Thomas Rhett Leaves 2020 Behind, But Takes Some Lessons From It Into 2021

Thomas Rhett Leaves 2020 Behind, But Takes Some Lessons From It Into 2021

Posted on January 1, 2021

We did it!

We made it 2021!

While there are plenty of people very happy the new year is here, and we can leave 2020 in the dust, some have value lessons that they’ll be carrying from last year to the next.

Thomas Rhett says, “You know, 2020 has definitely been hard in many ways, especially for a lot of different families who have either lost work or people that have been on the front lines working in hospitals, or teachers trying to teach three year olds how to learn their letters and their numbers.”

But for Thomas and his family, much like others, it wasn’t all doom and gloom, “For us, I think 2020 has had several silver linings, and for me, I think I was going at such a rapid pace that 2020 definitely forced me to slow down.”

Being in quarantine, people used 2020 to reconnect with loved ones, and for music artists like Thomas, this was for the first year in a long time where their schedule wasn’t wall to wall hecticness, something that Thomas will try to carry forward, “I hope I can take that mindset back into 2021.”

Thomas, along with many, many fans and other music artists, hope 2021 is the year that we can all get back to going to concerts and have a live in-person shared musical experience again.

Until then, you can still enjoy Thomas’ latest hit, here’s “What’s Your Country Song.”

Photo Credit: John Shearer

Keith Urban Straight From His Driveway

Keith Urban Straight From His Driveway

Posted on January 1, 2021

While Keith Urban might not have been ringing in the new year with his recent annual tradition of performing on stage as part of the Nashville celebration, he did treat fans to a very special and unique virtual experience…straight from his driveway.

With just a iPhone, an acoustic guitar, and a bunch of hit songs, Keith sent out a message of thanks to his fans for helping him get through 2020, and then proceeded to play song after song for nearly 30 mins.

If you weren’t able to catch the driveway concert live, you can start off 2021 right by catching the performance right here…


Photo Credit: TCD

Runaway June’s Jennifer Wayne is Now a Runaway Bride-To-Be

Runaway June’s Jennifer Wayne is Now a Runaway Bride-To-Be

Posted on December 30, 2020

Congrats goes out to Jennifer Wayne of Runaway June as it was announced this week that she’s now engaged!

Bandmate Natalie Stovall was a part of the surprise proposal, as she was in on setting up Jennifer to be in the right spot where fellow singer/songwriter Austin Moody popped the question. Happily, Jennifer said “Yes!”

This is the second time this month a member of the trio has announced an engagement. A few weeks ago, Naomi Cooke and Martin Johnson, of the band Boys Like Girls, broke the news of their impending nuptials.

A little bit of trivia…did you know the Jennifer is the granddaughter of the famous actor John Wayne?

Earlier this month Runaway June played a very special virtual concert for military members and their families, presented by Armed Forces Entertainment. The When I Think About Christmas show not only featured holiday classics, you can also see them perform songs from their own catalog, including their hit “I Can Buy My Own Drinks,” “Wild West,” “Lipstick” and their current single, “We Were Rich.” The show is still available to watch until this Saturday, January 2.

Photo Credit: Ford Fairchild

Jimmy’s blog: Buchanan said he didn’t want to leave UT but couldn’t get cleared

Jimmy’s blog: Buchanan said he didn’t want to leave UT but couldn’t get cleared

Posted on December 30, 2020

By Jimmy Hyams

Baylen Buchanan didn’t want to leave Tennessee, but the senior defensive back felt he had no choice.

Buchanan entered the transfer portal recently with the goal of playing at another college and eventually making it in the NFL, where his dad, Ray Buchanan, was a defensive back for 12 years.

Buchannan said University of Tennessee doctors did not clear him two years in a row, reportedly a narrowing of the spinal cord. But he said he was cleared before the 2019 season by NFL doctors.

“I feel good,’’ said Buchanan, who will be a grad transfer. “It was never a situation where I wasn’t feeling good. If I wasn’t comfortable, I wouldn’t keep trying to play and put myself in harm’s way.’’

Buchanan said being cleared by NFL doctors — but not by UT doctors — was frustrating.

“Not playing, it was real tough, I ain’t gonna lie,’’ Buchanan told The Sports Animal on Wednesday afternoon. “Stepping away from the game one year was alright. If this is what I got to do, I will be back.

“But when the second year came around (and he was denied again) that was like a dagger. It’s kind of hard to keep your confidence up.’’

Buchanan said he didn’t sit around idly.

“I kept my mind in the game,’’ he said. “I did nothing but watch film and study football the whole time. I stayed in tune with the game and stayed in shape, training with my dad. And the people around me kept me focused. I’ve got a real good support system.’’

Buchanan said he has been contacted by about 10 teams, including a couple from the SEC. But he said it “didn’t work out’’ with those SEC teams. He plans to make a decision by Jan. 4.

Buchanan said he was going through spring ball with UT when it was canceled.

He had hopes of playing at Tennessee again until the doctors didn’t clear him.

Buchanan, who started 12 games in 2018 and recorded 49 tackles, said he didn’t really argue his case with UT doctors about being cleared by NFL doctors.

“I guess it was just a situation they didn’t feel comfortable (with him playing),’’ Buchanan said. “The Tennessee doctors had their reasons. Everything happens for a reason. They were probably concerned about my overall health.

“There is no bad blood between me and Tennessee.’’

Buchanan said he should have transferred after UT first declined to clear him but “my love for the university and school kept from doing that.’’

Buchanan said UT coaches “didn’t want him to leave, but they can’t go against the Tennessee doctors. The coaches wanted me to stay because they felt I was a big asset to the (secondary) room.’’

Buchanan said Vols coach Jeremy Pruitt was “very supportive’’ of his decision to transfer and “he understood. He told me I had his full support and if I need to reach out to anybody, he would vouch for me. I appreciated that.’’

Buchanan said his ultimate goal is to play in the NFL and playing one more year of college could facilitate that.

“I was thinking about declaring (for the NFL),’’ he said, “but I felt like I wanted to put one more year of film out there to prove I’m healthy enough to hit and play.’’

Sponsored by Big Kahuna Wings: The wings that changed it all 

Alabama Rings In the New Year With A Free Virtual Concert

Alabama Rings In the New Year With A Free Virtual Concert

Posted on December 30, 2020

Do you have plans for New Year’s Eve?

Well, how ringing in 2021 with Alabama!

The legendary band has revealed that they are teaming up with Camping World for a free virtual concert tomorrow night.

Alabama’s founding members Jeff Cook, Teddy Gentry and Randy Owen shared…
“What better way to start the New Year than to have a free concert on New Year’s Eve for our fans around the world? We are pleased that Marcus Lemonis and our friends at Camping World are presenting this special performance from Nashville, Tennessee. We cannot wait to get back on tour soon, and want to see you in-person. Sit back, relax, crank up the sound and ‘ROLL ON’ into 2021. Wishing you a very happy New Year.”

The live stream starts at 9 PM (ET) / 8 PM (CT) on UltimateRVShow.com…and the best part, it’s free!

You know this will be played at some point by the guys on New Year’s Eve…

Photo courtesy of Alabama

Mitchell Tenpenny Was Taught How To Live With Somebody In 2020

Mitchell Tenpenny Was Taught How To Live With Somebody In 2020

Posted on December 30, 2020

The greatest lesson almost everyone learned in 2020’s quarantine was how to live with their loved one.

For many, this actually is probably the most time they have spent together for the longest amount of time.

Mitchell Tenpenny admits that this year taught him how to live with his girlfriend Meghan Patrick, “Yeah, I mean I definitely learned a lot more about myself and my relationship at home…how to be more patient, how to live with someone.” 

Mitchell and Meghan’s careers (she’s also a singer) didn’t provide them with a lot of home downtime before this year, “We were always on the road…and me and Meghan have never had that much time together.”

What are the big lessons that Mitchell learned, “So, we both learned patience and how to actually live with somebody. It’s been a long time. I’ve never actually lived with anybody of the opposite sex like that, so it was really learning each other, its made us so much closer. And, I think it takes that vulnerability to kind of accept each others differences.”

Mitchell actually thinks that the time in quarantine was a really good thing for them, “I probably never would have figured that out for a long time if it wouldn’t have been for 2020.”

Since we’re still in the season of travel, this song still applies…it’s Mitchell’s “Neon Christmas” that features him and Meghan in the music video…

Photo Credit: Jim Wright

Tim McGraw Tries To Find The Words After Nashville Christmas Day Bombing

Tim McGraw Tries To Find The Words After Nashville Christmas Day Bombing

Posted on December 30, 2020

Many people are still processing the Christmas day bombing that happened along 2nd Ave in downtown Nashville.

Tim McGraw, who has called Music City home for many years now, is one of those people, “Trying to find the words….but this is a tough one.”

Tim posted this message of support, “On Christmas Morning, the world watched as Nashville was hit by another tragedy. It’s been a year….but we will rise again. Grateful for the first responders who spent Christmas morning on one of our toughest years ensuring that no lives were lost. We are bruised, but not broken. Praying for my city and hopeful that we will find the strength to rise once again with the dawning of a New Year. #NASHVILLESTRONG”

Tim also included in his post this musical tribute to the city he loves so much…


Photo courtesy of Big Machine Records

Kacey Musgraves Shares Her Cure For Being Hungover

Kacey Musgraves Shares Her Cure For Being Hungover

Posted on December 30, 2020

Just in case you lift too many glasses to toasting a goodbye to 2020, Kacey Musgraves shares her cure for being hungover, “Coconut water is a major help with hangovers.”

Hydration is key…but it helps to have a little something to eat too. Kacey has a recommendation for that as well, “A lot of times we go and eat Vietnamese pho. It’s a soup, and it’s got this awesome broth. You can get different things in it or whatever, but for some reason, it’s almost like a chicken noodle soup kind of an idea, you know, but it’s good.”

OK, coconut water, and pho, we got those. Is there anything else Kacey would suggest, “Sleep, Tylenol, coconut water and just water, in general. And when you’re drinking, have your alcohol, drink a little bit of water, drink some more alcohol, drink some water. Yup!”

We’re not sure who…but we know someone out there needed this info.

While you’re drinking your coconut water and eating your pho after you just woke up from sleeping, you will probably also need some music…like Kacey’s song “Rainbow”…

Photo Credit: Catherine Powell

Kane Brown Is Tired of This Break From the Road

Kane Brown Is Tired of This Break From the Road

Posted on December 30, 2020

Since his career took off like a shot a couple of years ago, Kane Brown has kind of wished he would have an opportunity to take a break.

Well, 2020 gave him a break, and now he realizes that you have to be careful what you wish for, because this break has lasted far longer than he ever wanted, “I’d say in 2020 I’ve learned that anything can happen out of nowhere. Like, we were on tour for 2 weeks and then Covid hit and we haven’t toured in over a year. So, I’ll never say that I’m ready to take a break ever again.”

Kane is not only ready to get himself back out on the road touring, but he’s going to bring some very special guests with him too…his wife and daughter, “Most looking forward to in 2021, hopefully getting to tour, take my family out and to get Kingsley out on the road. She’s been a quarantine baby. So, I want her to get out and to see the world a little bit, meet to new people, yeah, just be out of the house.”

But for right now, Kane is realizing how big a part of his life touring has become, and how important it is to him to get out there and be with his fans, “I’ve missed it, I can’t wait to get back out there.”

Since they are in the video for the song, when he does get back to performing, will Kane bring his family out on stage for this song since they are in the music video? Here’s “Worship You”…

Photo Credit: Matthew Berinato

Lady Vol Basketball pausing team activities due to COVID-19

Lady Vol Basketball pausing team activities due to COVID-19

Posted on December 29, 2020
Basketballs / Credit: UT Athletics

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee women’s basketball program has paused all team activities following one positive COVID-19 test result and subsequent contact tracing among its Tier 1 personnel, which consists of coaches, student-athletes, team managers and support staff.

All of Tennessee’s Tier 1 personnel returned two negative tests (PCR and rapid antigen) administered within 36 hours of Monday night’s game. The positive test was administered as part of Monday’s routine surveillance protocol, with the result returning Tuesday morning.

The Lady Vol basketball program is following SEC, local and university public health guidelines to prioritize the health and safety of all student-athletes and staff as well as the campus and local community.

SEC Statement
Due to a combination of a positive test, contact tracing and subsequent quarantining of individuals within the Tennessee women’s basketball program, the Tennessee at Texas A&M game on December 31 and Kentucky at Tennessee game on January 3 have been postponed, consistent with Southeastern Conference COVID-19 management requirements.

The SEC’s COVID-19 management requirements, as developed by the SEC’s Return to Activity and Medical Guidance Task Force, are available on SECsports.com.

-UT Athletics

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