Here’s the full Butch Jones press conference from Friday entering the start of fall practice on Saturday in Knoxville. The Vols head football coach talked about the team including some injury news, changing personal agents, team and individual player strength records they set and much more.
If you don’t have time to comb through social media all day, here’s what you’ve been missing over the last 24 hours or so in the country music world:
Couldn’t have asked for a better birthday. #Cleveland #HFETour #LBTV https://t.co/uqbywqDu4N
— Luke Bryan (@LukeBryanOnline) July 28, 2017
Epic father/daughter performance by @Travistritt & the talented Tyler Reese Tritt on Sometimes Love Ain't Enough. @TamieLis1 pic.twitter.com/V8r5je2D1x
— Anthony G. Maurizio (@antmaurizio) July 27, 2017
Yesterday was FUN! Thanks @NASHFM947NY and everybody who came out to the pop up show! #GirlLikeYou pic.twitter.com/B87mNXYHYf
— Easton Corbin (@eastoncorbin) July 27, 2017
3 Million streams on @Spotify!! Thank YOU! pic.twitter.com/lGrQTp1nsZ
— Hunter Hayes (@HunterHayes) July 27, 2017
https://www.instagram.com/p/BXDkl3Fh7oV/?taken-by=dollyparton&hl=en
main image via Dolly Parton’s Instagram
In support of their new album, 27861, Parmalee stopped by NYC this morning (July 28) to headline Fox and Friends’ Summer Concert Series.
In addition to playing breakout hit “Carolina,” the four-piece band sampled a few songs from their new album, including “Mimosas” and current single, “Sunday Morning,” which is currently No. 54 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart after 10 weeks.
Watch Parmalee perform “Sunday Morning” below.
Kelsea Ballerini’s new video for her current single, “Legends,” is an emotional roller coaster full of twists and turns.
Directed by Jeff Venable, the new clip opens at the scene of a car crash, before flashbacks show a couple as they get married and raise a family. A tragic twist ensues (the car crash), but the video ends on an optimistic note. Throughout the video, there are interspersed clips of Kelsea performing the song against the backdrop of the Pacific Ocean and Big Sur, Calif.
As Kelsea was filming the performance section of the video in Big Sur, Calif., earlier this summer, she took a break on her tour bus to give us a behind-the-scenes peek into the thought process behind the making of the video.
“I wrote ‘Legends’ with the perspective of a breakup . . . or it’s the loss of a love, whether that’s a breakup or a death or whatever,” says Kelsea. “We wanted to really capture all of that in this video. And I’m just, like, a sucker for love and I think that [director] Jeff [Venable] wrote this video treatment of kinda playing off of This Is Us—that TV show that everyone is obsessed with right now. And it just captured this really beautiful love story and added this really heartfelt meaning to the song that was really important for me to show.”
Co-penned by Kelsea, Glen Whitehead and Hillary Lindsey, “Legends” is the first single from Kelsea’s upcoming sophomore album, Unapologetically, which drops on Nov. 3.
Keeping up with Garth Brooks’ concert escapades is a full-time job.
In the last few months, Garth has pledged to pay for a child’s college tuition, offered to pay for a couple’s honeymoon, invited a teen onstage, given his guitar to a fan and serenaded an 89-year-old.
Now, he has supplied a newlywed couple with wedding gifts.
During Garth’s concert at the Cajundome in Lafayette, La., on June 23, a neon green sign made by concertgoer Jamie Guillot that read “Best Week Ever, Garth This Friday, Our Wedding Next Friday” caught Garth’s eye.
Before singing “To Make You Feel My Love” for the couple, Garth told Jamie and her fiancé Jude Blanchard that he and wife Trisha Yearwood would get them whatever they wanted from their wedding registry—and the G-man delivered, according to USA Today.
This week, Jamie and Jude received four boxes of wedding gifts from Garth and Trisha, including two lounge chairs, a mixer, meat grinder, patio lights and more. Check out the gifts below.
main photo by Jason Simanek
Following his Billboard No. 1 hit, “Craving You,” Thomas Rhett has released a new single, “Unforgettable.”
The mid-tempo tune, which was penned by Thomas Rhett, Jesse Frasure, Ashley Gorley and Shane McAnally, will be featured on TR’s upcoming album, Life Changes, which drops on Sept. 8.
“I want people to come in from different genres and be like, ‘Dang, I never really listened to country music, but this record kind of turns me on in different ways,’” TR said to USA Today. “I think that’s why I recorded so many different types of songs on this record and really just tried to write what I know about.”
Listen to “Unforgettable” below.
“Unforgettable”
It was the 14th of October
Had that t-shirt off your shoulder
I was drunk, said I was sober
And you said yeah right
We were talkin’ for a minute
Then some guy tried to cut in
You took my hand and we pretended
Like I was your guy
Oh, then I tried to guess your middle name
For 30 minutes bet we played that game
That mango-rita you were drinkin’
And that Coldplay song that you were singin’
And I bet right now you’re probably thinkin’
That it’s crazy I remember every detail, but I do
From your blue jeans to your shoes
Girl, that night was just like you
Unforgettable
We were dancin’, we were buzzin’
Takin’ shots like it was nothin’
Did the runnin’ man, you loved it
Yeah, you laughed out loud
You brushed away your blonde hair
And you kissed me out of nowhere
I can still show you the spot
Where everything went down
Oh, I told you I was gonna marry you
You probably didn’t think that it was true
That mango-rita you were drinkin’
And that Coldplay song that you were singin’
And I bet right now you’re probably thinkin’
That it’s crazy I remember every detail, but I do
I can still smell your perfume
Girl, that night was just like you
Unforgettable
Oh, that night was just like you, baby
I can taste the mango-rita you were drinkin’
And it feels just like it was last weekend
That we jumped in
Right off the deep end
That mango-rita you were drinkin’
And that Coldplay song that you were singin’
And I bet right now you’re probably thinkin’
That it’s crazy I remember every detail, but I do
I can still smell your perfume
Girl, that night was just like you
Unforgettable
Jim Casey talks with Joe Nichols about growing up in Arkansas, reaching personal milestones over his 20-year career, taking risks with his music, the making of his new album, Never Gets Old, and more.
https://youtu.be/EpJfIqfwbME
The Writers Room, Ep. 106, 17 minutes
photo by Jason Simanek
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Five individuals with ties to the University of Tennessee will be inducted into the Greater Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame during the 36th annual dinner and induction ceremony on Thursday, Aug. 3 at the Knoxville Convention Center.
The inductees are as follows: Rod Delmonico, James A. Haslam II, Dawn Marsh, J.J. McCleskey and Art Reynolds. The 1986-87 Lady Vol basketball team will also be honored during the event with the “Thanks for the Memories Award.”
Inspirational VFL Inky Johnson will be the featured speaker. Johnson, who suffered a career-ending injury during a home football game in 2006, inspires his audiences to embrace the challenges of life whether the topic is leadership, teamwork or perseverance.
In addition to Tennessee’s five inductees, other members of the 2017 Class include Emmet P. “Buck” Vaughn, Todd Collins, George Quarles, Kevin Swider and Rebecca O’Connor. The event also honors Knoxville’s Most Outstanding Male and Female High School Athletes of the Year, the Chad Pennington Professional Athlete of the Year and recipients of the Pat Summitt Ignite Greatness Award, Special Recognition Award and Will McKamey Spirit Award.
Tickets to the Greater Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame ceremony are still available and can be purchased HERE with all benefits going toward the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley.
ROD DELMONICO
Taking over as Tennessee’s baseball coach in 1990, Rod Delmonico led the Vols to nine 40-win seasons and two 50-win campaigns. His teams captured two Southeastern Conference titles, four SEC Eastern Division crowns and three SEC Eastern Division Tournament championships. Under his tenure, UT made eight NCAA Regional trips, including five regional finals, and punched three tickets to the College World Series. The 1994 and 1995 SEC Coach of the Year also earned National Coach of the Year honors while tutoring Olympians, National and SEC Players of the Year and future Major Leaguers. During Delmonico’s 18-year career, he amassed a record of 699-396 (.638), becoming the winningest coach in UT history.
JAMES A. HASLAM II
James A. Haslam II was a three-year letterman with the Tennessee football program (1950-52), starting at right tackle all three years for General Robert R. Neyland. Haslam starred on UT’s consensus national championship team in 1951 and as team captain, led a 1952 Volunteer defense that allowed the lowest completion percentage in Tennessee history (37.9). Following his senior campaign, Haslam earned 1952 All-SEC Second Team accolades.
After his collegiate and military career, Haslam founded the Pilot Corporation and became a well-known contributor to East Tennessee communities and the Tennessee campus. Throughout his life, Haslam has served on multiple organizational boards, including the University of Tennessee’s Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy board, the University of Tennessee’s University Health System board and on the board of directors for the National Football Foundation. Haslam and his wife, Natalie, continue to empower a multitude of organizations with their involvement, generosity and leadership.
DAWN MARSH
Dawn Marsh played point guard at Alcoa High School (1981-84) and for the Lady Vols from 1984-88, leading UT’s 1986-87 team that won the national title. As one of the best pass-first point guards to ever play at Tennessee, Marsh still holds three school records: most assists in a game (18), most assists in a season (243) and most career assists (755). She competed on the USA Junior National Team in 1985 and 1986 and in 1988 she garnered All-SEC recognition. Marsh was also named the 1988 NCAA East Regional Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player during the Lady Vols’ run to the Final Four.
J.J. MCCLESKEY
A graduate of Karns High School, J.J. McCleskey walked on the 1989 Tennessee football team as a wide receiver, playing from 1989-92 under head coach Johnny Majors. McCleskey was named a captain during his senior season in 1992 after earning a scholarship and led the 1992 team to a 7-3 record, including a 38-23 Hall of Fame Bowl win over Boston College. The undrafted rookie went on to play eight seasons as a wide receiver and defensive back in the NFL with the New Orleans Saints (1993-96) and Arizona Cardinals (1997-2000).
ART REYNOLDS
Art Reynolds was a member of the Tennessee football program from 1971-73, playing linebacker on two of head coach Bill Battle’s AP top-10 teams. Reynolds earned a spot on the starting lineup during his final two seasons with the Vols and in 1972, he was named an All-SEC Second Team linebacker. Following his career at UT, the Cincinnati, Ohio, native went on to play for the Charlotte Hornets of the World Football League (1974).
1986-87 LADY VOL BASKETBALL TEAM
Under the direction of legendary head basketball coach Pat Summitt and assisted by current Tennessee head coach Holly Warlick, the 1986-87 Lady Vol basketball team captured Tennessee’s first women’s basketball NCAA Championship. The Lady Vols built a 33-24 halftime edge and never looked back, increasing their lead over Louisiana Tech by 14 points seven minutes into the second half en route to a 67-44 final score. UT attempted 19 more field goals and grabbed 11 more rebounds than the Lady Techsters in front of a championship-game record crowd of 9,823. LVFL Tonya Edwards grabbed Most Outstanding Player honors, netting 13 points for the Lady Vols, while Marsh went 4-4 from the line and added a field goal to total six points. Recently announced Lady Vol assistant coach Bridgette Gordon also had 13 points and joined Edwards on the All-Championship Team.
-UT Athletics
Lauren Alaina followed up her first-ever No. 1 single, “Road Less Traveled,” by releasing “Doin’ Fine” to country radio on May 22.
The Georgia native recently dropped a new lyric video for the semi-autobiographical tune, which was co-written by Lauren, 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.”
Watch Lauren’s new lyric video for “Doin’ Fine” below.
Here’s one of those uplifting stories we caught wind of thanks to Veterans United.
During a recent stop on his What the Hell World Tour at the Veterans United Amphitheater in Virginia Beach, Dierks Bentley took time to meet with U.S Army Sgt. Legrand Strickland and his wife, Carrie. The weekend event was hosted by Veterans United Home Loans and the Gary Sinise Foundation’s R.I.S.E. program, which will provide Sgt. Strickland with a mortgage-free, specially adapted smart homes customized specifically to meet his needs.
Sgt. Strickland was returning from a mission in Zabul, Afghanistan, in 2010 when he was struck by an IED. He was severely injured and lost both legs above the knee, sustained a severe traumatic brain injury, shattered his jaw and suffered lacerations to his kidneys and liver. Sgt. Strickland and his wife have two sons and plan to build their new home in St. Louis.
In addition to the meet-and-greet with Sgt. Strickland, Dierks autographed a Fender acoustic guitar that will be part of an auction this fall to raise money for the R.I.S.E. program. Last year, more than $44,000 was raised during the auction that featured signed guitars by Kenny Chesney, Gwen Stefani, Dierks and more.
“I’m extremely patriotic,” said Dierks earlier this year. “I love this country, and I love the history of this country. I read books on this country. I spend my time on the road traveling physically throughout the country. The soldiers and their families are constantly on my mind. We think about this stuff all the time.”
photo by Jason Simanek
