Thomas Rhett is releasing Country Again – Side A this Friday, April 30th.
When the Country Again project was announced that it would be a double album, but come out at different times, fans were wondering “why?”
Now we know that Thomas’ little brother had a hand in helping make the decision.
Thomas had a lot of songs ready to go, and was first considering making it one long album, until he had a conversation with his brother, “I thank my 15-year-old brother for this split of this album because…he’s 15, and he’s super hip and he’s on the Tik Tok trend and all that kind of stuff, and I asked him, ‘If I were to put out a record that had 26 songs on it, do you feel like that’s something you could listen to?’ And he said ‘Absolutely not’ (laugh), and I said ‘How far would you get before you just switched it to something else?’ And he said ‘Maybe…maybe 8 songs.’ And I was like, ‘OK, that’s good intel.”
At first Thomas was thinking of his own personal preference when it came to getting new music from his favorite artists — like the recent triple album, Heart & Soul from Eric Church, “You know, if I love an artist…the more the better for me. You know what I’m saying, like, the fact Eric Church is releasing a triple album is like Christmas to me. I get to live with 3 and half hours of brand new Eric Church music…but I’m also 30-years-old and I have time to sit and actually do that.”
But the more he thought about it, and following the advice of his brother, Thomas Rhett started to think that splitting up the Country Again album into 2 parts was the best thing for the music, “You know I think a lot of times, songs can get really left behind when there’s too many of them at the same time, you know especially in the way that they’re sequenced. If I were to put 26 songs on the same record and I save my favorite one for number 26, how many people are actually going to get there?”
He adds, “So, I wanted to do a double album because I had too much music that I loved, and I wasn’t ready to part ways with. But that’s the reason I split it up…it’s so people can have a lot of time to digest these 11, and then when Side B comes out, they have time to digest those 12 to 15 songs…and then they can listen to it as a full project and understand why all these songs were recorded in the first place. So, if they were to listen to 26 songs straight down they’d probably just pick their favorite 4 and listen to those on repeat…rather than getting 11 and 12 to 15, they get to actually soak it in, and actually recognize each song for what it is.”
This Friday, April 30th, fans get the Side A of Country Again, with Side B coming later this year.
Priscilla Block‘s debut EP will be available to fans this Friday, April 30th.
“Just About Over You” – her current single at country radio is one of the tracks on the project, and earlier this month she shared another song from the EP, “Wish You Were The Whiskey.”
But now, Priscilla has revealed the full 6-song track list for fans on her social media with pictures to go along with the titles…
The track list is…
01 “Wish You Were The Whiskey”
02 “Just About Over You”
03 “Heels In Hand”
04 “Sad Girls Do Sad Things”
05 “Bad Part Of Good”
06 “I Bet You Wanna Know”
When it comes to the collection of songs on the EP, Priscilla says, “I feel like it is giving fans, and just people, more of a chance to get to know me. I feel like everybody knows me really well through social media, because I am so much of a watch you see is what you get kind of girl…and this dives a little bit deeper, into kind of every side of me. You know, you got the sass, you got the trash, and you got the sad. (laugh)”
Priscilla Block’s debut EP arrives this Friday April 30th — and it features her current single “Just About Over You”
This is A Day in the Country with Paul Koffy – April 28th
On this day in 2019, the episode of Game of Thrones with Chris Stapleton‘s cameo airs on HBO. Last year, while promoting his album, Starting Over, Chris stopped by Jimmy Kimmel Live, and talked about the experience.
In 2018, Jason Aldean‘s Rearview Town, was number-1 on the album chart — and it includes the number-one song “Drowns The Whiskey” featuring Miranda Lambert.
In 2016, Cole Swindell was wrapping up a 3-week run at number-one on the country airplay chart with his very personal song, “You Should Be Here”
And on this date in 2000 – Rascal Flatts made their Grand Ole Opry debut. From their first album, this is “I’m Movin’ On.”
Darius Rucker is a huge fan of the NFL, “I love how physical it is. I love the chess match of the game. I love the speed of the game.”
For him, his favorite team is the Miami Dolphins – Darius even famously included his love of them, and the pain they caused him, in Hootie and the Blowfish‘s mega 1995 hit “Only Wanna Be With You” with the line, “I’m such a baby ’cause The Dolphins make me cry.”
Well, these days Darius is weeping a little less when it comes to the football team from south Florida as they are turning things around, “I’m really happy with where we’re going with the Dolphins. I’m really happy with the season, even though I thought we should’ve made the playoffs, but I love our coach, and I love where we’re going…I love our GM, so I hope it keeps getting better.”
With this week’s NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins might be taking a take closer to that playoff run that Darius is hoping for, for his favorite team.
But when it comes to a little fantasy draft pick of his own, would Darius Rucker rather be a player on the Dolphins, or the head coach?
He shares, “Oh, if I can be the Quarterback, I wanna be the Quarterback…but if I gotta be, like, the Right Guard, I’d probably be the coach. (laugh)”
Darius will be checking in on the NFL happenings this week, but in the end he says, “For me, there’s two times a year, man — football season and waiting for football season.”
In between watching football and waiting for football, Darius manages to squeeze in some time to make some awesome songs — like his latest single…listen to “My Masterpiece”
Cole Swindell is no stranger to hearing his music on the radio, especially with his new hit “Single Saturday Night.”
Cole says that it’s still a thrill to hear his songs played…and he does crank up them up when they’re on, “Oh, yeah, you know especially if you’re riding, and it just happen to…it comes on when you’re in the car.”
But he does make sure who’s around when he does pump up the volume, “If I’m with people, I try not to crank it up and look too silly.”
Cole adds, “Honestly, when you grow up listening to country radio and just being a fan of the whole deal, that’s how you heard music and for me as a kid to now you know, I know everybody says that it’s hard to put the words, to have your dreams in three minutes right there you turn up on the dial that’s I don’t know if that ever gets old then I need to get outta here and it’s definitely not getting any time soon.”
Fans are cranking it up, and also watching the super-fun music video for “Single Saturday Night” — which now has more that 4 million views…you can add to that count right here…
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – After a COVID-19 pause postponed the Tennessee softball team’s weekend series with Mississippi State, originally scheduled for April 9-11, the Lady Vols and Bulldogs are now scheduled to meet in a midweek doubleheader on Wednesday, May 5 in Starkville.
First pitches from Nusz Park are set for 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET. Both games can be streamed on SEC Network+.
Tennessee vs. West Virginia / Credit: UT Athletics
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Tennessee will play West Virginia in the Duke’s Mayo Classic in Charlotte’s Bank of America Stadium to kick off the 2028 college football season, the Charlotte Sports Foundation (CSF) announced Tuesday.
The game is set for Saturday, Sept. 2, 2028. This is the second regular season matchup in Charlotte between the two squads. The teams played in front of 66,793 fans on Sept. 1, 2018. It was the first and only time the two schools have faced off on the gridiron.
“This should be a fun showcase game for our program in a city and venue our fans enjoy visiting,” Tennessee Director of Athletics Danny White said. “Opening our season against a quality opponent like West Virginia will serve as a valuable experience for our team prior to SEC play.”
“We are very excited to announce that Tennessee and West Virginia will be returning to Charlotte to kick off the 2028 college football season,” said Danny Morrison, Executive Director of the Charlotte Sports Foundation. “In 2018, Charlotte hosted the first ever meeting between the two schools in football. The atmosphere surrounding the game was tremendous, with very active, supportive fan bases. We are proud to bring this marquee matchup back to the Queen City and look forward to hosting the Volunteer and Mountaineer teams and fans again in Charlotte.”
“The Charlotte Sports Foundation continues to generate substantial positive events for the community,” said Johnny Harris, Board Co-Chairman of the Charlotte Sport Foundation. “The 2018 game between Tennessee and West Virginia was a great time for fans hosted by Charlotte. We look forward to thousands of Volunteers and Mountaineers visiting our great City in 2028.”
About the Charlotte Sports Foundation
The mission of the Charlotte Sports Foundation (CSF), a 501(c)(3), is to provide leadership for sports-based initiatives that result in a positive impact on the economy and quality of life in the Charlotte region. CSF was created in the spring of 2013 as a combined entity of Charlotte’s two primary sports development groups, Charlotte Collegiate Football and the Charlotte Regional Sports Commission. Its origins can be traced to the vision of Charlotte civic leaders after the very successful hosting of the 1994 NCAA Men’s Final Four. The Foundation also provides support for recruitment and operation of other local sporting events, and spearheads Charlotte’s continued growth as a preferred host for premier national and regional sporting events. The Board of Directors that guides the Charlotte Sports Foundation boasts a dynamic roster of top Charlotte civic and business leaders. Please visit www.CharlotteSports.org for more information.
About Duke’s Mayonnaise
Duke’s Mayonnaise celebrated 100 years of its bold and palate-thrilling presence in southern cuisine in 2017. In addition to the five new regionally inspired Duke’s Southern Sauces and Duke’s Real Mayonnaise (still made according to Eugenia Duke’s original recipe), the brand offers light mayonnaise, mayonnaise with olive oil, tartar sauce and sandwich relish.) For more information, please visit www.dukesmayo.com.
KNOXVILLE, TN – April 24, 2021 – Quarterback Harrison Bailey #15 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the 2021 Orange and White Game at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, TN. Photo By Kate Luffman/Tennessee Athletics
In my blog “Vince’s View,” here on 991TheSportsAnimal.com, I break down the much-discussed Vols quarterbacks. Plus, I reflect on my observations, notes and views from Tennessee’s 2021 Chevrolet Orange and White spring football game at Neyland Stadium Saturday afternoon.
Did Not Play (21)
QB Kaidon Salter (7) *suspended
RB Len’Neth Whitehead (27)
WR Malachi Wideman (13)
WR Jimmy Holiday (10)
WR Walker Merrill (19)
TE Austin Pope (81)
OL Riley Locklear (56)
OL James Robinson (71) *suspended
DL LaTrell Bumphus (88)
DL Greg Emerson (90)
DL Elijah Simmons (51)
DL Darel Middleton (97)
DL Aubrey Solomon (98)
DL Isaac Washington (95) *suspended
ILB Aaron Beasley (24) *suspended
ILB Martavius French (29) *suspended
ILB Aaron Willis (41) *suspended
ILB Jeremy Banks (33)
OLB Byron Young (13)
OLB Roman Harrison (30)
DB Cheyenne Labruzza (44)
Quarterbacks and Combined Stats in Game
18 (R-So) Brian Maurer 9-15, 171 yds, 1 TD, 2 car 22 yds
5 (R-Sr) Hendon Hooker 10-14, 11 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT, 5 car 13 yds, 1 rush TD
15 (So) Harrison Bailey 12-15, 260 yds, 2 TD, 1 car 4 yds
14 (R-So) Spencer Smith (walk-on) 3-3, 31 yds Vince’s View: I thought going into spring practice that Bailey had a slight edge for the top QB spot. Then, in the first half of camp, Brian Maurer looked the best. Then, I thought Hendon Hooker had pulled in front leading up to the spring game. Now, Bailey looked best in the most important dress rehearsal, the spring game. Take a look at the breakdown below for more perspective on who did what with and against which units.
Drives – Quarterback, Units and Result Maurer – 2 Offense vs. 1 Defense – Punt Hooker – 1 Offense vs. 2 Defense – TD Bailey – 3 Offense vs. 3 Defense – TD Maurer – 2 Offense vs. 1 Defense – FG Bailey – 1 Offense vs. 2 Defense – TD Hooker – 3 Offense vs. 3 Defense – TD Maurer – 2 Offense vs. 1 Defense – Punt Bailey – 1 Offense vs. 2 Defense – Punt Maurer – 3 Offense vs. 3 Defense – TD Hooker – 2 Offense vs. 1 Defense – INT Bailey – 1 Offense vs. 2 Defense – TD Maurer – 3 Offense vs. 3 Defense – Punt Hooker – 2 Offense vs. 1 Defense – Half Bailey – 2 Offense vs. 1 Defense – TD Maurer – 1 Offense vs. 2 Defense – TD Smith – 3 Offense vs. 3 Defense – TD Hooker – 1 Offense vs. 1 Defense – TD (only 1s vs. 1s matchup)
Total – 10 TDs in 17 drives Vince’s View: The offense (and the game overall) was pretty clean and efficient without mass confusion. The tempo looked pretty good, although I’m confident that the coaches feel like it can be even faster. I love the fact that UT isn’t constantly substituting and having receivers switch sides of the field. They have multiple play calls with plenty of route options at the same receiver spots along with some subtle, quick formation changes they can do off of that. That allows you to keep the tempo. I can’t tell you how many times UT would try to go fast during the Butch Jones era where WRs would keep switching sides of the field and trying to figure out where they needed to be, completely slowing down the tempo and helping the defense. If you sub, the defense can as well and it removes the wear down, fatigue factor.
Harrison Bailey Drives (5) 4 TDs (3 Off vs. 3 Def / 1 Off vs. 2 Def / 1 Off vs. 2 Def / 2 Off vs. 1 Def) 1 Punt (1 Off vs. 2 Def)
*3 drives with the 1st team offense
*1 drive vs. 1st team defense Vince’s View: The eye test backs-up the numbers of Bailey having the best day. He was the most accurate of the QBs. Even though it was with the 3s, he drew the defense offsides, knew he had a free play and smartly took a deep shot that was accurate for the 73-yard TD to Jack Jancek. Bailey looked like he wasn’t suffocated with limitations put on him by coaches. There should be a progression from his freshman season where he was thrown in too early. It should be noted that Bailey had the most drives with the first team offense. That’s a good sign. That also means he had the most help around him. Plus, he only faced the first team defense on one drive all day. There was a big drop-off on defense with the back-up units, so that surely helped to some degree.
Brian Maurer Drives (6) 2 TDs (3 Off vs. 3 Def / 1 Off vs. 2 Def) 1 FG (2 Off vs. 1 Def) 3 Punts (2 Off vs. 1 Def / 2 Off vs. 1 Def / 3 Off vs. 3 Def)
*1 drive with the 1st team offense
*3 drives vs. 1st team defense Vince’s View: Maurer only received one drive with the first team offense. He did lead that unit to a touchdown on that drive. Maurer showed his usual mobility and play-making potential outside the pocket. He does vacate the pocket too quick at times relying on his legs. He had an intentional grounding call that was unnecessary and threw near the ground on a wide receiver screen to Jalin Hyatt on the first drive that destroyed the play.
Hendon Hooker (5) 3 TDs (1 Off vs. 2 Def / 3 Off vs. 3 Def / 1 Off vs. 1 Def) 1 Half (2 Off vs. 1 Def) 1 INT (2 Off vs. 1 Def)
*2 drives with the 1st team offense
*3 drives vs. 1st team defense Vince’s View: Hooker, like Maurer, faced the 1st team defense the most. His success was spread out against all units. I thought Hooker was the smoothest in getting snaps off quickly. Obviously, the pick six was the one glaring negative for the QBs. Hooker also had some of the wildest misses.
Overall Unit Results 1st Team Offense: TD, TD, punt, TD, TD, TD 1st Team Defense: Punt, FG, Punt, INT, Half, TD, TD Vince’s View: The last drive was the only instance of 1s vs. 1s in the game. That certainly makes the evaluation and understanding of what we all saw more difficult. That’s where diving into who was on the field when and against whom is useful. The biggest takeaway from the team results and the eye test is that the 1st team defense (even missing a lot of likely starters) performed much better than the backups. That speaks to the lack of depth on defense. Even with everyone back, there are still plenty of unknowns about this defense under first-year DC, Tim Banks.
Other Standout Performers WR Cedric Tillman: Made two of the most impressive catches in the game to back-up an excellent spring where he’s trying to be this year’s Josh Palmer.
WR Velus Jones Jr.: Had an easy TD catch right after a 52-yard catch. He gets open and is a sure-fire starter.
TE Princeton Fant: All the tight ends saw work with multiple units because they only had four available bodies, three on scholarship. Plus, UT showed some two tight end looks. Fant led the tight ends in receptions with 4 for 56 yards. He split-out wide. He even ran a tight end slant, which has been a rarity on Rocky Top. He told us a few weeks back that he was excited about this offense and that he couldn’t wait to show everyone his passing game skills. He’s a former wide receiver, so the ability should be there despite being used as primarily a blocker. I think it’s a really nice sign that the coaching staff can identify and tap into his skills. How many others will they be able to do that with?
CB Warren Burrell: Not many brag-able plays on defense, but Burrell’s 34-yard pick-six was the D’s play of the day. I don’t believe a pass was completed against him. He had tight bump-and-run coverage and some off-coverage looks as well. He did have one pass interference call in the endzone. He also had a strong spring according to teammates.
OG Javontez Spraggins: He did a really nice job in this game and in spring practice. He cleaned out DL Dominic Bailey on a pull left from RG on a rushing TD for the first team. Cade Mays started at RG, but the physical Spraggins got some work there with the first team also. If he continues to play well and show he’s one of the best 5, that could kick Cade Mays out to LT pushing Dayne Davis to a reserve role. There are other potential scenarios as well since Cade Mays is likely the only sure starter in that group.
Concerns Defense: There was very little pass rush, especially from the back-ups. The depleted linebacking unit was on display. With the addition of QB Joe Milton as a transfer, linebacker and defensive line are one and two on the transfer portal priority wish list for Tennessee.
Specialists: Punter Paxton Brooks was inconsistent vs. air with no rush. He has a big leg and is the unquestioned starter. UT will need a better year from him. Place kickers Chase McGrath, USC transfer, and Toby Wilson made all their kicks, but those were a little low and line drive kicks. Wilson handled the short kicking duties last season after Brent Cimaglia was injured and opted out of the rest of the season.
Kenny Chesney knew that the song “Knowing You” was special — and even was a bit of his life story, so he also knew that the video for the song had to be something special too.
Kenny says, “One of the things about this video I love is the way you can feel the settings, and each location – whether in Gloucester, Mass. or the Virgin Islands — was selected because it feels the way these emotions actually feel.”
He also adds, “With all the visual ways people get information, it felt like this was a nice way to give people a taste of what’s to come… to let them see and feel everything this song holds, so that they could tell this song and this video is something more.”
Now Kenny takes you deeper behind the scenes with the Making of the Knowing You Video featurettes – Part 1 & 2…watch them here…
Now that you’ve watched the Making of — check out the finished music video for Kenny Chesney’s “Knowing You.”
