Darius Rucker appeared on the Today Show on Friday to talk with the crew and perform his number-one hit “Beers and Sunshine.”
Chatting with Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, Craig Melvin, & Carson Daly, Darius talked about the process of recording “Beers and Sunshine,” and he sent out well wishes for speedy recovery to his friend Tiger Woods. Darius also admitted that not only does he love the cover Post Malone did of the Hootie & The Blowfish classic “Only Wanna Be With You” – but he and Post are buddies.
Check out the conversation between Darius and the Today Show hosts right here…
Darius also performed his number-one hit “Beers and Sunshine.”
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.
