WIVK-FM

Tim McGraw Was Ready for a Break – Now He’s Ready to Hit the Road for His 2022 Tour

Posted on April 20, 2022

Tim McGraw‘s 2022 tour starts in Rogers, Arkansas next Friday, April 29th.

Which show are you coming to?? Let’s go @russelled @_alexandrakay @brandondavis_bd

Tickets on sale now! https://t.co/VgCBhzPLLi pic.twitter.com/OFoMCzEBvE
— Tim McGraw (@TheTimMcGraw) December 17, 2021

Prior to 2020 and the shutdown due to COVID, Tim McGraw admits that he was ready for a break, “The funny thing is, I’d said for years, gosh, you know I wish I had a year off, I wish I had three or four, six months, a year to just sort of get out of the cycle for a bit and relax and recharge my batteries and all those things.“

Of course everyone knows what happened in March 2 years ago, and while it affected people in many different ways, now some are looking back and in retrospect they’re seeing the positive side of quarantine. Tim reflects as well “When this happened, you think, well you know, all this is terrible and there’s so many hardships for everybody, but maybe the silver lining in it is we get to spend time with our family, I’ll get a little time off, you know those sort of things.“

But like many, it wasn’t long into the period of staying at home that Tim had the feeling he wanted to get out and back to his normal routine, “Sure enough, it wasn’t a month into it, I was like ‘Man, when can I do a show?’ I gotta have that energy and that connection with the fans. There’s something special about a live show between the interaction and the symbiotic relationship that’s created when you play music in front of people.”

Getting back to that energy and connecting with fans is now just a week away, and Tim McGraw is ready to go, “I’m ready to play some music. It’s been six years since I’ve done a solo tour, and the band and crew and I, we’re really excited. We’re in the middle of puttin’ our show together now and the lights and the sound and the stage and the setlist and everything else. We’re really getting fired up.”

Late last year Tim made the calls and assembled his openers by reaching out to Brandon Davis, Alexandra Kay, and Russell Dickerson.

@timmcgraw I made some fun phone calls last week… @russelldickersonofficial @alexandrakaymusic @brandondavis_music ♬ original sound – Tim McGraw

This week Tim met the team in person…

Can’t wait to hit the road with this crew. @russelled @_alexandrakay @brandondavis_bd pic.twitter.com/GkW48jns1S
— Tim McGraw (@TheTimMcGraw) April 18, 2022

Next Friday, April 29th, Tim, Russell, Alexandra, and Brandon kickoff their 17-show run which will have them on the road thru June.

Fans will be looking to see Tim McGraw sing his Top-20 (and climbing) hit “7500 OBO” live and in person during the tour…

Photo Courtesy of Tim McGraw

Michael Ray’s Moonshine Ode to His Grandparents and His Family History

Posted on April 20, 2022

Michael Ray’s current single at country radio is “Holy Water.”

This is the one of the 7-tracks on Michael’s Higher Education EP, and the follow up song to his number-one hit “Whiskey And Rain.”

“Holy Water” is personal song to Michael has it actually contains elements of his family’s history…when they were dealing with…let’s call it “holy water.”

Michael jokes that most singers give their grandparents song about love…while he went a different route, “I guess in a way it’s a little ode to the grandparents you know…some people will write love, dance songs for their grandparents…I’ve got a moonshine song so you know – everybody’s different.” (laugh)

Check out Michael Ray’s family history in “Holy Water”

Photo Credit: Sean Hagwell

Stats/Story: #1 Vols Pull Away From Bellarmine in Midweek Tilt, 9-3

Posted on April 19, 2022

Box Score (PDF)

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – No. 1 Tennessee used dominant early pitching and multi-hit performances from Jordan Beck and Jorel Ortega to get by Bellarmine Tuesday night at Lindsey Nelson Stadium, 9-3.

Beck and Ortega led Tennessee (34-3) offensively with two and four hits, respectively. Kyle Booker and Logan Steenstra, who were both inserted into the starting lineup Tuesday, had one hit each—recording three and two RBI apiece.

Starting pitcher Zander Sechrist, who retired all 13 batters that he faced in 4.1 innings of work, was credited with the win to improve his record to 3-0 on the year. Sechrist also struck out two batters.

Leading just 1-0 through four innings, Tennessee seized control of the game with a four-run fifth inning.

Coming to the plate with the bases loaded and two outs, Booker cleared the bases with a double to right center—driving in Luc Lipcius, Beck and Ortega to give the Vols a 4-0 lead.

During the next at-bat, Steenstra gave UT its second consecutive extra-base hit—driving in Booker with a double down the right field line that extended the Vols’ lead to 5-0.

Bellarmine briefly threatened in the top of the sixth, cutting the Tennessee lead to two with a three-run home run from Matt Higgins, and then subsequently loaded the bases with two outs. Mark McLaughlin struck out Bellarmine’s Gabe Bratetic swinging to get the Vols out of the inning having avoided further damage.

Tennessee answered Bellarmine’s only scoring spurt of the night with one run on an RBI double from Beck in the sixth and two more runs in the seventh. Lipcius scored from third on a wild pitch right before Christian Moore drove in Trey Lipscomb with a pinch-hit RBI single.

Ortega, the reigning SEC Player of the Week, put the exclamation point on the win in the eighth inning with a solo home run to left field—his eighth of the season—giving Tennessee at least one home run in a game for the 32nd time in 37 games this season.

UP NEXT: Tennessee hits the road for the first time in three weeks this weekend, matching up with Florida for a three-game series. First pitch of Friday’s series opener in Gainesville is set for 6:30 p.m. ET and will be available to watch on SEC Network+ and the ESPN app.

NOTABLE

ORTEGA EXTENDS HIT STREAK: After Tuesday’s four-hit performance, Jorel Ortega has recorded a hit in a career-best five straight games—including multiple hits in his last four games.

VOLS CONTINUE DEFENSE OF HOME TURF: With Tuesday’s win, Tennessee extended its non-conference home winning streak to 23 games, dating to last season. The Vols are 18-0 at home this season against non-conference foes.

-UT Athletics

Stats/Story: #1 Vols Pull Away From Bellarmine in Midweek Tilt, 9-3

Posted on April 19, 2022

Box Score (PDF)

NOTABLE

-UT Athletics

Softball Preview: #14 Lady Vols vs. #3 Virginia Tech

Posted on April 19, 2022

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Coming off an SEC series sweep and riding a four-game win streak, the 14th-ranked Tennessee softball team continues its homestand in the national spotlight when the No. 3 Virginia Tech Hokies visit Rocky Top Wednesday night. The top-15 matchup will air on ESPN, with first pitch scheduled for 7 p.m. at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium.

Limited tickets are available at AllVols.com and can also be purchased at the Sherri Parker Lee ticket office when gates open to the public one hour prior to first pitch. Parking is free for all Tennessee home softball games in lots S14 and C25 adjacent to Sherri Parker Lee Stadium and Regal Soccer Stadium, and fans should note that Tennessee Athletics’ clear bag policy will be in effect.

Lady Vols Softball / Credit: UT Athletics

Fans are encouraged to visit the Tennessee softball gameday information page before making their way to Sherri Parker Lee to familiarize themselves with gameday policies and procedures.

BROADCAST INFO: Wednesday’s action will be nationally televised on ESPN with Mark Neely (play-by-play) and Amanda Scarborough (analyst) on the call. An audio broadcast featuring voice of the Lady Vols softball team Brian Rice can be heard locally on FM 99.1/AM 990 and online at UTSports.com.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Super senior shortstop Ivy Davis took home SEC Co-Player of the Week honors on Tuesday after hitting .714 in UT’s four wins last week. Davis went 5-for-7 at the plate between the four contests, slugging 1.714 with one double, two homers and seven RBIs. With four HBP and one walk, she reached base safely 10 times in 12 plate appearances for an .833 on-base percentage and scored three runs for the Lady Vols.

SWEEP SECURED: The Lady Vols (30-12, 11-6 SEC) rounded out a three-game sweep of Texas A&M Monday night with a 5-1 victory over the Aggies. Graduate left-hander Erin Edmoundson tossed a complete game in the circle with eight strikeouts, while sophomore infielder Zaida Puni launched her 10th home run of the season to help UT earn its 30th win of the year.

WALK-OFF WINNERS: Tennessee secured back-to-back wins on walk-off home runs in the bottom of the seventh in the first two games against Texas A&M to clinch its fourth SEC series win of the season. Zaida Puni launched an opposite field two-run blast to secure a 7-5 victory in Saturday’s opener before Kelcy Leach blasted a game-ending grand slam to complete Tennessee’s comeback on Easter Sunday as the Lady Vols triumphed, 11-8.

MIDWEEK DERBY: The Lady Vols crushed a season-high five home runs in their 9-1 run-rule victory at Western Carolina last Wednesday. Ivy Davis and McKenna Gibson each tagged a pair of homers, while Kiki Milloy also went yard in front of a sellout crowd in Cullowhee, North Carolina.

Lady Vol lefty Erin Edmoundson picked up her 15th win of the season with a complete game outing, dealing five innings with one earned run. She posted nine strikeouts, her most since recording a season-high 11 Ks against No. 12 Clemson on Feb. 18.

TOP-NOTCH OFFENSE: Tennessee boasts the SEC’s top scoring offense with 110 runs scored in conference games. The Lady Vols also lead the league with 32 doubles, 69 walks and 27 HBP against league foes while ranking second in the conference in slugging (.529), on-base percentage (.399) and stolen bases (19) in SEC action.

NOTING THE HOKIES: Checking in as the unanimous No. 3 team in the country in the national polls, Virginia Tech heads to Rocky Top atop the ACC standings with a 32-6 overall record and a 15-2 mark in conference play. Most recently, the Hokies took two out of three against in-state rival Virginia this past weekend.

Senior pitcher Keely Rochard is having a phenomenal season in the circle, touting an 18-2 record with a 1.50 ERA in 139.2 inning pitched. The right-hander leads the ACC with 228 strikeouts this season. Offensively, sophomore outfielder Emma Ritter tops the Hokie lineup with a .427 average, 34 runs, eight doubles, 31 RBIs and 16 steals.

SERIES HISTORY: Tennessee leads the all-time series with Virginia Tech 11-7 with wins in the last four meetings between the two programs. In the most recent UT-VT matchup, the 12th-ranked Lady Vols blasted four home runs on the way to a 13-4 victory in Blacksburg on April 15, 2015.

UP NEXT: UT will welcome East Carolina and UNC Greensboro to Knoxville this weekend for its second home tournament of the season, dubbed the Lady Vol Challenge. The Lady Vols will play a doubleheader against the Pirates and Spartans on Saturday at 1:30 and 4:00 p.m., respectively, before closing out the event Sunday at 1 p.m. against ECU.

-UT Athletics

Brian Kelley Sets Sail this Week on His Solo Tour – Made By The Water

Posted on April 19, 2022

Brian Kelley – normally one half of Florida Georgia Line with Tyler Hubbard is setting off on his first solo tour this week.

The Made By The Water tour launches this Thursday, April 21st, in Daytona Beach, Florida – then runs for 11 more dates through the middle of May – with 2 shows already sold out.

BK shares, “I’m so excited to head out on my first solo tour and be able to start it off this week in my home state – Florida fam, let’s celebrate!”

Brian Kelley released his debut solo album, Sunshine State of Mind: Season One in 2021

Now BK is getting the chance to get out and bring the 17-tracks on the album to his fans.

Kelley says “I’ve been blown away by the amazing response. I can’t wait to share my music and show on the road, and really watch these songs come to life.”

For more info check out Brian Kelley’s Website

Photo Credit: Ben Christensen

Postgame/Stats/Story: Edmoundson Spins Gem As #14 Lady Vols Sweep Texas A&M

Posted on April 18, 2022

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Dominant pitching and clean defense led 14th-ranked Tennessee softball to a 5-1 victory Monday night at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium, completing the series sweep over Texas A&M.

Graduate left-hander Erin Edmoundson was terrific in the circle for Tennessee (30-12, 11-6 SEC), tossing her ninth complete game of the season and punching out eight. The Deer Park, Texas, native allowed only one run, coming on a solo homer in the third, and recorded her 17th victory of the season.

Erin Edmoundson – Lady Vols / Credit: UT Athletics

Sophomore infielder Zaida Puni shined at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a two-run home run for her 10th of the season. She also scored two runs, tying a season-high.

The Lady Vols got it started early as Puni smashed a 2-0 middle-up fastball into the bleachers in right center. The runs came at a premium for the Big Orange as the first two hitters of the inning were retired, before Amanda Ayala’s two-out walk set up the two-run shot.

Texas A&M (24-17, 3-12 SEC) struck back in the top of the third when catcher Haley Lee popped one over the fence in right. The solo home run brought the Aggies back within a run as the Lady Vols led 2-1 after three innings.

Edmoundson, who worked a mostly clean game, ran into a bit of trouble in the top of the fifth. A double from Koko Wooley, followed by an intentional walk, put the tying and go-ahead run on base. The UT left-hander calmly got a groundout to end the threat and keep the lead with the Big Orange, 2-1, after four and a half.

Tennessee plated three unearned runs in the home half of the fifth to build a four-run cushion over the Aggies. Lair Beautae and Puni connected on two base knocks before two wild pitches from the circle scored Beautae. With Kelcy Leach at the plate and runners on second and third, a grounder went right through the legs of TAMU’s second baseman which chased home Puni and Anna Fox, who came in to pinch run for McKenna Gibson.

Edmoundson shut down the Aggies over the final two frames, striking out the side in the sixth and posting bookend Ks in the seventh to secure Tennessee’s 30th win of the season.

MONDAY NIGHT CLEANING: Tennessee earned its first three-game series sweep over a single opponent Monday night. The Lady Vols posted undefeated weekends at the Felsberg Invitational (Feb. 11-12), the Tennessee Invitational (March 4-6) and the two-game shortened series at Missouri (March 13).

30 DOWN, MORE TO COME: The Lady Vols won their 30th game of the season Monday. Besides the shortened 2020 season, UT has never finished with less than 30 victories since the start in Karen Weekly‘s 21 seasons as head coach.

UP NEXT: The Lady Vols continue their homestand as they welcome third-ranked Virginia Tech to Sherri Parker Lee Stadium at 7 p.m. on ESPN. Limited tickets for the ranked showdown are still available at AllVols.com.

-UT Athletics

Postgame/Stats/Story: Edmoundson Spins Gem As #14 Lady Vols Sweep Texas A&M

Posted on April 18, 2022

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Dominant pitching and clean defense led 14th-ranked Tennessee softball to a 5-1 victory Monday night at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium, completing the series sweep over Texas A&M.

Sophomore infielder Zaida Puni shined at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a two-run home run for her 10th of the season. She also scored two runs, tying a season-high.

Edmoundson shut down the Aggies over the final two frames, striking out the side in the sixth and posting bookend Ks in the seventh to secure Tennessee’s 30th win of the season.

-UT Athletics

Carly Pearce on Her Way to Selling Out Overseas This September

Posted on April 18, 2022

As Carly Pearce is getting ready to head out on Kenny Chesney’s Here And Now 2022 tour at the end of the week, she got some great news about her own upcoming tour.

Carly’s extending The 29 Tour for 6 dates overseas in September – and 3 of the stops are already sold-out while the other 3 are headed the same way.

Of course, Carly has a summer filled with stadium and amphitheater concerts to get through first as the Here And Now tour starts Saturday in Tampa.

This is the full schedule of the Here And Now 2022 tour dates.

April 23           Tampa, Fla. || Raymond James Stadium
April 30           Charlotte, N.C. || Bank of America Stadium
May 5*            Noblesville, Ind. || Ruoff Music Center
May 7              St. Louis, Mo. || Busch Stadium
May 14            Milwaukee, Wis. || American Family Field
May 19*          Orange Beach, Ala. || The Wharf Amphitheater
May 21            Atlanta, Ga. || Mercedes-Benz Stadium
May 25*          Charleston, S.C. || Credit One Stadium
May 26*          Huntsville, Ala. || Orion Amphitheater
May 28            Nashville, Tenn. || Nissan Stadium
June 2*            The Woodlands, Texas || Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
June 4              Arlington, Texas || AT&T Stadium
June 8*            Canandaigua, N.Y. || CMAC
June 9*            Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio || Blossom Music Center
June 11            Pittsburgh, Pa. || Heinz Field
June 15*          Virginia Beach, Va. || Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater
June 16*          Bristow, Va. || Jiffy Lube Live
June 18            Philadelphia, Pa. || Lincoln Financial Field
June 23*/**     Cincinnati, Ohio || Riverbend Music Center
June 25            Chicago, Ill. || Soldier Field
June 29*          Brandon, Miss. || Brandon Amphitheater
June 30*          Rogers, Ark. || Walmart AMP
July 2              Kansas City, Mo. || GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium
July 9              Bozeman, Mont. || Bobcat Stadium
July 12*          Stateline, Nev. || Lake Tahoe Outdoor Arena at Harvey’s
July 13 *          Stateline, Nev. || Lake Tahoe Outdoor Arena at Harvey’s
July 16            Seattle, Wash. || Lumen Field
July 19 *          Bend, Ore. || Hayden Homes Amphitheater
July 20 *          Bend, Ore. || Hayden Homes Amphitheater
July 23            Inglewood, Calif. || SoFi Stadium
July 27 *          Boise, Idaho. || Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater
July 28 *          Salt Lake City, Utah || USANA Amphitheatre
July 30            Denver, Colo. || Empower Field at Mile High
August 6         Minneapolis, Minn. || U.S. Bank Stadium
August 10*     Columbia, Md. || Merriweather Post Pavilion
August 11*     Syracuse, N.Y. || St. Joseph’s Health Amphitheater at Lakeview
August 13       East Rutherford, N.J. || MetLife Stadium
August 18       Columbus, Ohio || Historic Crew Stadium
August 20       Detroit, Mich. || Ford Field
August 26       Foxborough, Mass. || Gillette Stadium
August 27       Foxborough, Mass. || Gillette Stadium
* lineup for these dates is Kenny Chesney and Carly Pearce only

Photo Credit: Alexa Campbell

Darius Rucker Announces 2022 Tour that Includes Special Guests

Posted on April 18, 2022

Darius Rucker has announced a schedule that will see him playing his benefit show for the 13th year, CMA Music Fest, and then a 20 date run that includes dates across the U.S. and Canada.

Darius’ summer of shows starts on June 6th with his 13^th annual benefit, Darius And Friends, which kicks off CMA Music Fest week for him.

Darius says, “Year 13 of Darius and Friends is coming your way Monday, June 6! This show is always a highlight of the year for me, because it not only raises funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, but it also allows me to bring some of my best friends in Nashville to the Ryman Auditorium for an incredible night of music.”

After his benefit show on Monday, Darius will be at the CMA Music Fest Stadium Show Thursday night.

After CMA Music Fest, Darius follows that up with appearing on Brooks & Dunn’s highly anticipated Reboot Tour 2022 at their Nashville show.

As June closes out Darius will launch his Live With Special Guests tour – as the country super star will crisscross the nation and Canada with 20 dates that includes rising country singers like Jameson Rodgers, Caylee Hammack, Ryan Hurd, Tenille Townes, Elvie Shane, Tyler Booth, Daves Highway, and Larry Fleet.

Darius Rucker Tour Dates;
June 6                    Nashville, Tenn.  |  Ryman Auditorium (Darius and Friends)
June 9                    Nashville, Tenn.  |  Nissan Stadium (CMA Fest)
June 18                  Nashville, Tenn.  |  Bridgestone Arena (Brooks & Dunn Reboot Tour 2022)
June 23*                Cleveland, Ohio  |  Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica (with Tyler Booth)
June 24*                Huber Heights, Ohio  |  Rose Music Center at The Heights (with Tyler Booth)
June 25                  Interlochen, Mich.  |  Interlochen Center for the Arts (with Tyler Booth)
June 29                  Anchorage, Alaska  |  Backyard Country BBQ
July 8                    Cavendish, P.E.I.  |  Cavendish Beach Music Festival
July 15#                 Memphis, Tenn.  |  venue TBA
July 16*                Rogers, Ark.  |  Walmart AMP (with Ryan Hurd & Elvie Shane)
July 21                  Paso Robles, Calif.  |  California Mid-State Fair (with Lindsay Ell)
July 22*                Phoenix, Ariz.  |  Arizona Federal Theatre (with Caylee Hammack)
July 28*                Bend, Ore.  |  Hayden Homes Amphitheater (with Tenille Townes & Caylee Hammack)
July 30                  Cowichan, B.C.  |  Sunset Music Festival
July 31                  Merritt, B.C.  |  Rockin’ River Music Festival
August 25             Tryon, N.C.  |  Night in the Country Carolinas
August 26*           Wilmington, N.C.  |  Live Oak Bank Pavilion (with Larry Fleet & Tyler Booth)
August 27*           Doswell, Va.  |  Meadow Event Park (with Larry Fleet & Tyler Booth)
September 2*        Bridgeport, Conn.  |  Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater (with Jameson Rodgers & Elvie Shane)
September 3*        Bethel, N.Y.  |  Bethel Woods Center for the Arts (with Jameson Rodgers & Elvie Shane)
September 4*        Gilford, N.H.  |  Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion (with Jameson Rodgers & Elvie Shane)
September 9^        Tulsa, Okla.  |  Paradise Cove at River Spirit Casino Resort (with Tyler Booth)
September 10^      Camdenton, Mo.  |  Lake Ozarks Amphitheater (with Tyler Booth)

* denotes newly announced dates on sale April 22
^ denotes newly announced dates on sale May 6
# denotes newly announced date with on sale information TBA

All you need now is a little “Beers And Sunshine.”