Reba McEntire celebrated the 30th anniversary of her 1990 album, Rumor Has It, by re-releasing the project on Sept. 11. Reba’s iconic album featured four Top 10 hits, including “You Lie,” “Rumor Has It,” “Fancy” and “Fallin’ Out of Love.”
The re-released album also includes a new dance remix of “Fancy” by Grammy Award-winning producer Dave Audé.
“I never imagined I’d get the chance to put out an album for a second time,” says Reba. “It’s just so much fun to look back and remember where we were and what we were doing when they were originally released. This album, in particular, is very special to me because it was the first time I got to record with [producer] Tony Brown and he was the reason I finally got to record ‘Fancy.’ Now here we are 30 years later and I never end a show without singing that song.”
Reba dropped a new video for the dance re-mix of “Fancy,” which features footage of the Country Music Hall of Fame member performing the iconic song at past shows.
Russell Dickerson will follow up his successful 2017 debut album, Yours, by releasing his sophomore album, Southern Symphony, on Dec. 4.
The 10-song project was co-produced by Casey Brown and Dann Huff. The album’s lead single, “Love You Like I Used To,” is currently Top 10 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart.
“Southern Symphony is hands down the best work I’ve created,” says Russell, “It’s the best songs I’ve written. It’s sonically the best we’ve created. This album is 10 honest and true tracks that tell the story of how I’ve grown as an artist and a man. I could not be more proud of every song on this album.”
After topping the charts with “Yours” and “Blue Tacoma” in 2018, Russell scored his third No. 1 single with “Every Little Thing” in November 2019. All three of Russell’s No. 1 songs are featured on Yours.
Listen to Russell’s new song, “Never Get Old,” below.
Runaway June released a new holiday EP, When I Think About Christmas, on Oct. 16.
The five-song EP features three holiday standards, “Sleigh Ride,” “O Holy Night” and “Let It Snow,” as well as two original tunes, “Christmas on the Radio” and the title track.
“Our new Christmas EP, When I Think About Christmas, has all of these beautiful mountain Appalachian sounds,” says the trio in a release. “So we put our own little spin on Christmas music, and we’ve got some fiddle, so why not.”
Penned by Leroy Anderson and Mitchell Parish, “Sleigh Ride” is a holiday favorite that’s been covered by Johnny Mathis, Ella Fitzgerald, Amy Grant and more.
Listen to Runaway June sing “Sleigh Ride” below.
When I Think About ChristmasTrack List & Songwriters
“Christmas on the Radio” (Sam Hollander, Martin Johnson)
“Sleigh Ride” (Leroy Anderson, Mitchell Parish)
“O Holy Night” (traditional)
“When I Think About Christmas” (Jennifer Wayne, Josh Matheny, Tiffany Goss)
CMT announced Ashley McBryde will co-host the 2020 CMT Music Awards on Oct. 21, with previously announced hosts Kane Brown and Sarah Hyland.
“I am beyond excited, and maybe a little nervous, to host an awards show for the very first time,” says Ashley. “Luckily, it’s not all about me—it’s about celebrating badass music videos and the brilliant men and women that help us create them.I’ve loved watching and being part of this event in the past and I think the fans are really going to enjoy what we have planned for them. It’s going to be a blast!”
In addition, CMT revealed that Brandi Carlile, Demi Lovato, Diplo, Idina Menzel, Jessica Chastain, Katy Perry, Kelly Clarkson, Rob Thomas, Tanya Tucker and Taylor Swift will serve as presenters during the show.
Performers include Ashley McBryde, Dan + Shay, Kane Brown, Little Big Town, Luke Bryan,Maren Morris, Caylee Hammack, Hardy, Ingrid Andress, Mickey Guyton, Riley Green, Travis Denning, Gabby Barrett, Morgan Wallen, Sam Hunt and Shania Twain, with collaborations from Jimmie Allen and Noah Cyrus, Kelsea Ballerini and Halsey, and Luke Combs and Brooks & Dunn.
The fan-voted CMT Awards hand out annual awards in a number of categories, including Video of the Year, Collaborative Video of the Year, Breakthrough Video of the Year and more. The show will air on CMT, with a six-network simulcast across MTV, MTV2, Logo, Paramount Network, Pop and TV Land.
Tune in to CMT, MTV, MTV2, Logo, Paramount Network, Pop or TV Land on Oct. 21 at 7 p.m. CT.
Nominations: 2020 CMT Music Awards
Video of the Year Best video of the year; awarded to the artist (male, female, group/duo or collaboration) and the video director.
Carrie Underwood – “Drinking Alone”
Keith Urban – “Polaroid”
Kelsea Ballerini – “homecoming queen?”
Luke Combs – “Beer Never Broke My Heart”
Miranda Lambert – “Bluebird”
Tanya Tucker – “Bring My Flowers Now”
Female Video of the Year Best video by a female artist; awarded to the artist
Ashley McBryde – “One Night Standards”
Carrie Underwood – “Drinking Alone”
Gabby Barrett – “I Hope”
Kelsea Ballerini – “homecoming queen?”
Maren Morris – “The Bones”
Miranda Lambert – “Bluebird”
Male Video of the Year Best video by a male artist; awarded to the artist
Jason Aldean – “Got What I Got”
Luke Bryan – “One Margarita”
Luke Combs – “Even Though I’m Leaving”
Morgan Wallen – “Chasin’ You (Dream Video)”
Sam Hunt – “Hard To Forget”
Thomas Rhett – “Remember You Young”
Group Video of the Year Best video by a group; awarded to the artists
Lady A – “Champagne Night”
Little Big Town – “Wine, Beer, Whiskey”
Midland – “Cheatin’ Songs (Live From the Palomino)”
Old Dominion – “One Man Band”
The Chicks – “Gaslighter”
The Highwomen – “Crowded Table”
Duo Video of the Year Best video by a duo; awarded to the artists
Brothers Osborne – “All Night (Studio Performance)”
Dan + Shay – “I Should Probably Go To Bed”
Florida Georgia Line – “Blessings”
LOCASH – “One Big Country Song”
Maddie & Tae – “Die From A Broken Heart”
Breakthrough Video of the Year Best video from an artist’s major breakthrough album; awarded to the artist (male, female or group/duo)
Blanco Brown – “The Git Up”
Caylee Hammack – “Family Tree”
Gabby Barrett – “I Hope”
Ingrid Andress – “More Hearts Than Mine”
Riley Green – “I Wish Grandpas Never Died”
Travis Denning – “After a Few”
Collaborative Video of the Year Best video from a collaboration; awarded to the artists
Blake Shelton with Gwen Stefani – “Nobody But You”
Carly Pearce and Lee Brice – “I Hope You’re Happy Now”
Dan + Shay and Justin Bieber – “10,000 Hours”
Kane Brown featuring Nelly – “Cool Again”
Marshmello and Kane Brown – “One Thing Right”
Thomas Rhett featuring Jon Pardi – “Beer Can’t Fix”
CMT Performance of the Year Musical performance on a television show, series or variety special on CMT; awarded to the artist (individual, group or duo)
CMT Artists of the Year: Ashley McBryde – “One Night Standards”
CMT Crossroads: Brooks & Dunn and Luke Combs – “Brand New Man”
CMT Artists of the Year: Chris Young – “Drowning”
CMT Crossroads: Halsey and Kelsea Ballerini – “Graveyard”
CMT Artists of the Year: Sam Hunt – “Fancy”
CMT Crossroads: Sheryl Crow and Chris Stapleton – “Tell Me When It’s Over”
Lee Brice will try to score his ninth No. 1 single with the release of “Memory I Don’t Mess With.”
Penned by Lee, Brian Davis and Billy Montana, the new single will impact country radio on Nov. 2.
“It’s about exactly what it says,” says Lee. “It’s one of those memories, it’s one of those things that you can’t let yourself get too close to because it just pulls you in too deep. The memory’s always there. The pictures are always there in your head. But that’s the one you’ve just gotta let alone, and let just be a memory.”
Lee scored his eighth No. 1 single with “One of Them Girls,” which topped the Billboard Country Airplay chart for three weeks in October. The tune followed Lee’s previous No. 1 single, “Rumors,” which reached the top of the charts in July 2019, and his collaboration with Carly Pearce, “I Hope You’re Happy Now,” which peaked at No. 1 earlier this year.
“Memory I Don’t Mess With” is featured on Lee’s upcoming sixth studio album, Hey World, which drops on Nov. 20.
Country Music Hall of Fame member Ronnie Milsap recorded a new rendition of “Merry, Merry Christmas Baby.”
The holiday hit was originally recorded by teen queen Dodie Stevens in 1960. Ronnie delivers his signature swagger—with a touch of upbeat optimism—as he croons the bluesy chorus: “Have a merry Christmas, baby / And a happy New Year, too / I am hoping you will find / A love as true as mine / Have a merry Christmas, baby.”
Listen to Ronnie sing “Merry, Merry Christmas Baby” below.
Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley of Florida Georgia Line were honored with the Angels Among Us Award by St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital on Oct. 15.
The duo follows in the esteemed footsteps of past recipients Randy Owen, Jake Owen, Brad Paisley, John Rich, Darius Rucker, Lady Antebellum and more.
Over the years, FGL has supported St. Jude families by taking part in the This Shirt Saves Lives social media campaign and engaging in special moments with St. Jude patients.
“There is truly no place like St. Jude,” says Tyler. “Whenever we visit, we are continually inspired by the kids’ strength and their amazing stories of bravery. Giving back is in our hearts and to be presented this award is an absolute honor.”
“Music is healing and we love being able to help in any way we can to further the mission of St. Jude,” says Brian. “And, for this award to be named after Randy Owen – who has always been one of our influences – that’s pretty incredible.”
The Tennessee Lady Vols officially started 2020-2021 season practice on Wednesday. UT Athletics provided this video to us with some video and highlights from that first practice.
These instructional leagues will provide minor league players the opportunity to take part in live game action for the first time this year after the 2020 minor league baseball season was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
All six former UT standouts were selected in either the 2019 or 2020 drafts, and for the majority of them, this will be their first taste of professional baseball.
Charleston was picked by the Kansas City Royals with the 769th overall pick in the 26th round of the 2019 draft and appeared in 36 games for the Burlington Royals (Rookie Advanced) in 2019. The Longwood, Florida, native scored 24 runs and stole 16 bases in those 36 games.
Charleston led the SEC in steals during his senior season at Tennessee, finishing with 38 in the regular season and 41 total for the year, which is tied for ninth most in program history in a single season. He was the first SEC player since former Vol Chris Burke in 2001 (49) to steal 40 or more bases in a season. His 67 career stolen bases rank fifth all-time at Tennessee.
Daniels was the third UT player selected in the 2020 MLB Draft, going to the Astros in the fourth round (No. 131). The Stockbridge, Georgia, native was in the midst of a breakout year in 2020 prior to the season being cut short, and despite playing just 17 games, he had already set career highs in runs (20), hits (20), doubles (eight), RBI (18) and stolen bases (three).
Daniels was leading the team in batting average (.357), runs, doubles, RBI and slugging percentage (.750) before the season was canceled and was named the Round Rock Classic Most Valuable Player after helping lead the Big Orange to a perfect 3-0 weekend against some of the country’s top competition. During his three seasons on Rocky Top, Daniels combined to hit 13 home runs and drive in 44 runs. He also hit 11 doubles and scored 49 runs.
Linginfelter was the final Tennessee player taken in the 2019 draft. The junior right hander was selected with the 271st pick in the ninth round by the Angels. Linginfelter set new career highs with 16 games started, 68.2 innings pitched and six wins during his junior season while also tying a career best with 71 strikeouts. He was named SEC Pitcher of the Week on March 25 after throwing six shutout innings and striking out 13 batters in a win over Indiana. The Sevierville, Tennessee, native racked up 12 wins, five saves and 203 strikeouts while holding opponents to a .236 batting average during his three seasons in Knoxville.
Lipcius was the first Volunteer picked in the 2019 draft, going to the Detroit Tigers with the 83rd overall pick in the third round. At the time, he was the highest-drafted Tennessee player since current Cincinnati Reds’ outfielder Nick Senzel went No. 2 overall back in 2016 and was the 27th player in program history to be selected in the top three rounds. After being drafted, Lipcius played in 67 games for Detroit’s Single-A affiliate West Michigan Whitecaps, posting a .273 batting average with 32 runs scored, 16 doubles, two homers and 29 RBI.
The Williamsburg, Virginia, native started every game for the Vols at first base as a freshman before becoming the team’s starting shortstop as a sophomore. Lipcius started all 61 games for the Vols at third base in 2019 while setting career highs in runs (51), hits (73), doubles (15), home runs (17), RBI (58), slugging percentage (.586), walks (31), on-base percentage (.399) and stolen bases (10). Lipcius’ 16 regular-season home runs ranked second in the SEC while his 56 RBI and .600 slugging percentage both ranked seventh in the conference. For his career, Lipcius had a slash line of .300/.393/.483 and totaled 190 hits, 122 runs scored, 25 homers and 126 RBI.
Soularie was one of the most productive hitters in the SEC as a sophomore in 2019. The Houston, Texas, native led the Vols in batting average (.357), slugging percentage (.602), on-base percentage (.466) and runs scored (52) while ranking second on the team in hits (70), home runs (11), runs batted in (46) and total bases (118), placing him among the top five in the league in batting average, slugging percentage and on-base percentage. After his breakout sophomore season, Soularie earned numerous postseason honors, including first team All-SEC recognition as well as All-America honors from D1Baseball.com and Perfect Game.
Despite a slow start in 2020, Soularie was hitting his groove entering SEC play before the season was canceled. The preseason All-American led the team with five home runs and ranked second on the squad with 17 runs batted in during the shortened 2020 season. In UT’s final game of the year – a 17-5 victory over ETSU – Soularie had three hits, including a pair of home runs, and tied a career high with four RBI.
Stallings was the second Tennessee player off the board in the 2019 draft after being selected with the 151st overall pick in the fifth round by the Los Angeles Angels. At the time he was the highest-drafted UT pitcher since Bryan Morgado went in the fourth round of the 2010 draft. The junior right hander had a career year for the Big Orange in 2019, leading the team with 16 games started, eight wins, 102.2 innings pitched and 106 strikeouts, which were all career bests. Stallings was the SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year and was also named the SEC Pitcher of the Week twice, becoming the first Tennessee player to accomplish that feat since James Adkins back in 2007.
At the conclusion of the 2019 regular season, Stallings was the SEC leader in innings pitched (92.1), strikeout-to-walk ratio (7.54) and walks allowed per nine innings (1.27). His 98 punchouts and eight victories also ranked sixth in the league at season’s end. The Chesapeake, Virginia, native had a career earned run average of 3.76 and posted a 16-14 overall record in 52 career appearances (35 starts). After recording just 76 strikeouts in his first two seasons, Stallings saw a massive increase with 106 punchouts as a junior and finished with 182 for his UT career.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The countdown to tip-off is underway. The Tennessee Lady Vols excitedly hit the court at Pratt Pavilion on Wednesday evening, participating in the first official practice of the 2020-21 season.
Second-year head coach Kellie Harper and her staff put the Lady Vols through a two-and-a-half-hour workout, launching NCAA-sanctioned preparations for the upcoming campaign. Up to this point, the squad had been able to conduct preseason workouts of a more limited nature.
“We’ve had them out there (on the floor) in workouts for a while, but to me, the first official practice just feels different,” Harper said. “I know my preparation is different going into the ‘real’ practices, so it was fun.
“I thought the players were pretty locked in and practiced hard. They were trying to sneak reps in. When you have players who are trying to figure out how to get on the court for more reps, I think that’s a good thing. They seemed to really enjoy themselves today.”
UT tied for third in the SEC last season, fashioning a 21-10 overall record and 10-6 mark in conference play. That league placement was the Big Orange’s highest since winning the regular-season championship in 2014.
The Lady Vols return five of their top six scorers and rebounders from 2019-20, including the top four in each category. Harper, in fact, welcomes back 80.8 percent of her scoring, 76.4 percent of rebounding, 78.6 percent of blocks, 71.0 percent of steals and 64.8 percent of assists from last year’s squad.
Returning starters from last season’s end include 6-foot-2 senior guard/forward Rennia Davis, 6-1 junior guard/forward Rae Burrell and 6-5 sophomore center Tamari Key. Jordan Horston, a 6-2 sophomore point guard who started 22 contests as a rookie, certainly has the experience to be considered a fourth returning starter for the Big Orange. Additionally, UT also brings back four other letterwinners.
Tennessee welcomes five new players, including a graduate transfer point guard, graduate transfer forward/center, two freshman guard/forwards and a freshman guard. Those newcomers boost the roster to 13 active players, the most since 13 roster members took the court in 2010-11.
Davis was a first-team All-SEC choice a year ago and an All-America honorable mention recipient from AP, the USBWA and WBCA. She averaged 18.0 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game in 2019-20 while shooting 46.9 percent from the field and 80.2 percent from the free throw line. Davis’ scoring average was the best by a Lady Vol since Candace Parker averaged 21.3 ppg. in 2008, and she enters her final collegiate season tied with Bashaara Graves for 10th in UT history with 29 double-doubles.
Davis increased her production to 19.9 ppg. and 8.0 rpg. vs. SEC foes while hitting 49.6% from the field and 82.8% at the charity stripe in 16 regular-season contests. She is the second-leading returning scorer in the conference in SEC action as well as in all games.
Burrell (10.5 ppg., 5.5 rpg., 21 3FGs) was the team’s top reserve for the first 22 games before starting the final nine contests of the season. She averaged 12.3 ppg. and 5.7 rpg. during that end-of-year stint in the first five.
Horston (10.1 ppg., 5.5 rpg., 4.6 apg., SEC All-Freshman) ranked first on the team last year in assists (143) and steals (39), second in blocks (25) and three-pointers made (27), and third in points scored (313) and rebounds (170). Her 143 assists and 4.6 assist average both ranked second all-time among freshmen at Tennessee.
Key (7.3 ppg., 4.7 rpg., 2.8 bpg., 56% FG) finished No. 1 in the SEC in blocked shots (86) and blocks per game (2.8) and ranked 11th and 13th in the NCAA in those categories, respectively. She tied Candace Parker for the fifth-most blocks in a season in UT history and had the second-most ever by a Lady Vol freshman behind Teresa Geter.
Also back are 6-4 senior center Kasiyahna Kushkituah (5.4 ppg., 4.4 rpg., 49% FG, 31 games played), who has 12 career starts, 5-8 sophomore guard Jessie Rennie (2.7 ppg., 25 3FGs, 46% 3FG, 30 games played), 6-3 redshirt senior forward Jaiden McCoy (2.7 ppg., 1.8 rpg., 26 games played) and 6-5 sophomore center Emily Saunders (3.7 ppg., 2.2 rpg., 1.0 bpg., 71% FG, 10 games played).
Jordan Walker, an All-MAC graduate transfer point guard from Western Michigan, brings quickness and depth to the backcourt. The 5-8 redshirt junior averaged 16.0 ppg., 6.2 rpg., 2.5 apg. and 2.1 spg. while knocking down 66 three-pointers in 2019-20.
Keyen Green, a first-team All-ASUN graduate transfer forward/center from Liberty, should bolster UT’s inside presence. She averaged 13.9 ppg. and 7.5 rpg. last season and shot 59 percent from the field. She was the Big South Player of the Year in 2017-18 and is a three-time all-league performer.
UT’s three-member rookie class includes 6-0 guard Destiny Salary (four-star prospect, #57 by espnW HoopGurlz), 6-1 guard/forward Tess Darby (#86 by Blue Star Media, four-star prospect by ProspectsNation.com, three-star prospect by espnW HoopGurlz) and 6-2 guard/forward Marta Suárez (a four-star prospect by Blue Star Europe).
Salary, Darby and Suárez should provide the Lady Vols options for length and versatile depth at the guard and wing positions.
As sports governing bodies continue to work through the process of finalizing games in adjustment to the on-going COVID-19 global health crisis, UT has not yet released its full schedule. The NCAA has said, however, that competition may begin as soon as November 25. The SEC announced that league play is slated to commence on Dec. 31.
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