Thomas Rhett shared another song, “Grave,” from his upcoming third studio album, Life Changes, which is slated to drop on Sept. 8.
The anthemic love song, which was penned by Chris DeStefano, Hillary Lindsey, Josh Miller, is the 14th—and final—track on the upcoming album.
The album’s current single, “Unforgettable,” is currently No. 23 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart. It follows lead single, “Craving You,” which topped the chart in July.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The No. 24-ranked Tennessee football team continued to build towards its season opener against Georgia Tech with a spirited practice at Haslam Field on a hot Friday afternoon.
Head coach Butch Jones and three student-athletes answered questions from the media after practice.
Freshman Shamburger Continues to Impress in Secondary
One of reoccurring themes over the past few weeks has been the early success of freshman defensive back Shawn Shamburger. The Moultrie, Ga., native had his black stripe removed after an impressive showing at the team’s scrimmage on Wednesday evening.
“He’s an individual who’s really stepped up,” Jones said. “In the last few practices he’s really made his presence known at the cornerback position.”
Juinior defensive back Michah Abernathy added that he has been impressed with the work ethic on and off the field from Shamburger and fellow freshman DB Cheyenne Labruzza.
“They’re hard workers on and off the field, in the classroom, film room and anything like that,” Abernathy said. “They’re always trying to get ahead of the older guys, so they’ll both be good.”
Tatum, Offensive Line Coming Together
Despite battling some injuries throughout fall camp, the Tennessee offensive line is starting to take shape and build some continuity.
“The first scrimmage is always a huge learning (experience) for some of the freshmen,” Kendrick said. “We got some numbers back and we got to see what we can do versus the defense just out there playing football in a controlled scrimmage. It was good. We had a lot of fun.”
The redshirt senior also praised the development of sophomore offensive lineman Marcus Tatum, stating that he’s looked like a completely different player this fall.
“You can see with Marcus, Coach Rock (Gullickson) has done a great job with him, put on weight,” Kendrick said. “He is coming back with a mindset that he’s ready to play and ready to compete at the highest level.”
Coaches, Players Pleased with WednesdayScrimmage
Jones and the Vols took the field at Neyland Stadium on Wednesday evening for their first full scrimmage of the fall, allowing the coaches and players alike to gain some important reps in game-like situations.
“I think first of all, just from a game management standpoint, our coaches were able to go in the press box,” Jones said. “The ability to communicate with our players and try to create game-like situations will expose them to many different situations that they’ll face probably throughout the course of the year.
“It was great to get into Neyland Stadium and play football, and that’s what this team needed was to play football.”
Upcoming Schedule
The Vols will practice the next three days before an off day on Tuesday. Classes for UT’s fall semester officially begin next Wednesday, Aug. 23.
The season opener against Georgia Tech is also quickly approaching. The Big Orange will take on Georgia Tech in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game on Labor Day (Sept. 4) at the brand new Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. ET and the game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN.
Get Your Tickets for Vols’ Home Opener
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).
Post Practice Quotes
Head Coach Butch Jones
(On what stood out from Wednesday’s scrimmage)
“I think first of all, just from a game management standpoint, our coaches were able to go in the press box. The ability to communicate with our players and try to create game-like situations will expose them to many different situations that they’ll face probably throughout the course of the year. It was great to get into Neyland Stadium and play football, and that’s what this team needed was to play football.”
(On the progression of the offense)
“It’s give and take, and that’s what we’re talking about with consistency and performance. I think our offense’s development overall has been set back a little bit with lack of continuity and consistency. We’re getting everyone back now and that’s why the next couple of days are absolutely paramount in terms of getting the rhythm, the spacing, and the timing down.”
(On development of cornerback Shawn Shamburger)
“He’s an individual who’s really stepped up. In the last few practices he’s really made his presence known at the cornerback position. The other night, I liked the way he fielded run support, we challenged him with some deep balls and he was able to play the ball in the air. He’s an individual who’s pushing the older players.”
(On preparing for Georgia Tech’s triple-option)
“It’s a challenge because the first thing you have to do is install your base defense. We’re only going to see this offense one time the entire year, and we have a short turnaround playing a Monday night game. So you have to make sure that you balance your time, you have to be able to execute your base defense, and then you graduate on to a scheme for Georgia Tech. Obviously, they’ve run that offense for so long, and they know where to attack. So again, it’s a balancing act for our players. You have to rely on maturity, and then it’s also the fundamentals and details that are critical as well.”
Junior Defensive Back Micah Abernathy
(On Theo Jackson stepping up at safety)
“We love what Theo is doing. Theo is a very bright kid and he’s learning a lot. It takes a lot for a freshman to learn the safety position and learn everything that we need to do. He’s taken it upon himself to do that.
“He’s grasping the defense a lot quicker than we expected because playing safety is hard especially as a freshman and he’s running to the ball. You can see he’s putting in effort.”
(On Cheyenne Labruzza and Shawn Shamburger)
“They’re definitely guys that run to the battle. That’s something that we all notice. They’re hard workers on and off the field, in the classroom, film room and anything like that. They’re always trying to get ahead of the older guys, so they’ll both be good.”
(On wide receivers impressing during camp)
“All our receivers have really impressed all camp. They’re more explosive and better at route running.”
Redshirt Sophomore Defensive End Darrell Taylor
(On what he feels he has improved on most during off-season)
“I’m working on my run technique and getting a lot better with it. Our assistant and (defensive line) coach Hoke have been helping me with that a lot. It’s been a big priority.”
(On patience being tested during first two years at Tennessee)
“It’s been tested, but I think that the older guys that were here before, they just kept me coordinated and made sure my head was on straight. I just did what I did to get through it.”
(On which defensive players stood out during Wednesday’s scrimmage)
“I think there was a few guys that stood out. I thought (cornerback) Marquill (Osborne) stood out and made some good plays. A lot of the other freshmen stood out. (Cornerback Shawn) Shamburger stood out a lot. I think our young guys are coming in and doing a lot of great things.”
Redshirt Senior Offensive Lineman Brett Kendrick
(On the team’s first scrimmage)
“It went well. The first scrimmage is always a huge learning (experience) for some of the freshmen. We got some numbers back and we got to see what we can do versus the defense just out there playing football in a controlled scrimmage. It was good. We had a lot of fun.”
(On how the offense is different this year under Larry Scott)
“It’s a little different. Every coach has the way they like to do things and so he has put in some different plays for us. He is a guy that demands excellence from us and he does a great job with that. It’s not much different, but we’ve got some new coaches on offense. We’ve got Coach (Walt) Wells in, although he was with us last year too. It’s not much different, just a couple new tweaks and things.”
(On Marcus Tatum’s development over the course of the year)
“I feel like it’s a lot like what happened with Drew Richmond. It’s like they came back their second year and they were totally different players. You can see with Marcus, Coach Rock (Gullickson) has done a great job with him, put on weight. He is coming back with a mindset that he’s ready to play and ready to compete at the highest level.”
Redshirt Senior Punter Trevor Daniel
(On training camp)
“I’m just taking the same approach as I always do. I’m coming out here and trying to do the best that I can, trying to prove something every day. It’s been going great, I’m enjoying it.”
(On freshman punter Joe Doyle)
“Joe, for a freshman punter, is probably one of the better freshman punters I’ve ever seen. He’s got it. He can punt a really good ball. He’s a little slow right now which is expected from a freshman, but once we work with him on that and get his hands a little quicker, I think he’ll be the guy.
“I’m trying to work with him every day and teach him what I know. Whatever he can pick up on, I’m trying to teach him the ways and hopefully he can be the guy. I’d love for him to be the starter next year.”
Hillary announced today (Aug. 18) via an Instagram video and post that she is expecting twins: “God has answered our family’s countless prayers! Our family is growing…Chris, Eisele, and I wanted to share our DOUBLE portion of joy with you all! We appreciate all the love and prayers in the coming weeks as we wait (somewhat patiently if you’re Chris and I, and impatiently if you’re Eisele 😂) for these precious BABIES to arrive. Yep, babies! We are having TWINS! It’s truly a miracle. Because we’ve been so open about our last pregnancy loss and journey, I want to be fully transparent with you that this happened naturally. Chris nor I have any family history of twins that we can find and are just resting in the profound gift this truly is. My heart still grieves for our loss and all who are struggling with pregnancy and infant loss and infertility. God hears every prayer and I will continue to share our story to point to the Source of all life, peace and comfort in the best and most difficult of times. Don’t lose hope! Thank you @hodgesusry for capturing this priceless moment and make sure you swipe to see all the sweet moments @montgomeryleephoto captured on the day we told Eisele. Love and blessings to all! The Tyrrells.”
Watch the video below as Hillary and Chris tell four-year-old daughter Eisele about the big news.
As the son of a former football coach, Dave Hart understands the importance of scheduling.
He also understands how hard it can be on a team to play a triple-option offense with only a week to prepare.
That’s why the former Tennessee athletic director “insisted’’ that if Tennessee were to play Georgia Tech, it had to be the season opener for the Vols.
Tennessee takes on the Yellow Jackets in the opener for both teams Sept. 4 at Atlanta’s new Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
“If I were a coach,’’ Hart said today, “I would not want to play that scheme in the middle of a non-conference schedule.’’
The demands of defending a triple option are challenging. You must play assignment football. It takes eye discipline. It takes patience. It takes sharp tackling in the open field.
And heaven forbid if a defensive back bits on a run fake and gets beat deep on a pass play.
Hart pointed out that teams usually fare better against a triple option when it’s a season opener or a bowl game or you have an open date the week before.
Hart said he thinks ACC teams who play Georgia Tech annually still try to schedule an open date before going against coach Paul Johnson’s attack.
Last season, Vanderbilt, which was a bowl team, played Georgia Tech in the third game of the season without an open date.
The new tune, which was co-penned by the trio’s Mark Wystrach, Cameron Duddy and Jess Carson as well as Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne, is currently No. 7 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart.
“I think ‘Drinkin’ Problem’ is just a song that we feel really represents what Midland is about, as far as the sound goes, as far as the songwriting goes,” said Mark to Nash Country Daily. “I think it’s just a great peek into what our influences are. But essentially, it’s a song about an archetype—about a guy or a girl—that we’ve all known, and I am assuming that all of us are of the age and have spent a lot of time in bars. We all know this person, and maybe it has been us at a certain time, but it’s kind of a beautiful song about a dark place.”
Luke Bryan has not released new music since his single, “Fast,” in November 2016, which became the sixth song from his 2015 album, Kill the Lights, to reach No. 1.
Luke’s fans have been waiting for new music since “Fast” reached No. 1 in April—and it sounds like they won’t be waiting much longer.
Here’s what we know:
There is an ad in the country music trades this week that features a photo of Luke with the caption “Luke Bryan August 23rd.”
Luke told ABC News in July: “Certainly, I’m in the studio. [I’ve] recorded some stuff, [and am] probably halfway through my project. [I’m] really getting geared up.”
Last week at an event to talk about his new album, Current Mood, Dustin Lynch—a recent tourmate of Luke’s—revealed he’d heard Luke’s new album.
Here’s what we heard:
According to a source close to Nash Country Daily, Luke will be releasing a new single on Aug. 23.
Little Big Town headed to NYC last night (Aug. 17) to perform their current single, “When Someone Stops Loving You,” on Late Night With Seth Meyers.
The tune, which was penned by Hillary Lindsey, Lori McKenna and Chase McGill, features Jimi Westbrook out front on vocals. The breakup ballad is the third single from LBT’s eighth studio album, The Breaker, which dropped in February.
