Dolly Parton’s husband and best friend for 60 years, Carl Dean, passed away in Nashville yesterday. Dolly released a statement that said, “Carl and I spent many wonderful years together. Words can’t do justice to the love we shared for over 60 years. Thank you for your prayers and sympathy.” Dolly met Carl outside the Wishy Washy Laundromat the day she moved to Nashville in 1964, when she was 18 years old. They got married two years later, and have been together ever since. Carl will be laid to rest in a private ceremony with immediate family attending. Carl Dean was 82 years old.
Jelly Roll and Post Malone have the Big [Butt] Stadium Tour that’ll hit up major venues across North America all summer. And then after that, they’re headed on the Big [Butt] World Tour with 18 international dates. Jelly talked about how excited he is for the huge tour – and also said, “I’m wondering if I could lose more weight and when I get to Italy, if they’re going to mistake me for Post Malone. You know what I mean? If I get skinny enough that they just see face tattoos. They’ll be like, ‘Post! Post!'”
Brad Paisley just announced the initial run of shows for his Truck Still Works World Tour. The first leg will kick off in Idaho on May 21st . . . and wrap up August 3rd in Florida. And all of the shows are in the U.S. But since it’s called the Truck Still Works WORLD Tour, presumably some international dates will be added at a later time. And Brad will have a few different special guests, depending on the city. They are: Walker Hayes . . . Avery Anna . . . Alexandra Kay . . . Mae Estes . . . and Dylan Scott. Tickets go on sale this Friday. July 12 — Canandaigua, New York @ Constellation Brands Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center
The Grand Ole Opry is turning 100, and they just made a small-but-significant change for the anniversary. They changed the MIC STAND for just the fifth time in a century. The old one had “Grand Ole Opry” written out. The new one just says “Opry” in all caps. They shared a video of the new one being wheeled into the building in a box. Jelly Roll, Ashley McBryde, Riley Green, and others take turns pushing it. Then it cuts to Vince Gill performing with it for the first time. The anniversary isn’t until November, but Blake Shelton is also hosting a live “Opry 100” special on NBC March 19th.
Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney, Sting, Ariana Grande, and Hozier will appear on Barbra Streisand’s upcoming duets album.
Chaz Bono is 56.
Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini is 64. WBA lightweight champ in the ’80s.
Steven Weber is 64. Brian Hackett on “Wings”. Now he’s Dr. Archer on “Chicago Med”.
Patricia Heaton is 67. Ray’s wife Debra on “Everybody Loves Raymond”
Mykelti Williamson is 68. Bubba in “Forrest Gump
Catherine O’Hara is 71.
Paula Prentiss is 87. “The Stepford Wives” and “Saturday the 14th”.
