Little Big Town‘s Kimberly Schlapman stopped by The Doctors TV Show to talk about how she coped during the pandemic, and to give perspective on how the quarantine has affected the music industry. Kimberly also talked about her involvement with ACM Lifting Lives, which is the charity arm of the Academy of Country Music, and how it helped not just musicians but all of the support staff that goes into making the music scene work.
Elvie Shane‘s “My Boy” is connecting with fans in a major way.
The song’s message of…family is about love and not blood, is resonating with everyone who who hears it, and also everyone who sees the video too.
Elvie was a little late to acknowledge the music video for “My Boy” reaching the 1-million views mark…but as he shares, that only meant to he got to celebrate a larger views total…
And that number continues to go up!
Elvie shares, “Thank y’all so much for the love you’ve shown it!!”
You can show a little love for the video too, and help that views number continue to rise…check out the music video for Elvie Shane’s “My Boy” right here…
Andrew Jannakos has his own song at country radio, “Gone Too Soon,” but he just can’t seem to stop singing Brad Paisley songs while he’s cooking.
Early last month it was a little “I’m Gonna Miss Her”…
A couple of weeks later, he actually covered Brad’s new song “Off Road,” with a little help from…Brad…
Andrew posted “If you know me, you know Brad Paisley has been my idol since I was a kid….for him to duet me is just…insane.”
Andrew also added, “The fake egg cracked me up.”
Taking a break from cooking and singing Brad Paisley songs, Andrew also recently shared with fans a little behind the scenes clip of his debut music video for “Gone Too Soon.”
You can catch the full video of Andrew Jannakos’ “Gone Too Soon” right here…
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – No. 15 Tennessee had a day to forget on Saturday, dropping both games of its doubleheader against Indiana State at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
The Vols lost both contests by two runs, falling 3-1 in Game 1 before suffering a 7-5 loss in in Game 2 to drop their record to 6-2 on the year.
Game 1 – Indiana State 3, Tennessee 1
The Vols weren’t able to get the bats going in Game 1 of Saturday’s doubleheader, dropping their first game of the season by a score of 3-1.
Tennessee was only able to muster five hits, three of which came in the ninth inning, and left eight runners on base. Jordan Beck drove in UT’s only run with a triple in the fourth inning for his 11th RBI of the season.
The Sycamores opened the scoring with a pair of base hits in the top of the second. Brian Fuentes reached with a leadoff double and came around to score on a two-out single by Diego Gines later in the inning.
Gines continued to be a thorn in Tennessee’s side with another big RBI hit in the fourth after an error extended the inning for Indiana State.
The Vols were able to cut the deficit to one thanks to a pair of hits in the bottom of the inning. Jake Rucker led off with a single and came all the way around to score on a triple to the gap in right center by Beck. Tennessee had a chance to tie or take the lead with runners on second and third with one out but was unable to take advantage.
Indiana State added an insurance run in the fifth on an RBI groundout by Fuentes after the Sycamores loaded the bases with one out.
Tennessee made things interesting in the ninth, starting the inning with back-to-back singles from Luc Lipcius and Connor Pavolony. Drew Gilbert followed with a single to deep right-center field that fell between Indiana State’s right and center fielders, but Gilbert was called out on the play after passing Pavolony on the base paths. Christian Scott struck out swinging and Pete Derkay flied out to end the game, leaving the tying run stranded on second base.
The duo of Geremy Guerrero and Connor Cline kept the Vols off balance throughout the game and finished with a combined six strikeouts. Cline pitched six innings in relief and allowed just two hits to earn the win. Closer Tyler Grauer inherited two runners when he entered the game in the ninth, but was able to keep the Vols off the scoreboard and secure his first save of the year.
Freshman right hander Blade Tidwell finished with six strikeouts in four innings of work, allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits and a walk. Senior Will Heflin did a nice job in relief to keep the Vols within striking distance, allowing just one run on four hits in 4.2 innings of work.
Game 2 – Indiana State 7, Tennessee 5
Things didn’t get much better for the Vols in Game 2 of Saturday’s twin bill, as Indiana State took an early lead and held on for a 7-5 victory.
After falling behind 7-0 in the fifth inning, Tennessee exploded for five runs in the sixth to cut the Sycamores’ lead to two but was unable to complete the late comeback bid.
Liam Spence was UT’s most effective hitter, finishing 2-for-4 with a run and two RBI. Jake Rucker drove in a pair of runs as well with a single in the sixth inning.
After a quality start last Sunday at Georgia Southern, junior right hander Elijah Pleasants struggled on Saturday, pitching just two innings after allowing five runs on four hits.
Sophomore lefty Kirby Connell had an incredible performance out of the bullpen to keep Indiana State from adding to its lead. The South Carolina native gave up just one hit in 4.1 shutout innings and retired 13 straight batters at one point.
The Vols’ bats were more productive in Game 2 but were unable to capitalize on some early scoring chances that would prove costly. Tennessee had two golden opportunities to get back in the game but left the bases loaded in the third and fourth innings when the score was 5-0.
Carrying their momentum over from Game 1, the Sycamores jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the first two innings, manufacturing a pair of runs in the opening frame and then adding to their lead with a solo home run by Mike Sears in the second. ISU added two more runs in the top of the third to increase its lead to 5-0.
A solo homer by Max Wright and an RBI single from Sean Ross extended the Sycamores lead to seven in the fifth before the Vols bats came alive to the tune of five runs in the sixth to make it a game.
Unfortunately, the relief combo of Connor Fenlong and Tyler Grauer were able to stall the Vols’ comeback attempt with 3.2 scoreless innings to finish the game. Fenlong picked up the win while Grauer allowed just one hit and had four strikeouts over the final two innings to earn his second save of the day.
Tennessee will look to rebound and earn a series split with a win in tomorrow’s series finale. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m. and the game will be streamed live on WatchESPN.com and the ESPN app.
NOTABLE
CONNELL SHINES BRIGHT ON TOUGH DAY: One of the bright spots on an otherwise tough afternoon was the pitching of sophomore left hander Kirby Connell, who was fantastic in relief in Game 2 on Saturday. Connell gave up just one hit and had three strikeouts in his outing. He also retired 13 straight batters at one point before walking and hitting the final two Sycamores he faced.
VOLS STRUGGLE WITH RISP: Tennessee struggled all afternoon with runners in scoring position, going a combined 4-for-17 over the two games. The Vols left the bases loaded without scoring twice in Game 2 and left 12 runners on base for the game.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – After a rain delay paused action for 43 minutes at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium 1.5 innings into play, No. RV/23/24 Tennessee’s offense came alive to shut out Central Michigan 9-0 in five innings.
Ally Shipman (1-for-3) found her swing in dramatic fashion blasting a two-out dinger to left center to get the early finish as the Lady Vols (10-1) erupted to record their fourth run-rule of the season.
Senior Amanda Ayala (2-for-4) backed up her solid outing from Thursday night with a pair of hits, reaching home plate once. Senior Chelsea Seggern (2-for-2) was perfect at the plate with a pair of hits and RBI, scoring twice herself. She also was pegged at the plate twice during the game. Senior Cailin Hannon went 2-for-2 with a season-high three RBI.
Ayala record her sixth multi-hit game of the season while Hannon collected her fifth and Seggern tabbed her fourth.
Defensively, Seggern also collected a season-high four put outs, including an impressive defensive showing in the bottom of the third where she dove in to catch a shallow pop out before turning a double play to conclude the half.
After going scoreless the first two innings, Hannon hit a 2-RBI, two out single to put the Lady Vols on the board 2-0. Seggern followed suit in the fourth inning with a base hit to the centerfield warning track to bring in Ayala and Kaitlin Parsons who was hit by a pitch earlier in the frame.
UT got a few easy trips back home to extend their lead to 6-0 by the end of the fourth as Hannon and Madison Webber (0-for-2) drew back-to-back walks with the bases loaded.
Moving to get the quick finish, Parsons put things in motion drawing a lead-off walk and stealing second before the first out in the fifth inning. The Long Beach, Calif., native advanced to the hot corner on a fly out from Ayala and then came home on a ground out from Ivy Davis (1-for-4). Down two, Seggern was pegged at the plate to put the walk-off run on base. Shipman, who looked for her first hit of the game, overcame the pressure with her third homer of the season to provide the final margin.
Sophomore Callie Turner and junior Samantha Bender pitched by committee. Turner, who got the start and the win, pitched 4.0 shutout innings giving up four hits and a walk. Bender closed out the final frame and gave up just one hit.
Up Next: The Lady Vols have a rematch against Central Michigan set for 9:30 a.m. ET tomorrow and a 12:30 p.m. ET matchup with Northern Kentucky to conclude the tournament.
Both contests will be broadcast on the SECN+, with Madison Shipman (Analysis) and Michael Wottreng (PxP) on the call.
AUBURN, Ala. – Tennessee lost the battle on the boards Saturday, as the 25th-ranked Volunteers suffered a 77-72 setback at Auburn Arena.
Tennessee (16-7, 9-7 SEC) was out-rebounded by Auburn (12-13, 6-10 SEC) 38-31 overall and gave up 16 offensive boards to the Tigers.
Freshman Keon Johnson led UT in scoring with 23 points on a 9-of-17 mark from the field.
Classmate Jaden Springer added 20 points, six assists, five rebounds, two steals and a block. His performance marked his second consecutive 20-point effort and his sixth of the season.
Senior Yves Pons had another well-rounded outing, scoring 10 points and pulling down a game-high eight rebounds. The Fuveau, France, native has reeled in at least eight boards in three of his last four games (29 total, 7.3 rpg).
The story of the first half was told on the offensive glass, as Auburn racked up 11 offensive boards and took a slim, 34-30 advantage into the halftime break.
Auburn maintained control of proceedings through the duration of the second half, never relinquishing its lead and holding off each Tennessee counter punch to close the afternoon.
Up Next: Tennessee will take an eight-day break before concluding its regular season next Sunday at home against Florida. Tipoff from Thompson-Boling Arena is set for noon ET on ESPNU.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — No. 20/21 Tennessee (14-6, 8-4 SEC) and Auburn (5-17, 0-14 SEC) will meet at 2:02 p.m. ET on Sunday in the regular season finale for both teams at Thompson-Boling Arena.
The match-up will be UT’s last home game of the year as well as Senior Day for Lady Vols Rennia Davis, Kasiyahna Kushkituah and Jaiden McCoy. The Tennessee trio will be honored prior to the game. Also being recognized during the contest will be graduate managers Caleb Currier and Josh Theis, manager Elizabeth Wong, student athletic trainer Olivia Nicholas and practice player Hunter Huff.
At stake for the Lady Vols is a third-place finish in the SEC standings. A win would mean the Lady Vols would earn a No. 3 seed and face the winner of the No. 6/11 game on Friday evening around 8 p.m. ET at the SEC Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, S.C. A No. 3 seed would be the highest for Tennessee since taking a No. 2 seed into the 2015 SEC Tourney in North Little Rock, Ark., and advancing to the championship game. UT also tied for third in the regular season conference standings a year ago, but it drew the No. 6 seed by virtue of the league’s tiebreaker system.
A setback on Sunday would leave the Big Orange in limbo, with Kentucky and Georgia able to overtake UT in the standings with wins over Ole Miss and Florida, respectively. That could result in the Lady Vols falling to a No. 4 or 5 seed at the SEC Tourney.
The Lady Vols enter Sunday on the heels of a 78-73 come-from-behind victory over Missouri in Columbia on Thursday night, with Rennia Davis tallying 26 second-half points, including 20 in the fourth quarter, to send Tennessee home happy. Tennessee’s match-up with Missouri was its first on the road in its past three trips where the opposition hadn’t enjoyed an open date prior to the game.
UT’s win, combined with Kentucky’s defeat of Georgia on Thursday night, boosted the Lady Vols from fourth place to third in the standings, giving the Big Orange an assist of sorts from Kellie Harper‘s former Lady Vol teammate, UK head coach Kyra Elzy.
Auburn, meanwhile, is coming off a near miss at home vs. #16/16 Arkansas on Thursday night, with the Razorbacks coming from 10-down in the third period to prevail, 74-69, and keep the Tigers winless in SEC play at 0-14.
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Sunday’s game will be televised by SEC Network, with Sam Gore (PxP) and former LVFL Tamika Catchings (Analyst) on the call.
All of the games included in the ESPN package (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU) and the SEC Network will be available through WatchESPN, accessible online at WatchESPN.com, on smartphones and tablets via the WatchESPN app, and streamed on televisions through Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku, Xbox 360 or Xbox One to fans who receive their video subscription from an affiliated provider.
Institutions can produce for SEC Network+ (SECN+) any conference and non-conference games that are not otherwise televised. Those are available on the ESPN app and SECSports.com.
The contest also can be heard on Lady Vol Network radio stations and by audio stream, with Mickey Dearstone behind the microphone. Now calling the action for his 22nd season, Dearstone is joined by studio host Bobby Rader.
A link to the live audio stream can be found on each game’s Hoops Central page or the Lady Vol schedule on UTSports.com.
For a list of Lady Vol Network affiliates, please click on the Fans tab at the top of UTSports.com, select Vol Network and then click on Vol Network Affiliates in the black bar at the top of the page.
Air time for games on the Lady Vol Radio Network generally occurs 30 minutes prior to tip-off.
Single game tickets are on sale, starting at just $7. Go to AllVols.com to purchase.
LADY VOL STATUS UPDATE
Tennessee is vying for a top-four seeding in the SEC Tournament, which earns the all-important double bye.
If Kellie Harper‘s squad can pull that off, it would mark UT’s first Friday debut at the tournament since 2015, when the Lady Vols were seeded second and advanced to the finals before falling to South Carolina.
That’s not bad for a team picked to finish sixth in SEC preseason polls by both the coaches and media.
Also not bad for a team that lost three starters (Zaay Green, Jazmine Massengill, Lou Brown) from a year ago and had two starters this season (Keyen Green, Marta Suárez) out of the lineup due to injuries.
UT tied for third in the SEC standings a year ago but was relegated to the No. 6 seed by virtue of tie breakers.
The Lady Vols are in play for a No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament and helped their cause with an eight-point win over No. 2/3 South Carolina on Feb. 18.
Tennessee has posted four victories over ranked teams (No. 13/13 Arkansas, No. 15/15 Indiana, No. 12/12 Kentucky, No. 2/3 South Carolina), marking the most in a season since 2017-18 when it had seven.
UT also suffered setbacks to four squads ranked at the time it played them: No. 3/5 UConn (67-61), No. 20/18 Kentucky (71-56), No. 6/5 Texas A&M (80-70) and No. 22/23 Georgia (57-55), with Rennia Davis missing the UK game due to medical reasons.
Tennessee’s other two losses are to a pair of teams who are now ranked but weren’t at the time: No. 18/22 West Virginia (79-73 OT) and No. 17/18 Georgia (67-66).
BIG ORANGE SLICES
UT is paced in scoring in all games by junior guard Rae Burrell (17.3 ppg.) and senior forward Rennia Davis (16.5 ppg., 8.6 rpg.), with sophomore center Tamari Key chipping in 9.2 ppg. and 5.6 rpg., and sophomore point guard Jordan Horston adding 8.2 ppg. and 4.0 apg.
In SEC play, three Tennessee players are scoring in double figures, including Davis (19.7 ppg.), Burrell (17.6) and Key (11.1). Davis ranks No. 4 in the SEC, while Burrell is 12th.
Against ranked foes, Davis and Burrell are putting up 20.3 and 18.0 ppg., respectively.
Davis has seven double-doubles this season and 36 for her career, tying Glory Johnson for fourth all-time at Tennessee.
UT has had 20+ scorers in its last seven games, including Rennia Davis vs. Ole Miss (21), Tamari Key vs. Florida (23), Rae Burrell vs. Kentucky (22); Rennia Davis vs. Texas A&M (25), South Carolina (24) and Georgia (22); and Davis (26) and Burrell (23) vs. Missouri.
For the season, Davis has seven 20-point games, Burrell six and Key 1. Davis has 20 for her career now and is tied with Meighan Simmons for sixth all-time at Tennessee.
Davis stands 12th on UT’s all-time scoring list with 1,714 points and is 14th on the rebounding list with 898 boards.
In career free-throw percentage, Davis ranks No. 10 at UT with a percentage of .806.
Sophomore Tamari Key, who is one of the SEC’s top shot blockers along with Jenna Staiti (UGA) and Aliyah Boston (USC), averages 2.8 bpg. in all games to rank third and is tied for second in SEC contests at 3.3 bpg.
Key has broken into the Lady Vol career blocks top 10 as a sophomore and stands eighth with 142 in 50 career games for an average of 2.78 that ranks No. 1 in Tennessee history. Candace Parker is second (2.50).
Another sophomore, Jordan Horston, is fourth at Tennessee in career assists average at 4.41 apg. through 51 games.
BOUNCING BACK FROM LOSSES
After beating Missouri, the Lady Vols are now 4-1 in games following losses.
In those contests, UT’s has outscored foes 78.0 to 63.0, outshot them 48.3 to 37.6 and outrebounded them 45.0 to 27.8.
Tennessee also has an average of 14.6 turnovers in those games, which is 1.4 lower than the 16.0 season average.
Opponents following losses have been Furman, Alabama, #12/12 Kentucky, #6/5 Texas A&M and Missouri.
Rae Burrell averages 19.4 ppg. and shoots 59.7 overall and 60.9 on threes in those games.
Jordan Horston averages 5.6 assists and 2.2 turnovers in those contests.
WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR ME LATELY
Rennia Davis has scored 20+ points in her last four games, averaging 24.3 ppg. and shooting 51 percent.
She had 25 points vs. #6/5 Texas A&M, 24 vs. #2/3 South Carolina (all them in the second half), 22 vs. #22/23 Georgia and 26 vs. Missouri (all of them in the second half/20 in the fourth quarter).
Davis was named SEC Player of the Week on Feb. 23 for averaging 23.0 ppg. and 9.0 rpg. last week in games vs. #2/3 South Carolina and No. 22/23 Georgia.
Tying with Jessie Rennie as UT’s shortest player at 5-foot-8, Jordan Walker is averaging 6.4 rpg. over the last five contests after pulling down a game- and season-high 10 boards at Missouri.
Kasiyahna Kushkituah is UT’s leading rebounder over the past five contests, averaging 9.2 rebounds per game. She has grabbed at least six rebounds in each of her last eight contests, including 10+ on three occasions.
Over the past four outings, Rennia Davis (24-28), Tamari Key (10-12) and Rae Burrell (8-10) have combined for 42-of-50 shooting from the free-throw line for 84 percent.
Jordan Horston has 21 assists and eight turnovers over the past five games.
Tamari Key has blocked 19 shots over her last five games, averaging 3.8 per contest.
RECAPPING UT’S LAST GAME
Senior Rennia Davis scored all 26 of her points in the second half, including 20 in the fourth-quarter, leading No. 20/21 Tennessee to a 78-73 win over Missouri at Mizzou Arena on Thursday night.
Junior Rae Burrell was also a factor for UT (14-6, 8-4 SEC), notching 23 points and eight rebounds. Redshirt junior Jordan Walker was UT’s top rebounder, pulling down 10 boards on the night.
Missouri (8-10, 4-9 SEC) was led by Haley Troup and Aijha Blackwell with 16 points each. Shannon Dufficy and Shug Dickson were also in double figures with 10 points apiece.
The Lady Vols outrebounded Missouri 46-25. They have now outworked 19 of 20 opponents on the glass this season and have done so by an average of 45.9 rpg. to 32.8 rpg.
The only team they did not win the battle of the boards with was against No. 2/3 South Carolina, as the teams tied with 40 rebounds each.
UT-AUBURN SERIES NOTES
Tennessee holds a 46-11 all-time record vs. Auburn, dating back to Feb. 9, 1980, and has won 30 of the past 33 games in the series.
The Lady Vols are 22-2 vs. the Tigers in games held in Knoxville, 15-5 in games played at Auburn and 9-4 at neutral sites.
UT has won in 15 of its last 17 trips to The Plains after getting a “W” there on Mar. 1, 2020.
UT is 2-0 vs. AU in overtime games, winning extra-frame contests in Knoxville vs. the Tigers in 1996 and 2004.
Tennessee has limited Auburn to 66 points or fewer 13 of the last 15 times they’ve met and to 61 or less on 10 of those occasions.
Tennessee and Auburn played for the 1989 NCAA Championship in Tacoma, Wash., with the Lady Vols prevailing, 76-60.
Tennessee also beat the Tigers in regional finals in 1987 and 1991 en route to NCAA Final Fours they would end up winning.
UT and AU four times played for SEC Tourney titles from 1985 to 1990, with the Lady Vols winning three of those (1985, 1988, 1989).
Chamique Holdsclaw scored a career-high 39 points vs. the Tigers on Feb. 14, 1998, marking the sixth-highest point total in Lady Vol history.
AU coach Terri Williams-Flournoy beat UT and Pat Summitt while coaching Georgetown on Nov. 27, 2010, 69-58, at the Paradise Jam tourney in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Kellie Harper is 2-2 all-time vs. Auburn, defeating the Tigers last season as UT’s coach and in 2012 while at NC State. She was 0-2 vs. AU (with Nell Fortner at the helm) while leading Western Carolina.
Harper is 2-1 vs. Terri Williams-Flournoy as a head coach, winning a year ago while at UT and doing so in 2012 while at NC State. Harper’s Wolfpack team fell to Coach Flo’s Georgetown team in Washington, D.C., 67-66, on Dec. 22, 2009.
ABOUT AUBURN
The Tigers are led by all-star forward Unique Thompson, who averages 18.2 ppg. and 13.3 rpg., while Honesty Scott-Grayson puts up 14.9 ppg.
Auburn has come close with Kentucky and Arkansas, but an SEC win has eluded the Tigers.
AU began the season 3-0 and was 5-2 on Dec. 17 after a win over North Florida before dropping the past 15 games in a row.
RECAPPING AUBURN’S LAST GAME
Unique Thompson scored 22 points and had 18 rebounds, but the Tigers let a fourth-quarter lead slip away in a 74-69 loss to No. 16 Arkansas Thursday night at Auburn Arena.
The Tigers trailed by as many as 10 in the second quarter, flipped that to a 10-point lead in the third and were still ahead with less than five minutes to play. But the Razorbacks found their shooting stroke in the final minutes, and Auburn was unable to keep pace down the stretch.
Honesty Scott-Grayson added 18 for AU.
THE LAST TIME THESE TEAMS MET
Junior Rennia Davis tallied a double-double with 22 points and 10 rebounds, and freshman Jordan Horston hit a runner in the lane with 0.6 seconds left to lift Tennessee to a 56-55 win at Auburn in the regular season finale on March 1, 2020.
The victory improved the Lady Vols’ record to 20-9 overall and 10-6 in the SEC, earning them a four-way tie for third in the SEC regular season.
The double-double was the 29th of Davis’ career (11th this season), tying Bashaara Graves for 10th all-time among Lady Vols. Redshirt senior Lou Brown was UT’s next highest scorer, posting nine points off 3-of-6 shooting from behind the arc.
Auburn (10-17, 4-12 SEC) was paced by senior Daisa Alexander, who finished with 15 points, followed by sophomore Robyn Benton who had 11.
LAST TIME IN KNOXVILLE
Freshman guard Zaay Green logged 19 of her career-high 25 points in the second half, powering Tennessee past Auburn, 73-62, at Thompson-Boling Arena on March 14, 2019.
The duo of senior Cheridene Green (16 points and 11 rebounds) and sophomore Rennia Davis (15 points and 10 rebounds) each tallied double-doubles on the evening.
Junior guard Daisa Alexander led Auburn with 22 points.
WHAT’S NEXT
The SEC Tournament will be held at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, S.C., from March 3-7.
If Tennessee wins vs. Auburn, the Lady Vols can secure the No. 3 seed and would play the winner of the No. 6/11 game in the last game on Friday night.
A loss could result in a seed anywhere No. 3 to 5.
Regardless of Sunday’s outcome, Auburn will be the No. 13 seed and play the No. 12 seed on Wednesday.
