MUSIC NEWS: WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2017
CHRIS YOUNG - OPRY MEMBER
Chris Young joined the Grand Ole Opry last night and he's still kicking himself for not seeing the invitation coming.
Vince Gill had surprised him onstage at the Opry a few weeks ago by inviting him personally. Young says he prides himself on not getting surprised but Gill pulled a fast one. At 32, Young is the youngest current member of the Opry. He's also got a new album out on Friday called ``Losing Sleep.''
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BIG AND RICH - LAS VEGAS
Big and Rich will return to Las Vegas to help with the healing process after the Oct. 1st shootings at the Route 91 Harvest Festival. Big and Rich will join Cam for the concert ``Vegas Strong - A Night of Healing'' in Las Vegas tomorrow. Tickets were free and have already been distributed. Donations will be collected to benefit victims of the shootings. Big and Rich had played the Route 91 Harvest Festival just hours the shooting began.
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LOPEZ - A-ROD - PUERTO RICAN RELIEF
Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez have raised 26-million dollars for Puerto Rico disaster relief, with another nine-million raised by a benefit show. The two hosted ``One Voice:
Somos Live!'' on Saturday with Marc Anthony. The benefit show included performances by Demi Lovato, Ricky Martin, Mary J. Blige and Gwen Stefani.
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ZZ TOP - SUSPENDS TOUR
ZZ Top is postponing its tour dates for the rest of this year because, according to the official band statement, bassist Dusty Hill ``is addressing a tummy ailment.'' The statement says Hill has been directed to lay low for the next few weeks.
Details of Hill's medical issue were not given. ZZ Top intends to resume touring next year. ZZ Top postponed concerts last year after Hill tripped on a step and fractured his shoulder.
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``WEIRD AL'' YANKOVIC - NO-PARODY CONCERT TOUR
``Weird Al'' Yankovic says his next concert tour will consist mainly of songs you barely remember. He's calling it ``The Ridiculously Self-Indulgent, Ill-Advised Vanity Tour.''
Yankovic writes on Facebook he will do obscure tracks and only a few parodies, with no props, costumes or video screens. Yankovic says it will not be the kind of show that appeals to everyone and he'll go back to concerts featuring fat suits and Segways on another tour.
Yankovic says he's not trying to talk people out of buying tickets, but they should be aware that these shows will be ``loose, unpredictable, and maybe a little sloppy.'' The tour begins Feb.
27th in Poughkeepsie, New York.
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REBA McENTIRE'S FORMER HOME - EVENTS VENUE
Can you imagine getting married where Reba McEntire once lived? The Nashville Tennessean reports a potential unnamed buyer for McEntire's former home outside Nashville wants to turn it into an events venue for weddings and corporate retreats.
Wilson County planning director Tom Brashear says the proposal will be considered at a zoning meeting on Friday. McEntire's property reportedly sold for five-million dollars in July to a developer who plans to build 15 homes on the land. However, the parcel of land with the house on it has been put back on the market.
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RICKY SKAGGS - THE SANTA TRAIN
Ricky Skaggs will be the celebrity guest on this year's Santa Train. Railroad operator C-S-X has run the Santa Train through Appalachia every year since 1942, distributing toys, food and winter clothes to families. Skaggs grew up in Cordell, Kentucky.
He says he loves the children of Appalachia and he loves Christmas, so riding the train is going to be a great thing for his heart. This year's train will run Nov. ember 18th from Shelby, Kentucky, to Kingsport, Tennessee.
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SOUL TRAIN AWARDS - NOMINEES
Solange could be the big force at the Soul Train Awards. She leads the nominations with seven, including album of the year for ``A Seat At The Table.'' She will compete against her sister, Beyonce, for video of the year. Bruno Mars has six nominations. Toni Braxton and SWV will each get career achievement awards. The Soul Train Awards will air on B-E-T Nov. 26th.
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(The Associated Press)
