Stop Spreading Death Rumors!

It's one thing when fake news websites kill off Bob Barker once a week and do the same to Willie Nelson. It's another thing when music professionals start spreading unconfirmed death reports of a major star.

That happened this week when a high-profile tour manager put out the report that Willie had died ... R I P ... That Facebook post was picked up by his "friends" and it spread like wildfire.

Everyone is a journalist in 2017, or they think they are. There are major guidelines and procedures real news people go through in these circumstances.

WLS Radio/Chicago put out on Twitter they were told by numerous Country music industry people that Willie had died.

Wow ... legitimate newsrooms and TV/radio stations don't put out rumors ... We hear the President has been shot... we hear a 747 is down ... we hear, we hear ... some hotshot killed off Joe Paterno before he died. The "being first" thing and fast-track social media is way out of hand.

Until you know ... I mean, really know, you do not spread or forward death rumors.

The Willie thing has become a joke, but this week it didn't feel very funny. All social media users should shun those who falsely report rumors or bogus news stories ... Let the real news people do the news and you do what you do. These fake stories hurt people ... really hurt people!

Social media and iPhones may be a part of the growing teen suicide rate ... Google that story ... Horrible!

The Joe Nichols/Sir Mix A Lot video of Joe singing "Baby Got Back" is ear candy! He is stone-cold Country and some folks took the song seriously, thinking Joe was going rap! Joe couldn't go rap with a roll of wrapping paper.

Tim and Faith in town Aug 4/5; they have already done their Showtime Soul2Soul special for November.

Kenny Chesney back on stage in Tuscaloosa and Orange Beach, AL this weekend. Kenny has a new live album coming out in late October. 10 Years of Hits ... Live albums have not been the rage lately but if anyone deserves a hit live project, it's Kenny.

Hope John Anderson is feeling better. Mel Tillis, too, wherever you are...

Brad Paisley had a big crowd lined up in the dark for his Today Show appearance Friday morning (Aug 4th) ... The skies opened and the lightning arrived ... fast-moving storm caused an evac of the Today show plaza ... we thing that might be a first...

Brad played acoustic ... sometimes things just work out. He showed he can with no time plug in anywhere ... anytime!