At the end of a tough day on the tennis courts, my doubles opponent who drilled me had a question.
“Have you ever played pickleball?’’ he asked.
You could take that one of two ways.
You stink at tennis and you should try another sport.
2. Pickleball is a fast-growing and enjoyable sport that you should try.
While Option 1 initially came to mind, I thought my friend and foe Lee Martin meant Option 2.
Martin has invested with Scott Thompson at Cedar Bluff Racquet Club to build four state-of-the-art pickleball courts adjacent to the indoor and outdoor tennis courts.
Martin was right. I tried pickleball and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Martin taught me the rules and the strategy.
There are many nuances of the game I’ve yet to figure out, but I’m looking forward to learning.
You can learn them, too.
CBRC is having Grand Opening with free and open pickleball play all day Saturday. Beginners are invited from 9 to 11 am. Intermediate play (3.0 to 3.5 level) is from 11 am to 1 pm. Mixed doubles for all levels is from 1 to 3 pm. Advanced doubles (4.0 and above) is from 3 to 5 pm. All comers double elimination is from 6 to 9 pm.
Each game will have a time limit of 15 minutes to allow for as many players as possible.
Players are allowed on the courts on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Rackets will be provided.
When you are not playing, you are requested to wear a mask.
“Pickleball is easier on you than tennis,’’ Martin said, “but you still get a workout.’’
The new facility is available 24 hours a day for members.
Darius Rucker dropped a feelgood new single, “Beers and Sunshine,” on Aug. 6
Penned by Darius, Ross Copperman, J.T. Harding and Josh Osborne, “Beers and Sunshine” is Darius’ first new music since his 2017 album, When Was the Last Time. The new track was produced by Ross Copperman.
The light new tune features Darius crooning the crafty chorus: “Beers and sunshine / Bonfires and summertime / Back porch nights in South Carolina / Ain’t nothing finer than me and my girl / Striking up a little lighter / ‘Cause everybody’s down in a world gone crazy / Don’t know how to fix it but I think maybe / Turn on the good times, turn off the TV / Yeah, the only BS I need is beers and sunshine.”
“It’s certainly been a hard year so far with a lot of heaviness around us constantly,” say Darius. “Like it says in the song, I don’t know how we fix any of these big, real issues that we’re facing, but while we work through this time I think it’s important that we find the silver lining where we can really enjoy the little moments and the simple joys of time spent together with friends and family.”
A new book, Dolly Parton, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics, will explore the country icon’s vast musical catalog. The new book, which was written with Robert K. Oermann, will be released on November 17 via Chronicle Books.
In addition, Dolly will deliver an audio version of the book via RBmedia, which will be available on November 17 in both CD and digital audiobook form.
“Across my life, I’ve written thousands of songs,” says Dolly. “This fall, for the first time ever, we’re spotlighting a hundred of my favorites in my new audiobook, Dolly Parton,Songteller. Not only will you be able to revisit my life in lyrics, but I’ll tell you never-before-heard stories behind the songs.”
In the upcoming book, Dolly will share personal stories behind the lyrics of 175 of her songs, as well as never-before-seen photographs and memorabilia. The audiobook weaves Dolly’s most personal stories around samples of nearly 100 of her most cherished songs.
Over the course of her career, Dolly has earned nine Grammy Awards, 10 Country Music Association Awards, five Academy of Country Music Awards, three American Music Awards, two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the BMI Icon Award, the Library of Congress Living Legend Award, the National Medal of Arts Award, induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame and more.
Chris Young has always been a prolific songwriter—he co-penned every track on his 2017 album, Losing Sleep—and the quarantine isn’t changing that. But like many artists who have had to cancel their tours during the ongoing pandemic, Chris has had to find virtual ways to to collaborate with his songwriting buddies while at home.
During a media round robin via Zoom in July, Chris noted he’s staying busy by writing “as much as possible . . . but in a different way.”
“Just being able to sit down and write as much as possible and work on that,” said Chris. “Work on new ways of writing, especially with doing it over Zoom, and not being in the room with everybody, that is kind of a different thing entirely. [It’s] the same skill set, but a different way of doing it. And so, it enables you to not necessarily stagnate as a writer and do the same things over and over.”
Chris has shared four songs—“Raised on Country,” “Town Ain’t Big Enough,” “Drowning” and “If That Ain’t God”—from his upcoming album, Raised on Country. And wouldn’t you know it, Chris co-wrote all four of the songs.
Listen to Chris’ current single, “If That Ain’t God,” below.
Kane Brown teamed with a group of talented U.S. military veterans to record a new version of his No. 1 hit, “Homesick,” for a great cause. The new remix features vocals from Generald Wilson, Retired Petty Officer First Class, U.S. Navy; J.W. Cortés, Retired Gunnery Sergeant, U.S. Marines; and Sal Gonzalez, Retired Lance Corporal, U.S. Marines.
For every stream of “Homesick (Veterans Version),” The Crown Royal Purple Bag Project will pack one bag to be donated as a care package to non-profit Packages From Home and will donate $1to the Minority Veterans of America (up to $100,000). Since 2010, Crown Royal has worked with Packages From Home as a national charity partner supporting their purpose of sending thanks to troops overseas.
“I’m honored to partner with The Crown Royal Purple Bag Project and release ‘Homesick (Veterans Version)’ in recognition of the American servicemen and women who have given so generously during this difficult time,” said Kane. “I also recognize the incredible importance of acknowledging the service our minority veterans have made for this country. My hope is this remix shines a light of hope and generosity, to uplift our heroes during this time.”
Penned by Kane, Brock Berryhill, Matthew McGinn and Taylor Phillips, “Homesick” topped the Billboard Country Airplay chart and Mediabase chart in March 2020. The single is featured on Kane’s 2018 album, Experiment.
LEXINGTON, KY – NOVEMBER 09, 2019 – Defensive back Nigel Warrior #18 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the away game between the Kentucky Wildcats and the Tennessee Volunteers at Kroger Field in Lexington, KY. Photo By Andrew Ferguson/Tennessee Athletics
Here’s an August 5th update on transactions in the NFL involving University of Tennessee players in moves announced by the National Football League.
Below is the full list of players currently on NFL expanded rosters. This year’s roster max needs to get down to 80 players by Aug. 16 from the normal 90. Until then, teams can either practice in full with 80 or split squad with 90.
You’ll also find below the list of players that were at UT at one time before transferring and finishing their careers elsewhere as well as players that have local ties to the Knoxville area that did not attend the University of Tennessee. The depth chart projections are from Ourlads.com.
Look for constant updates here on my blog “Vince’s View.” Bookmark my blog page and check back often.
Recent Roster Moves 8/2 – Giants released DB Rashaan Gaulden
8/2 – Steelers released ex-Vol/Pitt Panther DL Dewayne Hendrix
8/3 – Broncos OT Ja’Wuan James announced that he is opting out of the 2020 season
8/4 – Lions activated DB Justin Coleman from the Reserve/COVID-19 List
8/5 – Ravens activated DB rookie Nigel Warrior from the Reserve/COVID-19 List
Gaulden was hoping for a fresh start with his second organization after the Panthers sent him to New York late last season. Coleman was on the covid list for less than a week and Warrior was there for about 10 days, so good to see them back. Here’s James’ statement on why he decided to opt-out.
The current count, through Aug. 3, on overall NFL players impacted by the pandemic looks like this: Reserve/COVID-19 List – 92
Activated Back From That List – 44
Currently On The List – 48 Opt-Outs – 58
Two other notes. Jaguars QB Joshua Dobbs is now wearing the number 11. His previous number 1 jersey is now being worn by Georgia State rookie kicker Brandon Wright. The VFL is competing with 8-year veteran Mike Glennon and rookie Josh Luton from Oregon State for the backup spot behind Gardner Minshew II in Jacksonville.
Also, ex-Vol TE Daniel Helm has switched numbers from 43 to 88. That’s actually a encouraging sign, although he still has his work cut-out for him as one of 4 tight ends battling for roster spots behind who I think is the best TE in the NFL, George Kittle.
Notes and Numbers On UT Players
*28 U. of Tennessee players on expanded active NFL rosters
*2 other players are inactive on Reserve Lists
*San Francisco & New Orleans have most current UT players with 3
*NFC North & NFC West are the divisions most represented with VFLs with 5 total players
*DL is the largest position represented with 7
*17 of the 32 teams have a UT player on active rosters
*Saints and Eagles are the only teams in their divisions with any active VFLs
*There are 7 players that were once at U. of Tennessee but then transferred (see full list below)
*There are 6 players that didn’t attend UT, but have Knoxville/East TN ties (see full list below)
*7 Vols are projected as starters right now, excluding special teams
*Rookies: 4 VFLs, 2 one-time Vols and 3 Knoxville area non-UT players on current rosters
*7 players went to high school in Knoxville area (B. Colquitt, L. Smith, H. Smith, R. Cobb, T. Higgins, N. Cottrell, N. Gilliam)
Tennessee Volunteers On NFL Rosters as of 8/5/20 (28) x = Rookie
AFC East (4) TE – Jason Croom (80) Buffalo Bills – 5th team TE
FB/TE – Jakob Johnson (47) New England Patriots – 6th team TE
WR – Josh Malone (83) New York Jets – 2nd team WR
DE – Kyle Phillips (98) New York Jets – 2nd team DE
NONE – Miami Dolphins
AFC North (4)
LS – Morgan Cox (46) Baltimore Ravens – Starting LS
S – Nigel Warrior (39) Baltimore Ravens – 5th team S-x
NT – Dan McCullers (93) Pittsburgh Steelers – 2nd team NT
DB – Cameron Sutton (20) Pittsburgh Steelers – 2nd team NB
NONE – Cincinnati Bengals
NONE – Cleveland Browns
AFC South (2)
OG – Zach Fulton (73) Houston Texans – Starting RG
QB – Joshua Dobbs (11) Jacksonville Jaguars – 3rd team QB
NONE – Indianapolis Colts
NONE – Tennessee Titans
AFC West (3)
ILB – Alexander Johnson (45) Denver Broncos – Starting ILB
DE – Kendal Vickers (78) Las Vegas Raiders – 3rd team DT
TE – Jason Witten (82) Las Vegas Raiders – Starting TE
NONE – Kansas City Chiefs
NONE – Los Angeles Chargers
NFC East (2)
DE – Derek Barnett (96) Philadelphia Eagles – Starting DE
DT – Malik Jackson (97) Philadelphia Eagles – 2nd Team DT
NONE – Dallas Cowboys
NONE – New York Giants
NONE – Washington Redskins
NFC North (5)
QB – Tyler Bray (9) Chicago Bears – 3rd Team QB
WR/KR – Cordarrelle Patterson (84) Chicago Bears – Starting WR & KR
CB – Justin Coleman (27) Detroit Lions – Starting NB
OLB – Jalen Reeves-Maybin (44) Detroit Lions – 2nd Team OLB
P – Britton Colquitt (2) Minnesota Vikings – Starting P
NONE – Green Bay Packers
NFC South (3)
RB – Alvin Kamara (41) New Orleans Saints – Starting RB
DT – Shy Tuttle (99) New Orleans Saints – 3rd team NT
WR – Marquez Callaway (12) New Orleans Saints – 6th team WR-x
NONE – Atlanta Falcons
NONE – Carolina Panthers
NONE – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
NFC West (5)
RB – John Kelly (42) Los Angeles Rams – 4th team RB
DE – Jonathan Kongbo (61) San Francisco 49ers – 4th team DE
CB – Emmanuel Moseley (41) San Francisco 49ers – 3rd team CB
WR – Jauan Jennings (81) San Francisco 49ers – 6th team WR-x
DE/OLB – Darrell Taylor (58) Seattle Seahawks – 3rd team Leo DE/OLB-x
NONE – Arizona Cardinals
Inactives (32
OT – Ja’Wuan James (70) Denver Broncos (Opted Out for 2020 season)
P – Michael Palardy (5) Carolina Panthers (Reserve Non-Football Injury List/out for the season/torn ACL)
UT Players In The NFL By Position (28)
QB – 2
RB – 2
WR – 4
TE – 2
FB – 1
OL – 1
DL – 7
LB – 3
DB – 4
P – 1
PK – 0
LS – 1
Free Agents To Watch from University of Tennessee
S – Micah Abernathy
S – Eric Berry
LB – Daniel Bituli
P – Dustin Colquitt
P – Trevor Daniel
P – Matt Darr
TE – Alex Ellis
DB – Rashaan Gaulden
LB – Colton Jumper
LB – LaTroy Lewis
OL – Kahlil McKenzie
TE – Luke Stocker
OL – James Stone
DL – Jordan Williams
TE – Ethan Wolf
TE – Dominick Wood-Anderson
One-Time Vols That Transferred To Other Schools On NFL Rosters (7) x = Rookie
TE – Eli Wolf (87) Baltimore Ravens (U. of Tennessee/Georgia) -x – 4th team TE
TE – Lee Smith (85) Buffalo Bills (Powell HS/U. of Tennessee/Marshall) – 3rd team TE
P – Tommy Townsend (5) Kansas City Chiefs (U. of Tennessee/Florida) – x – 2nd team P
QB – Nathan Peterman (3) Las Vegas Raiders (U. of Tennessee/Pitt) – 3rd team QB
WR – Preston Williams (18) Miami Dolphins (U. of Tennessee/Colorado St) – 2nd team WR
TE – Daniel Helm (88) San Francisco 49ers (U. of Tennessee/Duke) – 3rd team TE
WR – Jalen Hurd (14) San Francisco 49ers (U. of Tennessee/Baylor) – 2nd team WR
Knoxville Area Players That Didn’t Play At UT on NFL Rosters (6) x = Rookie
WR – Tee Higgins (85) Cincinnati Bengals (Oak Ridge HS/Clemson) – x – Starting WR
P – Chris Jones (6) Dallas Cowboys (Carson-Newman) – Starting P
WR – Randall Cobb (18) Houston Texans (Alcoa HS/Kentucky) – Starting Slot WR
RB – Nathan Cottrell (31) Jacksonville Jaguars (West HS/Georgia Tech) – x – 4th team RB
OL – Nate Gilliam (63) Los Angeles Chargers (Farragut HS/Wake Forest) – x – 3rd team RG
S – Harrison Smith (22) Minnesota Vikings (Catholic HS/Notre Dame) – Starting SS
The photo depicts the titles of the album’s 16 tracks, but redacts the names of the two artists featured on Track 1, “Out of the Cage,” as well the artist collaborating on Track 2, “One Too Many,” which is billed as a duet.
“In October 2019, this album title came to me,” said Keith in May 2020. “I liked it because I felt like life was flying by so fast. But music—for me—has always been the place where it slows down and doesn’t even exist. I would never have imagined that, in 2020, this album title would take on a whole new meaning.”
Keith’s upcoming album includes his 2019 single, “We Were,” which features vocals from one of the tune’s songwriters, Eric Church.
The Speed of Now: Part I will follow Keith’s 2018 album, Graffiti U, which debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart.
Rascal Flatts’ Jay DeMarcus and his family will star in a new Netflix reality series, DeMarcus Family Rules.
The new show released its first trailer on Aug. 5. The original series will launch via Netflix on Aug. 19. As its name implies, the show will revolve around Jay and wife Allison Alderson DeMarcus—a former Miss Tennessee pageant winner—and their two children: daughter Madeline, 9, and son Dylan, 8.
While the COVID-19 pandemic put a kibosh on Rascal Flatts’ Farewell Tour this year, the trio released a new seven-song EP, How They Remember You, on July 31. The EP includes six brand-new tracks, as well as a rendition of Kenny Rogers’ “Through the Years.” The new EP features songs co-penned by Thomas Rhett, Rhett Akins, Josh Osborne, Jesse Frasure, Ashley Gorley and more.
Watch the new trailer for DeMarcus Family Rules below.
Chris Janson’s wife-inspired single, “Done,” ascended to the top of the Billboard Country Airplay chart this week. Penned by Chris, Mitch Oglesby, Jamie Paulin and Matt Roy, “Done” is featured on Chris’ 2019 album, Real Friends.
More so than any other tune on the 13-song album that Chris co-produced, “Done” had to fit a very specific concept Chris had in mind. As Chris told Kix Brooks of American Country Countdown, he wanted “Done” to sound somewhere between George Strait’s 1998 hit, “True,” and The Wallflowers’ 1997 hit, “One Headlight.”
“Yeah, the song kind of demanded [different production], but, you know, I produced everything on the new record,” says Chris to Kix. “But, I don’t know, ‘Done’ just kind of called for it. And, I’ll tell ya, I did kind of directionalize it a little—I don’t know if that’s a word—but I set a tone for it. And, I wanted it to sound like a 1995, ’96, ’97 George Strait four-week number one. I wanted it to sound like, [Chris sings]True like the sun comin’ up each mornin’. I wanted it to sound like [Strait’s “True”], you know? Somewhere between that and ‘One Headlight’ by The Wallflowers, so we fell right in the middle of that.”
“Done” follows Chris’ previous Billboard Country Airplay chart-topper, “Good Vibes.
NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy, commander of Expedition 63, jammed out to Travis Tritt’s “It’s a Great Day to Be Alive” aboard the International Space Station.
NASA’s Johnson Space Center posted the video of Chris singing along to Travis’ 2000 hit on YouTube on Aug. 4, with the message: “From 250 miles above the Earth, Expedition 63 is aware of the hard times that exist in the neighborhoods of the world rotating below. Even amid the uncertainty & difficulties, we encourage everyone to be the best ‘crewmates’ & take care of each other. Cherish the people you love.”
After seeing the video, Travis posted his own message via Twitter, stating: “This is the closest I will ever get to actually being in space. I’m very honored to have my music being played on the International Space Station! Thanks so much!”
Expedition 63’s mission began on April 17, 2020, and will continue through October 2020.
![Darius Rucker Crafts Bright New Single, “Beers and Sunshine” [Listen]](https://cdn.socast.io/6616/sites/602/2020/08/06123654/Darius-Rucker-TA.jpg#aqua_resizer_image_not_local)
![Kane Brown Teams With U.S. Veterans for New Remix of “Homesick” to Benefit Military Members [Listen]](https://cdn.socast.io/6616/sites/602/2020/08/06085947/Kane-Brown-JS.jpg#aqua_resizer_image_not_local)
