MONDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2024

Get ready –  Beyoncé is going country.  After her Verizon ad aired during the Super Bowl, she announced a new country album called “Renaissance Act 2”, out March 29th. She released the first two songs from it:  One called “Texas Hold ‘Em” that’s twangy, but also very Beyoncé.  The other is called “16 Carriages”.

All of these songs were released in the last few days:

1.  “Purple Irises” by Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton.

2.  “Love Like This” by Scotty McCreery.

3.  “Bulletproof” by Nate Smith.

4.  “Perfectly Lonely” which is a John Mayer cover by Parker McCollum.

Toby Keith’s account just announced plans for a private funeral service for his family, band, and crew in Mid-February.  A memorial service will be announced soon.  They said, “in lieu of flowers, the family appreciates donations to the Toby Keith Foundation to support the OK Kids Korral.” It’s awesome to see so many big country stars paying homage to the Big Dog Daddy.  Zach Bryan covered Toby at a recent show, and it sounded great.  And Tim McGraw said some really touching words about Toby at a recent concert. The Oklahoma Sooners basketball team played Oklahoma State on Saturday in their rivalry game called, “Bedlam.”  And all the beverages in the whole stadium were served in red solo cups.

Chris Janson says a duet with The Rock is “pretty close” to happening this year. Chris also mentioned that he considers The Rock a friend and he wants to give him his space because he knows how busy he is.

Miranda Lambert took part in the “Puppy Bowl” on Animal Planet yesterday.  It’s the 20th year they’ve done it.  Team Ruff beat Team Fluff this time, 72 to 69. The whole thing is a big adoption drive, and Miranda has a charity called MuttNation.  So that’s why she was involved.  She also announced a contest where you can win free tickets to her “Velvet Rodeo” show in Vegas.  Just sign up through her website by February 25th.

Luke Combs finally found the words to thank Tracy Chapman for their showstopping performance last Sunday. In an Instagram post, he called it, “a defining moment of my career.”  He added, “Tracy, I want to send my sincerest thanks to you for allowing me to be a part of your moment. “Thank you for the impact you have had on my musical journey, and the musical journeys of countless other singers, songwriters, musicians, and fans alike.”

O.J. Simpson is reportedly battling cancer — but he is somewhat pushing back that he’s in poor health But he does admit he was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer

“The Golden Bachelorette”is officially happening.  There aren’t any details yet.

Retired wrestling star 70 year old Billy Jack Haynes has been arrested for allegedly fatally shooting his wife in their Oregon home last Thursday. Police responded to reports of gunfire. Haynes was inside the residence and refusing to come out. With the help of SWAT teams, he was taken into custody without incident after a two-hour standoff. Police found his wife, Janette Becraft, 85, dead inside the home. Once he is released from the hospital, which may be days from now, he is expected to be booked into jail.

Robert Griffin III is 34.  Heisman trophy winner who now works as an NFL analyst for ESPN.

Christina Ricci is 44.

Jesse Spencer is 45.  Matt Casey on “Chicago Fire”. 

Josh Brolin is 56. 

Chynna Phillips is 56. 

Arsenio Hall is 68. 

Joanna Kerns is 71.  “Growing Pains”

Maud Adams is 79.  She’s the only Bond Girl to star in two 007 movies: 

Moe Bandy is 80.  Country singer. 

Judy Blume is 86.  Author of classic kids’ books

Joe Don Baker is 88.  Sheriff Buford Pusser in the original 1973 version of “Walking Tall”. 

Blogs

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2024

“CMA Country Christmas”airs tonight at 8:00 p.m. on ABC. It’s co-hosted by Trisha Yearwood and Amy Grant, and will feature performances by Cody Johnson . . . Jon Pardi . . . Ashley McBryde, and many more. Cody gets to show a little bit more of a Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin side of himself.…

MONDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2024

Jelly Roll just finished his epic Beautifully Broken Tour.  It was 58 sold-out arenas over 13 weeks. But before his final show Tuesday night, he posted on TikTok and said, quote, “Y’all know I have a very unhealthy relationship with social media.  I have a very unhealthy relationship with phones . . . I’m taking…