Jelly Roll has been vocal about wanting to spearhead the largest toy drive in Nashville’s history. Saturday, he took another step toward making his promise a reality when he donated a tractor-trailer packed with toys to the Last Minute Toy Store, who gifts toys to underprivileged Middle Tennessee families over the holidays. “The Last Minute Toy Store needed some gifts for 7,675 kids. Jelly Roll said his daughter Bailee Ann started the toy drive on a small scale with her aunt four or five years ago in White House, Tennessee. They called it Buddy’s Toy Drive in honor of Jelly Roll’s late father. When Jelly Roll’s career skyrocketed, he wanted to give Buddy’s Toy Drive a larger platform. Walmart, Hasbro, the Nashville Predators, the Nashville Fire Department and more joined the cause. Jelly Roll pledged $100,000 of his own money to the toy drive to make it the biggest in Nashville’s history. In five years, Jelly Roll hopes to have just opened his fifth group home.
Blake Shelton has the best intentions when he sets New Year’s resolutions – it just doesn’t always work out the way he planned. He often pledges to slow his alcohol consumption before the start of every new year but that it’s a promise he struggles to stick to. He said, “If we’re at home during New Year’s Eve, we’re probably going to bed before it even happens,”
Gabby Barrett is one of country music’s most outspoken Christians – and she carries her faith through all aspects of her career, including wardrobe and song selections. Barrett, who at 23 is expecting her third child with husband Cade discussed what it’s like to be young Christian-minded wife and mother in country music. For her, it means considering God and her husband in every decision – and frequently saying no. She doesn’t want to dress provocatively or sing love songs with anyone but Foehner. Barrett said she’s had countless people tell her that talking about her faith will ruin her career but that she treasures her relationship with her husband and God the most. She sees herself as a strong-willed person and said that helps her stick to her values. The Pittsburgh native said she didn’t know what life would be like five to 10 years from now, but said she’s taking “day by day” to figure out how to best use God’s gifts.
Little Big Town, stepped into one of the nation’s brightest spotlights to honor Barry Gibb of one of rock and roll’s most beloved brother bands – the Bee Gees – at the 46th annual Kennedy Center Honors. The 46th annual Kennedy Center Honors – including Little Big Town’s performance along with tributes to other honorees comedian Billy Crystal; soprano Renée Fleming; rapper, singer and actress Queen Latifah; and singer Dionne Warwick – will air Wednesday, Dec. 27 (8:00-10:30 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.
Original Mouseketeer Tommy Cole (TV: “The Mickey Mouse Club”) is 82
Psychic/illusionist Uri Geller is 77.
Actor Jonah Hill is 40
