Dolly Parton’s Estate is bringing DollyFest: The Celebration of a Lifetime to Nashville and London next year. It’ll be a music festival held on two consecutive weekends. Dolly originally planned DollyFest as part of her 80th birthday celebration last year. She was set to host and perform, but had to take a step back due to health challenges. Her longtime manager said a venue was booked and an announcement was ready to go. “What Dolly started, we will ensure is brought to life . . .”As far as a traditional memorial goes, that is not something Dolly wanted. This is something that is authentic to her, and something that artists and fans around the world can participate in, while also giving everyone time to grieve, and plan.” In other Dolly news, the Tennessee Volunteers will honor her all football season long with a special orange butterfly sticker on their helmets.
Mel Gibson apologized after supposedly “mocking” a sign language interpreter at a fan convention. Mel was taking the stage at an event called Fan Expo Canada over the weekend, when he walked past a woman doing sign language for the hearing impaired . . . and started making nonsensical hand signals behind her back. When a video of it went viral, Mel got blasted for making fun of the woman . . . or, even worse, of deaf people. He quickly apologized, “Sometimes when you get pushed out on a stage in a spotlight your mind is all over the place, and sometimes spontaneous thoughtless idiocy is displayed. “There was no intended maliciousness attached, and I certainly apologize to anyone who was upset by it.”
Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” is #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for a 20th week. It’s officially the longest-leading non-holiday song in history. Also on the Hot 100, Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You” entered the Top 40 for the first time. This brings Dolly to 10 career Top 40 Hot 100 hits.
Miley Cyrus dropped her last name from social media without an explanation. She seems to be teasing new music. Stella Lefty recently had to give Noah Kahan songwriting credit on “Boston” because of its similarity to his song “Stick Season”. Well, she did it again. Her song “Summer You Were Mine” interpolates The Chicks’ “There’s Your Trouble”. The songwriters have now been added to the credits.
Kane Brown previously said he felt like he was alone in the music industry and relates more to athletes. He went on “The Bobby Bones Show” recently to clarify his comments since they, quote, “came off weird.”
He’s looking for a close friendship like Morgan Wallen and Hardy’s. He wants someone that he can hang, drink beers, and go golfing with on a whim. Quote, “In the industry, we’re the only ones that can really relate to each other.”
Dick Van Dyke is still exercising at age 100. He shared an Instagram video over the weekend of him showing off his flexibility on a workout inversion table outside. He laid down on the machine horizontally and held onto the handles, before he put his hands behind his back and safely balanced on the table.
Kelly Clarkson has bid adieu to her talk show chapter. She said goodbye to The Kelly Clarkson Show yesterday, after seven years on the air and more than 1,200 episodes. For the series finale, the show focused on the “Kelly By Request” segment, inviting fans to choose music from Clarkson’s catalog that they wanted to hear her perform, including “Since U Been Gone,” “Sober, “Stronger,” and “Piece by Piece.” She also performed her new song, “I’d Be Lyin’,” for the first time, which appears to be the lead single from her upcoming 11th studio album. The audience included her children, River and Remy, with whom she shared a special farewell message. “My kiddos have always come first, they’re a big reason I did this show… they’re also a big reason it’s time to say goodbye,” she said. “I’m such a proud mama. They’re the greatest kiddos in the world.” When asked about their favorite moments from the show, Remy said talking to actor Jason Momoa and singing “My Way” with the band. River’s response “I like watching you shine every single day,”
Lionel Messi announced his retirement from the Argentina National Team yesterday. This marks the end of a 21-year career which saw him make his first appearance at just 18 years old.
TV Tonight: A “Martin” spin-off, a September 11th 25th Anniversary special, and the Netflix Raygun documentary
Zendaya is 30.
Bianca Ryan is 32. She won the first season of “America’s Got Talent”.
Ricardo Chavira is 55. “Desperate Housewives”.
Gloria Estefan is 69.
Billy Blanks is 71. He invented Tae-Bo.
Dr. Phil is 76.
Greg Errico is 78. Sly & The Family Stone.
Barry Gibb is 80. The Last Bee-Gee Standing.
Lily Tomlin is 87. Dolly’s pot-smoking friend (Violet Newstead) in “9 to 5”.
Alan Dershowitz is 88. O.J.’s lawyer.
