NashvilleGab - Country music news and Nashville celebrity gossip

George Jones' funeral to be televised

George Jones’ funeral will take place on Thursday, May 2nd at The Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tennessee, starting at 10 am (Central) and will be open to the public. Doors will open at 9 am.

In addition, national television networks CMT, GAC, RFD, and FamilyNet, as well as local Nashville stations WKRN 2, WSMV 4, WTVF 5, WZTV 17 will broadcast the funeral service “LIVE”, with radio partners WSM 650AM and SiriusXM Willie's Roadhouse (Ch. 56) broadcasting the service. Fans around the world can listen online at wsmonline.com or watch online at opry.com.

"The caliber of speakers and performers is a testament to what George Jones meant to everyone in the world," says publicist Kirt Webster. "Nancy is overwhelmed by the love and support of not only George's fans, but also the music community, public figures and friends."

The service will include music from Charlie Daniels, Vince Gill w/ Patty Loveless, Alan Jackson, Ronnie Milsap, Kid Rock, The Oak Ridge Boys, Brad Paisley, Randy Travis, Travis Tritt, Tanya Tucker, and Wynonna. Former First Lady Laura Bush, Kenny Chesney, Grand Ole Opry VP&GM Pete Fisher, Governor Bill Haslam, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, Barbara Mandrell, and CBS News' Chief Washington Correspondent Bob Schieffer will all make special remarks.

Fans not able to attend can leave a special message about George Jones at: http://tinyurl.com/GJtribute

George Jones' May 2nd funeral to be open to the public

George Jones’ funeral will take place on Thursday, May 2nd at The Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tennessee, starting at 10 am and will be open to the public.

"George would have wanted his fans and friends everywhere to be able to come and pay their respects along with his family," said publicist Kirt Webster.

"Thanks to George’s friends, fans, and loved ones for the outpouring of love at this terrible time," said Nancy Jones. "I love you all."

A private visitation for family, friends, and fellow performers will take place on Wednesday evening. Since this is private, please call 615-777-6995 x230 for time and location.

In Memory Of MTV's "Buckwild" Cast Member Shain Gandee

 Shain Gandee, who was the most popular cast member in the hit t.v show "Buckwild" died in a traffic mudding accident on April 1st 2013. It was reported that Shain, his uncle and another young man died due to carbon monoxide poisioning. Apparently Shain's bronco was stuck in mud which caused carbon monoxide to leak into the vehicle. Shain was only twenty one years of age...he was a son,brother,uncle,boyfriend and friend. Alot of people took to the twitter world to tweet their condolences, including celebrities.

Cast member Tyler tweeted, "Help me get #PrayForGandeeFamily trending. One of my best buddies passed. Do it for him."

Stephanie Pratt from MTV's "The Hills" tweeted, "Wow I am so sad to hear about Shain from Buck wild. Sending out love and prayers to his family +friends. Way too tragic"

Kevin Ware who plays for the Louisville Cardinals tweeted, "My thoughts n prayers go out to the cast of #Buckwild and Shains friends n fam..I send my condolences #PrayForGandeeFamily"

Cast Member Ashley tweeted, "Rip Shain Gandee. You are an angel, I know you will watch over me."

As you can see, it's a very sad day for West Virginia. As most of you know I'm from a small town about an hour from Sissionville,WV and one thing about us is that we always persevere. We stick together and we always get past the struggles. Shain was a free spirited, happy and outgoing kid. I would like to send my condolences to his family and friends. Rumor has it that the filming of season 2 will be suspended. I was told by a family member that Shain loved country music and would sing every song on the radio. I would like to dedicate this song in Shain's memory, "When I Get Where I'm Going" by Brad Paisley.  

 

For more country  music news follow me on twitter @brittwv

A Mindy McCready update

As happens when something tragic happens, details have been emerging rapid fire regarding Mindy McCready's final days leading up to her death last Sunday. 

Here's a few of them.

The most important bit of information that's come out I think is that it turns out that Mindy was never a suspect in her boyfriend's death. 

It had been reported that Mindy was under investigation in the death of her boyfriend, David Wilson, after he died of a gunshot wound last month. The story went that she kept changing her story about how she found Wilson and that made police suspicious.

According to TMZ, however, Mindy was never a suspect and wasn't under investigation. Cleburne County Sheriff Marty Moss tells the website that Mindy was never considered a suspect or person of interest and that she "never changed her story."

Mindy McCready Commits Suicide

Well, it appears everything got too much for the troubled starlet. It has been reported that the 37-year-old mother-of-two shot both herself and her dog yesterday (February 17^th), and her body was found after the sound of gunshots alarmed neighbors. This is after the apparent suicide (inflicted by gunshot wound) of her boyfriend David Wilson (who was also the father of her youngest son, who is 10 months old), followed by Mindy falling into alcohol-fuelled depression. Her children were taken into care just a week or so ago, and Mindy was first committed to inpatient care for her problems, quickly being moved into outpatient because everything has apparently been put into perspective for her.

Unfortunately, it was not to be. With a history of violence, trouble with the law and alcohol and prescription drug abuse, sadly I am almost not surprised that Mindy chose to end it. Sometimes the price of fame is too much, and we can only hope that Mindy’s family can pull together for the love and stability of the children she left behind.

Posted by Vickye (Guest Writer).
If you want to check out my own blog it's For The Country Record, and you can follow me on twitter @planmymistake. You can email me at vickye.countrymusic@gmail.com.

Randy Travis performs at memorial service for slain sniper, Chris Kyle

On February 2 at a gun range in Texas, Chris Kyle, America's most lethal sniper who also happened to be an author, was allegedly gunned down by a veteran he had tried to befriend. Chris' friend was also shot and killed at the same time. 

Today, thousands of mourners packed Cowboys Stadium to pay their respects. Randy Travis was also on hand to sing for those in attendance. It's not clear how Randy came to sing at the service, but according to reports Chris' wife had mentioned that Whisper My Name was a meaningful song for the couple so Randy sang it as well as Amazing Grace.

Randy told the gathered mourners that he hadn't had the chance to meet the 38-year-old former Navy SEAL, but wished that he had. Funeral services are set to be held tomorrow for Chris. 

Clint Black's father passes away

Condolences going out to Clint Black whose father passed away over the weekend.

HOUSTON, Texas – It is with a heavy heart that country superstar Clint Black releases information on the untimely death of his father, G.A. Black (78), on Sunday, December 2, 2012. It is believed that due to the loss of his wife, Mary Lou, in the last year and a half and his own declining health, G.A. Black chose to end his own suffering without any indication to his family or friends that he might do so. Mr. Black is survived by sons Mark, Brian, Kevin, Clint and his extended family.

"Our family is devastated by this news," Clint says of the tragedy. "We are still in the beginning stages of preparations to honor our father, and at this time, we respectfully ask for privacy until we have had the opportunity to fully process what's transpired over the last 48 hours."

Clint was scheduled to perform this Saturday at the BonfireJam music festival in Florida and has canceled that appearance. 

From a press release:

"To our BonfireJam friends, with deep sympathy, we regret to say that Clint Black's father passed away yesterday and Clint will not be performing at this year's BonfireJam. We are pleased to have one of country music's finest hit makers Clay Walker step in and fill the spot."

- Joe Lewis, BonfireJam Founder and BonfireJam staff

 

So sad. My heart goes out to Clint and his whole extended family. 

 

Little Big Town's Kimberly Schlapman loses brother-in-law to drunk driver

So, so heartbreaking. 

Last week Little Big Town posted a message on their Facebook announcing that due to a death in the family they had to cancel their concerts in Riverside, CA (11/28) and Los Angeles, CA (11/29). Nothing was said in that announcement about just who it was who had passed away. 

Now we know which family member passed away -- Kimberly's brother-in-law Allen Schlapman. 

Kimberly posted this sad message on the group's Facebook Friday: 

Last Wednesday, Nov 21, my brother-in-law was killed by a drunk driver. He had come to Nashville from Virginia to visit us for Thanksgiving, which is our long-standing family tradition. He is married & has a 9 year old little girl. This is a part of life that one never imagines or plans for. It has been very difficult to accept. Allen Schlapman was an amazing father, husband, brother & son. We will miss him so much. I have been deeply touched by all your well-wishes & prayers. Thank you. God has proven himself faithful to us & has given us great peace amidst this horrible tragedy.Kimberly Schlapman

My heart goes out to Kimberly and the rest of her family. 

You can view Allen's obituary and leave your condolences here.

WSET.com - ABC13

LeAnn Rimes loses paternal grandmother

My condolences to LeAnn Rimes who tweeted last weekend about the passing of her grandmother. 

It's never easy to lose someone we love.  

RIP to my grandmother, my dad's mom just passed away. Sad day

— LeAnn Rimes Cibrian (@leannrimes) October 14, 2012

Safe journey, LeAnn's Grandma.  

Tanya Tucker's mom passes away

Oh man, I think we've found the reason behind Tanya Tucker canceling her December show in New York due to undisclosed health reasons that I talked about yesterday. 

It was announced this morning that Tanya Tucker's mother, Juanita, passed away on Tuesday, October 2, 2012. 

As of right now, that is all I know. I will bring more info if I find anything. 

My condolences sincerely go out to Tanya and her family. 

Tanya doesn't tweet very often, but fans can leave their thoughts on her Twitter (@tanya_tucker). 

UPDATE: Tanya's daughter Presley had this to say on Twitter. Thank you all for the prayers. My Granny lived a long happy life, but now she's flying high in heaven with her other sparrow.

Beautiful.