Jordan says that his was only able to make his EP Buy Dirt because of the time he had last year due to the quarantine…
Jordan shares, “This EP, Buy Dirt, it’s been my last year. You know, I think I’ve learned a lot about myself, and I’ve been able to kind of reprioritize some stuff. I think it’s good to be busy. I’ve kind of always leaned on being busy as this really, really good thing. Being busy is good because that means you have a lot of work or whatever. But unfortunately, when you’re busy and you’re on the road, a lot of things that should come first kind of get pushed to the side. I kind of had to figure that out, and the pandemic really put it right in front of my face. And so, My writing changed, and I think that’s what a lot of these songs on Buy Dirt kind of reflect.”
Buy Dirt Track Listing:
“Blow Up Your TV” (Written by John Prine and Jeffrey Bradford Kent)
“Buy Dirt” (feat. Luke Bryan) (Written by Jordan Davis, Jacob Davis, Josh Jenkins, Matt Jenkins)
“Need To Not” (Written by Jordan Davis, Jacob Davis, Josh Jenkins, Matt Jenkins)
“Drink Had Me” (Written by Jordan Davis, Ashley Gorley, Emily Weisband, Paul DiGiovanni)
“Lose You” (Written by Jordan Davis, Paul DiGiovanni, Josh Kerr, Josh Dorr)
“Almost Maybes” (Written by Jordan Davis, Jesse Frasure, Hillary Lindsey)
“I Still Smoked” (Written by Jordan Davis, Randy Montana, Jonathan Singleton)
“Trying” (Written by Jordan Davis, Ashley Gorley, Emily Weisband, Paul DiGiovanni)
The title track for Buy Dirt features a very special guest singer – Luke Bryan. Dylan shares how Luke got involved with the track, “We sat around the fire after a golf tournament one day, smoking cigars and talking about everything BUT music. That conversation always stuck with me. Luke isn’t just a great entertainer; he’s a great Dad, a great husband, and a great friend, too. That’s what ‘Buy Dirt’ embodies. When I wrote ‘Buy Dirt,’ I knew he could relate to the song’s message. I took a chance and asked him to join me on the recording, and he said ‘yes’.”
The EP Buy Dirt – which is available now – also features Jordan Davis’ hit song “Almost Maybes.”
Gary LeVox‘s 5-song EP One On One is available now.
The new collection of songs with a Christian influence is Gary’s first post-Rascal Flatts project, and he says “It was time. You know, there’s time for a new season, and now’s the time…feels really good. I’m really excited about the new music.”
Gary adds, “One On One is my passion project and I have wanted to do this body of work for as long as I can remember. Two of my greatest passions, music and faith, are finally coming together.”
Gary shares, “Gospel and Bluegrass and Country…that’s just my foundation you know.”
When it came to working on the project – it was actually helped by the stay at home orders of 2020, “I’ve had plenty of time…of course, through this whole pandemic thing to really create and cut some new stuff and I’m just thrilled about it.”
One On One Track List:
1. “A Little Love” (featuring MercyMe)
2. “Never Forget” (featuring Jonathan McReynolds)
3. “While I Wait” (featuring Brittany LeVox)
4. “All I See” (featuring BRELAND)
5. “The Distance”
One On One from Gary LeVox, featuring “The Distance” is available now.
Max Ferguson and Connor Pavolony – Vols / Credit: UT Athletics
COLUMBIA, S.C. – A sixth-run fourth inning provided No. 4 Tennessee all the runs it would need in a 10-4 series-opening win over No. 15 South Carolina on Thursday night at Founders Park.
The Volunteers recorded five of their 12 hits during the six-run fourth, including a pair of two-run homers from Luc Lipcius and Max Ferguson to take a 7-0 lead. Ferguson and Lipcius both finished with two hits, three RBI and a run scored.
Pete Derkay also had a nice night at the, going 2-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI double, including UT’s first hit of the game in the third inning. Five Vols finished with multiple hits on the night.
Chad Dallas bounced back from a tough start last weekend with a great performance on Thursday night to earn the win and improve to 9-1 on the year. The Texas native retired 10 batters in a row at one point and finished with eight strikeouts in a career-high 7.2 innings pitched.
The Vols opened the scoring with a run in the top of the third. Derkay recorded the first hit of the game with a leadoff single to center field before Connor Pavolony reached on a walk. Liam Spence advanced both runners with a sacrifice bunt and Ferguson got the job done with a sacrifice fly to score Derkay and give UT a 1-0 lead.
After Dallas retired the side in order to end the third, Tennessee exploded for six runs on five hits in the top of the fourth to chase Gamecock’s starter Brannon Jordan. Lipcius and Ferguson both hit two-run bombs to right field while Derkay and Pavolony both had RBI hits in the inning, as well.
South Carolina responded with a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning as Wes Clarke hit his SEC-leading 21st homer of the year to cut UT’s lead to 7-2.
The Gamecocks pulled within three on another two-run homer in the bottom of the eighth by Andrew Eyster. Sean Hunley came on in relief of Dallas and got Braylen Wimmer to strike out looking to end the inning.
A two-out rally gave the Big Orange some more insurance runs in the top of the ninth. After Ferguson was picked off at first for out No. 2, Rucker singled up the middle and came all the way around to score one batter later on a triple by Gilbert off the right-field wall. Evan Russel followed with an RBI double and Lipcius came through with an RBI single to make it 10-4.
Hunley allowed a single in the ninth but induced a double-play ball and another ground out to end the game and earn his sixth save of the year.
The Vols will go for the series win tomorrow at 7 p.m. in game two of the series. Fans can watch the action live on SEC Network+ and the ESPN app.
NOTABLE
SKID SNAPPED: Entering Thursday night’s contest, Tennessee had lost 11 straight road games at South Carolina. The win was the Vols’ first in Columbia since a 5-4 victory on April 6, 2012.
BIG FLIES: Luc Lipcius and Max Ferguson both hit their 10th homers of the season during UT’s six-run fourth inning. The Vols have now homered in 14 of their last 15 SEC games and have hit multiple long balls in nine of those contests.
DOUBLE-DIGIT RUNS: Thursday night’s 10-run output marked the eighth time this season that Tennessee has scored double-digit runs in an SEC game and the 15-time overall this year. The Vols are 15-0 in those games this season.
#ROADVOLS: Tennessee improved upon its SEC-best road record with Thursday’s victory over the Gamecocks. The Vols are now 15-4 on the road this season and 10-3 in road conference games.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – For the 16th consecutive NCAA Tournament, Tennessee is hosting a regional as the No. 9-seeded Lady Vols welcome Liberty, James Madison and Eastern Kentucky to Sherri Parker Lee Stadium.
The Knoxville Regional is a double-elimination tournament and will run Friday, May 21 through Sunday, May 23 with the winner advancing to the NCAA Super Regional.
CAPACITY EXPANDED
On Wednesday, the NCAA Medical Advisory Group announced that venue capacity for 2021 Spring NCAA Championships conducted outdoors will be determined by state/local guidelines and may increase to 100 percent.
As a result of the announcement, this weekend’s NCAA Knoxville Regional will see softball attendance at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium expand to 100 percent capacity.
BROADCAST INFO
Game one of the of regional between Liberty and James Madison will be broadcast on ESPNU beginning at noon ET and will be followed by Tennessee vs. Eastern Kentucky on ESPN3/WatchESPN at 2:30. Tiffany Greene (play-by-play) and Erin Miller (color) will call the action all weekend.
GAME SCHEDULE Friday Game 1: Liberty vs. James Madison | 12 p.m. | ESPNU
Game 2: Tennessee vs. Eastern Kentucky | 2:30 p.m. | ESPN3/WatchESPN
Saturday Game 3: G1 Winner vs. G2 Winner | 12 p.m.
Game 4: G1 Loser vs. G2 Loser | 2:30 p.m.
Game 5: G3 Loser vs. G4 Winner | 5 p.m.
Sunday Game 6: G3 Winner vs. G5 Winner | 12 p.m.
Game 7: G6 Winner vs. G6 Loser (If necessary) | 2:30 p.m.
Need to Know
Tennessee enters the NCAA Tournament after reaching the SEC Tournament Semifinal last week. The Lady Vols defeated Texas A&M and SEC regular season Co-Champions Arkansas before falling to eventual SEC Tournament Champions Alabama.
UT has hosted a regional every year since the format began in 2005. That ties Alabama and Florida for the longest active hosting streak in the nation.
The Lady Vols had four players earn NFCA Southeast All-Region Team accolades, led by Ashley Rogers and Kiki Milloy who landed first team honors. Ashley Morgan and Amanda Ayala were tabbed to the second team.
FAMILIAR FOES
Tennessee has seen Liberty and Eastern Kentucky already in 2021 as both programs made the trek to Knoxville during the regular season. The Lady Vols opened the year at Sherri Parker Lee against EKU, winning both games of a doubleheader – 10-0 in five innings in game one and 3-2 in game two.
Liberty traveled to Rocky Top for a March 30 showdown, which went Tennessee’s way as it defeated the Flames, 6-0.
Last Meeting: A 3-2 victory for the Lady Vols in the Knoxville doubleheader on February 14, 2021, which was preceded by a 10-0 shutout win.
Key Player/Stat: In addition to having three games canceled in the month of May, the Colonels lost the final four regular season games that they played. EKU responded with a strong showing at the OVC Tournament, taking the tournament title and defeating top-seeded Southeast Missouri State twice in as many days to take home the conference crown. Redshirt junior outfielder Sammi Miller leads the Colonels with a season batting average of .419. Miller, while also holding team-best totals of 62 hits and 50 runs, is 16-of-18 when attempting to steal a base this season. Redshirt junior first baseman Carly Robinson leads EKU with 40 RBIs this year. The Colonels are batting .263 as a team this season and recorded an ERA of 3.42.
SCOUTING JAMES MADISON 2021 Record: 34-1 Overall, 17-1 CAA
Series Record: Tennessee Leads – 3-2
Last Meeting: A 2-6 loss for the Lady Vols in Clearwater, Florida, on February 16, 2019.
Key Player/Stat: The Dukes of James Madison travel to the NCAA Knoxville Regionals having lost just one game this season. With a record of 34-1, JMU is ranked No. 22 in the USA TODAY/NFCA Coaches Poll. Redshirt junior Sara Jubas, leads the Dukes with a season batting average of .427 on 100 at-bats. She has scored 39 runs and accumulated 29 RBIs this season. Redshirt senior Kate Gordon is batting .417 and has posted 48 hits, 17 home runs, a team-high 52 RBIs and scored 40 runs this season. Redshirt senior infielder Madison Naujokas has been successful in each of 23 attempts to steal a base this season. As a team, the Dukes are batting .335 this season, while holding opponents to just .163 from the plate on the year.
SCOUTING LIBERTY 2021 Record: 42-13 Overall, 16-2 ASUN
Series Record: Tennessee Leads – 20-0
Last Meeting: A 6-0 shutout victory for the Lady Vols in Knoxville this season on March 30, 2021.
Key Player/Stat: The Liberty Lady Flames arrive in Knoxville on fire, having won 21 of their past 22 games. Liberty finished the season with a record of 42-13 and won 16 of their 18 ASUN games. They went on to win the ASUN Tournament, defeating second-seeded Kennesaw State. Sophomore Kara Canetto leads Liberty this season with a batting average of .388 on 178 at-bats. She has recorded 69 hits and scored 36 runs. Senior Amber Bishop-Riley holds a team-high 16 home runs on the year, while her sister, Autumn Bishop owns a team-best 19 doubles this season. The Bishop sisters are two of the three players for the Lady Flames batting above .300. Liberty, as a team, is batting .296 this year.
GAMEDAY/STADIUM POLICIES & INFORMATION Clear Bag Policy
In an effort to enhance safety and expedite fan entry at Tennessee athletic events, UT has implemented a clear bag policy at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium and all other athletic facilities. Only one clear bag no larger than 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches (gallon size) per person is permitted. Fans are also allowed a small clutch purse not exceeding 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches. Gates will open 60 minutes prior to game time.
Parking
Softball parking is located in Lots S14 and C25 adjacent to Sherri Parker Lee Stadium and Regal Soccer Stadium.
Other Info
All of the information listed above and more can be found on the Tennessee Softball Gameday Information page HERE.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The National Fastpitch Coaches Association announced its annual All-Region awards Thursday, with four Lady Vols landing on NFCA Southeast All-Region Teams.
Tennessee’s Ashley Rogers and Kiki Milloy were tabbed First Team All-Region, while Ashley Morgan and Amanda Ayala picked up second team honors. This is the second first team honor for Rogers and the first time Milloy, Morgan and Ayala have been recognized as All-Region players.
Rogers has had a stellar year in the circle for UT and is one of the top pitchers in the nation. She ranks fifth nationally and leads the SEC in victories with 25, leads the conference and is fifth nationally in strikeouts at 278 and has a conference-best eight shutouts to rank 12th overall in the nation.
The Athens, Tennessee, native was named the SEC Pitcher of the Week three times this season, becoming the first Lady Vol to win the weekly honor three times in a single season since 2018. Rogers was also selected to the All-SEC First Team.
Milloy was named to the regions first team and enters the NCAA Tournament hitting .364 with 36 RBI, an SEC-leading 36 stolen bases and a team-best 48 runs scored. Her 36 stolen bases are the most by a Lady Vol since Raven Chavanne stole 41 in 2013.
The Woodinville, Washington, native was picked First Team All-SEC and landed a spot on the All-SEC Newcomer Team a week ago.
Morgan picked up second team accolades, marking her first NFCA All-Region honor. She was tabbed Second Team All-SEC last week after leading the Lady Vols in batting average in SEC play, hitting .400. She also led the Lady Vols in league play with 15 RBIs, 26 hits and six doubles.
Outfielder Amanda Ayala secured Second Team All-Region honors after posting career-highs in batting average, hits, triples, home runs and slugging percentage. She was able to achieve the honor despite missing three weeks in the middle of the season due to injury.
Tennessee, the No. 9 national seed in the NCAA Tournament, will host the NCAA Knoxville Regional this weekend, May 21-23.
When it comes to his upcoming Friends And Heroes 2021 tour Blake Shelton says “Here we go!!!!! Looking forward to getting back out there with y’all!!!!!”
Blake says “A little over a year ago when the world shut down and we had to postpone the tour, I was already in Omaha getting ready for the show that night.”
He adds, “I told you we would be back, and I’m thrilled to say we are kicking off the Friends and Heroes 2021 Tour in Omaha. I’m giving everybody in every city plenty of notice – you might as well tell your boss you’re gonna be late to work the next day and pay that babysitter overtime, because we are going to play some country music for y’all until they turn on the lights. And that might not stop us!”
Blake shared who will be joining him on the tour, “I’m excited to welcome Martina McBride, Tracy Byrd, Trace Adkins and my very special guest Lindsay Ell to the Friends and Heroes 2021 Tour”
BLAKE SHELTON’S FRIENDS AND HEROES 2021 DATES
All tickets on sale 6/10 at 10am local time except where noted
August 18: Omaha, NE / CHI Health Center*
August 20: Denver, CO / Ball Arena*
September 2: Philadelphia, PA / Wells Fargo Center
September 3-4: Washington, D.C. / The Anthem
September 9: Nashville, TN / Bridgestone Arena
September 10: Evansville, IN / Ford Center
September 11: Rosemont, IL / Allstate Arena*
September 16: North Charleston, SC / North Charleston Coliseum
September 17: Greenville, SC / Bon Secours Wellness Arena
September 18: Duluth, GA / Infinite Energy Center
September 23: St. Louis, MO / Enterprise Center
September 24: Tulsa, OK / BOK Center
September 25: Fort Worth, TX /Dickies Arena
September 30: Grand Rapids, MI / Van Andel Arena
October 1: Detroit, MI / Little Caesars Arena*
October 2: Milwaukee, WI / Fiserv Forum*
*Rescheduled date. These shows are on sale now. If you previously purchased tickets for one of these shows and you’re no longer able to attend, you may request a refund within 30 days. To be eligible, you must have purchased your tickets through Ticketmaster and not have transferred, posted, or sold them.
This is one fans will be looking to here — it’s from Blake Shelton’s new album Body Language – “Minimum Wage”
Lady A is heading out on the road with their What A Song Can Do tour, and the trio exclaims “To say we are beyond excited for this announcement is a huge understatement.”
Charles of Lady A says, “This tour is really going to be about letting our fans know how much they mean to us and what music has done for all of us over the last year…which is the essence of the tour name. We started writing a song called ‘What A Song Can Do’ and it turned into a love-letter to our fans.”
While Charles, Hillary and Dave will be there of course, they shared who else will be out there with them “We cannot wait to hit the road this summer on the What A Song Can Do Tour with Carly Pearce, Niko Moon and Tenille Arts!”
Lady A wants their fans to know that since they saw them last, there’s a ton of new music to play live, “Y’all come out and share this experience with us and sing along to the songs you know and love – plus, we can’t wait to share a few new ones that we’ve been working on this past year.”
Charles added, “We were lucky enough to still release new music this past year but there are songs like ‘Champagne Night’ and ‘What If I Never Get Over You’ that we haven’t been able to play live much so we know those will make for some really special moments.”
Lady A also shared that they know after the events of last year, getting back together will be an emotional experience, “We are going to soak up these moments on stage more than ever before and yes Hillary will most likely cry, ha!”
The group’s current single at country radio is sure to be a big hit on the What A Song Can Do tour – check out “Like A Lady.”
George Strait has announced that he’ll be back in Las Vegas this August for back-to-back shows on the 13th and 14th.
George’s Strait To Vegas shows were interrupted by the 2020 shut-down, but now the King is heading back. He says, “The Ace in the Hole Band and I have been looking forward to this day for a year and a half. I cannot wait to see Vegas and all of my great fans once again. It’s been way too long. We will finally ride again. See you soon.”
Tickets to the original 2020 dates will be honored for the rescheduled shows: August 28, 2020 tickets will apply to the August 13, 2021 show, while August 29, 2020 tickets will apply to the August 14, 2021 show. Those unable to attend the rescheduled shows are eligible for a refund at the original point of purchase for the next 30 days. Additional tickets are on sale now at www.GeorgeStrait.com.
When it comes to fans making it to the Vegas shows, they’ll be checking a big “yes” that they’re happy that the King is returning.
12:25
