Morgan Wallen donated $500,000 to the American Red Cross in East Tennessee to help after the widespread destruction from Hurricane Helene. Morgan said, “My family in East Tennessee are safe, but I know many are absolutely devastated there and in multiple states. Those hills and hollers are very important to me in so many ways. It is going to take a monumental effort.” The national president for humanitarian services for the Red Cross said, “We can’t thank Morgan Wallen enough for his heart and generous $500,000 donation to impact help on the ground now in the areas affected by Hurricane Helene, including his beloved East Tennessee.” Oliver Anthony said he’s working on a fundraiser and doing some charity shows.
Last year, Dolly Parton released her New York Times bestselling picture book, “Billy the Kid Makes It Big”. Billy the Kid is Dolly’s “god-dog” who is a Frenchie. The sequel was released and it’s called “Billy the Kid Comes Home for Christmas”. The story follows Billy the Kid who has everything he could ever want: a place in Nashville, a great band, and even a cross-country tour. But when Billy’s band is scheduled to perform at Barkafeller Center on Christmas Day, he must decide what matters to him most: fame or family? Or if you want to hear Dolly read it to you instead, it’s also available as an audiobook.
2025 Country music tours that have already been announced include: Randy Travis . . . Thomas Rhett . . . Riley Green . . . and Cody Johnson . . . Rascal Flatts AND Cross Canadian Ragweed. Rascal Flatts will be breaking their retirement in order to go back out on the road for the “Life Is a Highway Tour”. It will be the band’s first time together in over 5 years. It will run from February through April of next year. Lauren Alaina and Chris Lane will be opening. March 18 – Allentown
Ernest posted a clip of himself performing an unreleased song called “Blacked Out”, which was the track that helped him score his first publishing deal. He said it was “his first moment” . . . and it includes some smooth rapping. In a previous interview, he said that he’d written it in college, which makes sense once you hear the “blacking out” lyrics.
Alan Jackson announced Zach Top will open for him at four shows in 2025. One in Texas . . . one in Wisconsin . . . and two in Florida. Zach’s been compared to him a lot thanks to his music . . . his mustache . . . and the fact that he name-checks “Chattahoochee” in the first line of “Sounds Like the Radio”. They announced the news with a clip of Zach playing his own song, and then kicking into the “Chattahoochee” chorus.
Efren Ramirez is 51. Pedro in “Napoleon Dynamite”.
Tiffany is 53. Biggest Hit: “I Think We’re Alone Now”.
Kelly Ripa is 54. “Live with Kelly & Ryan”.
Sting is 73. Biggest Hit: Trudie Styler.
Don McLean is 79. Biggest Hit: 1971’s “American Pie”.
