Fulmer on 2 added SEC games “Strengths of schedule will play some role in it. I think it probably will play a bigger role than the rotation model might.”

Fulmer on 2 added SEC games “Strengths of schedule will play some role in it. I think it probably will play a bigger role than the rotation model might.”

Posted on August 2, 2020

University of Tennessee Director of Athletics Phillip Fulmer spent some time on SportsTalk with John and Jimmy recently.

They discussed many things including the SEC’s decision on going with a 10-game conference only schedule in 2020, what the two added SEC games might look like, capacity in Neyland Stadium, fan participation events, watching the struggles of other universities due to sports shutdowns, if Wisconsin’s projected losses are comparable to UT if there’s no football, UT athletes on the senior honor roll, if the topic of coaches giving money back has been discussed, scheduling flexibility of the current schedule, wanting to play Alabama as a 8th straight game and much more.

Fulmer on fans in Neyland Stadium:

“I don’t think there’s any question that there will be reductions. I’m kind of holding out hopeful that we can get the curve to kind of turn back down. We’ve got a month and maybe even during the season it could continue to get better. Now, we also know it could continue to get worse. So, I don’t want to put a number out there right now. We’re working on several models. We’ll listen to the state and multiple health departments, and our leadership on campus and everybody will come to the right place.”

Is it fair to say the capacity wouldn’t be a 100% in Neyland Stadium?

“No, that’s fair. That’s very fair to say. We’d love to have it at 100 (percent capacity.) The reality of it, and that’s what we all have to face. You know the economy’s been damaged and people’s jobs and everything. There’s a lot going on around this, and for us to not have social distancing and wearing of masks and taking care of our people and limiting us being all together would be impractical to do. So, we won’t be 100% (capacity.) I’m hopeful we might be 50 (percent capacity.) We could be like most folks and be looking at 20%, 25%.”

On if they’ve decided on whether to allow tailgating this season:

“No. We’ve actually talked a lot about that.We’ve got to get everybody all on the same page with that. The tailgating, the Vol Walk, the band, we’ve had tons of conversations about it. I’d like to sit here and say ‘yeah, we’ve figured that out totally.’ Again, it gets back to the safety factor for people that want to come to the games and enjoy the games, but we’ve got to be smart about what we do.”

UT AD Phillip Fulmer / Credit: UT Athletics
Archie Manning on Peyton “Even though things worked out pretty well for him in Denver, it broke his heart to leave Indianapolis”

Archie Manning on Peyton “Even though things worked out pretty well for him in Denver, it broke his heart to leave Indianapolis”

Posted on August 1, 2020

Legendary college and NFL player Archie Manning, who is currently the chairman of the National Football Foundation, spent some time with John and Jimmy on SportsTalk in Knoxville recently.

They covered many different topics including Eli Manning being recognized by Ole Miss, the newest young Manning QB Arch, his opinion on youth football, watching football without Peyton or Eli in the NFL, his time in the NFL the Manning Passing Academy and lots on Peyton’s Places.

Listen to the full interview here.

Archie Manning / Credit: National Football Foundation
VFL Alexander of Heat on Sports 180 from the NBA Bubble “I have the jumpshot (now)”

VFL Alexander of Heat on Sports 180 from the NBA Bubble “I have the jumpshot (now)”

Posted on August 1, 2020

VFL basketball player Kyle Alexander, rookie on the Miami Heat, joined Heather and Vince on Sports 180 recently from the NBA Bubble.

He talked about life in the bubble, how he took advantage of the quarantine time, compliments from Pat Riley, how Rick Barnes and UT prepared him for the NBA, how he benefited from the G-League, seeing his former Vols teammates in the NBA Bubble, his NBA teammates including Jimmy Butler and much more.

Listen to that full interview here.

Heat F/C Kyle Alexander / Credit: NBA Media Central
Dilfer on Vols QB commit Salter “This kid can do it all. I think he’ll be a passer first that can beat you with his legs.”

Dilfer on Vols QB commit Salter “This kid can do it all. I think he’ll be a passer first that can beat you with his legs.”

Posted on August 1, 2020

By 99.1 The Sports Animal / @SportsRadioWNML

Lipscomb Academy head football coach and Elite 11 head coach Trent Dilfer visited with John and Jimmy on SportsTalk recently. They discussed his decision to coach high school football, if he sees himself coaching at the college or pro level, coaching kids at the Elite 11 camp and his breakdown of one of those participants, Vols 2021 QB commit Kaidon Salter.

Dilfer on the social distancing:

“I hate the term ‘social distancing.’ I’m never going to say that. Physical distancing, I’m all about that. I’m all about keeping people safe. I’m not about isolating people and not letting them have social lives.”

Listen to that full interview below.

Las Vegas, NV – December 14, 2018 – Hard Rock Hotel: Trent Dilfer during the Kickoff Luncheon presented by Dignity Health
(Photo by Joe Faraoni / ESPN Images)
ESPN’s Haubert: ‘You’re really seeing positive things happen for Tennessee on the recruiting trail. A top 10 finish is very likely.”

ESPN’s Haubert: ‘You’re really seeing positive things happen for Tennessee on the recruiting trail. A top 10 finish is very likely.”

Posted on July 31, 2020

By 99.1 The Sports Animal Staff / @SportsRadioWNML

ESPN National Recruiting Coordinator Craig Haubert joined Heather and Vince on Sports 180 recently to talk UT and SEC recruiting including thoughts on some Vols targets and commits. Listen to that full interview here.

Vols HC Jeremy Pruitt / Credit: 99.1 The Sports Animal
Watch Dan + Shay’s Moving New Video for “I Should Probably Go to Bed”

Watch Dan + Shay’s Moving New Video for “I Should Probably Go to Bed”

Posted on July 31, 2020

Dan + Shay dropped a moving new video for their new single, “I Should Probably Go to Bed.”

The stylized clip features plenty of nifty camerawork—including some cool dolly zooms—and special effects.

Penned by Dan Smyers, Shay Mooney, Sean Douglas and Jason Evigan, “I Should Probably Go to Bed” was produced entirely by Dan, who performed and recorded every instrument at his home studio in Nashville.

“We’re so excited about our brand-new single,” says Dan. “We wrote part of this song in Los Angeles during Grammy week, but finished it at my house, on my piano, kind of by accident. Shay had come over to record vocals on another song that we had written. We took a break, went downstairs, started singing this song, and realized this song needs a big ending. So we really went for it. Shay delivered one of my favorite vocal performances of all time. We’re so proud that this is our new single.”

The new tune is the duo’s first single since “10,000 Hours,” which featured Justin Bieber, was released in October 2019. “10,000 Hours” topped the Billboard Country Airplay chart in January 2020.

Watch the video for “I Should Probably Go to Bed” below.

photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

Charlie Daniels to Be Honored With Musical Salute From All-Star Lineup at 2021 “Volunteer Jam”

Charlie Daniels to Be Honored With Musical Salute From All-Star Lineup at 2021 “Volunteer Jam”

Posted on July 31, 2020

The late Charlie Daniels will be honored with a musical salute during his annual all-star concert, Volunteer Jam, which will take place at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Feb. 22, 2021.

Charlie, 83, passed away on July 6. This year’s concert is being dubbed Volunteer Jam: A Musical Salute to Charlie Daniels.

Since its inception in 1974, Charlie’s Volunteer Jam has brought together some of music’s biggest stars for a number of worthwhile causes.

This year’s lineup includes Alabama, Ricky Skaggs, Old Crow Medicine Show, Junior Brown, Cece Winans, The Marshall Tucker Band, Chris Janson, Charley Pride, Larry, Steve & Rudy: The Gatlin Brothers, Big & Rich, Gretchen Wilson, Cowboy Troy, Delbert McClinton, Keb’ Mo’, The Outlaws, Jenny Tolman, the Atlanta Rhythm Section, Devon Allman & Duane Betts, Mickey Gilley, Johnny Lee, Scooter Brown Band, The SteelDrivers, 38 Special, The Allman Betts Band, Travis Denning, Cedric Burnside, Rhett Akins, Pure Prairie League and comedian Dusty Slay. Charlie’s longtime band will also perform to honor their legendary frontman.

“Charlie would be excited and extremely proud that his Volunteer Jam would continue,” says Hazel Daniels, Charlie’s wife of 55 years. “I want to express my sincere thanks to the artists paying tribute to Charlie.”

The concert was originally slated for Sept. 15, 2020, but was rescheduled due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Tickets are on sale now via Ticketmaster and the Bridgestone Arena box office. Previously purchased tickets will transfer to the new concert date.

Over the course of his 60-plus-year career, Charlie received numerous accolades, including induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame (2016) and the Musicians Hall of Fame (2009), as well as becoming a member of the Grand Ole Opry (2008).

As the fiddle-playing frontman of the Charlie Daniels Band, Charlie scored a number of Top 20 singles, including “Drinkin’ My Baby Goodbye,” “Boogie Woogie Fiddle Country Blues,” “In America,” and “The Devil Went Down to Georgia,” which topped the charts in 1979.

photo by TCD

Rascal Flatts Saying Goodbye—For Now—With New 7-Song EP, “How They Remember You”

Rascal Flatts Saying Goodbye—For Now—With New 7-Song EP, “How They Remember You”

Posted on July 31, 2020

Rascal Flatts is saying goodbye—for now—with its new seven-song EP, How They Remember You, which dropped on July 31.

In January, the trio—comprised of Gary LeVox, Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Roone—revealed they will disband this year to tackle individual projects, but they left the door open to reunite. While the COVID-19 pandemic put a kibosh on their Farewell Tour this year, the trio is hoping to keep their longtime fans entertained with the new EP.

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.

Rascal Flatts released the album’s title track as their new single on June 19. Penned by Marc Beeson, Josh Osborne and Allen Shamblin, “How They Remember You” is No. 36 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart after six weeks.

How They Remember You Track List & Songwriters

  1. How They Remember You (Marc Beeson, Josh Osborne, Allen Shamblin)
  2. Feel It In The Morning (Zach Beeken, Jared Keim, Jenn Schott, Will Weatherly)
  3. Quick, Fast, In A Hurry (featuring Rachel Wammack) (Kelly Archer, AJ Babcock, Pete Good, Brandon Ratcliff)
  4. Looking Back (Rhett Akins, Jesse Frasure, Ashley Gorley, Thomas Rhett)
  5. Warmer (Fancy Hagood, David Hodges, Brett McLaughlin)
  6. Sip Away (Zach Beeken, Jacob Durrett, Jared Keim, Garrett Nichols, Jason Sellers)
  7. Through The Years (Steve Dorff, Marty Panzer)

photo by TCD

Exclusive: Chris Tomlin Sings the Praises of the Artists & Songs on His New Worship Album, “Chris Tomlin & Friends”

Exclusive: Chris Tomlin Sings the Praises of the Artists & Songs on His New Worship Album, “Chris Tomlin & Friends”

Posted on July 31, 2020

Chris Tomlin is a heavyweight in the world of Contemporary Christian Music, having scored 16 No. 1 singles, sold more than nine million albums, and earned numerous awards, including one Grammy, three Billboard Music Awards and 21 Dove Awards. 

Recently, mainstream country music fans may recognize Chris’ name—and vocals—from Thomas Rhett’s current Top 10 single, “Be a Light,” which also features Keith Urban, Reba McEntire and Hillary Scott.

For his new album, Chris Tomlin & Friends, which was released on July 31, the Texas native enlisted the musical talents of a host of country stars, including Florida Georgia Line, Thomas Rhett, Lady A, Brett Young, RaeLynn, Chris Lane, Russell Dickerson, Cassadee Pope and more. FGL’s Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley collaborated with Chris on a number of the album’s songs and served as executive producers on the 13-track album.

In our exclusive interview, Chris “sings the praises” of the artists featured on his new album in a song-by-song breakdown.

1. “Thank You Lord” (intro)

2. “Thank You Lord” feat. Florida Georgia Line & Thomas Rhett; written by Chris Tomlin, Thomas Rhett, Tyler Hubbard, Corey Crowder, David Garcia

“This song has country, Jackson 5, R&B, pop. It’s just a great smash-up of everything. It was important to each of us to sing this one together. ‘For my momma and for my friends, for my babies, for my girl.’ I play it for my girls and instantly they start dancing.”

3. “Reaching For You” feat. We The Kingdom; written by Chris Tomlin, Shay Mooney, Ed Cash

“I was writing with Ed Cash and Shay [Mooney of Dan + Shay] one day and someone sent us a video of Bon Jovi performing ‘Living On a Prayer’ from a stadium show in Europe. Thousands and thousands of people with their hands raised. I was thinking, ‘Isn’t that interesting? It doesn’t look any different than a big worship event with Hillsong or at one of my concerts. The difference is who you are reaching for.’ Shay then said, ‘Oh we need to write that right now.’ ‘I know who I’m reaching for when I raise my hands and it’s not for some superstar on a stage. It’s for the Lord, for God our father.’ That’s where that song started.”

4. “Who You Are To Me” feat. Lady A; written by Chris Tomlin, Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott, Dave Haywood

“This song came so fast and so easy. It speaks to where so many of us are and this idea of who God is to us. It’s personal. I’ve known the depths of who you are because I know where you pulled me from. ‘But I’ve seen you part the waters when no one else could pull me from the deep. That’s who you are to me.’”

5. “God Who Listens” feat. Thomas Rhett; written by Chris Tomlin, Thomas Rhett, Ashley Gorley, David Garcia

“When we pray to God, we’re praying to a God who listens. That is the difference maker right there. Yes, he is massive and powerful and created all things, but he also listens and draws close to you. He’s a friend to you.”

6. “Power” feat. Bear Rinehart of NEEDTOBREATHE; written by Chris Tomlin, Pat Barrett, Ed Cash

“I wrote with Pat Barrett and Ed Cash a while back, but I always wanted someone with me on this song. I had just come off a guy’s adventure trip with Tyler [Hubbard] and Bear Rinehart. Each night we’d get around the campfire and pass the guitar around. Every time Bear would sing, none of us wanted to sing after him. His voice is so unique and powerful, so I asked him if he’d like to be on it. The whole idea is about God’s power. There’s wonder working power, Holy Spirit power, great redeeming power, resurrection power, bondage-breaking power, power in the name of Jesus. It just keeps coming at you with all these different ways of saying the power of God.”

7. “Be The Moon” feat. Brett Young & Cassadee Pope; written by Chris Tomlin, Corey Crowder, Tyler Hubbard

“This is an idea I’ve had for a while. You can sum up Christianity into three words: be the moon. None of us have light on our own, but we reflect a greater light to the world. Our place is to just be a reflection of God’s light to people.”

8. “Sing” feat. Russell Dickerson & Florida Georgia Line; written by Chris Tomlin, Corey Crowder, Brian Kelley, Tyler Hubbard, Cary Barlowe

“I love Russell’s voice on this song. It reminds me of what it would sound like if John Mayer would write a worship song, just the way the guitar feels and the way the track feels. It bridges the gap between being a romantic song and a song to God. It feels different than anything I’ve ever put out before.”

9. “Chase Me Down” feat. RaeLynn; written by Racheal Lynn David, Josh Kerr, Hannah Ellis

“I was floored instantly when Tyler brought this song to me. The chorus says, ‘You chase me down when I don’t deserve it. You chase me down I cannot earn it. When I’m lost and I’m low in a place that I think you won’t go, you chase me down.’ You can’t outrun the goodness and grace of God and she says it in such a beautiful, honest and powerful way.”

10. “Gifts From God” feat. Chris Lane; written by Chris Tomlin, Corey Crowder, Tyler Hubbard

“This project started with this song. Reflecting on life and all the things that we don’t really consider gifts from God, but they really are. Gifts that money can’t buy. He’s saved you from what you thought you wanted, your plans, the grip that you had on your life. Every day is a gift from God. Celebrate the simple things.”

11. “Forever Home” feat. Florida Georgia Line; written by Tyler Hubbard, Brian Kelley, Ashley Gorley, Corey Crowder

“My mom teared up over this one and said, ‘That reminds me of my dad,’ talking about my grandfather who has passed away. I love how the chorus ends, ‘When we get to our forever home, you and I will be forever home.’ It’s so simple, so powerful, talking about heaven and being with the Lord. Such a good country lines—‘When all this gravel turns to country gold.’ and ‘We’ll leave all of our worries just like work boots on the porch.’ What a beautiful scene and picture of everything we’ve built on this earth.”

12. “Together” feat. Russell Dickerson; written by Chris Tomlin, Brian Kelley, Tyler Hubbard, Russell Dickerson, Corey Crowder

“Russell and I wrote this song with Tyler, BK and Corey. The word ‘together’ really says what this record is all about. There’s a line in the song, ‘Whatever I’m in, I know that we’re in it together.’ That is a beautiful thing knowing that God walks with us in the valleys. He walks with us in the hard times of life. There’s a scripture that says, ‘In Him all things hold together.’ When it all falls apart, he’s putting the pieces together.”

13. “Tin Roof” feat. Blessing Offor; written by Blessing Offor, Natalie Hemby

“This is an artist no one knows, and his real name is Blessing. He’s a blind man from Nigeria and is an incredible piano player, singer, and songwriter. He grew up in a house with a tin roof and the sound of rain on the roof always reminds him of home. And he’s says when he thinks of home it makes him think of heaven.”

photo by E.M., AFF-USA.com

Eric Church Lays the Hammer Down in New Song, “Bad Mother Trucker” [Listen]

Eric Church Lays the Hammer Down in New Song, “Bad Mother Trucker” [Listen]

Posted on July 31, 2020

Eric Church dropped a new song, “Bad Mother Trucker,” on July 31.

Penned by Eric, Casey Beathard, Luke Dick and Jeremy Spillman and produced by Jay Joyce, “Bad Mother Trucker” follows the recent release of Eric’s new single, “Stick That in Your Country Song,” which is currently No. 34 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart after five weeks.

“Bad Mother Trucker” finds Eric crooning about a female truck driver who “was hell on wheels.” Like many of Eric’s tunes, “Bad Mother Trucker” features superb backup vocals from his longtime collaborator, Joanna Cotten.

The new music follows Eric’s most recent project, 2018’s Desperate Man, his sixth studio album.

Listen to “Bad Mother Trucker” below.

photo by JPA, AFF-USA.com

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