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Send Out Get Well Wishes To Matthew Ramsey of Old Dominion

Posted on May 10, 2021

Old Dominion lead singer Matthew Ramsey shared a hospital selfie on social media.

Along with the snapshot, Matthew added, “How many OD members does it take to change a lightbulb? Well, after a broken rib, collapsed lung, and various scrapes & bruises, I found out the answer is ‘More than one.’ Back home and recovering now with all the fun pills. be careful out there & get someone to hold ur ladder.”

We send well wishes to Matthew for a speedy recovery.

Headline Photo Credit: Mason Allen

Additional Photo Credit: Matthew Ramsey

Thomas Rhett Recently Sang On The Tonight Show & Chatted With Ellen

Posted on May 10, 2021

Did you catch Thomas Rhett‘s recent TV appearances at the end of last week?

On The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, he sang his current single at country radio, and the title track to his new album, “Country Again.”

Check out the performance here…

And then on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, before he announced that he and his wife Lauren were expecting again at a concert this weekend, Thomas chatted with Ellen about being a dad, his new music, and his new Tequila company that he runs with his cousin.

Ellen referenced Thomas’ number-one hit “What’s Your Country Song” – which you can watch the music video for right here…

Photo Credit: John Shearer

A Day In The Country – May 10th – with Jason Aldean, Scotty McCreery, Carrie Underwood & Alan Jackson

Posted on May 10, 2021

This is A Day in the Country with Paul Koffy – May 10th

On this day in 2018, Jason Aldean was at number-1 with “You Make It Easy” — with episodes 1 & 2 of the music video story line…

In 2017, Scotty McCreery released “Five More Minutes” to country radio

In 2008, Carrie Underwood was inducted a member of the Grand Ole Opry — here’s the moment Randy Travis extended the invite…

And on this day in 1993, Alan Jackson released “Chattahoochee” to country radio — and we all learned that Alan was an amazing water skier…

Photo Credit: Jeremy Cowart

Dierks Bentley’s High Times & Hangovers Is a Lead-In To the Beers On Me Tour

Posted on May 10, 2021

Dierks Bentley hits the road this week for his High Times & Hangovers Tour.

Starting tomorrow night, and running through Saturday, Dierks will play 5 shows in 5 night in 5 different clubs.

HIGH TIMES & HANGOVERS TOUR DATES:
5/11/21   Isle of Palms SC – Windjammer
5/12/21   Greenville, SC – Blindhorse Saloon
5/13/21   Charlotte, NC – Coyote Joe’s
5/14/21   Gainesville, FL – Knockin Boots
5/15/21   Knoxville, TN – Cotton Eyed Joe

This is the warm-up to a longer tour starting this August when Dierks launches his Beers On Me tour!

Riley Green and Parker McCollum will be out on Beers On Me tour – with Mitchell Tenpenny coming on for a few dates as well.

Dierks shares where the tour got its name, “I wrote a song a few months back with some friends called ‘Beers On Me’ that inspired this year’s tour name. It’s a pretty simple recipe for summer…get your friends together, have a round or two and dive into some great Country music. That’s exactly what Riley, Parker and I plan on doing out there on the road with our fans. Both these guys are road warriors and great performers that are going to help us get this summer fired up.”

Check out the trio of tour mates working up this Jerry Reed classic, “Eastbound & Down.”

2021 BEERS ON ME TOUR DATES:

8/13/21 Salt Lake City, UT – USANA Amphitheatre
8/14/21 Boise, ID – Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater
8/15/21 Bend, OR – Les Schwab Amphitheater
8/20/21 Irvine, CA – FivePoint Amphitheatre
8/21/21 Mountain View, CA – Shoreline Amphitheatre
8/22/21 Stateline, NV – Lake Tahoe Outdoor Arena at Harvey’s***
8/26/21 San Diego, CA – North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre
8/27/21 Phoenix, AZ – Ak-Chin Pavilion
8/28/21 Albuquerque, NM – Isleta Amphitheater
9/16/21 Virginia Beach, VA – Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater at Virginia Beach
9/17/21 Raleigh, NC – Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek
9/18/21 Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion
9/23/21 Columbia, MD – Merriweather Post Pavilion
9/24/21 Wantagh, NY – Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater
9/25/21 Boston, MA – Xfinity Center
10/07/21 Detroit, MI – DTE Energy Music Theatre*
10/08/21 Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Music Center*
10/09/21 Bristow, VA – Jiffy Lube Live*
10/15/21 Indianapolis, IN – Ruoff Music Center**
10/16/21 Pittsburgh, PA – The Pavilion at Star Lake**
10/21/21 St. Louis, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre*
10/22/21 Rogers, AR – Walmart AMP*

*Riley Green and TBD
**Mitchel Tennpenny and TBD
***Riley Green Only

Tickets go on sale to the public beginning Friday (5/14) at 10:00A Local Time at www.dierks.com

Of course fans will be looking forward to this one from Dierks on both the High Times & Hangovers and the Beers On Me tours — check the music video for “Gone.”

Photo Courtesy of UMG Nashville

Michael Ray Hopes His New Song “Picture” Serves as a Reminder

Posted on May 9, 2021

As he works his way up the country music airplay chart with “Whiskey and Rain”- Michael Ray has released the song, “Picture,” which was inspired by his uncle, who recently passed away.

Michael says “We wrote ‘Picture’ the day of my Uncle Terry’s viewing. The night before, my buddy and I were going through photos and he said, ‘Isn’t it wild how, no matter what you do in your life, we’ll all just end up being pictures that somebody who loves us holds onto?’ I wrote that down at three in the morning, and I decided not to cancel my write the next day with my friends Michael Hardy and David Garcia. I came in with this idea and I told them, ‘I think we have something special here.’ I wanted it to write it very autobiographically. This last year has made me so appreciative of the people who can just sit still with me, reflect and reminisce. It’s one of my favorite things about growing up in the south, and I hope we never lose that.”

Through the events of his own life, Michael thinks there’s a lesson to be learned in “Picture,” “I hope that when people hear this song, it’s not something that brings sadness. It’s something that brings joy. I hope it serves as a reminder that it’s okay to slow down and be present, because you’ll never regret the time to take to be with family and friends. I hope listeners can go back to pictures and relive good times with loved ones that maybe have passed, but I also hope it reminds them to capture those memories, in the moment, while they can.”

Check out the new track right here…

Photo Credit: Anna Clary

Thomas Rhett & Lauren Akins Announce They’re Expecting a 4th Daughter!

Posted on May 9, 2021

Thomas Rhett and Lauren Akins announced, “Well… we are pregnant again!”

Thomas shares how he shared the news with a concert crowd, and the world, this weekend, “When I was on stage in Fort Worth about to play ‘To The Guys That Date My Girls’ my wife talked to me in my ear monitors and said ‘you can tell them if you want’ so anyways, now you know. We are pumped to be having our 4th girl.”

Of course with this happy news, Thomas has a message to his fans, “Feel free to buy all the merch you want, knowing that all the proceeds are going straight to all these weddings I’ll be paying for one day!”

He added a very special message to his wife, “Love you so much Lauren Akins we always wanted a big thanksgiving table.”

“To The Guys That Date My Girls” is one of the songs on Thomas Rhett’s new album Country Again – Side A….check out the lyric video right here…

and the title track of the project is Thomas’ current single at country radio…

Headline Photo Courtesy of Valory Music Co

Additional Photo Courtesy of Thomas Rhett

Postgame/Boxscore/Stats/Story: #5 Tennessee Dominates Mizzou to Complete Series Sweep

Posted on May 9, 2021

Vols RHP Blade Tidwell / Credit: UT Athletics

COLUMBIA, Mo. – No. 5 Tennessee scored early and often to complete its sweep of Missouri with an 10-2 win on a chilly Sunday afternoon in Columbia.

Max Ferguson and Drew Gilbert powered the offense once again as the Volunteers cranked out 16 hits on the day.

Ferguson hit his seventh homer of the year, giving UT a 3-1 lead with a three-run shot in the second inning and it was all Vols from there. The Florida native finished with a pair of hits, two runs and three RBI while Gilbert added on to his impressive weekend by tying a career high with four hits and driving in two runs.

Blade Tidwell put forth one of his best outings of the season on the mound, allowing just one run on two hits in seven strong innings to improve to 6-2 on the year. The freshman from Loretto, Tennessee, finished with five strikeouts and did not allow a run after the first inning while retiring the final nine batters he faced.

After the Vols were unable to capitalize with the bases loaded in the top of the first, Mizzou (12-32 // 5-19 SEC) took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the inning on a sacrifice fly from Andrew Keefer.

UT did not waste its chance to get on the board in the second, however, as Ferguson continued his monster weekend with a three-run homer to put the Vols up 3-1. It was the second home run of the series for the junior second baseman and his seventh hit of the weekend.

Gilbert and Evan Russell recorded a pair of hits in the third to extend the lead to 4-1. Gilbert led off the inning with a single and moved into scoring position on a wild pitch before scoring on a double to right center by Russell, who finished with a pair of doubles and two RBI.

Tennessee struck for three more runs in the fifth to up its lead to 7-1. Jake Rucker, Gilbert and Russell started the inning with three straight doubles to plate two runs before Jordan Beck drove in the third run of the frame with a sacrifice fly. UT continued to pour it on with another three-spot in the sixth to up its lead to nine.

Tigers’ starter Zach Hise fell to 0-7 on the year after allowing six runs on eight hits three walks in four innings of work.

The Big Orange have now swept five series this year, their most in a single season since sweeping six opponents in 2004.

The Vols (37-11 // 17-7 SEC) return to Knoxville for four home games next week, starting with an in-state battle against Tennessee Tech on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.

NOTABLE

FERGIE FEELING GOOD: Junior second baseman Max Ferguson capped off a huge series with another impressive performance in Sunday’s series finale. The Florida native finish the game 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBI. Ferguson totaled seven hits, five runs and six RBI this weekend against the Tigers and also hit a pair of homers in the series.

NOTABLE SEC BENCHMARKS: After completing the series sweep on Sunday, the Vols now sit at 17-7 in conference play, their best SEC record through 24 games since also going 17-7 in 1995. Tennessee has secured a winning record in league play for the first time since 2005 and has also recorded its most wins in SEC play since going 18-11 during that same season. UT has also won its first four SEC road series this year for the first time since 1994.

HIT PARADE: The Vols continued their hot hitting this weekend in Columbia, recording double-digit hits in all three games against the Tigers after racking up 16 hits on Sunday. Nine players finished with at least one hit in Sunday’s victory.

Box Score (PDF) | Series Stats (PDF) | Vitello Postgame

-UT Athletics

Boxscore/Stats/Story: #15 Tennessee Drops Regular Season Finale, 5-3, to #16 Missouri

Posted on May 9, 2021

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The 15th-ranked Lady Vol softball team fell, 5-3, to No. 16 Missouri Sunday afternoon at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium in Tennessee’s regular season finale.

The long ball was the order of the day as every run scored by both teams came via the home run.

Tennessee (39-12, 12-11 SEC) took the early lead in the bottom of the first thanks to an Amanda Ayala solo home run to center. The blast was her ninth of the season.

In the second, Missouri (37-14, 15-9 SEC) tied the game off a Cayla Kessinger solo shot to center. Following a scoreless third inning, Ally Shipman smoked a home run over the wall in center to break the deadlock and give UT a, 2-1, lead.

In the fifth, the Tigers used three home runs to jump back in front and take a, 5-1, lead. Emma Raabe hit a leadoff homer to left, tying the game at, 2-2. After a foul out and fly out, Brooke Wilmes singled to bring up Jenna Laird. Laird then smacked a two-run homer to center to increase the Missouri lead.

With the next at-bat, Hatti Moore popped a solo shot to left to post Mizzou’s fifth run on the board.

In the bottom half of the fifth, Ivy Davis rocketed a solo homer to right center, scoring UT’s third run of the day and creating the game’s final margin at, 5-3.

Tennessee made a late push in the seventh as it loaded the bases with two-out, but Missouri was able to get Ayala to hit into a ground out to end the game.

Ashley Rogers threw a complete game for the Lady Vols in the loss, allowing five runs on seven hits, while walking two and striking out six. The Athens, Tennessee, native is now 23-8 on the year.

Jordan Weber started the game for Mizzou Sunday, but tossed just one inning before Megan Schumacher came on in relief. Schumacher finished the game, pitching six innings and surrendering two runs on four hits, while walking two and striking out two.

Schumacher picked up the win and improved to 10-3.

UP NEXT
Tennessee will be the No. 7 seed in the SEC Tournament, which starts Tuesday night in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The Lady Vols will play 10th-seeded Texas A&M on Wednesday.

Box Score | Overall Stats | SEC Stats | UT vs. Missouri Series Stats

-UT Athletics

Mother’s Day Well Wishes & Messages from Some of Your Favorite Country Artists

Posted on May 9, 2021

Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there!

Here’s some well wishes & messages from some of your favorite country artists…

Shania Twain

“Being a mom is the greatest job in the world! Happy Mother’s Day!”

Photo Courtesy of Shania Twain

Keith Urban

“Happy Mother’s Day to ALL the mothers in the world today! And a Happy Mother’s Day to Nicole Mary. Our girls are ALL love, color, kindness and compassion, curiosity, and so much more because YOU are all these things…and so much more – We LOVE you !”

Photo Courtesy of Keith Urban

Gabby Barrett

“A letter to my sweet little girl.
Oh Baylah May, how you have flipped my world completely upside down in such a small amount of time.
You’re almost 4 months old now. Little did I know, I could fall in love with another human as fast as I did you. Time is flying and it’s hard to describe how amazing it is to see you grow and come into your own.
I remember finding out I was pregnant, and wanting to fast forward already so that you’d be here. To see whose features you have, to hear your voice, your giggle. What your name would be, what your personality would be like. All the wonderful attributes you would have.
What a privilege it was to be able to grow you in my tummy. I miss feeling you move around, but you being earth side has been a new kind of joy.
The concept “dying to thy self” in the Christian life has become so evident since becoming a mother. And I couldn’t be more grateful to Our Lord and your daddy for giving me you.
Happy Mother’s Day to ALL mothers. Sending my love to you especially today.”

Photos Courtesy of Gabby Barrett

Luke Bryan

“Happy Mother’s Day to one of the best of them Caroline Bryan!”

Photo Courtesy of Luke Bryan

Tenille Arts

“My everything ’til the end. The first one I send every song to, the first one I call when I need to talk, the first one to cheer me on no matter what… I love you momma. Happy #MothersDay to you and all of the other fearless, beautiful, incredible moms + mother-figures out there today! To those of you who today is hard for… I love you and I’m sending a huge hug to each of you!”

Photo Courtesy of Tenille Arts

Matt Stell

“I look for any chance I can to bring up my mother…she is just…really the only way to say it is a bad ass.”

Photo Courtesy of Matt Stell

Kelsea Ballerini

“Each other’s biggest cheerleader since day one. love you mom.”

Photo Courtesy of Kelsea Ballerini

Luke Combs

“Happy Mother’s Day Momma! I love you a lot. Thanks for everything you’ve done for me and always supporting this crazy dream of mine. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you!”

Photo Courtesy of Luke Combs

Lady A

“To always being our own personal rocks, and always being viewed as everyday superheroes in the eyes of our children…we truly don’t know where we’d be without you. Happy Mother’s Day Hillary, Kelli and Cassie” – Chris & Dave & Charles

Photos Courtesy of Lady A

Darius Rucker

“Happy Mother’s Day to all you wonderful mothers out there. I miss mine everyday.”

Photo Courtesy of Darius Rucker

Priscilla Block

“Happy Mother’s Day mommy. I love you to the moon and back a million times over.”

Photo Courtesy of Priscilla Block

Elvie Shane

“Superwoman right here! Love you, baby mama. Happy Mother’s Day, Mandi!!”

Photo Courtesy of Elvie Shane

Carrie Underwood

“I hope all you mamas out there are taking a break today to enjoy some me-time!”

Photo Courtesy of Carrie Underwood

Niko Moon

“Happy Mother’s Day to all the mamas out there, but especially to mine.”

Photo Courtesy of Niko Moon

Happy Mother’s Day to All the Moms Out There

Posted on May 9, 2021

Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there!

Here’s some well wishes & messages from some of your favorite country artists…

Miranda Lambert

“Happy Mother’s Day to all the mamas out there!”

Photo Courtesy of Miranda Lambert

Chris Young

“Happy Mother’s Day mom! Love you and I’m so grateful for all the time you put into raising me and my little sister! (She’s gonna kill me because she was in the pool before this photo)”

Photo Courtesy of Chris Young

Sara Evans

“I’m so grateful that I was able to raise my kids on the road! Happy Mother’s Day to all the hard working mamas out there!”

Photo Courtesy of Sara Evans

Ryan Hurd & Maren Morris

“Happy Mother’s Day! Don’t know why I snapped this little gem but I’m happy I did. Hayes is lucky to have such an amazing mom, we love you Maren Morris!”

Photo Courtesy of Ryan Hurd

Tim McGraw

“Happy Mother’s Day to all the remarkable mothers in my life
And to all the mothers out there who have worked so hard to hold their families together over these crazy times we have been going through
You guys are our rock
Love y’all”

Photo Courtesy of Tim McGraw

Trisha Yearwood

“Happy Mother’s Day to all creatures great and small! xo”

Photo Courtesy of Trisha Yearwood

Kenny Chesney

“Happy Mother’s Day!”

Photo Courtesy of Kenny Chesney

Loretta Lynn

“She was the best. Really, the best. She taught me everything that really matters. She was tiny but strong. She had a beautiful smile and a contagious laugh. She was easy to be around. She gave the best advice–always the best; to me and to everyone else. The entire Holler came to see her for advice. She always knew what to say. As a girl, I always thought she was the smartest woman I knew. Now, all these years later I know I was right about that. She was life smart and heart smart. She taught me to sing and to cook. She never acted like it was a big deal when I made it in country music. She just said, “I knew you would once you started trying.” She believed in me. Daddy never got to see me sing on a stage, but Mommy got to see so much of it. What I wouldn’t do for one hour with her!
When I had my own kids I realized how much she really did love us all. Becoming a mom changed me forever. I can’t lie, sometimes it was hard and I was all the time tired but my heart was full. I’ve tried to love my 6 like my Mommy loved us. It never changes–no matter how old they get. I still smile when they come in the door. I still hope it’s them when the phone rings. They’re the ones that count the most in my book. Now they’ve become my friends–my best friends and I mean that. My kids are my best friends.
All you mommas out there don’t be too hard on yourselves. You’re still woman enough. You got this. Everybody else, love those mommas, hug ’em and spoil ’em. I love and miss my Mommy with all my heart and I love being a Mom more than anything else in the world. Happy Mother’s Day.”

Photos Courtesy of Loretta Lynn

Jay DeMarcus

“Happy Mother’s Day to all of the the strong, beautiful, powerful, smart, influential, patient, loving, nurturing, AMAZING women today!!
Just when I though I could not love Allison DeMarcus more, we had our sweet babies-and there were so MANY other sides of her I began to see, so many more reasons, and different ways to love her. We celebrate you today baby!!
It goes without saying, I ended up with BEST Momma in the world. She loves, ALL OF THE WAY. I know that there have been many long nights worth of prayers, have absolutely saved me sometimes. I am forever grateful”

Photos Courtesy of Jay DeMarcus

Tanya Tucker

“Mothers are very special. There’d be no life without them, no love, no me, no you, and I wouldn’t have my amazing kids. On this Mother’s Day if you still have your momma around, let her know that you love her… and how important she is in your life. I’d give anything if my mother was still here. Then I’d get another chance to treat her like the queen she really was and always will be. Happy Mother’s Day to all you strong hard working Momma’s.
Love, T”

Photo Courtesy of Tanya Tucker & Derrek Kupish

Granger Smith

“She had no idea when I took this that it would be her last picture without an engagement ring. I got down on one knee outside the restaurant soon after. We immediately began planning our life together, but everything for her revolved around her dream of one day (God willing) becoming a mother. Of all the things she wanted to do, that one purpose for her life stood above the rest: motherhood.
What a beautiful fulfillment! Now she’s an incredible gift for our 4 children. Happy Mother’s Day Amber Smith!”

Photo Courtesy of Granger Smith