THE DIRT - 11/8

WILLIE NELSON: Tribute Concert

Willie Nelson will be the star of Willie: Life and Songs of an American Outlaw, a Willie Nelson All-Star Concert Celebration.

The January 12th show at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena will feature Vince Gill, George Strait, Lee Ann Womack, Alison Krauss, Norah Jones, The Avett Brothers and more. It will be filmed for a TV special. 

Tickets go on sale Monday.

BROTHERS OSBORNE: Not Afraid to Speak Up

Brothers Osborne have a rule: no political talk on stage. But they're not shy about voicing their opinions on social media or lampooning politicians in their videos. 

John Osborne says, “People act like we don’t already know that it stands to hurt us. 'Watch what you say, people are gonna stop buying your records!’ Yeah, we know that... But we’re still choosing to say something. I hope that some people, even if they hate our music, find us being ourselves refreshing.”

John and T.J. hope they'll three-peat by winning their third Vocal Duo of the Year award in a row at Wednesday's CMA Awards. The will air live from Nashville on ABC.

MICHAEL RAY: Helping Hurricane Pets

Michael Ray and the Nashville Humane Association are helping pets affected by Hurricane Michael in Florida by collecting pet supplies. 

He says, “Growing up in Florida and feeling what the aftermath of a hurricane is like, there are so many things going through your mind about what needs done and who needs help. There are often a lot of animals that get separated from their families and end up last on the list of priorities, and since animals have always been important to me and my family, I felt like this donation drive was one way our community could help and support another community.”

Michael will be at Nashville Humane on Friday at 2 p.m. [CT] to greet fans and send off the truck that will carry the supplies to Florida. 

D.A. OF THE DAY - 11/8

• WEIRD NEWS: Snack Attack!Nov 7, 2018

  A Wyoming man nuked his long-term romance -- by nuking a Hot Pocket and burning his girlfriend by flinging it at her.

  Levi Lucero was hanging out with his girlfriend of six years when he asked her to go into the kitchen to make him the quick-fix snack. The victim says that he began saying "mean things" to her after she handed him the super-heated pocket and asked him to give back her cell phone.

  Lucero says the woman attacked him first, leading him to defend himself with the microwaved meal, which hit her in the neck and head, leaving what cops called "Hot Pocket shrapnel" everywhere. He was arrested after some questioning at the scene. (KTWO)

• WEIRD NEWS: Talk About High Octane Fuel!Nov 7, 2018

  These days most people fill their tanks with unleaded, but a Canadian woman was busted last month for carrying extra lead -- in the form of two dozen guns she'd hidden inside a specially modified gas tank

  The woman, whose name was not released, was stopped for a routine customs inspection on Halloween night, and officials found the handguns, each wrapped in plastic, in the gas tank of a rental Nissan Rogue. The tank had been separated into two separate halves, one carrying gas, the other the weapons.

  The handguns were legally purchased in Florida and Georgia for between $300 and $500, and then smuggled across the border, where they could be sold on the black market for between $2000 and $5000. (Toronto Star)

• WEIRD NEWS: Flying the Foul SkiesNov 7, 2018

  A flight in Indonesia had to be delayed when passengers complained about a foul stench wafting through the cabin.

  The source of the pungent odor was a two-ton shipment of a fruit called durian. The large, thorn-covered fruit is known for its very strong smell. The smell was so bad that passengers refused to fly on the plane, causing a delay. Airline workers eventually removed some of the packages of fruit from the plane and the flight departed. (The Jakarta Post) 

• WEIRD NEWS: Pull the Handle for Crazy Nov 7, 2018

  

  A Pennsylvania man who went crazy after being told he couldn't vote because he hadn't registered was arrested and provided one of the greatest mug shots of 2018.

  Christopher Queen, 48, walked into his polling station and attempted to cast a ballot. But he was informed that he wasn't in the voter log because he had never registered to vote. Queen then snapped and threatened to return with a gun and "shoot up" the place.

  He then walked out and but was apprehended a short while later and arrested. Cops booked him on charges of disorderly conduct and making terroristic threats.

  And if he wants to use an insanity defense, prosecutors need not look any further than his mug shot. (The Smoking Gun)

HOTLIST - 11/8

BEN AFFLECK, JENNIFER GARNER: Officially Done

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner are officially divorced.

They submitted their final papers last week and a judge finally signed off on them yesterday (Wednesday). Under their agreement, the couple will share joint custody of their three kids and attend co-parenting therapy sessions for at least six months. There was no pre-nup, so they'll split everything else down the middle.

MANDY MOORE: Music Therapy

Mandy Moore became a bona-fide TV star thanks to This Is Us, but when she started her career way back in junior high, she was supposed to be the next Britney or Christina.

And then, she tells Bustle, she got real about it. Mandy says, “When I look back on being a pop star, those girls, they were made for it. They're dancers and they're entertainers and they're performers. They give their all -- and costume changes! -- and they can live on that level. And that was never going to be me.”

But after years away from the mic, she's set to give it another shot. "There's a lot of weirdness wrapped up in music for me that I still have to work through. That I don't think I'm good enough. That I don't think I'm deserving. That I clearly have to go to therapy for, but...I'm going to drop the bags, and I'm going for it."

ALEC BALDWIN: Talk Show Gets Bumped

Alec Baldwin is used to throwing punches, but he just took a huge uppercut from ABC.

The network has announced that his poorly rated talk show is being bumped down to a less desirable time slot. The Alec Baldwin Show, which had aired at 10 p.m. on Sundays, is being replaced with repeats of Shark Tank. His show, which features pre-taped interviews, is headed to 10 p.m. on Saturdays. 

It's believed that the move is a result of the show's poor ratings, and not a response to Baldwin's arrest last week for allegedly punching a man over a parking spot in New York.

The DIRT - 10.25

BONUS VIDEO: Jack O' Blake

This is amazing! Blake Shelton's face is carved on a pumpkin. 

 

JAY DeMARCUS: Starting Christian Label

Jay DeMarcus of Rascal Flatts has started a Christian music label. 

He tells Billboard, "It's been a long time coming. I've thought about doing it for several years and the timing just never seemed right, and now the pieces fell into place. When you don't have to force the pieces and they fit together naturally, it pretty much means the timing is spot on. I'm really happy about it."

His first signings are veteran Christian group Avalon and Lauren James, who leads worship at Joel Osteen's megachurch in Houston.

DIERKS, FGL, ANNIES: Added to CMA Line-Up

The performer lineup for the 52nd annual CMA Awards has added Dierks Bentley with Brothers Osborne, Florida Georgia Line with Bebe Rexha, Kacey Musgraves, Pistol Annies and Thomas Rhett.

They join previously announced performers Kelsea Ballerini, Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney, Dan and Shay, Old Dominion, Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban.

The CMA Awards, hosted by Carrie and Brad Paisley. will air live from Nashville on November 14th on ABC.

D.A. Of The Day - 10.25

• WEIRD NEWS: Bird Brained

  A New Hampshire woman is celebrating Thanksgiving a little bit early this year -- after escaping serious injury when she was knocked off her motorcycle by a speeding turkey.

  Jess Downing was cruising down the road on her Kawasaki when she was caught off guard by the wild bird, which flew straight into her, causing the nasty spill. The 24-year-old, who was wearing a helmet and riding gloves, did break her right hand but was otherwise OK.

  In the aftermath, Downing said, “I got to keep the turkey, so that was good." She plans to make a tail mount for her bike with the bird's tail, the only part left intact. 

• WEIRD NEWS: Butterflies Aren't Free

  A nature-loving Florida woman tried to bring some beauty to her neighborhood, but got smacked down for raising "livestock" -- the butterflies that were drawn to her yard.

  Retired teacher Krissa White planted a so-called butterfly garden six years ago, carefully choosing flowers and other plants that appeal to the colorful insects. But rather than appreciate the festive fluttering, her neighborhood association sent her a registered letter demanding she tear up the garden.

  Nosy neighbors said she was violating a rule says you can't have any animals other than dogs, cats or other household pets on your property. She'll be fined $25 per day as long as the butterflies remain. 

• WEIRD NEWS: Homeowner Has an Itsy Bitsy Problem

  A California man's plan to kill spiders quickly went up in flames, as did the house he was staying in.

  Firefighters responded to a blaze Tuesday night at a house in Fresno which they say was ignited by a blowtorch thst had been used to kill spiders. The man inside the home was house-sitting for his parents and figured the fire would be the most effective way to kill the arachnids. He was right about that, but he also destroyed the upper level of the house and the attic in the process. Fortunately no one was hurt. (KABC-TV) 

• WEIRD NEWS: *Friends* Star Wanted -- Sort Of

  A British police department will be there for you, which is why they're making one thing very clear: Ross from Friends did not steal beer from a restaurant and is not a suspect at this time.

  Social media users had a collective chuckle over a screen grab from the restaurant's surveillance footage which showed a thief who looked like a dead ringer for Friends star David Schwimmer. The Blackpool Police Department shared the photo on Facebook asking for help in identifying the thief, and followers immediately identified the TV star. 

  The photo went viral and led Schwimmer to post his own hilarious video with the caption, "Officers, I swear it wasn't me. As you can see, I was in New York. To the hardworking Blackpool Police, good luck with the investigation. #itwasntme." The police department thanked followers for their many responses but said, "We have investigated this matter thoroughly and have confirmed that David Schwimmer was in America on this date. We're so sorry it has to be this way." (New York Post)

HOTLIST - 10.25

BOMB THREAT: Biden & De Niro latest targets

(UPDATE 8:30 a.m. ET): Authorities confirm that a suspicious package addressed to former Vice President Joe Biden was found at a postal facility in New Castle, Delaware. (NBC News)

Actor Robert De Niro has become the latest recipient of a suspicious package, setting off a bomb scare at his New York address.

Law enforcement says the package, which is similar to the pipe bombs mailed yesterday to top Democrats and CNN's offices, was received at the building which houses the Oscar-winner's Tribeca Grill restaurant. Police safely removed the package early this morning and there was no need to evacuate as the building was unoccupied at the time.

De Niro, like other targets of the explosive devices, has been a vocal critic of President Trump..

TOM ARNOLD: L.A. Prosecutors Call BS

Tom Arnold may or may not ever find out if Donald Trump used the N-word on the set of The Apprentice, but it's a pretty sure thing that Apprentice producer Mark Burnett didn't assault him.

As you may recall, Arnold filed a police report last month alleging that Burnett had attacked him and attempted to choke him at an Emmys party in L.A. Arnold has been working on a TV show trying to find proof that Trump used the N-word, and said that Burnett was angry about it.

But it turns out that multiple witnesses back Burnett's version of events -- that Arnold came running toward him yelling, and that he reached out simply to defend himself. So L.A. prosecutors have declined to pursue charges.

BRANDI GLANVILLE: Not Safe at Home

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills castoff Brandi Glanville is feeling shaken and stirred -- after an intruder robbed her home as she and her family slept.

Brandi broke the news on social media, telling followers, "People, be very careful -- set your alarms even when you’re at home. My house was burglarized yesterday while my kids and I were both there. Thank you everyone for your kind words, prayers and best wishes. We are fine thank goodness! But I really appreciate you all for caring!"

She tells Us Weekly, “We have an alarm, but it wasn’t set because we were there and I felt safe in my home because we have a security system and gates. The scariest thing is thinking what could’ve happened if either myself or one of my boys walked in on them in the process of robbing us.”

POWERBALL: Jackpot Jumps to $750 Million

Here we go again, lottery players. Wednesday's Powerball drawing netted no winners, so the jackpot is creeping closer to $1 billion.

Saturday night's Powerball jackpot is now $750 million. One more drawing without a winner and it could jump to $1 billion. It comes on the heals of Tuesday night's $1.5 billion Mega Millions jackpot which was won by someone in South Carolina. That winner has not yet come forward, but the store that sold the ticket has been notified. The owner of KC Mart in Simpsonville will receive $30,000.

The Country DIRT - 10.23

DIERKS BENTLEY: Getting Into TV

Dierks Bentley is getting into the TV business. 

FOX has given him the green light to produce a pilot about a Nashville bar where singers and songwriters go to chase their dreams. 

Dierks would serve as executive producer.

THOMAS RHETT: Lauren's Geographically Challenged

Thomas Rhett's wife Lauren is a little geographically challenged. 

While watching This Is Us, Thomas decided to throw his bride under the bus by revealing that she wasn't sure where Pittsburgh was located. 

DAN AND SHAY: Headlining Tour

Dan and Shay will roll out a headlining tour next year. 

They'll get things going in New Orleans on February 28th and wrap up in Calgary, Alberta on April 20th. Morgan Evans will open for the first nine dates, and Chris Lane will open the shows for the remainder of the tour. 

Tickets go on sale Friday. 

DARIUS RUCKER: Gives Back

Darius Rucker raised nearly $175,000 for the Just Be You non-profit organization during his joint tour with Lady Antebellum over the summer.

He says, “My mom taught me how important it is to give back when I was young. We didn’t have much growing up, but we always did whatever we could to help others. Continuing to give back has been important to me throughout my whole career, so I love that we were able to do that with this tour.

The program empowers young adults through art therapy, peer mentoring and counseling.

The Summer Plays On tour also benefited Lady Antebellum’s Lady Aid philanthropy. 

FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE: Starting Olivia Early

Little Olivia Hubbard has good taste in cars. Here she is with her mama driving her own whip. 

Tyler Hubbard says, "This is what I get to come home to."

The guys of Florida Georgia Line are spending more time at home as they prepare for their residency in Las Vegas in December. 

D.A. Of The Day - 10.23

• WEIRD NEWS: Pervert Had President's PermissionOct 23, 2018

  A Southwest Airlines passenger who was arrested for groping a woman sitting in front of him told police he didn't do anything wrong because President Trump said it's OK.

  49-year-old Bruce Alexander was flying Sunday from Houston to Albuquerque when he allegedly grabbed the woman's breast. The victim said she was sleeping and woke up when she felt a hand on her right breast. At first she thought it may have been an accident, but then it happened again. 

  She got up from her seat and yelled at Alexander. She then asked to be moved to another seat. When the plane landed, police met Alexander at the gate and placed him under arrest. He reportedly told officers, "The President of the United States says it’s OK to grab women by their private parts."

  He's charged with abusive sexual contact. 

• WEIRD NEWS: Chewed Out Over Chewing Gum

  A Swedish man bit off more than he could chew after snatching a pack of gum from a stranger at a classical concert -- only to have her slap him silly when the music stopped.

  The man, whose name was not released, got angry when the woman took out her gum during a quiet passage of Mahler's "Symphony Number Five," so he grabbed the pack and threw it to the floor. She didn't react immediately, but after the orchestra completed the piece, she started a mini-moshpit by grabbing him and smacking him in the face, sparking a full-on brawl.

  A spokesperson for the concert hall said she was concerned about a repeat of that event next month, when the orchestra tackles “Verdi’s Requiem ... [That] could be a high-risk concert actually. Extremely powerful, will awaken strong feelings ”

• WEIRD NEWS: Immaculate Intrusion

  Two Canadian women managed to make a clean getaway after breaking into a stranger's home to vacuum and tidy up without permission.

  A homeowner in the town of Upper Tantalon, Nova Scotia called cops after a neighbor informed him that two women let themselves in, cleaned the house and left without knowing they had the wrong address. The house had been left unlocked to let that neighbor come in and out to take care of a dog that had been left behind for the weekend.

  After determining that nothing was missing, the "victim" opted not to press charges. Cops issued a statement saying, “Although the house was cleaned for free, RCMP would like to take this opportunity to remind homeowners to ensure their doors are locked at all times," 

• WEIRD NEWS: The Sky Is Falling

  The owner of a walnut orchard in California made an unusual discovery that would be impossible to break with a nutcracker.

  Authorities have confirmed that a large metal object on the ground is a piece of space junk. More precisely, it's a fuel tank that broke off from a satellite. Vandenberg Air Force Base investigated and discovered that it came from a satellite owned by mobile communications company Iridium.

  The satellite had been in space for 20 years and recently re-entered the Earth's atmosphere. The fuel tank is the first piece of it that has been recovered. 

• WEIRD NEWS: Robbery, Eat Fresh

  Police in Georgia are looking for a thief who robbed a Subway restaurant but also gave the sandwich chain a ringing endorsement.

  Investigators say 34-year-old Zachary Miller was waiting for his sandwich to be made when he jumped over the counter to steal cash from the register. He ended up fleeing the restaurant with about $100, but he also left without the most important thing...his sandwich.

  As workers waited for police to arrive, Miller took a risk by actually returning to retrieve his sandwich. He made off in a black car and police are still trying to find him. He also has a couple of outstanding warrants.

HOTLIST - 10.23

ROMAN REIGNS: Leaves WWE Due to Leukemia

Roman Reigns must leave the wrestling ring for a bigger battle – against leukemia.

Pro wrestling is 100 percent scripted. However, reality hit Roman Reigns a second time. Fighting back tears, the title-holder shocked Monday night's WWE Raw crowd saying, “I’ve been living with leukemia for 11 years. Because the leukemia is back, I’m going to have to relinquish the universal championship.”

His first diagnosis happened when he was only 22 years old. Now it’s relapsed and the prognosis does not look good. Typically, cancer returns more aggressively. But Roman Reigns declared, “This is by no means a retirement speech. I will beat this. I will be back.”

 

BOB BARKER: Hospitalized With "Serious" Back Pain

Bob Barker has been hospitalized with "serious" back pain, TMZ reports.

Paramedics were called to the former Price Is Right host's home Monday afternoon after he woke up "with a major flare in back pain." His manager tells TMZ "his family decided to call in the professionals to transport him to the hospital ... rather than risk it themselves."

The 94-year-old is said to be on the mend. His manager tells People magazine that “he’s awake and alert. He’s resting and going through evaluations.”

Last year, Bob suffered another fall that landed him in the hospital.

AMY SCHUMER: Pregnant With First Child

Amy Schumer is pregnant.

Eight months after getting hitched, the comedian and new husband Chris Fischer are expecting their first child together. Her friend Jessica Yellin of News Not Noise made the announcement via Instagram Stories today (Monday). Amy referred to the big news on her own Instagram page by photoshopping her face on Meghan Markle's body, and her husband on Prince Harry's body. The royals, too, are expecting their first child together.

Rumors of Amy being pregnant have been circulating for awhile. Hours after the star got married in February, she addressed the speculation, writing, “No I am not pregnant.”

COUNTRY DIRT - 10.19

KEITH URBAN: Hospital Visit

When Keith Urban's biggest fan couldn't make it to his concert in Toledo, Ohio last night (Thursday), he brought the concert to her.

25-year-old Marissa English suffers from an inoperable cyst on her brain, severe scoliosis and cerebral palsy. Nurses at the hospital say she is rapidly declining.

When they found out that Keith was coming to their city, staff at the hospital got to work on a social media campaign asking him to visit. 

He sang Marissa's favorite song, "Blue Ain't Your Color," at her bedside and dedicated his entire show to her later that night. (WTOL-TV)

KEITH, KELSEA, LUKE: CMA Awards Performers

Kelsea Ballerini, Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney, Dan and Shay, Old Dominion, Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban are the first round of performers announced for the 52nd annual CMA Awards. 

Carrie and Brad Paisley will host for 11th consecutive time. 

The CMA Awards will air live from Nashville's Bridgestone Arena on November 14th on ABC.