MELBOURNE, Australia — A new artist booking specialist opens for business in the land down under, CORE Talent Agency.

The agency is founded by Jaddan Comerford, CEO of UNIFIED Music Group, and Regan Lethbridge, co-founder of Lemon Tree Music, and emerges from Lonely Lands Agency (LLA), which Tash Sultana established with the pair back in 2019.

CORE operates as part of the broader UNIFIED Music Group ecosystem, and is led by co-general managers, Desiree Venuto and Adam Montgomery and boasts a roster that includes Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers, The Terrys, Budjerah, Day We Ran, Emma Donovan, South Summit, Slowly Slowly, DEVAURA and others.

It’s mission: to focus on established independent Australian artists, as well as some of Australia and New Zealand’s “most exciting up-and-coming talent,” reads a statement, with its artists enjoying access to UNIFIED’s experience, infrastructure and connections.

Venuto joined LLA in 2019, and has been namechecked in The Music Network’s 30 Under 30 and Pollstar’s Impact International Next Gen Honorees lists, while Montgomery is an experienced professional who led boutique booking agency Four Tone Artists, representing the likes of Bec Sandridge, Didirri and Mia Dyson.

CORE’s dedicated launch team includes LaBelle Jackson, Victoria Kozbanis and Jo Syme.

“We are thrilled to officially unveil CORE. Having been a part of this journey since its inception, it is incredibly rewarding to step into this new role to lead the next iteration of the agency,” comments Venuto. “Artist creativity has always been our foundation, and we are stepping forward with a unified team backed by decades of shared industry expertise.”

Adds Montgomery: “Partnering with Desiree to lead this next chapter is a true career highlight. CORE is built around putting the artist at the heart of every decision, and we’re excited to bring this fresh energy into each conversation. “With the support of Comerford and Lethbridge, he continues, “we’re eager to champion our incredible roster and continue to expand our community.”

Visit cta.live for more.

Nicole Kidman may have needed a second to place the name, but once a fan mentioned Adéla‘s upcoming song titled after her, the Oscar-winning actress was all in.

At the London premiere of Practical Magic 2 on Wednesday (Aug. 26), Kidman was asked by a fan whether she knew Adéla, the Slovak singer/songwriter whose rapidly rising pop career is about to get an especially Kidman-esque addition.

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“Do you know who Adéla is?” the fan asked in a video.

“No!” Kidman initially replied.

After the fan explained that Adéla is a singer with a song called “Nicole Kidman,” however, Kidman’s memory quickly kicked in.

“Oh, yes! She is! I do know!” Kidman exclaimed. “I think she’s Slovakian, right?”

When the fan confirmed that the singer was “amazing,” Kidman doubled down on her fandom and revealed she may soon be seeing Adéla herself in concert.

“I absolutely know who she is and she’s coming to Nashville and I’m going to go see her,” Kidman said.

The timing couldn’t be better for the ascending, pink-haired pop star. Adéla is set to release her debut album, PRIMA, on Sept. 4, and the newly revealed 11-song track list includes “Nicole Kidman” as its second track. The project will also feature her breakout single “Ain’t in LA,” which became her first entry on the Billboard Hot 100, debuting at No. 85.

Adéla is currently bringing the PRIMA era to fans on her Red Bottoms Tour, which stops off in Nashville on Sept. 21 at The Basement East.

According to Adéla Instagram fan site @adeladiary, the pop singer reacted to Kidman’s kind words later Wednesday, commenting: “WOW OH MY GOD NICOLE WOW OH MY GOD HOLY SH– WOW.”

As for whether the actress has heard the song that bears her name? That’s a question the fan didn’t get to ask. But with PRIMA on the horizon, maybe Kidman will soon be able to report back.

Watch the full video below.

Jay Wheeler’s “De Lejitos” is no longer distant from the No. 1 spot, as the song jumps 2-1 on Billboard’s Latin Airplay chart (dated Aug. 29). The new chart-topper arrives just five months after the Puerto Rican led the overall Latin radio ranking in March.

“’De Lejitos’ is a special song for me,” Wheeler shares with Billboard. “Today it’s a success because it went from being my daughter Aiunii’s favorite to becoming a favorite among all my fans, long before my team and I decided to officially release it. Every time I release music, I do it with the intention of getting everyone to dance, sing, and be happy listening to my songs, and reaching No. 1 on Billboard simply fills me with great pride.

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“De Lejitos” lands at the summit on Latin Airplay with 6.7 million audience impressions earned in the United States during the Aug. 14-20 tracking week, according to Luminate; that’s a 4% growth from the week prior.

“De Lejitos” began its chart journey with a top 20 debut on the Hot Latin Songs chart in April, holding in the top 10 for nearly 11 straight weeks. Its only detour from the upper region came during Karol G’s blockbuster debut week (dated Aug. 12), when songs from her album No Me Arrepiento de Sentir Tanto flooded the multi-metric tally, sending the song from No. 7 to No. 18, and back to the top 10 on this week’s chart, at No. 8, from streaming gain.

On Latin Airplay, “De Lejitos” spent three weeks in the top 20 before landing at No. 2 last week. With its new ruling result, Wheeler ups his chart-topping count to four No. 1s. It follows “Viendo El Techo,” “Dos Tragos,” and its latest “Si Te Vas,” with Jay Balvin, all one-week champs between 2021-26.

Band El Recodo Revives Antonio Aguilar’s 1958 ‘La Cama De Piedra’ For No. 1: Elsewhere on the Latin charts, Banda El Recodo de Cruz de Lizárraga picks up its 21st No. 1 on Regional Mexican Airplay with “La Cama de Piedra.” The new reworked version of Antonio Aguilar’s hit, released in 1958, was produced by his son Pepe Aguilar and Alfonso ‘Poncho’ Lizárraga, band leader.

“La Cama de Piedra” rises after a 10% gain in impressions, to 5.9 million, earned during the tracking week. The song trades places with Xavi’s “Dosis” which leaves the top spot after an equal 10% decline, to 5.6 million.

With its 21st Regional Mexican Airplay No. 1, Banda El Recodo now claims seven leaders in the ‘20s —the most that it has earned in any decade, following two in the 1990s and six each in the 2000s and ‘10s. The group also ties with Intocable for the fourth-most champs since the chart began in 1994. Here’s the list of champs:

No. 1s, Artist
29, Calibre 50
22, Banda MS de Sergio Lizárraga
22, La Arrolladora Banda el Limón de René Camacho
21, Banda El Recodo de Cruz Lizárraga
21, Intocable
18, Los Tigres del Norte
17, Christian Nodal
17, Grupo Frontera

Following the death of Dolly Parton on Tuesday (Aug. 25) at the age of 80, those who worked with the country icon and others across the music industry are remembering the singer and songwriter’s impact across her 60-year career.  

Parton was named Billboard’s Top Country Artist of All Time, with the singer having scored 25 No. 1s on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, the most of any woman, and 49 top 10s on Billboard’s Country Albums chart. In addition to her success as a songwriter and recording artist, Parton has long been recognized for her business acumen.

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She co-owned Dollywood, a theme park located in her hometown of Pigeon Forge, Tenn., and she also operated the Imagination Library — a program that mails free books to children from birth until they first begin school. She had also been a co-owner of Sandollar Productions alongside her former manager, Sandy Gallin, which produced Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Father of the Bride and Sabrina, among others.

See below for all the reactions. We will update this story as more come through.

Sarah Trahern, CEO, Country Music Association

“At the end of the day, few artists define Country Music better than the one-word, Dolly. Over her decades-long career, I worked with her on a number of programs. She was always the most professional in every setting, often walking off the bus in heels and hair and makeup ready to go, before expected and before the cast and crew. However, along with the music, our biggest loss today is her work as a philanthropist and the genuine difference she has made in people’s lives throughout the world. There will only ever be one Dolly.” 

Academy of Country Music

“The Academy is deeply saddened by the passing of Dolly Parton. She leaves behind a legacy that reaches far beyond the stage. Through her unmistakable voice, unforgettable songs, generosity and larger-than-life spirit, she touched generations and made the world a little brighter.

“A member of the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Grand Ole Opry, Dolly was a 14-time ACM Award recipient and three-time host of the ACM Awards. She gave us some of country music’s most enduring songs and moments, and at this year’s ACM Honors, she was honored with the ACM Poet’s Award — a beautiful recognition of the songwriter whose words became a part of so many lives.

“As we look back on these ACM moments, we’re reminded of the incredible mark Dolly left on country music and on all those who grew up with her songs. Her music will live on, carrying her voice and her story forward for generations to come.

“Rest in peace, Dolly.”

Sony Music Group

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of singer-songwriter, music legend, actress, author, businesswoman and philanthropist Dolly Parton. Every superlative you could apply to her would be accurate. 

“Dolly was a monumental talent and trailblazer whose extraordinary artistry touched millions around the globe. For nearly three decades, we were lucky she called our record labels and publishing company home. She made songs that became part of our shared vocabulary and crossed genres and generations. 

“Her generosity was as extraordinary as her talent. She created opportunities for others that she herself never had. Dolly showed that an artist’s legacy is measured not only in songs, but in lives changed. 

“We send our deepest condolences to her family, friends and fans around the world. 

“We will always love you.”

Kyle Young, CEO, Country Music Hall of Fame

“Dolly Parton’s legacy is not celebrity, but humanity. She was a champion of equality and literacy. She was a picture of dignity, even when dressed outrageously. Anyone who seeks to be more like Dolly is on the right track, but they’ll never get to the finish line. She came from poverty to become the most important native of Tennessee. She shared her fortunes for the good of all of us, and shared her soul in every note she sang.”

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

“Rest in peace, Dolly Parton 🦋

“Today we honor 2022 Inductee @dollyparton, a groundbreaking singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, performer, actor, and media mogul.

Throughout her illustrious career, she has composed over 3,000 songs, including ‘Jolene,’ ‘I Will Always Love You,’ ‘9 to 5,’ and ‘Coat of Many Colors.’ A passionate philanthropist, Parton has also supported literacy and childhood development through her Dollywood Foundation and Imagination Library.

“During her 2022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, Dolly Parton performed her iconic 1973 hit ‘Jolene’ with a little help from Rob Halford, Sheryl Crow, Annie Lennox, Pat Benatar, Zac Brown, and many others.”

Rusty Gaston, CEO, Sony Music Publishing Nashville

“There are icons and there are superstars… and then there’s Dolly Parton. A songwriter without equal, she set the standard for telling the human story through song, capturing life’s truths with honesty, warmth and grace. She wrote from a genuine heart that touched people from the hills of eastern Tennessee to every corner of the globe. Miss Dolly, we will always love you.”

Warner Records

“There will never be another Dolly Parton.

“A once-in-a-lifetime artist, songwriter and human being whose music and spirit changed the world. Rest in peace, Dolly. Your light will shine forever.”

Dollywood

“With heavy hearts, the Dollywood family mourns the passing of our beloved Dreamer-in-Chief, Dolly Parton. Everyone at Dollywood shares the sorrow of countless people around the world touched by Dolly’s warmth, wisdom and generous spirit.

“Dolly’s heartfelt wish was that Dollywood always remain a place of joy, hope and togetherness — a space where families and friends could honor her memory, not with silence, but with laughter, music and shared dreams.

“Dolly’s enduring legacy extends beyond her music and generosity to her remarkable work ethic — an inspiration to people everywhere. In her spirit, Dollywood will be open Wednesday as Dolly wanted, always reminding everyone with her signature sparkle — “the show must go on.” Together, we honor her by carrying forward her message of love, perseverance, and hope.”

Eugene Naughton, president, Dollywood Parks & Resorts

“The greatest privilege of my life has been helping Dolly bring her dreams to life at Dollywood. Dolly’s heart was as vast as the mountains she cherished, and her compassion knew no bounds. She inspired generations to dream boldly and love deeply. While we grieve her loss, we are honored and committed to carry her light forward. Her legacy will continue to shine in every melody sung, every smile she shared and every dream kindled within these gates.”

Grand Ole Opry

“It is with the heaviest of hearts that we say goodbye to a true country music icon, Opry member Dolly Parton.

“There is no doubt Dolly’s mark on the world, and on us here at the Grand Ole Opry, will be deeply felt for generations to come. She taught us to always lead with kindness, generosity, and compassion. May her legacy live on through her songs, the lives she touched, and the countless artists she inspired. There will never, ever be another one like her.

“We will always love you, Dolly.”

Scott Borchetta, CEO of Big Machine Records

“Always the most gracious and brightest light… which shall never be extinguished… love you, Dolly….”

Jacqueline Saturn, president of North America, Virgin Records

“Growing up in Tennessee hard to explain how much she meant to us,” Saturn wrote on her Instagram story. “Our forever hero. So many life lessons from this extraordinary human being.”

Big Machine

“A legend, an icon, and someone we will never forget. Remembering Dolly Parton forever and always.”

Sarah Kate Ellis, president and CEO, GLAAD

“Dolly Parton was not only the ‘Queen of Country Music’, but indeed the queen of inclusivity and philanthropy. Her support for LGBTQ people spans decades, from the 1990s with her track ‘Family,’ where she expressed that all should be welcome regardless of religion or sexual orientation; to the powerful ballad “Travelin’ Thru,” which Parton penned for the film “TransAmerica” and earned her an Oscar nomination; to her early support of marriage equality in 2009, well before its legalization. Parton’s warm spirit, kindheartedness and joie de vivre deeply resonated with the LGBTQ community, cementing her as a global queer icon whose art always held space for outsiders, no matter the risk. Parton’s entire career was built on love and respect for all, and her unwavering allyship is a legacy that will last forever.”

Tim Cook

“Dolly Parton’s music helped light up the world. She was a brilliant songwriter, cultural icon and dedicated philanthropist who helped instill a love of reading and learning in millions of children around the world. May she rest in peace.”

Tino Gagliardi, president, American Federation of Music International

“Before she was an icon, Dolly was a working musician. Dolly never forgot the musicians who helped bring her music to life. By standing firm for solidarity and treating every player with dignity, she elevated our entire profession.”

Dave Pomeroy, president of Local 207, American Federation of Music

“Throughout her 58 years as a proud member in good standing of Local 257, she set the gold standard for supporting her band and fellow musicians. Dolly and her team consistently filed AFM union contracts for gigs, sessions and tours, ensuring that the bands, singers and studio musicians working alongside her received the benefits of union membership.”

United Talent Agency (UTA)

“The entire UTA family is incredibly saddened by the passing of the great Dolly Parton.

“An icon and a trailblazer whose music continues to inspire generations around the globe, her talent, generosity, and spirit were boundless, and she symbolized hope for millions.

“Our thoughts are with her loved ones, and we mourn alongside the countless fans she touched over a legendary, 70-year career. Her music will live on forever.”

Neil Warnoke MBE, partner and co-head of U.K. music, UTA

“Dolly was just Dolly. She started with a vision and never took her foot off the gas. I was incredibly fortunate to be part of her life and to witness, alongside her manager Danny Nozell, the energy and ambition she brought to every chapter of her extraordinary career. It was a privlege to know her and to play a part in her journey.

“The star. The songwriter. The entrepreneur. The philanthropist. She did it all, and she did it in her own imitable way. We’ll miss her dearly.”

Smithsonian

“We remember Dolly Parton, singer, musician, songwriter, actor, and businesswoman. Known as the “queen of country,” Parton was a mainstay in American popular culture for six decades.

“With grit, boldness, and a cup of ambition, Parton earned national fame at an early age. In 1967, she joined country singer Porter Wagoner on the television variety program ‘The Porter Wagoner Show.’ Over the next decade, Parton released chart-topping hits, including ‘Jolene’ and ‘I Will Always Love You,’ later covered by singer Whitney Houston in 1992.

“More recently, her collaborations with musicians Beyoncé, Miley Cyrus and Sabrina Carpenter More recently, her collaborations with musicians Beyonce, Miley Cyrus, and Sabrina Carpenter introduced her to a new generation of music fans. Parton was awarded 11 Grammys, and she was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2022.

Outside of music, Dolly was a prolific philanthropist. Established in 1988, ‘The Dollywood Foundation,’ included programs that expanded childhood literacy through the ‘Imagination Library’ program, decreased dropout rates, and provided scholarships for continuing education.”

THE•TEAM

“Today, we join Dolly Parton’s fans around the world in mourning the loss of an extraordinary artist, songwriter, storyteller, and human being.

“We at THE•TEAM are incredibly honored to represent Dolly Parton’s Threads: My Songs In Symphony — a deeply personal celebration of Dolly’s remarkable life and music, told through the songs and stories that she shared with the world.

“Dolly’s music crossed generations and genres, but her impact reached far beyond music. Her warmth, humor, generosity, and unmistakable spirit made the world a better place.

“We mourn alongside her family, fans, our music industry colleagues, and the countless people around the world whose lives she touched.

“Her voice, her stories, and the threads she wove through all our lives will endure.”

Aaron Crisler, founder, Conduit Publicity

“I cannot believe this is real. It’s hard to put into words what Dolly Parton meant to me and how devastated I am at the news of Dolly’s passing.

“Dolly Parton’s YES completely changed my life. One year ago today, I got to tell her.

“I grew up a poor kid from a trailer park in Austell, Georgia, with dreams much bigger than the world around me. I started working in entertainment at 18 and eventually found myself performing at Dollywood. Standing on stages at a place Dolly created was already beyond anything that kid from Georgia could have imagined.

“But I had an even bigger dream: I wanted to sing with Dolly.

“In 2003, I found the courage to ask, and she said yes. We recorded a duet together called “High and Mighty.” Dolly’s “yes” changed my life. It gave me wings of confidence I had never had before and made me believe that maybe the dreams I thought were too big for me weren’t too big after all.

“At the time, I was singing Gospel music on the road and thought that would be my life forever. When that chapter ended, I prayed for God to open another door. He did, leading me first into photography and eventually to my calling in publicity.

“Since then, I’ve had the privilege of working with incredible people and projects, including Delilah, the Property Brothers, Gloria Gaynor, the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer benefit that Dolly headlined, a song called “When Pink is Just Another Color,” featuring Dolly, The Joyful Noise soundtrack and many others.
Whenever I was afraid to approach a major client, make the big phone call or pursue an opportunity that seemed out of reach, I thought about Dolly: ‘I asked Dolly Parton to sing with me, and she said yes. If I can ask her, I can ask anyone to do anything! The worst they can say is no. But they just might say yes.’”

Hours after news of Dolly Parton‘s death broke on Tuesday (Aug. 25), Jack White paid live tribute to the late country icon by covering her song “Jolene” at London’s Eventim Apollo.

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The rock singer posted a snippet of the performance on his Instagram account after the show, beginning with the fitting lyric: “Your beauty is beyond compare.” White also shared a tribute to Parton earlier Tuesday, posting a 1965 photo of the legend with her classic beehive hairstyle with the two-word caption: “Instant Sainthood.”

This is hardly the first time White has covered Parton’s legendary 1973 song begging another woman not to steal her man. The White Stripes — White’s rock duo with drummer Meg White — released a studio version of the song as a B-side to “Hello Operator” in 2000 and also dropped a live single in 2004. Their cover never charted in the U.S., but it did top the UK Indie chart and peaked at No. 16 on the UK Singles chart in 2004.

Parton’s original version peaked at No. 60 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the Hot Country Songs chart in 1974. It also spawned many covers beyond The White Stripes’ as well, including Beyoncé‘s interpolation from her country album Cowboy Carter, which featured some new lyrics and peaked at No. 7 on the Hot 100 in 2024. Parton herself was also featured on a Pentatonix cover, which reached No. 18 on Hot Country Songs in 2016.

Following “a brief battle with cancer,” according to her team, Parton died Tuesday at age 80 in Nashville. Her nephew, Bryan Seaver, shared the news through a video message on Parton’s socials.

See White’s tribute to Parton below:

Dolly Parton spent her life turning her own experiences, memories and emotions into music. Even after death, her songs will continue to tell her story — including two that show just how thoughtfully she considered her musical legacy.

The country music icon, who died Tuesday (Aug. 25) at age 80 after a brief battle with cancer, had already decided what song she wanted played at her funeral more than a decade before her death. And, in true Dolly fashion, she also left behind another song that she specifically instructed would not be heard until her 100th birthday in 2046.

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In a 2014 interview with Entertainment Weekly, Parton was asked what song she would want played at her funeral. While many might have expected “I Will Always Love You” — the song she famously wrote and recorded and then later watched become an even bigger hit through Whitney Houston‘s rendition — Parton had something more personal in mind.

“I’m sure they’ll be playing ‘I Will Always Love You’ when I die, just like they did with Whitney Houston,” she told the outlet at the time. But when it came to the song she actually wanted for her own funeral, she chose “If We Never Meet Again,” an old country-gospel hymn with a particularly meaningful connection to her family.

The song had been her father’s favorite, and it was performed at his funeral. Parton said she hoped the same song would one day be sung at hers.

The choice is fitting, given the song’s message about separation and the hope of being reunited in the afterlife.

Her funeral plans were indeed something Parton had considered in advance. Her representatives confirmed Tuesday that she requested a small, private service for immediate family. Her nephew and head of security, Bryan Seaver, also shared that Parton wanted to be laid to rest in a “beautiful bed of plush cotton.”

But Parton’s planning for the music that would remain until after her death went beyond her funeral. At Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, sits a locked chestnut box containing a recording of an unreleased Parton song called “My Place in History.” The song was written in 2015, the same year the resort opened, and Parton specifically arranged for it to be unveiled on what would have been her 100th birthday: Jan. 19, 2046.

Inside the box is a CD containing the recording, along with a CD player so that future generations will be able to hear it, outwardly a Dolly time capsule. The country legend even acknowledged the uncertainty of leaving technology from 2015 to be opened decades later.

“There’s no telling what music is going to be by then,” she wrote in her 2020 book, Dolly Parton, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics. “Hopefully, it will play and the whole thing ain’t rotted.”

Parton also joked that she hoped she would live long enough to hear the song herself when the box eventually opened. She was 69 when she wrote and recorded “My Place In History.”

KPop Demon Hunters has slayed on Billboard’s Top Soundtracks chart, having led the list for 57 weeks – just five weeks shy of the record. This chart was introduced a little more than 25 years ago – on June 30, 2001 – which means it doesn’t include blockbuster soundtracks of previous eras, such as West Side Story, The Sound of Music, Doctor Zhivago, Saturday Night Fever and Purple Rain. Actually, it does include one – The Vince Guaraldi Trio’s 1965 TV soundtrack, A Charlie Brown Christmas – but only because of its chart success since 2001.

KPop Demon Hunters has been No. 1 for all but four of its 61 weeks on Top Soundtracks, having yielded for one week each to Wicked: For Good, the holiday perennial A Charlie Brown Christmas, Charli xcx’s Wuthering Heights and the soundtrack to this year’s most-talked about TV miniseries, Heated Rivalry.

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With KPop Demon Hunters likely to set a new record for the most weeks at No. 1 on Top Soundtracks, we thought it would be a good time to look at the 12 soundtracks that have led the chart for 25 weeks or more. The list includes two TV soundtracks and 10 film soundtracks. Notably, the five soundtracks with the most weeks at No. 1 are all from animated films.

Here are the 12 soundtracks that have logged the most weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Soundtracks chart since the chart was introduced on June 30, 2001. The number in each header is the number of weeks the album has spent at No. 1. They are listed in ascending order.


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Dolly Parton, who died today at age 80, went through “a brief battle with cancer,” according to a statement released Tuesday evening (Aug. 25) by her team. Parton died at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville.

“Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity into everything she touched,” read the statement simply signed Team Dolly. “Her unmatched generosity reached the lives of countless people whom she would never meet, yet she was always there to offer a helping hand. Whether it be the hundreds of millions of books donated through her invaluable Imagination Library or funding research that helped create a lifesaving vaccine used around the world, Dolly’s unconditional love for all people was the guiding force for her lasting impact. After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones.”

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For more than 60 years, Parton has been one of country music’s leading lights and one of music’s most revered songwriters. Beloved around the world for not only her music — including such songs as “Jolene,” “I Will Always Love You” and “Coat of Many Colors” — she also left a life filled with service, giving back in myriad ways. Parton, a member of both the Country Music Hall of Fame and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, placed 113 tunes on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart starting in 1967. Cumulatively, those songs spent more than 28 years on the chart.

Her death, initially announced by her nephew, Bryan Seaver, Tuesday morning without a cause, came almost a year and a half after the death of her husband of nearly 60 years, Carl Dean, who died in March 2025.

“Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus, surely met by Carl, her parents and countless others who had watched her and longed for her to meet them in the heavens,” Seaver said. “She never saw a door she couldn’t open and the doors she opened made and changed history.” Even in death, Parton displayed her trademark wit. Seavers added, “Dolly called me and said she wants to rest in a beautiful bed of plush cotton because after a life wearing heavy rhinestones she finally deserves to be comfortable.”

Veteran music journalist Vernell Hackett, a longtime chronicler of Nashville’s top music artists, died on Aug. 14 in Chicago, after suffering from cardiac arrest. Hackett was 77.

Born Vernell Dell Boswank, she grew up in the small Texas town of Riesel, and graduated from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas. 

Though she initially had plans to pursue a career in crime reporting, her passion for music led her on a path to becoming a top music journalist. She and her husband Ken relocated to Buffalo, N. Y., to live closer to his family, before relocating to Nashville. Hackett worked for booking agent Tandy Rice at Top Billing International, where Rice represented artists including Dolly Parton, Jim Ed Brown, Jerry Clower, Porter Wagoner, Jeannie C. Riley, Tom T. Hall and others. 

Hackett was known for her heartfelt and vivid storytelling, her deep connections with artists and songwriters, and her passion for music and creativity. Hackett’s work in journalism included time as an editor of Country News, Country Rhythms and American Songwriter magazines. Hackett was a co-founder of American Songwriter magazine, and she served as the publication’s editor-in-chief for over a decade. She also freelanced for many publications, as well as radio syndicators.

During her career, Hackett also worked in public relations, including time as part of the Country Music Association’s communications department. In the 1980s, Hackett worked with a young rodeo cowboy by the name of Chris LeDoux, who also dreamed of being a country music singer. LeDoux went on to earn the top 10 Billboard Country Airplay chart hit “Whatcha Gonna Do With A Cowboy” in 1992, while his song “Cadillac Ranch” reached the chart’s top 20 in 1993. LeDoux passed away in 2005, and Garth Brooks honored LeDoux’s memory with the song “Good Ride Cowboy.”

Hackett also represented artists including bluegrass artist Dale Ann Bradley, Americana duo Jesse and Noah, nitty gritty dirt band founding member John McEuen, and singer-songwriters Ryan Murphey, Joni Harms and Randy Huston.

She was also an author, writing books including a biography of Carrie Underwood. She also penned the book Ghosts, Gangsters and Gamblers of Las Vegas, with her longtime friends and colleagues Liz Cavanaugh and Michelle Honick.

Beyond music, Hackett was a champion for animal rights, working with rescue shelters and supporting the Robyn’s Nest shelter. Many years ago, after Hackett asked that friends bring dog food in lieu of gifts to her birthday party, a longtime tradition was started, which ultimately resulted in thousands of pounds of pet food, as well as monetary donations, being made to Robyn’s Nest.

“Vernell was my close personal friend for decades. Sometimes, we would talk two or three times a week,” The Oak Ridge Boys’ Duane Allen said in a statement. “The last week of her life, she sent a beautiful poem that was suitable to hang on any wall. She was always positive. I sent her a funny video of a very small dog singing and a big dog hitting the small dog with flip-flops. Vernell and I had three things in common. She loved the Lord, her friends and animals. I look forward to seeing her in Heaven, rejoicing with our many mutual friends, and I can imagine that there will be many of our four-legged friends to keep us company.” 

Musician Michael Martin Murphey added in a statement, “Vernell Hackett was the kindest, most down-to-earth journalist and human being I’ve ever known. She had a sense of what the common, everyday country music fan is looking for in a story…Vernell went out of her way to support me on my journey.”

“Very sad to hear about Vernell’s passing; she was always so very kind to us, and we feel privileged to have known her through the years,” said David Bellamy of The Bellamy Brothers said in a statement. “We send prayers and condolences to her family and loved ones.” 

Hackett is survived by her nephew Glen Boswank (Nashville, Tennessee) and niece Katy Prewitt (Kaufman, Texas).

Rick Ross predictably has a message for his fellow troll-in-arms 50 Cent.

The Miami rapper took to social media to respond to 50’s recent comments about still putting out rap albums and wanting to be the hottest rapper after a certain age during an appearance on Apple Music’s Rap Life Review.

“I saw Curtis Jackson say he ain’t doing no music and it makes sense for the music he make,” he said in a video posted to his Instagram Stories before bringing up Bun B, who’s still actively rapping in his early 50s. “But Bun B just hit the stage, the South won’t let Bun B stop rappin’. If Pimp C was alive we wouldn’t let Pimp C stop rappin’, they could put out albums til they’re 85 years old, n—a. That’s how it go. When the streets love you and the culture needs you and you bring something that can’t be duplicated. F— what your age is.”

Last week, 50 gave Apple Music host Ebro the reason why he doesn’t release much music these days unless said music is attached to one of his film projects. “I’m not trying to be in the way,” the Queens rapper and filmmaker explained. “Hip-hop culture is connected to youth culture. You are not supposed to be the hottest in nothin’ at 60. F— that, man.”

He then added that he still has love for music, but if it doesn’t make dollars, then it doesn’t make sense. “I still got love for music. I’m never going to lose that. I’ma always want to do something,” 50 continued. “And those are like entries. It’s me putting a little piece or tap something in there for them to hear that I still do it, that I still got it. If it doesn’t sell, you keep it to your motherf—king self. Motherf—ker’ll tell you, ‘This is a personal album. I made this for this and that.’ Then why do I hear it, b—h?”

Both Ross and 50 have been busy in between trolling each other. Rozay dropped his 12th solo album Set in Stone last month and is currently on tour celebrating the 20th anniversary of his debut Port of Miami while 50 had a cameo during the Verzuz between Donnell Jones and Joe, and is in the live-action Street Fighter film that’s set to hit theaters in October.