Did you catch Florida Georgia Line on The Ellen DeGeneres Show this week?
Brian Kelley & Tyler Hubbard stopped by Ellen‘s studio to sing “Always Gonna Love You” from their album, Life Rolls On.
Watch their performance here…
Photo Credit: John Shearer
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Game times and television networks for the first three weekends of the 2021 Tennessee football season are set, the Southeastern Conference announced on Thursday.
The Volunteers will host Pittsburgh on Sept. 11 at noon ET live on ESPN. The following Saturday on Sept. 18, UT will welcome Tennessee Tech to Neyland Stadium for a noon ET kickoff on SEC Network+ and ESPN+ (digital only).
The Josh Heupel era and the centennial celebration of Neyland Stadium officially gets underway on Sept. 2 against Bowling Green in a special 8 p.m. ET Thursday kickoff on SEC Network that was announced earlier this month.
Tennessee and ACC foe Pitt meet in Knoxville for the first time since 1983, while the Volunteers own a 6-0 record all-time against Tennessee Tech.
Season tickets for the 100th year of Neyland Stadium are on sale now at AllVols.com. Season tickets start as low as $300, with the Vol Pass and payment plan options offered. Fans can experience the Neyland Stadium 3D map to select tickets based on preference. Fans with questions related to seats, views and options can utilize the live “CHAT” feature on AllVols.com.
SEC Network+/ESPN+ FAQ
Will the Sept. 18 Tennessee Tech game be shown on SEC Network or the SEC Network Alternate Channel?
No. The game will be digitally streamed on SEC Network+ and ESPN+ through the ESPN App on smartphones, tablets and OTT streaming devices and on computers via ESPN.com. You can watch the game on a television screen through the ESPN App via the major OTT streaming devices.
Will I need to purchase a separate ESPN+ subscription to watch the Sept. 18 Tennessee Tech game?
No. As long as you have access to SEC Network, the digitally exclusive SEC Network+ is part of your pay TV subscription. However, ESPN+ subscribers will have access to the game as well. A number of non-conference games, but no more than one per year per SEC school, will appear on ESPN+ as part of the SEC’s recently announced media rights agreement with The Walt Disney Company.
-UT Athletics
HOOVER, Ala. – No. 4 Tennessee scored early and often in a 12-2 run-rule victory over No. 3 Mississippi State on Thursday at the Hoover Met.
The second-seeded Vols jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the second inning and never looked back, earning their first win in the SEC Tournament since 2007.
Chad Dallas gave the Vols an outstanding start on the mound, holding the Bulldogs’ high-powered lineup to just one run on six hits in 6.2 innings of work to earn the win. With the victory, Dallas improved to 10-1 on the year and moved into a tie for 10th on UT’s single-season wins list.
Liam Spence and Max Ferguson gave the Big Orange a major jolt at the top of the order, finishing with three hits apiece while combining for four runs and five RBI. Pete Derkay had the biggest hit of the day, blasting a three-run homer during Tennessee’s four-run second inning. The senior designated hitter finished 2-for-4 with two runs and three RBI.
Drew Gilbert (2 H, 2 RBI), Jordan Beck (2 H, 2 R, 1 RBI) and Connor Pavolony (2 H, 3 R, 1 BB) also had productive days at the dish for the Big Orange.
The bats were hot early as the Vols put up a four-spot in the second inning to jump out to an early 4-0 lead, scoring all four runs with two outs. Derkay opened the scoring with a three-run homer to right-center field, his third four-bagger of the year. Pavolony followed with a double and came in to score on a single by Spence one batter later.
Mississippi State responded with a run in the top of the third on a Tanner Allen RBI single. Dallas did well to limit the damage to that one run as he struck out Kamren James on a 3-2 pitch to strand the bases loaded.
Tennessee regained its four-run lead with a solo homer from Beck in the fourth, his team-leading 14th blast of the season. The Big Orange added two more runs in the fifth to extend their lead to 7-1. Spence led off the inning with a single and came in to score on an RBI single by Gilbert. Ferguson scored the second run of the inning as the Vols executed a double steal to tag on another run.
After the Bulldogs were able to scratch across a run in the top of the eighth, UT tagged All-SEC reliever Landon Sims for four runs on five hits in the bottom of the inning to take a 10-run lead and put the run rule into effect.
Tennessee (43-15) moves on to face the loser of today’s game between No. 6 seed Florida and No. 10 seed Alabama in another elimination game. That contest is schedule for Friday at 4 p.m. ET on the SEC Network. Winner will advance to Saturday’s semifinals.
A HOOVER WIN: Tennessee snapped a seven-game losing streak at the SEC Tournament with Thursday’s victory over Mississippi State. Prior to Thursday, the Vols’ last win in Hoover was a 6-4 victory over Vanderbilt on May 23, 2007. UT also improved to 4-2 against the Bulldogs in the SEC Tournament with the win.
CHEESE BREAKS INTO TOP 10: Junior starting pitcher Chad Dallas earned his 10th victory of the year on Thursday, moving into the top 10 in a single season in program history. The Texas native is tied with five other players on the list: James Adkins (2005), Wyatt Allen (2001), Jamie Bennett (2000), Michael Cosgrove (1997) and Ryan Meyers (1995).
His 10 wins are the most by a Tennessee pitcher since 2005 when Adkins had 10 and Luke Hochevar set a program record with 15.
-UT Athletics
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Mickey Dearstone, the radio voice of Tennessee Lady Vols basketball for the past 22 years, is being inducted with the class of 2021 into the Greater Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame.
The 40th-annual Greater Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame Dinner & Induction Ceremony presented by First Horizon will take place on Aug. 24 at the Knoxville Convention Center. VFL legend and soon-to-be NFL Hall of Famer Peyton Manning will be the guest speaker.
Dearstone will join LVFL Heather Sumpter Blakemore (track & field), Mike Caldwell (football), former UT assistant coach David Cutcliffe (football), VFL Donnie Graham (track & field official), Chris Groer (tennis), Lee Guetterman (baseball), Carly Pearson (para-athlete), VFL Charlie Petrone (trainer) and Jay Wise (golf) in the class of 2021.
Serving as the Lady Vols’ play-by-play announcer since 1999-2000, Dearstone took over full-time duties from Bob Kesling that season after previously subbing in for his predecessor when broadcast conflicts arose. Dearstone, who also called play-by-play for Tennessee softball for several seasons, works solo, vividly painting a one-voice image of the action taking place on the basketball court.
For 36 years, Dearstone also worked at Knoxville-area Cumulus Broadcasting radio stations, serving as the longtime program director and morning-drive sports talk host on WNML.
His reach extends beyond the radio airwaves and internet, as well, as he also spends time in front of a television camera. He has taken fans inside the workings of the winningest program in women’s college basketball, serving as the host of the Kellie Harper Show and previously handling duties for the Pat Summitt and Holly Warlick Shows.
In 2019, Dearstone was granted honorary member status in the UT Athletics Lettermen’s T Club.
-UT Athletics
Tennessee Baseball head coach Tony Vitello, starting RHP Chad Dallas and UTL Pete Derkay spoke to the media in the postgame press conference after the 12-2 run rule win in 8 innings over Mississippi State in the SEC Tournament in Hoover Thursday afternoon. Video courtesy of the SEC Media Portal.
This is A Day in the Country with Paul Koffy – May 27th
On this day in 2017 Luke Combs was at number-1 with “Hurricane”
In 2016 Dylan Scott released “My Girl” to radio
In 2010 Chris Young was at number-one with “The Man I Want To Be”
On this day in 2008 Keith Urban released “You Look Good In My Shirt”
Photo Credit: Jeff Johnson LR
Alan Jackson‘s number-1 album Where Have You Gone includes a song that was inspired by a letter Caylee Hammack sent to Alan about her dad.
The story starts when Alan joined Caylee on her cover of Don Williams‘ “Lord, I Hope This Day Is Good”…
After her dad heard the song, which had his daughter singing with the country music legend…well, he got a little emotional. This is not a usual thing for Caylee’s dad, so when she wrote Alan to thank him for contributing to the song, Caylee shared her dad’s reaction.
This inspired Alan to write “A Man Who Never Cries”…he shares the story behind the song…
When the song was done, her team got wind of it, and sent it to Caylee…but they didn’t tell her about her special connection to the song at first…
Caylee shares the story of what happened the first time she heard Alan’s “A Man Who Never Cries”, “I listened to the song, and I just fell in love with the song and it made me think of my dad. Well, I’m already excited to listen to a (new) Alan Jackson song but I don’t know why I’ve gotten the chance to. I called the team and I tell them it reminds me of my dad, but why did he send it? They explain to me that this was inspired by a letter that I had written Alan Jackson and a line specifically about my dad, a man that never cries but crying happy tears when he heard our version of ‘Lord I Hope This Day is Good.’ It just blew me away to be completely honestly. I didn’t even know to wish for this, but still it’s just a dream come true. I’m so grateful to Alan Jackson, Mr. Jackson, I don’t know what I should call him just yet, but I am so very grateful. He made my dad’s day, once again.”
Alan probably made Caylee’s dad’s day once again when he invited her to play at his Where I Come From Benefit Concert on June 26th
Fans at the show will most likely get to hear Caylee Hammack sing this one… “Small Town Hypocrite” featuring Chris Stapleton
Photo Courtesy of UMG Nashville
Dustin Lynch and MacKenzie Porter are climbing the country music airplay chart with their duet “Thinking ‘Bout You.”
Talking about the song, Dustin says “So I wrote ‘Thinking ‘Bout You’ because for years I’ve been wanting to have a collab moment. I just love the history that collabs have in country music and this specific way we got into making this feel natural with a guy and a girl singing on a song was me and my song writer buddies said ‘Hey, let’s make it about a phone conversation of two people reconnecting.'”
Mackenzie added, “For me…being on this song was so cool ‘cause I feel like that nostalgic love, we all have that past relationship whether it’s high school or college that we can always go back to, and you kind of miss them even if you aren’t together anymore. There’s always that one person that has that spot in your heart.”
Have you checked out Dustin and MacKenzie’s phone call in the video for “Thinking ‘Bout You” yet?
Watch it hear…
Photos Courtesy of BBR Music Group
Tennessee Baseball head coach Tony Vitello, 1B Luc Lipcius and starting LHP Will Heflin spoke to the media in the postgame press conference after the 3-2 loss in 11 innings to Alabama in the SEC Tournament in Hoover Wednesday afternoon. Video courtesy of the SEC Media Portal.
While they may be working on separate musical projects it looks like Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard are bringing Florida Georgia Line to the fans!
FGL announced the I Love My Country tour, and can’t wait to get back out on stage!
The guys shared, “Touring is back, y’all! This is the longest we’ve gone without being on the road, and we’ve been counting down the days until we can finally say – we’re going on tour! Thank you to our fans for all of your support with our new music over the past year, we truly can’t wait to bring these tunes to the stage.”
Brian and Tyler added, “We’re excited to see your faces, feel the energy, and bring some good vibes to your city this fall. Let’s make some new memories!”
Russell Dickerson, Lauren Alaina and Redferrin will also be on the tour that starts in September and runs through November while covering nearly 30 concert dates.
Check out Florida Georgia Line’s I Love My Country tour schedule here…
SEPTEMBER
24 | Atlanta, GA – Cellairis Amphitheatre at Lakewood
25 | New Orleans, LA – Smoothie King Center
26 | Houston, TX – Toyota Center
30 | Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Music Center
OCTOBER
1 | Cleveland, OH – Blossom Music Center
2 | Indianapolis, IN – Ruoff Music Center
7 | Virginia Beach, VA – Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater at Virginia Beach
8 | Hartford, CT – XFINITY Theatre
9 | Syracuse, NY – St. Joseph’s Health Amphitheater at Lakeview
14 | Des Moines, IA – Wells Fargo Arena
15 | Omaha, NE – CHI Health Center
16 | St. Louis, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
21 | Raleigh, NC – Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek
22 | Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion
23 | Washington, DC – Jiffy Lube Live
28 | Detroit, MI – Little Caesars Arena
29 | Chicago, IL – United Center
30 | Kansas City, MO – T-Mobile Center
NOVEMBER
4 | San Diego, CA – North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre
5 | Mountain View, CA – Shoreline Amphitheatre
6 | Wheatland, CA – Toyota Amphitheatre
7 | Fresno, CA – Save Mart Center
11 | Phoenix, AZ – Ak-Chin Pavilion
12 | Los Angeles, CA – The Forum
13 | San Bernardino, CA – Glen Helen Amphitheater
16 | Denver, CO – Ball Arena
17 | Salt Lake City, UT – Vivint Smart Home Arena
19 | Portland, OR – Moda Center
20 | Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena
I Love My Country tour 2021, presented by Old Camp and sponsored by T-Mobile. Produced by Live Nation, tickets go on sale next Friday, June 4 at 10 a.m. (local) here.
Photo Credit: John Shearer
