At a recent show in Hampton, N.J., Lee Brice invited his singer/songwriter brother Lewis onstage to perform a tune they co-wrote, “Alabama.”
However, Lee did not invite his friend Kevin onstage. In fact, Lee politely asked Kevin to leave after he “crashed” the stage.
But Kevin had other plans, namely proposing to his girlfriend, Lauren.
Check out the clip below that highlights all of the action.
Billy Ray Cyrus announced he will release a new album, Set the Record Straight, on Nov. 10. The 15-song offering features collaborations with Joe Perry, George Jones, Loretta Lynn, Bryan Adams, Glenn Hughes, Jencarolos Canela and Miley Cyrus.
“I’m so excited to share this collection of music,” said Billy Ray. “These are some of my favorite songs. Some are new and have been an intricate part of Still the King story lines. Others are new mixes and different styles of songs that allowed me to experiment with the diversity that is so much a part of my musical being. There are some collaborations with my musical heroes and a special tribute to one of my greatest influences of all time—Ronnie Van Zant and the members of Lynyrd Skynyrd. In this being the 40-year anniversary of that tragic crash that impacted me and so many others fans around the world, I wrote and recorded ‘The Freebird Fell.’”
Set the Record Straight is available for pre-order now, with three instant grat tracks.
Set the Record Straight Track Listing
By Jimmy Hyams
Tennessee junior linebacker Darrin Kirkland Jr. suffered a knee injury Friday and is expected to miss up to six weeks, sources said.
Kirkland will have more tests done but initial reports are that he suffered a torn or partially torn meniscus, sources said.
The return from such an injury varies depending on the severity of the tear, the procedure to repair it and the swelling in the knee.
Sources said Kirkland is “definitely’’ out for the Georgia Tech opener Sept. 4 but could return soon thereafter, depending on the degree of the injury.
Kirkland missed 5 games last year with a high ankle sprain suffered Sept. 10 against Virginia Tech.
Kirkland made Freshman All-SEC in 2015 with 10 starts and made 66 tackles – 4th best by UT freshman in school history.
Kirkland is arguably the most valuable player on UT’s defense, manning the middle linebacker spot. His presence will be especially missed going against the triple option of Georgia Tech.
Kirkland, who is from Indianapolis, Ind., has a photographic memory and excels at making sure everyone along the front seven is aligned properly.
With Kirkland out, Tennessee will turn to either senior Colton Jumper, a former walk-on, or sophomore Daniel Bituli. Jumper had 61 tackles in seven starts last season. Bituli had nine stops in nine games last season, playing mostly on special teams.
Sponsored by Big Kahuna Wings: The wings that started it all
As the effects of Hurricane Harvey continue to devastate Southeastern Texas, many country stars sent their thoughts and prayers to those in the Lone Star State via social media.
Take a look at some of the posts below, including messages from Reba, Miranda, Blake, Dierks and more.
Praying for all our fellow Americans being hit by Harvey. #redcross. https://t.co/sExvGZdW7v
— Reba (@reba) August 28, 2017
Texas has been hit hard by Hurricane Harvey. I’m donating $100,000 to relief efforts and hope you will join me. https://t.co/oZvwtkp1iU pic.twitter.com/kDLNdj3WVi
— ChrisYoungMusic (@ChrisYoungMusic) August 27, 2017
Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by #HurricaneHarvey. pic.twitter.com/HBihHtqUcL
— Lady Antebellum (@ladyantebellum) August 28, 2017
💔💔💔💔. Prayers, light and love for Texas! 🙏🙌🏻 #home #hurricaneharvey pic.twitter.com/Uj1ZgZuXgc
— Miranda Lambert (@mirandalambert) August 28, 2017
Praying for all you people done there on Texas coast and inland!!! I can’t imagine being in a hurricane!
— Blake Shelton (@blakeshelton) August 26, 2017
thoughts and prayers to all our friends in #houston being affected by the flooding with #harveyhurricane. looking into how we can help…
— Dierks Bentley (@DierksBentley) August 27, 2017
Keeping my eye on the hurricane every second. Praying for my East Texas folks. #HurricaneHarvey
— Lee Ann Womack (@leeannwomack) August 25, 2017
Praying for Texas
— Chris Janson (@janson_chris) August 26, 2017
Text “HARVEY” to 90999 right now to instantaneously donate $10 through your phone bill to the @RedCross #PrayForTexas
— Midland (@MidlandOfficial) August 28, 2017
My sincere thoughts and prayers for all those in #Texas dealing with #hurricaneharvey and the floods. pic.twitter.com/tCmun7axAE
— Billy Ray Cyrus (@billyraycyrus) August 27, 2017
Amazing. Praying for all of you! #PrayersforTexas https://t.co/8FnzMQH0tN
— Cole Swindell (@coleswindell) August 27, 2017
Seriously thinking and praying for all of our Texas friends This is a horrific event Please help if your able @RedCross @SalvationArmyUS
— The Oak Ridge Boys (@oakridgeboys) August 27, 2017
TX…..praying for you. 🙏🏼
— Lindsay Ell (@lindsayell) August 27, 2017
The Vol Network’s “Big Orange Hotline” radio show debuts for the 2017 season Monday, August 28 at 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT across the state of Tennessee live from the patio at Dead End BBQ restaurant on Sutherland Avenue in Knoxville.
The Vol Network’s Bob Kesling hosts the show and will be joined each week by former Vols quarterbacks Pat Ryan and Jeff Francis. Numerous special guests and VFLs will visit the restaurant and be on the show this season. Entering its 10th season, “Big Orange Hotline” is a weekly, one-hour, prime time Tennessee football preview and review show presented and hosted by Dead End BBQ.
Monday’s show will feature recorded interviews with UT football coach Butch Jones and several Tennessee players. The crew also will get a scouting report on the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. The Vols open the 2017 season against Georgia Tech in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game on Monday, Sept. 4 (8 p.m. ET, ESPN).
Fans can call in and ask questions by dialing 1-800-688-8657, or Tennessee Verizon customers can dial # TENN. Fans are encouraged to check their local listings for a Vol Network affiliate in the area carrying “Big Orange Hotline.” The show can also be heard online at UTsports.com and on the UT GameDay App.
Dead End BBQ is an award-winning, unique American neighborhood barbecue restaurant located at 3612 Sutherland Avenue in Knoxville. Voted one of America’s top 100 barbeque restaurants, Dead End BBQ’s menu has a variety of options–from ribs to brisket to pork, chicken and sausage. More information and directions can be found at DeadEndBBQ.com.
-UT Athletics
Chris Young has stepped up in big way to help provide direct support to the victims of Hurricane Harvey. The Tennessee native donated $100,000 to his compatriots in Texas via a GoFundMe campaign that is benefiting the Red Cross.
Chris’ goal is to raise $500,000 through the campaign.
“As you all know, Texas was hit by Hurricane Harvey, which made landfall as a category four hurricane, the largest hurricane to hit the area in decades,” said Chris in a video. “Port Aransas, Rockport, Corpus Christi, Houston and so many other places are going to be dealing with so much damage and loss of life for a long time to come.
“I have friends and family there and I’m almost certain my house down there may have to be torn down as it was in one of the areas that was hardest hit by winds and flooding. But that’s the least of my concerns. I’m worried about the people there—my friends, family and neighbors—and I want to help.
“I’m pledging $100,000 to benefit the Red Cross in an effort to help everyone in Texas that has been affected by this hurricane. All donations will be routed through the Chris Young Foundation to distribute directly to Harvey relief through the Red Cross and other disaster relief organizations.
“Love you guys and every little bit helps. In times like these, you turn to your friends to help those in need and that’s exactly what I’m doing. I hope you’ll donate. And Texas, we love you.”
Watch Chris’ video message below, and you can click here to make a contribution.
Here is a group interview session with Vols football running back John Kelly before practice 20
Here is a group interview session with Vols football cornerback Emmanuel Moseley before practice 20
Here is a group interview session with Vols football defensive end Jonathan Kongbo before practice 20
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee’s three coordinators and associate head coach/defensive line coach Brady Hoke met with the media on Friday afternoon in the Ray and Lucy Hand Digital Studio to provide updates on Team 121 as it prepares to begin game-week preparations for Georgia Tech next week.
Offensive coordinator Larry Scott said many competitions remain open on the offensive side of the ball and talked about the excitement that comes with lining up to play that first game.
“As a coach, you’re always evaluating and seeing what you have,” Scott said. “At some point, it’s time to go play. You never say you feel great or bad heading into a new day. It’s about what the day brings, what do you have to do, and what do you have to conquer? Soon, it will be gameday. What will we have to do to win? When we put the ball down [in the first game], I think a lot of questions will start to get answered.”
Scott, in his first year as the offensive coordinator after serving as the tight ends coach last season, takes the helm of an offense that returns 49 starts on the offensive line from 2016 as well as second-leading receiver Jauan Jennings (40 receptions, 580 yards, seven touchdowns) and second-leading rusher John Kelly(630 yards, 6.4 ypc, five touchdowns).
Defensive coordinator Bob Shoop enters his second year as the Vols’ defensive coordinator. He recognizes communication will be key against the Yellow Jackets’ triple-option offense.
“One of the things that I try to talk about all the time, as a coach, is your vocabulary,” Shoop said. “I talk about speaking the same language defensively. Singing the same song and singing the same tune. That’s what we’ve been trying to do. I think we’ve really improved on that. It didn’t just start in August, it started in January and February. It really started last year in bowl game preparation.”
Shoop added that teams are successful when players buy in and coach each other.
“You can’t get 40 guys ready to play, but you can get 22-25 guys ready,” the veteran defensive coordinator said. “I feel like all of those guys have done a great job coaching each other up and helping each other out, and they have been doing a great job at that.”
Scott and Shoop were joined by special teams coordinator Charlton Warren and associate head coach/defensive line coach Brady Hoke at the media availability on Friday.
Senior defensive tackle Kendal Vickers and redshirt junior defensive end Jonathan Kongbo were named to the 44-member Piesman Watch List on Friday by SB Nation.
The award is given to the offensive or defensive lineman who makes the most impressive play as a runner, receiver or passer – as decided by a panel of national voters.
This year, the three finalists will be invited to an awards ceremony in New York City on Dec. 8.
Kongbo, a 6-6, 264-pounder, who was born in the Congo and raised in Canada, had a 59-yard interception return of a touchdown in 2016. He appeared in all 13 games last season, making 11 tackles, including three TFLs.
Vickers is expected to enter his third year as a starting defensive tackle for the Vols. He’s made 26 starts and appeared in 31 games over his career. The 6-3, 295-pounder tallied 38 tackles and six TFLs in 2016.
(On if everything is where he wants it to be at this point in camp)
“As a coach, you’re always evaluating and seeing what you have. At some point, it’s time to go play. You never say you feel great or bad heading into a new day. It’s about what the day brings, what do you have to do, and what do you have to conquer? Soon, it will be gameday. What will we have to do to win? When we put the ball down [in the first game], I think a lot of questions will start to get answered.”
(On how close Trey Smith is to starting)
“He is getting closer and closer, but we can’t forget that he is still 17 years old. He is still learning. I don’t care how big or strong a guy is. Mentally, he is still young. It’s the grind of it all too, especially at his position in this league. You will have one or two good days, but as an offensive lineman, you can’t have a bad day. Through all of that, he is still learning and maturing.”
(On the balance of playing more players and keeping communication levels high)
“One of the things that I try to talk about all the time, as a coach, is your vocabulary. I talk about speaking the same language defensively. Singing the same song and singing the same tune. That’s what we’ve been trying to do. I think we’ve really improved on that. It didn’t just start in August, it started in January and February. It really started last year in bowl game preparation. I just saw a change in the guy’s working better together as a unit, eleven guys working as one. You can’t get forty guys ready to play, but you can get 22-25 guys ready. I feel like all of those guys have done a great job coaching each other up and helping each other out, and they have been doing a great job at that.”
(On Georgia Tech’s backfield despite losing a couple of running backs)
“Starting at the quarterback position you have Matt Jordan and TaQuon Marshall and they are both excellent runners. Jordan is more of an interior runner and TaQuan is a former running back that they made a quarterback. Searcy and those guys at the slot are all really good. JJ Green transferred from Georgia and the one has missed some time but No. 22 averages 11 yards a carry, 30 yards a reception, so that has my attention, I promise. They are good players, their slots, their quarterbacks, their running backs and their receivers are all very talented. He will always have a fullback, they have talked about a true freshmen playing and we’ve watched all the guys. (KirVonte) Benson had a good spring game and they’ve had some other guys at the fullback position that are very good players. Coach Johnson knows how to utilize his talent.”
(On whether or not starting competitions are still going on for defense)
“Well, defense is a little different than offense. A lot of guys play no matter what. We feel like we have a pretty good two deep line up right now and maybe even then some. The guys have all practiced well and have been very competitive so that’s been healthy. The competitive piece is something we’ve emphasized this whole offseason. So hopefully in will continue all season. It’s not that we’re trying to make guys uncomfortable, but we want them to compete every day to be the best player they can be.”
(On the team discipline when facing Georgia Tech)
“They understand, through film study and seeing how they make big plays, and seeing how they take great defenses and shred them up and how they are able to use their scheme to manipulate what the other team has to do defensively. I think our guys are seeing it on tape and how they are understanding it by their execution during practice. You have to have a certain level of accountability and discipline for this scheme way before you go into the game. Eye violations really lead to big plays for this team.”
(On the kick return game)
“I think in a perfect world you have to have two guys back there that can field the ball and do something with it. Even though the second guy isn’t the primary returner, we still expect them to get a big positive return when the ball is kicked their way. Whoever we put back there, whether the off returner or the primary returner, we have to have to guys back there you trust to be the returner.”
(On how practice differs when switching from fall camp to game preparation)
“You focus less parts on certain parts of your playbook and more on others parts because in camp you’re installing a defensive package and as you’re getting ready for Georgia Tech you’re installing a package for their offense.”
Associate Head Coach/Defensive Line Coach Brady Hoke(On the depth at defensive line)
“We have a lot of great competition still. I met with our four ends who have gotten most of the work, but I can’t tell you who the starters are yet. That’s a good thing because of how they have been competing. Inside, we are still trying to build it. Shy Tuttle is coming along, which is exciting. Quay Picou is coming along as well. I think we have more depth than we did in the spring. I believe we will play 10 guys, but I don’t know if we will be there in that first game.”
(On what he would like to see the most improvements on during the next week)
“I would say our discipline continued with our eyes. We are playing triple-option football. I want to see more physicality on in the inside. Those two tackles have to take up the guards, center and fullback. They have to do a tremendous job. They will get knocked down and cut blocked. It’s about what you do and the mentality you have after that.”
