Festive Flicks: Dan + Shay, Carrie Underwood, Kip Moore, Hillary Scott, Brett Eldredge & More Pick Their Favorite Christmas Movies

Festive Flicks: Dan + Shay, Carrie Underwood, Kip Moore, Hillary Scott, Brett Eldredge & More Pick Their Favorite Christmas Movies

Posted on December 22, 2017

Christmas may be the time for giving, but it’s also the time to give yourself a break from the hustle and bustle of holiday insanity. So pour yourself a stiff glass of eggnog, plop down on the couch for a few hours and enjoy one of your favorite festive flicks—or check out one of these recommendations from some of our favorite country stars.

BRETT ELDREDGE
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. It’s set in Chicago, and I’m from Illinois, and I have an uncle exactly like Clark W. Griswold. He’s that guy. You know, up on the ladder stapling himself to the house with the lights.

JERROD NIEMANN
Bad Santa—the director’s cut. Check it out sometime. You won’t believe it.

CARRIE UNDERWOOD
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is definitely a standard around the holidays. It’s very quotable and fun.

DAN SMYERS of Dan + Shay
It’s not necessarily a Christmas movie, but it’s got a Christmas theme: Home Alone. I don’t know. I’ve watched that movie so much. I can’t watch it enough. I grew up on that. Every Christmas I’ll put that on.

SHAY MOONEY of Dan + Shay
There was always one movie that was on when I was growing up and it was like a claymation version of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and I always used to watch that every year. I’ll probably be watching that again.

HILLARY SCOTT of Lady Antebellum
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. I can pretty much quote it line-for-line. It’s amazing.

FRANKIE BALLARD
It’s not thought of as a Christmas movie, but it is: Grumpy Old Men. They go through Thanksgiving and Christmas in the movie, so it’s seasonally accurate. But it’s always one that just feels like Christmas to me.

DUSTIN LYNCH
My favorite Christmas movie is National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. My favorite scene from that movie is when Eddie and Clark are buying light bulbs. I didn’t notice this the first 70 or so times I watched it, but something is going on in Eddie’s pants. It’s absolutely hilarious. It’s one of those things you don’t catch at first.

DARIUS RUCKER
Miracle on 34th Street is that movie that I’ll watch 10 times through the holidays and I’ll cry at the end every time, but for me, Elf. It’s a great idea, so well-written.

MADDIE MARLOW of Maddie & Tae
Maddie Marlow: Elf! What’s your favorite color? I could watch that in the summer and still love it.

TAE DYE of Maddie & Tae
Elf, totally.

KIP MOORE
Christmas Vacation. Chevy Chase, for sure.

CASSADEE POPE
I usually watch How the Grinch Stole Christmas. It brings me back to my childhood.

CRAIG CAMPBELL
My wife has always loved White Christmas with Bing Crosby. We watch that every year with the kids.

BILLY CURRINGTON
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. I never watch a lot of TV, to be really honest with you. But that’s like my childhood memory. So I’d probably sit down and watch it again.

EASTON CORBIN
A Christmas Story is hard to beat. You’ll shoot your eye out!

photo by Tammie Arroyo

#7 Lady Vols outlast #18 Stanford on the road 83-71

#7 Lady Vols outlast #18 Stanford on the road 83-71

Posted on December 22, 2017
Jaime Nared – Lady Vols / Credit: UT Athletics

STANFORD, Calif. — Senior Jaime Nared posted a 28-point effort to lead the No. 7 Lady Vols to an 83-71 victory on the road against No. 18 Stanford (6-6). The win improved Tennessee to 12-0 on the season and broke a five-game Tennessee losing streak at Maples Pavilion dating back to Dec. 4, 2005. That season also marked the last time UT opened a season with 12 straight wins.

Senior Mercedes Russell contributed a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds on the night, while freshman Evina Westbrook posted a career high of 17 points. In addition to a season-high 28 points, Nared also posted a career-best seven steals.

Brittany McPhee was Stanford’s leading scorer and the only Cardinal in double digits, notching 27 points on the night.

The Lady Vols got off to a cold start, going 0-of-5 from the field before Rennia Davis ended the drought at the 6:20 mark. Tennessee claimed its first lead of the game 20 seconds later, going up 6-4 off an Evina Westbrook layup. Westbrook went on to shoot 4-of-5 from the field and 2-of-2 from the free throw line, finishing the quarter with 10 points to help propel Tennessee to a 23-14 lead by the end of the period.

McPhee added eight points for Stanford in the opening minutes of the second quarter, cutting Tennessee’s lead to four with 5:09 to go in the half. Nared answered, sinking a 12-foot jumper before dishing out an assist to Russell on the following play to put the lead back at eight.  Tennessee closed out the quarter with a 10-0 run to take a 46-30 lead into the locker room.

The Lady Vols struggled with fouls in the third quarter with Russell, Davis and Westbrook all picking up their third one before the four-minute mark.  Nared contributed seven points in the quarter, and Tennessee took a 62-47 lead into the final period.

Stanford opened the fourth quarter with an 8-4 run to trim the lead to eleven with 6:30 to go in the game. Davis ended a nearly four-minute field goal drought for Tennessee, knocking down a jumper to make the score 68-55 with 6:11 to go. The Cardinal again mounted a run, going on a 7-0 spree to cut the lead to 68-62 with just over three minutes to play. Tennessee answered, hitting 15-of-16 free throws in the final 2:15 to win 83-71.

NEXT UP: Tennessee will begin their SEC schedule on the road against Kentucky, tipping off at noon ET on Sunday, Dec. 31. The game will be televised on the SEC Network.

-UT Athletics

 

JUCO LB from California Jordan Allen makes it 12 UT signees

JUCO LB from California Jordan Allen makes it 12 UT signees

Posted on December 21, 2017

3-star JUCO LB Jordan Allen (6’5, 230) from the City College of San Francisco via Fairfield, CA has signed today with the U. of Tennessee. He’s the 12th in ESP.

Jordan Allen
LB – 6’5, 230
City College of San Francisco via Fairfield, CA
Committed: 12-20-17
Stars (Rivals/247Sports/ESPN): 3/3/4

ESPN Scouting Report
“Good size and displays good first-step. Active motor with physical nature. Can shoot hands and keep blockers off frame and hold ground one-on-one. Displays good functional strength. Can quickly squeeze. Allen can be a physical and active defender with tools to be well-rounded. Can continue to refine technique, but prospect with tools to come in and compete for playing time and be productive contributor.”

Profile Notes From UT
ESPN: 4-star
Natl JUCO Rank: No. 9
Position Rank: No. 2 DE

247 Sports: 3-star
Natl JUCO Rank: No. 20
Position Rank: No. 2 DE
State Rank: No. 3 in CA

Rivals: 3-star

Composite Ranking: 3-star
Natl JUCO Rank: No. 25
Position Rank: No. 2 DE
State Rank: No. 4 in CA

JUCO – City College of San Francisco (2017)

  • ESPN JUCO Top 50 Recruit (9)
  • 2017 Stats (JUCO): 9 GP, 27 total tackles, 4.5 sacks, 8.0 TFL, 2 pass breakups
  • Tied for team lead in sacks and was fourth on the team in TFLs during his lone JUCO season at City College of San Francisco

UC Davis (2016)

  • Redshirted before transferring to City College of San Francisco

High School

  • Played wide receiver and defensive back at Armijo High School in California
  • Named All-Monticello Empire first team as a senior after catching 50 passes and hauling in eight receiving touchdowns
  • Caught nine receiving touchdowns as a junior
  • Had seven interceptions and earned All-League honorable mention honors as a sophomore
  • Also starred on the basketball and track & field teams earning All-League honors in both

Watch Highlights Here

Jordan Allen / Credit: UT Athletics
Can You Name Garth Brooks’ 20 No. 1 Hits? Take Our Amazon Music Quiz

Can You Name Garth Brooks’ 20 No. 1 Hits? Take Our Amazon Music Quiz

Posted on December 21, 2017

As Garth Brooks wraps up the North American leg of his World Tour in Nashville on Dec. 22 and 23, we thought it would be the perfect time for a fill-in-the-blank game of Garthonian proportions.

Garth celebrated his 20th No. 1 single earlier this month as “Ask Me How I Know” ascended to the top of both the Mediabase and Billboard Country Airplay charts. In honor of the accomplishment, we tapped Amazon Music Unlimited to find out how all of Garth’s 20 No. 1 hits ranked on Amazon based on streams in 2017.

Instead of telling you, we thought it would be fun for you to fill in the blank. We’ll give you the first letter of each word (the answers are below the photo).

20. “S_ _ _  E_ _ _ _  W_ _ _ _ _”
19. “I_  T_ _ _ _ _ _ _  N_ _ _ _  C_ _ _ _ _”
18. “L_ _ _ _ _ _ _  B_ _ _ _ _”
17. “W_ _ _  S_ _ _  D_ _ _ _  N_ _”
16. “A_ _ _ _ _ _ _  H_ _ _ _-T_ _ _  B_ _  A_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _”
15. “T_ _  O_  A  K_ _ _,  W_ _ _ _ _  O_  A  F_ _ _  H_ _ _ _”
14. “T_ _  P_ _ _  C_ _ _ _ _ _”
13. “U_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _  P_ _ _ _ _ _”
12. “M_ _ _  T_ _ _   A  M_ _ _ _ _”
11. “T_ _  R_ _ _ _”
10. “T_ _  B_ _ _ _ _ _  O_  C_ _ _ _ _ _  _”
9. “T_  M_ _ _  Y_ _  F_ _ _  M_  L_ _ _”
8. “T_ _  D_ _ _ _”
7. “T_ _ _  S_ _ _ _ _ ”
6. “S_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _”
5. “A_ _ _  G_ _ _ _  D_ _ _  (‘T_ _  T_ _  S_ _  C_ _ _ _  U_)”
4. “T_ _  T_ _ _ _ _ _  R_ _ _ _”
3. “T_ _  D_ _ _ _”
2. “F_ _ _ _ _ _  I_  L_ _  P_ _ _ _ _”
1. “A_ _  M_  H_ _  I  K_ _ _ _”

photo by Jason Simanek

Answers:

20. “She’s Every Woman”
19. “If Tomorrow Never Comes”
18. “Longneck Bottle”
17. “What She’s Doing Now”
16. “American Honky-Tonk Bar Association”
15. “Two of a Kind, Workin’ on a Full House”
14. “Two Piña Coladas”
13. “Unanswered Prayers”
12. “More Than a Memory”
11. “The River”
10. “The Beaches of Cheyenne”
9. “To Make You Feel My Love”
8. “The Dance”
7. “That Summer”
6. “Shameless”
5. “Ain’t Going Down (‘Til the Sun Comes Up)”
4. “The Thunder Rolls”
3. “The Dance”
2. “Friends in Low Places”
1. “Ask Me How I Know”

photo by Jason Simanek

Sugarland Talks Reuniting at the CMA Awards, Releasing New Single, Working on Upcoming Album & More

Sugarland Talks Reuniting at the CMA Awards, Releasing New Single, Working on Upcoming Album & More

Posted on December 21, 2017

Jim Casey talks with Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush of Sugarland about:

  • working on individual projects during their five-year hiatus from Sugarland
  • their surprise reunion at the CMA Awards in November
  • the changing sonic nature of country music over the last five years
  • writing and recording their new single, “Still the Same”
  • working on their upcoming album
  • letting the songs drive the album
  • performing together on Dec. 31 on Dick Clark’s New Years Rocking Eve With Ryan Seacrest
  • playing Europe’s C2C Festival in March
  • putting together a tour in 2018

Quote Worthy:

  • “Normally, it takes 100 songs to write three good ones, but it’s different if you’re working with Jennifer. It takes one song to write one good one. That’s cool. You can’t ever underestimate the power of that.” — Kristian Bush

Participants:

  • Jennifer Nettles
  • Kristian Bush
  • Jim Casey, NCD editor in chief

Michael Ray Releases Statement After His Arrest for DUI & Drug Possession

Michael Ray Releases Statement After His Arrest for DUI & Drug Possession

Posted on December 21, 2017

After being arrested on Dec. 20 and charged with DUI and possession of marijuana oil, Michael Ray released a statement today (Dec. 21).

“I want to apologize to my fans, family, and my hometown community for placing myself in this situation,” said Michael. “I am so very sorry for the disappointment these events have caused everyone. I know it will take time, however, I will do everything I can to rebuild your trust.”

According to the police report, the 2012 Jeep Wrangler that Michael was driving bumped the car in front of him in the McDonald’s drive-thru around 3:30 a.m. on Dec. 20 in Eustis, Fla.

The “Kiss You in the Morning” singer failed several sobriety tests and refused a breathalyzer test. Cops also found marijuana oil in Michael’s pocket.

“While speaking to Michael I noticed he had blood shot eyes, slurred speech, he stumbled while walking and smelled of alcohol . . . he said he was coming from a bar in Tavares,” the arresting officer said in the report, according to the Orlando Sentinel.

TMZ has video footage of the arrest, which you can watch below.

photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

Listen to Sugarland’s Soaring New Single, “Still the Same”

Listen to Sugarland’s Soaring New Single, “Still the Same”

Posted on December 21, 2017

After a five-year hiatus, Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush of Sugarland surprised the country music-loving world by reuniting at the CMA Awards on Nov. 8 to present the trophy for Duo of the Year to Brothers Osborne.

photo by Shervin Lainez for Big Machine Records / UMG Nashville

Now, the duo has some definitive plans for the remainder of 2017 and into 2018, including a new soaring single, “Still the Same,” which is available now.

“The first time we were in a room together in almost six years, ‘Still the Same’ is the first song we wrote,” said Jennifer to Nash Country Daily. “This song is quintessential Sugarland, sound and message-wise.”

“Normally, it takes 100 songs to write three good ones, but it’s different if you’re working with Jennifer,” says Kristian to NCD. “It takes one song to write one good one. That’s cool. You can’t ever underestimate the power of that.”

Watch Sugarland’s new video for “Still the Same.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIQKKzZtWwQ

photo by Shervin Lainez for Big Machine Records / UMG Nashville

#21/#20 Vols hold-off game Furman 66-61 to move to 8-2

#21/#20 Vols hold-off game Furman 66-61 to move to 8-2

Posted on December 21, 2017
Jordan Bowden – Vols G / Credit: UT Athletics

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Sophomore guard Jordan Bowden tied his career high with 21 points to lead No. 20/21 Tennessee to a hard-fought, 66-61 win over Furman on Wednesday at Thompson-Boling Arena.

The final 12 minutes of the game featured eight lead changes and five ties. Tennessee (8-2) enjoyed a 47-33 rebounding advantage over the Paladins (9-4) in the win.

The Vols’ stars stepped up in the second half when they needed them. Bowden, who shot 6-for-14 for the night and collected six rebounds and three assists, scored nine points in the second half. Sophomore forward Grant Williams scored 12 of his 14 points after halftime and finished with eight rebounds. Junior forward Admiral Schofield posted the second double-double of his career with 12 points and a career-high 13 rebounds.

Furman senior guard Devin Sibley, a Knoxville native who graduated from Karns High School, paced the Paladins with 22 points on 10-of-16 shooting.

With 54 seconds remaining, Williams made a jumper in the paint to give the Vols a 63-61 lead, and UT withstood a strong push from Furman down the stretch to pick up its eighth win of the season.

The Vols led by as many as 10 points in the second half, but Furman rallied with 12 minutes remaining to make it a one-possession game until the final five seconds, when James Daniel III made a pair of free throws to give UT the five-point win. Daniel, who transferred to UT from Howard, scored the 2,000th point of his career (currently 2,006) and remains the active NCAA Division I leader in career points.

Both teams experienced some early shooting woes over the first few minutes of the game, but Tennessee closed the first half with a 17-7 run over the final eight minutes to take a 29-26 lead into halftime. The Big Orange have yet to trail at the break this season.

Bowden paced the team with 12 first-half points on 4-of-6 shooting, including a 2-for-3 effort from 3-point range. The Vols had a 24-15 rebounding edge over the first 20 minutes, and Schofield collected six boards over that span.

DANIEL REACHES MAJOR MILESTONES: With 5:22 remaining in the first half, senior guard James Daniel III hit a stepback jumper to join the NCAA’s 2,000-point club. It was also the 100th career game for the Division I active career leading scorer.

SHARING IS CARING: Tennessee entered Wednesday night’s contest with the nation’s second-leading assist rate of 68 percent this season. Against Furman, UT assisted on 17 of its 23 buckets (74 percent).

KNOXVILLE NATIVES SHINE: Tennessee’s Jordan Bowden (Carter High School) and Furman’s Devin Sibley (Karns High School) both led their teams in scoring in the contest. Bowden tied his career-high with 21 points. Sibley dropped a game-high 22 in an impressive homecoming performance.

UP NEXT: The Vols will head to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, to face Wake Forest on Saturday before beginning SEC play with a road trip to Arkansas the following weekend (Dec. 30).

-UT Athletics

 

Vols Welcome 11 Newcomers on Day 1 of Early Signing Period (w/ Coach Pruitt quote)

Vols Welcome 11 Newcomers on Day 1 of Early Signing Period (w/ Coach Pruitt quote)

Posted on December 21, 2017
UT helmets / Credit: UT Athletics

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee football program and head coach Jeremy Pruitt announced the newest members of the Vol football family on Wednesday during Day 1 of the Early Signing Period (Dec. 20-22).

Tennessee officially signed 11 players with two days remaining in college football’s new December signing window. UT could still sign more players before the end of the day Friday, and will add several Vols during the traditional National Signing Day on Feb. 7.

The Big Orange early signing class as of Wednesday night features seven members from the state of Tennessee, two Californians, one player from Florida and one South Carolina native.

Six of the newest Vols have been selected for postseason high school all-star games, including U.S. Army All-American Bowl participant Greg Emerson, a defensive end, and Under Armour All-America Game selection Paxton Brooks, the nation’s No. 2 punter.

“We are very excited to welcome this group of outstanding young men who signed with us today,” Pruitt said. “They are terrific football players, who also display exceptional character off the field. We appreciate the commitment they have made to the University of Tennessee. They will be the foundation for our first signing class here. We said we were going to build a fence around the state and this is a good start. We also know that Tennessee is a national brand, and it’s exciting that some of these players from across the country will be wearing the ‘T’ on their helmets. We hope to have a few more guys sign these next two days, too.

“We know we still have a lot of work to do on the recruiting trail, as we will sign several more players in February, but today is a great way to begin. We will get back to work when I return n January. I want to thank Vol Nation for all of the support these first two weeks on the job. I am honored and humbled to be your head coach, and I’m looking forward to devoting all of my time to our football team following the College Football Playoff.”

The Vols have already signed four the state’s Top 10 recruits, according to Rivals: Emerson (No. 3), Cordova High School teammates Jerome Carvin (No. 8) and Jeremy Banks (No. 9), and 2017 Tennessee Titans District II-A Mr. Football Brant Lawless (No. 10).

The class also features a pair of Knoxville area stars in Gibbs offensive lineman Ollie Lane and Farragut tight end Jacob Warren.

California quarterback JT Shrout rocketed up recruiting boards this season and is ranked the No. 14 pro-style quarterback in the nation, according to Rivals, while Dominick Wood-Anderson is the No. 1-rated junior college tight end prospect in the country.

Additionally, the Vols signed one of the Nashville area’s top recruits in offensive lineman Tanner Antonutti and national prep powerhouse IMG Academy defensive lineman Kingston Harris.

After being named head coach on Dec. 7, Pruitt had just 10 days to put together a signing class before the dead period began on Dec. 18, limiting contact with recruits. Pruitt, who was named 247Sports Recruiter of the Year in 2012, and members of his coaching staff worked tirelessly to secure the Early Signing Period class.

Remaining signees will be announced on Tennessee football’s official twitter handle, @Vol_Football when their NLI’s are verified. A press release summarizing the complete Early Signing Period class will be sent out at the completion of the weekend.

-UT Athletics

 

UT Signees / Credit: UT Athletics
Vols sign #1 JUCO TE, Dominick Wood-Anderson, 11th signee

Vols sign #1 JUCO TE, Dominick Wood-Anderson, 11th signee

Posted on December 20, 2017

4-star TE, Dominick Wood-Anderson (6’5, 245) from Arizona Western College via Spring Valley, CA has signed with UT. He’s the #1 JUCO TE in the nation & 11th signee for Tennessee so far.

Dominick Wood-Anderson
TE – 6’5, 245
JUCO – Arizona Western College (Yuma, AZ)
Committed: 12-20-17
Stars (Rivals/247Sports/ESPN): 4/4/4

ESPN Scouting Report
“Tall with good length. Displays good hands and excellent body control to adjust to ball thrown outside his frame. Can find soft spot working against zone. Good burst off the line. Wood-Anderson is a lengthy target with good hands and can come in and compete for playing time and quickly contribute in the passing game.”

Highlights

 

Watch More Highlights Here

Dominick Wood-Anderson / Credit: UT Athletics

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