As his song “Minimum Wage” climbs the chart, Blake Shelton announced that he’s releasing his next album May 21st!
Body Language is Blake’s 12th studio album, and will feature, “Minimum Wage,” his number-1 hit with Gwen Stefani, “Happy Anywhere” and 10 additional tracks.
Blake shares, “We’ve been working on this album on and off for two years now, and I’m very proud of what we have put together.”
When it comes to creating an album in the current world situation of social distancing and quarantining, Blake says, “We certainly had some unique challenges with the pandemic, but we also had a lot of fun. We explored new sounds while making sure to get in some classic country. I’m also thrilled to have my buddies The Swon Brothers featured on the title track as both co-writers and vocalists. Can’t wait for y’all to hear it!”
Blake also released the track list for Body Language…
9. “The Girl Can’t Help It” (Ben Hayslip, Josh Osborne, Mark Holman)
10. “The Flow” (Shane McAnally, Ross Copperman, Josh Osborne)
11. “Neon Time” (Jaron Boyer, Michael Tyler, Ben West)
12. “Bible Verses” (Joe Fox, Andrew Peebles, Brett Sheroky)
While we wait for Body Language to be released on May 21st, you can check out the music video for Blake Shelton’s current single at country radio — this is “Minimum Wage”
Congratulations goes out to Brett Young — fresh off celebrating his birthday last week, and revealing on The Kelly Clarkson Show that he and his wife are expecting daughter number-2 this summer, his song “Lady” takes the top spot in country music.
Brett says, “I’m speechless. ‘Lady’ is officially #1 at country radio. This is a truly special one. It is easily the most personal song I’ve ever written. A love letter to my daughter about my wife. Thank you for being the inspiration behind this song – I love you both so much! Thank you to country radio and my amazing team that helped make this happen – I couldn’t have done this without you. Last but not least, thank you to every single person who requested, downloaded, streamed, sang along, and turned up this song. Seeing how much y’all have related to it is so incredibly special to me. I see all your videos, comments, and stories – please keep them coming. THANK YOU”
This is the 7th number-1 in a row of Brett’s career…need a refresher of his other chart toppers…we got you covered…
Brett shares, “There aren’t many words to describe how this one feels… I’m still wrapping my head around seven in a row, then for it to be on a song like ‘Lady,’ is so incredibly special.”
Brett adds, “I’m forever grateful to the fans, radio and all of our partners for embracing it like they have, making it a soundtrack to their lives and sharing their own stories back with me. Thank you all and can’t wait to share what’s next!”
While we wait to see what’s next from Brett Young, check out the music video for his number-1 song “Lady” right here featuring his two ladies — wife, Taylor, and daughter Presley.
Miranda Lambert, Jack Ingram and Jon Randall have released another track in advance of their album The Marfa Tapes coming out on May 7th.
Talking about the song, Miranda says, “Am I Right or Amarillo” was Jack Ingram’s title and of course Jon Randall’s beautiful Blue Grass roots came out on that song. You know, it’s three part harmony and it’s old school country.”
Jon added, “I think we were talking about the most time we’ve ever spent in Amarillo was at the truck stop. We just started riffing on the title and a cheating song showed itself. We all miss country cheating songs so we just went with it. It is really more of a bluegrass kind of thing.”
When it comes to the recordings on The Marfa Tapes, Miranda shares, “They’re raw. You can hear the wind blowing, the cows mooing… We wanted you to feel like you were right there with us, sitting around the campfire, escaping the world, disappearing into the music.”
During her last appearance on the stage of the Grand Ole OpryCarly Pearce debut a song called “Dear Miss Loretta” — of course, that’s Loretta Lynn.
Carly says, “It’s no question that Loretta Lynn is a major inspiration of mine.”
That night at the Opry Carly shared, “My grandma introduced to me to her music when I was a little girl, and made sure I understood that if I was going to sing country music being from Kentucky – I had to know the importance of Miss Loretta Lynn. I’ve always loved her, but it wasn’t until the last year that I really FELT what she’s sang about all these years – and just how much we really do have in common. I wrote this song recently with Shane McAnally & Brandy Clark as a letter to her, saying all the things I wish I could say to her & sang it for the first time last night on my favorite stage. Thank you Loretta, for making me feel like it’s okay to write my truth and be unashamed.. just like you.”
Word of the performance got back to Loretta who reach out to Carly with her own message, “Wow! Carly Pearce this song means the world to me and you sang it on my favorite stage in the world – Opry . I loved it and I love you! Maybe one of these days we can sing one together!”
After getting that, Carly’s only response was “IM NOT OK”
Check out Carly’s performance of “Dear Miss Loretta” from the Grand Ole Opry right here…
This past week Luke Bryan fulfilled a promise he made to Alex Miller during his audition process for American Idol when he dialed Alex up with an invite to play the Grand Ole Opry.
Luke says “Can’t wait for Alex Miller to step into the circle at the Grand Ole Opry. I kept my word, didn’t I?”
Just in case you didn’t catch Alex’s introduction on Idol, you can watch it here…
Last fall Shenandoah released their 10th studio album, Every Road, featuring collaborations with Luke Bryan, Ashley McBryde, Dierks Bentley, Lady A, Zac Brown Band, Carly Pearce, Cody Johnson, Brad Paisley, and Blake Shelton.
Now, their song with Blake, “Then A Girl Walks In,” is their latest single at country radio.
Shenandoah frontman Marty Raybon says, “Blake Shelton is truly a big piece of this new record. His vocals are as solid as a slab of concrete.” Co-founding member Mike McGuire added, “We knew Blake must be a Shenandoah fan when he picked one of our songs for the past four seasons in a row on ‘The Voice’ for his artists to sing, but we never dreamed we’d have the opportunity to actually do a duet with him personally. What a blessing!”
Blake shared “Real excited to be a part of it – y’all get ready for our brand new song ‘Then A Girl Walks In!’”
Listen to their track right here…
Earlier this month, Shenandoah kicked out their The Every Road Tour — for ticket and show info click HERE
Check out the tour dates here…
Photos Courtesy of Shenandoah and Adkins Publicity
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – No. 9 Tennessee completed its first series sweep over LSU since 2008 with a 3-2 walk-off win in extra innings in Sunday’s series finale at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
Luc Lipcius came up with the big hit with an RBI single to center field in the bottom of the eighth to give the Volunteers their second walk-off win of the day and fourth this season. Sunday’s game was scheduled to be just seven innings but ended up going to extras after the Tigers tied the game at two in the sixth.
Liam Spence led the Big Orange with three hits and a pair of runs scored, including the game-winner after leading off the bottom of the eighth with a single to center field. Pete Derkay and Jake Rucker also added hits on the day.
Sean Hunley earned his second win in a matter of hours and improved to 4-0 on the year after pitching 2.1 shutout innings of relief, allowing just one hit.
True freshman Blade Tidwell got the start and was solid once again, allowing two runs in 5.2 innings while tying a career high with seven strikeouts.
The Vols (21-4 // 5-1 SEC) struck first in Sunday’s series finale, scratching across a run in the first on an RBI fielder’s choice from Drew Gilbert that scored Derkay, who doubled earlier in the inning.
UT doubled its lead on an RBI groundout from Jordan Beck in the third before LSU (16-8 // 1-5 SEC) scored a run in the fourth and sixth to tie the game at two.
A leadoff single from Spence started Tennessee’s charge in the eighth inning. After Spence advanced to third on a ground out and a balk, the Tigers decided to intentionally walk Rucker and Gilbert to load the bases with one out. After getting Beck to strike out, it looked like LSU might get out of the jam, but Lipcius lined a 2-2 pitch into center field that ricocheted off the glove of a diving Will Safford for the game-winning hit.
Tigers reliever Garrett Edwards was stuck with the loss after giving up two hits and one run in 0.2 innings. LSU starter AJ Labas was solid throughout his outing, allowing just two runs on four hits in seven innings of work.
Tennessee will cap off a five-game homestand with a midweek game against Western Carolina on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. before traveling to Alabama next weekend.
NOTABLE
VOLS OFF TO IMPRESSIVE START IN SEC PLAY: With this weekend’s series sweep, Tennessee is now 5-1 in SEC games this year, its best start in conference play since 2001 when it started 8-1. It is also the first time the Vols have won each of their first two conference series since 2001 when they swept Florida and took two of three from South Carolina. The Big Orange have also posted four series sweeps already this year, their most in a season since sweeping six opponents in 2004.
WALK-OFF WINS APLENTY: The Vols posted their fourth walk-off win of the season in Sunday’s series finale. All four of UT’s walk-off wins have come in extra innings. The Big Orange are 5-0 in extras this season and have won six straight extra-inning games dating back to 2019.
2020 Walk-Off Wins
Feb. 27 vs. Indiana State (6-5) – Error in 11th Inning
March 16 vs. ETSU (9-6) – Jordan Beck 3-Run HR in 10th Inning
March 27/28 vs. LSU (9-8) – Drew Gilbert Solo HR in 11th Inning
March 28 vs. LSU (3-2) – Luc Lipcius single in 8th Inning
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Evan Russell tied Tennessee’s single-game record with three home runs and Drew Gilbert hit a walk-off homer in the bottom of the 11th inning to lead No. 9 Tennessee to an incredible 9-8 victory over No. 14 LSU.
The game started on Saturday night and was suspended in the top of the ninth inning with the Tigers leading 8-7 due to lightning and inclement weather in the area and had to be completed on Sunday.
Gilbert’s 11th inning solo shot just cleared the wall in right field to give the Vols their second walk-off home run of the season and clinch Tennessee’s first series win over LSU since 2009.
Russell’s three homer night was the first since Cody Hawn accomplished the feat against Ohio on March 6, 2009. The Lexington, Tennessee, native also set a new career high with five RBI.
Trailing by a run entering the bottom of the ninth and down to their final strike, Gilbert tied the game with a double to right field and send the game to extra innings.
Senior left hander Will Heflin got the start for the Vols and struck out six in 3.1 innings but also allowed a pair of runs on six hits. Camden Sewell was solid in relief before running into some trouble in the top of the seventh. He finished with three strikeouts in 3.0 innings of work but also have up three runs.
UT relievers Kirby Connell and Sean Hunley were outstanding for the Vols late in the game. Connell had four strikeouts in 2.2 shutout innings before handing the ball to Hunley. The Mount Juliet, Tennessee native struck out Jordan Thompson to strand two runners on base and keep the game tied. That ended up being the only batter Hunley faced as he earn the win and improve to 3-0 on the year.
For the second straight night, LSU opened the scoring with a solo home run. After Heflin struck out Dylan Crews to start the game, first baseman Tre’ Morgan hit a 2-2 pitch to right center that just cleared the wall to make it 1-0.
The Tigers went up 2-0 with an RBI single in the top of the third, but Russell responded with the first of his three homers in the bottom of the inning to tie the game at two.
An RBI groundout by Gavin Dugas in the top of the fifth briefly put LSU back in the lead, but the Big Orange exploded for four runs in the bottom of the frame to take their first lead of the night. Russell hit his second two-run blast of the game to give UT a 4-3 lead before Drew Gilbert and Luc Lipcius both drove in runs with the bases loaded to make it a 6-3 game.
Russell’s third and final homer of the game, a solo shot in the sixth, put the Vols up 7-3. However, the Tigers answered with a pair of runs in the seventh to cut the Tennessee lead to two.
LSU (16-7 // 1-4 SEC) regained the lead with three runs in the eighth after home runs from Crews and Dugas put the Tigers ahead 8-7.
Pete Derkay walked with one out in the ninth inning to put the tying run on base and was pinch ran for by Christian Scott, who scored from second on Gilbert’s two-out double.
After a missed opportunity with the bases loaded in the 10th inning, Gilbert ended the game with his walk-off homer in the bottom of the 11th. The play was reviewed to make sure the ball cleared the wall and was upheld after replay, sending the Vols’ dugout into a frenzy.
NOTABLE
RUSSELL TIES HR RECORD: Evan Russell put on an historic performance on Saturday night, tying the Tennessee single-game program record with three home runs. The senior outfielder went deep in each of his first three at-bats, tying a record held by four other Volunteers, including Rusty Ensor, who was on the SEC Network+ call for Saturday’s contest.
Three Homer Games (UT History) Evan Russell vs. LSU (March 27, 2021)
Cody Hawn vs. Ohio (March 6, 2009)
Todd Helton vs. Arkansas (March 25, 1995)
Alan Cockrell vs. Austin Peay (March 16, 1983)
Rusty Ensor vs. Vanderbilt (April 2, 1981)
WALK-OFF HEROICS: After not hitting a single walk-off home run since 2010, Tennessee has now hit two this season after Gilbert’s game-winner in Game 2 of the series. Jordan Beck hit the other walk-off homer this season with a three-run shot in the 10th inning against ETSU on March 16.
UT’s Game 2 win was also their fourth in extra innings this season. The Big Orange have won five straight extra-inning games dating back to 2019.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – After rain washed away the Lady Vol Challenge, the No. 21 Tennessee softball team returns to action with a pair of early week doubleheaders with Furman and Liberty on Monday and Tuesday afternoon from Sherri Parker Lee Stadium.
BROADCAST INFO
All four of Tennessee’s games can be seen on SEC Network+. Fans can stream SEC Network+ on any mobile device through the ESPN App, or online at espn.com/watch.
The Lady Vols’ contests can also be heard on your local Vol Network affiliate or online at UTsports.com. VFL Brian Rice will have the call.
QUICK HITS MID-WEEK DOMINATION
Thus far, Tennessee has compiled a 5-0 record in mid-week contests in 2021, outscoring opponents 43-1. In those five games, the Lady Vol pitching staff has yielded just eight hits, while giving up one or no hits in three of those games.
DAVIS DRIVES IN SEASON HIGH
In game one of Wednesday’s doubleheader against Kennesaw State, senior Ivy Davis went 2-for-3 at the dish with a season-high five RBIs. Three of those runs came on a three-run blast to left to put UT up 4-1 in the afternoon’s opening inning.
The Huntington Beach, California native currently leads UT with 28 runs batted in and ranks second with 14 extra-base-hits (nine home runs and five doubles).
THAT PITCHING BY COMMITTEE THING CONTINUES
The Tennessee pitching staff, along with its three no-hitters, boasts a 1.51 team era and has given up either one or zero runs 15 times this season.
SCOUTING REPORT FURMAN 2021 Record: 6-12, 0-0 SoCon Series Record: Tennessee leads 10-0 Last Outing: A 9-0 demolition by Tennessee on April 20, 2016 Key Player/Stat: Furman is led by junior Mackense Greico. Greico is batting a team-leading .313 at the plate with seven extra-base-hits and has batted in a team-leading 14 runs. Greico also leads the team in both slugging and on-base percentage with marks of .583 and .424 respectively.
LIBERTY 2021 Record: 21-9, 3-0 ASUN Series Record: Tennessee leads 19-0 Last Outing: A 1-0 Tennessee victory on March 19, 2019 in Lynchburg Key Player/Stat: Liberty will arrive in Knoxville following a three-game series in Nashville with ASUN foe, Lipscomb on Sunday and Monday. The Flames are led on offense Kara Canetto and Amber Bishop. Canetto is peppering opposing pitching with a .396 batting average, 23 runs scored, seven extra-base-hits and 18 RBI. Bishop is second on the team in average, hitting .389 while leading the team with 26 RBI and 24 runs scored.
UP NEXT
The Lady Vols return to action with their second SEC home series when they welcome Kentucky to Sherri Parker Lee Stadium April 2-4. All three contests can be seen on national television with Friday and Sunday’s games airing on ESPNU and Saturday’s game can be seen on ESPN2.
Kenny Chesney says that his new single “Knowing You” can be interpreted in many different ways, but the overriding theme of the track isn’t that the relationship is over, but that you appreciate it even happened in the first place.
Watch Kenny talk about the song here…
Check out the music video for Kenny Chesney’s “Knowing You” right here…
