A number of artists—from many genres of music—will take part in Music Gives: Together on Aug. 13 to support St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The free virtual event will feature musicians, chefs and St. Jude patients who will entertain, inspire and highlight the lifesaving mission of St. Jude.
On the country music front, the livesteam event will feature Darius Rucker, Brett Eldredge, Randy Owen, Keith Urban, Brad Paisley, Lady A, Tim McGraw and more. Additional artists include CeCe Winans, For King & Country, Third Eye Blind, Skillet, Us the Duo, Seal and more.
Morgan Wallen’s 2018 debut album, If I Know Me, reached No. 1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart for the first time this week (8/6/20).
The album needed 114 weeks to reach the summit, smashing the previous record held by Hunter Hayes’ 2011 self-titled album (89 weeks). If I Know Me moved 21,910 equivalent units this week, according to Nielsen Music, barely edging Luke Combs’ What You See Is What You Get (21,605) for the top spot.
Morgan’s debut album has spawned three No. 1 singles” “Up Down,” “Whiskey Glasses” and “Chasin’ You.”
Morgan’s current single, “More Than My Hometown,” is No. 25 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart after 11 weeks. The tune is the lead single from Morgan’s upcoming sophomore album.
Preston Brust and Chris Lucas of Locash will follow up their recent No. 1 single, “One Big Country Song,” by releasing “Beers to Catch Up On.”
Penned by Rhett Akins, Jeremy Stover and Paul DiGiovanni, “Beers to Catch Up On” is featured on Locash’s 2019 album, Brothers. The 11-song offering was the first album on the duo’s new label, Wheelhouse Records/BBR Music Group.
“‘Beers to Catch Up On’ reminds me why I love the music business so much,” says Preston. “It kind of brings out the teenager in me because before we signed our deal at BMG/Wheelhouse, we took ‘Beers to Catch Up On’ to a little home studio in Nashville, recorded the demo, paid for it ourselves, and then we took it to the BMG meeting. We played ‘Beers’ in the meeting, we got the deal, we took it to the big studio, we cut it, it made the album and here we are releasing it to radio as our next single. So I guess it’s time for some beers, because this song has been on a journey with us for a long time and I can’t wait to finally hear it on the radio in my truck!”
“Beers to Catch Up On” will impact country radio on Aug. 31.
Luke Bryan may be busy hitting the talk-show circuit this week to promote his brand-new album, Born Here, Live Here, Die Here, but one month ago he was using his free time to check an item off of his bucket list.
In July, Luke loaded up all of his boys—Til, 18, Bo, 12, and Tate, 9—on his tour bus and headed out West for a fly-fishing excursion in celebration of his 44th birthday. Luke posted a number of photos/videos on Instagram to document many of the trout he and his boys caught.
While Luke’s free time was the result of his cancelled tour due to the pandemic, he told Kix Brooks of American Country Countdown that it was a blessing to be able to “connect and have fun.”
“For my birthday a couple of weeks ago, we went on a big camping trip out West,” says Luke. “You know, I’ve always envisioned taking a month off and just hopping on the tour bus and kind of throwing a dart at the map and waking up in a new place to fish. We did that for about eight or nine days and my boys—we had a great time. I mean, I have not, technically, had like a summer [off], you know, in years. So, you know, just to kind of wake up and I’m like, ‘Well, what am I gonna do today?’ I thank God I can go take my boys on a cool little fishing trip and really connect and have fun.”
Luke released his new album, Born Here, Live Here, Die Here, on Aug. 7. This week, Luke will make apperances on Late Night With Seth Meyers (Aug. 10), Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen (Aug. 11) and The Kelly Clarkson Show (Aug. 12).
Chris Janson’s wife-inspired single, “Done,” is No. 1 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart for the second straight week. In addition, the tune topped the Mediabase chart for the first time.
Penned by Chris, Mitch Oglesby, Jamie Paulin and Matt Roy, “Done” is featured on Chris’ 2019 album, Real Friends.
“This is the greatest feeling in the world,” says Chris. “It’s always been my dream to hear my songs played on the radio, but this one is special. I can’t describe how grateful Kelly and I are to have the world embrace our story. Thanks to my family, my team, my fans and country radio for supporting us all the way.”
Chris now boasts four chart-toppers, including “Good Vibes,” “Fix A Drink” and “Buy Me a Boat.”
Kane Brown will release a new seven-song EP, Mixtape Vol. 1, on Aug. 14.
The new EP features four previously released tracks (“Worldwide Beautiful,” “Cool Again,” “Be Like That” and “Last Time I Say Sorry”) as well as three brand-new songs (“Worship You,” “BFE” and “Didn’t Know What Love Was”).
Kane co-wrote every track on the new EP, including his duet with John Legend, “Last Time I Say Sorry.”
Swae Lee and Khalid are featured on “Be Like That.”
Mixtape Vol. 1 Track List & Songwriters
“Cool Again” (Kane Brown, Josh Hoge, Matt McGinn and Lindsay Rimes)
“Be Like That” feat. Swae Lee and Khalid (Kane Brown, Khalif Brown, Alexander “Eskeerdo” Izquierdo, Khalid Robinson, Ryan Vojtesak and Mike Will)
“Worship You” (Kane Brown, Alexander Izquierdo, Ryan Vojtesak and Matt McGinn)
“BFE” (Kane Brown, Sam Ellis, Matt McGinn, Taylor Phillips and Will Weatherly)
“Didn’t Know What Love Was” (Kane Brown, Shy Carter, Matt McGinn and Lindsay Rimes)
“Last Time I Say Sorry” with John Legend (John Stephens, Kane Brown, Matt McGinn and Andrew Goldstein)
“Worldwide Beautiful” (Kane Brown, Shy Carter, Ryan Hurd and Jordan Schmidt)
Willie Nelson teamed with 10 “new” artists to remake his iconic hit, “On the Road Again.”
The remix includes this year’s 10 ACM Award New Artist of the Year nominees: Ingrid Andress, Gabby Barrett, Jordan Davis, Russell Dickerson, Lindsay Ell, Riley Green, Caylee Hammack, Cody Johnson, Tenille Townes and Morgan Wallen.
Proceeds from the single, which was produced by Ross Copperman and Jimmy Robbins, will benefit ACM Lifting Lives COVID-19 Response Fund to be disbursed to individuals in the country music community who are currently in need of pandemic relief assistance. The new single will be released to digital platforms and country radio on Aug. 13.
“On the Road Again,” which Willie penned and recorded, topped the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in 1980. The tune won a Grammy for Best Country Song in 1981.
Clay Walker, 50, and wife Jessica, 37, are expecting a baby boy—their fifth child together. The new bundle of joy is due in January 2021, according to People.
Clay and Jessica, who were married in September 2007, have three sons and a daughter that range in age from 2 to 12. Clay also has two adult daughters from a previous marriage.
Clay had a string of No. 1 hits in the 1990s, including “If I Could Make a Living” and “Rumor Has It.”
ESPN updated it’s FPI Power Index throughout college football for the 2020 season after the SEC released it’s two additional conference games Friday night. What that ranking said about Tennessee is surprising.
The projected record for Tennessee, despite a perceived difficult schedule, is likely not what many fans of The Big Orange would agree with.
ESPN projects the Vols with a 4-6 record this upcoming season. Their rankings would equal a 4th place finish in the East. UT is listed with the 8th highest ranking in the league overall.
Tennessee is projected to only have a 12.2% chance to win 6 games (6-4 record.) UT is listed as only having a .01% chance of winning the conference.
Marlon Davidson (3) takes the ball from Ark qb Ben Hick in the first half. Auburn football vs Arkansas on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019 in Fayetteville, AK. Todd Van Emst/AU Athletics
The SEC announced the two additional SEC games to the 2020 season’s conference-only schedule.
“We made every effort to create a schedule that is as competitive as possible and builds on the existing eight Conference games that had already been scheduled for 2020,” said SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey. “This schedule is a one-year anomaly that we have developed under unique circumstances presented by the impact of COVID-19.”
So how did the SEC do in it’s quest for scheduling competitiveness?
Below is the strength of schedule rankings before the additions. Those two games are listed next to each team for perspective. Then below that, you can see what the 10-game schedule conference ranks adjusted to after adding the two extra games. I’ve also included my winners and losers, along with what it all means.
8-Game SEC Opponent Record/Win % in 2019 Games With 2 Adds
1. South Carolina 37-27 (58%) Aub 5-3 OM 2-6 (7-9)
2. Arkansas 33-31 (52%) Geo 7-1 UF 6-2 (13-3) Vanderbilt 33-31 (52%) LSU 8-0 MSU 3-5 (11-5) Alabama 33-31 (52%) UK 3-5 Mizz 3-5 (6-10) Auburn 33-31 (52%) UT 5-3 SC 3-5 (8-8) Ole Miss 33-31 (52%) SC 3-5 UK 3-5 (6-10)
7. Florida 32-32 (50%) Ark 0-8 TxAM 4-4 (4-12) Georgia 32-32 (50%) MSU 3-5 Ark 0-8 (3-13)
9. Mississippi St. 31-33 (48%) VU 1-7 Geo 7-1 (8-8)
10. Kentucky 30-34 (47%) OM 2-6 Ala 6-2 (8-8)
11. LSU 29-35 (45%) Mizz 3-5 VU 1-7 (4-12) Tennessee 29-35 (45%) TxAM 4-4 Aub 5-3 (9-7)
13. Texas A&M 28-36 (44%) UF 6-2 UT 5-3 (11-5) Missouri 28-36 (44%) Ala 6-2 LSU 8-0 (14-2)
8-Game Overall Opponent Record/Win % in 2019 Games With 2 Adds
1. South Carolina 71-34 (68%) Aub 9-4 OM 4-8 (13-12)
2. Mississippi St. 68-36 (65%) VU 3-9 Geo 12-2 (15-11)
3. Auburn 66-39 (63%) UT 8-5 SC 4-8 (12-13)
4. Ole Miss 65-39 (63%) SC 4-8 UK 8-5 (12-13)
5. Arkansas 63-40 (61%) Geo 12-2 UF 11-2 (23-4)
6. Alabama 63-41 (61%) UK 8-5 Mizz 6-6 (14-11)
7. Vanderbilt 61-41 (60%) LSU 15-0 MSU 6-7 (21-7)
8. Georgia 60-41 (59%) MSU 6-7 Ark 2-10 (8-17)
9. Florida 60-43 (58%) Ark 2-10 TxAM 8-5 (10-15)
10. Tennessee 57-44 (56%) TxAM 8-5 Aub 9-4 (17-9)
11. Kentucky 56-46 (55%) OM 4-8 Ala 11-2 (15-10)
12. LSU 55-46 (54%) Mizz 6-6 VU 3-9 (9-15)
13. Missouri 54-48 (53%) Ala 11-2 LSU 15-0 (26-2) Texas A&M 54-48 (53%) UF 11-2 UT 8-5 (19-7)
The rankings listed below are the 2020 preseason coaches poll.
Vince’s View
My categories for 4 losers and 4 winners from the added games…
Took It On The Chin: 1. Arkansas 2. South Carolina 3. Missouri 4. Tennessee
Jarrett Guarantano vs. Georgia / Credit: Sam Forman – 99.1 The Sports Animal
Arkansas’ AD referenced the team already having the toughest schedule in the country. How is that relevant to the two SEC games added to a conference only schedule. That 12-game schedule was scrapped a while ago. Despite that, the Razorbacks weren’t treated fairly at all. Teams that had the toughest schedules should have drawn two easier games to allegedly balance things out. Instead, Arkansas drew the perceived top 2 in the East.
The same goes for South Carolina, who had, by far, the toughest schedule in both SEC and overall SOS rankings with the original 8 games. Drawing Auburn was tougher than it should have been.
Missouri had the easiest SOS, so I don’t have as big of a problem with the Tigers getting two tough games (albeit a brutal Bama/LSU duo) to balance things out.
I’ve seen the ‘Vols play five of the Top 13 ranked teams in the Coaches Poll’ narrative. Yes, those five opponents are tough, but it’s a 10-game schedule. The numbers show that adding Auburn and Texas A&M, although both ranked, didn’t really change UT’s strength of schedule much in the SOS rankings. Part of that is that teams below them also added tough games. The other factor to keep the SOS numbers down for Tennessee’s schedule is that the other five SEC opponents combined for just 9 conference wins in 2019. None of them are expected to be much better, if at all. Two of those teams (Vandy and Arkansas) are sure wins, if you’re as good as you expect to be. Plus, Arkansas is historically bad on a 19-game SEC losing streak with a new coach and the toughest schedule in the conference. I still included UT on this list because those two new teams are formidable and UT definitely has a tougher schedule than the two teams UT is chasing in the East, Florida and Georgia. The league helped those two teams more than the Vols. When UT returns to the top of the league, it may get those benefits too.
Never Broke A Sweat: 1. LSU 2. Georgia 3. Florida 4. Alabama
Notice that the four teams that caught a break are the perceived (by many) as the four best teams in the league.
I’m not sure how LSU, who had one of the easier schedules before, got two easily manageable games added. That moved the Tigers down to the easiest schedule in the league and definitely not as difficult as the other top three SEC West teams.
As much as people reacted to Alabama’s two games, I think avoiding a Bama/UF game came down to sparring SEC East and possible CFB Playoff contender Florida.
UGA had a middle-of-the-pack schedule prior and their two games slid them back to one of the easiest schedules.
Summary
The perception of some schedules won’t match the SOS rankings. What’s more accurate? 2019 records where some teams won’t be the same, better or worse? Or the preseason rankings where some schools will be misranked, some significantly? Neither is perfect. The SEC’s SOS model wasn’t done off of a preseason coaches poll, I can assure you of that.
Texas A&M was ranked 11th in last season’s preseason coaches poll. The Aggies finished 4-4 in the SEC, 8-5 overall and outside the final AP Top 25. Texas was ranked 10th in last season’s coaches poll. The Longhorns were 5-4 in the Big 12, ended the season at 8-5 and ranked 25th. Washington was 12th in the 2019 preseason coaches poll. The Huskies were 4-5 in the Pac-12, 8-5 overall and unranked in the end. Minnesota started out unranked and finished 10th.
Some are right. Some are not. You may not get the gauntlet you thought or you may end-up with one you weren’t expecting. I just wanted to present a different perspective rather than the easy narrative that may or may not be right in the end.
As you can see in the rankings with the added games above, there was no rhyme or reason to the finished product. Some with the toughest schedules got tough games added while others didn’t. Some with the easiest schedules got the tougher games they needed for balance while others kept that easy schedule.
It could be concluded that the league took care of the favorites in the East to keep more teams alive for a potential playoff run. Is this a by-product of the toughest conference playing the same number of conference games as the rest of the P5 conferences and one-more than the Big 12? You didn’t think the SEC would make it even more difficult on itself if it didn’t have to right?
In the end, the best teams, for the most part, ended up with the least most challenging schedules in the league. Without transparency (to this point) of the process of crafting the schedule, the SEC makes itself an easy target for criticism.
Look, there was no perfect way to do it in this type of selection process. I tried to match up teams for everyone and that puzzle was a nightmare to accomplish and please everybody. I do think swapping out a few games would have shrunk the gap in SOS rather than increasing it, top-to-bottom, as it did with these announced matchups.
Regardless of who is unhappy and who is thrilled, this season playing out would be fascinating to watch.
![Locash Reconnects With New Single, “Beers to Catch Up On” [Listen]](https://cdn.socast.io/6616/sites/602/2020/08/10155659/Locash.jpg#aqua_resizer_image_not_local)
