Vols, Lady Vols Both Taking Part in 2022 Battle 4 Atlantis

Vols, Lady Vols Both Taking Part in 2022 Battle 4 Atlantis

Tennessee Fans: Make plans to spend a week in paradise next Thanksgiving

Tennessee basketball fans will have a unique opportunity to spend a week in The Bahamas while cheering on both the Vols and Lady Vols at the 2022 Battle 4 Atlantis next November.
 
The 2022 men’s and women’s tournament fields were announced Tuesday. The Lady Vols highlight an eight-team women’s bracket that will be contested Nov. 19-21, followed immediately by the eight-team men’s event featuring the Vols Nov. 23-25.
 
The 2022 women’s field also features Louisville, South Dakota State, Rutgers, UCLA, Marquette, Texas and Gonzaga.

Joining the Vols in the 2022 men’s field are Butler, BYU, Dayton, Kansas, NC State, Southern Cal and Wisconsin.

Battle 4 Atlantis / Credit: UT Athletics

Since its inception in 2011, Battle 4 Atlantis has built a reputation for attracting powerhouse teams to The Bahamas for an unforgettable experience that includes high-level competition set to the backdrop of a lush, expansive resort.
 
This will mark the Lady Vols’ first appearance at the Battle 4 Atlantis, but it will be their third trip to The Bahamas, having twice participated in the Junkanoo Jam Tournament. In 2013-14, the Tennessee women went 2-0 and won the Lucaya Division at the event in Freeport on Grand Bahama Island. In 2018-19, the Lady Vols traveled to Resorts World on the island of Bimini and won both games there to capture the Junkanoo Division crown. A visit to Atlantis on Paradise Island will mark the program’s third different isle in the country.
 
The Tennessee men have made two previous appearances at the Battle 4 Atlantis in 2013 and 2017. The Big Orange are 4-2 at the event and logged a third-place finish in their most recent trip to Paradise Island.
 
The Vols’ 78-75 overtime win against 18th-ranked Purdue to open the 2017 Battle 4 Atlantis signaled the arrival of a Tennessee squad that went on to win the SEC Championship.
 
Atlantis Paradise Island is a lush, oceanside resort located on Paradise Island in The Bahamas. A dynamic destination that launched as a first-of-its-kind modern marvel of nature and engineering, Atlantis is tied to a meaningful connection with the ocean, Bahamian culture, and the spirit of its beloved team members. The resort’s new, immersive programming connects guests to the rich history, art, people, food, and festivities of The Bahamas.
 
Atlantis features six unique places to stay, from the iconic The Royal to The Beach, The Coral, and Harborside Resort to the luxury accommodations at The Cove, Health Security VERIFIED™ by Forbes Travel Guide The Reef. The resort centered around Aquaventure, an innovative, 141-acre waterscape of thrilling slides and river rides, pools, and white sand beaches. Home to the largest open-air marine habitat in the world, over 50,000 marine animals from 250 species make their home in ocean-fed environments.

From unparalleled meeting and convention space to the well-appointed Atlantis Marina accommodating yachts up to 220 feet overlooking Marina Village, a Bahamian marketplace, the Atlantis experiences are endless. Additional resort amenities include the 30,000-square-foot tranquil Mandara Spa, Atlantis Kids Adventures (AKA) for children ages 3-12, and CRUSH, a nightclub for teens.

The award-winning, 18-hole Tom Weiskopf-designed golf course, renowned Atlantis Casino, and duty-free shopping complemented by restaurants and lounges with celebrity chef culinary masterpieces including Fish by José Andrés, Nobu, by Nobu Matsuhisa; Olives, by Todd English and Casa D’Angelo by Angelo Elia.

Dolphin Cay, the resort’s 14-acre marine mammal habitat, is an advanced marine education center and animal rescue rehabilitation hospital whose first residents include 17 rescue dolphins from Hurricane Katrina. Visitors to Dolphin Cay can participate in creative, non-disruptive “interactions” that build real awareness, stir emotion, and help fund the resort’s conservation efforts. A portion of the cost of each interaction and those offered through Atlantis Marine Adventures goes back to the Atlantis Blue Project Foundation (ABPF), the resort’s nonprofit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to saving sea species and their extraordinary habitats throughout The Bahamas and surrounding Caribbean seas.

For more information about Atlantis Paradise Island, please visit AtlantisBahamas.com.

-UT Athletics

Kenny Chesney’s Time In the Islands Helps Him Understand “Knowing You”

Kenny Chesney’s Time In the Islands Helps Him Understand “Knowing You”

While country music is known for its share of heartbreak and break up songs, Kenny Chesney’s “Knowing You” is not one of those.

The track takes an interesting perspective of appreciating the people that are no longer in your life, and looking back on the time when they were in a positive way.

Kenny relates to this sentiment in a big way because of the relationships he’s had down in the islands of the Caribbean, “You know my life in the islands…we had such a close group of friends that I don’t really see that much anymore. We experience so much life together in such a short time and I miss them and they miss me but life has just taken…some of them had kids, some left island, some have moved on in different areas of their life, but man it was great knowing them. It was great having that moment together because in that short period of time it may be one of the moments where I felt most alive in my life…other than being on stage now nothing replaces feeling that alive in front of thousands of people and being so in the moment with music. But, in my life I felt really alive with that group of friends.”.

“Knowing You” from Kenny Chesney’s album, Here And Now, is knocking on the door to the top spot on the country music airplay chart.

Check out the music video for “Knowing You.”

Photo Credit: Allister Ann

Pistol Annies Have a Hell Of a Time On The Tonight Show

Pistol Annies Have a Hell Of a Time On The Tonight Show

The Pistol Annies Miranda Lambert, Angaleena Presley, Ashley Monroe – released their first holiday themed album this year titled Hell Of A Holiday.

This week the trio of Annies headed to The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon to perform the album’s title track, “Hell Of A Holiday.”

Pistol Annies’ fans also caught Miranda, Angaleena, and Ashley on this year’s CMA Country Christmas special singing “Snow Globe.”

Photo Courtesy of Pistol Annies

Carrie Underwood Kicks Off Her First-Ever Vegas Residency Show Wednesday December 1st

Carrie Underwood Kicks Off Her First-Ever Vegas Residency Show Wednesday December 1st

The first of Carrie Underwood‘s 6 shows at The Theatre at Resorts World Las Vegas starts Wednesday, December 1st.

Carrie can’t wait to start her Reflection shows, “We are super excited to get to have a residency in Las Vegas. When you think about Las Vegas, you do think about incredible shows, and to be a part of that legacy is exciting.”

With her first residency, this is also the first time that Carrie’s fans will be coming to her, instead of her going to their local venue, “Touring is one of my favorite things I get to do as a performer. I love being on the road and coming to the fans where they live but it will also be fun to get to do multiple shows in one place where people will be able to come to get that concert experience and have some fun in Las Vegas at the same time.  It’s such a special honor to be one of the first artists to get to perform in a brand new, beautiful, state-of-the-art theatre at such an exciting new destination as Resorts World Las Vegas.”

Carrie also shared the meaning behind her show’s title, Reflection, “The show title refers to the fact that this show will reflect the amazing journey I’ve been on for the past 16 years, as well as a glimpse into what lies ahead”

Carrie Underwood recently shared a video where she finally got to see the space that she’ll call “home” for her next few shows…

Now, if you can’t get to Vegas to see Carrie Underwood’s Reflection show this December…don’t fret. Additional shows have been added for March 2022 (23rd, 25th, 26th, 30th) and April 2022 (1st, 2nd)

Of course while this is Carrie’s first residency in Las Vegas, she has performed several concerts there, and even shared a story on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon about going to see Guns N’ Roses in concert in Sin City as a fan.

Carrie Underwood fans who make the trip to see Reflection will be treated to a long list of hit songs – including Carrie’s classic “Before He Cheats.”

Photo Credit: Jeremy Cowart

Lady A’s Charles Kelley Makes Hit Songs & Playhouses

Lady A’s Charles Kelley Makes Hit Songs & Playhouses

Lady A wrapped their What A Song Can Do tour last month, and now the trio is getting in some family time going into the holidays.

Charles Kelley is using his downtown to get in some quality father-son time with his boy, Ward. Charles shared what they have been working on this week…

Charles posted “My little boy and I made this playhouse all week and he was the best helper. When I came home the other day he had made me this picture of our time together! Maybe my proudest moment as a dad.”

Charles, Hillary Scott and Dave Haywood appeared on this year’s CMA Country Christmas, performing a song that many parents can relate to – “Christmas Through Your Eyes”

Photo Courtesy of Charles Kelley

Zac Brown Band Docks “Same Boat” in the Number-One Spot

Zac Brown Band Docks “Same Boat” in the Number-One Spot

Congrats to Zac Brown Band as their hit “Same Boat” is the number-one song on the country music airplay chart this week.

“Same Boat” is the first single from Zac Brown Band’s latest album The Comeback.

Zac Brown talks about the track, “The song means a lot to me because I’ve been hearing about how divided that we are, and everyone is…and I’d like for everyone to be reminded that we’re all the same. That human condition is something we all share together.”

Zac says that “Same Boat” and the other 14-tracks on The Comeback were a result of a renewed creative spirit that developed over the last year and half, “After having some time off, you know, I wanted to just like walk toward my guitar when I was at home and I wanted to create again and I wanted to feel like- I feel like just in general just as a human being I feel like I’m rejuvenated and in every way you know I’m able to be really creatively present I had a lot of stuff going on I think just now just being at a new point where everything is good and positive and my kids are awesome everything is solid and I feel that way too I feel more solid and I feel more creatively present than- than I have in a really long time.”

Check out the music video for Zac Brown Band’s number-one song, “Same Boat.”

Photo Courtesy of Zac Brown Band

2021 CMA Country Christmas Performances

2021 CMA Country Christmas Performances

Did you catch this year’s CMA Country Christmas special hosted by Carly Pearce and Gabby Barrett?

There were performances from Carly, Gabby, Jimmie Allen with Louis York & The ShindellasBRELANDBrett EldredgeLady APistol AnniesCarrie Underwood, and Lainey Wilson.

Watch them again, or for the first time, on the streaming service Hulu, or right here…

Carly Pearce & Gabby Barrett – “Sleigh Ride”

Carly Pearce – “O Holy Night”

Jimmie Allen, Louis York, The Shindellas – “What Does Christmas Mean”

Gabby Barrett – “Silent Night”

Brett Eldredge – “Merry Christmas Baby”

Pistol Annies – “Snow Globe”

Lady A – “Christmas Through Your Eyes”

Lainey Wilson – “Christmas Cookies”

BRELAND – “The Christmas Song”

Carrie Underwood – “Mary, Did You Know?”

Photo Credit: Hunter Berry/CMA

Chris Stapleton Doesn’t Worry About Expectations – He Focuses on Making Music

Chris Stapleton Doesn’t Worry About Expectations – He Focuses on Making Music

Since Chris Stapleton‘s debut album Traveller was released in 2015, he has become a country music superstar.

A lot of fans were first exposed to Chris in a major way when he performed “Tennessee Whiskey” on the 2015 CMA Awards with Justin Timberlake.

It was that year Chris won CMA Album, Male Vocalist and New Artist Of The Year. He did the same at the ACM Awards as well, with his “Nobody To Blame” also taking home the ACM Award for Song Of The Year.

Since then, Chris has released 3 more albums (From A Room: Volume 1, From A Room: Volume 2, Starting Over) while becoming a mainstay on country radio with hits like “Broken Halos,” “Starting Over,” and his current single “You Should Probably Leave.”

Just a few weeks ago he added to his trophy collection with 4 more wins at the 2021 CMA Awards.

With all those accolades, Chris is more determined than ever to make sure he always focuses on making the best music he can, “I think it’s perfectly human that you become aware of expectations as you go long, but I very much try to ignore them. Either my own or anybody else’s of what something should be musically. Because I’m not sure that’s a healthy space to be making music in…not in a good way anyway.”

Chris Stapleton’s “You Should Probably Leave” is a Top-10 (and climbing) hit this week…

Photo Courtesy of Chris Stapleton

Cole Swindell and Lainey Wilson “Never Say Never” Together

Cole Swindell and Lainey Wilson “Never Say Never” Together

After they both hit the top of the country music airplay chart in 2021, Cole Swindell (“Single Saturday Night”) and Lainey Wilson (“Things A Man Oughta Know”) have joined forces for their new single “Never Say Never.”

Cole shares “I am so excited to release ‘Never Say Never’. I wrote it with Jessi Alexander and Chase McGill in 2018 about a relationship you just can’t stay away from. I have been a fan of Lainey Wilson’s for a while now and what she brings to this song is everything it needed.”

Lainey adds, “’Things a Man Oughta Know’ was such an incredible ride, I can’t wait to get this next song out into the world and see where it leads. It makes the journey that much more special that I get to share it with a friend this time around—I’m looking forward to playing it for y’all and I’m sure Cole is too!”

Check out the lyric video for the track here…

Photo Courtesy of Cole Swindell & Lainey Wilson

Priscilla Block Didn’t Waste Her Talent in 2021

Priscilla Block Didn’t Waste Her Talent in 2021

2021 has been a record year for Priscilla Block as her song “Just About Over You” has climbed the country music airplay chart – currently siting at number-15 (and climbing).

Priscilla also released an EP, toured, and made her debut at the Grand Ole Opry.

Looking back on everything that’s happened, she shares “What is my life? I am so thankful to country radio, and ever since I was a little girl, I dreamed of having a song on the radio, and it’s just so cool getting in and you know hoping I’m going to be able to hear it. This year has been absolutely wild for me, and I’m just so thankful for the fans. I’m so thankful for the opportunity to do this.”

While Priscilla is wowing audiences these days with her music…she’s always been a standout when it comes to performing.

Back in elementary school Priscilla recalls wowing audiences for a different reason when she sang a cover of a Carrie Underwood song…“So, I started doing talent shows in elementary school, just ’cause all of my friends were doing it, whatever. And my first talent show, I think I was in second grade and I sang – I’ve been a trainwreck since day one (laughs) honestly. I sang ‘Wasted’ by Carrie Underwood for like my third grade talent show.”

Priscilla adds, “And I remember my friends’ parents were like, is she? They’re singing ‘Somewhere Over The Rainbow’ and I’m singing ‘Wasted’ by Carrie Underwood. (laughs) It was just, oh my gosh, yup, that was me.”

We’re sure there’s a couple of talent show performances of Priscilla Block’s “Just About Over You” happening this year, and in 2022.

Photo Credit: Logen Christopher

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