Between his gig as a coach on The Voice, releasing new music and making the media rounds, Blake Shelton has carved out some time in 2018 to headline a new tour.
Blake will hit the road in February for his Country Music Freaks Tour. Kicking off on Feb. 15 in Tulsa, Okla., Blake will make stops in St. Louis, Dallas, Atlanta, Philadelphia and more during the 14-date trek.
“Look man, touring is still what I have the most fun with in this business,” says Blake to Nash Country Daily. “And I try to limit myself to not burn out on it because it’s too important to me, so when I put together a tour, it’s always important to me who’s on it and where we go.”
Brett Eldredge and Carly Pearce will serve as openers during the tour, and special guest Trace Adkins will join the ensemble in Tulsa.
“This lineup, I can’t believe it actually worked out, because Brett, his career is blowing up. He’s the new dude in country music that’s taken off, and I couldn’t be happier for him. And man, it’s tough, you know, we wanted a female artist for the tour to represent the girls in country music . . . and we’re so lucky to get Carly, and I can’t thank her enough for signing on for this tour. She’s going to make us look good. And, of course, Trace, I brought him out to keep all of our egos in check because as soon we start having fun and getting a little rowdy out there, he’ll be the one coming in there cranky and grumpy and yelling at us all and make sure that our egos are in check.”
Country Music Freaks Tour
2/15/18 Tulsa, OK BOK Center
2/16/18 Lubbock, TX United Supermarkets Arena
2/17/18 Las Cruces, NM Pan American Center
2/22/18 Grand Rapids, MI Van Andel Arena
2/23/18 Moline, IL TaxSlayer Center
2/24/18 St. Louis, MO Scottrade Center
3/2/18 Dallas, TX American Airlines Center
3/3/18 Bossier City, LA CenturyLink Center
3/8/18 Atlanta, GA Philips Arena
3/9/18 Greenville, SC Bon Secours Wellness Arena
3/10/18 Greensboro, NC Greensboro Coliseum
3/15/18 Columbus, OH Nationwide Arena
3/16/18 Baltimore, MD Royal Farms Arena
3/17/18 Philadelphia, PA Wells Fargo Center
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum announced its slate of 2018 exhibitions.
The 2018 schedule includes exhibits featuring Little Big Town, Ralph Stanley, the Judds and Emmylou Harris. In addition, American Currents: The Music of 2017 will include artifacts from Brothers Osborne, Kane Brown, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Maren Morris, Randy Travis and Chris Young.
The exhibits’ opening dates are below.
March 9: American Currents: The Music of 2017 June 29: Little Big Town July 13: Ralph Stanley August 3: The Judds October 5: Emmylou Harris
Here’s what the Hall of Fame had to say about each upcoming exhibit:
Little Big Town
On June 29, the museum will open a special exhibit on Grammy and American Music Award-winning group Little Big Town, the vocal quartet made up of Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Phillip Sweet and Jimi Westbrook. Twenty years after forming, Little Big Town are consistent award winners, earning platinum certifications for their albums Pain Killer, Tornado and The Road to Here. In 2017, they notched a sixth consecutive CMA Award win for Vocal Group of the Year and won their fourth ACM Award for Vocal Group of the Year. They also brought their dynamic performance values and crystalline vocal harmonies to multiple concerts at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium in a year-long, sold-out residency there.
Ralph Stanley
July 13 brings an exhibit devoted to legendary mountain musician Ralph Stanley, whose rendition of “O Death,” from the O Brother, Where Art Thou? film soundtrack captured the 2001 Grammy for Best Male Country Vocal. After twenty years as half of legendary bluegrass duo the Stanley Brothers, Ralph began a solo career in 1966 following the death of brother Carter Stanley. Ralph’s unique style and distinctive tenor broke new ground in bluegrass, and he became a standard-bearer for country music’s Appalachian folk roots.
The Judds
Another new exhibit will explore the lives and careers of Grammy-winning mother-daughter duo the Judds opening Aug. 3, 2018. Wynonna and Naomi Judd brought a fresh acoustic sound to country music, with unmistakable harmonies surrounding Wynonna’s powerful lead vocals. The Judds dominated the country charts during the 1980s and ’90s, and have sold more than 20 million albums and registered 20 Top Ten hits. Although the Judds dissolved in 1991 following Naomi’s hepatitis diagnosis the duo have reunited for special tours and performances. Wynonna has achieved great success as a solo artist.
Emmylou Harris
Finally, 12-time Grammy winner and Country Music Hall of Fame member Emmylou Harris will be the subject of a major exhibition opening Oct. 5, 2018. From her start with Gram Parsons in California during the early 1970s to her acceptance in Nashville and mainstream country music in the 1980s, Harris has brought millions of new listeners to country music. Over 40 years into a remarkable career, she has amassed twenty-seven Top Ten hits, including seven that reached #1. She also has placed fourteen albums in the Top Ten of the Billboard country album chart.
American Currents: The Music of 2017
In addition to examining the stories of individual artists, the museum will unveil the exhibition American Currents: The Music of 2017, on March 9, 2018. The exhibit will provide a behind-the-scenes look at the major country music happenings in the prior year. Highlights of 2017 will be represented by artifacts from Brothers Osborne, Kane Brown, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Maren Morris, Randy Travis and Chris Young with more to be announced.
Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman have listed their estate in Franklin, Tenn., (20 miles south of Nashville) for $3.45 million.
The four-bedroom, four-bathroom, 5,086-square-foot house, which was built in 1987, sits on 35.73 acres and features a gym, guest cottage, barn, garden trails, hilltop building site and more.
Keith and Nicole also own a 12,000-square-foot home in Nashville.
Moran Wallen will hit the road for his headlining Up Down Tour on Feb. 2 in Indianapolis. Morgan will make more than 20 stops during the coast-to-coast trek, including performances in Myrtle Beach, Los Angeles, San Diego, Las Vegas and more.
“I can’t wait to get on the road and play some new music for people across the country,” said Morgan. “I’ve been lucky enough to watch and learn from incredible artists and entertainers like Florida Georgia Line who took me out on their tours early on. Now, I’m excited to hit the stage as a headliner and really show everyone what I’m about.”
Morgan will be joined by opener Ray Fulcher for select dates on the tour. Tickets go on sale on Dec. 15.
Walker Hayes will launch his 13-city Good as Gold Tour on Feb. 1 in Uncasville, Conn. Walker will makes stops in Boston, Chicago, Indianapolis, Detroit and more before capping the tour on April 27 in San Martin, Calif.
“I am so humbled by folks wanting to see this live that we can do this,” said Walker, who named the tour after a line in his Top 15 song, “You Broke Up With Me.” “I’m so honored to have so many supporters—from my peers to the industry to country radio—on this crazy journey with me. You all have absolutely changed my life.”
Note: Peyton Manning will be OFFICIALLY inducted into the National Football Foundation College Football Hall of Fame on Tuesday night at the 60th annual NFF Banquet. Peyton’s induction will be broadcast live at 8:30 p.m. ET on WatchESPN.
NEW YORK – Peyton Manning rewrote the University of Tennessee football record books as a quarterback from 1994 to 1997, becoming the Volunteers’ all-time leader in passing yards (11,201), wins by a quarterback (39) and passing touchdowns (89), while winning the Davey O’Brien Award, Johnny Unitas Award and the Maxwell Award, among several honors, and leading UT to the 1997 Southeastern Conference Championship.
Still, Manning didn’t mention any awards, records or specific plays when he was asked about his fondest memories during his collegiate career on Tuesday at the New York Hilton Midtown a few hours before he was set to become the 23rd Tennessee Volunteer inducted into the National Football Foundation College Football Hall of Fame.
“Relationships,” Manning said are what he remembers most, and what he was most thankful for from his football career.
“Everybody has expressed their greatest memory has been the relationships with their teammates, coaches, equipment staff, the trainers and video directors – people that are the behind-the-scenes of a football team, but are every bit as important as the star running back,” Manning said during a press conference with the other members of the 2017 Hall of Fame Class.
“I cherish those relationships and fortunately I still have them today even though I don’t still play. That’s my greatest takeaway of my years playing football are those relationships.”
Over 50 friends, family, teammates and Tennessee personnel are in New York for Manning’s induction, proving that one of the greatest quarterbacks of all-time was just as great as forming those lasting bonds of friendship as he was at tossing a perfect touchdown pass.
Manning also excelled in the classroom during his four years on Rocky Top, winning the 1997 William V. Campbell Trophy, which is given to the nation’s top football scholar-athlete, and attending the National Football Foundation banquet. Manning is just the second Campbell Trophy winner to enter the College Football Hall of Fame.
“I truly took the role of being a student-athlete very seriously,” Manning said. “I had a great experience during my four years in Knoxville. I remember being amongst those other student-athletes 20 years ago. I met some great guys. I’ve been to this banquet a couple different times and it’s always one of the highlights. I’m just honored to be a part of that group.”
Mannings Become First Father-Son Duo Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame
Peyton Manning’s first time at the NFF Banquet was 28 years ago when his father, Archie, was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
Peyton Manning was 13 years old at the time and he remembered the excitement of being in New York City for the first time.
“My mom let me and my two brothers miss school to come up here and witness our dad go into the Hall of Fame,” Peyton Manning said. “First time wearing a tuxedo. First time being in New York. It was a big deal. I can remember what a big deal it was for my dad.
“It’s kind of surreal getting to experience that same moment tonight. I’m honored to be selected to the College Football Hall of Fame, especially with all of these great players and coaches. To join my dad – it’s quite a unique honor and very humbling.”
Archie Manning is the National Football Foundation Chairman and a 1989 College Football Hall of Famer following a standout career as a quarterback at the University of Mississippi.
Peyton Manning had an appreciation for his dad’s college accolades at young age. He recalled listening to old radio broadcasts of Ole Miss games as a kid.
“I really took an interest in his college football experience,” Peyton Manning said. “I used to listen to the old radio broadcasts of his games. I had a real passion for college football, so to be able to go play at the University of Tennessee – I was honored to have the opportunity to play.”
For Archie, watching his son come full circle and join him as part of the first father-son duo to be inducted as players at the NFF banquet on Tuesday night will be a special moment.
“First of all, I was excited to hear that Peyton was going to be a member of this class,” the elder Manning said. “Tennessee people know how passionate he is about college football – how much he enjoyed his journey at Tennessee.
“He was here that night I was inducted. He and my other sons were in their tuxedos. I think it means a lot to him and we’re honored. To be the first of father-son duo is great.”
Relationships, Tradition are What Make Tennessee Special
Archie Manning talked about relationships, of course, as being a main reason his son had so much success at Tennessee under head coach Phillip Fulmer.
“Peyton’s relationship with Coach Fulmer – quarterback and head coach – through the years was so positive, so good,” Archie Manning said. “David Cutcliffe was there the whole time – he’s a great coach. Randy Sanders recruited him. That whole staff. He was close to those guys. Especially, when he stayed for his senior year. He had a great experience. He loves to keep up with his teammates.
“I think Peyton did what I wish all college players would do. Slow down and enjoy that journey through college. You don’t have to sprint to be an NFL player. There’s a lot there in college – tradition and campus life. I’m proud Peyton took his time and soaked that up.”
Those relationships formed over time and the tradition of 121 years of football are part of what make coming back to Rocky Top special.
When Manning had his on-campus salute for his Hall of Fame induction earlier this fall, he invited all of Tennessee’s living Hall of Fame members to be on the field with him when he received his plaque at Neyland Stadium. His father was there, too, of course.
“The University of Tennessee is an important part of the College Football Hall of Fame,” Peyton Manning said. “The on-campus celebration back in Knoxville this fall was very special. It had all of the other living Hall of Famers represented there in Knoxville. It meant a great deal to me. All out there on the field with me when I actually received my plaque. Obviously, my dad in his role with the National Football Foundation was on the field with me, as well. That was a very special moment. I’ve always been grateful of the support from the University of Tennessee family. It’s meant a great deal to me.
“I believe I’m the 23rd Tennessee Volunteer to be inducted. That certainly says more about Tennessee than it does me. But to join guys like Johnny Majors, Reggie White, Doug Atkins, and like I said, Coach (Phillip) Fulmer and Coach (Doug) Dickey – it’s very humbling.”
The 2017 College Football Hall of Fame Class:
Bob Crable (Notre Dame), Marshall Faulk (San Diego State), Kirk Gibson (Michigan State), Matt Leinart (Southern California), Peyton Manning (Tennessee), Bob McKay (Texas), Dat Nguyen (Texas A&M), Adrian Peterson (Georgia Southern), Mike Ruth (Boston College), Brian Urlacher (New Mexico) and coaches Danny Ford (Clemson, Arkansas), Larry Kehres (Mount Union [Ohio]) and Steve Spurrier (Duke, Florida, South Carolina).
Manning is the third Tennessee quarterback to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, joining Dodd, who starred at Tennessee from 1928-30, and Cafego (1938-39).
Seventy-five All-America coaches and six elite coaches from the Football Bowl Subdivision and 95 players and 29 coaches from the divisional ranks were on the ballot. The Hall of Fame Honors Court, comprised of members of the National Football Foundation, athletics directors, coaches and members of CoSIDA, are responsible for the final vote for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame.
An Unmatched Professional and Collegiate Career
After 18 outstanding years in the NFL, setting league passing and touchdown records and winning his second Super Bowl last January, Manning retired from the game of football.
Leading the Denver Broncos to a 24-10 win over the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50, Manning earned his 200th career win (regular season and postseason included) to become the first player to reach that milestone. He is also the only quarterback in NFL history to have led two different franchises (he won Super Bowl XLI with the Indianapolis Colts) to Super Bowl Championships. Manning retired as the NFL’s all-time leader in passing yards (71,940), passing touchdowns (539), game-winning drives (56), fourth-quarter comebacks (45) and regular-season wins (186, tied with Brett Favre). He was also a five-time NFL MVP (2003, 2004, 2008, 2009, 2013) and a 14-time Pro Bowl selection.
Manning is the Vols’ all-time leader in passing yards (11,201), wins by a quarterback (39), 300-yard games (18), passing touchdowns (89), pass attempts (1,381) and pass completions (863). His 11,020 total yards of offense, 10 games of 300 passing yards, 22 home wins and 13 road wins are also Tennessee records.
Manning was the 1994 SEC Freshman of the year and earned All-SEC honors in 1995 and 1996. He was an Associated Press and Football News Third-Team All-American in 1996. In 1997, Manning was a consensus All-American and won the William V. Campbell Trophy, the Davey O’Brien Award, the Johnny Unitas Award, the NCAA QB of the Year award, the Maxwell Award, the James E. Sullivan Award, the Today’s Top VIII Award and SEC Player of the Year. He led the Vols to a 30-29 win over Auburn in the 1997 SEC Championship, earning MVP honors. Manning also received the 1998 ESPY for Best College Football Player.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Tennessee freshman offensive lineman Trey Smith has been named to 2017 All-Southeastern Conference Coaches’ Football Second Team, as announced by the conference office on Tuesday.
Coaches were not permitted to vote for their own players. The SEC individual award winners will be released Wednesday and the All-Freshman Team will be announced Thursday.
Smith is Tennessee’s first offensive lineman to earn Coaches All-SEC honors since Antonio Richardson earned Second Team accolades in 2013. On Monday, Smith was named to The Associated Press All-SEC Second Team.
The Jackson, Tennessee, native was the only Tennessee offensive lineman to start all 12 games for the Vols in 2017. He had eight starts at right guard, three at left tackle and one at left guard. Smith led the Vols in pancakes and was UT’s second-highest rated offensive lineman behind only senior Jashon Robertson. Smith became the first Tennessee true freshman to start at left tackle in at least 30 years.
Smith made several highlight reels with his physical blocking style and showed the poise of a veteran player despite 2017 being his first year of college football. Smith’s blocking helped pave the way for career-best seasons by running backs John Kelly(778 rushing yards), Ty Chandler (305 yards) and Carlin Fils-aime (215 yards).
Smith, who is also a candidate for Freshman All-America honors, was the No. 1 overall rated player in the nation in 2017 recruiting according to ESPN.com.
Luke Bryan is gearing up to release his sixth studio album, What Makes You Country, on Dec. 8. Produced by Jeff Stevens and Jody Stevens, What Makes You Country features 15 songs, seven of which were co-written by Luke, including the title track.
Since making the album announcement in October, Luke has engaged people from all walks of life to represent what “country” means to them, using the hashtag #WhatMakesMeCountry.
As Luke told his Universal Music Group label, what makes the Georgia native country is a combination of “manners, work ethic, fishing, hunting, sports and church.”
“I think that what makes me country is where I was raised—Leesburg, Georgia—how I was brought up saying ‘Yes sir,’ ‘No sir,’ ‘Yes, ma’am,’ ‘No, ma’am,’ hopefully with manners and raised with a work ethic and raised in the outdoors fishing and hunting and playing sports,” says Luke. “I would say definitely it starts with my small-town upbringing and how we were raised—church on Sundays as much as we could. But just enjoying life and living life in a small town.”
Tennessee acting athletic director Phillip Fulmer is on Day 5 of his coaching search, and not much is certain.
But we do know this: Duke coach David Cutcliffe is not in the running.
“I’m not involved in any part of the Tennessee situation,’’ Cutcliffe texted me yesterday.
Cutcliffe was apparently offered the job Nov 27 and said no.
I’m sure he talked to Fulmer recently, and provided the same answer.
In the case of Cutcliffe, and perhaps some other coaches, Fulmer might also be asking for recommendations or backgrounds on other potential candidates.
That would be a reason Fulmer would call someone like former Texas coach Mack Brown, 66.
So where is Fulmer in the search?
I believe he will interview a number of candidates in New York as he attends the College Hall of Fame induction ceremony of Peyton Manning.
I believe Fulmer has talked to or interviewed:
* SMU coach Chad Morris, who was also interviewed by fired athletic director John Currie but never offered the job. Morris was a high school coach in Texas seven years ago. Morris has also interviewed for the Arkansas job.
* Auburn defensive coordinator Kevin Steele, a former UT player and assistant coach. He has worked for six coaches who have won a national championship.
* Alabama defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt, who has also been DC at Auburn and Florida State.
* Former LSU coach Les Miles, 64, who won a national title and two SEC championships for the Tigers – the same as Fulmer at Tennessee.
* Purdue coach Jeff Brohm, a former Louisville quarterback who had a sparkling record at Western Kentucky, where he was 30-10 after replacing Willie Taggert.
* Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables, the 2016 Broyles Assistant Coach of the Year. Venables has had great success at Clemson and Oklahoma. He played at Kansas State.
* Georgia defensive coordinator Mel Tucker, 45. Tucker, who played at Wisconsin, has worked nine years as a full-time college assistant (four in the SEC) and 10 years as an NFL assistant (Browns, Jags, Bears).
* Washington State coach Mike Leach, who I believe had a verbal agreement in place with Currie. I don’t know if Fulmer contacted Leach as a courtesy move or is serious about possibly hiring Leach.
* USC offensive coordinator Tee Martin, who led the Vols to a 1998 national championship. Some who admire Martin don’t think he’s ready to be a head coach.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Tennessee kicked the tires on Washington coach Chris Peterson and Stanford coach David Shaw. Chances of landing either one are remote.
Heck, Fulmer might have even called former Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops to gauge his interest – or bounce some candidates names Stoops’ way.
It will be interesting to see what Fulmer does in the next few days.
Perhaps his closest mentor is Doug Dickey, Fulmer’s college coach and UT’s athletic director when Fulmer won his national title. Dickey also hired Fulmer as head coach.
You also wonder if Fulmer hasn’t studied the way Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez has run his program. Alvarez is a former Badgers’ coach who has had great success in keeping the school’s football program winning at a high level.
I don’t know what Fulmer is going to do, but here’s my best guess: He will interview several candidates in New York, pare his list to a few, then make an offer.
I think he will hire a coach by Thursday.
If not, UT runs the risk of ruining a potentially strong recruiting class.
Quarterback commit Adrian Martinez is set to visit Nebraska and he’s visited Ohio State and Missouri.
Quarterback Michael Penix is visiting Florida.
Gibbs’ offensive lineman Ollie Lane has an offer from Nebraska.
You’ve also had de-commits from OL Cade Mays, CB Jaycee Horn, RB Lyn J. Dixon and athlete Alontae Taylor.
Tennessee could have as many as a dozen visitors this weekend.
If you don’t have a coach in place within the next 48 hours, you might postpone those visits, because it doesn’t make a lot of sense to bring prospects to your campus without knowing who their head coach is.
I’m not in favor of rushing a hire to save a recruiting class, but if you can identify your guy soon, that would surely help.
Up Down Tour
