NAOMI JUDD passed away at age 76 on Saturday near Nashville, one day before she was set to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Her daughters Wynonna and Ashley broke the news in a statement – “We lost our beautiful mother to the disease of mental illness. We are shattered. We are navigating profound grief and know that as we loved her, she was loved by her public. We are in unknown territory.” Naomi wrote a book in 2016, “River of Time: My Descent into Depression and How I Emerged with Hope”. She and Wynonna were set to be inducted into the Hall of Fame last night, which DID still happen after the family said that’s what they wanted. The Hall put out a statement saying the show would go on with, “heavy hearts and weighted minds.” The ceremony wasn’t televised, but Wynonna WAS expected to attend. The red carpet got canceled though. THE JUDDS had 14 number one hits. They sold 20 MILLION records between 1984 and 1991 alone, and were getting ready for their “Final Tour,” which was supposed to start in September. Naomi and Wynonna sang “Love Can Build a Bridge” at the CMT Music Awards three weeks ago. It ended up being their last public performance together.
Most of the “That ’70s Show” gang will be reunited for the Netflix sequel series “That ’90s Show”. We already knew Kurtwood Smith and Debra Jo Rupp were coming back as Red and Kitty. Now Topher Grace (Eric), Mila Kunis (Jackie), Ashton Kutcher (Kelso), Laura Prepon (Donna), and Wilmer Valderrama (Fez) will all be making guest appearances. The only one missing is Danny Masterson (Hyde). . . he was ordered to stand trial for three counts of rape, which he denies.
Earlier this month, production on a movie called “Being Mortal” was shut down indefinitely, and word got out that it was because BILL MURRAY did “something inappropriate” on the set. In an interview over the weekend, Bill admitted that he had a “difference of opinion” with a woman on the set. “I did something I thought was funny, and it wasn’t taken that way – the world is different than it was when I was a little kid – what I always thought was funny as a little kid isn’t necessarily the same as what’s funny now. Things change and the times change, so it’s important for me to figure it out.” Bill is 71 now, but he said that he’s open to learning from the incident. He didn’t provide any specifics on what went down, but he seemed very genuine. He said he’s optimistic that he and the co-worker can make peace and begin “trusting each other” enough to go ahead with the movie. He said they’re both professionals . . . like each other’s work . . . and like each other.
KATIE HOLMES has a new man and he’s 10 years younger than her. His name is Bobby Wooten the Third and he’s a Grammy-nominated musician and plays the bass for several Broadway productions.
CARRIE UNDERWOOD sang two Guns N’ Roses songs with AXL ROSE at the Stagecoach Festival Saturday night. They did “Sweet Child O’ Mine” and “Paradise City”.
DARIUS RUCKER has a new single called “Same Beer Different Problem”.
MORGAN WALLEN performed his new song “Don’t Think Jesus” LIVE for the first time at a concert in Green Bay last Thursday night.
The popular ’90s band BLACKHAWK is releasing a new OLD album in June called “Blue Highway”. It’s a bunch of songs they started recording in 1992 but never finished. (Full Story)
FAITH HILL surprised her hubby TIM MCGRAW with a 55th birthday serenade as he warmed up for a show in Missouri yesterday.
LUKE COMBS announced dates for his new Middle of Somewhere Tour, which kicks off in September. Tickets go on sale this Friday. 9/30 + 10/1: Albany, NY
AMBER HEARD replaced her PR team just in time before she takes the stand in court this week to testify against JOHNNY DEPP. In related news, Amber is rumored to be in “Aquaman 2” for less than 10 minutes.
DAN AYKROYD and his wife DONNA DIXON of 40 years have split.
DANNY BONADUCE is taking a temporary medical leave from his radio show due to an unknown illness.
Jenna Von Oy is 45. Six on “Blossom”.
David Beckham is 47. Beautiful British soccer star married to Posh Spice.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is 50.
Ty Herndon is 60. Country singer.
Christine Baranski is 70
Larry Gatlin is 74.
Bianca Jagger is 77
Englebert Humperdink is 86
