Scotty McCreery, 26, and wife Gabi, 26, will celebrate their second wedding anniversary on June 16 (you’ve still got one week to get her a great present, Scotty).
The couple met in kindergarten in Garner, N.C., and grew up together in their close-knit North Carolina community. They began dating during their senior year at Garner High School.
Scotty’s 2019 No. 1 hit single, “This Is It,” has become intertwined with his anniversary. Scott penned the song with Frank Rogers and Aaron Eshuis about Gabi two weeks before asking her to marry him in September 2017. After his mountaintop proposal, Scotty played the song for Gabi for the first time about an hour later as their families gathered for a celebration.
As Scotty told Kix Brooks of American Country Countdown, the song brings back some special memories every time he performs it—or hears it.
“I wrote the song two weeks before we got engaged, and the first time I played it for her, she had just said ‘Yes,’” says Scotty. “I had her family and my family drive up and meet us, and I flew her sister in from Oklahoma, and they were all surprising her at the house. And then, we all sat down in the living room and I played it for her over the speakers. There were some waterworks, for sure. It was a pretty special moment.”
Travis Denning’s “After a Few” is the little engine that could.
After 65 weeks, the tune has reached No. 1 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart, marking the longest trip to the top. Jimmie Allen’s “Make Me Want To” previously held the record at 58 weeks. In addition, “After a Few” marks the longest tenure a song has had on the Billboard Country Airplay chart, surpassing the 59-week run of “Make Me Want To.”
Travis released the single in January 2019. Penned by Travis, Kelly Archer and Justin Weaver, the single is featured on Travis’ new six-song EP, Beer’s Better Cold (May 15).
“I’m so grateful for this number one,” says Travis. “To see it get up the charts was a dream come true that I first had when I was 14 years old. This has only helped fuel the fire to want to get back on the road and sing country music for some country lovin’ people.”
Luke Combs will try to score his unprecedented ninth consecutive No. 1 single—to start a career—with the release of “Lovin’ On You.”
The new tune, which was penned by Luke, Ray Fulcher, James McNair, and Thomas Archer, will impact country radio on June 22.
“Fun song,” says Luke. “I wrote it with Ray, James and Thomas . . . three guys I like writing songs with. Real kind of country and honk-tonky kind of [song] . . . I was in the throes of love, and there we go.”
“Lovin’ On You” will be the fourth single from Luke’s 2019 No. 1 album, What You See Is What You Get.
Luke is the first country artist in history whose first eight singles have reached No. 1 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart: “Hurricane,” “When It Rains It Pours,” “One Number Away,” “She Got the Best of Me,” “Beautiful Crazy,” “Beer Never Broke My Heart,” “Even Though I’m Leaving” and “Does to Me.”
In May, Tim McGraw released his touching new single, “I Called Mama.”
Penned by Lance Miller, Marv Green and Jimmy Yeary, “I Called Mama” is about the special connection mothers share with their children, especially when times are tough.
However, as Tim noted during a press event in May when he was discussing his life under quarantine, you can call mama for any reason, including a hot milk cake recipe. [Editor’s note: if you’ve never had a hot milk cake, stop reading this and find—or make—one topped with powdered sugar and fresh berries, although some folks prefer chocolate icing].
“For us, during all this stuff that’s going on and being at home together and hanging out, there’s been a lot of sort of nostalgia that’s come along with that—looking back through old photos, and going back and watching movies that we haven’t seen in a long time, and cooking things that we grew up eating when we were kids, and telling our kids stories about,” says Tim. “Like, for instance, I called my mom because I wanted to . . . make a hot milk cake like my grandmother used to make, so she actually talked my youngest daughter through it, and my youngest daughter made my grandmother’s hot milk cake and my grandmother’s been gone for a while, so. You know, there’s a lot of terrible things going on and it’s been hard for a lot of people and a lot of people have lost loved ones, but hopefully the silver lining in all of this is we’ve learned how to connect with each other a little bit differently and a little better and maybe that’ll extend to a more personal connection to everybody.”
The late John Prine will be honored by a musical who’s who during Picture Show: A Tribute Celebrating John Prine on June 11.
The legendary troubadour died on April 7 due to COVID-19 complications.
Confirmed guests for Picture Show include Courtney Marie Andrews, Dan Auerbach, Kevin Bacon, Brené Brown, Brandi Carlile, Eric Church, Dave Cobb, Stephen Colbert, Peter Cooper, Iris DeMent, John Dickerson, Mitchell Drosin, David Ferguson, Vince Gill, Jason Isbell, Jeremy Ivey, Jim James, Pat McLaughlin, Bill Murray, Kacey Musgraves, Margo Price, Fiona Whelan Prine, Jack Prine, Tommy Prine, Bonnie Raitt, The Secret Sisters, Kyra Sedgwick, Amanda Shires, Sturgill Simpson, Todd Snider, Billy Bob Thornton, Kurt Vile, Kelsey Waldon, Sara Watkins, Jody Whelan, John Paul White, Rita Wilson and Prine’s longtime band (Kenneth Blevins, David Jacques, Fats Kaplin, Jason Wilber).
Produced by the Prine family and Oh Boy Records, the tribute will feature memories, songs and never-before-seen footage of John, while raising money for three organizations: NAMI, Alive and Make the Road New York.
John was a two-time Grammy winner, Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member, PEN New England Lyrics Award recipient, and a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominee. John was a recipient of the Recording Academy’s 2020 Lifetime Achievement Award.
John’s catalog includes iconic songs “Sam Stone,” “Angel From Montgomery,” “Paradise,” “Hello In There,” “Illegal Smile,” “That’s The Way The World Goes ‘Round,” “Speed Of The Sound Of Loneliness,” “In Spite of Ourselves,” “You Never Even Called Me By My Name,” “I Just Want To Dance With You” and more. John’s songs have been recorded by Johnny Cash, Carly Simon, Bette Midler, Bonnie Raitt, Norah Jones, George Strait, Miranda Lambert, Zac Brown Band, David Allan Coe and many others.
Picture Show: A Tribute Celebrating John Prine will debut on June 11 at 6:30 p.m. CT on John’s YouTube, Facebook and Twitch channels.
Blake Shelton’s new Ole Red restaurant/bar/venue in Orlando, Fla., will open on June 19.
Ole Red Orlando was scheduled to open on April 14. However, the COVID-19 pandemic put a damper on the plans for the grand opening.
“My birthday is June 18, but Ole Red Orlando is opening June 19, that’s way more important,” says Blake.
Located at the ICON Park development, the planned $15-million Ole Red Orlando project will offer 17,000-square-feet over two levels and will seat approximately 500 guests. The venue will feature live music as well as indoor and outdoor private event areas and a view of The Wheel, one of the world’s largest observation wheels.
Blake is once again teaming with Ryman Hospitality Properties for the Orlando project. Blake and Ryman Hospitality have already opened Ole Red locations in Tishomingo, Okla. (September 2017), Nashville (May 2018) and Gatlinburg (March 2019).
“We’ve brought Ole Red to some of my favorite places, and I’m excited to have another spot for country music fans to have fun with their friends and family,” said Blake. “I think it’s impossible to visit Orlando and not have a good time, and that’s why I know Ole Red is going to fit right in.”
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee softball welcomes back LVFL Megan Rhodes Smith as its new assistant coach for pitching, announced co-head coaches Ralph and Karen Weekly, on Monday.
Smith, a standout pitcher for the Lady Vols from 2005-08, spent the last year as the head coach at Belmont in her hometown of Nashville.
“Ralph and I are thrilled that Megan Rhodes Smith is returning to Rocky Top to join our coaching staff,” said Karen Weekly. “I have watched Megan flourish in her coaching career since she graduated from Tennessee and I believe that she is a rising star in our profession.
“She is a passionate and innovative teacher. She knows what it’s like to step into the circle and face the toughest SEC and post-season competition. Megan held herself to the highest standards as a UT student-athlete, both on and off the field, and will expect the same of our pitching staff. Her character is outstanding and the women of Lady Vol Softball will benefit greatly from her mentorship.”
Prior to her time with the Bruins, Smith spent six seasons focusing on the development of pitchers and catchers at Lipscomb University, and served as the program’s associate head coach from 2018-19.
During her tenure at LU, Smith had an immediate and long-lasting impact assisting in the program’s recent successes. Most recently, the Lady Bisons made appearances in the 2019 and 2014 NCAA Regional tournaments after clinching Atlantic Sun tournament titles.
The team saw individuals garner accolades as well, with four pitchers under her guidance earning Atlantic Sun All-Conference honors, thanks to finishing in the conference’s top five in strikeouts, earned run average (ERA) and wins. In 2018, the Lady Bisons pitching staff finished the season ranked 23rd nationally in ERA. Additionally, the corps led the Atlantic Sun in strikeouts in 2016 and 2017.
Before joining the Lipscomb staff, she spent one season at Western Kentucky. During her stint with the Hilltoppers, the program boasted a 43-18 overall record and earned its first at large bid into the NCAA Tournament.
Smith also has previously served as an assistant coach at both Middle Tennessee State and Charleston Southern, helping the latter to its first 30-win season in program history.
A well-known name on Rocky Top, Smith returns to her alma mater ranking third in program history with a 1.77 career ERA, fourth with 726 career strikeouts and tied for fifth with 67 wins. She holds a spot in UT’s top 10 in nearly every pitching category.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to return to the University of Tennessee and give back to this incredible program,” Smith said. “From the challenges, the successes, the lessons learned, and the amazing people who became part of my life, my time at Tennessee has continued to shape me far past my graduation date.
“I believe in this program and in the women who are part of it. I’d like to thank the Belmont softball team, community, and administration headed by Scott Corley and Renee Schultz for their belief and support. I want to thank Coach Fulmer, Tara Brooks, and Ralph and Karen Weekly for the chance to give my all for Tennessee again. I’m looking forward to working with the next generation of Volunteers.”
Smith was part of one of the program’s most successful stretches as the Lady Vols reached the Women’s College World Series three consecutive years (2005-07) and recorded three 60-plus win seasons in that time and another 50-plus win season in 2008.
Equally competitive in the classroom, Smith earned SEC Honor Roll distinction for three years, culminating with a 3.80 grade point average. She went on to earn a master’s degree in sports studies with a concentration in sports psychology from UT in 2009.
Smith will inherit a diverse pitching staff that includes sophomore Callie Turner (2.67 ERA, 8-7 W/L record), who stepped into the ace role during the abbreviated 2020 season, after Ashley Rogers, who returns as a redshirt sophomore, was temporarily sidelined with an injury. The Lady Vols pitching corps also will include senior Samantha Bender (2.83 ERA, 5-1 W/L) who transferred to UT in 2020 from Iona College and appeared in 13 games. Sophomore utility players Kiki Milloy and Anna Hazelwood also saw time in the circle, while incoming freshman Bailey McCachren, who ranks 14th among pitchers on Extra Innings Softball 2020 Extra Elite 100 List, will round out the squad.What others are saying…
“Congratulations to Megan Rhodes Smith. I’m happy Tennessee is keeping it in the family and hiring someone who cares deeply for the program like only an alumnus can. Megan will have an immediate impact on the pitching staff. Since her playing days, Megan has evolved and grown in her knowledge of pitching, athlete development and coaching the game at an elite level. She is exactly what Tennessee needs right now.” – Monica Abbott, Tennessee 2004-07
“Megan is one of the bright young minds in our coaching profession. I have always admired her keen sense of awareness and desire to continue to learn the best practices in our sport and lead her athletes to success.” – Rachel Lawson, Kentucky softball head coach
“Megan Rhodes-Smith is one of the brightest stars in our profession. She was a key contributor to the success of our pitching staff in our championship season at WKU and went on to help establish a consistent winning tradition at Lipscomb. Megan’s ability to connect with each player on a personal level and establish a bond of trust is one of her many assets. She truly cares for her student-athletes and makes it her mission to help them become their best self. ” – Tyra Perry, Illinois softball head coach
“As a former Volunteer, Megan Rhodes Smith is uniquely qualified to be the pitching coach at the University of Tennessee. She understands what it takes to be successful at that level and is committed to the development of her student-athletes both on and off the field. She has a tremendous work ethic and will do a great job leading the next generation of Tennessee pitchers.” – Jennifer Brundage, Michigan softball assistant coach
“What a sweet homecoming for Megan and the Volunteers! Megan is a fantastic pitching mind. She is creative, inquisitive and a life-long learner. She has successfully developed pitchers at every stop she has had in her professional career. She is extremely familiar with the SEC and is sure to bring passion and energy to the Tennessee program.” – Beth Torina, LSU softball head coach
“Megan is a next level coach and person. She is an incredibly smart mind who makes everyone around her better, and she is a great teacher who genuinely enjoys helping others learn the game. Her ability to impact the mental game of her student-athletes really sets her apart and makes her a coach to rely on. Megan’s standards are extremely high and she strives for & demands excellence on a daily basis from herself and those around her. She is a coach who truly cares about the whole person, and she will be an outstanding addition to the storied Lady Vol program. I’m excited for her to have the opportunity to impact her alma mater now as a coach.” – Kristin Ryman, Lipscomb softball head coach.
United We Sing: A Grammy Salute to the Unsung Heroes TV Special on June 21 will feature performances by Little Big Town, Tim McGraw and more.
Hosted by Harry Connick Jr., the show features Harry and his filmmaker daughter, Georgia Connick, as they take a road trip across the nation in an RV to thank and celebrate essential workers who risk their lives to keep the country safe.
The special will include performances from Harry,John Fogerty, Jamie Foxx, Herbie Hancock, Cyndi Lauper, Little Big Town, Branford Marsalis, Wynton Marsalis, Dave Matthews, Tim McGraw,Irma Thomas, Jon Batiste, Andra Day, Rockin Dopsie and Trombone Shorty. Sandra Bullock, Queen Latifah, Brad Pitt, Oprah Winfrey, Renée Zellweger and more will deliver messages to America’s unsung heroes.
United We Sing: A Grammy Salute to the Unsung Heroes will air on June 21, from 8–10 p.m. ET/PT on CBS.
With that kind of earning power, don’t let your parents talk you out of pursuing your country music dreams. In addition to their earnings from touring and album/single sales, Forbes noted that Luke pulls in an estimated $12 million per season for his work as a judge on American Idol, while Blake rakes in an estimated $13 million per season for his role on The Voice.
Kylie Jenner topped this year’s list with $590 million, followed by Kanye West (#2, $170 million), Roger Federer (#3, $106.3 million), Cristiano Ronaldo (#4, $105 million) and Lionel Messi (#5, $104 million).
Forbes’ 2019 list featured two country artists:
No. 78: Luke Bryan, $42.5 million
No. 95: Zac Brown Band, $38.5 million
Forbes‘ 2018 list featured three country artists:
No. 45: Luke Bryan, $52 million
No. 59: Garth Brooks, $45.5 million
No. 87: Kenny Chesney, $37 million
Forbes’ 2017 list featured seven country artists.
No. 26: Garth Brooks, $60 million
No. 53: Kenny Chesney, $42.5 million
No. 55: Luke Bryan, $42 million
No. 71: Dolly Parton, $37 million
No. 83: Toby Keith, $34.5 million
No. 83: Florida Georgia Line, $34.5 million
No. 98: Jason Aldean, $32.5 million
photos: Blake Shelton by NCD; Luke Bryan by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com
The Today show’s 2020 Citi Summer Concert Series lineup will feature a number of country stars in its varied lineup, including Blake Shelton, the Dixie Chicks, Rascal Flatts & More.
Performances will be virtual with no live audience, until further notice. Additional performers will be announced in the coming weeks.
Tune in to NBC to see the performances. All shows (except when noted) will be broadcast Friday mornings on the Today show.
Today Citi Summer Concert Series
June 12 – Andra Day
July 3 – Kelly Clarkson
July 24 – Blake Shelton
July 31 – Alanis Morissette
TBD – Dixie Chicks
TBD – Chloe x Halle
TBD – Rascal Flatts
TBD – Freestyle Love Supreme and Lin-Manuel Miranda
![Luke Combs Announces Rowdy New Single, “Lovin’ On You” [Listen]](https://cdn.socast.io/6616/sites/602/2020/06/09075627/Luke-Combs-TA.jpg#aqua_resizer_image_not_local)
