Carrie Underwood to Headline Inaugural “Hot Country Live” Concert on July 4 in NYC With Dan + Shay

Carrie Underwood to Headline Inaugural “Hot Country Live” Concert on July 4 in NYC With Dan + Shay

Posted on June 13, 2018

Carrie Underwood will headline Spotify’s inaugural Hot Country Live concert on July 4 at New York’s The Rooftop at Pier 17. The new live concert series will serve as an extension of Spotify’s Hot Country playlist, which combines music and video into a single view, allowing users to listen to their favorite audio tracks and to watch interviews and music videos.

“I’m thrilled to be a part of Spotify’s first ever Hot Country Live show, and can’t wait to celebrate the holiday playing live music under the stars,” says Carrie.

Dan + Shay will open the concert on July 4, two weeks after the release of their new self-titled album on June. 22.

The Rooftop at Pier 17 boats a 1.5-acre rooftop with views of the East River bridges and room for up to 3,400 standing guests.

Future Hot Country Live concerts will be announced in the coming weeks.

photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

Jimmy’s blog: 3 Knoxvillians help Tennessee win Southern Senior Cup

Jimmy’s blog: 3 Knoxvillians help Tennessee win Southern Senior Cup

Posted on June 13, 2018

By Jimmy Hyams

If you’re a Tennessee guy getting compared to an Alabama coach, you could do worse than Nick Saban.

That’s what some members of the Tennessee contingent playing in the annual Senior Southern Cup in Huntsville, Ala., called “coach’’ John Fritts after he made a rather intriguing lineup move.

Fritts “benched’’ Chris Groer in singles on the 35 team after Groer had won about 95 percent of his singles matches the previous nine years. Fritts’ hands were tied a bit since a lineup error did not allow Fritts to put Groer at No. 1 singles. Rather than play Groer at 2 singles, Fritts wanted to play doubles with Groer and deliver the deciding point if Tennessee were able to split singles against Georgia in the final.

No need.

Tennessee won each singles match to capture the title with John Chesworth of Knoxville winning at No. 1 over former Colombia Davis Cup player Eduardo Rincon 6-1, 6-4, and Sam Shorelucke of Memphis taking the No. 2 singles in three sets.

With the team title clinched, Fritts and Groer lost their doubles match 6-3, 6-3 to Mauirio Rovera and Brad Sceney, a former UT recruit who won the Australian Open Junior doubles title in 1992. Sceney is the all-time winningest player in Pepperdine history.

“I thought Chris and I were the best combo in doubles,’’ said Fritts, a former UT player.

Groer said team members gave Fritts a hard time about sitting Groer in singles.

Georgia “actually put in a different lineup than we expected, so it worked out perfectly,’’ Groer said. “We were calling Fritts the Nick Saban of adult team tennis.’’

Tennessee’s 35 team got a first-round walkover North Carolina, which withdrew two days before the event.

In the semifinals, Tennessee beat Alabama 2-1 as Chesworth (former Furman All-American) lost at No. 1 singles, Groer (former Vanderbilt star who played at Farragut High School) won at 2 singles and Fritts (who played at West High School) and Shorelucke won in doubles 7-5, 6-2.

Tennessee faced Georgia in the 35 final for the fourth year in a row. The teams have split at 2-2.

Tennessee won the team competition for the first time in at least a decade. Each of nine states entered teams in the 35, 45, 55, 65 and 75 divisions. The format called for two singles matches and one in doubles.

Tennessee had eight wins: two in the 35s, three in the 55s, one in the 65s and two in the 75s. Tennessee won the 35s and 55s.

Georgia had seven team wins to fall one short.

Besides Groer, Fritts and Chesworth, other Knoxville players competing were Bob Williams, John Gibson and Taylor Hamilton in the 45s, and Chuck Maland in the 65s.

Groer’s next competition will be the national 40 indoors in Cincinnati in August, where he has won singles three years in a row.

In July, Groer will find out if he’s made the U.S. World Team for the third time. He played two years ago in Croatia and last year in South African.

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

Little Big Town to Be the Subject of New Country Music Hall of Fame Exhibit

Little Big Town to Be the Subject of New Country Music Hall of Fame Exhibit

Posted on June 13, 2018

Little Big Town will be the subject of a yearlong exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum.

Opening on June 29, Little Big Town: The Power of Four will feature unique items that illuminate the personalities of group members Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Phillip Sweet and Jimi Westbrook. The exhibit will also focus on the narrative that brought the four members together to form contemporary country music’s first two-woman, two-man vocal group.

“Having an exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is something we would never have thought to dream of for ourselves,” says Karen. “It is beyond a dream come true. We are honored to be a part of country music, and are so thankful to all our fans, the music community here in Nashville and the museum for this privilege.”

Highlights of the exhibition include:

  • neon signs used for the cover photo of the album Pain Killer
  • instruments used in underwater scenes in the music video for “Pain Killer”
  • BCBG Max Azria linen sundress with crochet detail and Golden Goose boots worn by Karen when she married Jimi in a private ceremony in Nashville in 2006
  • clothes fitted with LED tube lighting worn by Little Big Town for their appearance at the 2014 CMA Awards
  • Gretsch Electromatic with silver-sparkle top played by Kimberly in performances of “Your Side of the Bed”
  • childhood memorabilia, including Karen’s high school cheerleading uniform, Jimi’s trumpet, Kimberly’s recital costume and a drawing by Phillip
  • a handmade Afghan ceramic pitcher, given to Phillip by an American soldier after Little Big Town performed at a small military base in isolated Tarinkot, Afghanistan

On June 26, Little Big Town will discuss their musical inspirations, creative process and career milestones in the museum’s CMA Theater. Tickets can be reserved on June 14 at 10 a.m. CT.

Little Big Town: The Power of Four runs from June 29, 2018, to June 9, 2019.

photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

Good Week: Florida Georgia Line Lands 3 Songs in the Top 10, Wins CMT Award, Earns Trailblazer Award & Plays Nissan Stadium

Good Week: Florida Georgia Line Lands 3 Songs in the Top 10, Wins CMT Award, Earns Trailblazer Award & Plays Nissan Stadium

Posted on June 13, 2018

Saying Florida Georgia Line’s Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley had a “good” week is a bit of an understatement.

FGL became the first country duo/group in history to score three simultaneous Top 10 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, which is calculated by compiling airplay, digital sales and streaming data. The duo’s collaboration with Bebe Rexha, “Meant to Be,” is currently No. 1 on the chart for a 28th week, while new single, “Simple,” is No. 5 and their joint effort with Morgan Wallen, “Up Down,” is No. 7.

The aforementioned chart success is one of the reasons Billboard honored FGL with the inaugural Trailblazer Award at its annual Country Power Players event on June 5. Tyler and Brian were bestowed the honor for their “forward-thinking approach to their art and business.”

One day after the Country Power Players event, FGL took home the CMT Music Award for Performance of the Year for their collaboration with the Backstreet Boys, “Everybody,” on CMT Crossroads.

Closing out their “good” week, Florida Georgia Line performed at CMA Fest’s Nissan Stadium on June 10 in front of a capacity crowd, enlisting some help from their cohorts—Backstreet Boys, Morgan Wallen and Bebe Rexha—during their set. Check out the photos below.

photos by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

CMA Fest and Bonnaroo Are Scheduled for Separate Weekends in 2019

CMA Fest and Bonnaroo Are Scheduled for Separate Weekends in 2019

Posted on June 12, 2018

Two of Tennessee’s most popular music festivals—CMA Fest and Bonnaroo—won’t take place on the same June weekend in 2019, as they have for the past few years.

Nashville’s CMA Fest is scheduled for June 6–9, 2019, while Bonnaroo will materialize the following week, June 13–16, 2019.

Bonnaroo, which takes place in Manchester, Tenn., is approximately 65 miles southeast of Nashville. The two festivals draw tens of thousands of attendees each year (Bonnaroo: 65,000 in 2017; CMA Fest: 88,500 daily in 2016), usually forcing patrons—and artists—to pick one or the other when they take place concurrently.

This year’s Bonnaroo lineup only featured a handful of country stars—including Sturgill Simpson, Midland, Brothers Osborne and Ole Crow Medicine Show—while CMA Fest featured more than 300 country acts performing on 11 official stages.

Having the festivals on separate weekends may increase the number of country artists performing at Bonnaroo. We’ll have to wait until January for the Bonnaroo lineup announcement. Regardless, the news is great for all fans of music.

photo by Jason Simanek

Lauren Alaina & Jon Pardi to Co-Host the ACM Honors Ceremony on Aug. 22

Lauren Alaina & Jon Pardi to Co-Host the ACM Honors Ceremony on Aug. 22

Posted on June 12, 2018

The Academy of Country Music announced that Lauren Alaina and Jon Pardi will co-host the 12th annual ACM Honors ceremony, which will take place 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 and presenters will be announced in the coming weeks. Tickets for the event go on sale on June 15 at 10 a.m. CT.

The ACM Honors 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 Jason Simanek

19 of Our Favorite Photos From CMA Fest’s Four Nights at Nissan Stadium

19 of Our Favorite Photos From CMA Fest’s Four Nights at Nissan Stadium

Posted on June 12, 2018

CMA Fest 2018 may be gone, but it’s not forgotten.

Check out 19 of our favorite photos from four nights at Nissan Stadium, including pics of Brothers Osborne, Dan + Shay, Darius Rucker, Jason Aldean, Blake Shelton, Brett Young, Carrie Underwood, Luke Combs, Chris Stapleton, Dustin Lynch, Jon Pardi, Kelsea Ballerini, Lee Ann Womack, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line with Bebe Rexha, Thomas Rhett, Luke Bryan and Dwight Yoakam.

All photos by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com.

photos by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

Miranda Lambert’s MuttNation Helps More Than 50 Dogs Finds Homes at CMA Fest Adoption Event

Miranda Lambert’s MuttNation Helps More Than 50 Dogs Finds Homes at CMA Fest Adoption Event

Posted on June 12, 2018

Miranda Lambert may not have performed during Nashville’s CMA Fest on June 7–10, but her MuttNation Foundation put on quite a show.

MuttNation was was front and center each day from 11 a.m.–3 p.m. inside the Music City Center and helped 55 dogs find their forever homes. MuttNation teamed with the Nashville Humane Association to host the adoption event for the third year. Since its inception in 2016, more than 150 shelter dogs have been adopted through the drive.

“MuttNation’s mission is to promote the adoption of shelter pets, spay and neuter, and to let everyone know why these things are so important,” says Miranda. “Since country music fans are the most passionate people out there, CMA Fest is a great place to accomplish these goals. And it’s the world’s best feeling when you make the perfect match between a rescue and a new owner, knowing it’s creating such an incredible bond that will grow deeper and stronger every day. It just fills my heart with happiness to be part of something so special.”

In 2009, Miranda and her mom, Bev, started the MuttNation Foundation, an organization with the mission of ending animal suffering and homelessness on every front. The foundation has successfully raised millions of dollars to aid organizations, government institutions and entities that build animal shelters for better care and increased pet adoption.

photo by Jason Simanek

Holdsclaw, DeMoss Officially Hall-of-Famers

Holdsclaw, DeMoss Officially Hall-of-Famers

Posted on June 11, 2018
Credit: UT Athletics

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2018 was officially inducted on Saturday night at the Tennessee Theatre. Former Lady Vol standout Chamique Holdsclaw and former UT assistant coach Mickie DeMoss were among seven women who were honored for their stellar career accomplishments.

Other 2018 inductees included Ceal Barry (coach), Rose Marie Battaglia (veteran, contributor), Chris Dailey (contributor – assistant coach), Katie Smith (player) and Tina Thompson (player). Members of the Women’s Professional Basketball League (WBL) also were recognized as “Trailblazers of the Game.”

The inductees participated in media interviews on Friday afternoon at the hall and an autograph session on Saturday at the hall before being feted Saturday night in front of a sold-out crowd. Many former Lady Vol players and staff members were on hand throughout the weekend to share in recognizing the achievements of Holdsclaw and DeMoss.

The 2018 Induction marked the 20th anniversary of the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, which held its grand opening and inaugural induction in 1999.  With the induction of the Class of 2018, the Hall of Fame has honored 164 inductees, with Holdsclaw and DeMoss becoming the 11th and 12th with Tennessee ties entering the hall. UT also has seen head coach Pat Summitt (1999), athletics director Gloria Ray (2010) and student-athletes Cindy Brogdon (2002), Daedra Charles-Furlow (2007), Bridgette Gordon (2007), Nikki McCray-Penson (2012), Cindy Noble Hauserman (2000), Jill Rankin Schneider (2008), Patricia Roberts (2000) and Holly Warlick (2001) enshrined.

2018 LADY VOL INDUCTEES

CHAMIQUE HOLDSCLAW (Player)
• Holdsclaw is the all-time leading scorer and rebounder at Tennessee in men’s or women’s basketball
• She is also the all-time leading scorer in SEC women’s basketball
• Holdsclaw guided the Lady Vols to three NCAA National Championships (1996, 1997, 1998)
• She was a four-time Kodak/WBCA All-American and two-time Naismith Player of the Year
• Holdsclaw was named the Honda-Broderick Award winner in 1998 and was named the James E. Sullivan award winner for top amateur athlete in the U.S. in 1998
• She was named WNBA Rookie of the Year in 1999 and was a WNBA All-Star six times
• Holdsclaw was the WNBA Scoring Champion in 2002 and was the WNBA Rebounding Champion in 2002 and 2003
• She helped guide USA Basketball to a gold medal in the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney
• Holdsclaw was a WBCA All-American in high school in 1995

MICKIE DEMOSS (Contributor – Assistant Coach)
• DeMoss’ overall record as an assistant coach is 848-209
• As an assistant coach, she helped guide Tennessee to six NCAA National Championships including 12 NCAA Final Four appearances
• DeMoss also helped guide Tennessee to 11 SEC regular season championships and 10 SEC tournament championships.
• She has helped develop 11 Lady Vols into WBCA All-Americans and three Naismith Players of the Year
• DeMoss also helped develop seven Lady Vols into U.S. Olympians
• She was named the WBCA NCAA Division I Assistant Coach of the Year in 2000
• In 1998, DeMoss was named the Women’s Basketball Journal Top Assistant Coach in the Country
• She was an assistant coach for the Indiana Fever for two years, helping guide them to the 2012 WNBA Championship
• DeMoss has worked as an assistant coach under four Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame coaches (Pat Summitt, Joe Ciampi, Gail Goestenkors and Lin Dunn)

 

UT Athletics

Dierks Bentley Scores 17th No. 1 Single as “Woman, Amen” Hits the Top of the Charts

Dierks Bentley Scores 17th No. 1 Single as “Woman, Amen” Hits the Top of the Charts

Posted on June 11, 2018

Dierks Bentley scored the 17th No. 1 single of his career as “Woman, Amen” reached the top of both the Billboard Country Airplay chart and the Mediabase chart.

The tune is the lead single from Dierks’ ninth studio album, The Mountain, which dropped on June 8. The impetus for the album’s creation was Dierk’s June 2017 performance at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival in the town of Telluride in the San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado. Dierks returned to Telluride a short time later for a week-long retreat with fellow songwriters Natalie Hemby, Luke Dick, Ross Copperman, Jon Randall, Jon Nite and Ashley Gorley and wrote the bulk of the album’s songs, including the title track.

However, “Woman, Amen” was penned by Dierks, Josh Kear and Ross Copperman in Nashville in between the Telluride Bluegrass Festival and his songwriting retreat.

“My wife and our relationship has been the one constant element in my life over all the ups and downs of my career and personal life,” said Dierks. “Our journey together has made me the man I am today. I doubt my heart would even recognize the old me. This song addresses that in the most direct possible way. The personal gratitude expressed in the lyrics, mixed with a track that leans heavily on some bigger sounds, is the perfect way to introduce the album.”

photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

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