from his upbringing in Georgia in the 1950s and ’60s to his Hall of Fame induction in 2017. The film is primarily narrated by Alan and includes interviews with family members, musical colleagues and country stars, including Carrie Underwood.

Written, produced and directed by John Albarian, the film showcases the inspirations that led Alan to write hits such as “Chasin’ That Neon Rainbow,” “Chattahoochee,” “Here in the Real World,” “Livin’ on Love,” and “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning).”

Alan Jackson: Small Town Southern Man airs on AXS TV on Oct. 16 at 9 p.m. CT.

Watch a sneak peek of the documentary below.

photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

Guarantano Collects Maxwell Player of The Week Honors

Posted on October 16, 2018

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee redshirt sophomore quarterback Jarrett Guarantano added another accolade this week, capturing the Maxwell Award Player of the Week honors on Tuesday.

The Maxwell Football Club national selection committee selected the Vols’ signal-caller as its national offensive player of the week following his stand-out 328-yard, two-touchdown, no-turnover performance in Tennessee’s 30-24 upset victory at No. 21 Auburn on Saturday.

Guarantano was 11-of-14 on third down in the game, including 8-of-8 on third-and-8 or longer. His 25-yard touchdown pass to redshirt junior wide receiver Jauan Jennings with 3:25 remaining in the third quarter gave Tennessee the lead for good as the Vols picked up their first victory in Jordan-Hare Stadium in 20 years and their upset of a higher ranked opponent on the road in 12 years.

The Lodi, N.J., native finished with career-highs in passing yards (328), attempts (32) and completions (21), and tied his career-high with two touchdown passes.

Guarantano is the first Vol to win the Maxwell Award Player of the Week honor since current Pittsburgh Steelers backup quarterback Joshua Dobbs won the award on Sept. 29, 2016 after he led the Vols to a comeback victory over Florida in Neyland Stadium.

Guarantano was also named the SEC’s Co-Offensive Player of the Week on Monday in addition to being mentioned on the Davey O’Brien Award Great 8 and the Manning Award Star of the Week lists. On Sunday, he was named to PFF College’s National Team of the Week with a 93.3 grade – the service’s highest mark for an offensive player during Week 7 action.

Guarantano’s Week 7 Honors
Maxwell Award National Player of the Week
SEC Co-Offensive Player of the Week
PFF College National Team of the Week
Davey O’Brien Award Great 8
Manning Award Star of the Week
PFF College SEC Team of the Week
CFPA Honorable Mention National Performer of the Week

Four Vols Named to PFF College SEC Team of the Week
Joining Guarantano on PFF College’s SEC Team of the Week were Jennings (80.7 grade), junior linebacker Daniel Bituli (76.8 grade) and freshman cornerback Bryce Thompson (83.1 grade).

Jennings finished with five receptions for 71 yards and a touchdown, and secured Auburn’s onside kick attempt to close out the win. Bituli totaled five tackles and a half-tackle for loss, while Thompson made five stops to go along with a pass breakup, a QB hurry and his second interception of the season.

Tickets Available
Tickets remain available for Saturday’s 3:30 p.m. game versus No. 1 Alabama at Neyland Stadium and can be purchased at AllVols.com or by calling 1-800-332-VOLS.

UT Athletics

Listen to Luke Bryan Sing About His “Dirt Road Cred” in New Single, “What Makes You Country”

Posted on October 16, 2018

Luke Bryan will try to score the 22nd No. 1 single of his career with the release of “What Makes You Country.”

The tune, which was co-penned by Luke, Dallas Davidson and Ashley Gorley, features the country boy reminiscing about his days growing up in rural Georgia on a working peanut farm, including the chorus: “I got my dirt road cred when I was twelve / On a no cab tractor haulin’ them bails / Backin’ in boats, fishin’ limb lines / Runnin’ bird dogs through the Georgia pines / Stepside covered down in peanut dust / Friday night spotlightin’, that was us / It might not have been you but I can’t judge / Just be proud of what makes you country.”

“What Makes You Country” is the fourth single—and title track—from Luke’s 2017 No. 1 album, following previous chart-toppers “Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset,” “Light It Up” and “Most People Are Good.”

Listen to “What Makes You Country” below.