J.D.'s Dirt- 9/8

COUNTRY MUSIC NEWS

KEITH URBAN ANNOUNCES ALL FOR THE HALL CONCERT. Keith Urban has scheduled his second all-star concert We’re All for the Hall to benefit the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum for October 5^th at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. Putting together a night of good music is exactly what Keith loves to do. “I’m interested in entertaining and hosting an event really as well and providing an environment to create the night because I can only do so much and the band can only do so much and the audience has to come ready to participate in it.” During the All Fort The Hall concert, Keith will be joined by Country Music Hall of Fame members Vince Gill, Dolly Parton and Charley Pride, as well as Billy Currington, Alan Jackson, Alison Krauss, Miranda Lambert, pop star John Mayer and Martina McBride. Keith says, “This year we’ve created a musical theme called 'Heroes.’ I’ve asked each artist to play one of their favorite songs from one of their country heroes, besides of course, one of their own hits.”

MERLE HAGGARD TO BE HONORED AT KENNEDY CENTER. Merle Haggard is one of the Kennedy Center’s latest artists to be recognized for his contributions to the American culture. Winners are selected by the Kennedy Center's Board of Trustees, and will air on CBS December 28^th. Other legends to be recognized include Paul McCartney and composer Jerry Herman, and Oprah Winfrey. Merle tells the Associated Press, “I don't know exactly what to do, I guess just sit there and look like you're having fun.”

SAVE THE DATE FOR KENNY CHESNEY’S CMT INVIATION ONLY. Kenny Chesney’s CMT Invitation Only is set to premiere on Monday, September 27^th at 10PM Eastern. In the one hour special, Kenny performs several hits including “When The Sun Goes Down,” “Out Last Night,” and more. He will also debut five songs from his upcoming album Hemingway’s Whiskey. While answering questions from fans, Kenny reveals the strangest gift he has ever received from a fan, gives advice to new artists, and discusses the style of his new album. In addition to Kenny, new episodes of CMT Invitation Only will debut monthly this fall with Toby Keith on October 8^th, and Rascal Flatts on November 15^th.

BILLY CURRINGTON’S “BEER” A WINNER! Billy Currington has scored another number one song as “Pretty Good At Drinkin’ Beer” rises to the top of the country singles chart. The multiple number one songs Billy has earned in the last couple of years is just one step towards reaching his five year plan of building a house near his hometown in Georgia. “I’ve been in Nashville pursuing this career for 20 years now. I’m not done with the town. I’ll always have a piece of land here and my foot in this part of Tennessee but I’m a beach boy. I’ve gotta get back to the beach.” As for other artists who find themselves in the top five on the country singles chart, Lady Antebellum moves up to number two with “Our Kind of Love,” Lee Brice’s “Love Like Crazy “takes the number three spot, Kenny Chesney’s “The Boys of Fall,” moves up three spots to number four, and Blake Shelton rounds out the top five with “All About Tonight.”

TAYLOR SWIFT’S WORLD TOUR INFORMATION REVEALED. The first three dates for Taylor Swift’s very first world tour have been posted by the Japanese website, Universal Japan. The tour will kick off in Osaka, Japan on February 13^th, 2011. Considering Taylor’s lucky number is “13” one could suspect that’s why she chose that date. According to the website, she will have 85 shows in 18 different countries. In other Taylor news, her iPhone/iPod application, Mix Me In2 Taylor Swift, has been nominated for Best Music Engagement App by Billboard. The winner will be chosen on October 5^th at the Music App Summit in San Francisco.

ALAN JACKSON TO RELEASE 34 NUMBER ONES. Alan Jackson is celebrating the 20-year anniversary of his debut album in a big way as he plans to release a double-disc collection featuring all 34 of his number one hits. The project will also include two rare tracks and the new single, “As She’s Walking Away,” with Zac Brown Band featuring Alan. “Here in the Real World,” “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere,” and “Country Boy,” are just a few of the songs that will be on 34 Number Ones which will be released November 23^rd.

LITTLE BIG TOWN TOAST TO A BIG WEEK! Little Big Town had quite a big week last week. Their album The Reason Why was the number one album on the Billboard Country Albums chart – a career first for the group – and they learned they are nominated for a CMA Award for Group of the Year. They are currently on the road with Sugarland and Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush were right there to celebrate with them. “They had bottles of champagne in our dressing rooms waiting on us when they had heard the news so that was really cool. Yea, we celebrated all week. Definitely! (laughs)

FAITH HILL PROVES HER KNOWLEDGE OF FOOTBALL, AGAIN. Faith Hill proved herself as a skilled NFL fan as she predicted the outcome of last year’s games during the football season with sports writers from The Tenessean newspaper. She has been asked for her input again this year, and now fans can compete against her for a VIP Fan Experience at the December 19^th Tennessee Titans game. A Sports Editor from the newspaper said, “We wanted to invite Faith back because she did so well last year and since most of our writers weren’t able to out-pick her, we thought we’d give readers a chance.” Last year, Faith had the best record with the prediction of 171 wins 86 losses out of all the sports writers. Faith says, “No doubt in my mind that Tennessee’s football fans will be tougher than the experts. Bring it on - and go Titans!” For more information visit tenntennessean.com/titanscontest.

DIERKS BENTLEY TO PERFORM IN NEW YORK FOR FOUR NIGHTS. Dierks Bentley will be hanging in New York City this October for four nights of concerts. He will perform each night at a different venue in the city with special guests, The Punch Brothers, Del McCoury Band, and others who have yet to be announced. Starting Friday, fans will be able to purchase four day passes at Dierks,com and can also purchase singe tickets for the following places:

October 18^th: Bowery Ballroom

October 19^th: City Winery

October 20^th: Joe’s Pub

October 21^st: South Paw

JULIANNE HOUGH AND RYAN SEACREST FLYING HIGH WITH LOVE. Julianne Hough was spotted arriving at the Los Angeles airport with Ryan Seacrest where the two returned from vacation in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The couple shared a goodbye hug and kiss before Julianne continued flying to Atlanta, Georgia to film Footloose. Julianne and Ryan vacationed in Italy earlier this summer where they enjoyed each others company on a private yacht.

COUNTRY ARTISTS TAKE OVER THE SMALL SCREEN. Country music’s biggest stars are taking over television this week with various appearances. Thursday night, Jamey Johnson will perform a new song from his upcoming 25-track double disc The Guitar Song called “Lonely at the Top,” on the Late Show With David Letterman. Friday morning, Sugarland will be stopping by the Today Show on NBC. That evening, Martina McBride and Lady Antebellum will be participating in the Stand Up For Cancer telethon benefiting cancer research. The special will be on 17 different channels including VH1 at 8PM Eastern. Blake Shelton will rock the house Friday night while he performs on The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson. Sunday, Kenny Chesney’s Boys of Fall documentary will rebroadcast on ESPN2 at 11PM Eastern.

BILLY RAY CYRUS TO RESEARCH URBAN LEGENDS. Billy Ray Cyrus and his son Trace will be hitting the road together to investigate conspiracy theories. According to TV Guide, the two are developing their own show called UFO: Unbelievably Freakin’ Obvious on the SyFy Network. They will go around the country to find out about urban legends and more. Billy Ray says, “My son has always had an interest in these things and I look forward to the series.”

CMT NEW ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: STEEL MAGNOLIA

STEEL MAGNOLIA RESCHEDULES DEBUT ALBUM. Steel Magnolia has rescheduled the release of their debut album for January 11^th, 2011 – or - 1-11-11). The coincidence in the release date being all ones wasn’t by mistake; apparently the duo’s favorite number is eleven. “[Meghan] I think it’s good joo-joo. It’s a good number. [Joshua Scott Jones] Let’s not talk about our superstitions. (laughs)” The duo’s singles include “Keep On Lovin’ You” and “Just by Being You (Halos & Wings)” and Dann Huff produced the album. Steel Magnolia's summer tour schedule has included dates on Brad Paisley’s H2O World Tour. Winners of the second season of CMT’s Can You Duet, the duo secured their first CMA nomination for group of the year. Their debut album had previously been scheduled for September 21^st.

ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

PARIS HILTON GOT SPECIAL TREATMENT! When Paris Hilton was arrested and booked for possession of cocaine at a Las Vegas jail, she was bumped to the head of the line and processed before other accused people. Police officers for the Clark County Detention Center are saying they sped Hilton’s booking along because the presence of a celebrity in jail can cause disturbances with the other detainees. Check out People.com for more.
- TIDBIT: Hilton was booked and processed at Clark County Detention Center in three hours. The average time it takes people to be booked for the same offense is from eight to 24 hours.

PLAYBOY MODEL THREATENS TO SUE SPENCER PRATT! Karissa Shannon, the Playboy model that allegedly stars in a sex tape with Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt, is threatening to sue Pratt if the footage is ever sold or released. According to TMZ, Shannon’s lawyer wants a written statement from Spencer that states he will never release the tape.
CHELSEA HANDLER WILL SLEEP WITH EMINEM! Chelsea Handler is taking her MTV Video Music Award hosting job seriously. We caught up with the comedian and asked her about 2010 MTV VMA nominee Eminem and she told us, she loves his music and apparently his body. Tune in to the 2010 MTV VMAs this Sunday at 9 PM Eastern to see if Handler tries to put the moves on Eminem.
MAN PUTS 90210 STAR’S NUMBER ON THE INTERNET! 90210 star AnnaLynne McCord got into a car accident this weekend and the man she hit put her private phone number on his Facebook page. The man who put up her number says he did it as payback because McCord was trying to deny responsibility for the accident. The actress has since changed her number. Check out TMZ for more.
ANGELINA JOLIE IN PAKISTAN! Angelina Jolie is in Pakistan this week visiting victims of the widespread flooding. Jolie is there hoping to spread awareness of the country’s needs for financial support as they try to recover from the largest natural disaster in their history. Learn more about Jolie’s visit over at HuffingtonPost.com.
ROBERT PATTINSON NOT ON ENTOURAGE! The reports that Robert Pattinson will guest star on HBO’s Entourage this week are untrue. It was rumored the Twilight hunk would play one of super agent “Ari’s” most difficult clients, but alas, that’s not true. HBO reps have confirmed to EOnline.com that Pattinson is not set to appear on Entourage this Sunday for the season finale.

KELLAN LUTZ DISGUSTED BY PUPPY VIDEO! Kellan Lutz has finally seen the disturbing video of the girl in the red sweatshirt throwing six puppies into a raging body of water. The Twilight actor tweeted about the video calling it “disturbing and plain out wrong.” According to Us Weekly, the girl in the video has been identified as an underage Bosnian and she is being questioned by police.
DEMI AND ASHTON PARTY AT DAWSON’S CREEK! Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher helped Dawson’s Creek star James Van Der Beek celebrate his recent marriage and his wife’s pregnancy this weekend. People magazine reports that Van Der Beek and his spouse, Kim Brook, held the celebration as a joint wedding and bridal shower.
WHOOPI GOLDBERG’S MOTHER DIES. Whoopi Goldberg announced on The View this week that her mother has died. The comedian revealed her mom had a stroke and passed away on August 29^th.