TWANG TOWN LOWDOWN - Friday, June 24th

BLAKE SHELTON: Shirtless? Never!

Even though he lost a bunch of weight after his divorce from Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton is still self-conscious about his body.

That's why you don't ever see him shirtless -- even when paparazzi caught him in a pool wearing a T-shirt, while girlfriend Gwen Stefani wore a tiny bikini.

Sources tell the New York Post that Blake always goes back to his dressing room anytime he needs to change his clothes on the set of The Voice, while his fellow coaches Christina Aguilera and Adam Levine aren't shy about stripping down in the studio.

JAKE OWEN: Takes Fans to the Beach



Over the weekend, Jake Owen released his music video for "American Country Love Song," but it wasn't what anyone was expecting. Filmed on a beach in the Florida Keys, this video does so much more than just showcase his song. It literally immerses its viewers in a virtual reality, 360-degree world, making you feel like you're exploring a beach party directly alongside the country crooner.

LITTLE BIG TOWN: To Perform With the Boston Pops

Little Big Town will perform with the iconic Boston Pops orchestra for the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular on July 4th. They join previously announced performers Demi Lovato and Nick Jonas.

The Spectacular, now in its 43rd year, will air live on CBS from the Charles River Esplanade in Boston.

Forget The Batmobile.. I want Keith Urban's car...



Take a peek at what $2.7 million bucks can land you. An all new Bugatti Veyron sports car. Keith has been spotted jetting around the music city in this bad boy. If you need someone to drive you around in this thing I volunteer. I promise I will drive real fast  safe...

D.A. OF THE DAY - Friday, June 24th

WEIRD NEWS: Badge of Dishonor

A Florida man was really barking up the wrong tree when he used a fake badge and a fake police dog to stage a "raid" on a house -- that's owned by a real police officer.

Anthony Anselmo Ottaviano, who actually works as a paramedic, claimed to be a Homeland Security officer when he barged into the home accompanied by a pooch that was decked out in the sort of gear normally used by official K-9 units. The victim didn't have any trouble responding, disarming the phony fed and holding him at the scene until backup arrived to take him to jail.

Ottaviano has been charged with impersonating an officer during the commission of a felony and attempted burglary; his accomplice may yet face charges of being a bad dog. 

WEIRD NEWS: Do Fists Go With That Shake?

Texas cops are hunting for a creepy guy who left a Burger King employee shaken -- by attacking and threatening to kill her because he was unhappy with his milkshake.

Alejandra Estrada, a longtime employee at the Dallas fast-food joint, says the man took the shake, but quickly returned, complaining that it was "non-tasty." The 62-year-old worker, believing that the customer is always right, took back the drink and brought the guy two different replacements, but that ticked him off even more -- so much that he threw the shakes at Estrada, then punched her in full view of security cameras before threatening to kill her.

He fled the scene before cops could arrive, but the surveillance tapes are relatively clear, so he could be grilled by police at any moment.


WEIRD NEWS: A Real Tongue Twister

A Texas mother woke up from jaw surgery sounding like the Queen of England.

Once Lisa Alamia was able to speak following the operation, everyone noticed that she seemed to have a British accent. At first, her family thought she was joking and didn't believe her when she said she couldn't control it. But she really couldn't. Doctors diagnosed her with foreign accent syndrome, which is a very rare condition affecting only 100 people worldwide.

Experts say foreign accent syndrome is usually caused by some type of brain injury or other health issues, although they admit that an exact cause has never been pinpointed.

HOTLIST - Friday, June 24th

GHOSTBUSTERS: The Internet Hates the New Theme Song



Fall Out Boy teamed up with Missy Elliott to remake the Ghostbusters theme -- and like the movie's trailer, it's getting tons of hate on the Internet.

Here's what people are saying:

SomeGirlfromCanada: "Ok so new #Ghostbusters theme song by Fall Out Boy ft. Missy Elliot sounds like those bad fan covers on YouTube."

Ashley Carter: "Reaction after 1st listen of new #Ghostbusters theme: WTH, this is awful. Reaction after 2nd listen: Why did I do that to myself again?"

#ChakaExplainsItAll: "Like, I've been defending this movie and this concept from the jump, but I will not stand idly by and let Fall Out Boy happen. #Ghostbusters"

Greg Method: ".@paulfeig promised with the #Ghostbusters reboot that he won't ruin one's childhood. @falloutboy and @MissyElliott made no such guarantees."

Earlier this year, the movie's trailer become the most disliked clip in YouTube history. The film and soundtrack are both out on July 15th. And because I don't want to leave you guys out.. Feel free to subject yourself to 3:06 of awful horrible,grotesque,the cover...

PRINCE: Passenger Recalls Overdose at 30,000 Feet

One of the last people to see Prince alive is telling her story.

In April, Judith Hill was one of two passengers with Prince on the night he overdosed in his private jet.

Paramedics in Illinois delivered a life-saving injection of Narcan. She told The New York Times how Prince described the ordeal. (quote) “I had to fight for my life. I remember hearing your voices from afar and saying to myself, 'Follow the voices, get back in your body, you gotta do this.’”

Judith spent two years with Prince, following her competition on The Voice. She claimed to have been unaware that Prince abused powerful prescription painkillers. She didn’t even know he was in pain from a hip surgery.

However, in the week between that near fatal overdose and his death, Prince sought medical treatment to overcome his addiction. Judith lamented, (quote) “And that's the part that breaks my heart, because he was trying.”

Transformers: The Last Knight: 1st Look at New Autobot 

 

Director Michael Bay shared a photo of himself, the movie's female lead, Isabela Moner, and Squeaks, a completely original character created for the film. "The Last Knight" opens in theaters on June 23, 2017.

 

Burger King: Mac n' Cheetos Menu Item to Be Released Nationwide

 

The menu item, made of deep-fried macaroni and cheese sticks covered in Cheetos, is currently available in select locations and scheduled for a nationwide release Monday, the chain said.

TWANG TOWN LOWDOWN - Thursday, June 23rd

JASON ALDEAN: Impostor Swindles Woman in Florida


A Florida man is accused of impersonating Jason Aldean and defrauding a mentally handicapped woman for money and sex.

Daniel Farris lured the woman with a fake Facebook profile and asked for $2000, of which she paid $230 on two occasions. He would come to her home claiming to be a friend of Jason's and saying that Jason was busy on tour, and then told her that he loved her and convinced her to have sex with him. He also told her that the money would be going to a friend of his who needed it.

A police affidavit shows that Farris admitted to the charges and was using the money to support his prescription pill addiction. 


THROWBACK THURSDAY VIDEO

On this day in 2012, Eric Church earned his second number-one single with "Springsteen." Here's a young Eric in college, showing off his chops during an audition. You've never seen the Carolina boy like this before.

"Nashville" To Lose 2 Series Regulars...

To use a phrase popular with one of Nashville‘s main characters, it’s wheels up for Luke and Layla when the country-music drama returns for a fifth season. Series regulars Will Chase and Aubrey Peeples will not be with the show when it makes its CMT debut.

Chase’s Luke had little to do after his engagement with Rayna fizzled in Season 3; most of his Season 4 storyline involved sticking up for Wheelin’ Dealin’ Records artist Will Lexington when he was attacked by a homophobic talk-show host.

Meanwhile, Peeples’ Layla sought to avenge Jeff Fordham’s death by ruining Juliette’s relationship with Avery, but Avery’s discovery of her plan — and his seemingly imminent reunion with Ms. Barnes — meant the end of that storyline.

The exits  come as new executive producers Marshall Herskovitz and Ed Zwick take over show-running duties, filling the role previously held by Dee Johnson.

Lionsgate, which produces the series, declined to comment.

ABC cancelled Nashville in May, but the drama was revived by the cable network CMT soon after. CMT head of development Jayson Dinsmore recently said that “our expectation and our hope is that [the entire cast] will participate in this next cycle.”

Brett Eldredge: NEW Video released today!

Illinois native and Chicago Cub fan Brett Elderedge hit the field at Chicago's historic Wrigley Field to film the video for his latest single "Wanna Be That Song".. Check it out here.

D.A. Of The Day: Thursday, June 23rd

WEIRD NEWS: Smuggler Loses Shell Game
 

A New York City man will have to shell out a heck of a lot of money in fines after he got busted for trying to illegally smuggle endangered turtles through the mail -- in boxes labeled "snacks."

Hsien Lin Hsu [pr: Shin Lin Shoe] was taken into custody after customs officials saw something suspicious about the packages, which had layers of pre-made ramen noodles at the top -- but live, very thirsty turtles crawling around inside. The critters, which are all protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, were intended to be adopted as pets, not eaten, but their importation is still considered to be a crime.

Hsu admitted that he knew he was trafficking turtles illegally and told the agents that each package he shipped would usually contain two turtles hidden inside socks amid the noodles.

WEIRD NEWS: Father Fires Fathead Over Fatty Flare-Up


A Rhode Island restaurant owner proved blood is not thicker than soup of the day -- by firing his son for calling a customer a "fatty" on a receipt that went viral.

Tony Ambrosio, the owner of All Stars Bar and Grill in Warwick, gave his boy the boot after customer Dillon Arnold posted his bill on Facebook and said he'd never return to the joint after being disrespected by the server. Ambrosio offered the peeved patron a $50 gift card and promised that the kid would not be working there on any return visit -- because he would no longer be allowed on site, even as a customer.

The now-unemployed T.J Ambrosio manned up, asking people not to blame his dad, and saying, "I acted in a way that was rude, childish, and totally inappropriate. Due to my actions, I was terminated, rightly so."

WEIRD NEWS: That Really Stinks


A Swedish soccer player has a real beef with a referee after he was kicked out of a game for farting.

Adam Lindin Ljungkvist let out an audible fart during the game last week, and the ref handed him a red card for "unsportsmanlike behavior." The player tried to explain that he had an upset stomach and needed to rip one, but the ref wouldn't change his mind. Ljungkvist later explained, "I needed to fart, I had a bad stomach. So I just farted. Then I received a yellow card and then a red. I was shocked, it’s the strangest thing I have ever experienced on a football field." He added that the ref told him players aren't allowed to fart on the field.

The ref later explained that he wasn't buying the player's "bad stomach" excuse and believed the fart was a "deliberate provocation." In the end, the Swedish team lost the game, 5-2.

HOTLIST- Thursday, June 23rd

KATHERINE HEIGL: Pregnant
 

Actress Katherine Heigl has revealed that she is pregnant. The star of the upcoming CBS drama Doubt says she and her husband, Josh Kelley (brother of Lady A's Charles Kelley), are expecting a boy in January.

The couple already has two daughters, four-year-old Adelaide Marie Hope and seven-year-old Naleigh Moon-- both whom were adopted. The happy couple released a statement which reads, "The Kelley clan is thrilled to announce that we are expecting a third addition to our family. Naleigh and Adelaide could not be more excited to welcome their new sibling into the fold and Josh and I are overflowing with joy and gratitude."


PRINCE: Prisoner Is Not His Son


One down, many to go.

A federal prisoner who claimed he was Prince's long-lost son is not related to the singer.

After the music legend died in late April, a bunch of people claimed to be relatives of the late musician and an heir to his huge fortune. Carlin Q. Williams, who is serving a 92 months for gun possession, was one of those people. He claimed Prince impregnated his mother in a Kansas City hotel in 1976. But a DNA test says there's a zero percent chance that he's the Purple One's biological son.

Others who've made similar claims have refused DNA testing.

Prince allegedly didn't leave a will behind. 

TOM HIDDLESTON: "Courted" Taylor Swift


As soon as Taylor Swift went on the market, Tom Hiddleston swooped in. According to Us Weekly, the Avengers star "started reaching out" to the pop star the moment he heard she had split with DJ Calvin Harris. That came only a month after Tom sat next to Taylor at the Met Gala in New York City. He later told MTV UK he found her "very charming."

An insider says Tom even sent flowers. "He really courted her. He liked her and saw an opportunity when she was suddenly single, and he went for it."

The source says the new couple, who were recently spotted canoodling at a Selena Gomez concert, "are very into each other."

UMA THURMAN: Thrown from Horse


Actress Uma Thurman suffered some broken bones after she was thrown from a horse she was riding.

Thurman's rep confirmed to Page Six that the star of Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill "was in an equestrian accident. She was training on a young thoroughbred who got spooked. She was thrown and broke a few bones." She was spotted earlier this week walking gingerly into a restaurant in St. Barts.

KIRSTIE ALLEY: Proud Grandma


Kirstie Alley promised her fans she would have some "secret happy news" and she delivered on that promise last night (Tuesday) by announcing the birth of her first grandchild.

The 65-year-old actress wrote on Twitter, "When your son has a son … bliss … yes this is my secret happy news as promised … Welcome Waylon Tripp Parker." She added a photo of her 23-year-old son William Stevenson holding his newborn. She later shared another photo of the baby. William Stevenson is the adopted son of Alley and her ex-husband Parker Stevenson.

Twang Town Lowdown - Monday, June 20th

CARRIE UNDERWOOD: No More Waiting for Sunday Night




We won't have to "wait all day for Sunday night," come this fall, thanks to Carrie Underwood's new Sunday Night Football intro.

NBC has announced she'll sing a new theme song, "Oh, Sunday Night," based on her hit duet with Miranda Lambert, "Somethin' Bad." The network says new lyrics and additional changes will be made so the song fits in with football.

Over the past nine years, Joan Jett's "I Hate Myself for Loving You" has been basis for the theme song, featuring another country star,Faith Hill, but the producers say they were looking for something new. Apparently, Carrie's hit was a great stepping stone.

Together with the original writers of "Somethin' Bad," Carrie changed the lyrics and a bit of the vibe to fit Sunday Night Football needs, and the song will be premiered during the first game telecast on September 11th.


HILLARY SCOTT: Heartbreaking Inspiration



Hillary Scott has mentioned overcoming obstacles several times lately, without going into detail. Fans were left wondering whether or not the Lady Antebellum lead singer was in a good place. Now, several months and a new, spiritual album later, Hilary has opened up to her followers about what she went through.

“Last fall I went through a miscarriage,” Hillary told Good Morning America through tears on Monday. "I also feel like there’s this pressure that you’re just supposed to be able to snap your fingers and continue to walk through life like it never happened."

When it comes to her new single, "Thy Will," Hillary channeled a deep, heartbreaking place to write it, saying, "I wrote this song in the middle of experiencing everything that comes with a miscarriage, so it was at my most raw place that I could have ever been when this song truly poured out of me."

ERIC CHURCH: Surprises 12-Year-Old Fan


Eric Church met a lot of people during CMA Fest, but one, in particular has made headlines.

When 12-year-old Evan Hale headed to town for CMA Fest with his family, he decided to bring his drums and play for the crowds of people on Broadway. He set up shop in front of the Ernest Tubb Record Shop, where Charlie Worsham was later hosting his Midnight Jamboree. After a while, the crowd grew so large, and the drumming was so loud, that management kindly asked him to stop playing.

Although he was upset he wasn't able to continue playing, he did get a bit of a consolation prize. They invited him inside the shop to watch Eric Church and Charlie Worsham play, then afterwards, the boy got to meet his idols.

“It was so great to meet someone in real life that I’d seen in music videos. It was just a really cool experience,” Hale said, adding that when Church told him he’d heard he was a great drummer, it made his day.

Charlie posted a picture to his social media with the story of the boy in the caption, and it has taken social media by storm.

BRETT ELDREDGE: His 22-Minute Work Out


Brett Eldredge has a crazy schedule, so when it comes to staying fit, he adheres to a special workout schedule. It's called the "22-Minute Hard Corps Workout," and it only requires one piece of machinery: your body.

"Literally, you do it in 22 minutes without any kind of -- you don't even need a gym or anything. You can pretty much do it just with yourself. It's easy to do -- the workout's not easy, but I do it outside the bus, I do it in the arena," he said.

So, there you have it. That's how the country crooner keeps up with his tour mate Keith Urban.

TAYLOR SWIFT: Writes Tribute to Orlando Victims


Taylor Swift is the latest artist to pay tribute to the victims of last weekend's attack in Orlando.

Swift posted on Instagram a photo of a card with each of the victims' names handwritten on it, surrounded by purple and white flowers. She captioned the photo, "As you bury your loved ones this week, please know that there are millions of us sending you love and our deepest sympathy in the face of this unthinkable and devastating tragedy."

THE D.A. OF THE DAY - MONDAY, JUNE 20TH

WEIRD NEWS: Gettin' Iggy With It


A guard at a Colorado courthouse ended up with quite a "tail" to tell after he stopped a visitor from bringing a concealed iguana into the building.

The officer, who's no doubt used to seeing snakes come in to plead cases, was shocked when he put the man's briefcase on the X-ray machine and saw the lizard tucked away amid piles of legal papers. A Boulder County Sheriff's Department rep said that people have tried to smuggle in dogs, cats and rodents in past years, but this was a first.

The department sent out a tweet with an X-ray image of an iguana, followed by the warning: "At the Justice Center only service animals are allowed. No iguanas...even if it goes through the X-ray machine."

WEIRD NEWS: Criminal Reveals All In Court


An Arkansas man who was facing an indecent exposure charge added to his legal problems when he stripped naked, ran ran into a crowded courtroom and shouted, "Court is back in session!"

18-year-old Derrick Thomas has been in police custody for a month since being arrested for lying naked on a city sidewalk. He was due in court last week to answer the charge when he asked his police escort for a drink of water. The officer allowed him to get a drink from a bathroom sink, and when he came out, he pulled down his pants, took off his shirt and ran into the courtroom. The stunned judge had to call a recess.

Thomas was grabbed by officers and whisked away to a holding cell where he was heard laughing and telling another inmate, "I told you that I would do it” and "They will put on his tombstone that he was the one that was naked in the courtroom." In addition to indecent exposure, Thomas faces charges of disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and obstructing governmental operations.

WEIRD NEWS: Uh Oh, Vandal-Os

Police in Pennsylvania are searching for the culprits behind a bizarre vandalism attack involving watermelon and SpaghettiOs.

Cops say pranksters recently launched an attack on the home of a 47-year-old woman, using watermelons that had been hollowed out and stuffed with "the neat round spaghetti you can eat with a spoon." The mischievous melon tosser, or tossers, left a mess on the woman's front steps but caused no damage.

Police say the woman's house was bombarded with whoopie pies a year ago, but don't believe the two attacks are connected. There are no suspects in either incident.

WEIRD NEWS: This guy LOVES the road...


A New Zealand man gave new meaning to the phrase "taking it to the street" -- by dropping his pants and attempting to engage in an X-rated activity with an actual street.

The unidentified gent gave office workers in the town of Long Beach quite a show last week when he stripped down for a bit of road work and began humping the pavement madly -- while a friend of his crouched on all fours offering encouragement. A not-safe-for-work video uploaded to Reddit shows the 20-something guy going at it for a good bit before finally zipping up and getting on with his day.

Adele sings about "Chasing Pavements." Maybe this is just what happens when a horny guy catches one.

HOTLIST - MONDAY, JUNE 20TH

Anton Yelchin: Dies at 27 - Pinned By Own Vehicle:



27 year old Anton Yelchin who was best known for his roles in "Star Trek" and "Alpha Dog" was killed early Sunday morning after being trapped between his vehicle and the gate to his home. Yelchin's body was discovered by a group of friends that he was supposed to meet for an evening rehearsal on Saturday night. When he missed the appointment, the friends became concerned and went to his home and made the discovery. It is now known that Yelchin's vehichle (which was a late model Jeep Grand Cherokee) was part of a factory recall which caused these vehicles to "rollaway" even after being placed in park. Yelchin's vehicle never received the fix, that could have saved his life...



BLING RING: New Gang Targeting Celebs


The LAPD believes it has another incarnation of the "Bling Ring" on its hands.

Kevin Hart, Blac Chyna, Scott Disick and Chris Brown have all been hit by robbers lately, and cops say that the crimes look similar. All four -- who do run in some of the same circles -- were hit when they were out of town. And crooks knew exactly where to look for safes containing large sums of cash.

Police don't have any suspects yet.

In 2008 and 2009, a circle of teens and young adults targeted celebs' homes in L.A. and looted more than $3 million worth of stuff before getting caught.

KYLIE JENNER: Selling Starter Home


Kylie Jenner is ready to unload her starter home.

The reality star and model has put her Calabasas crib up for sale after living in it for just one year. The 18-year-old bought it for $2.7 million, but after renovating the 4,800-square-foot home she's asking for almost $4 million. The teen has already upgraded to a $6 million pad in Hidden Hills next to sister Kim and mom Kris.

In other Kardashian real-estate news, Scott Disick is selling his Hidden Hills estate, which he bought only six months ago. He's asking for $8.8 million. He bought it in December for $6 million.

JOHNNY DEPP: "Terrorism Threat" at Alice Premiere


For a minute there, Amber Heard was the least of Johnny Depp's problems. The LAPD investigated a drone operator for terrorism links after he flew his aircraft over the red carpet at the premiere of Alice Through the Looking Glass.

The event actually happened on May 23rd. By law, drone operators need to keep their models at least 500 feet away from crowds at events, and at least 400 feet in the air. But this operator buzzed the crowd at a height of 50 feet, controlling his drone from a nearby parking garage.

The guy was arrested, but something about either him or his misdeed must have made cops uneasy, so he was investigated for terrorist ties, Police seized computers, cellphones, tablets, disks, hard drives, videos and other items.

Or perhaps, it was overkill -- the investigation turned up no connection to terrorism.