ELTON JOHN will be hosting the first major COVID-19 benefit concert. It’s called “The iHeart Living Room Concert for America”, and it’s airing this Sunday night at 9:00 on Fox. Not all the performers have been announced, but there’s already an impressive list: Alicia Keys, Backstreet Boys, Billie Eilish, Billie Joe Armstrong, Mariah Carey, and Tim McGraw. And none of these artists will risk catching the coronavirus like JACKSON BROWNE did, because they’ll each perform from their OWN HOMES, using their personal video and audio equipment. The concert will be an hour-long, and will “pay tribute to the front line health professionals, first responders and local heroes who are putting their lives in harm’s way to help their neighbors and fight the spread of the virus.”
Taylor Swift and Ariana Grande are sending cash to fans who are struggling financially. Taylor sent $3,000 to a fan who made a post on Tumblr, saying she was worried about her living situation in New York City, because she couldn’t work. The fan shared a screenshot of a $3,000 payment from Taylor Nation, LLC, along with the message, “You’ve always been there for me. I want to be there for you now. I hope this helps. Love, Taylor.” Ariana has also been secretly doing the same thing. She’s supposedly sent between $500 and $1,000 through Venmo to more than 20 fans who are struggling with the quarantine shutdowns.
Billionaire Kylie Jenner just donated $1 million, which will be used to buy hundreds of thousands of face masks, face shields, and other protective gear for healthcare professionals working the frontlines.
Angelina Jolie donated $1 million to a charity that provides meals to kids who rely on school lunches . . . but who aren’t at school during the quarantine.
James Taylor gave $1 million to the Massachusetts General Hospital.
The Michael Jackson Estate will donate $300,000 . . . $100,000 each to Broadway Cares, Nevada’s Three Square Food Bank, and MusiCares.
Apple is donating 10 million protective face masks to help fight the pandemic.
TODAY was supposed to be Opening Day for Major League Baseball. It’s not – thanks to the coronavirus. It’s too early to speculate when professional sports will be back – or how each of them will handle their schedule and other logistical challenges. But MLB super-agent SCOTT BORAS says he’s sent the league a couple of proposals – one for a full, 162-game season that would begin on June 1st, and another for a 144-game season that would start on July 1st. Both have the playoffs running through December instead of October – with a potential Game Six of the World Series happening on CHRISTMAS DAY. The proposal has all the postseason games in the league’s eight domes and three Southern California stadiums. Not clear where the World Series would be held. But for now, it seems more likely that MLB will do some sort of 81-game half-season, beginning sometime this summer.
The coronavirus has claimed the life of 59 year old chef FLOYD CARDOZ, who won Season 3 of “Top Chef Masters” in 2011. He was admitted to a hospital in New Jersey last week with a fever and tested positive last Wednesday, and died yesterday. 71 year old PRINCE CHARLES is in isolation in Scotland after testing positive. It’s not known how Charles contracted the virus. He started showing symptoms last weekend, which means he could have been contagious when he saw his mother on March 12th. Laura Bell Bundy tested positive. NBA star KARL-ANTHONY TOWNS of the Minnesota Timberwolves says his mother has been placed in a medically-induced coma due to the virus.
BINDI IRWIN – daughter of the Crocodile Hunter – went ahead with HER wedding yesterday. She just didn’t have any guests. Bindi says, “This was a very difficult decision but important to keep everyone safe. We wish all of our friends and family could have been there with us, however it’s lovely that we will be able to share photos and videos.” She and her fiancé Chandler Powell got married in the Australia Zoo – where they just happen to LIVE. Bindi’s mom TERRI helped her get ready, and her brother ROBERT walked her down the aisle. And they lit a candle for dad. They weren’t the ONLY ones there, though. There was also a camera crew. The wedding will air as a special on Animal Planet.
Since she can’t get to the salon, PINK decided to cut her own hair. After all, she doesn’t have much to begin with. Well, she kind of butchered one side of it. To be fair, she was drunk. In an Instagram video Pink revealed that she’s decided to make drinking a SPORT during the quarantine. “When I drink I get really, really brilliant ideas. And last night I got an idea: I can cut hair. I can totally cut hair. Why have I been paying people all this time?” Then she showed off her mistake – which she said she might try to FIX herself. Another really brilliant idea. Not that she cares. She signed off by saying, “Stay safe, stay home, cut your own hair. Screw it.”
Leave it to KIP MOORE to make us feel guilty about getting fat and sassy while social distancing. As we binge on Netflix and Oreos. He says, “I’m trying to eat right, take care of my body. I’ve followed the guidelines of quarantining myself. I’m trying to do everything asked of me. I’m currently in the mountains and I’m rock climbing. I’m completely solo. I’m off the grid. I’ve stocked up on a lot of frozen meats. I’ve got a little lodge up here in Kentucky, so I’m hanging out here, so that’s where I’m spending my time.” And he’s been spending 45 minutes to an hour each day learning Spanish. Kip teamed up with the Eat Well people to provide over 3,000 free meals to kids in middle Tennessee affected by school closures.
62 year old William Dufris, who was the voice of Bob the Builder, has died. He died of complications from cancer.
KENNY CHESNEY has released his “Here And Now” video. It’s filled with clips of him performing on stage . . . and in the background you see clips of people surfing, snowboarding, wingsuit flying, and some are in stadiums cheering him on. He also posted an inspiring message on Instagram yesterday – “In times like these we need to remember how blessed we are. Love the people you’re with, find something to smile about. Be mindful but be happy and take care of yourself.”
DEMI LOVATO is reportedly dating MAX EHRICH from “The Young & the Restless”.
Congratulations to RHETT AKINS and his wife Sonya on the birth of their first child. Their son Brody James was born on March 13th. Rhett has two children from a previous marriage. One is a daughter named Kasey . . . and you’re VERY familiar with his other son, country star Thomas Rhett.
THOMAS RHETT and JON PARDI went to Key West to film their “Beer Can’t Fix It” video. Looks like they had a blast. They’re fishing, riding motorcycles, strumming guitars on the beach . . . and drinking beer.
Somebody posted a video of their baby crying and crying . . . until she hears the MAREN MORRIS’s – “The Bones”. They captioned it, “When I was pregnant I listened to ‘The Bones’ frequently. Now it never fails to calm her down.”
Jonathan Groff is 35.
Kenny Chesney is 52.
Jennifer Grey is 60
Marcus Allen is 60. Legendary Raiders running back.
Leeza Gibbons is 63.
Vicki Lawrence is 71
Steven Tyler is 72.
Diana Ross is 76.
Bob Woodward is 77.
James Caan is 80.
Nancy Pelosi is 80
