Still riding the roller coaster
Dolly Parton knows a good investment when she sees one, and these days it’s in the mirror.
Parton, whose business portfolio includes the Dollywood theme park and an entertainment production company, is spending a lot of her own money trying to get back on country radio with her new CD, “Backwoods Barbie.”
“I’m looking at it like an investment,” she says. “I thought, ‘I’ve made enough money. I can afford to invest a little in myself.’ “
Parton self-released the disc on her own label, Dolly Records, and hired a seven-member promotions team.
The album reached No. 2 on Billboard in its second week, her best showing in 17 years.
The first single, “Better Get to Livin’,” sputtered at No. 48. But the second single, “Jesus & Gravity,” is just arriving at radio.
Music Row began to lose interest in Parton, 62, as a new crop of country stars emerged. Her last Top 5 hit, “Rockin’ Years,” was in 1991, and she hasn’t had a major label deal in 10 years.
“I thought this is a good time, but I need to make an all-out effort,” she says. “Whatever it takes, you fight for it. You do what you have to do to feed your habit, and I’m a music addict.”
Wham, bam, hello, man
George Michael is gearing up for his first tour of the U.S. and Canada in 17 years, including a Seattle stop on July 2.
The former Wham! singer will release his greatest-hits album, “Twenty Five,” on April 1.
Diddy, or didn’t he?
Sean “Diddy” Combs has settled a lawsuit brought by a man who claims the rapper-entertainment mogul punched him after a post-Oscar party outside a Hollywood hotel.
Combs claimed the other man lunged toward him and that “any contact … was caused by his forward motion against my open hand.”
Judge: Withdraw from Banks
A man charged with stalking Tyra Banks has been ordered to stay away from the talk host.
Authorities claim Brady Green has followed Banks from coast to coast since January, sent her letters and flowers, and tried to phone her.
Hogan knows litigation
Hulk Hogan is being sued by a man critically injured in a car crash involving his son.
The suit says the “Hogan Knows Best” reality star and his estranged wife, Linda, are liable as the parents of 17-year-old Nick Bollea, who faces a criminal reckless driving charge.
The Sheen is truly off
Denise Richards, whose bitter divorce from Charlie Sheen was finalized in 2006, has won a court judgment allowing her to legally change her surname back to Richards.
The 37-year-old actress, who recently filmed “Finding Bliss” in Spokane, will star in a reality show with her two children this summer.
The birthday bunch
Actor Leonard Nimoy is 77. Actor Alan Arkin is 74. Actor James Caan is 68. Singer Diana Ross is 64. Singer-actress Vicki Lawrence is 59. Singer Teddy Pendergrass is 58. Actor Martin Short is 58. Talk host Leeza Gibbons is 51. Actress Jennifer Grey is 48. Country singer Kenny Chesney is 40. Actor T.R. Knight (“Grey’s Anatomy”) is 35. Rapper Juvenile is 33. Actress Amy Smart is 32. Actress Keira Knightley is 23. Rapper J-Kwon is 22.