NashvilleGab - Country music news and Nashville celebrity gossip

And it begins ... Billy Currington dropped from first event after arrest

Source: Rick Diamond/Getty Images North America

Billy Currington is having what can only be described as one sucky week.

After having a run-in with a boat captain on April 15th, Billy was charged with terroristic threats and abuse of an elderly person and on Thursday turned himself into police, later being released on $27,500 bond.

Now starts the probable mass exodus of people and events from Billy's professional life. 

On Friday, officials from the Charlotte Motor Speedway announced that Currington has been taken off their performance schedule. He had been scheduled to headline the 29th annual NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race on May 18, but after his recent legal issues he's been replaced by Josh Turner. 

"Due to Currington's recent indictment, we elected to change our act for the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race," said Marcus Smith, president and general manager of Charlotte Motor Speedway. "Josh Turner is a native of the Carolinas with six No. 1 hits to his credit, and we know he'll put on a fantastic show for our fans and sponsors on race weekend."  

Turner will perform a 90-minute concert in the infield between Turns 1 and 2.

Josh Turner, Kenny Rogers, Montgomery Gentry, & Dierks Bentley to join George Jones for final Nashville Concert (from the mailbag)

Montgomery Gentry, Kenny Rogers, Josh Turner, and Dierks Bentley are the latest additions to the ever-growing list of talent set to take stage for the final Nashville concert of George Jones’ career. Taking place at the Bridgestone Arena on Friday, November 22, 2013, the sure-to-be unforgettable show is already gearing up to be a star-studded event with already announced artists Charlie Daniels, Lorrie Morgan, Randy Travis, Jamey Johnson, and Gene Watson. 

“I am excited that my friends all want to be with me on this show,” says George Jones. “This is sure going to be a fun and emotional night with lots of memories, friends, and great country music.”

Tickets for the Nashville finale are currently on sale at all Ticketmaster locations.

Josh Turner's Punching Bag tops Billboard Country Albums Chart (press release)

Josh Turner's fifth studio album Punching Bag hit stores last Tuesday, June 12, debuting a No. 1 on the Billboard Country Albums chart and in the Top 5 on the Billboard 200 chart (across all genres). The critically-acclaimed release marks Josh's fifth career Top 10 Billboard album debut, and has been met with praise by music critics across the country.

"Turner steps into his own as a songwriter with eight finely-crafted contributions... far from being a punching bag, this album contains enough musical muscle to throw a few punches of its own," wrote Country Weekly.

Dallas Morning News added, "That deep, soulful, traditional country voice could transform even the most calculated radio ditties into resonating songs to live by." Additionally, CBS said, "The album is an overall fantastic exposition of Josh's talent and ability to excel in a variety of styles."

Previously-announced upcoming television appearances include:

Wednesday, July 4 at TBD on PBS's A Capitol Fourth

Wednesday, July 11 at 7 a.m. ET on ABC's Good Morning America

Happy first day of summer! Kenny Chesney and Josh Turner make plans for the 4th of July

Can you believe today is the first day of summer?  Seems like just yesterday it was Christmas. 

Now that summer has officially arrived, many of us Americans will start thinking about the 4th of July. If you're going to be home and are wondering where you can watch some of your favorite stars perform on the 4th from the comfort of your own home, here's the only two I know of so far who will be on national television: 

• Kenny Chesney will be performing at the MACY's 4th OF JULY FIREWORKS SPECTACULAR which will air on NBC Wednesday, July 4th from 9-10 p.m. ET, 8-9 p.m. CT. 
• Josh Turner will perform during the A CAPITOL FOURTH on PBS. The show will air 7/4/12 on PBS but times vary. To find out when and where to catch the show, check out PBS' website.

Josh Turner sings in memory of murdered family

So, so tragic. You may remember hearing back in April when a man killed his wife and two daughters inside a Cracker Barrel of all places before being killed by police himself.  

It was one of those stories that leaves a person scratching their head and wondering what the hell is going on in this world. 

Well on Monday, Josh went to that same Cracker Barrel to try and help bring a little happiness to the tainted spot. He brought his guitar and performed a free mini concert as a thank you to the people who supported the family killed there.  

"I'm not here to sell records; I'm not here for me," Josh told the crowd. "I'm here for the community of Brooklyn and I'm here for this story."

"There's been some sadness, but the community has just reached out to us and this is our way of reaching out and saying 'Thank you,'" said Heather MacDonald, a spokeswoman for the Cracker Barrel chain of restaurants.

Cracker Barrel did hire Josh to perform, but he also told the crowd that the money would be donated to Strongsville Schools in memory of Kayla and Kerri Allen, the two daughters who were killed by their father.  

Josh played a few songs on the front porch of the Cracker Barrel before stepping inside to sign autographs and take pictures with fans.  

On top of Josh's donation to the school, the restaurant also said they'd be donating all the money they made on Monday (minus tips and taxes) to the Strongsville Schools.  

Josh currently has an album out through Cracker Barrel called "Josh Turner: Live At The Ryman" that you can purchase on their website.  

Josh Turner's crew member's golf game bill forgiven

Have to say that I wasn't expecting a follow-up to this story, but here you go.

As I mentioned the other day (on a slow news day) there was a story that amused me to no end for some completely unknown reasons about how the city of Aberdeen, South Dakota had refused to pay the $94 golf bill of one of Josh Turner's band members.  

Josh and the crew were in Aberdeen to play for the fair there recently.  

Now don't get me wrong, it's not that Josh's crew member skipped out on the bill or anything, it was all just a big (well $94 anyway) misunderstanding.  

According to today's story update, the round of golf was charged to Nate Kessler's personal account in a mix up.  Nate is volunteer fair board member whose job is to act as the go-to guy in telling bands about different activities in the area for when they're in town to play at the fair grounds.  

He told Josh's bunch about the Moccasin Creek Country Club and when they went to play the bill was put on Nate's tab by accident. He submitted the charge as is routine to the commissioners who decided they weren't going to cough up the $94.  

Anyway, all's well that ends well because Moccasin Creek Country Club has decided to just forgive the bill and have wiped the slate clean. 

Heck, they probably figure it was worth the $94 for all the free advertisement they got out of the brouhaha.  

Josh Turner's crew member's golf game cost becomes public knowledge

Photo via Dennis Grundman/NVDaily.com

I'm not quite sure why but I find this article that was published in the Aberdeen News recently amusing. 

Brown County Commission won't pay for round of golf for member of Josh Turner's crew

A member of  music star Josh Turner's crew played a round of golf while in Aberdeen to perform at the Brown County Fair, but the county commission isn't going to cover the cost.

The $94 expense at Moccasin Creek Country Club was charged to account of fair board member Nate Kessler. It was then submitted to the commission for reimbursement, but commissioners removed it today before approving their regular bills. That leaves it to be paid by either Kessler or the fair board.

Josh or his crew member should really send this fair board member a check or at least an autographed CD.  

New video for Josh Turner's "I wouldn't Be a Man"

I always forget how deep Josh's voice is until he opens his mouth and sound comes out.  It's a bit of a shock when you have your headphones on and sound turned way too high.  Glad I don't have a heart condition. 

Definitely use caution when watching the video. 

That country conception train just keeps on rollin'

 
Yep, more country stars are getting ready to hear the pitter patter of little feet in the very near future.

Seriously, what do they feed these guys backstage?

The two latest stars to join the bun-in-the-oven gang is Josh Turner and Dierks Bentley.

Josh tells People.com that his wife is due early next year and that his father intuition came in handy when his wife's first pregnancy test came up negative. 

"She did (take a pregnancy test) and it was negative, but I refused to believe it," Josh says. "So when she took another and told me she's pregnant, all I could say was, 'I told you!' and she was floored."

This baby will make three for the couple, they also have Baby number three for the couple who have two sons, Hampton, 3½, and Colby, 1.  

The baby will join the family on the road so Josh says, "we have talked about getting a bigger bus."

Also maybe needing a bigger bus is Dierks Bentley who revealed to People.com that 21-month-old Evie is going to be a big sister this winter.

"We're so excited that our daughter Evie is going to get a baby sister or brother for Christmas."

Now that's what I call a stocking stuffer.

Congrats to both expanding families. 

Josh Turner being used for his fame

Josh Turner's doing a good deed in November and will be playing a charity gig for a hospital in Florida.  That in itself is a great thing but that's not why I'm writing this. I'm writing it because the foundation's director cuts to the chase and tell us exactly why they're excited to have Josh perform for their cause....they're using him for his fame.

"We are excited to have Josh Turner join us during the 2010 Gala," said Foundation Executive Director Jamie Bateman. "He is one of the hottest country performers right now and we hope his fame will bring attention to the Foundation and its importance to the community."

No beating around the bush....I like that!

Josh will be performing for The Foundation for Florida Hospital Heartland Medical Center at its 16th annual Gala on November 4th at 8 p.m. at the South Florida Community College Theatre for the Performing Arts.

Tickets will go on sale Sunday by calling (863) 402-5525 for information.  You can get tickets in four different categories: Ultimate Fan which is two front rows at $100 per seat; Gold - $65; Silver - $55; and Bronze - $45.