Jimmy Kimmel rounded up some of his country music chums for the third installment of his popular late-night bit, Mean Tweets: Country Music Edition.
The premise is simple—and hilarious—as country stars read unflattering tweets about themselves. Check out the new clip, which features Zac Brown Band, Cassadee Pope, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, Randy Houser, Old Dominion, Trace Adkins, Darius Rucker, Dan + Shay, Jana Kramer, Chris Young, Florida Georgia Line, Lady Antebellum, Chris Stapleton, Jake Owen, Little Big Town and Justin Moore.
1. WINNERS: Brothers Osborne 2. LOSERS: Florida Georgia Line
Brothers T.J and John Osborne scored two big wins: Vocal Duo of the Year and Music Video of the Year (“It Ain’t My Fault). After upsetting Florida Georgia Line to win Vocal Duo of the Year in 2016, many insiders—including myself—felt that FGL homeostasis would be restored this year. Not the case, even though FGL had a monster year with their tour and No. 1 hits “May We All” and “God, Your Mama, and Me.” Another big win for BO. Another middle finger to FGL.
photo by Jason Simanek
3. WINNER: Chris Stapleton
With the whiskey-soaked voice of a bearded angel, Chris Stapleton burst onto the mainstream scene at the 2015 CMA Awards when he won Album, Male Vocalist and New Artist of the Year. The honeymoon ain’t over. In 2016, Chris won Male Vocalist and Music Video of the Year. This year he scored wins for Album and Male Vocalist of the Year. Unless Chris comes out with a rap album in 2018, expect him to keep his foothold on the Male Vocalist award for years to come. Sidebar: I’d buy Chris Stapleton’ rap album.
photo by Jason Simanek
4. WINNER: Miranda Lambert
Miranda further solidified her spot among the pantheon of country music deities by winning her seventh Female Vocalist of the Year Award. It’s a mind-blowing accomplishment. Since the award’s inception in 1967, no artist has won more than four times (Reba McEntire, Carrie Underwood and Martina McBride). Miranda is not even close to being finished adding to her CMA awards total.
photo by Jason Simanek
5. WINNER: Keith Urban 6. LOSER: Sam Hunt
In 2016, Keith was nominated for Entertainer, Album, Male Vocalist and Musical Event of the Year. He won nothing. In 2017, Keith was nominated four times for Entertainer, Male Vocalist, Single and Music Video of the Year. He managed to win Single of the Year for “Blue Ain’t Your Color.” One win in the past eight nominations ain’t great, but it’s better than going O-fer. On the other hand, Sam Hunt has been nominated five times in the last three years and has nothing to show for it. This year, Sam’s “Body Like a Back Road” was nominated for both Single and Song of the Year. Keep in mind that “Body Like a Back Road” spent a record 34 consecutive weeks atop the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. And it still wasn’t good enough in the voters’ minds to take either prize.
photo by Jason Simanek
7. WINNER: Garth Brooks
In 2016, Garth won the CMA Entertainer of the Year award for an unprecedented fifth time. In 2017, the G-man extended his record by winning the award for a sixth time. How entertaining is Garth? So much so that he can lip-sync a performance at the 2017 CMA Awards and still win Entertainer of the Year. That’s a fact . . . a sweet, sweet fact.
Before the 51st CMA Awards kicked off at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, the stars walked the red carpet at the Music City Center. Check out our red carpet photo gallery featuring Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert, Luke Bryan, Brad Paisley, Thomas Rhett, Cam, Maren Morris, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Brothers Osborne, Keith Urban, Kelsea Ballerini, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town and many more.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee head coach Butch Jones met with the media for the final time this week during his Wednesday press conference at the Ray and Lucy Hand Digital Studio.
Jones talked about the challenges of facing Missouri’s fast paced and high-powered offense, Trey Smith‘s contributions along the offensive line and the quarterback situation heading into this Saturday’s game in Columbia, Mo.
Unstoppable Force vs. Immovable Object
Tennessee’s stingy pass defense – which ranks fourth nationally and first in the SEC, giving up just 150 yards per game – will face one of its toughest tests to date this Saturday night when it takes on the Tigers’ high-octane offense. Missouri enters the game leading the SEC in total offense (484.1 yards/game) while junior quarterback Drew Lock leads the country with 31 touchdown passes.
On the flip side, the Vols have allowed more than 200 yards passing just twice this season and have held six of their nine opponents to 137 yards or fewer through the air.
“I think we have continued to grow, develop and improve from game to game,” Jones said in regards to the Vols’ pass defense. “We will be extremely tested Saturday night. They apply so much pressure to a defense, from the tempo, to the run game, to the RPOs, to the skill sets of their players and their quarterback
“They are a very good football team. We are going to have to play our most complete football game defensively, and as a football team.”
Jones mentioned one of the most difficult things about playing this type of offense is trying to simulate it in practice.
“It’s a great challenge because so much of playing in an up-tempo football team is relying on your discipline and execution,” Jones said. “We’ve done some different things and it’s hard to completely simulate it, but we’ve tried to be creative in terms of how we go about doing it. I think it helps that a lot of these players played against them last year, so they understand the challenges that are associated with playing against this type of offense.”
Smith Continues Solid Play, Maturation Process
You could argue that true freshman offensive lineman Trey Smith has been the most impressive player for UT this season. The Jackson, Tenn., native has lived up to the hype after joining Team 121 as the nation’s top recruit in the 2017 signing class according to ESPN.
Smith is the only Vols’ offensive lineman to start every game this season and became the first true freshman to start at left tackle for Tennessee in over 30 years after doing so in last Saturday’s win over Southern Miss.
“He’s an individual who accepts every challenge,” Jones said. “He’s very competitive, wants to do exceptionally well, works his craft every day. He’s really gaining more and more confidence as the season progresses. He’s turning into one of our leaders.
“It’s different to go inside all season then to go outside. We see him continuing to grow and get better and better, and get more confidence at that position. We’ll see where we’re at from a depth standpoint Saturday night where he plays, but I think it just adds to the flexibility up front now that he’s had the game experience at left tackle.
Jones Confident in QBs Guarantano & McBride
After missing the second half of last Saturday’s win over Southern Miss, Jones said that redshirt freshman quarterback Jarrett Guarantano is probable for this weekend’s contest. However, Jones is also confident in the ability of true freshman backup Will McBride should the need arise for him to step in.
“He has the same temperate every day,” Jones said about McBride. “He has the same disposition. He is never too high or low. He is very consistent. He is very poised. Even when it was time for him to go in the game this last Saturday, there was no difference in his demeanor. He does not get his blood pressure up. He is very calm and collected. I think the players see that.”
McBride played the entire second half of UT’s Homecoming win over Southern Miss, leading a pair of touchdown drives in the third quarter.
Parker Henry Honored for Academic Success
Tennessee redshirt junior Parker Henry was recently selected for the East Tennessee Outstanding Finance Student Award. The Hendersonville, Tenn., native has started all eight games as the Vols’ holder this season and boasts a 4.0 GPA while double majoring in Finance and Political Science. Henry is also up for consideration to be on the CoSIDA Academic All-District team for the second straight year.
Amazon released its 2017 list of the the most requested country lyrics via Alexa.
In case you’re not familiar with Alexa, it is Amazon’s voice-activated virtual assistant that can do a number of things, including play music.
If you were having trouble remembering the name of a song you heard last night, you could address your Amazon device (Echo, Dot or Tap) by saying, “Alexa, play the song that goes, ‘I’ve got friends in low places.’” Second later, Garth Brooks’ classic, “Friends in Low Places,” would begin playing.
You get the idea.
So, what country lyrics topped this year’s list of most requested? Here’s the rundown of the Top 10, which includes everything from classics like David Allan Coe’s “You Never Even Called Me By My Name” to 2017 No. 1 hits like Luke Combs’ “Hurricane.”
Top 10 Requested Country Lyrics Via Alexa
10. “…she don’t love you, she’s just lonely…”
Eric Paslay: “She Don’t Love You”
9. “…love like there’s no such thing as a broken heart…”
Old Dominion: “No Such Thing as a Broken Heart”
8. “…cold beer on a Friday night…”
Zac Brown Band: “Chicken Fried”
7. “…head over boots for you…”
Jon Pardi: “Head Over Boots”
6. “…I finally found somethin’ I’m good at…”
Brett Eldredge: “Somethin’ I’m Good At”
5. “…chillin’ on a dirt road…”
Jason Aldean: “Dirt Road Anthem”
4. “…when the lights come on…”
Jason Aldean: “Lights Come On”
3. “…you don’t have to call me darlin’…”
David Allan Coe: “You Never Even Called Me By My Name (Album Version)”
2. “…I’ve got friends in low places…”
Garth Brooks: “Friends in Low Places”
1. “…hit me like a hurricane…”
Luke Combs: “Hurricane”
With the release of new single, “Female,” Keith Urban is giving fans the first taste from his upcoming—and as of yet unannounced—10th studio album.
The empowering tune, which was co-penned by Nicolle Galyon, Ross Copperman and Shane McAnally, boldly tackles themes of misogyny and rape culture—especially heavy topics when compared to the Top 40 stylings of recent No. 1 hits like “Body Like a Back Road” and “All the Pretty Girls.”
As an established and respected country music veteran—who is also still very relevant on the charts—and the father of two young girls, Keith is an ideal catalyst to put a song like this in motion.
Check out “Female” below, as well as the lyrics.
“Female” When you hear somebody says somebody hits like a girl How does that hit you? Is that such a bad thing?
When you hear a song that they play sayin’ you run the world Do you believe it? Will you live to see it?
Chorus Sister – shoulder – daughter – lover Healer – broken halo – Mother Nature – fire – suit of armor – sole survivor – holy water Secret keeper – fortune teller Virgin Mary – Scarlet letter Technicolor – river wild Baby – girl – woman – child Female
When somebody laughs and implies that she asked for it Just cause she was wearing a skirt Oh is that how that works?
When somebody talks about how it was Adam first Does that make you second best? Or did He save the best for last?
Repeat Chorus
She’s the heart of life She’s the dreamer’s dream She’s the hands of time She’s the queen of kings
On Nov. 7, Broadcast Music Inc. presented the 2017 BMI Country Awards, honoring the prolific songwriting career of BMI Icon Bob DiPiero, as well as the BMI Country Songwriter, Song and Publisher of the Year.
A host of artists paid tribute to Bob by performing his hits, including Brooks & Dunn (“You Can’t Take the Honky Tonk Out of the Girl”), Reba McEntire (“Till You Love Me”) and Jon Pardi (“Daddy’s Money”).
In addition, Ross Copperman was named Songwriter of the Year, with credits that include, among others, Locash’s “I Know Somebody,” Kenny Chesney’s “Noise” and “Setting the World On Fire,” Brett Eldredge’s “Wanna Be That Song” and Keith Urban’s “Break On Me.”
Florida Georgia Line’s “H.O.L.Y”—written by busbee and Nate Cyphert—earned Song of the Year, while Sony/ATV Music Publishing Nashville took home the Publisher of the Year accolade.
Keith Urban was presented with the BMI Champion award for his work supporting the next generation of songwriters and music makers.
Take a look at our red carpet photo gallery that includes shots of Keith Urban, Luke Bryan, Chris Young, Lauren Alaina, Scotty McCreery, Maren Morris, Thomas Rhett, Cole Swindell, Brett Eldredge, Dan + Shay and many more. All photos courtesy of Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com. If you don’t see the photo gallery below, click here.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The nation’s No. 1 recruiting class combined for 76 points to lead No. 14/18 Tennessee past Carson-Newman, 121-76, in a season-opening exhibition game Tuesday night at Thompson-Boling Arena.
Featuring a foursome of McDonald’s All-Americans, the young Lady Vols did not take long to make an impact in their opening performance. Rennia Davis led the way for Tennessee, recording a game-high 27 points and 13 rebounds, as each of the freshmen finished in double figures.
The energy and pace brought by the newcomers was complemented by veteran experience, as seniors Jaime Nared and Mercedes Russell played extensive minutes in the first half. Nared finished with 22 points and nine rebounds, while Russell added 14 points and four boards. Freshman guard Anastasia Hayes came off the bench to finish as UT’s third leading scorer with 19 points on 9-of-10 shooting.
Tennessee came out sharp in the first quarter, shooting 63 percent from the field to build a 27-20 lead. Nared made four of her first six shots to lead the way with eight points through the opening frame.
The Lady Vols held Carson-Newman to 38 percent shooting in the first half, and used a 10-0 run during the second quarter to go into the break ahead, 52-42. Davis went 5-for-8 from the floor with 14 points to lead UT.
Also making her debut was Sports Illustrated Preseason National Freshman of the year, Evina Westbrook. The guard from Salem, Ore., netted seven first-half points and recorded three assists, with her first basket in the orange and white coming via a free throw nine seconds into the game. Westbrook finished with 17 points and six assists.
Tennessee broke the game open in the third quarter, going on a 22-5 run to increase the lead to 33. Freshman forward Kasiyahna Kushkituah scored nine of her 13 points in the second half, and was 6-for-8 shooting for the game in the low post. She also added 10 rebounds for UT’s second double-double of the night by a rookie.
UT was assertive on the glass all night, finishing with 56 total rebounds. Twenty-five of the Lady Vols’ points came off second-chance opportunities.
Haris Price led Carson-Newman offensively, scoring 15 points and adding four assists. Jecca Simerly hauled down 10 rebounds for the Lady Eagles.
UP NEXT: The Lady Vols will host East Tennessee State on Sunday. The game will tip off at 2 p.m. and be carried online by SECN+.
HIGH SCORING IN ALL-TIME SERIES: Tennessee’s 121 points on Tuesday night was the most it has scored versus Carson-Newman since Nov. 5, 2009, when it defeated the Lady Eagles 124-34.
TALE OF TURNOVERS: Despite playing two freshmen at point guard, Tennessee committed only 10 turnovers in the contest. Anastasia Hayes committed only one turnover, while Evina Westbrook had two. Carson-Newman, meanwhile, was harassed into 24 miscues on the evening.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee senior Ethan Wolf, juniors Micah Abernathy and Shy Tuttle and freshman Trey Smith met with the media on Tuesdayafternoon to talk about the Vols’ final SEC road trip.
UT heads to Columbia, Mo., this Saturday to face Missouri after defeating Southern Miss on Homecoming. The Vols are 2-3 all-time when playing the Tigers, having taken a 19-8 win when the two teams met in Columbia in 2015 and a 63-37 victory at Neyland Stadium last season.
The potential series-tying game will be aired on SEC Network at 7:30 p.m. ET with Tom Hart, Jordan Rodgers and Cole Cubelic providing game coverage.
Playing for the Seniors
With three games left in the regular season and a bowl game on the line, the Volunteers are playing for their seniors.
“We are trying to get them to a bowl game,” Abernathy said. “Every year they have been here, they have made it to a bowl game. We are trying to continue that legacy and let them continue on.”
Tennessee has made it to a bowl game each of the last three seasons and became one of just nine programs to win three consecutive postseason games since 2014 with a 38-24 victory over Nebraska in the 2016 Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl.
Limiting Missouri’s Offense
With practice No. 2 of Missouri week in the books, Tennessee continues its preparation to face the Tigers’ explosive, fast-tempo offense. An important factor in the Vols’ success will be takeaways and tackles for loss.
“Coach has been stressing that all year really,” Tuttle said. “With tempo offenses, you have to get them behind the line and behind the sticks to make them slow down and do something they are not comfortable with.”
In 2017, UT’s defense has recorded 51 tackles for a loss of 188 total yards, including 19 sacks for 115 yards. The Vols have also recovered 10 of 14 fumbles so far this season.
“We have our work cut out for us, but we are an extremely confident football team and we are going to go out and give our best effort,” Wolf added.
Additional Quotes
Senior Tight End Ethan Wolf
On redshirt freshman quarterback Jarrett Guarantano’s performance:
“Jarrett is doing really well. He is two games in. He continues to get better with each snap and gains more and more confidence in himself. Seeing the subtle improvements that he’s making each and every snap is reassuring. It builds your confidence as a team, that he is going to come out there and do what he needs to do to win.”
On a bowl game:
“It’s on a lot of our minds, everyone’s I would say, especially the seniors because it’s our last go around and we don’t want to finish not being there. We are taking it one week at a time, but that’s in the back of our minds, knowing that each and every win now counts toward that.”
On Missouri:
“They’ve been a great team since I have played them. I think we lost to them my freshman year, but have been fortunate enough to beat them since then. It has always been a close game, and they always play us hard. Whether they are new to the SEC or not, they are still a good football team. They have a really explosive offense and a solid defense. We have our work cut out for us, but we are an extremely confident football team and we are going to go out and give our best effort.”
Junior Defensive Back Micah Abernathy
On being tested in pass attempts this season:
“We have played some pretty good receivers and quarterbacks this year and whether they decide to throw the ball or not we are going to defend it to our best ability.”
On challenges Missouri brings:
“They have big receivers. They have a wide variety of receivers in both size and speed. They have a lot of things that they do differently than any other team we’ve played this year.”
On the difference in Missouri’s quarterback between this year and last year:
“He is a lot more calm this year. He was pretty calm last year and mature, but I would say this year he is a lot more poised and he gets the ball out to his receivers.”
On motivation for rest of season.:
“Right now, we are all playing for our seniors. We are trying to get them to a bowl game. Every year they have been here, they have made it to a bowl game. We are trying to continue that legacy and let them continue on.”
Freshman Offensive Lineman Trey Smith
On what he thinks he did best at offensive tackle against Southern Miss:
“I liked that just because I made the shift to tackle, my physicality didn’t really drop off. I still felt like I was the same player to a degree. I also liked the way my sets were coming at some points in the game.”
On if he surprised himself with his play at offensive tackle:
“I did surprise myself. When you’re on the edge, it’s a different world. You’re on an island essentially. When I started playing in training camp, I told my coaches and friends that when you’re a tackle, you have to be a man out there. You’re not getting as much help like you would at guard or center. You’re on your own in a lot of things.”
On if he believes his play has had a positive impact on his teammates:
“Anytime you put some violent stuff on film, it’s going to rub off on other people. I think we all influence each other on this team. If we see a good strain, or if we see someone take somebody out or if we see a big hit, everyone else is going to feed off of that energy. If he’s doing this like that, I can do it too.”
Junior Defensive Tackle Shy Tuttle
On if he feels full recovered from his injury:
“I’m getting there. I’m trying to improve every week in practice, but I feel like I’m progressing each week.”
On getting back to the full speed that he was at prior to his injury:
“It is pretty hard to get back to normal. Sometimes I don’t know what to think about it. I watch it on film, and that makes me step gingerly and stuff. It’s been a long process.”
On the importance of slowing down Missouri’s fast paced offense with tackles for loss:
“It’s very important. Coach has been stressing that all year really. With tempo offenses, you have to get them behind the line and behind the sticks to make them slow down and do something they aren’t comfortable with.”
