Alan Jackson’s son-in-law, Ben Selecman, 28, died on Sept. 12 after suffering “severe injuries during a boating accident,” according to the Nashville District Attorney’s Office, where Ben was an assistant DA.
The Davidson Country DA issued the following statement: “The District Attorney’s Office is saddened to announce the passing of Assistant DA Ben Selecman. General Selecman suffered severe injuries during a boating accident and passed away on September 12. He was 28-years-old. District Attorney Glenn Funk said the DA’s Office is thankful for every day that Ben had the opportunity to serve the people of Davidson County. Our prayers are with Ben’s family. He will be truly missed.”
Ben married Alan’s oldest daughter, Mattie, in October 2017.
The wedding was chronicled by Southern Bride, with Mattie telling the outlet: “Ben will tell you we first met at a mutual friend’s wedding, but I just remember dancing with a cute guy and never thinking about him after. We reconnected 2 years later while he spent a summer clerking for a judge in Nashville during law school. He asked me out and I said no, but he didn’t give up. Three months later, he called. I finally relented, so he drove almost 4 hours just for dinner and we’ve talked every day since. He pursued me until I finally saw the handsome, outgoing, Godly guy I needed. After deciding we were meant for forever, he took me on a picnic on the Old Historic Natchez Trace, where we enjoyed incredible wine, cheese, dancing and the most romantic proposal.”
We will bring you more info as it is made available.
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Alan Jackson’s official website posted news of Ben’s death, saying, in part: “Samuel Benton ‘Ben’ Selecman—husband of Mattie Jackson Selecman, son-in-law of country artist Alan Jackson—died unexpectedly Wednesday, September 12, in West Palm Beach, Florida. Selecman, a Nashville resident, had recently suffered severe traumatic head injuries in a fall. He was 28 years old.”
The Tennessean is reporting that “Ben Selecman suffered severe injuries after falling while helping a woman onto a boat in Florida.”
The Grand Ole Opry has joined forces with Carrie Underwood for the 10th annual Opry Goes Pink show on Oct. 26 in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Carrie will flip the switch on the Grand Ole Opry’s signature barn backdrop, turning it pink for the night as she takes the stage to perform two shows that evening. Additional performers will be announced in the coming weeks. Carrie also flipped the switch on the inaugural Opry Goes Pink show in 2009.
Carrie and the Opry have also teamed to create Cry Pretty Opry Goes Pink packages featuring Opry Goes Pink tickets, Carrie’s Cry Pretty album and a collectible print. When fans order the package or tickets, $5 from every package and ticket sold will be donated to the fight against breast cancer.
Georgia natives Luke Bryan, Phillip Phillips, Cole Swindell, The Peach Pickers (Rhett Akins, Dallas Davidson and Ben Hayslip) and DJ Rock will host a benefit show—dubbed The Heart of South Georgia—in their home state on Oct. 3 at the Exchange Club of Albany in Albany, Ga.
Proceeds raised from the concert will be donated to The Heart of South Georgia Fund of The Community Foundation of South Georgia to support the ongoing natural disaster relief efforts as well as other needs within the community.
“My hometown is more than a place for me—it is a way of life,” says Luke. “Growing up in South Georgia has had such an impact on me in so many ways and I’m so glad that this group of amazing artists and writers are able to come back home and help those who have been hit by such devastation over the past couple of years.”
“When I was asked to be a part of this event I didn’t hesitate,” said Cole. “Even though I get to travel the country doing what I love day after day there is nothing that gives me a sense of recharging than coming back home to South Georgia and being around the people who helped get me here. Being able to give back in some small way means the world to me.”
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee will look to improve to 2-1 on the season this Saturday afternoon when the Volunteers host the UTEP Miners at Neyland Stadium.
Kickoff for Saturday’s contest is slated for noon ET on the SEC Network with Dave Neal (play-by-play) and DJ Shockley (analyst) calling the action in the booth and Dawn Davenport reporting from the sidelines. Vol Network radio affiliates will have a live audio broadcast with Bob Kesling, Tim Priest and Brent Hubbs. Sirius (Channel 98) and XM satellite radio (Channel 190) will also carry the game.
The Vols are coming off their first win of the Jeremy Pruitt era, a 59-3 victory over ETSU in last Saturday’s home opener. Pruitt became the fifth straight UT head coach to win his home opener in his first season, as the Big Orange won their 14th consecutive game against an in-state non-conference opponent.
Five Vols Score First Collegiate Touchdown
Tennessee had five players score their first-career touchdown in Saturday’s win over ETSU (Marquill Osborne, Jeremy Banks, Darrin Kirkland Jr., Josh Palmer and Jordan Murphy). Osborne returned his own blocked punt for UT’s first touchdown of the game, Banks posted a pair of rushing touchdowns, Kirkland recorded his first-career pick-six, Palmer scored on end-around in the second quarter and Murphy caught a 50-yard pass in the fourth quarter.
Graduate transfer running back Madre London also found the endzone for the first time in a Tennessee uniform, rushing for a pair of scores. Fellow grad transfer Keller Chryst threw his first touchdown pass for UT in the fourth quarter as well.
Protecting the Ball
Tennessee has not committed a turnover through two games this season and boasts a plus-four turnover margin, which is tied for ninth nationally. The Big Orange are one of just three teams in the county that have played two or more games that have not committed a single turnover. The other two are Clemson and LSU.
Finding Ways to Score
The Vols scored a pair of non-offensive touchdowns against the Buccaneers last week. Junior defensive back Marquill Osborne blocked a punt in the first quarter and returned it eight yards for a touchdown to put UT ahead 10-0. Later in the half, redshirt junior linebacker Darrin Kirkland Jr. intercepted a pass on a tipped ball and raced 33 yards to the checkerboards to give the Vols a 31-0 lead.
The las time the Big Orange blocked a punt and had a pick-six in the same game was back on Nov. 3, 2007 in a 59-7 win over Louisiana-Lafayette.
Thompson Earns SEC Honors
Tennessee cornerback Bryce Thompson was named the SEC Freshman of the Week on Monday for his standout performance against ETSU. The Irmo, South Carolina native became the fourth true freshman to start for the Vols this season and had four tackles, two tackles for loss, one pass breakup and made his first-career interception in last Saturday’s victory.
Extra Yard for Teachers
Tennessee will wear helmet stickers and take part in other initiatives on game day in support of the College Football Playoff Foundation’s Extra Yard for Teachers platform. The CFP supports education across the country. The Extra Yard for Teachers campaign elevates the teaching profession by inspiring and empowering teachers through the implementation of programs in four focus areas: resources, recognition, recruitment and professional development.
About UTEP
The University of Texas at El Paso is led by first-year head coach Dana Dimel, who spent the previous nine seasons as the offensive coordinator at Kansas State. This is Dimel’s third head-coaching stint after spending time as the head man at Wyoming (1997-99) and Houston (2000-02). Dimel was the head coach at Wyoming in 1999 when the Vols defeated the Cowboys, 42-17, in Neyland Stadium.
The Miners are led by a dynamic playmaker at quarterback in Texas transfer Kai Locksley. The junior signal caller was named the 2017 Spalding NJCAA Offensive Player of the Year after leading Iowa Western C.C. to an 11-1 record last season. Through two games with UTEP, Locksley leads the team in passing yards (177) and rushing yards (169). Locksley rushed for 119 yards and two scores in a loss to UNLV last week.
UTEP is led by another transfer on the defensive side of the ball, as linebacker A.J. Hotchkins has tallied 21 tackles to lead the team through two games. The former Oregon Duck came to the Miners as a graduate transfer this offseason.
Saturday’s meeting between the Vols and Miners will be the third time the two programs have met on the gridiron. The last meeting between the two schools was nearly three decades ago when Tennessee blanked UTEP, 56-0, in 1990. The first time the two schools met was in 1986 with the Big Orange winning a close contest, 26-16.
After introducing her Idyllwind clothing line during the 2017 holiday season, Miranda Lambert has launched the collection at Boot Barn.
photo courtesy of Boot Barn
According to Boot Barn, the brand is “inspired by vintage and retro looks with a modern fashion edge and a focus on comfort, fit, and quality for the everyday girl who wants to look amazing and feel good at the same time.”
The Idyllwind line, which includes apparel, accessories and cowboy boots, is now available at all 233 Boot Barn stores nationwide and online.
“Idyllwind is a true expression of my style, created for the everyday girl who is also a badass,” says Miranda. “A brand based on being who you are and being comfortable in your skin and celebrating yourself whatever your size or age. Created around comfortable, affordable, great fitting clothes and boots that I call my trusties. I am very excited to work with the Boot Barn team and continue our amazing journey to building this brand together.”
The 2018 Americana Honors & Awards ceremony was held on Sept. 12 at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium.
The star-studded event, which was hosted by the Milk Carton Kids, featured performances by Rosanne Cash, John Prine, Robert Earl Keen, Brandi Carlile, Jason Isbell, Margo Price and more.
Jason Isbell was the night’s big winner, earning three awards for Album, Group and Song of the Year, while Jon Prine bested the field to take home the Artist of the Year award.
The Honors & Awards ceremony is the centerpiece of AmericanaFest (Sept. 11–16), which features more than 100 artists performing at different venues throughout Nashville.
Check out all of the winners below.
Album of the Year
“The Nashville Sound,” Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Produced by Dave Cobb WINNER
“All American Made,” Margo Price, Produced by Jeremy Ivey, Alex Munoz, Margo Price and Matt Ross-Spang
“By The Way, I Forgive You,” Brandi Carlile, Produced by Dave Cobb and Shooter Jennings
“Rifles & Rosary Beads,” Mary Gauthier, Produced by Neilson Hubbard
Artist of the Year
John Prine WINNER
Brandi Carlile
Jason Isbell
Margo Price
Duo/Group of the Year
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit WINNER
I’m With Her
Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real
Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats
Emerging Act of the Year
Tyler Childers WINNER
Courtney Marie Andrews
Anderson East
Lilly Hiatt
Song of the Year
“If We Were Vampires,” Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Written by Jason Isbell WINNER
“A Little Pain,” Margo Price, Written by Margo Price
“All The Trouble,” Lee Ann Womack, Written by Waylon Payne, Lee Ann Womack and Adam Wright
“The Joke,” Brandi Carlile, Written by Brandi Carlile, Dave Cobb, Phil Hanseroth and Tim Hanseroth
Instrumentalist of the Year
Molly Tuttle WINNER
Daniel Donato
Brittany Haas
Jerry Pentecost
This year’s special honorees induced:
Rosanne Cash: Spirit of Americana Free Speech Award
k.d. lang: Americana Trailblazer Award
Buddy Guy: Lifetime Achievement Award for Instrumentalist
Irma Thomas: Lifetime Achievement Award for Performance
Cris Williamson and Judy Dlugacz of Olivia Records: Jack Emerson Lifetime Achievement Award for Executive
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – In coordination with the Southeastern Conference, SEC Network and ESPN, the University of Tennessee announced on Wednesday the majority of its women’s basketball tip times and television designations for the 2018-19 season.
The Lady Vols are scheduled to appear on linear television 14 times during the regular season, including eight occasions on ESPN channels and six with the SEC Network. Twelve other contests will be streamed live on SECN+. Broadcast info. and time times for games vs. Stanford and at Oklahoma State haven’t been announced.
In SEC play, 12 of 16 UT contests will be carried on linear TV. Home games included in that mix are Missouri (ESPN2), Kentucky (SEC Network), Arkansas (SEC Network), LSU (SEC Network), South Carolina (ESPN2) and Vanderbilt (SEC Network). Linear road broadcasts include Georgia (ESPN), Alabama (SEC Network), Vanderbilt (ESPN2), Mississippi State (ESPN), Missouri (ESPN2) and Texas A&M (SEC Network).
Outside of conference play at this point, UT’s games at Texas (ESPN2) and at home vs. Notre Dame (ESPN) are slated for linear television. The Stanford and Oklahoma State contests would seem to be likely candidates as well, but nothing has been confirmed.
Among those home TV games, the Lady Vols have assigned the We Back Pat game to Jan. 21 vs. Arkansas and the Live Pink, Bleed Orange game to Jan. 27 vs. LSU. The We Back Pat game is part of the SEC’s We Back Pat Week (Jan. 20-27) and brings awareness to the Pat Summitt Foundation and its fight against Alzheimer’s. The Live Pink, Bleed Orange game provides education and visibility about the fight against breast cancer.
The SEC Tournament will be played Wednesday, March 6, through Sunday, March 10, at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, S.C. The SEC Network will televise the first three days of the SEC Women’s Basketball Tournament, while the semifinals will air on ESPNU, and the championship game on ESPN2.
All games on ESPN networks (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU and SEC Network) are also available through the ESPN App, which is accessible on computers, smartphones, tablets and connected devices nationwide at no additional cost to fans who receive their high-speed Internet connection or video subscription from an affiliated service provider.
Institutions have the ability to produce for SECN+ any conference and non-conference games that are not otherwise televised, which will be available on the ESPN app and SECSports.com.
Tennessee tips off the 2018-19 campaign with an exhibition game vs. Carson-Newman at 7 p.m. ET on Nov. 5.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee wrapped up its third practice of the week on Wednesday night at Haslam Field. As preparation for UTEP continues, the Volunteers are striving to be productive and take advantage of every opportunity each day, including those that are presented to the scout team.
“Everywhere that I have been, we have had guys that are probably our best players that started on the scout team,” head coach Jeremy Pruittsaid. “I have seen a bunch of first rounders play on the scout team, and they played it like it was their game every day.
“If you want to be a good football player, you are going to take every opportunity and do the best with what you can do with it.”
Thompson Displays Perseverance
Freshman cornerback Bryce Thompson was named SEC Freshman of the Week on Monday after strong practices and a career outing in Week 2 of the season.
“I think it was a perfect lesson for everybody on our team,” Pruitt said. “I think Bryce would be the first one to tell you that he didn’t play very well against West Virginia, but he came back and practiced extremely hard and it showed the way he played on Saturday.”
The Irmo, S.C., native made his first-career start in the Volunteers’ 59-3 blowout victory against ETSU on Saturday afternoon at Neyland Stadium. Thompson filled the stat sheet with four tackles, two tackles for loss, a pass breakup and his first-career interception, which he returned for 21 yards to the ETSU 3-yard line to set up UT’s third touchdown of the contest.
On Tuesday, Thompson was also named to the PFF College SEC Defensive Team of the Week.
UT Supporting Families Affected by Hurricane Florence
On Wednesday, Pruitt expressed the importance of prioritizing the safety of players’ families who have been affected by Hurricane Florence. Nine student-athletes on Tennessee’s roster hail from the Carolinas.
“For all the guys that have family that’s kind of in the wake of the storm there, to me that’s got to be their number one priority, their family’s safety. I’m sure that it’s on their mind, it’s on everybody’s mind that’s there, that’s not even associated with Tennessee. It’s an unfortunate circumstance that happens and we’ve tried to do everything that we possibly could to help alleviate some of the stress of the family members of our players who could possibly be affected by the storm.”
Earlier in the day, Tennessee Director of Athletics Phillip Fulmer extended an invitation to families displaced by Hurricane Florence to attend Saturday’s game against UTEP at Neyland free of charge.
Residents of North Carolina and South Carolina may receive a complimentary ticket to Saturday’s game vs. UTEP
Tennessee Director of Athletics Phillip Fulmer has extended an invitation to families displaced by Hurricane Florence to attend Saturday’s game against UTEP free of charge. Kickoff for the matchup between the Volunteers and Miners is set for noon ET at Neyland Stadium.
“Our hearts go out to all the families whose lives have been impacted by the hurricanes and tropical storms along the Atlantic coast,” Fulmer said. “One of our four pillars is warmth, and we feel this is an appropriate way to bring that to life. Certainly, a football game is relatively insignificant in comparison to the realities these evacuees are facing. But if we can provide just a few hours of distraction and normalcy for these families, I believe we should do all we can to make that possible for them.”
Residents of North Carolina and South Carolina counties under evacuation orders may claim tickets for themselves and their immediate families beginning at 8:30 a.m. ET on Saturday, Sept. 15, at the marked tent centrally located inside of Toyota Volunteer Village near the DJ. Toyota Volunteer Village is located in Humanities Plaza on Volunteer Boulevard across from the Torchbearer Statue. Additional signage will be in place to help direct fans unfamiliar with campus. Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. A valid, state-issued ID for North Carolina or South Carolina is required to receive a complimentary ticket. Ticket distribution will close at noon.
Chick-fil-A Knoxville, proud sponsor of Tennessee Football, also is donating 500 Chick-fil-A Chicken Biscuits for evacuees, which will be provided at the ticket-claim tent while supplies last.
In addition to Saturday’s opportunity for Atlantic coast evacuees, Walmart has partnered with the USO to host 25 military families at Saturday’s game. Those select families will receive complimentary tickets and access to a pregame tailgate.
All fans are reminded to review UT’s Clear Bag Policy which can be found here.
Additional traffic, parking and shuttle information is always accessible on the UTsports.com gameday page.
Tickets for Saturday’s game are still available for purchase at AllVols.com.
![Jason Isbell, John Prine, Tyler Childers & More Win 2018 Americana Awards [Full List]](https://cdn.socast.io/6616/sites/1446/2018/09/07101747/Jason-Isbell-JS.jpg#aqua_resizer_image_not_local)
