Some of country music’s biggest stars—including Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Garth Brooks, Sam Hunt, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Martina McBride, Reba McEntire, Chris Stapleton, George Strait and Carrie Underwood—will be taking part in a benefit concert to support those affected by the recent hurricanes.
The star-studded lineup will perform on Nov. 12 at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena as part of the Country Rising benefit.
Country Rising will benefit the Country Rising Fund of the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, which was established to support charitable initiatives to help victims of the September 2017 hurricanes.
Luke Bryan announced today (Sept. 29) that he will join Katy Perry and Lionel Richie as judges on the new season of American Idol on ABC. Ryan Seacrest will return to host the series.
“I’m excited at the chance to help some deserving artists reach their dreams,” said Luke. “To be in a position in my career to help facilitate this along with the other judges is just a complete honor. It’s gonna be a blast.”
Luke, Katy, Lionel and Ryan will make their first appearance together on ABC’s Good Morning America on Wednesday, Oct. 4.
Watch Luke make his Idol announcement via Instagram.
Cole Swindell performed his new single, “Stay Downtown,” during his debut on Ellen yesterday (Sept. 28).
The new tune is Cole’s fourth single from his 2016 album, You Should Be Here,” which has already spawned three No. 1 hits, including the title track, “Middle of a Memory” and “Flatliner.”
“Stay Downtown,” which was penned by Matt Dragstrem and Cole Taylor, is currently No. 44 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart after four weeks.
Scotty McCreery and his longtime girlfriend, Gabi Dugal, got engaged on Sept. 26.
Scotty popped the question during a hike in the mountains of North Carolina near Grandfather Mountain. When the couple summited the mountain, Scotty got down on one knee, presented a ring he had helped design specifically for her, and asked Gabi to be his wife.
Scotty called in to morning show Ty, Kelly & Chuck today (Sept. 29) to talk about his exciting proposal.
“I was nervous as crap, that was some scary stuff,” said Scotty with a laugh. “We have our little spot up in the mountains, and we go hike there a few times a year . . . and it’s not a long hike . . . it’s a 20-minute hike. The way she tells it, I got us up there in about five to 10 minutes because I was just hustling, ready to get up there. She was like, ‘Can I just get some water? I can’t breathe.’ And I was like, ‘Wait until we get up there, we’re all right.’ I was probably acting a little antsy. But once I got it all over with, it was great. We’re were on a mountain . . . and there was no place to kneel and I was like, ‘Aw, boy.’ But luckily she said yes.”
The couple met in kindergarten in Garner, N.C., and grew up together in the close-knit community. They began dating almost six years ago during their senior year at Garner High School. Gabi has appeared in several of Scotty’s music videos, including “The Trouble with Girls,” “Feelin’ It” and “Five More Minutes.”
“I did not have a speech or anything [prepared],” said Scotty. “I had the whole day planned, and the whole day went exactly as planned, but as far as what I said, I don’t exactly know what the heck I said. But I guess it wasn’t too bad.
“She had an idea it was gonna happen in that spot, so I think she was on high alert. But she was surprised her family showed up. Her sister lives in Oklahoma and is pregnant, so she didn’t think she’d get to see her until January of next year. We got the chance to fly her down and that really put the day over the top for Gabi.”
Gabi is a graduate of the University of North Carolina and currently works as a pediatric cardiac nurse at Duke University Hospital.
Jim Casey talks with Nashville native Mitchell Tenpenny about growing up in Music City, how he got started in the music business, finding success as a songwriter on Granger Smith’s Top 10 single, “If the Boot Fits,” the mix of styles on his new EP, Linden Ave, and more.
Keith Urban, Kelsea Ballerini, Rodney Crowell and Bob DiPiero will be receiving individual honors for their songwriting prowess in November.
Keith will receive the BMI Champion Award on Nov. 7 at the 65th BMI Country Awards for his work in “supporting the next generation of songwriters and music makers, as well as his tireless commitment to numerous music education programs.”
Kelsea will receive the ASCAP Vanguard Award on Nov. 6 at the 55th ASCAP Country Music Awards. The Vanguard Award “recognizes the impact of outstanding ASCAP members on musical genres that are shaping the future of American music.” Past winners include Chris Stapleton, Walk the Moon, The Civil Wars and more.
Rodney will receive the ASCAP Founders Award on Nov. 6 at the 55th ASCAP Country Music Awards. The Founders Award is one of ASCAP’s highest honors and is presented to “songwriters and composers who have made pioneering contributions to music by inspiring and influencing their fellow music creators.” Previous recipients include Ricky Skaggs, George Strait, Alan Jackson, Jackson Browne, Emmylou Harris, Garth Brooks and more.
Bob, who has penned more than 1,000 songs recorded by country artists, will receive the BMI Icon Award on Nov. 7 at the 65th BMI Country Awards for his “unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers over the past 38 years.” Previous recipients included Mac Davis, Vince Gill, Hank Williams, Jr., Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Charlie Daniels, Bill Anderson, Kris Kristofferson and more.
Garth Brooks’ World Tour has been a seemingly infinite string of dates since launching more than three years ago. But after more than 350 shows, Garth’s tour is winding down—at least for now. There’s always the very real possibility he’ll schedule more dates, as he did this week with the announcement of a stop in Spokane, Wash., on Nov. 11.
As Garth gears up for five shows in Indianapolis on Oct. 5–8, the G-man teased something of “historic” proportions on his recent Inside Studio G series on Facebook.
“It’s great to get back to Indianapolis,” said Garth. “Try to remember, [Indianapolis] was number three on the World Tour in the ’90s! [I] feel very lucky. Something crazy is going to happen in Indianapolis. Historic. We’re excited.”
We’ll have to wait a few days to see if Garth has something epic up his sleeve for Indy or if he was just being overly Garthonian.
If want to see the G-man this fall, you’d better get cracking. There are only 13 remaining World Tour dates in five cities:
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee renews one of its most exciting SEC East rivalries this week as the Vols host No. 7/8 Georgia on Saturday in Neyland Stadium. The game will feature a 3:30 p.m. ET kickoff on CBS.
Tennessee (3-1, 0-1 SEC) is coming off a 17-13 win over UMass on Sept. 23. Junior running back John Kelly ran for 101 yards and one touchdown on 25 carries. Sophomore receiver Brandon Johnson set new career highs with seven receptions for 123 yards. The UT defense logged seven sacks in the win, marking the Vols’ most sacks since recording seve nsacks against Vanderbilt in 2008.
Georgia (4-0, 1-0 SEC) took a 31-3 home win over Mississippi State on Sept. 23. UGA ran for 203 yards and two scores and freshman quarterback Jake Fromm finished 9-for-12 for 201 and two passing touchdowns.
UT is receiving votes in the Week 5 Amway Coaches Poll (seven votes) and AP Top 25 (one vote). Georgia is ranked No. 8 in the Amway Coaches Poll and No. 7 in the AP Top 25.
Tennessee-Georgia Rivalry
The Tennessee-Georgia rivalry has been one of the SEC’s most exciting matchups in each of Butch Jones‘ four previous seasons at the helm on Rocky Top. Each of the last four games have been decided by seven points or less.
The Vols have won their last two games against Georgia. In 2015, UT ended a five-game losing streak in the series with a 38-31 win in which Tennessee rallied back from a 21-point deficit to upset the Bulldogs. Last season, Tennessee took a 34-31 victory at Sanford Stadium when Jauan Jennings caught a 43-yard Hail Mary from Joshua Dobbs with time expiring.
Tennessee leads the all-time series, 23-21-2. The Vols are 12-10-1 against Georgia when the game is played in Knoxville.
UT’s last win against a top-10 team was in 2006 when the No. 13 Vols beat No. 10 Georgia, 51-33, in Athens.
Tennessee last won three-straight against Georgia in the 1997, 1998 and 1999 seasons.
Vols At Home
Tennessee is 462-124-17 (.780) all-time at Neyland Stadium (since 1921) and 13-3 at home since the start of the 2015 season.
The Vols are 2-0 at home so far this season and 21-9 (.700) in Neyland Stadium under Butch Jones.
Ranked Wins Under Jones
UT has recorded six wins over ranked foes since Butch Jones took over as head coach in 2013. Five of those six have come since 2015. The Vols were 1-22 against ranked teams in the five seasons prior to Jones’ arrival.
Two of those wins over ranked teams have come against Georgia. In 2015, the Vols beat No. 19 Georgia, 38-31. In 2016, UT edged No. 25 UGA, 34-31.
SEC Nation at Ayres Hall
The SEC Network’s traveling pregame show, SEC Nation Presented by Pilot Flying J, will be in Knoxville this Saturday.
SEC Nation will broadcast live from the Ayres Hall lawn from 10 a.m. to noon ET. Laura Rutledge hosts the morning show alongside analysts Tim Tebow, Marcus Spears and Paul Finebaum. Lauren Sisler will provide live reports of the sights and sounds of UT’s pregame, on-campus scene.
This will be the Volunteers’ 11th appearance on the show and fifth time hosting the SEC Nation crew in Knoxville.
The Paul Finebaum Show, which airs from 2-3 p.m. ET on ESPN2 and 3-7 p.m. ETon SEC Network, will also broadcast from Ayres Hall on Friday. Fans are invited to catch all five hours of #FinebaumFriday from the Ayres Hall set.
Checker Neyland
For the fourth-straight season, the fan-led initiative of Checker Neyland will take place for this Saturday’s game against Georgia.
Fans are encouraged to wear orange or white, depending on their seat location. To find out if your section is orange or white, go to CHECKERNEYLAND.com and enter your section/row/seat number as it appears on your ticket or CLICK HERE for a seat map. Terrace ticket holders should enter their terrace number (Ter1, Ter2, Ter3, etc.) and do not need to enter a row or seat location. East and West Club ticket holders should enter their club with the respective number (EC1, EC2, WC1, WC2, etc.). UT students can enter their seat as in the section/row/seat number format.
Over the last three seasons, Tennessee fans have created and participated in one of the greatest sights in college football, turning Neyland Stadium into a sea orange and white in UT’s iconic checkerboard pattern.
Peyton Manning To Be Honored
Peyton Manning will be honored at halftime on Saturday by the National Football Foundation. The midfield ceremony will serve as the NFF’s official “on-campus-salute” of Manning’s selection to the College Football Hall of Fame.
Per Manning’s request, some of UT’s living College Football Hall of Famers will join him at the recognition and at the Vol Walk, which will begin at 1:15 p.m. ET at the Torchbearer statue on Volunteer. The VFLs include: Doug Dickey, Frank Emmanuel, Phillip Fulmer, Bob Johnson, Chip Kell, Steve Kiner, Johnny Majors and John Michaels (represented by his daughter).
Cam will launch a new Best Coast Tour on Nov. 28 in San Luis Obispo, Calif.
The “Burning House” singer will visit a total of nine cities on her westernly jaunt before wrapping on Dec. 16 in Portland, Ore. Logan Mize will serve as the opening act.
“I’m coming home to tour the West Coast,” says Cam, “I’ve picked some of the cutest and quirkiest venues, I’ve built a crazy visual set, and I even get to play new music from the upcoming album. Obviously, I’m going all out for the VIP experience too, to take care of the Best Coast that raised me. I’m so proud to come home and show off what I’ve created.”
Lauren Alaina followed up her first-ever No. 1 single, “Road Less Traveled,” by releasing “Doin’ Fine,” which is currently No. 49 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart.
Today (Sept. 28), the Georgia native dropped an emotionally charged new video for the semi-autobiographical tune that she co-penned with Emily Shackleton and busbee.
“‘Doin’ Fine’ is a really special song because it’s uplifting, but really honest at the same time,” said Lauren. “If you don’t know me and you don’t know that that’s actually what I went through, you would almost think, ‘Oh my gosh, she really tried to write a country song,’ but the truth is, I really live a country song.”
Below, watch the new video for “Doin’ Fine,” which was directed by Carlos Ruiz.
