Blake Shelton posted an almost-two-minute clip on Facebook yesterday (Aug. 21) in which he thanked Nashville songwriters for their “incredible” contributions to his musical catalogue over the years.
“I never really considered myself a great songwriter, and the reason is because there’s so many incredible songwriters in Nashville that I can’t even begin to compare my songs to the work that they put out and the brilliant songs that these writers in Nashville come up with time and time and time again,” said Blake. “And I wouldn’t be sitting here with a career right now if it wasn’t for the songwriters in Nashville and the publishers who took a chance on me, especially as a young artist.”
While the majority of cuts on Blake’s albums are from outside songwriters nowadays, he has co-penned a number of his own tunes over the years, including “All Over Me,” “Friends,” “Go Ahead and Break My Heart,” “On a Good Day,” “The Last Country Song,” “Here I Am,” “Savior’s Shadow” and more, as well as Miranda Lambert’s “Over You.”
“I love being a songwriter, but I’m more excited about making a great album every time I get in the studio, and if I’m going to be honest with myself and everyone around me, the only way to do that is to lean on the incredible, talented writers in Nashville,” added Blake.
Speaking of being “honest,” Blake’s most recent album is 2016’s If I’m Honest, featuring No. 1 singles “Came Here to Forget,” “A Guy With a Girl” and “Every Time I Hear That Song.”
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee held Monday morning’s fall football camp practice at Neyland Stadium as head coach Butch Jones and the Vols focused on situational football.
“Right now, we have to have the discipline to execute,” Jones said. “Football is too hard of a game as it is from the technical aspect of things, from fundamentals, effort techniques and winning your one-on-one matchups let alone being a team that jumps offsides or a team that doesn’t take care of the football. All those things come down to discipline, execution and having that ability.
“I thought there were many great teaching lessons and opportunities today. We had four-straight days of intense football and I liked our approach and the way we came out, but there are way too many mental mistakes right now with this football team.”
Jones, senior cornerback Justin Martin and sophomore receiver Brandon Johnsonspoke to reporters after practice.
Earning Their Stripes
Freshman defensive back Cheyenne Labruzza earned the removal of his black helmet stripe over the weekend and freshman running back Tim Jordan earned his on Monday.
Martin praised Labruzza, saying “Cheyenne gives his all in everything. Whatever we ask Cheyenne to do, Cheyenne does it first-hand.”
Jones added that Labruzza is an unselfish player who is willing to contribute in any role asked of him.
“He plays corner, but he’s been doing a lot of other things on scout team,” Jones said. “He’s on scout team running offenses and running different looks whether it’s punt, punt return, kickoff or kickoff return and he does it at a high level.”
Jordan and his fellow freshman running backs Ty Chandler and Trey Coleman have been rock solid in a physical training camp. Jones said that Jordan has demonstrated toughness and has earned respect.
“I think Tim has a unique personality,” Jones said. “He always smiles. He brings levity to the situation but he’s also intense as well. It’s just a respect by his peers.”
Martin, Johnson Discuss Personal Growth
Martin made great strides in the spring, emerging as a leader on defense. At the Orange and White Game, he received the Andy Spiva Award, which is given to UT’s most-improved defensive player in the spring.
Martin, who has been vocal on the practice fields while helping his teammates, said that his biggest lesson has been knowing when to restrain his opinions on the field.”
“I just control what I can control,” he said. “I don’t let one particular play hold over me for the rest of practice or the rest of the game. That’s the biggest thing.”
Johnson saw action in nine games as a freshman in 2016, collecting seven catches for 93 yards. He was limited in the spring due to injury, but that did not stop him from improving his film study habits. He has enjoyed a strong fall camp.
“I would say my biggest growth comes in my knowledge of the game,” Johnson said. “I took a long time and I studied all offseason all the time I was hurt. While everybody was out there on the field, I couldn’t play with my brothers, so all I could do is really study. I’d honestly say I’ve become more intelligent with the game, reading defenses and coverages and knowing what should be happening with the offense.”
Additional Quotes
Tennessee Head Coach Butch Jones
(On Tim Jordan having his stripe removed)
“Tim Jordan had his stripe removed today by the running back position so that was great to see.”
“[They saw] toughness and mentality from him. All three backs are really doing a good job, just the overall intensity. I give these freshman backs credit. They have not missed one practice. Obviously, it’s been a physical training camp but they have not missed one practice. I think Tim has a unique personality. He always smiles. He brings levity to the situation but he’s also intense as well and it’s just a respect by his peers.”
(On what he saw during today’s practice)
“Today, I though it was very beneficial to get into Neyland Stadium and do a lot of situational football. Right now, we have to have the discipline to execute. Football is too hard of a game as it is from the technical aspect of things, from fundamentals, effort techniques and winning your one-on-one matchups let alone be a team that jumps offsides or a team that doesn’t take care of the football. All those things come down to discipline, execution and having that ability. I thought there were many great teaching lessons and opportunities today. We had four straight days of intense football and I liked our approach and the way we came out, but there are way too many mental mistakes right now with this football team.”
(On the depth at wide receiver)
“We’ve been repping a number of individuals. I think Tyler Byrd is really starting to come in now. He is playing with a lot more confidence. We’re going to play Jordan Murphy as a true freshman and Josh Palmer as well. Latrell Williams has done some very good things as well. Obviously, we’ll miss the experience in the beginning with Josh, but we have some individuals that are very talented.”
(On Cheyenne Labruzza having his stripe removed)
“He’s unselfish. When you look at Cheyenne, he’s a very unselfish individual. He plays corner, but he’s been doing a lot of other things on scout team. He’s on scout team running offenses and running different looks whether it’s punt, punt return, kickoff or kickoff return and he does it at a high level.”
Senior Cornerback Justin Martin
(On the competition in the secondary)
“There has been a lot of competition everywhere. Everybody has been trying their hardest. We get E-Man [Emmanuel Moseley] back from the spring and from injury. We get his leadership, which is a lot for the team. Everybody is in a good place I think.”
(On his strong fall camp and his rise to becoming one of UT’s top cornerbacks)
“Basically, I just go by the motto ‘control what you can control.’ I can just control my effort and how hard I go out there every day and that’s what I like to do.”
(On the talent level in UT’s secondary)
“I love the talent level. We’ve got freshmen stepping up, such as Cheyenne [Labruzza], Theo [Jackson] and Sham [Shawn Shamburger]. They are all playing good football this camp.”
(On Theo Jackson)
“My senior year, Theo was a freshman at my high school and he was the only freshman they let practice with the varsity. So I knew he had talent then, and now he’s up here balling.”
(On Cheyenne Labruzza and Shawn Shamburger)
“Cheyenne gives his all in everything. Whatever we ask Cheyenne to do, Cheyenne does it first-hand. Sham is the same way. Sham is interested in learning. He’s physical on the field. We took both of their stripes off because they deserved it and they earned it.”
(On the biggest area he has grown in as a player)
“I just control what I can control. I don’t let one particular play hold over me for the rest of practice or the rest of the game. That’s the biggest thing.”
Sophomore Receiver Brandon Johnson
(On where the receivers are at in terms of becoming playmakers)
“I really think we really made great strides all camp and summer. I feel like everybody has been stepping to the plate, especially the freshmen. We’re just looking forward to making plays for y’all come Georgia Tech.”
(On where he has improved from last season to now)
“Honestly, I would say my biggest growth comes in my knowledge of the game. I took a long time and I studied all offseason all the time I was hurt. While everybody was out there on the field, I couldn’t play with my brothers, so all I could do is really study. I’d honestly say I’ve become more intelligent with the game, reading defenses and coverages and knowing what should be happening with the offense.”
(On what his father, former MLB player Charles Johnson, taught him about playing high-level team sports)
“College sports in general, as well as professional, is a dog-eat-dog world. You’ve got to bring it every day. Hard work, that’s what it’s going to take. You have to be persistent with it. Persistent and consistent – that’s the main thing that he taught me.”
(On offensive rhythm)
“I would say that we are in a really good rhythm. Both quarterbacks are looking great. Jarrett Guarantano and Quinten Dormady, they’re both looking great. I feel like they’re doing a great job leading the offense. The o-line is coming a long great. The receivers are starting to really mesh. I would say that we are starting to build some consistency and we’re looking good going into this first game.”
Thomas Rhett and wife Lauren have had a busy summer, to put it mildly. Their family has doubled in size in three months.
The couple adopted daughter Willa Gray, 21 months, from Uganda in May, and Lauren gave birth to daughter Ada James on Aug. 12.
Along with a brief update regarding how the family is doing, Lauren posted a video on Instagram that shows the two siblings meeting for the first time on Aug. 13.
“So this is about 17 hrs post delivery & after I’d slept for the first time in about 58 hours so I’m still a bit zonked in the video, but this is when Willa Gray met Ada for the first time đđI know everyone is wondering about WG & AJ and how they’re doing together đ honestly it’s taken WG a little bit of adjusting and she’s been staying with family and friends off & on especially when Thomas Rhett leaves because I think it’s impossible for me to recover, take care of our 2 pups and a newborn and a 21 month old all at the same time đ soooo Willa Gray hasn’t been around a ton the last week but don’t worry! There will be LOTS of sister time soon. And she LOVES Ada now. We’re just working on being “gentle” right now haha She’s home today and so is daddy so all is right in our world at least for a little bit đ p.s. The fact that WG was showing AJ her bug bite meant she wanted to be friends with her right off the bat so we knew that was a good sign đ (sorry for the novel).”
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. â The University of Tennessee football team begins the season ranked No. 25 in the preseason Associated Press Poll that was released on Monday. The Volunteers came in at No. 24 in the Amway Preseason Coaches Poll as well, which was announced earlier this month.
The Big Orange has now been ranked in both preseason polls for three consecutive years, one of only 10 teams in the nation to accomplish that feat. It also marks the first time in nine years (2006-07-2008) the Vols have had a three-season stretch of preseason rankings in the AP Poll.
Tennessee began last season ranked No. 9 in the AP Poll after starting at No. 25 in 2015. The Orange and White finished the 2016 season ranked 22nd after defeating No. 24 Nebraska, 38-24, in the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl.
Tennessee is 15-4 in its last 19 games, heading into the 2017 campaign and is coming off a second consecutive 9-4 record. The Vols have won three straight bowls for the first time in 20 years and hold a streak of three straight winning seasons for the first time in 12 years.
UT was one of six teams from the Southeastern Conference included in the Preseason AP Poll, joining No. 1 Alabama, No. 12 Auburn, No. 13 LSU, No. 15 Georgia and No. 17 Florida. Texas A&M and Kentucky also received votes in the poll.
Tennessee is exactly two weeks out from its Labor Day (Sept. 4) season opener against Georgia Tech in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game at the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Tennessee returns 14 starters in 2017, including senior tight Ethan Wolf and senior offensive lineman Jashon Robertson, who are projected to be four-year starters for the Vols as well as 2015 First Team All-America kick returner Evan Berry, leading tackler senior Todd Kelly (71 stops in 2016) and second-leading rusher John Kelly (630 yards, 6.4 ypc, five TDs).
Tickets are still available for Tennessee’s home opener against Indiana State on Sept. 9. Fans can purchase tickets on AllVols.com or by calling or visiting the Thompson-Boling Arena box office (1-800-332-VOLS).
Vols in the Preseason AP Poll Since 2002 (Final Ranking) 2017: 25Â
2016: 9 (22)
2015: 25 (22)
2014: NR (NR)
2013: NR (NR)
2012: NR (NR)
2011: NR (NR)
2010: NR (NR)
2009: NR (NR)
2008: 18 (NR)
2007: 15 (12)
2006: 23 (25)
2005: 3 (NR)
2004: 14 (13)
2003: 12 (15)
2002: 5 (NR)
Teams in Every Preseason AP Poll the Last Three Seasons (2015, 2016, 2017) Tennessee (25, 9, 25)
Ohio State (1, 6, 2)
Alabama (3,1, 1)
Florida State (10, 4, 3)
Georgia (9, 18,15
Southern California (8, 20, 4)
Clemson (12, 2, 5)
LSU (14, 5, 13)
Oklahoma (19, 3, 7
Stanford (21, 8, 14)
Jerrod’s fourth major album, This Ride, will drop on Oct. 6. The 13-song offering features current single, “God Made a Woman,” as well as his previous single, “A Little More Love,” featuring Lee Brice. The album boasts more than a dozen top songwriters, including Ashley Gorley, Chris DeStefano, Shane McAnally, Rodney Clawson, Josh Osborne, JT Harding, Craig Wiseman, Ross Copperman, Dallas Davidson, Natalie Hemby, Jimmy Yeary, Chris Janson and more. Jerrod co-wrote two tunes, including “I Ain’t All There,” which features Diamond Rio.
“I felt like we used half of the instruments, but got twice the sound [on the album], and the notes that are there are just as important as the notes that arenât there,” says Jerrod to Nash Country Daily. “This album, it breathes. Not only was I lucky enough to collaborate with my good buddy Lee Brice, I reached out to Diamond Rio and they came in and sang on a song tooâand just brought it to a whole new level.
âThis Ride represents a journey of life and music, and where itâs led me today as a man and an artist. These songs either dig up some old yesterdays or make me look forward to tomorrow. Thatâs why Iâve never been more excited to share This Ride.”
This Ride Track Listing & Songwriters
“Zero to Crazy” (Ashley Gorley, Chris DeStefano, Shane McAnally)
“But I Do” (Josh Osborne, Jimmy Robbins, Jon Nite)
“Leavinâ a Trail” (Corey Crowder, Luke Dick, Cole Taylor)
“I Got This” (Rodney Clawson, Josh Osborne, Luke Dick)
“Out Of My Heart” (Ashley Gorley, Dallas Davidson, Chris DeStefano)
“A Little More Love” with Lee Brice (Ross Copperman, Natalie Hemby, Shane McAnally, Kristi Neumann)
“God Made a Woman” (Michael Ray, Joel Shewmake, Jeff Hyde)
“Whiskey Waitinâ On Ice” (Jerrod Niemann, Lance Miller, Rob Hatch, Brandon Hood)
“Feelinâ” (Jeremy Stover, Chris Janson, Luke Dick)
“I Ainât All There” featuring Diamond Rio (Jerrod Niemann, Lance Miller, Richie Brown)
“Come Back” (Jimmy Yeary, Matt Dragstrem, Craig Wiseman)
“The Regulars” (CJ Solar, Tina Parol, Jessie Jo Dillon)
Justin Moore scored the seventh No. 1 single of his career as “Somebody Else Will” hit the top of both the Mediabase and Billboard Country Airplay charts this week.
“Somebody Else Will” was penned by Kelly Archer, Adam Hambrick and Tebey Ottoh and is the second single from Justin’s fourth studio album, Kinda Don’t Care, to reach No. 1. The album’s lead single, “You Look Like I Need a Drink,” hit No. 1 in October 2016.
âThe feeling you get when your song hits No. 1 is unbelievable,â said Justin. âAlthough this is my seventh time, it is still just as exciting as ever. It is tough to get your songs played on country radio and I am so thankful to the writers, all of the stations, my promo team at the label and all of the fans who continue to support me and my music.â
Justin’s next single will be the album’s title track, “Kinda Don’t Care,” which will impact radio on Sept. 18. Check out the lyric video for “Kinda Don’t Care” below.
The Grand Ole Opry hosted five star-studded shows over the weekend to get folks into a stellar mood for today’s total eclipse.
Little Big Town, Darius Rucker, Charles Esten, Wynonna and more stepped onto the famed Opry circle on Sunday (Aug. 20) for the Total Eclipse celebration and treated fans to a number of their brightest hits.
Check out our photo gallery below, as well as a compilation video that includes LBT’s “When Someone Stops Loving You,” Wynonna’s “Cool Ya,” Darius’ “For the First Time” and Charles Esten teaming with Clare Bowen on “Sanctuary.”
![Blake Shelton: âI Wouldnât Be Sitting Here With a Career Right Now If It Wasnât for the Songwriters in Nashvilleâ [Watch Video]](https://cdn.socast.io/6616/sites/1446/2017/08/22085917/Blake-Shelton1.jpg#aqua_resizer_image_not_local)
This Ride Track Listing & Songwriters
![Watch Little Big Town, Darius Rucker, Charles Esten & Wynonna Light Up the Grand Ole Opry’s Eclipse Party [Video + Photo Gallery]](https://cdn.socast.io/6616/sites/1446/2017/08/21095118/Little-Big-Town1.jpg#aqua_resizer_image_not_local)
