The Tennessee men’s basketball team continues preparation or the 2020-2021 season. UT Athletics and VFL Films shot and shared this video recently from a practice held November 10th at Thompson-Boling Arena.
The Tennessee and Memphis men’s basketball programs jointly announced Monday that the Volunteers and Tigers neutral-site showdown initially scheduled for this December has been rescheduled for Dec. 18, 2021, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.
The contest was postponed one year due to the programs’ shared belief that the game should be contested in a sold-out arena—unfeasible this winter given the current pandemic.
“This was the right thing to do, and it’s the best thing for both teams’ fanbases,” Tennessee associate head coach Michael Schwartz said. “We’re appreciative of Bridgestone Arena working with us to keep this game in Nashville. It should be a great statewide showcase for college basketball.”
Next year’s neutral-site game concludes the most recent installment of the Tennessee-Memphis series, a three-game contract that has already seen each team win on the other’s homecourt. Both games—at FedExForum in 2018 (18,528) and at Thompson-Boling Arena in 2019 (21,868)—were sellouts.
“The University of Memphis is looking forward to continuing what is a great intrastate series against Tennessee,” Memphis head coach Penny Hardaway said. “The neutral-site game at Bridgestone Arena will provide an incredible atmosphere, and I know our fans will be excited about going to Nashville to support the Tigers. I want to thank Bridgestone Arena for their willingness to work through a tough situation with the pandemic to host this game in December 2021. It is a game that is great for national television and brings a lot of attention to the quality of basketball in our state.”
Memphis and Tennessee have met at a neutral-site only twice previously and have never played each other in Nashville. The Vols defeated the Tigers in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, in 1969. Memphis topped UT in double overtime at the Maui Invitational in 2011.
The last 10 meetings in the series have seen each program claim five victories.
“Thank you to coach (Rick) Barnes and coach Hardaway for their commitment to bring this big game to Bridgestone Arena,” Nashville Predators/Bridgestone Arena Senior Vice President for Entertainment and Marketing David Kells said. “We are looking forward to hosting the next chapter in this great intrastate rivalry in a packed arena in December of 2021.”
-UT Athletics
Lee Brice’s new album Hey World arrives this Friday, November 20, and to celebrate the release, he’s throwing a free online concert to bring the new songs to you. The Hey World Album Release Livestream Experience via Facebook Live and YouTube Live is a 75-minute event that will feature Lee sharing stories about the new songs, his experience making the album, and then he’ll perform the new tracks and some fan favorites with his band!
Lee Brice’s Hey World Album Release Livestream Experience will start at 7 pm (CST) on Friday, November 20.
Check out Lee’s “Memory I Don’t Mess With” from his Hey World album, right here…
photo by TCD
photo by TCD
Tim McGraw is a good cook. In fact, while he was dating Faith Hill, he would woo her with his homemade chicken and dumplings. He’s also proud to say that he makes a “pretty dang good country fried steak.” But when it comes to Thanksgiving, Tim will pass on the cooking “Faith does all the cooking for Thanksgiving.” So, what does the menu look like at the McGraw house on Thanksgiving…”We have to have turkey, we have to have our stuffing and we have to have cornbread and peas, of course.”
While Tim is passing on the cooking next week, he is stepping up on the music side of things this week, Friday, November 20, he’ll be releasing a new compilation album, McGraw Machine Hits: 2013-2019.
“Every now and then you want to go back and hear a collection of songs exactly like you remember them,” says Tim. “Even to go re-record doesn’t feel right because there’s something magical about what happened there when it happened.”
The 14-song collection features past tunes “How I’ll Always Be,” “Humble and Kind,” “Truck Yeah” and more, as well as a brand-new version of “Redneck Girl” featuring Midland, which you can check out right here…
photo by TCD
Garth Brooks is going to be a busy man this Friday, November 20, as he will be releasing not one, but two albums! Garth’s FUN, and Triple Live Deluxe both arrive for fans as early Christmas presents. After that, Garth has to get busy again planning his next TV special, which airs one month later on December 20, as he and Trisha will be going live on CBS TV with Garth & Trisha Live! A Holiday Concert Event.
Garth says having all this happen in November and December might just be what his fans need to end this crazy year in a good way “Man, this year has…it’s been the s-l-o-w-e-s-t year of my life and has flown by quicker than any year. How can that be? I guess that’s what happens with the COVID and no touring, no music. But…11/20 and 12/20 – those are the two dates, right? You’ve just got to remember those two dates. And that’s a great way to end 2020 on a high note, a fun note.”
So, whether it’s FUN, Triple Live Deluxe or Christmas, Garth says “It’s all about music.”
As for the Christmas special, Garth and Trisha are taking your requests…just like they have done for their other Facebook performances and CBS special this year. Hit them up on their social media with what you want them to sing.
photo by TCD
Mickey Guyton was one of the female singers that Maren Morris name-checked when she won Female Vocalist of the Year at the 54th Annual CMA Awards. Maren said Mickey was one of several female country singers that people should get to know better, and now, thanks to Kelly Clarkson you can! Mickey Guyton will appear on the The Kelly Clarkson show tomorrow, November 19 (check local listings). She will perform music from her EP Bridges, which features 6 songs that she had a hand in co-writing.
Mickey was also recently featured on the NPR Tiny Desk Concert series which can be viewed HERE
While you wait for The Kelly Clarkson Show to air, check out Mickey Guyton singing her song “Heaven Down Here”…
photo by TCD
Tennessee wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. spoke to the media for the first time via Zoom call about the open week and the Auburn game this Saturday.
Tennessee outside linebacker Deandre Johnson spoke to the media via Zoom call about the open week and the Auburn game this Saturday.
Tennessee center Brandon Kennedy spoke to the media via Zoom call about the open week and the Auburn game this Saturday.
Carrie Underwood is headed to HBO Max on December 3 with her own holiday special, My Gift: A Christmas Special From Carrie Underwood. Carrie will be performing holiday classics along with her new Christmas songs that can be found on her number-one album, The Gift, which was released back in September. Carrie says “I’m thrilled to be collaborating with Playtone and HBO Max to bring My Gift to life. Just like the album, I hope this special will help bring some much-needed joy and become part of the soundtrack to people’s holiday festivities this year as it streams throughout the season and beyond.” The HBO Max special will feature a duet with John Legend, singing “Hallelujah,” and fans will also get an inside look behind the scenes of Carrie recording “Little Drummer Boy” with her five-year-old son Isaiah.
My Gift: A Christmas Special From Carrie Underwood will be available to stream starting Thursday, December 3 on HBO Max.
Check out Carrie and Isaiah singing “Little Drummer Boy” right here…
photo by TCD
