Butterfly Records/Big Machine Label GroupLooks like Dolly Parton’s rock album was a rousing success.The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer s latest album, Rockstar, which featured guest appearances by Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Steven Tyler, Stevie Nicks, Sting, Steve Perry, Joan Jett and The Blackhearts and more, has been certified Gold by the RIAA. “When I set out to make my rock album, I always hoped it would be embraced by my fans as well as people who may not listen to my music,” Dolly shares. “I am thrilled to receive this Gold record! Thank you to everyone who was a part of this project. I guess I can now officially say I am a rockstar!” Released in November, Rockstar debuted at #3 on the Billboard 200 Album chart. It was Dolly s highest-charting album and her third career top 10, following 2014 s Blue Smoke and 1987 s Trio with Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris; both albums debuted at #6
HBO/John P. JohnsonStand-up comedian and actor Richard Lewis has died, ABC Audio has confirmed.Lewis, a fixture on the stand-up comedy scene in the 70s and 80s, who also appeared in comedies like Robin Hood: Men in Tights and dramas including the Oscar-winning Leaving Las Vegas, was 76. On Wednesday, Lewis publicist Jeff Abraham said the comedian "passed away peacefully at his home in Los Angeles last night after suffering a heart attack."The star, who can currently be seen on the final season of HBO s Curb Your Enthusiasm, revealed in April 2023 that he had been living with Parkinson s disease for two years. After acknowledging a "rocky" past few years, he told fans he was hanging up the stand-up mic for good. His last gig was on January 20, 2018, at Zanies in Chicago.He recalled to his fans that he "felt great" about his decision, adding, "I m at the top of my game, after 50 years almost."He then continued, "And then, out
Randy Shropshire/Getty Images for Prime VideoWhile he recently went on the record saying he d "love" to play Batman, hulking Reacher star Alan Ritchson says a blown audition for a different superhero inspired him to work out his acting muscles, too.To Men s Health, Ritchson explains that once upon a time, he was up for the role of Marvel s Thor that went instead to Chris Hemsworth."I didn t take it seriously," Alan admits to the magazine. "I was like, They ll throw me the part if I look like the guy; nobody really cares about acting. "In fact, they did: The casting folks apparently told Ritchson the role was his to lose, but he was lacking "the craft."Stung by the loss, Ritchson spent three weeks reviewing his audition scenes with an acting coach before he requested to join an exclusive acting class with a casting luminary named Deborah Aquila.After weathering other career setbacks, Ritchson eventually hit the mark with Reacher, currently shooti