Jason Aldean, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Kid Rock will co-headline a day of music and fun on Sept. 2 at EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Fla.
The Labor Day weekend concert at the home of the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars will also include more special guests to be announced soon. In addition to performances, the all-day-and-night event will feature food trucks, games and more.
The concert is a part of Skynrd’s Last of the Street Survivors Farewell Tour.
“We are very excited to have friends Jason Aldean and Kid Rock join us in our hometown of Jacksonville,” said Skynrd’s Gary Rossington. “Playing where the band got its start all those years ago is always special but having these guys with us makes it even sweeter. We can’t wait to rock EverBank Field.”
Phillip Fulmer / Tennessee AD / Credit: UT Athletics
KNOXVILLE – University of Tennessee Chancellor Beverly Davenport announced Thursday that Director of Athletics Phillip Fulmer has signed a four-year contract. Fulmer took over as UT’s Director of Athletics on Dec. 1, 2017.
“Phillip has been a great partner over the last four months and I commend him for the wor he has done with our student-athletes, coaches and staff,” Davenport said. “Phillip has been connected to the University of Tennessee and its athletics program for more than 40 years and he understands the expectations we have for our athletics department.
“He is surrounded by a very knowledgeable staff that is deeply committed to the success of our student-athletes. I look forward to our continued partnership.”
Fulmer has wasted no time during his four months at the helm of his alma mater, ushering in two new head coaches to Rocky Top. Six days after his initial appointment as athletics director, Fulmer finalized a deal to make Jeremy Pruitt the 26th head coach in the storied history of the Tennessee football program. Then on Jan. 10, Fulmer introduced Eve Rackham—a former AVCA Division I Assistant Coach of the Year—as UT’s new volleyball coach.
Fulmer also secured a contract extension for coach Brian Pensky, who led the women’s soccer program to a 15-4-2 record last fall and a berth in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
“I am very grateful to Chancellor Davenport for the opportunity to continue to serve our outstanding university and its proud legacy,” Fulmer said. “The positive momentum established by our talented student-athletes, dedicated coaches, excellent staff, our great alumni and fans has united us all. I am excited to work alongside them as we push forward in pursuit of excellence in all sports.”
Another early highlight of Fulmer’s tenure came when UT’s men’s basketball program—led by SEC Coach of the Year Rick Barnes and SEC Player of the Year Grant Williams—stormed to a share of the SEC regular-season championship. The Vols went on to appear in the SEC Tournament final before advancing to their first NCAA Tournament since 2014.
“We are all so much better when we are aligned and pushing ahead together,” Fulmer added. “A perfect example of turning challenges into opportunities is our men’s basketball team this past season. When you care for each other, work really hard and no one cares who gets the credit, lots can be accomplished.”
Fulmer’s days on Rocky Top date to 1968 when he enrolled at UT and joined the football team as an offensive guard. He became a co-captain and went on to lead the Volunteers to a football national championship as a head coach, ultimately earning first-ballot induction into the National Football Foundation College Football Hall of Fame.
Fulmer’s 17 years at the helm of the Volunteers program produced a record of 152 wins and 52 losses. At the conclusion of Fulmer’s final season, he was the dean of SEC football coaches and no active coach with at least a decade in Division I-A had a better winning percentage (.744).
Under his tutelage, the Volunteers were the first to win the Bowl Championship Series National Championship in 1998 and made five appearances in the SEC Championship game over his last 11 seasons. Fulmer was named SEC Coach of the Year and National Coach of the Year in 1998.
Eric Church treated his fans to more than 100 songs on his 2017 live album, 61 Days in Church. The songs were recorded over the course of Eric’s 61-date Holdin’ My Own Tour.
Eric performed nearly 40 songs each night during his 2017 tour, including a number of songs made popular by other artists.
On April 21, Eric will release an eight-song LP of cover songs recorded during the tour, with 2,500 copies available at participating record stores. Eric’s covers include Pearl Jam’s “Better Man,” Soundgarden’s “Rusty Cage,” Allman Brothers’ “Midnight Rider,” Bob Seger’s “Turn the Page,” Billy Joel’s “Allentown,” The Guess Who’s “American Woman,” Little Feat’s “Dixie Chicken” and Dave Dudley’s “Six Days on the Road.”
61 Days in Church: Covers
“Better Man” (Live At Tacoma Drive, Tacoma, WA, March 18, 2017)
“Turn The Page” (Live At CenturyLink Center, Omaha, NE, April 8, 2017)
“Dixie Chicken” (Live at Pepsi Center, Denver, CO, April 5, 2017 with Chuck Leavell)
“Six Days On The Road” (Live at PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, PA, April 21, 2017)
“Rusty Cage” (Live at Verizon Center, Washington, D.C., May 19, 2017)
“Allentown” (Live at Santander Arena, Reading, PA, May 18, 2017)
“Midnight Rider” (Live at Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN, May 27, 2017)
“American Woman” (Live at Pepsi Center, Denver, CO, April 5, 2017 with Glenn Hughes)
Kacey Musgraves is headed to the Big Apple on May 12 to perform as the musical guest on Saturday Night Live. Actress and comedienne Amy Schumer will tackle the hosting duties.
In the past three years, a handful of country stars have performed on SNL, including Blake Shelton (January 2015), Zac Brown Band (March 2015), Chris Stapleton (January 2016, January 2018), Maren Morris (December 2016), Margo Price (April 2016) and Sturgill Simpson (January 2017, January 2018).
Kacey, who dropped her Billboard No. 1 album, Golden Hour, on March 30, made the SNL announcement via Instagram, which you can see below.
The Country Music Association has announced the return of its free nightly concerts during CMA Fest at Nashville’s Ascend Amphitheater on June 7–9.
June 7
Everette
Runaway June
Lindsay Ell
Chase Bryant
Craig Campbell
Granger Smith
Chase Rice
June 8
Clare Dunn
Drake White
Maddie & Tae
Tyler Farr
Lee Brice
June 9
Tegan Marie
Cale Dodds
Morgan Evans
Michael Ray
Cole Swindell
The concerts stars at 7 p.m. CT each night. Fans can purchase a Nash Pass for $60 that allows early access to the nightly shows at Ascend Amphitheater.
Knoxville Police Chief David Rausch has applied to be the next director of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. Rausch is one of 44 people who have applied for the position.
Rausch has been with KPD for 25 years, starting in patrol and moving up the ranks. The TBI director’s position provides a unique opportunity in which Chief Rausch believes he can make a positive impact for law enforcement throughout the state.
The final decision is up to the governor, but the nominating commission is met for the first time Wednesday.
A number of country stars—including Loretta Lynn, Reba McEntire, Brad Paisley, Travis Tritt, the Oak Ridge Boys, Charlie Daniels and more—shared their thoughts, prayers and remembrances of former First Lady Barbara Bush, who passed away on April 17 at the age of 92.
You can read some of the social media messages below.
America has lost a treasure and I’ve lost a dear friend. Barbara Bush was one of my greatest heroes. My heart is broken and will miss her. My prayers are with the Bush family, I love them all. pic.twitter.com/9HT9vFDKXX
This nation owes this woman a huge debt for her wisdom, guidance, and love. Rest In peace my friend. What an incredible & inspiring life you lived Barbara Bush. Thank you for your friendship and so many memories. #alifewelllivedpic.twitter.com/qlDiYKcttt
We lost a piece of AMERICAN Royalty. Barbara Bush was a straight shooter and woman of faith. I will miss her sincere laugh and piercing stare…may God bring His blessed peace on the Bush family in this time…
My deepest condolences to @GeorgeHWBush and the entire Bush family on the passing of former First Lady Barbara Bush. Her strength, love of family and love for her country should serve as an inspiration to us all. 🇺🇸
Carrie Underwood announced she will release her sixth studio album, Cry Pretty, on Sept. 14.
The upcoming record will be her first since 2015’s Storyteller, which spawned hits such as “Smoke Break,” “Heartbeat,” “Church Bells” and “Dirty Laundry.”
Carrie is co-producing Cry Pretty with David Garcia.
“At this point in my career, I feel stronger and more creative than ever,” says Carrie. “I think you can hear that in this new album. It’s emotional, it’s soulful, it’s real, and we also have some fun on there too. I hope everyone loves it as much as I have loved making it.”
In addition to dropping Cry Pretty’s lead single—and title track—on April 11, Carrie performed the single during the ACM Awards on April 15. Carrie co-wrote the new single with Hillary Lindsey, Lori McKenna and Liz Rose.
Check out Carrie’s album trailer for Cry Pretty below.
Vols coach Jeremy Pruitt talked to the media after Tennessee’s 13th practice on Tuesday to review scrimmage #2 and preview the Orange & White Spring Game on Saturday at Neyland Stadium. Video is courtesy of UT Athletics and VFL Films.
Ut coach Jeremy Pruitt / Credit: UT Athletics & VFL Films
61 Days in Church: Covers 
Knoxville Police Chief David Rausch has applied to be the next director of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. Rausch is one of 44 people who have applied for the position.
![Carrie Underwood to Release New Album, “Cry Pretty,” on Sept. 14 [Watch New Album Trailer]](https://cdn.socast.io/6616/sites/1446/2018/04/11064613/Carrie-Underwood.jpg#aqua_resizer_image_not_local)
“At this point in my career, I feel stronger and more creative than ever,” says Carrie. “I think you can hear that in this new album. It’s emotional, it’s soulful, it’s real, and we also have some fun on there too. I hope everyone loves it as much as I have loved making it.”
