After playing a role in the Boston Celtics’ run to an NBA Eastern Conference title, Tennessee basketball alum Grant Williams is set to suit up for the NBA Finals beginning Thursday night.
Tip-off for Game 1 of the series between the Celtics and the Golden State Warriors is set for Thursday at 9 p.m. ET on ABC. Williams is looking to be the first VFL to claim an NBA championship since Jordan McRae did so with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016.
Over the course of the Celtics’ current playoff run, Williams has averaged 10.1 points and 4.3 rebounds in 30.7 minutes per game—also shooting 40.5 percent from 3-point range.
This season marks Williams’ third trip to the NBA Playoffs with Boston. In his previous two appearances in 2020 and 2021, he played just 10.0 and 11.4 minutes per game, while averaging 2.8 and 3.4 points per game, respectively.
Williams’ breakout moment of the 2022 playoffs came in Boston’s Game 7 win over the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference semifinals, when he scored 27 points on seven made 3-pointers. The 27 points marked his most in a game—regular season or postseason—since his time at Tennessee, and the seven made threes tied Stephen Curry’s NBA Playoffs record for most made threes in a Game 7.
A two-time SEC Player of the Year and 2019 unanimous first team All-American, Williams concluded his Tennessee career as one of the most decorated players in program history. During his final season as a Vol in 2018-19, Williams averaged 18.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.1 steals per game. He also shot 57 percent from the field and an impressive 82 percent from the free-throw line.
He departed Tennessee ranked in the top 10 in program history in career blocks (3rd/160), free-throw attempts (3rd/661), free throws made (4th/501) and offensive rebounds (8th/257). He also ranks 12th in scoring with 1,629 career points.
Matt Stell‘s current single at country radio is his new song “Man Made.”
Talking about his song, Matt says, “‘Man Made’ has a lyric with a creative twist which is one of my favorite things country music does. It also has a melody that makes me wanna hear it over and over.”
Stell adds, “What really sets this song apart for me, though, is its positive energy.”
That positive energy is reflected in the music video for “Man Made” – watch it here…
Dierks Bentley took to social media on Wednesday, June 1st, to honor his late father.
Dierks shared “Funny how a good cold beer has always had the same effect on me!”
“Dad past away ten years ago today. Think about him every day. Find myself wanting a little more advice now than I wanted back then!”
“My dad is the one that initially turned me on to country music, just by listening to it in the car. I remember him saying he liked that even if you didn’t know the song, if it was written right, you could still sing along and guess some of the words. Miss him, wish the kids could have had a little more time with Granddude. Thanks for being a good dad….Dad!”
The Academy of Country Music has announced the people that will be recognized during the 15th Annual ACM Honors event, held at the Ryman Auditorium this August.
The night serves a chance to celebrate artists and individuals who work in country music.
Honorees include Miranda Lambert, HARDY, Morgan Wallen, Shania Twain, Chris Stapleton, Connie Bradley, Sonny Throckmorton, Duane Clark, Paul Barnabee, Dwight Wiles, and the show Yellowstone.
ACM TRIPLE CROWN AWARD – Miranda Lambert will receive the prestigious ACM Triple Crown Award following her first win for ACM Entertainer of the Year at the 57th Academy of Country Music Awards. Lambert qualified for the Triple Crown Award after winning ACM Top New Female Vocalist, ACM Female Vocalist of the Year, and ACM Entertainer of the Year throughout her career, an honor only seven other artists have been awarded.
Previous recipients of the ACM Triple Crown Award include Jason Aldean, Brooks & Dunn,Kenny Chesney,Mickey Gilley,Merle Haggard, Barbara Mandrell, and Carrie Underwood.
ACM SPIRIT AWARD– Chris Stapleton has been chosen for the ACM Spirit Award, honoring the contributions of Merle Haggard, who received 20 ACM Awards in his career, including the Triple Crown Award. This award is presented to a singer-songwriter who is continuing the legacy of Country Music legend Merle Haggard by following his/her own path, crafting great songs, and epitomizing Haggard’s spirit through genuine performances and great storytelling.
Previous recipients of the ACM Spirit Award include Dierks Bentley,Eric Church, Toby Keith, and Miranda Lambert.
ACM ICON AWARD–Connie Bradley has been chosen to receive the ACM Icon Award, honoring the contributions of Cliffie Stone, who was known for his producing work along with his Country Music career. This award is presented to a Country Music artist, duo/group or industry leader who, throughout their career, has advanced the popularity of the genre through their contributions in multiple facets of the industry, such as songwriting, recording, production, touring, film, television, literary works, philanthropic contributions, and other goodwill efforts.
Past recipients of the ACM Icon Award include Alabama, Brooks & Dunn,Garth Brooks, Glen Campbell, Johnny Cash, CharlieDaniels, Merle Haggard, Emmylou Harris, Alan Jackson, George Jones, The Judds, Loretta Lynn, Martina McBride, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Charley Pride, Rascal Flatts, George Strait, Conway Twitty, Hank Williams, Hank Williams Jr., and Dwight Yoakam, among others.
ACM MILESTONE AWARD–Morgan Wallen has been chosen as the recipient of the ACM Milestone Award, honoring the contributions of Gene Weed, who directed and produced the ACM Awards for more than 30 years. This award is presented to a Country Music artist, duo/group or industry leader for a specific, unprecedented or outstanding achievement in the field of Country Music during the preceding calendar year.
Morgan Wallen’s critically-acclaimed Dangerous: The Double Album launched the Country Music singer’s career to new heights in 2021. Landing at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart for 10 weeks following its release, Dangerous: The Double Album continues to make history. The album remains at the top of the charts, recognized as the Country album with the most weeks (60) in the top 10 on the Billboard 200 all-genre chart, and the most weeks (59) at No. 1 on the Top Country Albums chart, to date. It also won ACM Album of the Year at the 57th ACM Awards in March 2022. With more than 4.1 million units sold, the singer’s rapid rise and unparalleled success earned him Country Male Artist of the Year at the 2022 Billboard Music Awards. Wallen’s 55-show “THE DANGEROUS TOUR” has netted over 800,000 tickets sold in 2022 so far, with $3 from every ticket benefiting his More Than My Hometown Foundation. Wallen’s first solo release of 2022, the emotional ballad “Don’t Think Jesus,” earned a Top 10 Billboard Hot 100 debut and landed atop Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, making Wallen the first artist to score three No. 1 debuts on the chart (based on airplay, streaming and sales) since its inception.
Past recipients of the ACM Milestone Award include Jason Aldean, Kelsea Ballerini, Garth Brooks, Luke Bryan, George Burns, Kenny Chesney, Luke Combs, Merle Haggard, Sam Hunt, Miranda Lambert, Loretta Lynn, Little Big Town, Willie Nelson, Jennifer Nettles, Blake Shelton, George Strait, Taylor Swift, and Carrie Underwood.
ACM SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR AWARD – As previously announced, HARDY was awarded the 57th ACM Songwriter of the Year Award. This award is presented to an individual known predominately as a songwriter, selected by a professional panel of judges composed of songwriters, publishers, producers, and performing rights organization (PRO) representatives. The Panel submits five nominees, at which time ACM members in the Artist/Musician/Producer/Engineer, Songwriter, Music Publisher/PRO and Record Company categories vote for the winner. This is HARDY’s first ACM Songwriter of the Year Award.
Past recipients of the ACM Songwriter of the Year Award include Ross Copperman, Dallas Davidson, Luke Laird, Hillary Lindsey, Shane McAnally, Lori McKenna, and Roger Miller.
ACM POET’S AWARD – Shania Twain and Sonny Throckmorton have each been chosen as recipients of the ACM Poet’s Award. This award is presented to a Country Music songwriter for outstanding and longstanding musical and/or lyrical contributions throughout their career, with special consideration given to a song or songs’ impact on the culture of Country Music.
Previous recipients of the ACM Poet’s Award include Bill Anderson, Rodney Crowell, Dean Dillon, Kye Fleming, Merle Haggard, Tom T. Hall, Toby Keith, Kris Kristofferson, Loretta Lynn, Willie Nelson, Buck Owens, Eddie Rabbitt, Fred Rose, Don Schlitz, Billy Joe Shaver,Shel Silverstein,Cindy Walker, and Hank Williams, among others.
ACM SERVICE AWARD –Duane Clark has been chosen as the recipient of the ACM Service Award, honoring the contributions of songwriter Mae Boren Axton and her service to the Academy. This award is presented to an outstanding Country Music artist, duo/group, or industry leader in recognition of years of dedication and service to the Academy of Country Music.
Previous recipients of the ACM Service Award include Barry Adelman,RAC Clark, Bob Kingsley, Reba McEntire, Gayle Holcomb, Keith Urban, and Gene Weed, among others.
ACM LIFTING LIVES AWARD–Dwight Wiles and Paul Barnabee have each been chosen to receive the Lifting Lives Award, honoring the contributions of Gary Haber, known as a business manager and past president of ACM Lifting Lives. This award is presented to a Country Music artist, duo/group, or industry professional who is devoted to improving lives through the power of music, has a generosity of spirit, and is committed to serving others. It is voted on by the ACM Lifting Lives Board of Directors.
Past recipients of the ACM Lifting Lives Award include Ross Copperman,Gayle Holcomb, Lady A, Dolly Parton, Darius Rucker, and Carrie Underwood.
ACM FILM AWARD –Yellowstone has been chosen to receive the ACM Film Award, honoring the contributions of Tex Ritter, who was known for both his acting career and Country Music career. This award recognizes an outstanding television movie, series, or feature film released during the preceding calendar year which prominently features Country Music.
Past recipients of the ACM Film Award include A Star Is Born, Beer For My Horses, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Ken Burns’s Country Music, Country Strong, Crazy Heart, Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors, Nashville,O Brother, Where Art Thou, Sweet Dreams, and Walk the Line, among others.
Additional details about the evening will be announced in the coming weeks – including ticket information if you wish to attend the ACM Honors event.
Chris Janson recently released his latest album All In.
The latest single from the album is “Keys To The Country” – which Chris says, that for him, it’s not just a song – but it really is about the life he leads.
Chris admits that when he’s not working, “Keys To The Country” is what he does, “When I’m off, I will be doing that. I will be taking a drive through the country, smoking a cigar in my farm truck, listening to Hank Jr…like, it’s…honestly it’s a lifestyle piece for me.
Chris also thinks that he’s not alone in this, “You know, by the way, not to mention…that is the majority of the country music listening audience. I mean, they love rowdy, up-tempo, make you feel good songs. And man, that’s 3 minutes of pure blissful fun.”
Chris will have plenty of chances to get that answer from fans as his schedule is pretty packed with shows for the month.
Chris’ first stop in June is this weekend at the 10th Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam in Panama City Beach where he’ll be a part of an awesome line-up of artists…
Check out the music video to Chris Janson’s latest single from his album All In, “Keys To The Country.”
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee baseball team earned its highest ever seed for the NCAA Tournament, claiming the No. 1 overall spot, and will host Georgia Tech, Campbell and Alabama State in the Knoxville Regional at Lindsey Nelson Stadium this weekend.
The Volunteers will be hosting their seventh NCAA Regional in program history and their second straight after winning the Knoxville Regional last season en route to the College World Series. Should the top-ranked Volunteers win the NCAA Knoxville Regional, they would also play host for a Super Regional the next weekend. The Vols will be making their 12th overall appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
The four team pod pairs Tennessee with the two-seed Georgia Tech (at-large), three-seed Campbell (Big South champion), and four-seed Alabama State (SWAC champion).
The Big Orange enter the tournament with an NCAA-best record of 53-7 and won both the SEC Regular Season and Tournament championships for the first time since 1995.
The Vols will look to continue their home dominance, both in 2022 and in regional action as UT posted a 34-3 record at Lindsey Nelson Stadium this season and holds a 17-7 regional record on Rocky Top.
Ticket Info
All Tennessee baseball season-ticket holders were awarded the opportunity to purchase postseason tickets for all games taking place at home. Season tickets were sold out for the 2022 season. A limited number of single-session tickets will be sold to the general public at the Lindsey Nelson Stadium ticket window starting 90 minutes prior to first pitch of each session. In addition, the first 300 students will receive free admission into Lindsey Nelson Stadium for all postseason contests.
NCAA Knoxville Regional Schedule
A full schedule for the weekend action can be found below, game times will be updated when they are known:
Friday, June 3 Game 1 – Georgia Tech vs. Campbell, Noon ET (ESPN+) Game 2 – Tennessee vs. Alabama State, 6 p.m. ET (SEC Network)
Saturday, June 4 Game 3 – Loser of Game 1 vs. Loser of Game 2, TBD Game 4 – Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2, TBD
Sunday, June 5 Game 5 – Winner of Game 3 vs. Loser of Game 4, TBD Game 6 – Winner of Game 5 vs. Winner of Game 6, TBD
Monday, June 6 Game 7 (if necessary) – Winner of Game 6 vs. Loser of Game 6, TBD
Brett Eldredge‘s new album, Songs About You, arrives on June 17th.
While the title track from Brett’s upcoming album is climbing the country airplay charts, he’s giving fans an additional preview of the music that will be Songs About You, with the release of the music video for “I Feel Fine.”
Just as Brett’s new album arrives on June 17th, he’ll also be heading out on his Songs About You tour – which has concert dates scheduled for June, July, August, and September.
Check out Brett Eldredge’s current single at country radio, “Songs About You.”
This week Michael Ray is heading out on tour with Lee Brice.
The Label Me Proud tour starts in Hampton Beach, New Hampshire this Thursday, June 2nd. Michael will then be out on 22 of the 23 stops that runs through late September.
Label Me Proud tour dates; 6.2.22 Hampton Beach, NH Casino Ballroom* 6.3.22 Bridgeport, CT Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater* 6.9.22 Kearney, NE Viaero Center* 6.11.22 Maryland Heights, MO Saint Louis Music Park* 6.16.22 Toledo, OH Toledo Zoo Amphitheater** 6.17.22 Ft. Wayne, IN Allen County War Memorial Coliseum** 6.18.22 Sterling Heights, MI Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre** 7.8.22 Washington, D.C. The Anthem*** 8.11.22 Pensacola, FL Pensacola Bay Center* 8.12.22 St. Augustine, FL St. Augustine Amphitheatre* 8.13.22 Boca Raton, FL Mizner Park Amphitheater* 8.25.22 Huntington, WV Mountain Health Arena* 8.26.22 Johnson City, TN Freedom Hall Civic Center* 8.27.22 Chattanooga, TN Soldiers and Sailors Memorial* 9.8.22 Charlottesville, VA Ting Pavilion* 9.9.22 Youngstown, OH Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre* 9.10.22 Raleigh, NC Red Hat Amphitheater* 9.15.22 Cape Girardeau, MO Show Me Center* 9.16.22 Cincinnati, OH PNC Pavilion* 9.17.22 Indianapolis, IN TCU Amphitheater at White River State Park* 9.22.22 Jonesboro, AR First National Bank Arena* 9.23.22 Bossier City, LA Brookshire Grocery Arena* 9.24.22 Sugar Land, TX Smart Financial Centre*
*Michael Ray & Jackson Dean **Michael Ray & Tim Montana ***Tyler Farr & Jackson Dean
Michael says that heading out on Label Me Proud tour is a full circle moment for him, so it was an easy answer when Lee approached him about it, “When he asked me to be a part of the Label Me Proud tour…the answer was an obviously yes, right away.”
Lee came to Michael not only because of what he brings to the tour musically, but the two also spend time with each other away from the business side of things. Michael says, “Lee’s been one of my good pals for a long time. We hunt together, hang out together, andI actually had Lee Brice on my Myspace back in the day, so this is a big full circle moment for me. I’ve always been a big fan.”
When it comes to the tour, Michael’s brining his A game, “Lee’s one of those artists that just makes you wanna level up, and I know he’s gonna make us level up every night and just elevate my show and I’m honored that he asked me and my crew to be a part of his first ever big headlining tour, the Label Me Proud tour.”
Michael adds, “When you can tour with your friends, and get to share in their success…it makes that tour even better.”
Fans coming out to the Label Me Proud tour will be looking to see Michael sing his current single “Holy Water.”
Check out the music video for “Holy Water” from Michael Ray…
Dan + Shay are out on the road with Kenny Chesney‘s Here And Now 2022 tour.
This past weekend the guys got to play in Nashville as the tour stopped at Nissan Stadium – this was a huge moment for Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney.
The guys shared on social media, “We knew this weekend would be emotional and full circle getting to play Nissan Stadium in Nashville with Kenny Chesney, so we decided to hop on the bus early and write a song. Being on this tour is a dream come true for us for so many reasons, but mainly because we grew up going to these shows every summer and singing our hearts out. We’re grateful that we get to stand on stage every night and do what we love, but at the root of it all, we’re still just two die-hard country music fans who lucked out and got a pair of front row seats. One of our closest friends that we moved to town with a decade ago met us in the parking lot, and the words to this one poured right out. We filmed a quick acoustic video on an iPhone after soundcheck just to have as a memory to look back on, never really intending to post it, but as we were watching Kenny’s set, we decided why not share it. We haven’t recorded a note of the song or even ironed out all the details, so apologies for the rough draft. If you don’t mind, give it a listen, drop a comment, and let us know if it’s something you think we should record for real. As always, thanks for reading through the novel of a caption. We love y’all so much and appreciate the support more than you know.”
So, before the Nissan show – on stage in a empty stadium…on an iPhone, with just an acoustic guitar Dan + Shay recorded an acoustic version of their song “I Go Back.”
Dan + Shay will be back out with Kenny, Old Dominion and Carly Pearce this weekend as the Here And Now 2022 tour heads to Texas, and AT&T Stadium.
The duo recently took the stage at the 2022 Billboard Music Awards to perform “You” from their album Good Things – also won the BBMW for Top Country Duo/Group
