Lady Antebellum’s sixth studio album, Heart Break, which was released on June 9, reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums this week.
According to Nielsen Music, Heart Break sold 53,000 equivalent albums (47,000 in pure sales), which was good enough for the No. 4 spot on the all-genre Billboard 200.
Heart Break follows Lady A’s four previous No. 1 albums: Golden (2013), Own the Night (2011), Need You Now (2010) and Lady Antebellum (2008). The trio’s 2014 offering, 747, peaked at No. 2.
After taking a hiatus in fall 2015, Lady A’s Hillary Scott, Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood got their creative juices flowing by spending about two months together in sunny Florida and Los Angeles last summer. In the process, the Grammy-winning trio created Heart Break, a 13-song offering that was produced by busbee and features a number of well-known songwriters, including Hillary Lindsey, Jesse Frasure, Shane McAnally and more.
“When we started working on this record, the goal was to give ourselves some space from the day to day,” said Hillary Scott to Nash Country Daily. “Surrounding ourselves in a new environment with sunny beaches and warm weather really helped free our minds to focus solely on our art. We took some of our favorite writers and other writers we hadn’t worked with before to a new inspiring backdrop, where we were able to just write and soak up the journey.”
Lady A’s recent single, “You Look Good,” is currently No. 12 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart after 22 weeks.
University of Tennessee President Joe DiPietro announced Tuesday the hiring of Phillip Fulmer as special advisor to the president for community, athletics and university relations.
In this role, Fulmer will serve as an ambassador for the University system at community and athletics events, support the intercollegiate athletic programs at UT campuses in Knoxville, Chattanooga and Martin, and work with UT government relations and alumni affairs leadership to advocate for the statewide system with elected officials and UT alumni.
“Phillip has been a tremendous asset to the University of Tennessee both on and off the field for more than 40 years,” DiPietro said. “I have enjoyed the opportunity to work with him on the UT President’s Council, and I look forward to working with him in a broader sense to advocate for the University with our key stakeholders.”
Fulmer said he looks forward to working with DiPietro in statewide outreach.
“This is a special opportunity for me. I’ve had the chance to work with Dr. DiPietro for a couple of years in a volunteer capacity, and I was excited when he approached me with this position,” Fulmer said. “I look forward to serving UT campuses statewide, our communities, and UT athletics for the greater good for our great state and the university.”
UT Knoxville Vice Chancellor/Director of Athletics John Currie described Fulmer as “a perfect ambassador.”
“As a native Tennessean who has given his all for the Vols throughout his life, both as a student-athlete on the field and during a Hall of Fame coaching career leading our program to its most dominant and successful era in modern history, Coach Fulmer is a perfect ambassador for our University and athletics program,” Currie said. “I’ve appreciated and enjoyed numerous visits with Coach Fulmer since I returned to Knoxville, and I am honored to work with him in support of President DiPietro and Chancellor Davenport as we serve the University of Tennessee, our students and student-athletes.”
Fulmer is a 1972 UT Knoxville graduate who has been affiliated with the for more than 40 years. Fulmer came to UT in 1968 as an offensive guard on the Volunteers football team. He returned as an assistant football coach in 1980 before being named head coach in 1992. In 17 years as head coach, Fulmer led teams to a national championship, two conference championships and seven division titles. He was inducted into the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame in 2012.
Fulmer has volunteer for the University through the UT President’s Council since 2015. He was awarded the 2016 President’s Council Award for his efforts to advocate for the University system.
The University of Tennessee is the state’s land-grant, higher education institution and flagship public university. It is comprised of campuses at Knoxville, Chattanooga, and Martin; the Health Science Center at Memphis; the Space Institute at Tullahoma; and the statewide Institute of Agriculture and Institute for Public Service.
The University of Tennessee System has a presence in each of Tennessee’s 95 counties. Through the combined force of its education, research, and outreach, the University serves students, business and industry, schools, governments, organizations, and citizens throughout the state.
One of the Vols men’s basketball newcomers is 6’0 guard James Daniel III from Hampton, Virginia who has transferred in as a graduate from Howard University.
Vols coach Rick Barnes on Daniel: “James gives us not only offensive production but toughness and experience as well. He recognized that our program has a lot of positive momentum and it means a lot to us that this was an important factor for him. He has already distinguished himself individually and now wants to have an impact on team success. Adding James to our roster is significant because it gives us some really good depth in our backcourt and the potential for some potent offense.”
One of the Vols men’s basketball newcomers is 6’1 combo guard Chris Darrington from Toledo, Ohio, who has transferred in from Vincennes University in Indiana.
Vols coach Rick Barnes on Darrington: “Chris brings two qualities we were looking for: confidence and the ability to score the basketball. Chris’ experience at Vincennes was valuable because he has developed an appreciation for what goes into winning. A lot of guys can score, but not many can do so and win. He has been very well coached, and we expect him to come into our program with a great foundation.”
One of the Vols men’s basketball newcomers is 6’8 forward Derrick Walker from Kansas City, Missouri.
Vols coach Rick Barnes on Walker: “Derrick is going to blend nicely into our team due to his combination of size, strength and toughness. We’re also excited about his basketball IQ and the fact that he’s a vocal defender, a good rebounder and an excellent ball-handler and passer for a player of his size. So there are a lot of signs that point to him being able to help us immediately. His next challenge is to get himself into great shape so that he can make the kind of impact we believe he’s capable of.”
There’s good news coming out of Loretta Lynn’s camp.
Almost seven weeks after Loretta suffered a stroke at her Tennessee home in Hurricane Mills, her first public appearance has been announced.
Loretta will host—and perform during—the Tennessee Motorcycle and Music Revival, a four-day event held at Loretta Lynn Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tenn. (about 60 miles west of Nashville). The Motorcycles and Music Revival will celebrate music, motorcycles, food, art, entertainment and Southern hospitality as 4,500 on-site campers enjoy 400 acres. This year’s event will take place from Sept. 28–Oct. 1.
Loretta’s granddaughter, Tayla Lynn, posted a video on Instagram announcing the event and shared that “Memaw is gonna come down there and sing for ya.”
One of the Vols men’s basketball newcomers is 6’9 forward Zach Kent of Magnolia, Delaware.
Vols coach Rick Barnes on Kent: “Zach obviously adds some needed size and length to our frontcourt, but he’ll also elevate our overall skill level with his ability to pass and shoot the ball, as well as his high basketball IQ. He’s got a solid inside game and is developing an ability to score with his back to the basket. He’s a tough, competitive kid.”
First off, I want to thank you so much for the love, support, and most of all, the dedication to helping me get where I am today. I not only want to thank the Tennessee track & field coaching staff, but I would also like to thank the entire University of Tennessee faculty and extended family. Each one of my coaches, professors, counselors, teacher’s aides, and teammates really helped me develop both my body and mind, so that I could focus all of my energy on my educational and athletic goals.
I want to thank my parents, my grandparents, everyone in my family for backing me in everything I do. Having that support system motivates me constantly and makes me appreciate how many people have made sacrifices to help me get to where I am.
I also could not gotten to this point without the coaching staff at Tennessee. Coach Sullivan and Coach Hall have supported me from the beginning and pushed me every step of the way and allowed me to believe that the sky is the limit.
Thank you to the trainers, managers, media relations, and Thornton Center staff who worked with me every day to make sure that I was ready both on the track and off.
Deciding on becoming a professional athlete was not an easy decision to make, mostly because of the tremendous amount of love and support I have received from Vol Nation. I know for a fact that I would not be the same person, let alone athlete, if I had not decided to attend Tennessee. I cannot thank the school enough.
This is not the end of my relationship with Tennessee. I am very proud to say that I plan to complete my degree in Sport Management, while I compete on the pro circuit. Educating myself is equally as important as pursuing my athletics career and I feel I can set a great example for up-and-coming athletes all over the nation to complete their education while pursuing a professional career. It should be done.
To all future collegiate athletes, having the right sense of intuition is key to picking the right school. The moment I stepped onto the UT campus, I instantly knew that I belonged. The amount of pride the UT family has in the Power T is amazing, and the fan base is unmatched by any other campus.
Although I’ve suited up in the orange and white for the last time, I’ll always continue to strive to be the best I can be because that’s what being a Vol for Life truly means. I am exceptionally honored and deeply humbled to have been offered the opportunity to be a part of this historic track program. The incomparable support system along with the close bond that has grown between my teammates and I helped me mature and grow into the man that I am today. You are my family for life.
Thank you so much for everything. The University of Tennessee has been my pillar of strength, and will forever hold a special place in my heart.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee head baseball coach Tony Vitello announced the first addition to his coaching staff Monday, naming former Oklahoma State head coach Frank Anderson as the Volunteers’ pitching coach.
Anderson comes to Knoxville after spending the last five seasons as an assistant coach at Houston, where he helped lead the Cougars to three NCAA Tournaments, including an NCAA Super Regional in 2014. UH has also played in four consecutive American Athletic Conference Tournament championship games, taking home the title in 2014 and 2017.
Considered one of the premier pitching coaches in the country, Anderson brings a wealth of experience as both an assistant and a head coach at the NCAA Division I level. Prior to his successful stint as pitching coach at Houston, Anderson served as head coach for Oklahoma State for nine seasons (2004-12), leading the Cowboys to six NCAA Regional appearances as well as a trip to the NCAA Super Regionals in 2007.
“Coach Anderson has a long track record as a pitching coach at the highest levels of college baseball that is unmatched,” Vitello said. “From developing MLB draft picks, All-America and all-conference arms, to coaching pitching staffs that are among the nation’s best year in and year out, his record speaks for itself.
“From my playing days and early coaching career in the Big 12, I took note of his pitchers and how he developed them. He was a tremendous role model for me as a young pitching coach. Coach Anderson has a proven throwing and training program that allows pitchers to make improvements in both velocity and command while also keeping them healthy throughout the season and their college careers. He understands what it takes to recruit and develop Omaha-caliber pitching staffs. He’s a winner with a national championship ring and a long list of NCAA Regionals and Super Regionals on his resume.
During Anderson’s first season at Oklahoma State, he led the Pokes to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2001. He guided OSU to the Big 12 Tournament Championship in 2004, its first in program history.
The 2006 season started an impressive three-year run for the Cowboys, as they posted three straight seasons of 41 or more victories. Anderson’s squad earned the No. 1 national seed in the NCAA Tournament that year, and in 2007 the program reached the NCAA Super Regionals.
Another successful season followed in 2008, with the Pokes climbing as high as No. 5 in the national rankings. Oklahoma State finished the season ranked all three years from 2006-08.
Before taking over in Stillwater, Anderson was the pitching coach on Augie Garrido’s staff at Texas for four years (2000-03). During his time in Austin, Anderson helped lead the Longhorns to three consecutive College World Series appearances (2001-03), and helped them win a national championship in 2002.
Other stops for Anderson included 10 years as an assistant at Texas Tech (1990-99), three seasons at Howard College (1987-89) and three years as an assistant at his alma mater, Emporia State (1983-85). In all, Anderson’s teams have advanced to 16 NCAA Tournaments, five NCAA Super Regionals and have made three trips to the College World Series.
Anderson has overseen some of the nation’s top pitching staffs during his 34-year coaching career. Most recently, Houston has finished in the top-10 nationally in team earned run average during three of Anderson’s five seasons with the program. In all, Anderson’s teams have finished among the top-25 in the country in ERA 11 times, including six top-10 rankings. The Cougars had the country’s lowest regular-season ERA (2.04) and WHIP (1.00) in 2014 while also tying a program record with 48 victories and making the postseason for the first time since 2008.
Anderson’s pitching staffs were equally as impressive in 2015 and 2016, leading the American Athletic Conference and ranking among the top-10 in ERA during both seasons. Houston finished the 2016 season with a 2.48 ERA, which ranked No. 2 in the country.
While at Texas, Anderson’s pitching staffs were a key factor in the program’s three consecutive trips to Omaha. The Longhorns led the Big 12 in team ERA during each of his four seasons and finished among the top five in the nation three times. Anderson’s staffs at Texas recorded sparkling team ERAs of 2.82 in 2002, 3.17 in 2001 and 3.30 in 2000, and also posted the program’s best team ERA since 1983 (2.72) and the second-lowest ERA nationally in the 2002 campaign.
Anderson has mentored some of the nation’s top pitchers throughout his career. Just this season, he coached sophomore left-hander Trey Cumbie to AAC Pitcher of the Year honors. Cumbie led the conference with a 2.02 ERA in the regular season while posting a 9-1 record and was just selected by the Texas Rangers in the 38th round of the MLB Draft.
Junior left-hander Seth Romero was just taken in the first round of the 2017 MLB Draft by the Washington Nationals with the 25th overall pick last Monday night. Under Anderson’s guidance, Romero was named a first-team Freshman All-American by Baseball America and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers’ Association (NCBWA) in 2015. Romero was also named the AAC Rookie of the Year and was invited to play for the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team.
In 2016, the Cougars had two pitchers selected in the eighth round of the MLB Draft, with Andrew Lantrip going 242nd overall to the Cleveland Indians and Nick Hernandez going 247th overall to the Houston Astros. Lantrip led the nation in strikeout-to-walk ratio (16.80) during the 2016 season.
Anderson saw multiple members of his pitching staff taken in the 2015 MLB Draft, as right-handed pitchers Jake Lemoine and Patrick Weigel were drafted in the fourth and seventh rounds, respectively. Lemoine became the highest-drafted Cougar since 2009. Two more pitchers were selected on the final day of the draft, joining three position players, bringing Houston’s total to eight.
In total, 15 pitchers have been selected in the MLB Draft during Anderson’s tenure at Houston. He also had 27 pitchers drafted during his time at Oklahoma State, 15 selected while he was at Texas and 21 picked during his 10 seasons with Texas Tech, giving him a grand total of 78 pitchers drafted throughout his storied coaching career.
Anderson is a native of Grant, Nebraska, and earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education from Emporia State in 1983 before going on to attain his master’s degree from the school in 1985. Prior to attending ESU, Anderson was a junior college All-American at Mid-Plains Junior College in North Platte, Nebraska.
He and his wife, Sandra, have two children: a son, Brett, who is a pitcher for the Chicago Cubs, and a daughter, Katelyn.
“I appreciate Mr. Currie and the Tennessee athletics administration for giving us the resources to make this hire possible. I’m beyond excited to welcome Frank, Sandra, Brett and Katelyn to the Volunteer family,” Vitello said.
