The DIRT - 3.8.18

DIERKS BENTLEY: Looking for Female Heroes


Dierks Bentley is on the hunt for female heroes to be part of his ACM Awards performance next month.

He wants fans to submit photos of special women ito be included on a backdrop during his performance of "Woman, Amen."


Images should be taken on a solid, neutral background and must be posted via Twitter or Instagram with the official hashtag #WomanAmenACM by Wednesday, April 4th.


The ACM Awards will air live from Las Vegas on April 15th on CBS.




LUKE BRYAN: Judging on American Idol Is Challenging


Luke Bryan is one of the nicest guys in country music. So sitting in the judge's chair on the American Idol reboot will be a challenge for him. 


He says, “It’s interesting. It’s a little out of my comfort zone to just pick people apart, but you have to. It’s what you signed up for.”


Luke also says that Lionel Richie is like a father figure on the set and Katy Perry is the lady you go to if you're hungry, because she always has a stash of snacks.


American Idol premieres on Sunday on ABC.



INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY: Country's Top Girl Power Tunes

It's International Women's Day, and our country music family is full of some incredible ladies. Over the years, these gals have released tunes that not only brought them success, but also inspired entire generations. 

Here are a few of our favorite songs that inspire some major girl-power:

  

Loretta Lynn - "The Pill"

Martina McBride - "This One's for the Girls"

Shania Twain - "Man! I Feel Like a Woman!"

Jo Dee Messina - "Bye Bye"

Jamie O'Neal - "Somebody's Hero"

Dolly Parton - "Dumb Blonde"

Carrie Underwood - "Good Girl"

Faith Hill - "Wild One"

Lauren Alaina - "Road Less Traveled"

Reba McEntire - "I'm a Survivor"

LeAnn Rimes - "One Way Ticket"

Miranda Lambert - "Platinum"

Honorable Mention: Keith Urban - "Female"

  

D.A. OF THE DAY - 3.8

WEIRD NEWS: Why Are You Hitting Yourself...With a Car?

A drunk driver in Virginia is facing serious charges for an accident in which he ran over and injured...himself!

Isaac Bonsu was driving erratically on a road outside Washington, D.C., which drew the attention of a trooper on routine patrol. When the officer signaled for Bonsu to pull over, the 30-year-old initially took off and led him on a short chase before stopping and jumping out the driver's side door -- while drunkenly leaving the vehicle in drive.

Bonsu tried to flee on foot, but when he crossed in front of the car, it rolled forward and hit him, giving deputies a chance to catch and cuff him. He was hit with a laundry list of charges, including DWI, hit and run, driving without a license, driving with an open container and possession of marijuana.



WEIRD NEWS: Gun Necklace Triggers Trouble

British customs officers are sticking to their guns by defending an airport guard who stopped an ex-cop -- and seized a necklace resembling a tiny gun.

Claire Sharp says she was trying to go through security at Stansted Airport just outside London when the inspector forced her to hand over the charm, which was slightly more than an inch long and attached to a chain around her neck. Sharp, a former special assignment police officer herself, says she was shocked when two officers told her she had to give up the puny pistol because it was "too realistic" and might spark a panic on board.

Sharp told authorities the charm was particularly dear to her because it was a gift from her first husband, who died suddenly back in 2001 when he was just 32 years old. She said, "Last week I flew from Gatwick to Iceland wearing it, with no issue. I'd been to Moscow in November, where they're mad on security, and they had no issue with my necklace."

WEIRD NEWS: Bowlers Leave Car in the Gutter

A pinhead in Missouri received a police citation after he ditched his car in the middle of the road and ran to a bowling tournament. 

Police found the abandoned car stopped in the middle of a major road with no one inside or anywhere near it. They called for a tow truck to remove it and then got to work on tracking down the driver. When police found him, he explained that he was en route to a bowling tournament when the car broke down. He ditched the car and ran to the bowling alley to make it in time.

The driver was issued a ticket for impeding the flow of traffic.

HOTLIST - 3.8.18

THE BACHELOR: Arie Proposed to Lauren

The Bachelor season finale came to a fitting conclusion: Arie Luyendyk Jr. proposed to Lauren Burnham with a 3.5 carat diamond ring. Then host Chris Harrison wished for Arie that this engagement lasted longer than his previous one.

His jilted fiancée, Becca Kufrin, earned a second chance at love. The studio audience roared with approval as Becca was announced as the next Bachelorette. The crowd was clearly Team Becca and disapproved of the way Arie mistreated her.

Chris Harrison explored the timeline from Arie proposing to Becca in Peru to Lauren accepting him back with open arms and heart. He’d been engaged for only five weeks when Arie DM’d Lauren’s Instagram account on New Year’s Eve. By the first weekend in February, they’d hooked up.

In between, Lauren assured Arie that she wanted him back. It meant he could dump Becca with confidence that a rebound romance awaited. Arie put on an act for the cameras outside Lauren’s home. He didn’t have butterflies. He knew perfectly well Lauren would welcome him back. (Gossip Cop)

There are conflicting reports about how cameras joined Arie for the breakup with Becca. ABC denied forcing it, but former Bachelor Jason Mesnick admitted he refused producer's demands to record him ending an engagement.


ED WESTWICK: Ugly Sex Abuse Allegation

Gossip Girl star Ed Westwick has been hit with an ugly sex-abuse allegation.

Former stylist Haley Camille Freedman says the British actor held her as a sex slave for a weekend at his L.A.-area home in 2014. She says she was partying with Westwick and friends, got somewhat drunk, and wound up being the last one to leave. They started having consensual sex, but when she refused some kinky requests, Westwick got rough -- spitting on her, slapping her and choking her. Freedman alleges that he again attacked her in the shower. He offered to drive her home, but kept delaying so he could attack her again. Freedman says the ordeal lasted more than 48 hours.

Freedman isn't suing Westwick, but former business partners who blackballed her after she tried to go public with her allegations. Westwick has denied the claims and says he has proof she's lying.

Westwick has also been accused of rape by two other women.


AGT facing legal battle:

America's Got Talent has been hit with a wrongful death suit.

According to TMZ, Maureen Allen was severely injured after she flipped her motorized wheelchair over cables for the show's taping. After being hospitalized, she suffered a stroke. A number of surgeries followed and several months later she died. The estate believe the show's negligence is to blame for Allen's death.



Happy News For Fixer Upper Stars:

Fixer Upper stars Chip Gaines and Joanna Gaines are expecting a baby boy. Chip broke the news in a video on Wednesday. The couple already have two boys and two girls.

COUNTRY DIRT - 3.5

Does Brad Paisley get nervous? You Bet!

“The one moment every night that gets to me is the walk to the stage, It feels like I have done that walk a lot. I’m not tired of it at all, it’s just that somewhere in the back of my mind, there’s always a little bit of the thought, ’Are they going to be tired of me tonight?’ Just a little bit. That’s on my mind.

“But immediately when we start, I realize that these people aren’t tired of me because they haven’t heard me for a year or two,” he said.

Miranda raises some major bucks for pups...

The Mutts Across America recipients are in, and their collective tails are probably wagging today; because Miranda Lambert has just given 50 animal shelters across the country $3,000-$5,000 each.

In total, Lambert’s MuttNation Foundation just granted $189,000. And since starting the program, Lambert and her mom Bev have shared $775,000 with 200 shelters.

“I am amazed and humbled by the great work these shelters do, and so honored to be able to support their critical efforts on behalf of rescue animals,” Lambert said in a press release.

Jake Owen is ready...To Play Ball

While there isn't a change of careers happening for Jake Owen anytime soon, he did share that he was going to be hitting the road this summer for a string of shows at baseball stadiums across the country. 



And he’s calling the run the Life’s Whatcha Make It Tour with special guests Chris Janson and Jordan Davis. He also has a new tune coming to country radio called "I was Jack (You Were Diane). We'll be playing it soon but since I don't like to make you wait.. Check it out below..

 

Congratulations, Scotty McCreery!!

After a 40 week climb to the top, Scotty McCreery's latest single "Five More Minutes" has found a home as the number one song in all of country music. 



There was a time when even Scotty had doubts that the song would ever leave the writing room. But fast forward to three years later and the song has become the very first number one single for the former American Idol champion. The song is also the first single from "Seasons Change" which has a release date of March 16th.

D.A. OF THE DAY - 3.5

A North Carolina woman is jailed on multiple felony charges after she allegedly opened fire in a movie theater during a dispute over assigned seats at a screening of            “Black Panther,” according to police and court records.

Investigators allege that Shameka Latrice Lynch, 30, squabbled with other moviegoers around 11:45 PM Friday at a crowded AMC theater in Greenville. During the dispute over seating arrangements for the Marvel superhero movie, Lynch allegedly pulled out a .32 caliber pistol and discharged the weapon inside the theater.

Lynch, seen above, fired one round into the theater’s ceiling, police allege.

While the shooting resulted in no injuries, Lynch has been charged with two counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill (prosecutors have identified the victims as two men attending the “Black Panther” showing). Lynch is also facing a third felony count for discharging a weapon in an enclosure to incite fear.

The shooting prompted police to evacuate the entire 12-screen multiplex.

Lynch surrendered to police Saturday evening and was booked into the Pitt County Detention Center, where she is being held on $250,000 bond. Lynch is next due in court on March 14.

HOTLIST - 3.5.

"Harry Potter" actor Jim Tavaré is in intensive care after a head-on car crash that left him with several severe injuries.

The 54-year-old British actor, who played Tom, the owner of the Leaky Cauldron in the “Harry Potter” film series, suffered a broken neck, and also broke 15 ribs, a leg, suffered a punctured lung and fractured his breastbones.

His wife Laura took to Facebook to reveal the news and share a photo of Tavaré, who was severely bruised and lying in a hospital bed, all while giving a thumbs-up.

Angie Everhart has filed for divorce ... 

Everhart cited irreconcilable differences as the reason for ending her marriage to Carl Ferro. The couple married in 2014.

Sources tell us there is no prenup, so community property laws apply, which provides a 50/50 of assets acquired during the marriage.

Angie, a model who also appeared in numerous TV shows and movies, including "Last Action Hero," also wants spousal support from Ferro, who owns Sunfare, a meal delivery service.

Angie and Carl each have one child from previous relationships but none together.

Bill Cosby's daughter, Ensa, who steadfastly supported her dad through his legal troubles, has died .

The 44-year-old died Friday night in Massachusetts from renal disease

Ensa was always in her dad's corner, releasing a statement last year, "My father has been publicly lynched in the media and my family, my young daughter, my young niece and nephew have had to stand helplessly by and watch the double standard or pretending to protect the rights of some but ignoring the rights of others."

She went on to say ... "I strongly believe my father is innocent of the crimes alleged against him and I believe that racism has played a big role in all aspects of this scandal."

The cause of death is unknown, although we're told she had significant medical issues in the past. We're told she had kidney issues and possibly was in line for a transplant.

This is not the first of Cosby's children to die. Ennis Cosby was murdered in 1997 by an 18-year-old in a failed robbery attempt.