Carrie Underwood Celebrates 10th Anniversary as a Member of the Grand Ole Opry

Carrie Underwood Celebrates 10th Anniversary as a Member of the Grand Ole Opry

Posted on May 14, 2018

As a child growing up in Oklahoma, Carrie Underwood watched the Grand Ole Opry on television at her grandparents’ house. Just three years into her country music career, childhood hero Randy Travis surprised Carrie with a Grand Ole Opry invitation at a performance in March 2008. Less than two months later on May 10, 2008, fellow Okie Garth Brooks inducted her into the esteemed organization.

“I think being a member of the Grand Ole Opry is just one of the most special things for anybody who has ever wanted to be a country music singer,” said Carrie to NCD. “It’s just such a cool thing. There’s no other genre of music that has something like it—you can be a member of this club. It’s just such a special, elite family. It’s definitely one of my proudest moments and highest honors.”

On May 11, 2018, Carrie celebrated her 10th anniversary as a Grand Ole Opry member by once again performing on the Opry stage—and she got another surprise from Randy Travis. After Carrie sang “I Told You So,” Randy stepped onstage to congratulate her on 10 years of Opry membership.

“Ten years have flown by,” said Carrie. “I knew from the moment God blessed me and let me sing country music that I wanted to be a part of this place. Thank you for being here.”

main photo by Chris Hollo/Grand Ole Opry

Lady Vols Earns No. 10 National Seed in NCAA Tournament

Lady Vols Earns No. 10 National Seed in NCAA Tournament

Posted on May 14, 2018

 

Credit: UT Athletics

Full Bracket

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee will host an NCAA Regional for the 14th straight year as the Volunteers were revealed as the No. 10 national seed when the bracket was announced late Sunday night on ESPN2.

The Lady Vols will welcome James Madison, Monmouth and Ohio University to Sherri Parker Lee Stadium for the NCAA Knoxville Regional this weekend from Friday, May 18 to Sunday, May 20. The Knoxville Regional will be a double-elimination tournament with the winner moving on to the NCAA Super Regional (Round of 16). The Big Orange will play MAAC Champion Monmouth on Friday at 5:30 p.m. ET on ESPN3 (WatchESPN) while James Madison will take on Mid-American Conference Champion Ohio University on Friday at 3 p.m. on ESPN3 (WatchESPN).

This will be the 16th NCAA Tournament appearance overall and the 15th consecutive appearance for the Lady Vols, who have advanced to the postseason every year since 2004.

For the second time in league history, all 13 teams from the Southeastern Conference were selected for the 64-team tournament field. The SEC made up more than half of the national seeds, with nine teams earning a spot among the top-16 seeds in this year’s tournament.

Tennessee enters the NCAA Tournament with a 45-12 overall record and finished in fourth place in the SEC regular season standings, posting a 14-10 mark in conference play. The Lady Vols had five players earn SEC postseason honors last week led by senior shortstop Meghan Gregg who along with junior second baseman Aubrey Leach and senior outfielder Scarlet McSwain who all earned All-SEC first team honors. Freshman Ashley Morgan and Amanda Ayala were both named to the SEC All-Freshman Team.

Friday’s two winners will play in Game 3 on Saturday at 12 p.m. The losers from Friday’s games will play in Game 4 at 2:30 p.m. and the loser from Game 3 will face the winner from Game 4 at 5 p.m. to conclude play on Saturday.

Game 6 will be on Sunday at 1 p.m. and will feature the winner from Game 3 against the winner from Game 5. The two teams will play again in Game 7 at 3:30 p.m., if necessary.

The 16 winning teams from their respective regional sites will advance to the Super Regionals, which will take place from May 25-27, depending on the host site. All Super Regional sites will feature broadcasts on the ESPN family of networks.

Weekend Schedule
Friday
Game 1: Ohio vs. James Madison | 4 p.m. | ESPN3/WatchESPN
Game 2: Monmouth vs. Tennessee | 5:30 p.m. | ESPN3/WatchESPN

Saturday
Game 3: G1 Winner vs. G2 Winner | 12 p.m.
Game 4: G1 Loser vs. G2 Loser | 2:30 p.m.
Game 5: G3 Loser vs. G4 Winner | 5 p.m.

Sunday
Game 6: G3 Winner vs. G5 Winner | 1 p.m.
Game 7: G6 Winner vs. G6 Loser (If necessary) | 3:30 p.m.

Ticket Information
All-Session tickets are currently on sale and can be purchased at the ticket office at Thompson-Boiling Arena or by going to AllVols.com.

 

UT Athletics

Softball to Hold Viewing Party Sunday Night at Parker Lee Stadium

Softball to Hold Viewing Party Sunday Night at Parker Lee Stadium

Posted on May 12, 2018
Credit: UT Athletics

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The No. 7/8 Tennessee softball team will gather on Sunday night to watch the NCAA Women’s Softball Selection Show inside of Sherri Parker Lee Stadium starting at 9:30 p.m.

Tennessee (45-12) is projected to be a top-seed in the 2018 NCAA Tournament and the Lady Vols are looking to host their 14th straight NCAA Regional. This will be will be UT’s 16th appearance in the NCAA Regional.

Members of the media are asked to arrive at the stadium no earlier than 9:30 p.m. and enter the stadium through the media entrance of the stadium.

Regional play will begin on Friday, May 18.

 

UT Athletics

Lady Vols Fall to No. 4 Florida in SEC Semifinals

Lady Vols Fall to No. 4 Florida in SEC Semifinals

Posted on May 12, 2018
Meghan Gregg — Vols SS / Credit: UT Athletics

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Tennessee softball’s run for a third SEC Tournament championship came to a halt on Friday afternoon in a 10-2 loss to top seed and No. 4-ranked Florida Gators at Mizzou Softball Stadium in semifinal action.

Florida (49-8) scored three runs in the first inning when Nicole DeWitt hit her first of two home runs on the day – the first being a two-run home run to right field to score Amanda Lorenz. The Gators scored their third run on an RBI single by Janell Wheaton that scored Kayli Kvistad.

The Gators added four runs in the bottom of the second. DeWitt hit a three-run home run to center field that scored Lorenz and Jaimie Hoover. Three batters later, Wheaton doubled to center field to give Florida a 7-0 lead.

Tennessee (45-12) scored two runs in the top half of the third, when SEC All-Freshman selectee Ashley Morgan hit a double off the right field wall to score Treasury Poindexter, who pinch ran for All-SEC shortstop Meghan Gregg, and All-SEC honoree Aubrey Leach.

Leach scored for the 74th team this season and in doing so, tied the single-season record for runs scored along with former Lady Vol Bridget Jackson.

Florida went on to add a run in the bottom of the fourth, and two more in the bottom of the fifth, on their way to the 10-2 victory.

Matty Moss (17-6) got the loss, going three innings and allowing six runs, five of which were earned. Caylan Arnold pitched one and a half innings in relief, allowing four runs.

Up Next:
Tennessee will await its placement in the NCAA Women’s College Softball Tournament. The selection show will be on Sunday, May 13 at 10 p.m. and will be broadcast live on ESPN2.

 

UT Athletics

Barnes Named TSWA Coach of the Year

Barnes Named TSWA Coach of the Year

Posted on May 11, 2018
Vols coach Rick Barnes / Credit: UT Athletics

The Tennessee Sports Writers Association (TSWA) announced Friday that Tennessee basketball coach Rick Barnes has been named its 2018 Coach of the Year.

The TSWA is comprised of sports writers, editors and college sports information directors from throughout the state of Tennessee. Barnes will be honored during the annual TSWA Hall of Fame dinner and banquet at Cumberland University on Thursday, July 12.

This adds to the already long list of Coach of the Year honors Barnes has received after leading the Volunteers to a 26-9 record (third-most wins in program history), the 2018 SEC Championship, a No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament and a year-end ranking of No. 13 in the AP Top 25 poll.

A complete list of his 2017-18 honors follows:

  • SEC Coach of the Year (AP and Coaches)
  • Athletes in Action Coach Wooden “Keys to Life” Award
  • NABC All-District 21 Coach
  • USBWA District IV Coach of the Year
  • TSWA Coach of the Year

 

UT Athletics

Carrie Underwood, Shania Twain & Karen Fairchild Share Sweet Mommy Moments for Mother’s Day

Carrie Underwood, Shania Twain & Karen Fairchild Share Sweet Mommy Moments for Mother’s Day

Posted on May 11, 2018

Carrie Underwood, Shania Twain and Little Big Town’s Karen Fairchild shared some sweet mommy moments in honor of Mother’s Day on May 13.

Karen Fairchild, mother of Elijah Dylan Westbrook, 8

photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

“There isn’t anything that means more to me than sitting on the bench and eating a grilled cheese sandwich with this little guy who calls me Mama. There isn’t anything better than that. He’s just a little miracle. I went from dreaming about him to eating grilled cheese sandwiches and ketchup with him, and I could never have dreamed this up—how good it could be, and it just gets better every day.”

Shania Twain, mother of Eja Lange, 16

photo by Scooter/AFF-USA.com

“It’s such a joy to be a parent. So, I relate to all the mums out there who are getting all their love and appreciation from their kids, and I hope, when you’re a kid, a child of somebody, show your mum you love her, because it means everything.”

Carrie Underwood, mother of Isaiah Michael Fisher, 3

photo by Curtis Hilbun, AFF-USA.com

“We don’t really have like any Mother’s Day traditions. I feel like I remember me and Dad making breakfast for Mom like once as a kid. I’m pretty sure we just made a giant mess in the kitchen and we never did that again, so. Being on the other side of things, I obviously don’t expect anything from my 3-year-old, but my husband’s really good at getting presents from, quote unquote, Isaiah. It’s really sweet, because he likes to bring me things. He’s such a sweet little guy, and anytime he’s outside, he’ll pick me flowers and things. So, I’m like, ‘You’re learning. You’ve already got me wrapped around your finger, and then you do stuff like that, and it’s even more so.’”

main photos: Carrie Underwood by Curtis Hilbun, AFF-USA.com; Shania Twain by Scooter, AFF-USA.com; Karen Fairchild by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

Watch Dan + Shay’s Shadowy New Video for “All to Myself”

Watch Dan + Shay’s Shadowy New Video for “All to Myself”

Posted on May 11, 2018

After releasing their lead single, “Tequila,” in January, Dan + Shay gave fans the second taste of their upcoming third studio album by releasing “All to Myself” on May 3.

One week later on May 9, the duo dropped a new video for the song, which depicts them hiding in the shadows as they belt out the ballad.

Dan + Shay released their sophomore album, Obsessed, almost two years ago in June 2016. The duo recently netted two CMT Music Awards nominations and will hit the road with Rascal Flatts in June.

Watch the video for “All to Myself” below.

photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

Craig Campbell Gears Up to Host 6th Annual Cornhole Challenge and Release New EP, “See You Try”

Craig Campbell Gears Up to Host 6th Annual Cornhole Challenge and Release New EP, “See You Try”

Posted on May 11, 2018

Craig Campbell will find himself in a familiar role on June 5 as he hosts his 6th annual Celebrity Cornhole Challenge at Nashville’s City Winery. Over the years, Craig has helped raise more than $200,000 as a national spokesperson for Fight CRC, a charity organization which supports research, education and awareness for colorectal cancer.

“My dad was 36 when he died with colon cancer,” says Craig to Nash Country Daily. “It’s always been something I wanted to talk about. The older I got, the more I realized that my dad died at a very young age. And if he would have known and been educated about colorectal cancer and the steps to prevent it, there’s a chance he could still be around hanging out with us right now. So that’s my message. Don’t be scared of a colonoscopy . . . Colon cancer is very preventable. Colon cancer is very treatable. We need to educate people on that fact that if you catch it soon enough, it can be [treated].”

Three days after the Cornhole Challenge, Craig will drop a new seven-song EP, See You Try. The new EP will be Craig’s first project since he released Never Regret in May 2013. The EP’s title track and lead single is currently No. 52 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart after four weeks.

“For the past few years, I’ve created and found some of the best music of my career,” says Craig. “I’m beyond excited to release this EP and show the country music world what I’ve been up to. I’m very proud of the music and can’t wait for everyone to finally hear these songs.”

Watch the lyric video for “See You Try” below.

Big Orange Caravan Kicks Off In Chattanooga

Big Orange Caravan Kicks Off In Chattanooga

Posted on May 11, 2018
Kids in Chattanooga / Credit: UT Athletics

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – University of Tennessee Athletics kicked off the 2018 Big Orange Caravan Thursday night at the First Tennessee Pavilion, as Vol fans from the Scenic City enjoyed an evening of fun highlighted by appearances from UT coaches, administrators and spirit squad members.

Tennessee coaches in attendance included head football coach Jeremy Pruitt, men’s and women’s basketball coaches Rick Barnes and Holly Warlick and volleyball coach Eve Rackham. Other special guests from Tennessee Athletics appearing on Thursday included athletics director Phillip Fulmer and “Voice of the Vols” Bob Kesling.

A collaborative effort between Tennessee Athletics and the UT Knoxville Office of Alumni Affairs, the Big Orange Caravan made the first of five scheduled stops in May. The event featured fan-friendly elements such as autographs and photos with coaches, Q & A sessions between Kesling and the coaches, as well as appearances by the UT spirit squads and Smokey the mascot.

Also available at the venue were a bounce house, corn hole, prize wheel, free popcorn/drinks, face painting, food trucks, contests and more. DJ Sterl The Pearl also was on site to provide entertainment during the evening.

As is customary of the Big Orange Caravan’s new format, the local UT Knoxville alumni chapter awarded a scholarship. Michelle Guthrie was announced as the recipient of the 2018-19 Chattanooga UT Knoxville Alumni Chapter Scholarship.

Guthrie is a rising sophomore at UT from Lookout Valley High School in Chattanooga. She had a great first year at UT and has been actively involved on campus, working in the Center for Career Development as a peer career advisor as well being involved with Intramural Sports and Reformed University Fellowship.

“It means so much,” Guthrie said of the grant. “First of all, I love my city and I love Knoxville, so getting this scholarship from the UT Alumni chapter in Chattanooga means so much. It allows me to go away to school in Knoxville, and I love it there. It means everything, and I am so grateful.”

The next stop for the B.O.C. is slated for May 15 at the Expo Center at Agricenter International (Dome) in Memphis. Those interested in attending can register at BigOrangeCaravan.com.

Admission to all Big Orange Caravan events is $5 per person in advance or $10 at the door. Students and youth will receive complimentary admission. Proceeds from admission will go to the local UT Knoxville Alumni Chapters’ scholarship funds (these donations are non-refundable).

-UT Athletics

 

Lady Vols Defeat No. 11 LSU, Advance to SEC Semis

Lady Vols Defeat No. 11 LSU, Advance to SEC Semis

Posted on May 10, 2018
Caylan Arnold – Lady Vols / Credit: UT Athletics

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Caylan Arnold threw a complete-game shutout as the No. 7 Lady Vols defeated No. 11 LSU 1-0 on Thursday afternoon at Mizzou Softball Stadium to advance to Friday’s semifinals of the 2018 SEC Softball Tournament.

Tennessee (45-11) scored a run in the bottom of the first inning, when All-SEC shortstop Meghan Gregg hit her 17th double of the season to right center, scoring fellow All-SEC honoree Aubrey Leach.

It was Gregg’s SEC-leading 67th RBI of the season, and Leach scored for the 73rd time this season. Leach leads the nation with 1.32 runs per game.

That lone run was all Arnold (24-4) needed, as she threw her ninth complete game of the season and her third shutout. In recording her 24th win of the season, Arnold struck out four batters, while allowing only one walk and scattering just three hits.

Chelsea Seggern and Ashley Morgan also recorded hits for the Lady Vols.

Up Next:
The Lady Vols will face the winner of Thursday night’s Florida-Alabama game in the semifinals on Friday at 5:30 p.m. EST. The contest will be broadcast live on ESPNU, with Beth Mowins, Michele Smith and Amanda Scarborough on the call.

*UPDATE: Tennessee will face Florida, who defeated Alabama on Thursday.

-UT Athletics

 

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