TIM McGRAW: Secret Son?
A Florida man is claiming to be Tim McGraw's "secret son."
23-year-old Tyler Zarbo is not Tim's biological child, but the son of his former fiance, Kristine Donohue. He tells the National Enquirer that Tim was "like a father to him" and that he "saw me as the son he never had," and claims that they've stayed in contact.
But Tim's camp is refuting the claims, saying, "We aren't going to comment on false statements that appear to have been sensationalized for the purpose of selling tabloid magazines."
BRAD PAISLEY: Wheelhouse Book Coming
Brad Paisley will release Building a Wheelhouse -- an interactive book on April 9th -- the same day his Wheelhouse album.
The book, which will be available exclusively on iTunes through the Apple iBooks Author app, chronicles the process of making Brad's eighth studio album from writing the songs to the actual production.
ALAN JACKSON: Precious Memories II Due March 26th
Alan Jackson’s second gospel collection, Precious Memories Volume Two, lands in stores March 26th.
The album follows the 2006 Precious Memories release, which Alan recorded as a Christmas gift for his mother, making only a handful of copies for family and close friends. He later agreed to make the music available for fans, and the first volume went on to be a double-platinum release.
Alan says, “[My wife] Denise and I made a list of 30 to 40 songs to do for the first album. We had so many that we didn’t get to, I thought we’d go in and do a few more just the same way -- heartfelt and simple.”
Track listing for Precious Memories Volume Two
- Amazing Grace
- He Lives
- Just as I Am
- Love Lifted Me
- O How I Love Jesus
- Only Trust Him
- There Is Power in the Blood
- Precious Memories
- Sweet Hour of Prayer
- When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder
- Wherever He Leads I'll Go
GEORGE JONES: Final Nashville Show Sells Out
George Jones’s final show in Nashville on November 22nd is officially sold out.
The Possum says, “I am overwhelmed with emotion that the fans have already sold out this show. I never thought so many fans and friends would want to come see me at this age. Hell, I didn’t even think I would be alive at this age, yet alone doing my final show.”
The all-star show lineup includes Dierks Bentley, Garth Brooks, Charlie Daniels, Jamey Johnson, Kid Rock, Shelby Lynne, Montgomery Gentry, Sam Moore, Lorrie Morgan, The Oak Ridge Boys, Kenny Rogers, Randy Travis, Tanya Tucker, Josh Turner and Gene Watson. More artists will be announced Thursday.
TOBY KEITH: Mouring Loss of Bass Player
Toby Keith's bass player was killed in a two-car crash on Wednesday in Oklahoma.
Toby says he's "deeply saddened" by the death of 54-year-old Carl "Chuck" Goff Junior, who has been his friend for 25 years. Goff is credited with co-writing two of Toby's hits -- "Upstairs Downtown" and "You Ain't Much Fun."
WYNNONA JUDD: Dishes on Joining Dancing With the Stars
Wynonna Judd says Dancing With the Stars will be a great opportunity to improve her health and get back into shape -- which has been on the back burner ever since her husband Cactus Moser’s leg was amputated following a motorcycle accident last August.
She tells People magazine, “I definitely went into being the wife and caretaker, and I let myself go… It’s not about size and numbers, but I can honestly say I’ve seen the pictures from when I got married and before, and I see them now and I think, ‘You know what? I deserve to be healthy. I’m worth it.”
Wy adds that DWTS vet Kirstie Alley is her "mentor in this process.”
CRYSTAL BOWERSOX: Playing Patsy Cline
American Idol silver medalist Crystal Bowersox will make her Broadway debut this summer in Always...Patsy Cline, a musical drama about the life and death of the country music legend.
Crystal tells the Hollywood Reporter, "It's like a lifetime achievement thing. I'm really happy about it. I grew up listening to her music and I feel a special connection to her. Sadly, she died so young that she didn't get to experience or really enjoy her success. It's a tragic story and a great play, and I'm really honored to be the one they chose to play Patsy."
The show, which will open in late summer, is based on a true story about the friendship between Patsy and her most devoted fan, Louise Seger, which began when they met one night at the Esquire Ballroom outside of Houston. The title was inspired by Patsy's hand-written letters to Louise, which she signed "Love ALWAYS…Patsy Cline."
Tuesday marks the 50th anniversary of Cline's death in a plane crash.
REBA: Hosts Celebrity Fight Night 19
Reba McEntire will emcee the star-studded Celebrity Fight Night 19 charity event in Phoenix on March 23rd.
This will be Reba’s eighth time hosting the gala with featured guest and boxing legend Muhammad Ali. Billy Ray Cyrus, Billy Crystal, Rita Wilson, Jennifer Lopez and Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers are among the VIPs due at the benefit, which supports the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center and other charities.
Luxury items on the Fight Night auction block include a dining experience at Reba’s home in Beverly Hills, an opportunity to be in J. Lo’s entourage at a red carpet event and dinner with Billy Crystal and Robert De Niro. Tickets start at $1500.
George Strait is about to garner his 60th #1 Single with the song "Give It All We Got Tonight" from his forthcoming album.
LORETTA LYNN: Fire Destroys Buildling at Her Ranch
A fire has destroyed a building at Loretta Lynn’s ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee. According to Nashville’s WSMV-TV, an isolated fire broke out Thursday at the property’s cook shack, which was used to prepare food for trail riders at the ranch. Flames did not endanger Loretta’s home, and there were no injuries. The ranch opens for spring on Friday. The Coal Miner’s Daughter will perform at April 16th’s All for the Hall benefit concert in Nashville with Keith Urban and Vince Gill. The annual event supports the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
KEITH, VINCE: Book All for the Hall Country Music Hall of Fame Benefit
Keith Urban and Vince Gill will host the fourth annual All of the Hall benefit concert supporting the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
This year’s all-star show, which will go off on April 16th at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, is themed Rebels and Renegades: The Outlaws Are In. Performers include Keith, Vince, Trace Adkins, Jason Aldean, Rosanne Cash, Eric Church, Brantley Gilbert, Kid Rock, Kris Kristofferson, Loretta Lynn, Tim McGraw, Montgomery Gentry, Willie Nelson, Billy Joe Shaver and Hank Williams Junior. Keith and Vince will also lead a house band for each set, giving them a chance to take on a supporting role.
LEANN & EDDIE: Buy $3 Million Mansion in L.A.
LeAnn Rimes and hubby Eddie Cibrian just scored a major steal in Hollywood.
The duo just doled out $3 million for an 8600-square-foot mansion in L.A.’s exclusive Hidden Hills community. Originally sold in 2006 at almost $6 million, the spread is decked out in rustic wooden décor, and it boasts six bedrooms, nine bathrooms and a gigantic outdoor pool.
Tim McGraw has scored a big win in the courtroom drama between him andhis former record label, Curb.
The Associated Press reports that the Tennessee Supreme Court has ended Curb’s fight to keep Tim off another record label, two weeks after his debut album from Big Machine hit stores. The court signed an order last week denying Curb’s appeal of a lower court ruling that Tim was free to record with whomever he wished while the legal battle continued in the court system. Curb says Tim breached his contract and still owes the label one more album.
Tim’s next Soul 2 Soul shows with Faith Hill are this weekend at the Venetian in Las Vegas.
