Have you seen the video of Carly Pearce being invited to be a member of the Grand Ole Opry by Dolly Parton?
Turns out that you’re only seeing part of the story. As you might know already, Carly used to work at Dollywood when she was a teenager, and also has always looked up to Dolly as a musical hero, so when she was asked to film a video recounting her days working at the East Tennessee theme park, Carly was more than happy.
Of course, Carly didn’t realize this was all a ruse to get her in front of a camera when the big moment happened with Dolly extending the invite. We now know that the cameras actually had to be shut down for a bit as Carly admits that she had a good 20 minutes of ugly crying because she was so overwhelmed with the offer. Becoming a member of the Opry has been a life long dream of Carly’s.
Carly shares what the cameras didn’t catch — including Dolly trying to help Carly compose herself. “I had tears everywhere and like, snot everywhere because I was crying, and she walked over to me and she had her new perfume in her hand, and she said, ‘Honey, do you want some of my perfume?’ And then she goes, ‘Smell my neck.’ And I was like, ‘Dolly, I have just cried for the last 20 minutes. I am afraid I’m going to snot on you.’ And she handed me her perfume and she just told me that she felt so excited to welcome me into the family.”
Carly Pearce will officially be inducted as the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry on August 3rd.
Fans can check out a live version of her current single “Next Girl” right here…
This past weekend Dylan Scott returned to the concert stage – opening for Luke Bryan on the Proud To Be Right Here tour.
After more than a year away from touring Dylan was ready to hit the road and perform his number-1 hit “Nobody” for fans…
With shows this weekend he walked away with moments he’ll never forget…like this…
and then off stage…he also had a moment…that he’d probably like to forget…with the caption “Sometimes a little friendly rough housing doesn’t end well!” Dylan received a pretty wicked injury — as he takes a door to the head…if you want, you can watch it HERE
We don’t think that incident will stop Dylan in any way from appearing at this weekend’s dates for the Proud To Be Right Here tour.
There’s also more news for Dylan Scott fans as he announced that tickets for his hometown show Bayou Stock go on sale to the public this Friday.
Plus the follow-up track to his number-1 hit “Nobody” will arrive before the end of the month as Dylan teased the date of 7.23.21
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Five Tennessee players were selected on Day 2 of the 2021 Major League Baseball Draft, which consistent of rounds 2-10.
Chad Dallas, Liam Spence, Max Ferguson, Connor Pavolony and Jake Rucker all had their names called on Monday afternoon. The five picks are the most in program history through the first 10 rounds of an MLB Draft, breaking the previous record of four (2019, 2005, 2001).
Dallas was the first Vol off the board as the Toronto Blue Jays selected him in the fourth round with the 121st overall pick. He is the seventh Tennessee player to be picked by the Blue Jays and the first since J.P. Arencibia back in 2007.
Spence was next, becoming the first of two Vols to hear their names called in the fifth round. The Australian was taken with the 154th overall pick by the Chicago Cubs, making him the seventh player to be drafted by the franchise in program history and first since Zack Godley in 2013.
Spence’s middle infield partner Ferguson was taken six slots later with the 160th overall pick by the San Diego Padres. He is just the third Vol to be drafted by the Padres and first since Chase Headley and Josh Alley were both selected by San Diego in 2005.
Pavolony was the first of two Vols to go in the seventh round as the Baltimore Orioles selected him with the 197th overall pick. UT’s veteran catcher is the first player to be picked by the Orioles since Augie Ojeda in 1996 and just the third Tennessee player overall to be drafted by Baltimore.
Rucker rounded out Monday’s selections, going to Minnesota with the 219th overall pick. The Vols’ clutch-hitting third baseman will join former teammate Alerick Soularie in the Twins farm system and is the seventh UT player to be drafted by Minnesota.
The 2021 MLB Draft will conclude tomorrow with rounds 11-20. Coverage on MLB.com will begin at noon ET.
More information on the each of Tennessee’s 2021 draft picks can be found below.
Chad Dallas – Toronto Blue Jays (4th Round, Pick 121)
Dallas had a breakout junior year as Tennessee’s Friday-night starter. The junior right hander finished the year with an impressive 11-2 record while leading the team with 122 strikeouts. His 11 wins were tied for sixth most in the country and also tied for the sixth most in a single season in program history. His 122 punchouts rank sixth in program history for a single season, as well, and were the most by a Vols’ pitcher since James Adkins had 133 in 2007.
The Orange, Texas, native earned a handful of postseason honors in 2021, including All-America recognition from the ABCA (second team) and the NCBWA (third team). Dallas was also a first team ABCA/Rawlings Southeast All-Region selection. During his two seasons in Knoxville, Dallas finished with an incredible 14-2 record and posted a 3.91 ERA over 21 starts (124.1 innings pitched).
Spence was the catalyst for the Vols’ lineup throughout the year after taking over as the team’s leadoff hitter early in the season. The senior shortstop led the SEC with a .472 on-base percentage and 54 walks while leading the team with a .336 batting average and 63 runs scored. Spence also finished the year second on the team with 82 hits and reached base in 50 consecutive games to start the season.
The Geelong, Australia, native was a first-team All-SEC selection at shortstop and was also named to the SEC All-Defensive team. Spence earned third team All-America and first team Southeast All-Region honors from the ABCA, as well. He was also named to the midseason watch list for the Golden Spikes Award.
In his two season at Tennessee, Spence batted .348 with 76 runs scored, 100 hits, 14 doubles, six home runs and 48 RBIs in 81 games played. He also posted a .471 on-base percentage and drew 66 walks. His 54 free passes in 2021 are tied for fourth most in a single season in program history.
Max Ferguson – San Diego Padres (5th Round, Pick 160)
Ferguson, a 2021 ABCA Southeast All-Region selection who was one of the Vols’ most productive players in the second half of the season, helping lead Tennessee to its first College World Series appearance since 2005.
The junior infielder started 67 games (primarily at second base), ranking fourth on the team with 46 runs scored, 12 home runs and 46 RBIs, all career highs. The Florida native also led the team and ranked fifth in the SEC with 15 stolen bases, showcasing his elite speed and athleticism.
Ferguson was named to the SEC All-Tournament team, as well, after helping lead the Big Orange to the tournament championship game for the first time since 1995. He batted .316 with a pair of doubles, a home run and a team-high five RBIs during the Vols’ five games in Hoover.
Pavolony earned a reputation as one of the top defensive catchers in all of college baseball while also proving to be a productive hitter during his three seasons with the Vols. Despite a slow start to the 2021 season and having to battle through a hand injury suffered midway through the year, Pavolony still managed to set career highs in runs scored (29), hits (40), doubles (seven), home runs (seven), RBIs (26) and stolen bases (five) while starting 46 games behind the plate. He also threw out nine runners attempting to steal on the year.
The Woodstock, Georgia, native was one of Tennessee’s top hitters late in the year, earning a spot on the SEC All-Tournament team and the NCAA Knoxville All-Regional team. Pavolony totaled five runs, seven hits, two doubles, two homers and seven RBIs in UT’s seven NCAA tournament games, helping lead the Orange and White to their fifth College World Series appearance in program history.
Rucker has been a staple in Tennessee’s lineup since his freshman year in 2019, when he helped lead the Vols to their first NCAA Regional since 2005. A career .311 hitter, Rucker has been one of the most reliable and consistent players for UT throughout his time on Rocky Top.
The Greenbrier, Tennessee, native had a career year in 2021, starting 67 of UT’s 68 games as the team’s primarily third baseman while setting career highs in runs scored (48), hits (90), doubles (21), triples (two), home runs (nine), RBIs (55), walks (27) and stolen bases (seven). Rucker’s 90 hits led the team and were tied for seventh nationally at season’s end. His 21 doubles also led the team and were the second most in the SEC.
Rucker was named a third-team All-American by Baseball America and Collegiate Baseball News while also earning first team Southeast All-Region honors from the ABCA and first-team All-SEC recognition in 2021.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee pitcher Blade Tidwell earned his second Freshman All-America honor on Monday, garnering first-team recognition from D1Baseball.com.
Tidwell became the 20th Vol to earn Freshman All-America honors in program history last month when he was tabbed a first-team selection by Perfect Game. He the first UT player to earn Freshman All-America honors since Sean Hunley in 2018 and the first to earn Freshman All-America status from multiple outlets since Nick Senzel (Collegiate Baseball News, Perfect Game) in 2014.
The Loretto, Tennessee, native was a staple in Tennessee’s weekend rotation for the entire season and led the team with 18 games started. His 3.74 ERA was the lowest among UT’s starting pitchers while his 10 wins and 90 strikeouts both ranked second on the team.
Tidwell was named to the SEC All-Freshman team, as well, and recorded an impressive 10-3 record in 2021, helping lead the Vols to their first College World Series appearance since 2005. His 10 victories were tied for the second most by a freshman in program history.
Tidwell was named to the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team on July 1 and is currently participating in the team’s 11 intrasquad scrimmages throughout the month of July.
Tidwell was one of seven players from the SEC to be named to D1Baseball.com’s Freshman All-America teams, the most of any conference. To view the complete teams, click HERE.
Tennessee 2021 All-Americans
Chad Dallas – ABCA (2nd Team), NCBWA (3rd Team) Sean Hunley – Baseball America (2nd Team) Jake Rucker – Baseball America (3rd Team), Collegiate Baseball News (3rd Team) Liam Spence – ABCA (3rd Team) Blade Tidwell – D1Baseball.com (1st Team – Freshman), Perfect Game (1st Team – Freshman)
Kennedy Chandler – Vols & Team USA / Credit: UT Athletics
Tennessee freshman Kennedy Chandler played a key role in propelling the United States to the gold medal at the 2021 FIBA U19 World Cup in Riga, Latvia, last weekend.
The 12-man USA Basketball roster defeated Turkey, Mali, Australia, South Korea, Senegal and Canada to set up a showdown with France in Sunday’s gold-medal game. Despite trailing France by five points at halftime as well as the end of the third quarter, the U.S. squad rallied in the fourth to post an 83-81 championship victory. Chandler scored five points and shared the team lead in rebounds with seven in the gold-medal triumph.
Chandler saw action in all seven games and logged the fourth-most minutes on the squad (19.7 mpg) while averaging 7.7 points, 3.4 assists, 2.9 rebounds and 1.4 steals. He shot .420 from the field (21-50) and .391 from 3-point range (9-23) while also boasting a 1.7 assist/turnover ratio throughout the tournament.
Kennedy Chandler – Vols & Team USA / Credit: UT Athletics
With this year’s gold-medal-winning performance, the Americans have claimed back-to-back golds at the FIBA U19 World Cup and have won gold in four of the past five U19 World Cup events (2021, 2019, 2015, 2013). The USA also has won 14 consecutive games at the event dating to 2017.
July 3, 2021 | USA 83, Turkey 54
Chandler – 5 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, 24 minutes
July 4, 2021 | USA 100, Mali 52
Chandler – 11 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists, 2 steals, 16 minutes
July 6, 2021 | USA 87, Australia 66
Chandler – 10 points, 1 rebound, 3 assists, 16 minutes
July 7, 2021 | USA 133, South Korea 60
Chandler – 8 points, 3 rebounds, 7 assists, 4 steals, 22 minutes
July 9, 2021 | USA 88, Senegal 58
Chandler – 8 points, 1 assist, 3 steals, 16 minutes
July 10, 2021 | USA 92, Canada 86
Chandler – 7 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, 18 minutes
July 11, 2021 | USA 83, France 81
Chandler – 5 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 26 minutes
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – As the WNBA enters the Olympic break, an SEC-leading seven former Lady Vols are currently on WNBA rosters, and LVFL Candace Parker is preparing to make her sixth WNBA All-Star appearance on Wednesday.
AT&T WNBA All-Star 2021 will be played on July 14 at Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. The contest will showcase the WNBA’s biggest and brightest stars under one roof when the WNBA’s top talent squares off against one another in a clash between WNBA All-Stars and the USA Basketball Women’s National Team. The 17th WNBA All-Star Game will be broadcast live by ESPN at 7 p.m. ET.
Parker was previously chosen as a WNBA All-Star in 2011, 2013, 2014, 2017 and 2018, earning MVP honors during the contest in 2013.
In recent WNBA action, Isabelle Harrison has been on a hot streak for the Wings, twice hitting her career high of 23 points, and Mercedes Russell is holding down a starting spot for top-ranked Seattle while logging 6.5 ppg. and 6.4 rpg.
WNBA games will resume on Aug. 15 following the conclusion of the Tokyo Olympics.
6-2 / G-F / Minnesota Lynx / 1st Season
Davis underwent surgery due to a stress fracture in her left foot and will miss the entirety of her rookie season…She was the No. 9 overall pick in the 2021 draft by the Lynx.
Next Game: Aug. 15 vs. New York (7 p.m. ET, Facebook, YES)
Diamond DeShields
6-1 / G / Chicago Sky / 4th Season
DeShields has started in all 20 games for the Sky, averaging 11.9 ppg., 3.8 rpg., 2.5 apg. and 1.3 spg. while seeing 30.2 minutes of action per contest…Has scored 10 or more points in 13 contests thus far, most recently logging back-to-back double-digit performances against Dallas, with 10 points, three rebounds and two assists in the June 30 matchup, and 16 points, two rebounds and three assists in the July 2 contest.
Next Game: Aug. 15 vs. Seattle (4 p.m. ET, ABC)
Isabelle Harrison
6-3 / F / Dallas Wings / 5th Season
Has appeared in all 21 games for the Wings, starting in two…Is averaging 9.5 ppg. and 5.4 rpg. while playing 22.0 minutes per contest for Dallas…Averaged 15.0 ppg. over a six-game stretch from June 24 to July 7, tying her career high of 23 points against Chicago on June 30 and again vs. New York on July 5.
Next Game: Aug. 15 vs. Connecticut (4 p.m. ET, ESPN3, BSSW+)
Candace Parker
6-4 / F-C / Chicago Sky / 14th Season
Has seen action in 12 games after missing eight games in late May-early June due to an ankle injury…Has notched five double-doubles, most recently with 17 points and 13 rebounds against Washington on July 10…Is averaging 13.3 ppg., 8.8 rpg., and 3.8 apg. in 27.2 mpg….Is currently the Sky’s second-highest scorer behind only Kahleah Copper (13.8 ppg.).
Next Game: July 14 AT&T WNBA All-Star 2021 (7 p.m. ET ESPN)
Mercedes Russell
6-6 / C / Seattle Storm / 4th Season
Has played in 19 contests for the top-ranked Storm, starting in 17…Is averaging 6.5 ppg., 6.4 rpg., and 1.4 apg. in 24.1 mpg….Recorded a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds against Las Vegas on June 27 and narrowly missed another in her most recent outing, logging eight points and 10 rebounds against Phoenix on July 11…Is the team’s second-highest rebounder behind only Breanna Stewart (9.6 rpg.).
Next Game: Aug. 15 at Chicago (4 p.m. ET, ABC)
Shekinna Stricklen
6-2 / G-F / Atlanta Dream / 10th Season
Has seen action in 13 games for the Dream…Is averaging 2.0 ppg. and 0.5 rpg. over 9.3 minutes per contest…Her best outing came against Indiana on May 21, when she connected on all but one of her four three-point attempts en route to nine points in five minutes of action.
Next Game: Aug. 15 at Phoenix (6 p.m. ET, CBS)
Cierra Burdick
6-2 / F / Seattle Storm / 5th Season
Signed with Seattle on July 1 and has appeared in two games for the Storm, recording a steal and a rebound. Signed a temporary contract with Phoenix during training camp…Played four games for the Mercury before being released on May 26…Saw 4.8 minutes of action per game during that span for Phoenix, averaging 1.0 points and 1.8 rebounds while shooting 50 percent from the field…Signed a similar temporary agreement with the Minnesota Lynx on June 15, appearing in three contests before being released on June 21…She played a season-high eight minutes against Chicago on June 15, turning in six points and a rebound.
Just as concerts are returning for 2021, a major festival is getting ready for their 2022 event to go on sale.
Tickets for Stagecoach 2022 – California’s Country Music Festival – will be available to buy this Friday July 16th at 10 AM PT.
The dates of the festival are Friday April 29th thru Sunday May 1st, and include performers Luke Combs, Carrie Underwood, Thomas Rhett, Maren Morris, Jimmie Allen, Tanya Tucker, Lee Brice, Brothers Osborne and many, many more!
Cassadee Pope recently appeared on The Kelly Clarkson Show where she revealed the name of her upcoming album, and performed her current single.
Check out the conversation with Kelly where Cassadee talks about all the music elements on Thrive, and she sings “What The Stars See” – with a little help from Lindsay Ell on guitar.
Cassadee’s new album, Thrive, will arrive later this year in the Fall.
Check out the music video for “What The Stars See” from Cassadee, which features Lindsay Ell and Little Big Town‘s Karen Fairchild.
This past weekend Brad Paisley was just one of many country artists returning to the stage after an extended break due to the COVID shutdown.
Brad shared, “It feels so surreal to be back on tour. We’ve waited over 15 months for this. But, we’re back…and we will see you soon in your town.”
For fans that are waiting to see Brad in concert, you can check him out tomorrow night as part of an all-star line up of programs during Shark Week!
Brad posted “So excited for Shark week! JB Smoove & I jump right in with ‘em on Brad Paisley’s Shark Country on Tuesday (7/13) at 9P on Discovery and Discovery Plus. It’s a blast!”
Brad tries playing for a new audience…
Did Brad Paisley sing his new song “City of Music” for the sharks?
Headline Photo Courtesy of Sony Music Nashville
Additional Photos Courtesy of Brad Paisley & Discovery Channel
