William Prince Talks Unique Background, Winning a Juno Award, New Dave Cobb-Produced Album & More

William Prince Talks Unique Background, Winning a Juno Award, New Dave Cobb-Produced Album & More

Posted on May 10, 2018

Jim Casey talks with singer/songwriter William Prince about:

  • growing up on the Peguis reservation in Manitoba, Canada
  • the music he was exposed to on the reservation
  • being influenced by Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson
  • singing funeral hymns at this father’s church
  • traveling to events as part of his parents’ DJ service
  • pursuing music as a career after applying to medical school
  • embracing his baritone voice
  • releasing his debut album, Earthy Days, in 2015
  • winning the Juno Award for Best Contemporary Roots Album
  • connecting with producer Dave Cobb, who is helming his new album
  • visiting Nashville for the first time in 2018
  • what to expect from his new album
  • the re-release of his debut album in the U.S. on May 11 with a new version of his single, “Breathless,” produced by Dave Cobb
  • hitting the road this spring and summer

Participants:

  • William Prince
  • Jim Casey, NCD editor in chief

Upcoming AIA Trip to Add to Turner’s International Experience

Upcoming AIA Trip to Add to Turner’s International Experience

Posted on May 9, 2018
Credit: UT Athletics

Lamonte Turner, a rising junior on the Tennessee basketball team, has been invited to compete with a collegiate Athletes in Action team this summer. The squad will travel to the Czech Republic and Spain.

“I’m excited to go on this tour to the Czech Republic and Spain with AIA to grow in my faith, to learn and to meet new people,” Turner said. “I get the opportunity to play basketball and travel the world. It should be fun.”

Turner, the 2018 SEC Co-Sixth Man of the Year, joins a group of eight other Division I players and one Division II standout from schools across the country. Baylor assistant coach Bill Peterson, who spent seven seasons as a coach with the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks and Dallas Mavericks, will serve as the head coach of the AIA team during the 14-day tour.

The team will conduct a three-day training camp at Baylor before traveling to Prague, Czech Republic, to play a pair of games vs. the U20 Czech National Team on May 27-28. Turner and his AIA teammates will then head to Madrid, Spain, for three games against pro teams May 30-June 2 before retuning home. The goals of this trip are to provide a rich cross-cultural experience for each team member, an opportunity to compete internationally and for team members to grow in their personal faith.

Turner, Tennessee’s third-leading scorer this past season with 10.9 points per game, led the Volunteers in 3-pointers made (70) and 3-point shooting percentage (.395) this season en route to an SEC regular-season championship, a No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament, a 26-9 overall record and a final national ranking of No. 13. During conference play, he led the SEC in free-throw shooting (.940; 47-50) and 3-point shooting (.452; 38-84).

Turner becomes the latest in a long line of Vols whose association with the Tennessee basketball program has allowed them to travel the world and experience different cultures. Since enrolling at UT, Turner has already traveled to Maui, Spain (Barcelona and Valencia) and France (Paris).

Athletes in Action is an international sports organization that focuses on developing athletes and coaches as leaders of influence, in and away from their respective venues of competition.

Full Roster
Lamonté Turner       Tennessee
Ross Cummings         Mercer
Zach Glotta                Austin Peay University
Mario Kegler              Baylor
Tevin King                  South Dakota State University
Corey Kispert             Gonzaga
Ishmael Lane             Northwestern State Louisiana
Zach Simmons           North Texas
Noah Starkey             Southern Nazarene University
MaCio Teague            Baylor

 

UT Athletics

Listen to Lori McKenna’s Nostalgic New Single, “People Get Old,” From Upcoming Album, “The Tree”

Listen to Lori McKenna’s Nostalgic New Single, “People Get Old,” From Upcoming Album, “The Tree”

Posted on May 9, 2018

Singer/songwriter Lori McKenna will follow up her 2016 Grammy-nominated album, The Bird & the Rifle, with the July 20 release of her 11th studio album, The Tree.

Produced by Dave Cobb, The Tree features 11 songs that Lori wrote or co-wrote, including lead single, “People Get Old,” which you can listen to below.

“I love people’s stories about their families—the way they tic and the ways we’re all crazy and love each other,” says Lori. “I hope my songs shine a little light on that for a second. Maybe our stories remind us of our families and what they give us. It’s beautiful, and sometimes we take it for granted.”

Lori, the songwriter behind Grammy-winning tunes “Girl Crush” and “Humble & Kind,” will embark on her The Way Back Home Tour this summer.

Listen to “People Get Old” below.

The Way Back Home Tour

June 14—Sylvania, OH—Centennial Terrace (supporting Alison Krauss)
June 15—Kettering, OH—Fraze Pavilion (supporting Alison Krauss)
June 29—Annapolis, MD—Rams Head On Stage
June 30—Northampton, MA—Iron Horse Music Hall
July 1—East Greenwich, RI—Greenwich Odeum
July 18—Boston, MA—City Winery
July 20—New York, NY—City Winery
July 21—Philadelphia, PA—World Café Live
July 22—Washington, DC—City Winery
August 3—Ann Arbor, MI—The Ark
August 4—Chicago, IL—City Winery
August 5—Minneapolis, MN—Dakota Jazz Club
August 15—Atlanta, GA—City Winery
August 16—Charlotte, NC—North Carolina Blumenthal Performing Arts Center
August 17—Nashville, TN—CMA Theatre, Country Music Hall of Fame

photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

Easton Corbin Honors Fallen Officers in Florida Hometown by Performing National Anthem

Easton Corbin Honors Fallen Officers in Florida Hometown by Performing National Anthem

Posted on May 9, 2018

Easton Corbin returned to his hometown of Trenton, Fla., on May 4 to pay his respects to two area deputies who were gunned down while eating at a restaurant on April 19.

The fallen Gilchrist County deputies—Sgt. Noel Ramirez, 30, and deputy Taylor Lindsey, 25—were honored at the Relay for Life of the Tri-Counties in Trenton. Easton performed the national anthem to open the ceremony and met with community members during the event.

photo courtesy of Schmidt PR

During his trip to Trenton, the mayor’s office also dedicated a “hometown” sign to Easton.

Over the course of his decade-long career, Easton has netted six Top 10 hits, including two No. 1 singles, “A Little More Country Than That” and “Roll With It.”

Jason Aldean Set to Open New Downtown Nashville Venue in June: Jason Aldean’s Kitchen + Rooftop Bar

Jason Aldean Set to Open New Downtown Nashville Venue in June: Jason Aldean’s Kitchen + Rooftop Bar

Posted on May 9, 2018

Jason Aldean is turning his tastes to the restaurant biz on Nashville’s Lower Broadway.

Jason Aldean’s Kitchen + Rooftop Bar will open at 305-311 Broadway in June.

The 27,000-square-foot, four-story entertainment complex will feature music on every floor, 250 dining seats, live entertainment, Southern food and six bars, including a rooftop bar.

“It’s pretty cool to finally have my own spot downtown where people can go and have a good time,” said Jason. “We’ve been working on this for a while and I’m looking forward to having everyone in town for CMA Music Fest help break it in.”

Jason’s new venue appears to be in the old home of Tequila Cowboy. rendering courtesy of The GreenRoom PR

Additional features include:

  • Live music on two floors every day
  • Largest outdoor patio on Broadway
  • Panoramic view of the Nashville cityscape from the rooftop bar
  • Menu created by chef Tomasz Wosiak (mix of his Southern-cooking favorites, steaks, pastas, salads and more)
  • Two giant video walls for sports and music videos
  • Mezzanine level with an official store packed with memorabilia, T-shirts, hats, jackets and more

Jason’s new Nashville venue will follow in the foodie footsteps of Alan Jackson (AJ’s Good Time Bar), Dierks Bentley (Whiskey Row), Florida Georgia Line (FGL House), John Rich (Redneck Riviera) and Blake Shelton (Ole Red).

Softball Central: Lady Vols at the SEC Tournament

Posted on May 8, 2018
Credit: UT Athletics

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee begins its quest for a third SEC Championship in program history this week as the No. 7/8 Lady Vols travel to Columbia, Mo. for the SEC Tournament.

The Lady Vols (44-11, 14-10) will enjoy a first-round bye after earning the tournament’s No. 4 seed. UT will play its first game on Thursday, May 10, when it takes on the winner of No. 5-seeded LSU and No. 12-seeded Ole Miss at Mizzou Softball Stadium.

For more information on the tournament bracket, schedule, and broadcast links, please click HERE.

GAME TIMES AND BROADCAST INFO

  • Opponent: LSU Tigers or Ole Miss Rebels
  • Venue: Mizzou Softball Stadium
  • Gametime: Thursday, May 10 – 4:00 p.m. ET
  • TV/Stream: SEC Network
  • Radio: WMNL AM 990/UTSports.com
  • Live Stats: UTSports.com

Broadcast Info
All matchups on Wednesday, May 9 and Thursday, May 10 will be broadcasted live on SEC Network. The two semifinal games on Friday, May 11 will be aired on ESPNU, and the SEC Championship game will be viewed on ESPN2 on Saturday, May 12. Wednesday’s game will be called by Beth Mowins (PxP), Michele Smith (Color) and Holly Rowe (Sidelines).

Brian Rice will be calling the game on the airways on Sports Radio WMNL (AM 990) and UTSports.com.

SEC Tournament History  

  • Overall: Tennessee is 26-21 (Third Best Among All Schools)
  • Two-Time SEC Tournament Champion (2006 & 2011)
  • Three-Time SEC Tournament Finalist (2006, 2011 & 2015)
  • Top-Four See for the Third Straight Season

Series History vs. LSU 
Overall: Tennessee leads 33-27-1
In Knoxville: Tennessee leads 18-9
In Baton Rouge: Series tied 14-14-1
Neutral Site: LSU leads 3-1
Last Meeting: April 14, 2018 (W, 6-4 in eight innings)

The Lady Vols swept the Tigers in a three-game series at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium on April 13-14. The two teams met at last year’s SEC Tournament in Knoxville, with LSU coming away with a 6-2 victory in the quarterfinal.

Series History vs. Ole Miss
Overall: Tennessee leads 47-8
In Knoxville: Tennessee leads 24-1
In Oxford: Tennessee leads 20-7
Neutral Site: Tennessee leads 3-0
Last Meeting: March 26, 2017 (W, 4-1)

NEED TO KNOW

  • Senior Meghan Gregg is tied for the NCAA active career lead in RBIs with 256. She is also tied for fourth in doubles (60) and fourth in total bases (501).
  • Gregg and Chelsea Seggern rank third and fourth in the NCAA in RBIs this season with 66 and 62, respectively.
  • Gregg and Aubrey Leach were named to the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Top 25 Finalist list.
  • Leach led the SEC during the regular season in runs scored (72) while ranking second in batting average (.439), hits (72) and on base percentage (.568)
  • Tennessee went 15-10 in the regular season against teams that have were in the top 25 in either the USA Today/NFCA and/or the ESPN/USA Softball poll.
  • Tennessee as a team was second in the SEC in hits (463), runs scored (327) and batting average (.311).
  • Tennessee’s pitching staff led SEC in saves (8) and was third in batters strike out looking with 92.
  • Sophomore pitcher Caylan Arnold is currently ranked third in the SEC with 203 strikeouts and 29th in the nation.
  • Freshmen Amanda Ayala and Ashley Morgan were selected to the All-SEC Freshman team following their debut regular seasons.

OPPONENT SCOUT
LSU Tigers

  • Record: 40-13 (13-10 SEC)
  • Finished fifth in the conference standings
  • Led by seventh year head coach Beth Torina.
  • Aliyah Andrews and Amanda Doyle lead the Tigers offensively. Andres is hitting .339 in the leadoff spot, while Doyle is hitting .335 in the cleanup spot.
  • Allie Walljasper leads the team with a 1.00 ERA, which is also good for 10th in the country.
  • Carley Hoover has recorded a team-leading 174 strikeouts in 144.1 innings pitched.
  • Finished off the regular season with a series sweep over Arkansas.

Ole Miss Rebels

  • Record: 30-22 (7-17 SEC)
  • Finished 12th in the conference standings
  • Led by fourth year head coach Mike Smith.
  • Elantra Cox leads the team with a .343 batting average. She also has a team-leading 57 hits on the year and has stolen 27 out of 31 bases.
  • Kaitlin Lee has a 2.28 earned run average on the season and carries a 16-11 record into the tournament. Lee was the MVP of the 2017 SEC Tournament after leading the Rebels to a conference championship.
  • Ole Miss took two of three games from Georgia in a series last week to clinch a berth in the SEC Tournament.

UT Athletics

Morgan Wallen Talks Top 10 Hit “Up Down,” New Album, Opening for FGL, Upcoming Tour With Luke Bryan & More

Morgan Wallen Talks Top 10 Hit “Up Down,” New Album, Opening for FGL, Upcoming Tour With Luke Bryan & More

Posted on May 8, 2018

Jim Casey talks with Morgan Wallen about:

  • his whirlwind week, including an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live
  • growing up in the small town of Sneedville, Tenn.
  • dreaming big as a kid
  • getting his start singing in church
  • shifting his interest to baseball in high school
  • how an arm injury led him back to music
  • getting on The Voice in 2014
  • scoring a Top 10 hit with his current single, “Up Down,” which features Florida Georgia Line
  • co-writing Jason Aldean’s No. 1 single, “You Make It Easy”
  • releasing his debut album, If I Know Me
  • headlining his own tour after opening for FGL in 2017
  • joining Luke Bryan’s upcoming What Makes You Country Tour

Participants:

  • Morgan Wallen
  • Jim Casey, NCD editor in chief

ACM Announces Special Award Honorees, Including Alan Jackson, Dierks Bentley, Sam Hunt, Darius Rucker & More

ACM Announces Special Award Honorees, Including Alan Jackson, Dierks Bentley, Sam Hunt, Darius Rucker & More

Posted on May 8, 2018

The Academy of Country Music announced its special awardees for the 12th annual ACM Honors ceremony, which will take place August 22 at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium.

In addition to previously announced Songwriter of the Year Award winner Rhett Akins, 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, Rob Potts 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

Dolly Parton Makes a Surprise Visit at Dedication Ceremony for Hometown Senior Center

Dolly Parton Makes a Surprise Visit at Dedication Ceremony for Hometown Senior Center

Posted on May 8, 2018

Dolly Parton was in her hometown of Sevierville, Tenn., on May 7 to take part in the dedication ceremony for the My People Senior Activity Center, which features activities for seniors that include exercise classes, quilting, wood-carving and more.

According to the Knoxville News Sentinel, Dolly surprised guests at the center by touring the facility and performing a song. The center was dedicated in honor of Dolly’s parents, Robert and Avie Lee Parton.

“Now of course, when I started Dollywood and the employees there, I thought of them as my family, and they became my people,” said Dolly to the ceremony attendees, according to the Sentinel. “[When we] got involved in the fires up here in the heart of the Smokies, we call that My People, so I was just thinking, you know, I’m looking out at you, and I think you are, all of you, you’re my people, and this is great, and I’m so proud and so honored that I’m a Smoky Mountain girl, and I’m so proud of my home, and I’m so proud of my family.”

Formerly known as the Fort Sanders Sevier Senior Center, the facility was re-named in celebration of its 15th anniversary to reinforce its objective as a place where seniors can stay active and intermingle.

photo by Curtis Hilbun, AFF-USA.com

Five Lady Vols Earn SEC Softball Honors

Posted on May 8, 2018
Credit: UT Athletics

COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Southeastern Conference (SEC) announced its annual softball awards to cap the 2018 season and kick off the SEC Softball Tournament in Columbia, Mo., this Wednesday through Saturday. The Lady Vols’ Meghan Gregg, Aubrey Leach and Scarlet McSwain each earned First Team All-SEC honors, while freshman Ashley Morgan and Amanda Ayala earned Freshman All-SEC honors.

Gregg, Tennessee’s all-time leader in home runs and RBIs, earned her third consecutive All-SEC First Team honors. She currently leads the SEC in RBIs with 66 and is a Top 25 finalist for the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year. She is currently tied for the NCAA active career lead in RBIs with 257, third in the NCAA in RBIs and fifth in RBIs per game.

Gregg is also a finalist for the Senior Class Award.

Leach earned her first All-SEC First Team accolade after finishing the regular season with a batting average of .431 in SEC play, which is a league high. She also tops the SEC in runs scored (24) and has an on-base percentage of .589 with 22 walks. Leach leads the NCAA in runs per game with 1.33 and she is ranked nationally in hits (12th), on-base percentage (7th) and walks (11th).

Like Gregg, Leach is also a top 25 finalist for USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year.

McSwain is second on the team in batting average in conference play, batting .345 in SEC games to rank 10th in the conference. She finished the regular season with 36 hits, seven home runs, 34 RBIs and 65 total bases. She is one of four Lady Vols to have a slugging percentage over .500 (.516).

Morgan has five home runs this season, fourth-most on the team, and her 28 RBIs are the fifth-most. Three of those home runs and half of those RBIs came in SEC play, during which Morgan recorded a .350 on-base percentage.

Ayala batted .296 for the season, driving in 18 runs and scoring 33 times. Reaching base 35.5 percent of the time, Ayala proved to be a threat on the base paths, going a perfect 5-for-5 in stolen bases.

The All-SEC Teams consist of 29 total students-athletes, along with a 14-member All-Freshman team and an 11-member All-Defensive team.

Tennessee, the No. 4 seed in the SEC Softball Tournament, will play its first game on Thursday, taking on the winner of LSU-Ole Miss at 5 p.m. ET.

 

UT Athletics

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