Jimmy’s blog: Yoga might help James blossom next season

Jimmy’s blog: Yoga might help James blossom next season

Posted on May 28, 2020

By Jimmy Hyams

After the Tennessee’s men’s basketball season abruptly ended at the SEC Tournament in mid-March, the coaching staff met with players for exit interviews.

“We talked about the perspective of the year,’’ coach Rick Barnes said in a recent interview on Sports Talk, WNML radio. “It’s great to hear them (players) because they’re very honest from their point of view, not only about themselves but teammates.’’

The staff is also honest with the players.

Barnes told each one to work on his weakness.

He had an interesting suggestion for gifted guard Josiah-Jordan James.

Take yoga.

James was beset by injuries as a five-star freshman. He was sidelined by a hip injury in October, then a groin injury during the season.

That’s one reason James didn’t put up the numbers many expected. He averaged only 7.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, and shot 37 percent from the field, 36.7 percent on 3s.

“Why don’t you get into yoga?’’ Barnes said to James. “Just try it.’’

James did, and the results, according to Barnes, have been remarkable.

“He has transformed his body in a way you wouldn’t believe in terms of flexibility,’’ Barnes said. “We actually face timed him the other day. We had him doing different poses just to show us how he was doing different things.

“It was really neat, some of the things he was doing that he couldn’t get close to (doing before). He actually said it was life changing for him in terms of how well he feels.

“He said his body feels right now the best it’s ever felt.’’

Barnes has helped many a player in terms of development.

He helped Kevin Punter double his scoring average by changing his shot, Kyle Alexander go from being uncoordinated to an NBA contract, Grant Williams from flabby to a phenom and the two-time SEC player of the year, Yves Pons from an offensive liability to a threat as a 3-point shooter.

But this might be the first time Barnes has turned to yoga to improve a player.

The results will be on display this season.

Barnes was also excited that the SEC voted Friday to allow student-athletes to return to campus June 8.

“I think it’s progress,’’ Barnes said. “I think everybody wants to see us make some kind of move to get going. I think it’s great. Our players are all wanting to get back on campus and get going. I’m sure every athlete is.

“It’s a phased program. We’ve got to start at some point. I really appreciate the way the SEC has handled this thing and also the way our university has handled things. Everything is being done with an air of caution.’’

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Michael Ray, Carly Pearce, Lee Brice & Steve Wariner to Perform on the Opry on June 6

Michael Ray, Carly Pearce, Lee Brice & Steve Wariner to Perform on the Opry on June 6

Posted on May 28, 2020

The Grand Ole Opry will tally its 4,927th consecutive Saturday night broadcast on June 6 with a showcase featuring Lee Brice, Carly Pearce, Michael Ray and Opry member Steve Wariner.

The one-hour show will air live on 650 AM WSM and Circle Television, as well as stream live on Circle’s Facebook and YouTube.

The Grand Ole Opry has aired without an audience present since March 19 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, a number of stars have helped keep the Opry’s Saturday night shows rolling along, including Kelsea Ballerini, Garth Brooks, Luke Combs, Vince Gill, Dustin Lynch, Craig Morgan, Brad Paisley, Blake Shelton, Ricky Skaggs, Keith Urban, Trisha Yearwood and more.

The Opry has aired every Saturday for more than 90 years. The May 30 lineup features Chris Young, Brett Young and Chris Janson.

photos by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

Garth Brooks to Receive NMPA’s Songwriter Icon Award

Garth Brooks to Receive NMPA’s Songwriter Icon Award

Posted on May 28, 2020

The National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA) will honor Garth Brooks with its Songwriter Icon Award at the organization’s first-ever virtual meeting in June.

The NMPA established the Songwriter Icon Award in 2006 to recognize outstanding songwriters for personal achievement and who personify the vision of NMPA and the goals of its members. Past recipients include Richard Marx, Diane Warren, Kara DioGuardi, Amy Lee, Neil Sedaka, Jimmy Webb, Billy Joel, Alicia Keys, Ryan Tedder, Jon Bon Jovi, Pharrell and more.

The award is typically given at NMPA’s annual industry gathering in New York City the evening prior to the Songwriters Hall of Fame gala. This year’s event will be virtual due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Garth’s songwriting credits include “If Tomorrow Never Comes,” “Much Too Young (To Feel This Damn Old),” “The River,” “Unanswered Prayers,” “Standing Outside the Fire,” “The Thunder Rolls” and more.

In recent months, Garth has earned the Billboard Icon Award, Gershwin Prize for Popular Song and the inaugural George H.W. Bush Points of Light Award for Caring and Compassion.

photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

Episode 1 Released of New 4-Part Short Film, “God & Country,” Featuring Carrie Underwood & Mike Fisher

Episode 1 Released of New 4-Part Short Film, “God & Country,” Featuring Carrie Underwood & Mike Fisher

Posted on May 28, 2020

Carrie Underwood and husband Mike Fisher open up about their faith, love, family, marriage, friendship and more in a new four-part digital short film, Mike and Carrie: God & Country.

Episode 1 of the four-part weekly series aired on May 27 via iamsecond.com, a nonprofit that features athletes and entertainers “who have found hope through a relationship with Jesus.”

“We wanted to do this to share some of our personal journey in hopes that viewers will be inspired by it, and maybe even take one more step in pursuing a relationship with God,” said Carrie.

Episode 1, titled I Cry Easy, features Carrie and Mike talking about:

  • reactions after they met
  • how they pictured their lives/families when they were younger
  • the role of faith in their lives
  • son Isaiah

The remaining episodes of the four-part digital short series will launch over the next three Wednesdays on June 3, 10 and 17 at 7 p.m. CT.

Carrie, 37, and Mike, 39, will celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary on July 10, 2020. They have two sons, Isaiah, 5, and Jacob, 1. In 2018, Mike retired from the NHL after 18 years, including eight for the Nashville Predators. Carrie, of course, is a seven-time Grammy winner who has become one of country music’s biggest stars since winning American Idol in 2005.

photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

Dolly Parton Releases New Quarantine-Inspired Song, “When Life Is Good Again” [Listen]

Dolly Parton Releases New Quarantine-Inspired Song, “When Life Is Good Again” [Listen]

Posted on May 28, 2020

Country music icon Dolly Parton released a new quarantine-inspired song, “When Life Is Good Again,” on May 27.

Dolly’s serene voice opens the tune with, “When life is good again, I’ll be a better friend, A bigger person when, Life is good again, More thoughtful than I’ve been, I’ll be so different then, More in the moment when, Life is good again.”

Dolly will debut the song’s new video on May 28 during her interview on the Time 100 Talks. The live virtual event series convenes leaders from different disciplines to spotlight solutions to urgent global problems and encourage cross-disciplinary action.

In addition to recording new music, Dolly has stayed busy during the COVID-19 pandemic by launching her 10-week Goodnight With Dolly book-reading video series via YouTube. She also revealed via Twitter on April 1 that she is donating $1 million to Nashville’s Vanderbilt University Medical Center for COVID-19 research.

Listen to Dolly’s new song, “When Life Is Good Again.”

photo by Curtis Hilbun, AFF-USA.com

Morgan Wallen Releases Liberating New Single, “More Than My Hometown” [Listen]

Morgan Wallen Releases Liberating New Single, “More Than My Hometown” [Listen]

Posted on May 27, 2020

Morgan Wallen will try to score his fourth consecutive No. 1 single with the release of “More Than My Hometown,” which impacts country radio on May 27.

Co-penned by Morgan, Michael Hardy, Ernest Keith Smith and Ryan Vojtesak, “More Than My Hometown” will be included on Morgan’s upcoming sophomore album, which is expected to drop later this year.

The new tune features Morgan staying true to his small-town roots as he says goodbye to the girl: “I love you more than a California sunset / More than a beer when you ain’t 21 yet / More than a Sunday morning Lord / Turning some poor lost souls around, and Hallelujah bound / I love you more than the feeling when the bass hits the hook / When a guy gets the girl at the end of the book / But baby this might be the last time I get to lay you down / Cause I can’t love you more than my hometown.”

Morgan has been turning heads with his music, mullet and more since bursting on the scene two years ago. The 26-year-old native of Sneedville, Tenn. (population 1,346) scored back-to-back-to-back No. 1 singles with “Up Down” (June 2018), “Whiskey Glasses” (June 2019) and “Chasin’ You” (May 2020).

Listen to “More Than My Hometown” below.

photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

Kelsea Ballerini Uncorks New Single, “Hole in the Bottle” [Listen]

Kelsea Ballerini Uncorks New Single, “Hole in the Bottle” [Listen]

Posted on May 27, 2020

After only four weeks, Kelsea Ballerini is pulling the plug on her current single, “The Other Girl,” featuring Halsey, to uncork a new single, “Hole in the Bottle.”

“Hole in the Bottle,” which was co-penned by Kelsea, Jesse Frasure, Hillary Lindsey, Ashley Gorley and Steph Jones, impacts country radio on May 27. The new tune is the third single from Kelsea’s 2020 self-titled album, following her Top 20 lead single, “Homecoming Queen,” and the aforementioned single, “The Other Girl,” which peaked at No. 52.

Listen to Kelsea’s new single, “Hole in the Bottle.”

photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

Jimmy’s blog: Pons forced to delay decision on NBA

Jimmy’s blog: Pons forced to delay decision on NBA

Posted on May 27, 2020

By Jimmy Hyams

One NBA mock draft has Tennessee forward Yves Pons going late in the first round.

Another has him projected as a late second-round pick.

Another doesn’t have him being drafted at all in 2020.

Pons, who blossomed as a junior last year into the SEC Defensive Player of the Year, has entered his name in the NBA draft with the option to return to college.

But Pons’ decision on whether to stay or go has been put on hold because the NBA has not decided when to conduct its draft, much less its combine in Chicago.

“I don’t see how he could make a decision (now),’’ is how Tennessee coach Rick Barnes put it in a recent interview on SportsTalk, WNML radio.

Barnes said he encourages players to test the NBA waters. It allows them to get an assessment of where their game is relative to the NBA.

“In his situation,’’ Barnes said of the 6-foot-6 athletic Pons, “there’s nothing wrong with him having a chance to be on the phone with NBA guys and talking to them and letting him hear directly feedback about his game and what he needs to do.’’

Barnes said there is “not a more mature guy’’ than Pons in terms of going through the process and listening to advice.

“If he could ask them one question,’’ Barnes said, “I know what his question would be: `What do I have to do to play in this league? Tell me every single thing that I have to do from my point of view where I can control fundamentally what I have to do. You tell me.’

“And I’ll promise you, he will take it to heart and go out and try to work on it.’’

Barnes said the feedback Pons will get from the NBA is “pretty much’’ the same feedback “he’s getting from us.’’

Barnes didn’t say what the feedback is, but you can bet part of it is rounding out Pons’ offensive game.

Pons became a scoring threat as a junior, going from averaging 1.6 points per game his first two seasons to 10.8. He shot 34.9 percent from 3-point range last season (30 of 86) after making just 28 percent (7 of 25) the year before. He also improved from the foul line, hitting 63.8 percent as a junior compared to 40 percent as a sophomore.

Pons also developed as a defender, blocking a shot in every game last season, totaling 73 rejections and showing an ability to guard any position on the court.

Pons’ improvement and athletic ability has the NBA interested, but that doesn’t guarantee Pons will be a first-round pick, or even get selected.

At some point, Barnes would like to know whether the man from France will be a Vol for another campaign.

“This is just me throwing it out there,’’ Barnes said, “I don’t think the NBA could even think about the draft because I do think they want to play basketball this summer.

“Right now, their thought process is to get the league up and running, then put the draft in where it doesn’t interfere with the season, and that’s likely late August.’’

The college deadline for players to withdraw from the NBA draft is Aug. 1, Barnes said.

“If you’re a (college) team that has a player or multiple players in this deal, you’d like to know honestly by the middle of July so we can go out and find somebody else (if necessary),’’ Barnes said.

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Luke Combs Tops the Charts With His “Number One Songwriting Hero, Eric Church”

Luke Combs Tops the Charts With His “Number One Songwriting Hero, Eric Church”

Posted on May 27, 2020

Luke Combs’ single, “Does to Me,” featuring Eric Church, ascended to No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart this week.

With his latest No. 1 single, Luke is the first country artist in history whose first eight singles have reached No. 1 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart. Eric, on the other hand, scored his ninth career No. 1 with “Does to Me,” his first since “Some of It” in July 2019.

Penned by Luke, Ray Fulcher and Tyler Reeve, “Does to Me” is the third single from Luke’s 2019 album, What You See Is What You Get.

Luke, 30, cites Eric, 43, as his “number one songwriting hero.” Both stars are natives of North Carolina. In fact, both attended Appalachian State University in Boone, N.C.

As Luke told Kix Brooks of American Country Countdown, he’s thankful his hero “dedicated some time” to the song.

“Number one songwriting hero, definitely is Eric Church,” says Luke to Kix. “I think there are these subtleties that he has in his music, just different ways of saying things that have been said a million times that I’m such a huge fan of. It’s something that I try to emulate. And, when I asked my management to reach to his management, you know, I didn’t know him personally at that time. I was definitely nervous, you know, ’cause he’s a very selective guy about things that he’ll attached his name to. So, I made it clear to my management like, ‘Hey, no pressure. I don’t want him to do this if he doesn’t like the song. You know, it’s not gonna hurt my feelings.’ [Luke whispers] It totally would have hurt my feelings, by the way. [Luke stops whispering] But, it would not hurt my feelings. As a man, I would have stomached it. But, I’m very thankful that he dedicated some time to it.”

photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

Tim McGraw Releases Touching New Video for “I Called Mama” Featuring Fan-Submitted Photos & Clips [Watch]

Tim McGraw Releases Touching New Video for “I Called Mama” Featuring Fan-Submitted Photos & Clips [Watch]

Posted on May 27, 2020

Tim McGraw released a new video for his current single, “I Called Mama,” on May 26.

The new video features fan-submitted clips and photos of their moms.

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.

“My mom worked hard,” says Tim. “She was a go-getter. She always tried to do her best to provide for us. And there were times where it was almost impossible, but the thing my mom always taught us that I really remember—my sisters and I—always have dreams and always dream bigger than your circumstances. And then always treat people nicely, treat people kind. And so if you can do that, and I haven’t always lived up to that. I can be a jerk sometimes like everybody can, have bad days. But gosh, that’s always a seed that’s been planted in me that if I start getting a little out of control or I feel like I’m not in control of my life or circumstances sort of get crazy, I mean that’s the first person I think of and it’s the first person to call. Along with my wife, of course, because we’ve been together for 23 years now.”

Watch Tim’s new video for “I Called Mama” below.

photo by NCD

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