FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2023

Arnold Schwarzenegger raised his kids with tough love.  He once burned his daughter Katherine’s shoes for failing to keep them away from the fireplace, and also threw his son Patrick’s mattress out the window for not making his bed.

The inaugural “People’s Choice Country Awards” last night. Morgan Wallen won People’s Artist of 2023, and he wasn’t there. Neither was Jelly Roll.  He was performing in Cincinnati and said his thank you via satellite after winning Male Artist.  Also not there? Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert, Jason Aldean, and Keith Urban . . . to name a few. Little Big Town hosted the show but the consensus — awards shows need interesting, funny personalities.  Lainey Wilson and her shiny bell-bottoms took home three awards . . . including Female Artist of 2023.  Blake Shelton won Social Country Star of 2023.  He’s good for an occasional post but he’s NOT as active as artists like Luke Combs, Carrie Underwood, Kelsea Ballerini . . . and even Dolly Parton. The night’s best moment was Toby Keith’s triumphant return after beating stomach cancer.  Blake presented him with the Country Music Icon Award, and a very thin Toby joked, “I bet you never thought you’d see me in skinny jeans.” Toby also gave a very emotional performance of “Don’t Let the Old Man In” . . . and got a well-deserved standing ovation. Wynonna was given the County Champion Award, and she treated the crowd to a medley of hits.  She brought her husband Cactus Moser along and for some reason, that got people talking.

Toby Keith was given the Country Music Icon Award at the “People’s Choice Country Awards”.  Before the show Toby and his wife Tricia Lucas walked the blue carpet together, and he stopped to answer questions. When asked what he learned in that battle.  He said, “I’m still getting taught.  It’s up and down.  “Just lean on your faith.  The almighty’s been riding shotgun for me . . . when you get in your darkest hallways, you just have to do what’s next.  That’s what you do.” Keith performed “Don’t Let the Old Man In” during the show, and in a different interview was asked why he chose it.  “Because I’ve been going through the cancer fight, and it’s inspiring for a lot of people, [so] I thought it was fitting.”

New Country Music from Dustin Lynch

Having successfully launched Fleur de Miraval (the only maison in France dedicated exclusively to rosé champagne) three years ago, Brad Pitt and his partners are releasing a surprising new bottle this fall: Petite Fleur (translating to “little flower”). It carries a pink shade and fresh notes of spring flowers, which have become the house signature.

Chelsea Handler says the mystery man she called her “baby” is not a new boyfriend.  He’s a bartender.

A scripted series about Tom Brady called “The Patriot Way”is in the works.

Jon Pardi shared a video of himself saying that he took a break from social media for a while so he could work on himself.  And he apologized for canceling European dates, so maybe those two things are related?  He also slipped in a promo for his Mr. Saturday Night Tour. 

Charlie Worsham says Lainey Wilson is like a “sister-from-another-mister” . . . and that’s why he chose her to join him on the song, “Handful Of Dust”.  It’s one of the duets on his “Compadres” EP that will be out October 13th.  During an interview on “The Great Creators with Guy Raz” podcast, she said she was down to $26 in her checking account before “Things a Man Oughta Know” broke big. 

Halsey is 29.  “Bad at Love”.  Her biggest hit is “Closer” with the Chainsmokers.

Kevin Durant is 35.  Former Oklahoma City Thunder forward who’s won four NBA scoring titles.  He’s on the Phoenix Suns now.

Calvin Johnson is 38.  Former Detroit Lions wide receiver who holds the record for most receiving yards in a season.

Andrew “Dice” Clay is 66.

Bryant Gumbel is 75.

Mike Post is 79.  Genius who wrote the theme songs to “Magnum P.I.”, all three “Law & Order” series, “The A-Team”, “Hill Street Blues”, “Quantum Leap”, “The Rockford Files”, “Doogie Howser M.D.”, and “The Greatest American Hero”.

Blogs

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2024

Luke Combs, Jelly Roll, and Keith Urban will headline the 2025 Tortuga Music Festival that takes place April 4th to the 6th in Fort Lauderdale.  Other performers include:  Cody Jinks . . . Parker McCollum . . . Megan Moroney . . . Shaboozey, and many more. 2.  The lineup for the Extra Innings Festival,…

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2024

Luke Combs and Eric Church brought in over $24 million dollars for Hurricane Helene relief at the “Concert for Carolina” . . . Now it’s Blake Shelton’s turn to help out, because it was just announced that he also has a benefit concert planned. United Way and Paramount Global have teamed up for the “United…