Just another milepost on Jackson’s road to success
When country music star Alan Jackson was a boy, his father used to drive to work along Georgia’s Interstate 85. Eugene Jackson died four years ago, but the award-winning country singer says his father would be proud to see that same highway now.
More than a five-mile stretch of I-85 has been named for Alan Jackson, running through his native Coweta County south of Atlanta.
“I’m sure he never imagined his son’s name would be on a highway,” Jackson told a crowd gathered for the sign’s unveiling, quipping: “I’m not sure I’m quite qualified for the main highway. Maybe they should’ve picked a dirt road or somethin’. “
He added: “Over the years, I’ve had horses and dogs and even children named after me, but this is definitely the most honorable thing.”
Jackson, who appears Aug. 8 at the Spokane Arena, won single record of the year and vocal event at the Academy of Country Music awards in May for the hit “It’s Five O’clock Somewhere” with Jimmy Buffett.
At least Whitney hasn’t bailed on him
Bobby Brown turned himself in to Atlanta authorities Sunday on charges he hit wife Whitney Houston during a December dispute at their home, and was released on $2,800 bond.
They’ve apparently patched things up since. Brown escorted Houston on and off stage at a “Soul Divas” concert last week in Hamburg, Germany, where she reportedly stole the show from touring companions Dionne Warwick and Natalie Cole.
A miscarriage of justice, maybe
A bench warrant was issued for troubled rocker Courtney Love when she missed a court arraignment on an assault charge on Friday, her 40th birthday.
Love, who has missed or been late for previous court appearances, had a good excuse this time, her lawyer said: she had been hospitalized for “a gynecological medical condition.” Love reportedly said she had suffered a miscarriage.
The assault charge, one of several legal cases involving Love, stems from an alleged attack on another female singer with a bottle and a metal flashlight at the L.A. home of Love’s former manager and boyfriend last April.
Madonna with child, take two
Now that little Rocco is almost 4, friends of Madonna‘s say the 45-year-old singer would like to have another child.
“She has it all planned out to a T,” says a friend. “She began visiting her fertility doctor in Los Angeles in late March. Her tour was already planned for the summer, but Madonna wanted to undergo tests to find out if she would be able to get pregnant and carry a baby at her age.”
Madonna is also said to have sought the blessing of her Kabbalah counselor, Rabbi Yehuda Berg, who told her “more kids would be a great thing for her spiritual growth,” says the source.
Everything’s coming up sunshine for Rosie
Rosie O’Donnell‘s new gay-themed cruise line is getting a warm welcome in sunny Key West.
O’Donnell will receive the key to the city on Wednesday when her cruise, billed as the first that caters to gay and lesbian families, stops during its inaugural voyage.
She and partner Kelli Carpenter O’Donnell married in a civil ceremony Feb. 26 in San Francisco and are raising four children together.
The birthday bunch
Actress Gloria Stuart (“Titanic”) is 94. Movie and stage director Ingmar Bergman is 86. Actor Harry Dean Stanton is 78. Actress-singer Polly Bergen is 74. Country singer Del Reeves is 72. Actor Matthew Fox (“Party of Five”) is 38. Actress Missy Gold (“Benson”) is 34. Singer Tameka Cottle (Xscape) is 29. Musician Taboo (Black Eyed Peas) is 29.