KIRK DOUGLAS passed away yesterday, at the age of 103. Kirk grew up poor, the son of immigrants. He served in the Navy in World War 2, and then became one of the biggest Hollywood stars in the ’50 and ’60s. He was nominated for the Best Actor Oscar three times . . . for “Champion” in 1949, “The Bad and the Beautiful” in 1951, and “Lust for Life” in 1956. He didn’t win those . . . but the Academy awarded him an honorary Oscar in 1996. Kirk nearly died in a helicopter crash in 1991 . . . and then he suffered a stroke in 1996 that left him unable to speak. He was later able to teach himself to speak again. Kirk was survived by his second wife, Anne, who herself is 100 years old. Of course, he was also the father of actor, MICHAEL DOUGLAS. Michael’s wife CATHERINE ZETA-JONES said, “To my darling Kirk, I shall love you for the rest of my life. I miss you already. Sleep tight.”
If you’re a parent, then you know first-hand that babies will be born when they’re good and ready. That’s the situation MAREN MORRIS will be facing next month when she plays Rodeo Houston. She’ll be a couple of weeks away from her due date when she takes the stage on March 7th. IF she takes the stage. She said, “I think I can do it. I think I can pull it off. “I’m nervous, but I’ve talked to my doctor about it, and I’m going to fly in and out the same day, and just keep it super chill. My set is at like 6:00 P.M., and it’s not too long of a flight, so I could be back in Nashville by nine, hopefully.” She didn’t plan for it to shake out this way. She booked the show before she was pregnant but decided not to cancel because, well, it’s Rodeo Houston.
SAM HUNT has finally announced the release date of his 2nd album. It’s called “Southside” and it’ll be out April 3rd. It’s been almost 6 years since “Montevallo” debuted – October of 2014. “Montevallo” kept churning out Number One singles so why stop the momentum by rushing into the studio. Plus, he’s released non-album songs in the meantime . . . like “Downtown’s Dead”, and “Body Like a Back Road”. Don’t know yet if those two will be on “Southside”, but it will feature “Kinfolks” and “Sinning With You”. He’ll be hitting the road to promote it. The “Southside Summer Tour 2020” will kick-off May 28th in Charlotte, North Carolina, and run into late September. The openers are Kip Moore, Travis Denning, Ernest . . . and there will be a DJ set by Brandi Cyrus. Phila – July 17 / Burgettstown – Aug 15 / Hershey – Aug 29
There is still unfinished business between Prince Harry and Prince William. The royal brothers’ rift dates back to 2017, when William cautioned his younger sibling about moving too fast with Meghan Markle, which in turn left Harry angry and hurt. Now that Meghan and Prince Harry have started their new lives — relocating to Canada with nearly 9-month-old son Archie amid their decision to step down as senior members of the royal family — there’s hope that Princess Diana’s sons will start to heal their relationship. “They didn’t leave on good terms by any means, but they are both relieved that it’s over,” a family friend tells PEOPLE in this week’s cover story. In recent weeks the brothers have been talking more, leading some to hope that they can gradually repair their fractured relationship. “Perhaps [Meghan and Harry] didn’t think things through exactly as they could have, but they wanted to be happy,” adds the family friend. “Who can blame them for that?”
Is Matthew Perry trying to tell us something? He posted a cryptic message about an exciting project on the horizon on Tuesday, sending Friends fans in a total frenzy. “Big news coming…” he tweeted.
There’s a new country music festival to talk about. The inaugural Born and Raised Music Festival will be held June 5th through the 7th in Pryor, Oklahoma. They’re calling it the “festival for the outlaw in all of us”. The lineup includes Willie Nelson & Family, Hank Williams Jr., Jamey Johnson, Blackberry Smoke, Whiskey Myers, Jack Ingram, Shooter Jennings, and Margo Price.
The much-anticipated opening date of Blake Shelton’s new Southern-style restaurant has been unveiled more than a year after the country music star announced plans to bring Ole Red to Orlando. It will open April 14 at ICON Park on International Drive, near the 400-foot Wheel. When it opens, the 17,289 square foot Ole Red will offer a live music experience and feature concert-quality lighting, up-to-date acoustics and seating for about 500 people. Guests can also expect private event space for weddings and other gathering plus three bars. This is the 4th Ole Red to open – the other three are Tishomingo, Oklahoma, Nashville, Tennessee and Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Ole Red will also be hosting a hiring event March 16-21. Apply online in advance to secure an interview time and day. Walk-ins are welcome as well.
The Llama was unmasked last night on “The Masked Singer”. It was DREW CAREY.
Cody Johnson has officially released a new cologne for $69. The fragrance falls into the Woody Aromatic fragrance. It begins with top notes of bergamot, light spices and Mandarin oil. Then bunches of coriander spice, sandalwood, honey & rugged leather. The woody base is a mix of mahogany wood, fir balsam and a touch of vetiver and amber.
“Jimmy Kimmel” – Billy Crystal, The Tenderloins, and Kelsea Ballerini.
Richie McDonald is 58.
Fabian is 77.
Tom Brokaw is 80.
Mike Farrell is 81. Captain B.J. Hunnicutt
