Thomas Rhett Announces 30-City “Life Changes Tour” With Brett Young, Midland, Carly Pearce & More

Thomas Rhett Announces 30-City “Life Changes Tour” With Brett Young, Midland, Carly Pearce & More

Posted on October 30, 2017

On Oct. 30, Thomas Rhett announced his new 30-city Life Changes Tour.

The tour will kick off in Tulsa, Okla., in April and make stops in Syracuse, Salt Lake City, Los Angeles and more, before capping on Oct. 27 in Sacramento, Calif.

A combination of Brett Young, Midland, Russell Dickerson, Jillian Jacqueline and Carly Pearce will serve as openers during the tour. .

Tickets will go on sale on Nov. 3 in select markets at 10 a.m. local time at Ticket Master. Pre-sale begins on Oct. 31 via Citi’s Private Pass program.

“It’s wild to me that next year we will be launching our second year of headline shows and are bringing out some of my favorite artists in music right now,” said Thomas Rhett. “I think the fans have come to expect that we’re going to be on our feet and having the time of our lives every single night.”

Life Changes Tour
4/5/2018 Tulsa, OK BOK Center *
4/6/2018 Lubbock, TX United Supermarket Arena *
4/7/2018 Las Cruces, NM Pan American Center *
4/19/2018 Augusta, GA James Brown Arena **
4/20/2018 Jacksonville, FL Daily’s Place **
5/3/2018 Grand Forks, ND Alerus Center ***
5/4/2018 Bismarck, ND Bismarck Event Center ***
5/17/2018 Lafayette, LA Cajundome ***
5/18/2018 Bossier City, LA CenturyLink Center ***
9/13/2018 Bangor, ME Cross Insurance Center ****
9/14/2018 Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun Arena ****
9/20/2018 Manchester, NH SNHU Arena ****
9/21/2018 Syracuse, NY OnCenter War Memorial Arena ****
9/22/2018 Albany, NY Times Union Center ****
9/27/2018 State College, PA Bryce Jordan Center ****
9/28/2018 Charleston, WV Charleston Civic Center ****
9/29/2018 Charlottesville, VA John Paul Jones Arena ****
10/5/2018 Toledo, OH The Huntington Center ****
10/6/2018 Grand Rapids, MI Van Andel Arena ****
10/11/2018 Little Rock, AR Verizon Arena ****
10/12/2018 Oklahoma City, OK Chesapeake Energy Arena ****
10/13/2018 Lincoln, NE Pinnacle Bank Arena ****
10/18/2018 Eugene, OR Matthew Knight Arena ****
10/19/2018 Boise, ID Ford Idaho Center ****
10/20/2018 Salt Lake City, UT Vivint Smart Home Arena ****
10/25/2018 Fresno, CA Save Mart Center at Fresno State ****
10/26/2018 Los Angeles, CA The Forum *****
10/27/2018 Sacramento, CA Golden 1 Center ****

* Brett Young w/Jillian Jacqueline
** Brett Young w/Carly Pearce
*** Brett Young w/Russell Dickerson
**** Brett Young and Midland
***** Brett Young and TBA

photo by Jason Simanek

Jimmy’s blog: UT fails to take advantage of Kentucky turnovers

Jimmy’s blog: UT fails to take advantage of Kentucky turnovers

Posted on October 29, 2017

Oct. 29

By Jimmy Hyams

Tennessee typically finds a way to beat Kentucky.

That’s one reason the Vols had won 31 of the previous 32 matchups against the Wildcats.

But this hasn’t been a typical season in Big Orange Country.

Tennessee had a 4-0 advantage in turnovers, a 17-minute domination in time of possession, 160 more passing yards and 26 more plays than Kentucky.

Yet, UT found a way to lose in Lexington, 29-26.

The Vols failed to take full advantage of those four turnovers – turning them into just nine points – and the defense couldn’t hold up in the final five minutes as Kentucky drove 72 yards for the game-winning touchdown with 33 seconds left.

A last ditch Hail Mary to Jeff George went for 48 yards but fell 2 yards short of the goal line as time expired.

The turnovers set UT up at the UK 15, 41, 49 and the UT 44. The result: three field goals. In six red zone trips, the Vols managed four field goals and two touchdowns.

“That’s the story of the game – nine points off four turnovers,’’ Jones said.

So what’s the story of Jones?

A well-placed source told me UT has not called a press conference for today or this week regarding Jones’ status.

While many believe he will not survive this season, another source told me Jones will coach the Southern Miss game Saturday.

Does that mean Jones will survive the season? No.

But it does indicate he will survive the week.

Meanwhile, Tennessee fell to 3-5 overall, 0-5 in SEC play. The Vols have never gone winless in conference play and never had an eight-loss season. Both are in play.

“It’s been one of those years,’’ Jones said after the Vols’ fifth one-possession game of the season. “I’ve never been through this in 30 years of coaching, games coming down to the wire.’’

Asked the health of the program, Jones said: “Is there any quit? No. Is there any giveup? No.’’

Jones said his team has “hung together’’ and “battled.’’

Despite the defeat to Kentucky, Tennessee had several some bright spots. Backup running back Ty Chandler, starting in place of suspended running back John Kelly, ripped through Kentucky’s No. 3 ranked SEC run defense for 120 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries. He also had an 80-yard run nullified by a holding penalty well behind the play.

Carlin Fils Aime chipped in with 73 yards on 13 runs as the Vols ran for 203 yards.

Quarterback Jarrett Guarantano, in his third start, hit 18 of 23 for 242 yards – 48 on a last-second Hail Mary pass that came up about 2 yards short of the Kentucky end zone. But he was sacked seven times, once taking UT out of field-goal range.

The Vols managed 445 yards on 78 snaps. Kentucky had 371 yards on 52 plays.

“We came out firing on all cylinders,’’ said UT tight end Ethan Wolf, who had three catches for 33 yards. “But we shot ourselves in the foot way to many times.’’

Guarantano blamed himself for UT not scoring more touchdowns after recovering Kentucky fumbles, noting he missed a few throws.

“There were plays we made,’’ Guarantano said. “We’ve just got to do better.’’

Guarantano said Kentucky threw some stunts and alignments that UT didn’t pick up. That led to the seven sacks.

One thing UT didn’t do well was stop Kentucky running back Benny Snell Jr., who had 180 yards and three touchdowns on 27 carries.

It also didn’t do well on defense on Kentucky’s final drive.

Jones is now 10-14 in one possession games at UT, 2-3 this year. He’s 7-9 in his last 16 games and 2-9 in his last 11 SEC games.

“I believe in our kids,’’ Jones said. “I believe in our program.

“Nobody takes more ownership of this program than Butch Jones.’’

The Vols have four games remaining: Southern Miss, LSU, Missouri, Vanderbilt

“We need to put these last four games in the win column and go to a bowl,’’ Wolf said.

For that to happen, the Vols have to quit shooting themselves in the foot.

Note: A scuffle on a Kentucky kickoff five minutes into the game led officials to call unsportsmanlike conduct on all players from each team – which seems like a blatantly unfair rule since it affected at least 70 players who were on the bench.

Just before half, a shoving match led to the ejection of UT linebacker Daniel Bituli and UK’s Davonte Robinson. In the final minutes, UT nickelback Rashaan Gaulden and UK’s Tavin Richardson were ejected for a skirmish.

“In 30-plus years I’ve never seen that,’’ Jones said. “That really hurt us with two of our best defensive players not on the field at the end of the game.’’

Sponsored by Big Kahuna Wings: The wings that changed it all

Improved offense, TDs, +4 turnover margin not enough for Vols to beat Cats; now 3-5, 0-5 SEC

Improved offense, TDs, +4 turnover margin not enough for Vols to beat Cats; now 3-5, 0-5 SEC

Posted on October 29, 2017
UT QB Jarrett Guarantano / Credit: UT Athletics

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Tennessee came out strong against Kentucky as the Volunteers forced four fumbles in the game and rushed for a season-high 155 yards in the first half on Saturday, but the Wildcats held on for a 29-26 final at Kroger Field.

Tennessee (3-5, 0-5 SEC) now holds a 79-25-9 all-time record against Kentucky (6-2, 3-2 SEC), including a 37-15-3 record in Lexington.

Redshirt freshman quarterback Jarrett Guarantano completed 18 of 23 passes for a career-high 242 yards in a contest that turned into a battle between two young running back corps. Tennessee’s duo of freshman Ty Chandler and sophomore Carlin Fils-aime combined for 193 yards and two touchdowns while Kentucky sophomore Benny Snell ran for 180 yards and three touchdowns.

The Vols’ defense opened Saturday’s game with a forced fumble on the Wildcats’ first drive. Redshirt senior defensive lineman Kendal Vickersstripped the ball from UK’s Snell on a rush and sophomore defensive back Nigel Warrior recovered it at Kentucky’s 15-yard line. The play set up freshman kicker Brent Cimaglia‘s first field goal of the night that put the Vols up, 3-0.

Kentucky then used a three-minute, 60-yard drive to score the first touchdown of the game before Cimaglia made a 24-yarder to pull UT within one point.

To start the second quarter, the Wildcats capped a five-play sequence with a two-yard rushing touchdown, taking a 14-6 advantage.

With 11:15 left in the second, Tennessee marched 75 yards down the field, gaining 11 yards or more on four plays, before Chandler ran the ball into the end zone to trim UK’s lead to 14-13.

After Kentucky extended its lead to 21-13 on a rushing touchdown by Snell, the Vols made it a one-point game with 1:14 left in the half. UT put together a 10-play, 71-yard drive that ended with Chandler’s second touchdown of the night.

Redshirt junior defensive back Rashaan Gaulden then forced Tennessee’s third fumble which was recovered by senior linebacker Evan Berry in the third. The turnover led to a 30-yard field goal by Cimaglia and gave UT a 23-21 lead.

To start the fourth quarter, Cimaglia hit a 45-yard field goal after Vickers forced his second fumble of the night to put the Vols up, 26-21.

Kentucky rallied back with 4:43 left, scoring the final touchdown of the game with 0:33 seconds on the clock. The Wildcats opted for a two-point conversion, successfully completing a pass from quarterback Stephen Johnson to Snell for the 29-26 final.

Tennessee attempted a final drive as the clock wound down, moving the ball 72 yards down the field to the UK three-yard line. On the final play, Guarantano connected with redshirt senior wide receiver Jeff George for 48 yards.

The Vols host Southern Miss at Neyland Stadium next Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET. Tennessee’s homecoming game will be aired on SEC Network.

-UT Athletics

Get to Know 2017 Nash Next Finalist Morgan Leigh Band

Get to Know 2017 Nash Next Finalist Morgan Leigh Band

Posted on October 27, 2017

The 2017 Nash Next challenge is down to 10 finalists, and in the lead-up to the announcement of the champion on Nov. 1, NCD will be profiling each of the 10 finalists.

Today, we are getting to know the Morgan Leigh Band.

In May, Cumulus Media and Big Machine Label Group invited aspiring country artists and bands to participate in Nash Next 2017, a grassroots talent search and artist development program for country music. Sponsored nationally by Country Inns & Suites by Carlson, the winner of the competition will receive a recording contract with Nash Next Records under the Big Machine Label Group and garner substantial exposure, commensurate with a major-label release, on Cumulus radio stations nationwide.

The 10 finalists were selected by a panel of country radio professionals and will be judged in the finale by a group that includes Brooks & Dunn’s Kix Brooks and Scott Borchetta, president and CEO of Big Machine Label Group. The 10 finalists will perform at the 2017 Nash Next finale event at Nashville’s Wildhorse Saloon on Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2017, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. The event is open to the public.

Morgan Leigh Band

Band Members: Morgan Leigh, Paul Coughlin, Reuel Zavala, Eric Cihonski, Gustin Flaig and Ryan Straw
Market: Oxnard/Ventura, Calif.
Website: MorganLeighBand.com
Facebook: MorganLeighBand
Twitter: @MorganLeighBand
Instagram: @MorganLeighBand

How did you get started in music?

I’ve been performing onstage since I was young, whether it was a musical, dance recital, monologue or choir. In a sense, music has always been a part of my life. At a young age, I decided I wanted to be a singer so I did everything I could to make my dreams come true. My parents were extremely supportive and encouraged me along the way. When I was 15, I competed in an international performing contest and something just clicked in my mind. I knew I wanted to be a singer.

At what age did you realize you wanted to make music your career?

Paul Coughlin [songwriter/rhythm guitarist] and I begin writing together when I was 17. He was renting an office space from my dad and I was just getting started as a songwriter. After writing and learning some songs together, we began playing at a local coffee shop in town. At first, we had a handful of people coming to listen, most of which were family members. Then people we didn’t know started coming to our shows. It never occurred to me that we were onto something special until we completely packed the place and had people standing in the street to listen. I’ve always wanted a career in music, but I always second guessed myself with the possibility of it actually happening. Our coffee shop shows gave me the courage and confidence to pursue music as a career. I’ll always think of the coffee shop as the place where it all began.

What three words describe you?

Vulnerable, energetic, fun.

Who are some of your musical influences?

Growing up, my dad always had country music playing in the car and my mom listened to the Beatles and Motown. Shania Twain was my idol, and my favorite CD to sing along to was Best of Motown. I’m a ’90s country girl with a little bit of soul and rock ’n’ roll.

What is unique about your sound?

I think we’ve got a really unique sound because we rock a four-part harmony. I’ve got the best back-up boys and they can sing anything. We write a lot of songs that really showcase our vocals. Plus, we’ve been singing together for five years now, so we know how to blend our voices together.

What three albums would you take with you to a deserted island?

Dixie Chicks’ Wide Open Spaces, Pistol Annies’ Hell on Heels and Kacey Musgraves’ Same Trailer Different Park. These three albums got me through a whole lot while growing up.

What’s a song you wish you had written?

“Gunpowder & Lead,” which was written by Miranda Lambert and Heather Little. I love everything about it—the lyrics, the production and Miranda.

What was the first concert you attended?

John Mayer in San Diego during the Continuum Tour. I was so inspired and so jealous. I wanted to be on that stage so badly and doing what he was doing. I love attending concerts, but it always leaves me itching to get onstage.

What’s the last song you heard that blew you away?

“Dear Hate” by Marren Morris and Vince Gill. It’s such a beautiful song and delivered perfectly. I heard it for the first time a day after the Route 91 Harvest Festival tragedy and I couldn’t stop listening. I just kept replaying it over and over.

What’s your go-to karaoke song?

“Kiss” by Prince.

Where is the coolest place you’ve performed?

Madison Square Garden. That was a huge check off of my bucket list. It was a cool experience singing in New York City at one of the world’s most famous arenas.

What’s the first thing you do after a show?

We head to the bar to drink with our friends. We love having a good time.

What’s your favorite song to cover?

“Gunpowder & Lead” will always be my favorite go-to cover song. I love Miranda’s style.

What was your reaction when you learned you were one of 10 Nash Next 2017 finalists?

We were all shocked. We entered Nash Next on the last day possible. For the local round, we drove four hours to play two songs and thought we had no chance. So when we won the local competition, we were once again shocked. It’s crazy to think that in a few days we will be flying to Nashville to compete in the finals. We are really grateful for the opportunity and support we have received.

What family member or friend has been the most supportive of your music career?

It wouldn’t be fair to spotlight one person because we’ve got an entire family of support back home. We are so incredibly lucky to have such supportive family and friends. They are the reason we recorded our first album, the reason we continue to be asked to play amazing shows all over the country and the reason we are able to say music is our career. We are a team and we wouldn’t be able to do what we do without all of them.

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