Thursday, November 5, 2015

Chris Stapleton and Justin Timberlake: What a Duet!

Justin Timberlake didn"t bring sexy back at the 2015 Country Music Awards.


Instead, the pop singer went a little bit country for the occasion, teaming up with Chris Stapleton at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena to duet on “Tennessee Whiskey” and “Drink You Away.”


And Mr. Jessica Biel proved to be quite the good luck charm for the up-and-coming country singer, as Stapleton went on to win New Artist of the Year, Male Vocalist and Album of the Year.


Timberlake and Stapleton have known each other for years, with news of their unexpected performance breaking on Monday.


The former boy band member Tweeted a photo from rehearsals at the time, writing “honored to share the stage with this BADASS. Wed night. Memphis x Nashville," to which Stapleton replied:


"The feeling couldn’t be more mutual #nashvilletnkids."


And just how impressive were these musical superstars?


They actually earned a shout-out in Miranda Lambert"s acceptance speech for Best Female Vocalist.


"I"m just gonna keep it short, but Justin Timberlake and Chris Stapleton, thank you very much. I"m gonna go home and practice," the country music sensation said of her fellow artists.


Stapleton released hid debut solo album in May. Prior to going out on his own, he wrote singles for such singers as Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw, Luke Bryan and Adele.


That"s quite the resume. And this was quite the duet.


Watch Timberlake and Stapleton team up on "Tennessee Whiskey" and prepare to be blown away.


Chris stapleton and justin timberlake steal cma spotlight

Miranda Lambert on CMA Awards Win: I Needed This!

Miranda Lambert won Best Female Vocalist at the Country Music Awards for the sixth consecutive time on Wednesday night.


But this one felt different from past victories.



Lambert didn’t just divorce fellow country star Blake Shelton a few months ago, she spent this week hearing all about rumors that Shelton is now dating Gwen Stefani.


Then, mere hours before the CMAs aired live from Nashville, Stefani confirmed she is boning Lambert’s famous ex-husband… who happened to be in attendance at the event.


Awkward much?!?


But Lambert handled the situation like a professional, first putting on an outstanding performance of her new single “Bathroom Sink” and then being called on stage to accept the aforementioned award.


“Man, I appreciate it. I needed a bright spot this year, so thank you,” the artist said in her acceptance speech, making a clear reference to her divorce.


Mentioning another performance from the evening, Lambert then added in conclusion:


“I love country music fans, and I’m just gonna keep it short, but Justin Timberlake and Chris Stapleton, thank you very much. I’m gonna go home and practice.


“Thank y’all very much, I love y’all.” 


Lambert defeated such major stars as Carrie Underwood and Kacey Musgraves to take home Best Female Vocalist this year.


Well deserved, we say!


CMA Awards 2015: List of Winners!

The winners have been officially unveiled at the 2015 Country Music Association Awards, or CMA Awards, airing Wednesday evening on ABC.


Call it what you want, the biggest night in country lived up to its billing, and not just because of Blake Shelton-Miranda Lambert drama, either.




CMA winners



Newcomer and rising star Chris Stapleton stole the show at the 49th annual event in Nashville, both on the stage and the winners’ circle.


The longtime songwriter took home three of the night’s prizes, Album of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year and New Artist of the Year.


“This is an unbelievable thing for me, I’m not going to take it lightly,” said Stapleton, who teamed up for Justin Timberlake (really) on stage.


Miranda Lambert, winning Female Vocalist of the Year after a rousing performance of her own, said, “I’m going to go home and practice.”


The evening’s other major winners were Little Big Town, who took home three awards, and Luke Bryan, who won Entertainer of the Year.


Scroll down for the full list of 2015 CMA Awards winners:


Single of the Year
“American Kids” Kenny Chesney
“Girl Crush,” Little Big Town—winner
“I Don’t Dance,” Lee Brice
“Take Your Time,” Sam Hunt
“Talladega,” Eric Church


Song of the Year
“American Kids,” Kenny Chesney
“Girl Crush,” Little Big Town—winner
“Like A Cowboy,” Randy Houser
“Like A Wrecking Ball,” Eric Church
“Take Your Time,” Sam Hunt


New Artist of the Year
Sam Hunt
Maddie & Tae
Thomas Rhett
Chris Stapleton—winner
Kelsea Ballerini


Vocal Duo of the Year
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line—winner
Maddie & Tae
Thompson Square


Album of the Year
Old Boots, New Dirt, Jason Aldean
Pageant Material, Kacey Musgraves
Pain Killer, Little Big Town
The Big Revival, Kenny Chesney
Traveller, Chris Stapleton—winner


Vocal Group of the Year
Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town—winner
Rascal Flatts
The Band Perry
Zac Brown Band


Musician of the Year
Sam Bush, Mandolin
Jerry Douglas, Dobro
Paul Franklin, Steel Guitar
Dann Huff, Guitar
Mac McAnally, Guitar—winner


Female Vocalist of the Year
Miranda Lambert—winner
Kacey Musgraves
Carrie Underwood
Lee Ann Womack
Kelsea Ballerini


Male Vocalist of the Year
Dierks Bentley
Luke Bryan
Eric Church
Blake Shelton
Chris Stapleton—winner


Entertainer of the Year
Garth Brooks
Luke Bryan—winner
Kenny Chesney
Eric Church
Miranda Lambert

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Melissa Mathison Dies; E.T. Screenwriter, Ex-Wife of Harrison Ford Was 65

Melissa Mathison – the screenwriter best known for her work on such classic family films such as The Black Stallion, E.T., and The Indian in the Cupboard – has passed away at the age of 65.




Melissa Mathison, Harrison Ford



According her family, Mathison had been battling neuroendocrine cancer.


E.T. director Steven Spielberg expressed his condolences in a statement reading, “Melissa had a heart that shined with generosity and love and burned as bright as the heart she gave E.T.”


As a screenwriter and consultant, Mathison had more than a dozen credits to her name, including The Escape Artist, Twilight Zone: The Movie,  Son of the Morning Star, and the acclaimed Martin Scorsese-Brad Pitt collaboration, Kundun.


From 1983 to 2004, Mathison was married to actor Harrison Ford. The couple had two children together, Malcolm Carswell Ford, and Georgia Ford.


At the time of her death, Mathison was working with Spielberg once again, this time on an adaptation of the beloved Roald Dahl novel The BFG.


In addition to her work in Hollywood, Mathison was a member of the International Campaign for Tibet and had spent decades tirelessly campaigning to help the beleaguered region secure its independence from China.


In addition to her children, Mathison is survived by four siblings.