Kellie Pickler and Ben Aaron, co-hosts of the Pickler & Ben show, strutted down the red carpet at the 45th annual Daytime Emmy Awards at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium on April 29.
The duo earned a nomination for Outstanding Informative Talk Show Host(s), where they faced off against Larry King, Dr. Oz, Kit Hoover and Natalie Morales, and Steve Harvey.
As Ben prophesied before the show, beating Steve Harvey—who was named the winner later in the evening—would have been a tall order.
“We are so honored to be amongst such incredible talent in this category,” said Ben. “There’s no way we are beating Steve Harvey.”
Pickler & Ben, which is in its second season, is distributed in national syndication to 125 markets. To find out when the show airs in your market, visit picklerandben.com.
During the Nashville Predators 2017 playoff run to the Stanley Cup Finals, the Preds brought out some of country music’s biggest starts to sing the national anthem on their home ice, including Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Little Big Town, Vince Gill, Lady Antebellum, Keith Urban, Kelly Clarkson, Trisha Yearwood, Martina McBride, Dierks Bentley and Faith Hill.
For the Preds 2018 playoff run, which began on April 12 against the Colorado Avalanche, Rascal Flatts had the honor of singing the national anthem before Game 1, while Brad Paisley and Maren Morris handled the duties before Game 2 on April 14 and Game 5 on April 20, respectively.
Before Game 1 of the Preds second round playoff series versus the Winnipeg Jets on April 27, Dierks Bentley and bluegrass great Del McCoury teamed up to perform the anthem.
The Preds unleashed “proud hockey wife” Carrie Underwood—spouse of Preds center Mike Fisher—to perform the anthem before Game 2 against the Jets on April 29.
ARLINGTON, Texas – Tennessee defensive tackle Kahlil McKenzie was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs with 198th pick overall in the sixth round of the 2018 NFL Draft on Saturday at AT&T Stadium.
“I can’t believe I am a Kansas City Chief,” said McKenzie. “This is what I have worked for and dreamed of since I was a kid. My father and uncle paved the way, and now, it’s my turn. Thank you so much to everyone who believed in me and helped me get to today, but the work has just begun. Kansas City, let’s get to work.”
McKenzie joins his father, Reggie McKenzie, and uncle, Raleigh McKenzie, as NFL Draft Picks.
Reggie McKenzie, a linebacker, was selected by the Los Angeles Raiders in the 10th round of the 1985 draft. Raleigh McKenzie, a guard, was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the 11th round in 1985.
Kahlil and Reggie McKenzie, the general manager of the Oakland Raiders, are the third Tennessee father-son duo to be selected in the NFL Draft joining Steve and Keith DeLong and Craig and Dustin Colquitt.
The Chicago Bears selected defensive lineman Steve DeLong with the No. 6 overall pick in the first round of the 1965 NFL Draft, while linebacker Keith DeLong was picked by the San Francisco 49ers with the 28th selection in the first round of the 1989 draft.
Craig Colquitt was a start punter for the Vols and was picked by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the No. 76 pick in the third round in 1978. Dustin followed in his father’s footsteps as a punter at UT and later in the NFL as he was the No. 99 selection in the third round by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2005.
McKenzie is the 10th Vol picked by the Chiefs and first since offensive lineman Zach Fulton was taken in the sixth round of the 2014 draft. He joins Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Derek Barnett (first round, No. 14, 2017) as Tennessee defensive lineman selected in consecutive years. Barnett helped the Eagles win the Super Bowl last season.
McKenzie had a standout junior season in 2017, making 36 tackles and four TFLs over 11 games with nine starts. A former five-star recruit from Walnut Creek, Calif., McKenzie appeared in 31 games at defensive tackle over his Tennessee career and totaled 72 stops.
He had a career-high eight tackles against Georgia Tech in the season-opening double-overtime victory over Georgia Tech in 2017 and also had a five-stop game at Alabama later in the season. McKenzie projects as an interior defensive lineman in the NFL, but has also been mentioned as a candidate to switch to the offensive line in the professional ranks.
McKenzie is the 25th Vol selected in the NFL Draft since 2010 and the 357th Vol drafted all-time.
ARLINGTON, Texas – Tennessee running back John Kelly was selected by the Los Angeles Rams with 176th pick overall in the sixth round of the 2018 NFL Draft on Saturday at AT&T Stadium.
Kelly joins 2017 NFL Rookie of the Year Alvin Kamara of the New Orleans Saints as VFL running backs drafted in consecutive years. Kamara was selected by the Saints with the 67th pick in the third round a year ago.
Kelly, who is the 58th Vol running back selected all time and the eighth since 2000, marks the 14th Tennessee player to be drafted by the Rams and is the first since cornerback Jonathan Wade was selected in the third round of the 2007 draft.
Utilizing a ferocious, tackle-breaking style, Kelly had a breakout junior campaign in his first year as a starter in 2017, leading the Vols in rushing (778 yards) and receptions (37) in 11 games. The Detroit, Mich., native scored nine touchdowns for the Vols and opened the season with 128 yards and four touchdowns in a double overtime win over Georgia Tech. For his career, Kelly rushed for 1,573 yards and 15 touchdowns, while averaging 4.8 yards per carry. Kelly added 43 receptions for 350 yards. He played in 33 games with 12 starts.
He finished with five career 100-yard games, including a 141-yard performance at Florida in 2017.
Kelly is the 24th Vol selected in the NFL Draft since 2010 and the 356th Vol drafted all-time.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – It’s been a whirlwind 12 hours for Tennessee defensive back Rashaan Gaulden after he was selected by the Carolina Panthers with the No. 85 pick in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft.
Gaulden, who is the highest drafted Vol DB since Eric Berry went No. 5 overall in 2010, was watching his hometown Nashville Predators playoff game on Friday night when he received the call from the Panthers.
“When I got the call I was in my room,” Gaulden said before boarding his flight to Charlotte on Saturday morning. “I was watching the Predators game and flipping back and forth between the ‘Preds’ and the Cavs game. I saw the 704 area code pop up on my phone and I thought ‘this is the Panthers.’
“I went downstairs and told my family about it. I talked to the coaches. They gave me a plan. I’m very excited.”
Gaulden will tour the Panthers’ facilities and be introduced by the team later on Saturday. He spent most the week in Dallas for the NFLPA Rookie Debut event before flying back to Nashville to spend the draft with his family.
Panthers general manager Marty Hurney said Gaulden will compete at safety for the NFL squad. The versatile defensive back played nickel back and cornerback in addition to safety during his career at Tennessee.
“I think Carolina is the best fit for me,” Gaulden said. “They will utilize my skillset in the best way possible. I’m just excited to get up there.”
Gaulden said he was “calm” heading into the draft and he kept his cool on Friday by watching sports and waiting for a call he was expecting to get.
“I was definitely expecting to get picked on Friday night,” he said. “It just depended on where. In recent interviews I had said I wasn’t going to pay too much attention to the draft, but I would have my phone on me.”
Gaulden is also excited to reunite with former Tennessee defensive line coach and interim head coach Brady Hoke, who is now the defensive line coach for the Panthers.
“I have a really good relationship with Coach Hoke, who was our defensive line coach,” Gaulden said. “Having him on staff makes me feel very comfortable as well as the other great coaches they have around there and the players. I was very excited to receive the call from them.
“Carolina is an awesome team in a great city.”
Known to be the ultimate competitor among his teammates on Rocky Top, Gaulden can’t wait to start his professional career.
“It’s been wild,” Gaulden said as he boarded the plane headed for his new employer. “I have been taking it one step and a time. God makes no mistakes. I’m very fortunate to be in this position.”
During the Nashville Predators 2017 playoff run to the Stanley Cup Finals, the Preds brought out some of country music’s biggest starts to sing the national anthem on their home ice, including Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Little Big Town, Vince Gill, Lady Antebellum, Keith Urban, Kelly Clarkson, Trisha Yearwood, Martina McBride, Dierks Bentley and Faith Hill.
For the Preds 2018 playoff run, which began on April 12 against the Colorado Avalanche, Rascal Flatts had the honor of singing the national anthem before Game 1, while Brad Paisley and Maren Morris handled the duties before Game 2 on April 14 and Game 5 on April 20, respectively.
Before Game 1 of the Preds second round playoff series versus the Winnipeg Jets on April 27, Dierks Bentley and bluegrass great Del McCoury teamed up to perform the anthem. Dierks also had the honor of singing the anthem during the Preds 2017 playoff run.
Midweek games generally don’t draw many students to Sherri Parker Lee Stadium, yet alone one of the stars of the men’s basketball team.
But Grant Williams isn’t an average spectator. The 6-foot-7 sophomore forward has become a loyal Lady Vols softball fan, attending nearly every home game this season and gaining more appreciation for the sport.
He’s not doing it for the publicity or to get on camera. He doesn’t sneak out after only a few innings or scroll through his phone instead of paying attention.
Williams stays for the entire game, cheers heartily throughout and patiently waits to talk to the players in the aftermath.
“I am a huge fan, and I enjoy watching a great game of softball,” Williams said. “The team is really good. They are just as competitive as us, and I like going out there and seeing them dominate like we were doing on the court this year. I just really try to enjoy the time because it’s always a beautiful day at the field.”
Williams first took an interest in softball in high school, attending games at Providence Day School in Charlotte, North Carolina.
He knew Tennessee had a powerhouse program, and couldn’t wait to become a regular at Lee Stadium. Having a car this year helped with his transportation to games, and he’s become close friends with many members of the softball team.
His relationship with third baseman Chelsea Seggern has grown over the last year through their involvement with the VOLeaders Academy.
“He is a big deal, and it’s really cool to see him come out to our games,” Seggern said of the reigning SEC Player of the Year. “I think all the teams (here at UT) need to support other teams more, even us going to other games. It will really create an environment where the athletic department is one as a whole.”
Each time Williams enters the stadium, whispers of “That’s Grant Williams” float through the crowd. But his presence is no longer a surprise to the regulars and season-ticket holders.
Williams sits in the player family section above the home dugout. After a big hit, strikeout or sterling defensive play, he exchanges high-fives with the moms and dads surrounding him.
“It’s really sweet because when you are playing yourself you don’t really get to do that stuff. You get to celebrate with your team, but not with other people in the stands,” Williams said. “It’s fun when exciting stuff happens to high-five and cheer with all of them.”
If the games are crowded, Williams can always count on Seggern’s mom, Renea, saving him a seat in her row.
“My mom has grown attached to him. She loves him and loves his personality,” Seggern said. “She is kind of teaching him the game, and he is kind of learning it. She wants to make sure he feels comfortable in the stands and has a great time.”
Since becoming more immersed in the Lady Vols this season, Williams’ respect for softball and the abilities of the players has grown.
“I am really attracted to the slapping part of softball, and I really like the fact the pitchers are so different. Matty (Moss) throws with more power and Caylan (Arnold) throws with a little more spin,” Williams said. “It’s good to educate yourself about many things, and me knowing more about softball may help me in other areas of my life.”
Although Tennessee co-head coach Karen Weekly can’t usually see who’s in the stands from her perch in the dugout, she’s not surprised to hear Williams is a regular at games.
“He is someone I got to know in the training room doing my shoulder therapy this past fall, and he is just a very personable and engaging gentlemen,” Weekly said. “You can tell the appreciation and enthusiasm he has for all the sports, not just basketball, and I think that means a lot to our team.”
The only challenging part of attending softball games for Williams has been the temptation to stray from his refined diet.
He’s been trying to give up his late-night buttered popcorn habit to improve his performance on the basketball court. But it’s hard to escape the enticing aroma of a freshly-popped box when he walks into the stadium.
“I try not to touch it. Coach Barnes had a box at the game the other day and started waving it at me, though,” Williams said. “But if I do eat it, I eat it in moderation and don’t eat the whole box.”
Williams is hoping he gets the chance to watch the Lady Vols begin a deep postseason run at Lee Stadium. He knows the environment can be electric and wants to experience the intensity of a win-or-go-home series.
Once the softball season does end for good, Seggern has invited Williams back to the field and issued a friendly challenge.
“She teases me about coming out and hitting,” Williams said. “I think I will be bad, but she doesn’t think I will be that bad. We’ll have to see.”
ARLINGTON, Texas – Tennessee defensive back Rashaan Gaulden was selected by the Carolina Panthers with 85th pick overall in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium.
It’s the second consecutive year the Vols have had a defensive back selected in the NFL Draft. VFL Cam Sutton was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the No. 94 pick overall in the third round in 2017. Gaulden is also the eighth UT player to be selected in the first three rounds since 2013.
Gaulden, who is the 44th Vol defensive back selected in the NFL Draft all-time and the 11th since 2000, marks the third Tennessee player to be drafted by the Panthers, joining Deon Grant (2000) and Jerry Colquitt (1995).
Gaulden can play cornerback, safety or nickel back in the NFL after a standout collegiate career where he proved his versatility by playing at nearly every spot in the defensive backfield. The Spring Hill, Tenn., native finished with 140 tackles, including 9.5 for loss, over 36 games with 19 starts. He had a breakout 2017 redshirt junior season, where he totaled 65 tackles to go along with three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, six passes defended and one interception.
Gaulden had 68 tackles as a first-year starter in 2016 after redshirting due to injury in 2015. He played in 11 games, making seven tackles in 2014.
Gaulden is the 23rd Vol selected in the NFL Draft since 2010 and the 355th Vol drafted all-time.
Sneedville, Tenn., native Morgan Wallen got his first taste of the spotlight as a 3-year-old, singing during church services for his father’s congregation. Now the 24-year-old is entertaining crowds on late-night TV.
Morgan made his late-night TV debut on April 26, teaming with Florida Georgia Line to perform his hit single, “Up Down,” which is currently No. 13 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart.
The new tune, which was penned by Michael Hardy, Brad Clawson and CJ Solar, is featured on Morgan’s debut album, If I Know Me.
After five months of competition that included more than 1,500 entrants from across the country, Radio Romance earned the title of Nash Next Champion in October 2017.
As part of their spoils, the four-piece Nashville band—consisting of Sam Hayes (lead singer), Josh Gramling (lead guitar), Moises Padilla (drums) and Adam Smithwick (bass)—was awarded a recording contract with Nash Next Records under the Big Machine Label Group and exposure on Cumulus radio stations nationwide.
On April 27, Radio Romance dropped their debut single, “Weekend,” a groovin’ tune with a fusion of ’90s country and rock that has recently become a staple of their live shows. The group’s new single pulls from the sounds of their varied musical influences, including Travis Tritt, Tracy Lawrence, Alabama, Pink Floyd, Metallica, Buddy Rich, Eric Church, Jason Aldean and more.
“Our musical influences definitely play a key role in our sound,” says Sam. “We pull from all genres of music, whether it was stuff we grew up on or stuff currently out now. We believe it truly shows through our songwriting, live performances and style of music.”
“We looked at a lot of different songs for our debut, but ‘Weekend’ is song we knew was special right after we wrote it,” says Josh. “It’s a song that helped us win Nash Next and we think it fits perfectly with what’s on country radio right now.”
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