Erin Kinsey’s Debut EP – 40 East – is Available Now

Erin Kinsey’s Debut EP – 40 East – is Available Now

Posted on March 28, 2022

Erin Kinsey‘s debut EP, 40 East, is out now!

Talking about her debut EP, Erin says “I really just wanted it to be a project that I felt like represented me and was really true to myself and my life up till now.”

When it comes to the EP’s title, that stretch of road between her hometown in Texas and Nashville means a lot to the journey Erin has taken in her life and career.

Erin shares, “So, I ended up calling the EP 40 East…I spent days throwing around ideas of what it could be called but you know 40 East, you know, I’ve driven that highway many many times with my boyfriend, with my dog, with my parents, with my sister with my friends and moving from Rockwall Texas to Nashville I had no idea that driving that road would lead to so many of my dreams coming true.”

Erin says “All of these songs on this project, are a reflection of my life up until now, and one of the biggest parts of my story is chasing this crazy dream of mine.“

40 East track list;

  1. “Just Drive” (Erin Kinsey, Michael August, Josh Ronen)
  2. “This Ain’t Heaven” (Erin Kinsey, Michael August, Josh Ronen)
  3. “I Got You” (Erin Kinsey, Barrett Baber, Lonnie Fowler)
  4. “Hate This Hometown” (Erin Kinsey, Dave Cohen, Kathleen Higgins)
  5. “Better On Me” (Erin Kinsey, Michael August, Josh Ronen)
  6. “Just Drive” (Radio Edit) (Erin Kinsey, Michael August, Josh Ronen)

Erin Kinsey’s debut EP 40 East is available now and it includes her current single at country radio “Just Drive.”

Photo Credit: Robby Stevens

LISTEN: John Wilkerson’s epic end-of-game call of UT’s completed sweep at Ole Miss

LISTEN: John Wilkerson’s epic end-of-game call of UT’s completed sweep at Ole Miss

Posted on March 27, 2022

“Vince’s View” By Vince Ferrara / @VinceSports

Here’s my Tennessee Baseball broadcast partner and longtime voice of the Vols, John Wilkerson, with another epic end of game call of Tennessee Baseball on the Vol Network. This is the final out in Sunday’s Game 3 and his bursting through the seems excitement after Tennessee beat Ole Miss 4-3 Sunday.

The Vols swept the Rebels in Oxford, MS to move to 6-0 and sit atop the SEC overall standings for the first time since Week 8 in 2005.

It’s UT’s best start in SEC play since 1966.

The Vols have now won 7 straight SEC road series dating back to 2019.

This should be the #1 team in the country in all six college baseball polls. If not, they aren’t watching or don’t want to admit being wrong about UT and/or other teams.

Enjoy the audio and thanks for tuning into Tennessee Baseball on 99.1 The Sports Animal and the Vol Network!

Vols HC Tony Vitello / Credit: UT Athletics
LISTEN: John Wilkerson’s epic end-of-game call of UT’s completed sweep at Ole Miss

LISTEN: John Wilkerson’s epic end-of-game call of UT’s completed sweep at Ole Miss

Posted on March 27, 2022

“Vince’s View” By Vince Ferrara / @VinceSports

Here’s my Tennessee Baseball broadcast partner and longtime voice of the Vols, John Wilkerson, with another epic end of game call of Tennessee Baseball on the Vol Network. This is the final out in Sunday’s Game 3 and his bursting through the seems excitement after Tennessee beat Ole Miss 4-3 Sunday.

The Vols swept the Rebels in Oxford, MS to move to 6-0 and sit atop the SEC overall standings for the first time since Week 8 in 2005.

It’s UT’s best start in SEC play since 1966.

The Vols have now won 7 straight SEC road series dating back to 2019.

This should be the #1 team in the country in all six college baseball polls. If not, they aren’t watching or don’t want to admit being wrong about UT and/or other teams.

Enjoy the audio and thanks for tuning into Tennessee Baseball on 99.1 The Sports Animal and the Vol Network!

Vols HC Tony Vitello / Credit: UT Athletics
Stats/Story: Walsh’s Save Helps #1/5 Vols Complete Sweep of #1/1 Ole Miss, 4-3

Stats/Story: Walsh’s Save Helps #1/5 Vols Complete Sweep of #1/1 Ole Miss, 4-3

Posted on March 27, 2022

Box Score (PDF) | Series Stats (PDF) 

OXFORD, Miss. –  Nailing down the ninth inning, Redmond Walsh struck out the side with the tying and winning runs on base to conclude a series sweep for No. 1/5 Tennessee, 4-3, over No. 1/1 Ole Miss.

Coming off his best start of the season last weekend against South Carolina, freshman right hander Drew Beam was spectacular once again on Sunday against the Rebels. The Murfreesboro, Tennessee, native tied a career high with six strikeouts and allowed one run on just three hits in 7.1 innings to earn the win and improve to 5-0 on the year.

Vols OF Drew Gilbert / Credit: UT Athletics

Jordan Beck led the Vols with three hits, while also scoring a run. Seth Stephenson also had three hits and scored a run on the afternoon. Drew Gilbert capped his impressive weekend with a triple, a run scored and two RBIs.

After three scoreless innings to open the game, the Vols struck for three runs in the top of the fourth to open the scoring. Back-to-back singles by Seth Stephenson and Jordan Beck put two runners on base for Gilbert, who roped a triple into the corner in right field to score both runners. Gilbert scored one batter later on an RBI groundout by Trey Lipscomb to put the Big Orange ahead 3-0.

Luc Lipcius added to Tennessee’s lead with an RBI double in the top of the sixth, lacing a 1-1 pitch to the wall in left center that allowed Lipscomb to score all the way from first and make it 4-0.

After back-to-back singles with one out, Hayden Dunhurst hit his second homer of the series – a three-run shot to right center field – to pull the Rebels within a run in the bottom of the eighth.

Following the Ole Miss homer, the Volunteers made a move for the bullpen, calling for the veteran southpaw Walsh, who entered on a 3-2 count with one out in the eighth. He struck out the first batter he faced, but a wild pitch allowed Jacob Gonzalez to reach base safely, then a single put him into scoring position. Walsh calmly struck out Time Elko on three pitches to end the Rebel threat in the eighth.

The score remained 4-3 in the bottom half of the ninth as Walsh toed the rubber. Ole Miss got a leadoff single, but the next two batters were punched out by the UT closer. A two-out error allowed the tying run to move into scoring position, but it was no match for the savvy Volunteer reliever who struck out Dunhurst on three pitches to end the game and sweep the Rebels on the road.

UP NEXT: Tennessee returns home to host Western Carolina on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. before hitting the road for another big SEC series next weekend at No. 1/4 Vanderbilt in Nashville.

NOTABLE

VOLS CLEANING CREW: Tennessee recorded its fifth series sweep of the season on Sunday, tying its season total of five from last season. The Vols have swept all five of their weekend series this season (not including tournaments) and have now posted 17 series sweeps since 2018.

WINS OVER NO. 1: With three wins in Oxford this weekend, the Vols recorded their first ever series sweep over a top-ranked team and their fourth, fifth and sixth wins over No. 1 ranked opponents (any poll) since Tony Vitello took over as head coach in 2018. UT is 6-6 in games against top-ranked teams in that span.

VITELLO MOVING UP CAREER WINS LIST: Vols’ skipper Tony Vitello moved into a tie for third in career wins in program history with Sunday’s victory. He is now tied with Dave Serrano, who recorded 157 wins during his time as UT’s head coach from 2012-17.

ICE IN HIS VEINS: Redmond Walsh secured his third save of the season, striking out five batters in 1.1 innings. The graduate student moved into sole possession of second on Tennessee’s career saves list with 19 and is just four shy of tying Todd Helton’s program record of 23.

-UT Athletics

Stats/Story: Walsh’s Save Helps #1/5 Vols Complete Sweep of #1/1 Ole Miss, 4-3

Stats/Story: Walsh’s Save Helps #1/5 Vols Complete Sweep of #1/1 Ole Miss, 4-3

Posted on March 27, 2022

Box Score (PDF) | Series Stats (PDF) 

OXFORD, Miss. –  Nailing down the ninth inning, Redmond Walsh struck out the side with the tying and winning runs on base to conclude a series sweep for No. 1/5 Tennessee, 4-3, over No. 1/1 Ole Miss.

Coming off his best start of the season last weekend against South Carolina, freshman right hander Drew Beam was spectacular once again on Sunday against the Rebels. The Murfreesboro, Tennessee, native tied a career high with six strikeouts and allowed one run on just three hits in 7.1 innings to earn the win and improve to 5-0 on the year.

Vols OF Drew Gilbert / Credit: UT Athletics

Jordan Beck led the Vols with three hits, while also scoring a run. Seth Stephenson also had three hits and scored a run on the afternoon. Drew Gilbert capped his impressive weekend with a triple, a run scored and two RBIs.

After three scoreless innings to open the game, the Vols struck for three runs in the top of the fourth to open the scoring. Back-to-back singles by Seth Stephenson and Jordan Beck put two runners on base for Gilbert, who roped a triple into the corner in right field to score both runners. Gilbert scored one batter later on an RBI groundout by Trey Lipscomb to put the Big Orange ahead 3-0.

Luc Lipcius added to Tennessee’s lead with an RBI double in the top of the sixth, lacing a 1-1 pitch to the wall in left center that allowed Lipscomb to score all the way from first and make it 4-0.

After back-to-back singles with one out, Hayden Dunhurst hit his second homer of the series – a three-run shot to right center field – to pull the Rebels within a run in the bottom of the eighth.

Following the Ole Miss homer, the Volunteers made a move for the bullpen, calling for the veteran southpaw Walsh, who entered on a 3-2 count with one out in the eighth. He struck out the first batter he faced, but a wild pitch allowed Jacob Gonzalez to reach base safely, then a single put him into scoring position. Walsh calmly struck out Time Elko on three pitches to end the Rebel threat in the eighth.

The score remained 4-3 in the bottom half of the ninth as Walsh toed the rubber. Ole Miss got a leadoff single, but the next two batters were punched out by the UT closer. A two-out error allowed the tying run to move into scoring position, but it was no match for the savvy Volunteer reliever who struck out Dunhurst on three pitches to end the game and sweep the Rebels on the road.

UP NEXT: Tennessee returns home to host Western Carolina on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. before hitting the road for another big SEC series next weekend at No. 1/4 Vanderbilt in Nashville.

NOTABLE

VOLS CLEANING CREW: Tennessee recorded its fifth series sweep of the season on Sunday, tying its season total of five from last season. The Vols have swept all five of their weekend series this season (not including tournaments) and have now posted 17 series sweeps since 2018.

WINS OVER NO. 1: With three wins in Oxford this weekend, the Vols recorded their first ever series sweep over a top-ranked team and their fourth, fifth and sixth wins over No. 1 ranked opponents (any poll) since Tony Vitello took over as head coach in 2018. UT is 6-6 in games against top-ranked teams in that span.

VITELLO MOVING UP CAREER WINS LIST: Vols’ skipper Tony Vitello moved into a tie for third in career wins in program history with Sunday’s victory. He is now tied with Dave Serrano, who recorded 157 wins during his time as UT’s head coach from 2012-17.

ICE IN HIS VEINS: Redmond Walsh secured his third save of the season, striking out five batters in 1.1 innings. The graduate student moved into sole possession of second on Tennessee’s career saves list with 19 and is just four shy of tying Todd Helton’s program record of 23.

-UT Athletics

Stats/Story: #14 Lady Vols Held To Two Hits, Drop Series Finale At #6 Florida 4-1, Take Home Series Win

Stats/Story: #14 Lady Vols Held To Two Hits, Drop Series Finale At #6 Florida 4-1, Take Home Series Win

Posted on March 27, 2022

Box Score (PDF) | Updated Season Stats (PDF) | Series Stats (PDF)

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The 14th-ranked Lady Vols could only muster two hits as they fell to No. 6 Florida, 4-1, in the series finale Sunday at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. Tennessee ultimately took the three-game set with back-to-back victories on Friday and Saturday.

Sophomore catcher/outfielder Rylie West accounted for UT’s only run on Sunday with a solo home run to left field in the top of the second. Zaida Puni tallied Tennessee’s second and final hit of the game with a leadoff double to center field in the top of the fourth.

Rylie West – Lady Vols / Credit: UT Athletics

Lady Vol lefty Erin Edmoundson was credited with her third loss of the season, spinning 5.2 innings with four earned runs on nine hits allowed. The graduate transfer dealt her 600th career strikeout with a swinging K in the bottom of the sixth.

Down 1-0 after West’s homer, UF evened the score in the bottom of the third on an RBI single through the left side from senior outfielder Cheyenne Lindsey. Florida shortstop Skylar Wallace scored her first of three runs in the contest to tie it up.

With the game knotted 1-1 in the bottom of the fifth, the Gators (27-5, 5-4 SEC) took the lead when designated player Reagan Walsh laced an RBI single through the middle. Florida added two runs to its lead in the sixth, scoring on a leadoff homer from Avery Goelz and an RBI double by Charla Echols.

Tennessee (22-9, 5-3 SEC) could not put together a comeback rally, going down in order in the sixth and putting only one runner on base in the seventh via McKenna Gibson’s two-out walk. The Lady Vols were awarded six free bases throughout the game with five walks and one HBP, but could not capitalize on their run-scoring opportunities.

UP NEXT: The Lady Vols return to Knoxville for a four-game home stand, beginning Wednesday at 5 p.m. with a midweek in-state matchup against Lipscomb. Tennessee will then host a three-game SEC series against Mississippi State April 1-3 at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium.

-UT Athletics

Stats/Story: #1/5 Vols Start SEC Play 5-0 for First Time Since 1966 with 10-3 Win over #1/1 Ole Miss

Stats/Story: #1/5 Vols Start SEC Play 5-0 for First Time Since 1966 with 10-3 Win over #1/1 Ole Miss

Posted on March 27, 2022

Box Score (PDF)

OXFORD, Miss. – Once again, No. 1/5 Tennessee baseball had it rolling both at the plate and on the mound, defeating No. 1/1 Ole Miss, 10-3, Saturday night at Swayze Field. 
 
Tennessee (22-1, 5-0 SEC) is off to its best start to SEC play since the 1966 season when it went 22-9 and won the SEC East, going 11-2. 

Vols OF Drew Gilbert / Credit UT Athletics

The Volunteers got yet another quality start from its starting pitcher. Chase Dollander threw 6.1 innings, allowing just four base runners (three singles and a walk). He struck out 10 Rebel hitters and was around the plate all night, throwing 80 percent of his pitches for strikes. 
 
Tennessee batters piled up 17 hits with six going for extra bases, and showed its ability to score in a variety of ways. The Vols were held without a home run for just the third time this season.
 
Six different UT hitters posted multi-hit games. Drew Gilbert and Trey Lipscomb both recorded three-hit contests, while Seth Stephenson, Jorel Ortega, Luc Lipcius and Evan Russell collected a pair of knocks. 
 
For this 15th time this season, the Vols started the scoring in the opening inning. Stephenson reached first after being hit by a pitch and pressed the Rebels on the base paths. He stole second and scampered to third on a throwing error on the play. Gilbert brought Stephenson home for the opening run of the game, lacing a double to the wall in right. The very next batter, Lipscomb, scored Gilbert after taking an excellent two-strike approach and shooting an away fastball over the head of the Rebel second baseman to make the score 2-0, midway through the first.  
 
The Vols added on in the second as Lipcius and Russell hit back-to-back singles. Cortland Lawson bunted both runners over and Jared Dickey provided some insurance, scoring Lipcius on a sacrifice fly to center. 
 
Dollander did a terrific job working out of a jam to keep the 3-0 Volunteer lead intact in the bottom of the third. The first two batters of the inning reached on errors, but sophomore right-hander kept his composure, getting a flyout, a pop out and a strikeout looking to escape the jam and keep the Rebels off the board.
 
The offense sprung back in the score column in the fourth when Ortega doubled to right to lead off the inning, sparking what turned out to be a three-run frame for the Big Orange.
 
UT kept the pressure on in the fifth as the first four hitters recorded a base hit. Gilbert lined a cue-shot knock just inside the third-base bag to kick off the frame. Lipscomb drove him in for his second RBI of the game with a double to the wall in left. Ortega followed up with a poke single into center to score Lipscomb and Tennessee pushed its lead to 8-0 after five frames. 
 
Will Mabrey took the hill for Tennessee with one out in the top of the seventh. He entered in a bit of a jam with runners on second and third. The southpaw struck out the first hitter he saw on a wicked breaking ball with the count at 3-2. He wiggled out of the jam by forcing the next Rebel hitter to pop out in foul territory to end the threat. 
 
The Vols plated their final two runs of the game in the eighth inning to take a 10-0 lead. Ole Miss slugger Tim Elko broke up the shutout with a two-run homer in the bottom of the eighth, his second home run of the series. The Rebels added one more run in the ninth on a solo shot from Kemp Alderman, but freshman lefty Wyatt Evans struck out the final two batters to end the game.

NOTABLE 

SWIPER NO IS SWIPING: Tennessee stole five bases in Saturday night’s victory over the Rebels. Prior to tonight, Ole Miss catcher Hayden Dunhurst had only allowed three steals all season. 
 
ROAD WARRIORS: With Saturday’s victory, the Vols recorded their seventh straight SEC road series win, dating back to 2019. Tennessee won all five of its conference road series last season after winning its final road series at Florida in 2019. There were no SEC games played in 2020 due to COVID-19.

-UT Athletucs

Fires in Great Smoky Mountains National Park Forcing Closures of Trails and Campsites

Fires in Great Smoky Mountains National Park Forcing Closures of Trails and Campsites

Posted on March 27, 2022

UPDATED STORY: Great Smoky Mountains National Park firefighters and multiple agencies continue firefighting efforts to extinguish the Thomas Divide Complex Fire east of Bryson City, North Carolina. The complex is comprised of two wildfires including the Stone Pile Fire and the Cooper Creek Fire. Ignition of both fires has been confirmed as down power lines due to high winds and fallen trees. The Complex Fire is 30% contained with approximately 46% of the affected 750 acres being inside park boundaries.

The Unified Command Center continues to coordinate the suppression efforts with approximately 70 personnel from the National Park Service, North Carolina Forest Service, Bryson City Fire Department, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Swain County Fire Department, and Jackson County Emergency Management. Plans are being developed to transfer oversight to the Southern Area Type II Incident Management Team in the upcoming days. Crews will remain in place overnight to provide structure protection. Air resources will return tomorrow to respond if wind speeds allow.

The following areas remain closed: Backcountry campsites 46, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, and 60; Deep Creek and Thomas Divide trails from Deep Creek to Newfound Gap Road; Pole Road Creek, Indian Creek, Stone Pile Gap, Deep Creek Horse Bypass, Juney Whank Falls, Deeplow, Fork Ridge, Sunkota Ridge, Martins Gap, Indian Creek Motor Nature, Mingus Creek, Newton Bald, Kanati Fork, and Loop trails. Toms Branch Road near Deep Creek is also closed. The Deep Creek Campground and Picnic Area are not scheduled to open for the season until April 15.

ORIGINAL STORY: Several Trails and campsites remain closed in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park due to the Thomas Divide Complex Fire.

The fire is east of Bryson City, North Carolina and the complex is comprised of two wildfires including the Stone Pile Fire which is about 140 acres and the Cooper Creek Fire which is about 170 acres. The fire is estimated to be 10 percent contained with about half of the fire burning within the park boundary. Trails and campsites between Deep Creek and Newfound Gap Road are closed.

About 50 firefighters are working to establish firebreak lines using hand crews and bulldozers. Air resources are available to respond if wind speeds allow.

The following areas remain closed: Backcountry campsites 46, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, and 60; Deep Creek and Thomas Divide trails from Deep Creek to Newfound Gap Road; Pole Road Creek, Indian Creek, Stone Pile Gap, Deep Creek Horse Bypass, Juney Whank Falls, Deeplow, Fork Ridge, Sunkota Ridge, Martins Gap, Indian Creek Motor Nature, Mingus Creek, Newton Bald, Kanati Fork, and Loop trails. Toms Branch Road near Deep Creek is also closed. The Deep Creek Campground and Picnic Area are not scheduled to open for the season until April 15. 

Country Music Artist Jeff Carson Passes at Age of 58

Country Music Artist Jeff Carson Passes at Age of 58

Posted on March 27, 2022

Country music singer Jeff Carson passed away from a heart attack, Saturday March 26th 2022, at the age of 58.

Jeff accomplished two of his career passions in his life – one in music, one in law enforcement.

Born Jeffrey Lee Herndon in Tulsa Oklahoma on December 16th 1963, performing music came early as Jeff got his start singing in church. His path then took him from Arkansas to Missouri, and then finally landing in Tennessee.

While performing around town, Jeff got noticed as a demo singer, cutting tracks that would go on to be be recorded by Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Tracy Byrd, Faith Hill, and Diamond Rio among others.

Jeff released his self-titled debut album in 1995 which included the number-one hit “Not On Your Love,” the ACM Video Of The Year winning “The Car,” and fan favorites “Yeah Buddy,” and “That Last Mile.”

In 2009, Carson retired from music to become a law enforcement officer with Franklin Police Department in Williamson County, Tennessee.

Carson returned to music in 2019, most recently he had been in the studio with Buddy Hyatt recording a specialty album to be released later this year that included duets with Michael Ray, Darryl Worley, Mark Wills, and Craig Morgan.

Jeff Carson is survived by his wife, son, mother, brother, sister, as well as aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews.

Photos Courtesy of Jeff Carson

2 Years After her Album Lady Like, Ingrid Andress is Ready For a New Musical Chapter

2 Years After her Album Lady Like, Ingrid Andress is Ready For a New Musical Chapter

Posted on March 27, 2022

Ingrid Andress released her debut album, Lady Like, on March 27th 2020.

Now, on March 27th 2022, Ingrid reflects on the project and all that’s happened since it arrived, “2 years ago. I was ready to storm the gates of the world w this album. was ready to hit the road and meet new people and make new fans. Create memories and experiences with these personal songs. 2 years ago everything stopped. all of the plans I made got cancelled. all of the shows postponed. all of the people I wanted to meet quarantined. I was devastated.”

Ingrid continues, “But then…life happened. people still listened to music. people still wanted to connect. people still wanted a story to bring them comfort. YOU ALL happened. and I can’t thank you enough for happening. thank you for listening to this album and giving it the love I didn’t think existed.”

Ingrid adds, “It has been an incredible chapter of my life. but it’s time to end it and begin a beautiful new one. very very soon.”

One of the elements of that new chapter that Ingrid refers too just might be her current single with Sam Hunt, “Wishful Drinking.”

Photo Courtesy of Ingrid Andress

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