Watch Tim McGraw and Faith Hill Team With Michelle Obama for New “When We All Vote” PSA

Watch Tim McGraw and Faith Hill Team With Michelle Obama for New “When We All Vote” PSA

Posted on July 20, 2018

Tim McGraw and Faith Hill are part of a new PSA for When We All Vote, a new national, nonpartisan not-for-profit that endeavors to bring together citizens, institutions and organizations to spark a conversation about our rights and responsibilities in shaping our democracy.

Tim and Faith join When We All Vote co-chairs Michelle Obama, Tom Hanks, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Janelle Monáe and Chris Paul for the new clip.

Check it out below.

photo by Jason Simanek

photo by Jason Simanek

photo by Jason Simanek

Trey Smith Captures Preseason All-SEC First Team Honors

Trey Smith Captures Preseason All-SEC First Team Honors

Posted on July 20, 2018
Trey Smith – Credit: UT Athletics

ATLANTA – Tennessee football sophomore offensive lineman Trey Smith collected preseason All-SEC First Team honors on Friday, the league announced following SEC Media Days at the College Football Hall of Fame.

Smith was the nation’s top freshman offensive lineman in 2017, starting every game for the Vols and capturing FWAA Freshman All-American Team accolades in addition to All-SEC Second Team and All-Freshman honors by the coaches and media.

The versatile Jackson, Tenn., native earned playing time at right guard, left guard, left tackle and right tackle last fall. He became the first Vol true freshman to start at left tackle in over 30 years when he protected the blind side against Southern Miss on Nov. 4. Smith led the Vols with 55 knockdowns and finished as the SEC’s top-rated freshman offensive player according to Pro Football Focus College.

Smith missed the spring with a medical condition, but head coach Jeremy Pruitt said on Wednesday he would be back for the start of fall practice.

The Vols were predicted to finish sixth in the SEC East, but did receive one first-place vote. Georgia was picked to win the SEC East, while defending national champion Alabama was selected to win the SEC West and the overall conference championship.

The complete preseason All-SEC teams and predictions can be found at SECSports.com.

The Vols open the season at 3:30 p.m. on Sept. 1 at the Belk College Kickoff against West Virginia in Charlotte, N.C., before hosting ETSU at 4 p.m. on Sept. 8 and UTEP at 12 p.m. on Sept. 15. Tennessee welcomes Florida on Sept. 22 (kickoff is TBD) to start SEC play.

Tennessee football single game tickets are on sale now for six of the seven home games at AllVols.com or by calling 1-800-332-VOLS.

UT Athletics
“Women Want to Hear Women With Elaina Smith” Featuring Shawna Thompson of Thompson Square

“Women Want to Hear Women With Elaina Smith” Featuring Shawna Thompson of Thompson Square

Posted on July 20, 2018

Not all female voices in country music come from solo artists.

Little Big Town’s four-pronged power comes in equal measures from both Karen Fairchild and Kimberly Schlapman as well as Jimi Westbrook and Phillip Sweet. Lady Antebellum soars with the combination of Hillary Scott, Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood. Maddie Marlow and Tae Dye of Maddie & Tae are best friends, a sound that is almost palpable in their harmonies.

In this week’s episode, I sit down with Thompson Square’s Shawna Thompson, who teamed with her husband, Keifer, to form their award-winning duo almost a decade ago (they’ve been married for 18 years). I wanted to find out if Shawna’s experience as a woman in country music has been different since she’s had her guy by her side. We find that out and so much more as we feature Shawna during this week’s Women Want to Hear Women Podcast. We even get some perspective from her husband.

I hope you enjoy the podcast, and be sure to check out the videos of Thompson Square as they “Play It Forward” with a cover of Faith Hill’s “It Matters to Me,” as well as their new song, “Breakers.” Shawna also helps me curate this week’s WWTHW playlist.

Podcast Participants:

  • Shawna Thompson of Thompson Square
  • Keifer Thompson of Thompson Square
  • Elaina Smith, host of Women Want to Hear Women

Videos:

  • Thompson Square “Plays It Forward” with a cover of Faith Hill’s “It Matters to Me”
  • Thompson Square performs “Breakers”

Shawna’s Women Want to Hear Women Playlist:

Need a refresher on what #WomenWantToHearWomen is all about?
Past episodes: 
Kacey Musgraves
Dolly Parton
Carly Pearce

Jason Aldean Announces 3rd Annual “Concert for the Kids” on Sept. 6 to Benefit Hometown Hospital

Jason Aldean Announces 3rd Annual “Concert for the Kids” on Sept. 6 to Benefit Hometown Hospital

Posted on July 20, 2018

Macon, Ga., native Jason Aldean will return to his hometown on Sept. 6 to headline his third annual Concert for the Kids.

Jason, with the support of opener Lauren Alaina, will perform at the Macon Coliseum to benefit the city’s new Beverly Knight Olson Children’s Hospital. Over the past two events, Jason has helped raise more than $1.2 million for the construction of the region’s only dedicated pediatric hospital.

“There are a lot of reasons I love doing what I do, but being able to give back to these kids and their families is definitely really important to me,” said Jason. “We’ve been able to help support the build of an entirely new facility, so I’m looking forward to seeing how the community shows up for the hospital this year and what we can do to keep helping the people there.”

Tickets go on sale to the public on July 27 at 10 a.m. CT.

photo by Jason Simanek

Watch Miranda Lambert’s Illuminating Performances on “Seth Meyers”

Watch Miranda Lambert’s Illuminating Performances on “Seth Meyers”

Posted on July 20, 2018

In between stops on her co-headlining Bandwagon Tour with Little Big Town, Miranda stopped by Late Night With Seth Meyers on July 18 for a double dose of fun.

Miranda performed two illuminating cuts from her award-winning 2016 album, The Weight of These Wings. After leading off with “Pink Sunglasses,” Miranda returned to the stage to perform “Ugly Lights.”

Miranda and LBT’s joint tour continues through Aug. 24, including stops in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Toronto and more.

Check out both performances below.

photo by Jason Simanek

Only One Country Artist Featured in Pollstar’s Top 10 Biggest Tours of 2018

Only One Country Artist Featured in Pollstar’s Top 10 Biggest Tours of 2018

Posted on July 19, 2018

Only one country star is featured in Pollstar’s Top 10 Tours of 2018.

Thy name is Kenny . . . Kenny Chesney, who clocked in at No. 8.

The list is based on how much money each tour has grossed from Jan. 1 to June 30, 2018, regardless of the number shows performed or ticket price. Kenny’s 25 gigs grossed $62.1 million, with the second lowest average ticket price—$87.18—in the Top 10.

Pollstar’s Top 10 Tours of 2018

  1. Ed Sheeran
  2. Bruno Mars
  3. The Rolling Stones
  4. Taylor Swift
  5. Pink
  6. Eagles
  7. Justin Timberlake
  8. Kenny Chesney
  9. Roger Waters
  10. U2

A handful of other country stars made Pollstar’s Top 100 list, including Luke Bryan (No. 31), Shania Twain (No. 47), Miranda Lambert (No. 60), Blake Shelton (No. 62), Tim McGraw/Faith Hill (No. 63), Chris Young (No. 88) and Little Big Town (No. 94).

photo by AFF-USA.com

Tegan Marie Announces Summer Tour Dates

Tegan Marie Announces Summer Tour Dates

Posted on July 19, 2018

Tegan Marie will embark on her first major tour this summer. The 14-year-old will make eight appearances in support of her new single, “I Know How to Make a Boy Cry.”

July 24 – Grand Junction, CO – Mesa County Fairgrounds
July 31 – Broken Bow, NE – Custer County Fairgrounds
Aug. 4 – Marion, IL – Rent One Park
Aug. 14 – Des Moines, IA – Susan Knapp Amphitheater
Sept. 8 – Freehold, NJ – iPlay America’s Event Center
Sept. 9 – Dallas, PA – Luzerne County Fairgrounds
Sept. 27 – Hartford, CT – Infinity Music Hall
Sept. 28 – Topsfield, MA – Topsfield Fairgrounds

photo by Arroyo-O\’Connor/AFF-USA.com

Josh Abbott Serenades Wife Taylor With Heartfelt Wedding Song, “Taylor Made for Me”

Josh Abbott Serenades Wife Taylor With Heartfelt Wedding Song, “Taylor Made for Me”

Posted on July 19, 2018

Josh Abbott, frontman of the Josh Abbott Band, and Taylor Parnell tied the knot in front of 250 family and friends in Brazos Hall in Austin, Texas, on July 8.

After the wedding ceremony, Josh serenaded his new bride with a song he penned just for her: “Taylor Made for Me.”

“I wanted to write Taylor a song for this week and for this event, this awesome life moment we get to share with all of you,” said Josh. “And I wrote the first verse a few days ago. I wrote the rest of it this morning. And that’s how I think it needed to be.”

The couple welcomed daughter Emery Farryn Abbott into the world in May 2017 and got engaged in July 2017.

Watch Josh perform “Taylor Made for Me,” as part of the four-minute wedding clip.

photo courtesy of ILC Films/Shore Fire

Jimmy’s blog: Former UT quarterback charged with criminal simulation

Jimmy’s blog: Former UT quarterback charged with criminal simulation

Posted on July 19, 2018

 

By Jimmy Hyams

Former Tennessee quarterback Sterling Henton as charged July 3 with criminal simulation for depositing a check worth more than $95,000.

Henton deposited the check June 13 at Y-12 Federal Credit Union in Clinton , according to the arrest warrant.

“I unknowingly deposited a bad check,’’ Henton told WNML radio Thursday afternoon. “No funds were taken. I just have to trust the process right now.’’

Henton’s court date is set for July 26.

The arrest warrant says the check – valued at $95,140 — came from Coda Ventures LLC, a market research firm in Nashville. Marianne Grogan, president and co-founder of Coda Ventures, told police the check was counterfeit and not from her business.

Rhett Carter, an investigative officer, said in the report that Henton admitted to depositing the check and was aware it wasn’t written for the correct amount.

Henton was booked and released July 17. His bond was set at $5,000.

Henton played quarterback for Tennessee from 1987-90. He has been a popular disc jockey at UT football games for the past several years.

A native of Passiac, N.J., Henton lives in Knoxville.

 

Sponsored by Big Kahuna Wings: The wings that changed it all

Dustin Lynch, Lauren Alaina, Cam, Jon Pardi & More to Perform at ACM Honors Ceremony

Dustin Lynch, Lauren Alaina, Cam, Jon Pardi & More to Perform at ACM Honors Ceremony

Posted on July 19, 2018

The Academy of Country Music announced its first round of performers and presenters for the 12th annual ACM Honors ceremony, which will take place on August 22 at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. The ceremony will recognize the special honorees and off-camera category winners from the 53rd ACM Awards.

Performers include Lauren Alaina, Kassi Ashton, Cam, Deana Carter, Morgan Evans, Dustin Lynch, Ashley McBryde, Old Crow Medicine Show, Jon Pardi, Dallas Davidson and Ben Hayslip. Presenters include Jordan Davis, Lindsay Ell, Lori McKenna and Storme Warren.

The ACM Honors, which will be hosted by Lauren Alaina and Jon Pardi, will pay tribute to a number of artists for their specific achievements, including Alan Jackson, Dierks Bentley, Sam Hunt, Darius Rucker, Matraca Berg, Mickey and Chris Christensen, Eddie Miller, Rhett Akins, Rob Potts, Matraca Berg and Norro Wilson.

Check out the list of awardees, awards and past winners below.

Alan Jackson

Cliffie Stone Icon Award: This award is presented to a country music artist, duo/group or industry leader who throughout their career has advanced the popularity of the genre through their contributions in multiple facets of the industry such as songwriting, recording, production, touring, film, television, literary works, philanthropic contributions and other goodwill efforts.
Past Winners: Alabama, Bob Beckham, Garth Brooks, Glen Campbell, Johnny Cash, Charlie Daniels, Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers, Crystal Gayle, Merle Haggard, Emmylou Harris, George Jones, George Strait, The Judds, Brenda Lee, Loretta Lynn, Willie Nelson, The Oak Ridge Boys, Dolly Parton, Charley Pride, Jerry Reed, Tex Ritter, Marty Robbins, Kenny Rogers, Billy Sherrill, Ricky Skaggs, The Statler Brothers, Mel Tillis, Randy Travis, Tanya Tucker, Conway Twitty, Porter Wagoner, Keith Whitley, Hank Williams, Hank Williams Jr., Bob Wills and Dwight Yoakam.

Darius Rucker

Gary Harber Lifting Lives Award: This award is presented to a country music artist, duo/group or industry professional who is devoted to improving lives through the power of music, has a generosity of spirit, and is committed to serving others, voted on by the ACM Lifting Lives Board of Directors.
Past Winners: Brooks & Dunn, Dolly Parton, Vince Gill, Lonestar, Martina McBride, Neal McCoy, Reba McEntire, Montgomery Gentry, Rascal Flatts, LeAnn Rimes and Carrie Underwood.

Sam Hunt

Gene Weed Milestone Award: This award is presented to a country music artist, duo/group or industry leader for a specific, unprecedented or outstanding achievement in the field of country music during the preceding calendar year.
Past Winners: Jason Aldean, Garth Brooks, Luke Bryan, Kelsea Ballerini, George Burns, Kenny Chesney, Jeff Foxworthy, Merle Haggard, Gayle Holcomb, Loretta Lynn, Little Big Town, Willie Nelson, Jennifer Nettles, Blake Shelton, George Strait, Taylor Swift, and Carrie Underwood.

Mickey Christensen, Chris Christensen and Eddie Miller (all awarded posthumously)

Mae Boren Axton Service Award: This award is presented to an outstanding country music artist, duo/group or industry leader in recognition of years of dedication and service to the Academy of Country Music.
Past Winners: Barry Adelman, John Dorris, Bob Kingsley, Reba McEntire, Tim DuBois, Rod Essig, Gayle Holcomb, Jack Lameier, Marge Meoli, Paul Moore, Ray Pilzak, Gaynelle Pitts, Keith Urban, Gene Weed, Tommy Wiggins and David Young.

Dierks Bentley

Merle Haggard Spirit Award: This award is presented to a singer-songwriter who is continuing the legacy of country legend and 20-time ACM Award Winner Merle Haggard by following his/her own path, crafting great songs and epitomizing Merle’s spirit through genuine performances and great storytelling.
Past Winners: Miranda Lambert, Eric Church.

Matraca Berg and Norro Wilson (awarded posthumously)

Poet’s Award: This award is presented to a country music songwriter for outstanding and longstanding musical and/or lyrical contributions throughout their career, with special consideration given to a song or songs’ impact on the culture of country music.
Past Winners: Bill Anderson, Bobby Braddock, Toby Keith, Willie Nelson, Shel Silverstein, Felice and Boudleaux Bryant, Guy Clark, Jack Clement, Hank Cochran, Dean Dillon, Merle Haggard, Tom T. Hall, Harlan Howard, Kris Kristofferson, Bob McDill, Roger Miller, Buck Owens, Eddie Rabbitt, Fred Rose, Don Schlitz, Cindy Walker, Jimmy Webb and Hank Williams.

Rhett Akins

Songwriter of the Year Award: This award is presented to an individual known predominately as a songwriter, selected by a Professional Panel of judges composed of songwriters, publishers, producers, and performing rights organization representatives.
Past Winners: Ross Copperman, Dallas Davidson, Luke Laird, Shane McAnally, Lori McKenna, and Roger Miller.

Rob Potts (awarded posthumously)

Jim Reeves International Award: This award recognizes an artist or industry leader for outstanding contributions to the acceptance of country music throughout the world.
Past Winners: Joe Allison, Bill Boyd, Garth Brooks, Steve Buchanan, Joe Cates, Eric Church, Dick Clark, Roy Clark, Al Gallico, Merv Griffin, Jim Halsey, Alan Jackson, Ken Kragen, Lady Antebellum, Sam Louvello, Thurston Moore, Charlie Nagatani, Buck Owens, Dolly Parton, Rascal Flatts, Roy Rogers, Bob Saporiti, Louise Scruggs, Dinah Shore, Taylor Swift, Keith Urban, Jeff Walker, Jo Walker-Meador and Bill Ward.

photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

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