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

Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan & More Earn Nominations at CMT Music Awards [Full List]

Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan & More Earn Nominations at CMT Music Awards [Full List]

Posted on May 8, 2018

Kelsea Ballerini announced the nominations for the CMT Music Awards on the Today show on May 8.

A number of artist earned multiple nominations for the fan-voted awards, including Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Brothers Osborne, Kelsea Ballerini, Thomas Rhett and more.

The CMT Awards will air live from Nashville on June 6 at 8 p.m. CT.

Take a look at all of the nominees below.

Male Video Of The Year

  • Dustin Lynch — “Small Town Boy”
  • Jason Aldean — “You Make It Easy”
  • Blake Shelton — “I’ll Name The Dogs”
  • Jon Pardi — “Heartache On The Dance Floor”
  • Luke Bryan — “Light It Up”
  • Thomas Rhett — “Marry Me”

Female Video of the Year

  • Carly Pearce — “Every Little Thing”
  • Carrie Underwood — “The Champion”
  • Lauren Alaina — “Doin’ Fine”
  • Maren Morris — “I Could Use A Love Song”
  • Miranda Lambert — “Tin Man”
  • Kelsea Ballerini — “Legends”

Duo Video of the Year

  • Big & Rich — “California”
  • Brothers Osborne — “It Ain’t My Fault”
  • Dan + Shay — “Tequila”
  • Florida Georgia Line — “Smooth”
  • High Valley — “She’s With Me”
  • Tim McGraw & Faith Hill — “Speak To A Girl”

Group Video of the Year

  • Lady Antebellum — “You Look Good”
  • Lanco — “Greatest Love Story”
  • Midland — “Make A Little”
  • Old Dominion — “No Such Thing As A Broken Heart”
  • Little Big Town — “When Someone Stops Loving You”
  • Rascal Flatts — “Yours If You Want It”
  • Zac Brown Band — “My Old Man”

Breakthrough Video of the Year

  • Carly Pearce — “Every Little Thing”
  • Danielle Bradbery — “Sway”
  • Devin Dawson — “All On Me”
  • Lanco — “Greatest Love Story”
  • Russell Dickerson — “Yours”
  • Walker Hayes — “You Broke Up With Me”

Collaborative Video of the Year

  • Bebe Rexha feat. Florida Georgia Line — “Meant To Be”
  • Carrie Underwood feat. Ludacris — “The Champion”
  • Cole Swindell feat. Dierks Bentley — “Flatliner”
  • Justin Timberlake feat. Chris Stapleton — “Say Something
  • Kane Brown feat. Lauren Alaina — “What Ifs”
  • Thomas Rhett feat. Maren Morris — “Craving You”

CMT Performance of the Year

  • Andra Day, Common, Little Big Town, Lee Ann Womack, Danielle Bradbery — “Stand Up For Something” (CMT Artists of the Year 2017)
  • Backstreet Boys & Florida Georgia Line — “Everybody” (CMT Crossroads)
  • Charles Kelley, Jason Aldean, Darius Rucker, Derek Trucks — “Midnight Rider” (CMT Music Awards 2017)
  • Earth Wind & Fire & Lady Antebellum — “September” (CMT Crossroads)
  • Jason Aldean, Chris Stapleton, Little Big Town, Keith Urban — “I Won’t Back Down” (CMT Artists of the Year 2017)
  • Keith Urban & Carrie Underwood — “The Fighter” (CMT Music Awards 2017)

Video of the Year

  • Justin Timberlake feat. Chris Stapleton — “Say Something”
  • Bebe Rexha feat. Florida Georgia Line — “Meant To Be”
  • Blake Shelton — “I’ll Name The Dogs”
  • Brett Young — “Mercy”
  • Brothers Osborne — “It Ain’t My Fault”
  • Carrie Underwood feat. Ludacris — “The Champion”
  • Dan + Shay — “Tequila”
  • Jason Aldean — “You Make It Easy”
  • Kane Brown feat. Lauren Alaina — “What Ifs”
  • Luke Combs — “When It Rains It Pours”
  • Thomas Rhett — “Marry Me”
  • Kelsea Ballerini — “Legends”
Robert Earl Keen Announces New Summer Tour Dates

Robert Earl Keen Announces New Summer Tour Dates

Posted on May 8, 2018

Texas troubadour Robert Earl Keen announced a new slate of summer tour dates, including visits to Indianapolis, Denver, Tulsa and multiple stops in his home state.

REK will also host his sixth annual concert on the 4th of July in Kerrville, Texas, where he has lived for nearly 30 years. In addition, Robert Earl and longtime friend Lyle Lovett will open for George Strait during his residency at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Dec. 7 and 8.

Robert Earl Keen Tour Dates

June 8 – Fort Worth, Texas – Billy Bob’s
June 15 – Tulsa, Oklahoma – Cain’s Ballroom
June 16 – Lacygne, Kansas – Tumbleweed Music Festival
June 17 – Indianapolis, Indiana – HI-FI
June 19 – Alexandria, Virginia – The Birchmere Music Hall
June 20 – Portsmouth, New Hampshire – Prescott Park
June 21 – South Burlington, Vermont – Higher Ground Ballroom
June 23 – Norfolk, Connecticut – Infinity Hall
June 24 – Westerly, Rhode Island – Knickerbocker Café
June 25 – Richmond, Virginia – The National
June 26 – Rocky Mount, Virginia – Harvester Performance Center
June 30 – Stafford, Texas – Redneck Country Club
July 4 – Kerrville, Texas – Kerrville’s 4th on the River
July 15 – Greenfield, Massachusetts – Green River Festival
July 25 – Jackson, Wyoming – Teton County Fair Grounds
July 27 – Denver, Colorado – Levitt Pavilion
August 10 – Bozeman, Montana – MSU – Oval Field
August 11 – Challis, Idaho – Braun Brothers Reunion
August 12 – South Salt Lake City, Utah – The CommonWealth Room
August 25 – Galveston Island, Texas – The Grand 1894 Opera House
September 7 – Brevard, North Carolina – Mountain Song Festival
December 7-8 – Las Vegas, Nevada – T-Mobile Arena*
* with Lyle Lovett supporting George Strait

photo by Curtis Hilbun/AFF-USA

Keith Urban’s New Album, “Graffiti U,” Debuts Atop Billboard Country Chart

Keith Urban’s New Album, “Graffiti U,” Debuts Atop Billboard Country Chart

Posted on May 8, 2018

Keith Urban is in familiar territory once again as his ninth studio album, Graffiti U, debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart.

The 13-track offering, which includes his current single, “Coming Home,” featuring Julia Michaels, is Keith’s sixth No. 1 album on the Top Country Albums chart. Graffiti U also debuted at No. 2 on the all-genre Billboard 200 chart, moving 145,000 equivalent albums units in its first week, according to Nielsen Music.

“Just off a plane to a ‘screaming’ phone filled with texts and emails about Graffiti U and I still feel like I’m in the clouds,” said Keith. “It’s amazing to know that these songs are connecting in the way that they are, and I feel so blessed and thankful to everyone who is coming along on the ride with me. I can’t wait to get out on the road to bring these songs to life on the Graffiti U World Tour.”

Keith will embark on a 58-city Graffiti U World Tour with opener Kelsea Ballerini this summer and fall. The tour will kick off on June 15 in St. Louis and will make stops in Nashville, Denver, Philadelphia, Chicago, New Orleans, Dallas and more, as well as 10 dates in Canada.

photo by Jason Simanek

Lady Vols Earn #4 Seed in SEC Softball Tournament

Lady Vols Earn #4 Seed in SEC Softball Tournament

Posted on May 7, 2018
Credit: UT Athletics

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – With a 14-10 conference record, the Tennessee softball team has earned the No. 4 seed in the SEC Tournament beginning Wednesday in Columbia, Mo.

The Lady Vols (44-11 overall) ended the regular season by winning four of their last five games to climb into fourth place in the SEC standings. UT will face the winner of 5th-seeded LSU and 12th-seeded Ole Miss in the quarterfinal round on Thursday, May 10, at 4 p.m.

With a 47-8 overall record and 20-4 mark in conference games, Florida enters as the tournament’s top seed. The Gators and Lady Vols have not met in 2018, the first time the two programs did not play one another in the regular season since 2015. Georgia (43-10, 16-8 SEC) and South Carolina (43-13, 15-9 SEC) make up the No. 2 and No. 3 seed, respectively.

UT will try to capture its third SEC Championship in program history, with the other titles coming in 2006 and 2011. Tennessee will rely on a balanced effort in Columbia, led offensively by its top three hitters. Junior Aubrey Leach currently leads the SEC in runs scored (72) while ranking second in  batting average (.439), hits (72) and on base percentage (.568). Senior Meghan Gregg (66) and Chelsea Seggern (62) rank third and fourth in the nation in RBI’s.

In the circle, Caylan Arnold looks to continue her sensational sophomore campaign. Arnold went 23-4 in the regular season with a 2.13 ERA and 203 total strikeouts. Junior Matty Moss added 17 wins of her own, while putting up a 2.30 ERA and 111 punchouts.

 

UT Athletics

Jason Aldean Drops Lyric Video for New Single, “Drowns the Whiskey,” Featuring Miranda Lambert [Watch]

Jason Aldean Drops Lyric Video for New Single, “Drowns the Whiskey,” Featuring Miranda Lambert [Watch]

Posted on May 7, 2018

Jason Aldean’s “You Make It Easy,” the lead single from his eighth studio album, Rearview Town, is the No. 1 song on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart for the second consecutive week. It’s also the only country song released in 2018 that has achieved Gold certification from the RIAA.

As Jerry Reed once said, “When you’re hot, you’re hot.”

Jason is hoping to continue his hot streak with the release of his new single, “Drowns the Whiskey,” which features vocals from Miranda Lambert. Written by Brandon Kinney, Jeff Middleton and Josh Thompson, “Drowns the Whiskey” has the chance to become Jason’s 21st No. 1 single after it hits country radio on May 14.

“The way fans and radio have responded to this record has been really cool for me,” said Jason. “‘Whiskey’ has always been a favorite of mine, but when Miranda came in and knocked out her parts in only a couple takes, I knew it was special.”

Watch the lyric video for “Drowns the Whiskey.”

photo by Jason Simanek

Morgan Evans Announces “10 in 10 Tour”

Morgan Evans Announces “10 in 10 Tour”

Posted on May 7, 2018

On the strength of his Top 20 debut single, “Kiss Somebody,” Morgan Evans announced he will embark on the 10 in 10 Tour this summer.

Kicking off on June 21 in Los Angeles, Morgan will perform in 10 cities over the course of 10 days, including stops in Denver, Chicago, Dallas, Atlanta and more.

“Playing live is my favorite thing to do, so what better way to celebrate my first single on country radio than to play it live?” says Morgan. “I’ll be bringing the loop pedal and giving you the first listen to music that is to come. I’d do 365 if I could, but 10 seems like a reasonable place to start. I can’t wait to see all 10 cities in 10 days.”

Tickets go on sale on May 11.

10 in 10 Tour

June 21
Los Angeles, CA

June 22
Denver, CO

June 23
Manhattan, KS

June 24
Chicago, IL

June 25
Dallas, TX

June 26
Austin, TX

June 27
Atlanta, GA

June 28
New York, NY

June 29
Philadelphia, PA

June 30
Washington, D.C.

main photo by Jason Simanek

Dustin Lynch Sets Sights on Summer Groove With New Single, “Good Girl”

Dustin Lynch Sets Sights on Summer Groove With New Single, “Good Girl”

Posted on May 7, 2018

Dustin Lynch is moving on from his 2017 album, Current Mood—which spawned No. 1 hits “Seein’ Red” and “Small Town Boy”—with the release of “Good Girl.”

Co-written by Dustin, Justin Ebach and Andy Albert, “Good Girl” is a song that Dustin felt was timely for the summer season and he wanted to get it on airwaves before the release of his next album.

“A few weeks ago, we came across something that I just fell in love with immediately,” said Dustin via an Instagram video. “And we just said, ‘Well, why not just go record the song?’ And once we decided that, I got to thinking, ‘Man, I cannot live with this song not being heard this summer.’ So, I called my record label, and they were cool with me going ahead and recording it, and then I asked, ‘Man, what if we went ahead and put this out for summer ’18. Like, I can’t wait all year long to put this out next year, or something.’ And they were like, ‘Why, hell yeah.’”

Listen to “Good Girl” below.

photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

Country News

Weather

  • Forecast
  • Currents
  • Planner