The good, the weird and the ugly: The Beacon’s guide to campus statues ARTS & CULTURE >>pg. 3
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Wednesday, July 23, 2014
Tennessee musicians embrace home state Melodi Erdogan Copy Chief (@melodierdogan)
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What the frack? Oklahoma earthquakes linked to hydraulic fracturing NEWS >>pg. 2
Issue 07, Volume 126
Tennessee pride runs deep— from the top of Clingmans Dome to the agriculture that defines the state. As some call Tennessee “the country music state,” it is only fitting that two natives graced the Tennessee Theatre stage Friday, July 18. Critically acclaimed for songwriting and known for his deep voice, Josh Turner returned to the historical venue for the first time since 2012 while on his Roughstock and Rambler Tour. Performing songs from his latest album, “Punching Bag,” along with other popular tunes, Turner dazzled the audience with his baritone voice and har-
monious charm. “Every song was good so it’s hard to pick a best part,” Megan Morton said, Knoxville resident who attended the show with friend Ashley Curl. Turner, a Nashville native, made his country music debut in 2001 on the well-known Grand Ole Opry stage, where he received a standing ovation after his performance of “Long Black Train,” a ballad encouraging strength in the face of harm and addiction. That performance catapulted Turner into the country music scene, where he has since established himself by singing about sweet love, pick-up trucks and the Tennessee countryside – like any quintessential “Backwoods Boy.” Despite the threat of thunder-
storms, Turner’s show gathered the most dedicated country music fans of Knoxville who welcomed Turner and his sevenpiece band warmly. Between songs, a particular group of women incessantly yelled “I love you, Josh” throughout the show. But no amount of heckling could dampen Turner’s charm, likability or radiant smiles. “He was amazing and just as good live as he is on the radio,” Curl said, a fan of Turner since 2012. The opening act was Logan Brill, a young Americana/country artist hailing from West Knoxville. Brill performed songs from her last album “Walking Wires” as well as a few new tunes, which she jokJosh Turner performs at the Tennessee Theatre ingly called her “guinea pigs.” Friday July 18 as a part of his Roughstock and See TURNER on Page 3 Rambler Tour.
Samantha Smoak • The Daily Beacon
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UT goes to space
(Free)wheeling
Alumnus to serve as ISS Commander Liz Wood
Willie Nelson and Alison Krauss take the stage at Thompson-Boling Arena ARTS & CULTURE >>pg. 3
Fresh faces: Lady Vols welcome four new players to 2014 roster SPORTS >>pg. 5
Meagan Yoakley Contributor After biking 2,400 miles across the country, the Freedom Cyclers will conclude their journey this Friday, July 25. But before arriving at their final destination, Savannah, Georgia, the group stopped in Knoxville last Friday with only a few hundred miles left to go. Comprised of four UT seniors, the cyclers began their trek in Newport Beach, California June 11, with the intention of using their ride to raise money and spread awareness about human slavery - the second fastest growing crime in the world. Seniors in accounting Jeff Maier, Jason Elliot and Taylor Carlisle, and senior in public relations Matt Roelofs were inspired to make the voyage after two of their friends traveled across
Staff Writer (@Mr_Rutherford)
SPORTS >>pg. 6
the U.S. to raise money for relief in Haiti. With an estimated 94 child victims in Tennessee each month, the issue hit home. “Nobody realizes how relevant human trafficking is in the U.S. and even here in Knoxville,” Roelofs said. Throughout their biking journey, the Freedom Cyclers have been accepting donations to benefit The Mekong Club, a not-for-profit organization aiming to fight the business of slavery, ONEless Ministries, a Smyrna-based non-profit aiming to fight the human trafficking and the Community Coalition Against Human Trafficking, an organization focusing on Knox County as well as on 41 other counties in East Tennessee. A support truck has been following the group for the duration of the ride to guard against unforeseen circumstances. Julie Maier, mother of rider Jeff
Maier, rode in the truck following the group for nine days, offering her support despite initial doubts. “A few of the family members were originally skeptical about their decision to support human trafficking awareness,” Maier said. “But, after seeing the determination of their sons and recently doing some research, we knew their minds could never be changed.” The experience, Maier said, has been one of learning for all involved. “I wish everyone could have this experience of being with three other people for 45 days straight and learning to love them through it all, to live life with them and make it up that huge hill together,” Maier said. Maier recalled discussing human trafficking with strangers, a favorite memory from the trip. See FREEDOM on Page 2
Legacy class players look back to restore winning tradition Nathaneal Rutherford
Opinion: Who will be the Vols starting quarterback, Justin Worley or Joshua Dobbs?
News Editor
Four students raise human trafficking awareness
In an unusual move Friday afternoon, UT athletics allowed its freshmen football players to speak to the media. Typically, freshmen are not allowed to speak to the media, per SEC and NCAA rules. However, these are not your typical freshmen. The six freshmen that met the media at the Anderson Training Center on Friday are members of the “legacy class” in the 2014 recruiting class. These six players are called “legacies” because they have family ties to the Vols. Three players, Todd Kelly Jr., Dillon Bates and Neiko Creamer, had fathers who played football at Tennessee. Vic Wharton III had an uncle who played on the basketball team, and twins Evan and Elliot Berry, had both their father and older brother play football in Neyland Stadium. All six players grew up knowing about
their Big Orange heritage, but their family made sure to never pressure them into following their footsteps. “My dad never pressured me into anything with Tennessee football,” Dillon Bates said about his father and UT legend Bill Bates. “He did a great job of giving me a chance to look around and explore my options to make my own decision.” When asked if they feel any pressure living up to their esteemed brother, Eric Berry, both Berry twins echoed the same sentiment. “That’s not really on my mind. I feel like I already have my own name,” Elliot Berry said. “I mean, my name’s not Eric. I feel like I already make my own path.” Evan Berry agreed with his brother. “My last name doesn’t really put pressure on me,” he said. “My dad always told me I’m the only person who can put pressure on myself. It’s just football.” If it is the goal of every current player to make the Vols once again successful, the legacy players have an extra passion to see the image of the Vols restored to its former
glory. They have taken it upon themselves to be the catalysts in Tennessee’s resurgence. “I feel like Tennessee has always been close to all of our hearts,” Elliot Berry said. “The fact that we’re in the position to have the opportunity to put Tennessee back at the top is a big deal.” Bates agreed with Elliot Berry and has confidence in himself and his new teammates to make the future much brighter on Rocky Top. “It’s everybody’s goal to bring back Tennessee to where it’s supposed to be. It will happen,” Bates said. “It’s just a matter of time of us getting together and doing everything we can to help us this season. “It’s all about looking at what we can do right now to bring us back to where we’re supposed to be.” For Todd Kelly Jr., the state of the program hits home more than most. He grew up in Knoxville and played at Webb High School. He’s experienced the downfall of the Vols firsthand. See LEGACY on Page 6
To date, alumnus Butch Wilmore has spent 10 days, 19 hours and 16 minutes in space. At least, until he leaves for another mission Sept. 25. This time, Wilmore is headed to the International Space Station (ISS). Alongside him, Yelena Serova, the first Russian female cosmonaut to be aboard the ISS, and Aleksandr Samokutyayev, commander of the Soyuz spacecraft, will launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, the world’s first and largest space launch facility. The Navy captain will serve as flight engineer and then commander of Expedition 42. Not scheduled to return to Earth until March 2015, Wilmore and the cosmonauts will preform experiments in space and improve the ISS to allow commercial space vehicles to dock there in coming years. In preparation for the upcoming mission, Wilmore learned Russian – an admittedly difficult undertaking. Though English remains the official language on the ISS, Wilmore and his team said communication is essential for daily operations, as well as honoring diversity. Despite their disparate backgrounds, Samokutyayev recalls perfect unity in past flights. “Taken in my experience from flights, we had a mix of cultures,” Samokutyayev said. “We had the presence of Europeans on board, Russians, Japanese and Americans, of course. And, indeed, they’re all united by the same spirit of one and the same team. And for a mission to be performed properly and for the sake of all of us we all need to have a general, common understanding of everything.” Leading up to the flight, Wilmore, Serova and Samokutyayev spent years training together as a crew. When Wilmore arrives in Kazakhstan in mid-August, these tests will continue, which are mostly simulations of tasks the crew must complete while on board. See NASA on Page 2
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