Following the release of “My Old Man” (Feb. 3), “Real Thing” (March 20) and “Family Table” (April 7), Zac Brown Band continued its roll-out of new songs from its upcoming album by dropping “All the Best” today (April 21).
The new tune, which features Kacey Musgraves on vocals, will be featured on ZBB’s upcoming fifth major-label studio album, Welcome Home. The new album is slated to drop on May 12 and is produced by Dave Cobb (Jason Isbell, Chris Stapleton).
Watch the new lyric video for ZBB’s “All the Best,” featuring Kacey.
Brad Paisley stopped by The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon last night (April 20), which is known as Weed Day in cannabis-loving circles because 4/20 (the date) corresponds with the numerical code for marijuana.
Before Brad sampled a track from his new album, Love and War, which was released today (April 21), he teamed with Jimmy to sing tweets from fans that used the #420Songs hashtag.
“Now I thought I’d share some of my favorite 4/20 songs from you guys, and here to help me out and sing them is tonight’s musical guest, Brad Paisley, ladies and gentlemen,” said Jimmy to get the bit started.
Brad took over and performed a number of song parodies to the tweets, including The Weeknd’s “Can’t Feel My Face,” R. Kelly’s “I Believe I Can Fly,” Simon & Garfunkel’s “The Sound of Silence,” Brad’s “Mud on the Tires” and more.
The Nashville Predators brought out their secret weapon—Luke Bryan—before Game 4 of their playoff series against the Chicago Blackhawks last night (April 20).
Like Carrie Underwood a couple of nights before, Luke was tasked with singing the national anthem before the puck dropped. And just like his performance at this year’s Super Bowl, Luke once again delivered the anthem to the delight of the sell-out crowd—this time at Bridgestone Arena, the very arena where he has won two CMA Entertainer of the Year Awards.
The Predators went on to win the game (4-1) and sweep the series (4-0) against the Blackhawks, a team that had the best record in the conference. The Preds punched their ticket to Round Two of the playoffs, awaiting the winner of the St. Louis/Minnesota series.
After pulling out their big guns with Carrie and Luke in the first round, it will be fun to watch who the Preds get to sing the anthem next.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee will conclude its spring season with the DISH Orange and White Game on Saturday, April 22, at 4 p.m. ET at Neyland Stadium.
Along with the traditional spring practice format, the Vols are scheduled to compete in the Circle of Life, one-on-one situations (wide receivers vs. defensive backs, offensive linemen vs. defensive linemen) and quarterback and kicking challenges.
Fans are encouraged to arrive early and experience Fan Appreciation Day, where members of the Volunteers and head coach Butch Jones will be available for autographs while Smokey and the Tennessee cheer and dance team will be available for photos.
The DISH Orange and White game will air live on SEC Network. Clay Matvick will be on the call with Clint Stoerner providing analysis. Dr. Jerry Punch will report from the sidelines.
Fan Day Information
In addition to free admission to the game, Fan Appreciation Day will feature an autograph signing with head coach Butch Jones and Vol players on the field at Neyland Stadium.
Fans will be allowed one item for autograph per player or coach. DJ Sterl the Pearl, Tennessee Spirit Team and Smokey will be in attendance.
Fan Day will be held from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Those attending Fan Day must enter from Gate 7, starting at 12:30 p.m.
Spring Soccer
Tennessee’s spring soccer exhibition season is underway. Before attending Fan Day, support the UT soccer team on Saturday as the Vols host 2016 national runner-up West Virginia at 11 a.m. at Regal Stadium.
Admission is free to all Tennessee home soccer games.
Scoring the Plays
OFFENSE
Get D+D objective: 1 point
Get 1st down: 1 point
Field goal: 3 points
Touchdown: 7 points
Win 1×1: 1 points
DEFENSE
Get D+D objective: 1 point
Get off field: 1 point
3 and out: 3 points
Takeaway: 7 points
Win 1×1: 1 points
Spring Game Attendance
The 2016 edition of the DISH Orange and White Game featured the third largest crowd in spring game history with 67,027 in attendance.
The attendance record was set in the 1986 season when 73,801 people made their way to Neyland Stadium to watch the spring game.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee conducted its final practice before the DISH Orange & White Game on Thursday, running through a productive 90-minute session in shorts and helmets on Haslam Field.
First-year quarterbacks coach Mike Canales spoke with reporters at the conclusion of practice, discussing the way his group of young signal-callers have progressed not only over the course of the spring season but in adapting to the things that he has challenged them to accomplish.
“One thing I’ve noticed real well is their pocket presence,” Canales said. “They’ve done a great job moving and extending plays and with their vision down the field. I think that’s important, understanding that the platform is going to change. They’re going to have to make throws outside a normal platform. They can get into a rhythm and drop back and throw and I’ve seen vast improvement on that. I’ve seen their accuracy improve. They’re really working on the location of the ball. They get it.”
Tennessee’s spring season concludes on Saturday with the annual DISH Orange & White Game at Neyland Stadium (4 p.m. ET). The Orange & White Game will be televised on SEC Network for the second consecutive year with Clay Matvik and Clint Stoerner calling the action and Dr. Jerry Punch reporting from the sidelines.
Admission and parking are free to the public and a Fan Day event will precede kickoff, beginning at 1:30 p.m.
Like all Tennessee athletic events, UT’s clear-bag policy will be enforced the Orange & White Game. For more information on the clear-bag and other safety policies, click here.
(On the depth of the defense being challenged)
“Now’s not so hotsy-totsy. We’ve got a lot of injuries. When you’re scrimmaging, it’s not like you’re off the field. There’s somebody on. Your unit is always on the field. When you only have three safeties healthy or you only have three defensive ends healthy, that means you kind of have an awkward rotation where someone is taking maybe more reps than they need to — which is good and bad. It’s good because you’re getting a lot of reps, but it’s bad because sometimes those guys get fatigued; but it’s given those guys an opportunity to get ready for the fall — and like I keep saying to everybody — one of the things that was unique to this team last year was how many injuries we had and guys stepped up and played up to their capabilities. Whether it was Cortez McDowell, whether it was Colton Jumper, whether it was Kyle Phillips moving inside, whether it was Quay Picou or whether it was just somebody else. I don’t know who that person’s going to be next fall, but the more reps those guys get this spring the better prepared they’re going to be come fall.”
(On learning about his quarterbacks)
“I always encouraged them to come up and sit in my office and we call it 5-for-5. They could come in and talk about anything they want for five minutes and then talk about anything I want for five minutes and just get a chance to get to know each other. Through this process of just coming into the room and having a conversation, it doesn’t have to be about football it can be about anything. But at the same time, it usually comes back to football but that’s because of their lead.”
(On what has he seen from his DBs as camp is winding down)
“I’ve seen these guys have a willingness to change technique and fundamentals. I’ve seen a group that wants to come together and jell. They come to practice every day with an effort to work their butts off. I’m very excited about the progress they’ve made through spring. It’s not easy changing things. Change is not easy at times, but they have really bought in. I’m pretty proud of the way they have bought in and I appreciate the way that they have worked.”
Check out this treat from the Vol Network! Below is a montage of John Ward and Bill Anderson calling Tennessee football on the Vol Network! We’re your proud flagship station of Tennessee athletics. You’ll enjoy listening to this!
COLLEGE STATION, Texas — The Tennessee Volunteers (19-15, 4-11 SEC) look to begin the second half of Southeastern Conference play this weekend, visiting the No. 20-ranked Texas A&M Aggies (26-12, 8-7 SEC) for a three-game set in College Station, Texas (Friday, April 21 – Sunday, April 23).
The weekend series marks the third-ever SEC series between the schools and Tennessee’s first trip to College Station, with the Aggies holding a 6-1 advantage in their all-time contests against Tennessee.
The Volunteers enter the weekend looking to building off a 5-2 win over UNC Asheville. UT’s pitching staff combined for 13 strikeouts en route to the win, while Texas A&M dropped their Tuesday night matchup against UT Arlington, 3-2.
This season, Tennessee is playing 15 of their 55 regular season games against five 2016 NCAA postseason participants, including 2016 SEC Tournament Champion and this week’s opponent, Texas A&M.
Weekend Rotation
Fri. April 21 at 3 p.m. ET– RHP Hunter Martin (4-3, 3.47 ERA) vs. RHP Brigham Hill (5-3, 3.29 ERA)
Sat. April 22 at 3 p.m. ET– RHP Garrett Stallings (2-0, 3.18 ERA) vs. RHP Corbin Martin (4-2, 3.83 ERA)
Sun. April 23 at 2 p.m. ET– LHP Zach Warren (2-4, 5.92 ERA) vs. RHP Stephen Kolek (2-2, 4.11 ERA)
Tennessee vs. Texas A&M All-Time
All-time vs. Texas A&M: TAMU leads, 6-1
In Knoxville: TAMU leads, 5-1
In College Station: First Meeting
Last Meeting: TAMU won, 8-7 (5/3/2015)
In the last conference series between UT and TAMU, the Aggies captured a three-game sweep against the Vols from May 1-3, 2015 on Rocky Top. Two of those three games were decided by one run.
Analyzing the Aggies
The Maroon and White look to improve upon a 26-12, 8-7 SEC record, which includes series wins over No. 6-ranked LSU, No. 11-ranked Auburn and a sweep over the Alabama Crimson Tide.
In his 12th season at the helm of Texas A&M Baseball, Head Coach Rob Childress enters the weekend with a 484-250-2 overall record.
This week (April 17), Texas A&M is ranked in three national media polls: D1Baseball.com (20), Baseball America (23) and the NCBWA (25).
Braden Shewmake leads the Aggies with a .350 average over 38 games, including a team-best 42 RBI. His four home runs are tied for most on the club and he leads TAMU with 13 doubles on the year.
TAMU’s bullpen has shut down opponents during the month of April, combining for a 5-0 record with four saves over the Aggies’ last 10 games.
The Aggies own a .431 on-base percentage, batting .356 (16-for-45) and seven walks with bases loaded.
Aggie catchers are hitting a combined .362 (51-for-141) on the season with 23 runs, 10 doubles, one triple, four home runs and 30 RBI.
Quick Hits: 2017 Volunteers
Walk This Way:Pete Derkay has a team-leading 27 walks on the season, which ranks T-5th in the SEC through 34 games.
Rodger(s) That: Senior Jordan Rodgers has reached base safely in every game started this year (33), while his .375 batting average currently ranks third-best in the SEC. Rodgers also leads the Volunteers with 13 multi-hit games and 21 RBI this season.
More on Moberg…: D1Baseball.com Midseason All-American Jeff Moberg owns 12 multi-hit games on the season. His six home runs rank tops on the Vols’ squad in 2017.
The Vols have combined for 86 extra-base hits this year, including 22 home runs (surpassing 2016’s complete season total).
The Vols’ 2017 roster boasts 17 newcomers including 14 true freshmen, two JUCO transfers and one graduate transfer.
Tennessee’s pitching staff threw a combined 13 strikeouts and allowed just three hits against UNC Asheville, leading the Vols to a 5-2 victory.
Redshirt junior reliever Eric Freeman (1-0) earned the win for the Vols in relief, striking out four batters over 2.2 innings.
Designated hitter Luc Lipcius and second baseman Jeff Moberg led the way offensively for UT, each going 2-for-3 at the plate with an RBI.
Wednesday’s lineup featured twin brothers Andre Lipcius (1B) and Luc Lipcius (DH) both starting for the first time this season since Feb. 17 at Memphis.
Luc Lipcius drew his first career start as designated hitter for Tennessee, going 2-for-3 with one RBI. He also became the third true freshman to start in the clean-up spot of the order this year (also, Pete Derkay and brother Andre Lipcius).
Smoky Mountain Challenge (April 26)
Tennessee and ETSU will compete in the Smoky Mountain Challenge on Wednesday, April 26 at Smokies Stadium in Kodak, Tenn.
First pitch for the game will be at 6:00 pm and gates will open at 5:00 pm.
Multiple ticket options are available for fans planning to attend the April 26 game at Smokies Stadium. Field level seating prices will be $10 for adults, $8 for children and seniors and $5 for current UT and ETSU students.
The Smokies will also offer “All You Can Eat” options ranging from $19 for adults, $17 for children, and $15 for students.
For more ticket information, fans are encouraged to call (865) 286-2300, visit smokiesbaseball.com, or visit the Smokies Box Office Monday – Friday between the hours of 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET.
On Deck for the Vols
The Volunteers return to Tennessee and take on ETSU in the Smoky Mountain Challenge, a single-game matchup slated for 6 p.m. ET at Smokies Stadium – home of the Tennessee Smokies.
