THURSDAY, MAY 25, 2023

The death of Tina Turner was also felt in the country community.  Although she was known as the “Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll” . . . she recorded several country songs through the years. Her first solo album, “Tina Turns the Country On!”, featured her take on music by Kris Kristofferson, Dolly Parton, and Hank Snow. Tina was the inspiration for the Waylon Jennings – Willie Nelson classic “Good Hearted Woman”.  Waylon and Willie each released it as a single.  But their version together is the one we all know and love.  The song is so good, Tina recorded it too.

The rock band Halestorm brought in Ashley McBryde for a reimagined version of their song “Terrible Things”. Singer-guitarist Lzzy Hale told “Rolling Stone” that she wanted the new version to have more feeling, emotion, and power. “To elevate the heart of this track, we asked the baddest woman in Nashville to lend her incredible voice.  I’m so in awe of her power and am so grateful to have her join us.”  Ashley said “I’ve loved Halestorm for longer than I can remember.  I’m so happy to be on this track with Lzzy.  She’s a phenomenal human being and someone I continue to look up to.”

Bailey Zimmerman’s “Religiously. The Album” came out May 12th, but it’s already breaking records.  It debuted at Number Three on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart . . . which made it the biggest streaming country debut of all time. It also debuted at Number Seven on the all-genre Billboard 200 chart . . . and that made it the biggest streaming debut album of the year across all genres.

There’s going to be a pickleball tournament at CMA Fest because, of course.  The LoCash guys (Preston and Chris) will be hosting it, and a healthy assortment of country stars will be playing. Dustin Lynch, Blanco Brown, Dee Jay Silver, Chuck Wicks, and Drew Baldridge are some of the participants.  It’ll be held Thursday, June 8th inside the Music City Center.

Toby Keith is now the proud owner of fishing brand, Luck E Strike.

Aly Raisman is 29.  Two-time Olympic gymnast

Octavia Spencer is 53

Karen Valentine is 76.  “Room 222” legend.

Frank Oz is 79.  Multi-talented genius.  He’s the voice and original puppeteer of Fozzy Bear, Cookie Monster, Bert, Grover, Animal, Miss Piggy and YODA. 

Blogs

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7, 2023

Some fan threw a very large bra at Parker McCollum during his show in Wilmington, North Carolina on Saturday.  It landed at his feet, so he picked it up and showed it to the crowd. Then he said what everyone was thinking.  Quote, “Dang . . . that’s a full hammock.  I didn’t even know…

TUESDAY, JUNE 6, 2023

Michael J. Fox appeared at a convention called FanExpo in Philadelphia over the weekend.  He did a panel with his “Back to the Future” co-stars Christopher Lloyd and Tom Wilson . . . who played Biff. As Michael took the stage and was making his way to the couch where he was going to sit,…