THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2024

Toby Keith left us 10 months ago.  But his music keeps on keepin’ on in a big way.  He just went GOLD and PLATINUM again. His whole catalog has seen a boost since he passed away from cancer in February at the age of 62.  The RIAA honored him this week with four more certifications, two Gold Records and two Platinum. The two new Golds are for “Trailerhood” and “Cryin’ for Me (Wayman’s Song)”.  The Platinums are for “God Love Her” and “American Ride”. His album “Should’ve Been a Cowboy” also went FOUR-times Platinum earlier this year.  So he may be gone, but he’s far from forgotten.

The Entertainment industry lost a lot of good people this year. 

January:  Chita Rivera, David Soul.

February:  Carl Weathers, Toby Keith, Richard Lewis.

March:  Character actor M. Emmet Walsh.

April:  O.J. Simpson, Dickey Betts.

May:  Dabney Coleman.

June:  Willie Mays, Donald Sutherland, Martin Mull.

July:  Shelley Duvall, Shannen Doherty, Richard Simmons, Lou Dobbs, Bob Newhart, Dr. Ruth, rock legend John Mayall.

August:  Gena Rowlands, Phil Donahue, John Amos, pro wrestlers Sid Vicious and Kevin Sullivan, Great White singer Jack Russell.

September:  James Earl Jones, Tito Jackson, Maggie Smith, Kris Kristofferson, Pete Rose, “Love Boat” singer Jack Jones, “Beverly Hills Cop” actor John Ashton.

October:  Liam Payne, Teri Garr, Phil Lesh, Fernando Valenzuela.

November:  Quincy Jones, Chuck Woolery, “Candyman” star Tony Todd.

Jamie Lee Curtis is reportedly going to star in a “Murder, She Wrote” movie.  Believe it or not, she’s almost a decade older than Angela Lansbury was when the TV series premiered in 1984

The Nashville Metro Council finally approved Morgan Wallen’s 20-foot outdoor sign that will go above his bar. Back in May, city officials denied Morgan’s “This Bar and Tennessee Kitchen” a permit application for the overhead sign. At the time, several councilmembers spoke out against Morgan, citing his chair-throwing escapade, and his previous use of a racial slur. But now that Morgan’s chair case has finally settled, it seems as if the Nashville Metro Council has changed their minds.  The final vote was 30 to 1 in favor.

  A list of the most played songs on country radio just came out, and would you be surprised that “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” by Shaboozey didn’t even crack the Top 10? “Tipsy” was the #1 song in the U.S. for 19 weeks this year, tying the all-time record.  But it seems like country radio wasn’t a huge part of that success. Here are the Top 10 most-played songs on country radio in 2024

1.  “World on Fire” by Nate Smith

2.  “Pretty Little Poison” by Warren Zeiders

3.  “Save Me” by Jelly Roll with Lainey Wilson

4.  “Outskirts” by Sam Hunt

5.  “Where It Ends” by Bailey Zimmerman

6.  “Thinkin’ Bout Me” by Morgan Wallen

7.  “Truck Bed” by Hardy

8.  “I Had Some Help” by Post Malone featuring Morgan Wallen

9.  “Back Then Right Now” by Tyler Hubbard

10.  “Tucson Too Late” by Jordan Davis

Next year, the Grand Ole Opry will be turning 100.  Naturally, there will be plenty of celebrations . . . including a special series of “Opry at the Ryman” shows, beginning on January 3rd with a showcase from the Opry’s longest-tenured member, 87-year-old Bill Anderson. Other special tributes will include:  Kelsea Ballerini, Ashley McBryde, Lainey Wilson, Henry Cho, Gary Mule Deer, and Steve Wariner

Blondie will release a new album in the coming year.

Jake Gyllenhaal is 44.

Marla Sokoloff is 44.  Stephanie’s best friend Gia on “Fuller House”. 

Alyssa Milano is 52.

Jennifer Beals is 61.  a steelworker-by-day-dancer-by-night in “Flashdance”.

Mike Lookinland is 64.  Bobby Brady on “The Brady Bunch”.

Tim Reid is 80.  Venus Flytrap on “WKRP in Cincinnati”

Blogs

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2024

Toby Keith left us 10 months ago.  But his music keeps on keepin’ on in a big way.  He just went GOLD and PLATINUM again. His whole catalog has seen a boost since he passed away from cancer in February at the age of 62.  The RIAA honored him this week with four more certifications,…

MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2024

While 2024 certainly had its moments of inspiration and incredible country music . . . we also lost more than a few country superstars. Here are some members of the country music family that passed away this year: 1.  Toby Keith.  July 8th, 1961 to February 5th, 2024 2.  Kris Kristofferson.  June 22nd, 1936 to…