No Girls Allowed: Toby Keith to Perform at “Men-Only Event” in Saudi Arabia as President Trump Visits

No Girls Allowed: Toby Keith to Perform at “Men-Only Event” in Saudi Arabia as President Trump Visits

Posted on May 19, 2017

According to the Washington Post, Toby Keith is set to perform in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, over the weekend as President Trump makes his first visit to the Middle East as Commander in Chief.

While the “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue” singer performed at President Trump’s pre-inauguration concert in January, it is not clear if Toby’s upcoming concert in Saudi Arabia was designed to specifically coincide with Trump’s visit.

According to the Washington Post article, “The advertisements for Keith’s concert Saturday night in Riyadh bill it as a night of ‘Arabian lute and American guitar,’ with the American musician sharing the stage with Rabeh Sager, a popular Saudi singer. The entertainment website Lammt, promoting the event, says only men are able to attend.”

Carrie Underwood to Be Inducted Into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame

Carrie Underwood to Be Inducted Into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame

Posted on May 19, 2017

Carrie Underwood is proud to be an Okie from . . . Checotah.

Oklahoma is pretty proud of Carrie, too. The Oklahoma Hall of Fame announced its 2017 inductees yesterday (May 18) and Carrie is among those who will be honored.

Carrie will follow in the hallowed footsteps of past Hall of Fame members Vince Gill, Blake Shelton and Woodie Guthrie, among others.

“I’ve always been proud to say I’m from Oklahoma,” said Carrie. “The people, culture and environment molded me into the person I am today. It’s such an honor to be recognized among such great company by the Oklahoma Hall of Fame.”

Along with being honored at the formal induction ceremony on Nov. 16 in Oklahoma City, the 2017 honorees will be recognized with the unveiling of their portraits at the Gaylord-Pickens Museum, home of the Oklahoma Hall of Fame. In addition, their biographies, photos and fun facts will be accessible through interactive exhibits.

 

 

photo by Jason Simanek

Vols Football Opponent Insider Preview: UMass

Vols Football Opponent Insider Preview: UMass

Posted on May 19, 2017

By WNML Staff

John Wilkerson and Jimmy Hyams are previewing every UT football 2017 season opponent on SportsTalk.

They learned about the UMass Minutemen, UT’s home opponent September 23, from Matt Vautour of the Daily Hampshire Gazette. Listen to that preview interview below.

UMass Logo / Credit: College Press Box
Vols Football Opponent Insider Preview: Southern Miss

Vols Football Opponent Insider Preview: Southern Miss

Posted on May 18, 2017

By WNML Staff

John Wilkerson and Jimmy Hyams are previewing every UT football 2017 season opponent on SportsTalk.

They learned about the Southern Miss Golden Eagles, UT’s home opponent November 4, from Jason Munz of the Hattiesburg American. Listen to that preview interview below.

Southern Miss logo / Credit: College Press Box
Watch Kelly Clarkson Sing the National Anthem Before Game 4 of the Nashville Predators’ Playoff Game vs. Anaheim Ducks

Watch Kelly Clarkson Sing the National Anthem Before Game 4 of the Nashville Predators’ Playoff Game vs. Anaheim Ducks

Posted on May 18, 2017

The NHL’s Nashville Predators were back in action against the Anaheim Ducks for Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals on Thursday night (May 18).

Like the Preds six previous home playoff games, the performance of the national anthem was a star-studded affair—this time Kelly Clarkson had the honor.

In Round 1 of the playoffs against the Chicago Blackhawks, Carrie Underwood (April 17) and Luke Bryan (April 20) sang the national anthem before Games 3 and 4, respectively.

In Round 2 against the St. Louis Blues, Little Big Town (April 30), Vince Gill (May 2) and Lady Antebellum (May 7) had the honors before Games 3, 4 and 6, respectively.

In the Western Conference Finals against the Anaheim Ducks, Keith Urban (May 16) delighted the crowd with an a cappella performance before Game 3.

Tonight, Kelly Clarkson got the call to perform the anthem before the Preds’ Game 4 showdown. Watch the former American Idol sing the anthem in front of the sellout crowd.

St. Jude Hospital’s Online Auction: Breakfast With Vince Gill, Tim & Faith Meet & Greet, Garth Signed Guitar & More

St. Jude Hospital’s Online Auction: Breakfast With Vince Gill, Tim & Faith Meet & Greet, Garth Signed Guitar & More

Posted on May 18, 2017

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is hosting an online auction in conjunction with its Farm, Fork & Cork Fundraiser, and many of the items and experiences up for bid have a country connection.

Check out some of the items below with the current bid.

Guitar signed by Kelsea Ballerini, Thomas Rhett, Darius Rucker & Brett Eldredge

The auction closes at 8:45 p.m. on May 21.

So far, more than $27,000 has been raised. St. Jude is a groundbreaking institution that saves children’s lives and provides families with cost-free assistance and medical care. Reach into your pockets and make a donation today . . . there’s got to be something up for bid that tickles your fancy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

photo courtesy Jim Wright / UMG Nashville

Country Stars Remember Soundgarden’s Chris Cornell, Including Zac Brown, Jason Aldean, Chris Janson & More

Country Stars Remember Soundgarden’s Chris Cornell, Including Zac Brown, Jason Aldean, Chris Janson & More

Posted on May 18, 2017

Grunge music pioneer Chris Cornell died Wednesday (May 17) at age 52 from a reported suicide by hanging.

Chris, who was the frontman for Soundgarden and Audioslave, was an inspiration to artists from all genres of musics, including country stars like Zac Brown and Jason Aldean, whom Chris collaborated with over the course of his career.

Many country stars remembered Chris on social media today, including Zac Brown, Jason Aldean, Billy Ray Cyrus, Jason Isbell, Charles Kelley and more.

Watch Zac Brown Band and Chris Cornell sing “Heavy Is the Head” on Saturday Night Live.

Listen to Jason Isbell’s Tender New Ballad, “If We Were Vampires”

Listen to Jason Isbell’s Tender New Ballad, “If We Were Vampires”

Posted on May 18, 2017

The June 16 release of Jason Isbell’s upcoming studio album, The Nashville Sound, is less than one month away.

The new 10-song offering addresses a range of real-life subjects, including politics (“White Man’s World”), pressure (“Anxiety”), hope (“Something to Love”) and mortality (“If We Were Vampires”).

The tender ballad, “If We Were Vampires,” was made available today—and Jason thinks it may be some of his best work, noting on Twitter that “it’s likely as good as any song I’ve written.” That’s high praise coming from Jason, as the Grammy-winners is responsible for penning lyrical heavyweights like “Alabama Pines,” “Cover Me Up” and “Traveling Alone,” among many others.

The new studio album will reunite Jason will his band, the 400 Unit (Derry deBorja, Chad Gamble, Jimbo Hart, Amanda Shires and Sadler Vaden), for their first project together since 2011’s Here We Rest. Dave Cobb, who produced Jason’s previous albums Southeastern (2013) and Something More Than Free (2015), was also at the helm for The Nashville Sound.

Listen to “If We Were Vampires” below.

Chris Janson Talks Recharging With the Family on the Beach, Singing Feel-Good Songs That Mean Something and New Single, “Fix a Drink”

Chris Janson Talks Recharging With the Family on the Beach, Singing Feel-Good Songs That Mean Something and New Single, “Fix a Drink”

Posted on May 18, 2017

Jim Casey talks with Chris Janson about getting recharged by spending some time on the beach with his family, giving people a break from the real world for three minutes with his feel-good songs, his love of the “mixology” culture despite no longer drinking alcohol, his new single, “Fix a Drink,” working on his next album, the “reverence and respect” he has for the Grand Ole Opry and more.

Show Participants

  • Chris Janson
  • Jim Casey, NCD director of editorial

Show Notes & Links

The Writers Room, Ep. 91, 18 minutes
photos by Jason Simanek

Candid Dave Serrano on SportsTalk: “It was a sad day for me, but I know it feels right.”

Candid Dave Serrano on SportsTalk: “It was a sad day for me, but I know it feels right.”

Posted on May 18, 2017

Dave Serrano announced Wednesday that he’s resigning as Tennessee’s baseball head coach at season’s end. That will complete six seasons at UT for Serrano, who came to Knoxville as one of the most accomplished coaches in any sport when hired by UT. However, the results weren’t there and the goals of all (including his own) were never reached.

Serrano had a candid interview on SportsTalk Wednesday afternoon with hosts John Wilkerson and Jimmy Hyams.

Listen to that full interview below.

 

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