Henry To’o To’o Earns Spot on Bednarik Award Watch List

Henry To’o To’o Earns Spot on Bednarik Award Watch List

Posted on July 13, 2020
Henry To’oto’o – UT LB / Credit: UT Athletics

KNOXVILLE – After a spectacular freshman All-America campaign, Tennessee sophomore linebacker Henry To’o To’o has been tabbed to the watch list for the Bednarik Award, which is presented to the most outstanding defensive player in college football.

The Maxwell Football Club unveiled 90 candidates to the 2020 watch list on Monday, including 11 Southeastern Conference players. To’o was one of just two SEC sophomores on the list, joining LSU’s Derek Stingley.

The Bednarik Award has been presented to the College Defensive Player of the Year since 1995 and is named in honor of Chuck Bednarik, a former standout at the University of Pennsylvania and with the Philadelphia Eagles. The 2020 season marks the 26th annual presentation of the award.

To’o To’o, a native of Sacramento, California, is coming off a freshman season of 72 tackles, while playing in all 13 games with 12 starts. He finished second on the squad in tackles, second among SEC freshmen and fourth among FBS freshmen.

A 2020 preseason second-team All-SEC selection by Athlon, To’o To’o helped lead Tennessee on a six-game winning streak to close the 2019 season, including a game-high eight-tackle performance in a victory over Indiana in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl.

To’o To’o came to Tennessee as one of the top linebacker prospects in the country and immediately performed. A recreation and sports management major, he was a high school All-American at powerhouse De La Salle High School.

Semifinalists for the Bednarik Award will be announced on Nov. 3, 2020, while the three finalists for the honor will be unveiled Nov. 23, 2020. The winner of the 2020 Bednarik Awards will be announced as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show held on Dec. 10, 2020.

2020 Tennessee Football Preseason Honors

Brent Cimaglia, Sr., PK
All-SEC First Team (Athlon, College Football News)

Eric Gray, So., RB
All-SEC Fourth Team (Athlon)

Velus Jones Jr., Sr., WR/RS
All-SEC Third Team (Athlon)

Cade Mays, Jr., OL
Second-Team All-American (Sporting News)
All-SEC Second Team (Athlon)

Wanya Morris, So., OL
All-SEC First Team (College Football News)

Josh Palmer, Sr., WR
All-SEC Fourth Team (Athlon)

Trey Smith, Sr., OL
First-Team All-American (Athlon, Sporting News)
Second-Team All-American (Walter Camp)
All-SEC First Team (Athlon, College Football News)

Bryce Thompson, Jr., DB
All-SEC Fourth Team (Athlon)

Henry To’o To’o, So., LB
Bednarik Award Watch List
All-SEC Second Team (Athlon)

-UT Athletics

Garth Brooks Reschedules Facebook Live Concert for July 14

Garth Brooks Reschedules Facebook Live Concert for July 14

Posted on July 13, 2020

Garth Brooks announced via Twitter on July 13 that he and wife Trisha Yearwood will be performing fan-requested songs during his Facebook Live series, Inside Studio G, on July 14.

The concert, which was originally slated for July 7, was postponed last week “out of an abundance of caution” due to possible COVID-19 exposure.

The original performance date coincided with the birthday of Garth’s late friend, Emmett Gilliam, who was the stage production manager for Garth’s tours through the ’90s and later ran the Oklahoma farm Garth called home after stepping out of the spotlight in 2000.

“The whole first week of July is so important to all of us in this camp,” said Garth when the original date was announced. “They were called the ‘Days of Em.’ We lost Emmett [several] years ago. His birthday was 7/7. But always, when Emmett was alive…from July 1 to July 7 were the Days of Em, which meant you pretty much walked around in your shorts…you didn’t do any work whatsoever on the farm…drank a lot, ate too much. It was fabulous.”

Garth and his team will be sifting through requests that can be made on his socials using the hashtag, #GarthRequestLive2. Feel free to include a photo of yourself with a mustache in tribute to Emmett, who sported a recognizable stash.

“We’ve got pictures of these Days of Em parties that we’ve had for years,” said Garth. “And everybody has to wear a mustache—girls, guys, everybody does.”

Tune in to Garth’s Inside Studio G on Facebook on July 14 at 7 p.m. ET.

photo by Curtis Hilbun, AFF-USA.com

Watch Miranda Lambert’s New “Dark Bars” Lyric Video

Watch Miranda Lambert’s New “Dark Bars” Lyric Video

Posted on July 13, 2020

Miranda Lambert released a new lyric video for her song, “Dark Bars.”

Penned by Miranda and Liz Rose, the tune is featured on Miranda’s seventh studio album, Wildcard, which dropped in 2019.

“I started in honky tonks, you know, [age] 17, and I’ve always felt comfortable in those places, whether it’s on stage or just hanging out because it’s a non-judgment zone,” said Miranda to Zane Lowe on Apple Music’s Beats 1 in November 2019. “You know what I mean? I came from the Bible Belt and sang at church, and so when I started singing secular music, it was like, ‘Oh my goodness, you’re playing a bar on Saturday night, you’re missing church?’ But that’s where the lost people are, and I like the lost people because I’m lost too. You know what I mean? So ‘Dark Bars’ is definitely one that I felt like I kind of spoke the good clean truth on.”

Nashville natives and tourists may recognize a number of the bars featured in the new lyric video, including The Stage, Skull’s Rainbow Room, Robert’s Western World, Loser’s Bar & Grill and more.

Watch Miranda’s new lyric video for “Dark Bars” below.

photo by Curtis Hilbun, AFF-USA.com

Watch Vince Gill, Travis Tritt, Gretchen Wilson & Trace Adkins Honor Charlie Daniels During Memorial Service

Watch Vince Gill, Travis Tritt, Gretchen Wilson & Trace Adkins Honor Charlie Daniels During Memorial Service

Posted on July 13, 2020

A video of Charlie Daniels’ funeral service on July 10 is available to view via YouTube.

The nearly two-hour service at World Outreach Church included performances by Trace Adkins (“Arlington”), Vince Gill (“Go Rest High on That Mountain” and “America the Beautiful”), Travis Tritt (“Amazing Grace”), Gretchen Wilson (“I’ll Fly Away”) and more.

Charlie passed away on July 6 at age 83. 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.

Charlie leaves behind his wife of 55 years, Hazel, and their son, Charlie Daniels, Jr.

Watch Charlie’s memorial service below.

  • Trace Adkins: 25:40 mark
  • Vince Gill: 47:30 mark
  • Travis Tritt: 57:10 mark
  • Gretchen Wilson: 1:26:05 mark

photo by TCD

Darius Rucker & Wife Beth Announce Split After Almost 20 Years of Marriage

Darius Rucker & Wife Beth Announce Split After Almost 20 Years of Marriage

Posted on July 11, 2020

Darius Rucker and wife Beth announced they are splitting up after almost 20 years of marriage.

Darius shared a statement via Instagram on July 11: “Beth and I would like to share that after much reflection we have made the decision to consciously uncouple. We remain close friends and parenting partners and continue to be each other’s biggest cheerleaders. Our priority will always be our beautiful family. We have so much love in our hearts for each other and will continue to encourage growth and expansion in one other. Please be kind as we take on this journey, and we thank you for your love and support always. — Darius & Beth Rucker”

Darius and Beth married in December 2000. They have two children together: Daniella, 19, and Jack, 15.

photo by Curtis Hilbun, AFF-USA.com

Everything You Need to Know About “CMA Best of Fest” on July 13

Everything You Need to Know About “CMA Best of Fest” on July 13

Posted on July 10, 2020

From performers and special guests to times and channel, here’s everything a country music fan needs to know about CMA Best of Fest.

  • Date: July 13
  • Time: 8 p.m. ET & PT/7 p.m. CT & MT
  • Channel: ABC
  • Host: Luke Bryan
  • Show: The three-hour concert event will feature more than 25 performances from past CMA Fests.
  • Past Performances: Trace Adkins, Lauren Alaina, Jason Aldean, Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Garth Brooks, Brooks & Dunn, Brothers Osborne, Kane Brown, Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Billy Ray Cyrus, Dan + Shay, Lzzy Hale, Sam Hunt, Joan Jett, Lady A, Miranda Lambert, Lil Nas X, Little Big Town, Tim McGraw, Maren Morris, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, Thomas Rhett, Darius Rucker, Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Dwight Yoakam and Zac Brown Band
  • Special Appearances: Jim Gaffigan, Kirk Herbstreit, Peyton Manning, Lionel Richie, Rob Riggle, Gwen Stefani, Michael Strahan and Rita Wilson
  • New Performance: Luke Bryan and Darius Rucker
  • Preview: ↓

photos: Miranda Lambert & Luke Bryan by Curtis Hilbun, AFF-USA.com; Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

Rascal Flatts Share New Song, “Quick, Fast, in a Hurry,” Featuring Rachel Wammack [Listen]

Rascal Flatts Share New Song, “Quick, Fast, in a Hurry,” Featuring Rachel Wammack [Listen]

Posted on July 10, 2020

Rascal Flatts—comprised of Gary LeVox, Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney—released a new song, “Quick, Fast, in a Hurry,” from their upcoming EP, How They Remember You.

The new seven-song EP will drop on July 31. The EP includes six brand-new tracks, as well as a rendition of Kenny Rogers’ “Through the Years.”

Penned by Kelly Archer, AJ Babcock, Pete Good and Brandon Ratcliff, “Quick, Fast, in a Hurry” pairs vocals from Gary with guest artist Rachel Wammack.

“As soon as we heard this song, we knew we had to cut it,” says Jay. “The chorus is so hooky and we instantly fell in love with it. And I just love how Gary and Rachel’s voices sound together on it. We’re excited for people to hear this one.”

Rascal Flatts released the album’s title track as their new single on June 19.

Watch the new lyric video for “Quick, Fast, in a Hurry” below.

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

Tim McGraw to Release 16th Studio Album, “Here On Earth,” on Aug. 21 [Watch New Video for Title Track]

Tim McGraw to Release 16th Studio Album, “Here On Earth,” on Aug. 21 [Watch New Video for Title Track]

Posted on July 10, 2020

Tim McGraw announced he will release his 16th studio album, Here On Earth, on Aug. 21.

Buoyed by the May release of the album’s lead single, “I Called Mama,” the upcoming project will be Tim’s first solo release since 2015’s Damn Country Music. Tim and wife Faith Hill released a duets album, The Rest of Our Life, in 2017.

Tim’s upcoming 16-song album features a host of top songwriters, including Tom Douglas, Lori McKenna, Shane McAnally, Marcus Hummon, Luke Laird, Ross Copperman, Laura Veltz and more.

A press release notes that the album “offers a collection of songs McGraw brought together to create vignettes of shared human emotions such as love, relationships, introspection and fun.” Tim plans to kick off the album on August 21 with a first-of-its-kind-live-stream experience.

Tim also shared a new video for the album’s title track, which was penned by Jessie Joe Dillon, Chase McGill and Jon Nite.

Here On Earth Track List & Songwriters
1. “L.A.” | Carlton Anderson, Shane Minor, Phil O’Donnell
2. ”Chevy Spaceship” | Jonny Price
3. “Here On Earth” | Jessie Joe Dillon, Chase McGill, Jon Nite
4. “Damn Sure Do” | Tony Lane, James T. Slater
5. “Hallelujahville” | Tom Douglas, Blake Griffith, Brett Taylor
6. “Good Taste In Women” | Jaren Johnston, Bryan Simpson, Nathan Spicer
7. “Hard To Stay Mad At” | Luke Laird, Shane McAnally, Lori McKenna
8. “Sheryl Crow” | Wendell Mobley, Neil Thrasher, Laura Veltz
9. “Not From California” | Levi Hummon, Marcus Hummon, Matt McVaney, Brad Warren, Brett Warren
10. “Hold You Tonight” | Ross Copperman, Jon Nite
11. “7500 OBO” | Matt McGinn, Jennifer Schott, Nathan Spicer
12. “If I Was A Cowboy” | Zack Dyer, Lonnie Lee Fowler, Dave Turnbill
13. “I Called Mama” | Marv Green, Lance Miller, Jimmy Yeary
14. “Gravy” | Andy Albert, Tom Douglas, Allen Shamblin
15. “War Of Art” | Lance Miller, Jeremy Spillman, Brad Warren, Brett Warren
16. “Doggone” | Claire Douglas, Tom Douglas, Jaren Johnston, Aimee Mayo

photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

Charley Pride, Darius Rucker & Jimmie Allen: 3 Generations of Black Country Artists Record New Song, “Why Things Happen” [Listen]

Charley Pride, Darius Rucker & Jimmie Allen: 3 Generations of Black Country Artists Record New Song, “Why Things Happen” [Listen]

Posted on July 10, 2020

Three generations of Black country artists—Charley Pride, Darius Rucker and Jimmie Allen—have come together to record a new song, “Why Things Happen.”

Penned by Jimmie, Cary Barlowe, Brandon Day and Tate Howell, “Why Things Happen” is featured on Jimmie’s new collaborative EP, Bettie James, which dropped on July 10.

Jimmie revealed that he co-penned the new song two days after the death of Kobe Bryant and eight others in a helicopter crash on January 26.

“In the midst of losing my Dad, my grandmother and the tragedy Sunday with The Kobe Bryant, Gigi Bryant and Altobelli family I found myself with tons of questions,” said Jimmie via Twitter on January 28. “I wrote this song today with @tatehowell5, @carybarlowe, Brandon Day.”

In addition to Charley and Darius, the seven-song EP features a bevy of guest artists, including Brad Paisley, Mickey Guyton, Nelly, Noah Cyrus, The Oak Ridge Boys, Rita Wilson, Tauren Wells and Tim McGraw. The new EP takes its moniker from Jimmie’s late father (James Allen) and late grandmother (Bettie Snead).

“I am a fan of every artist on this project and humbled to have each one of them be a part of it,” says Jimmie. “Each artist has touched the life of my dad, my grandmother and me through their music. I’m proud of this body of music and thankful to every writer that helped me create Bettie James.”

Listen to “Why Things Happen” below.

photos: Charley Pride by TCD; Darius Rucker by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com; Jimmie Allen by JPA, AFF-USA.com

Charlie Daniels’ Funeral to Be Live Streamed on July 10 [Links Provided]

Charlie Daniels’ Funeral to Be Live Streamed on July 10 [Links Provided]

Posted on July 9, 2020

Charlie Daniels’ funeral service at World Outreach Church (1921 State Highway 99, Murfreesboro, Tenn.) on July 10 will be live streamed at 11 a.m. CT. Travis Tritt, Vince Gill, Gretchen Wilson and Trace Adkins will perform during the service.

The service will be live streamed via World Outreach Church’s Facebook page and website, as well as The Charlie Daniels Band Facebook page and YouTube channel. A private burial will follow at Mt. Juliet Memorial Gardens in Mt. Juliet, Tenn.

Due to COVID-19, attendees are encouraged to wear masks during the funeral service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to The Journey Home Project, which Charlie co-founded in 2014.

Charlie passed away on July 6 at age 83.

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.

Charlie leaves behind his wife of 55 years, Hazel, and their son, Charlie Daniels, Jr.

photo by TCD

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