DECISION MADE

IN LEANN RIMES PRIVACY LAWSUIT

Last August, singer LeAnn Rimes launched an invasion of privacy lawsuit against two women, Kimberly Smiley and her daughter Alexis, claiming that the mother-daughter duo violated her rights by recording a conversation between them and posting it online.

The suit was dismissed in a Los Angeles court on Monday, Oct. 28.

Rimes, who has been dealing with a plethora tabloid headlines and details of her personal life being splashed across media outlets for the past several years, had initially reached out to the northern California-based pair, accusing them of talking trash about her via social media platforms.

The singer said that the whole incident not only caused her great emotional stress, but that it also damaged her reputation. The suit was filed the day after Rimes entered a facility to seek treatment and to learn better coping mechanisms for her anxiety. She sought $25,000 in damages, promising to donate any money awarded in the case to the Trevor Project, which is an anti-bullying group.

The Smileys said that the lawsuit was a big headache for them, as well, and claimed they did not have the same tools that Rimes did, like funds to pay for expensive attorneys.

Due to the dismissal, Rimes cannot re-file a claim. Both parties resolved the situation amicably, according to the Smiley family’s legal representative. Therefore, this situation appears to be done and over with for good.

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WILLIE NELSON WRITING AN

‘UNVARNISHED’ STORY OF HIS LIFE

Willie Nelson is putting pen to paper (or at least his fingers to the keyboard) and writing an “unvarnished” story of his life.

Although the country star has written an autobiography before (in 1988), he promises to tell all in his newest memoir, due out in 2015 and to be published by Little, Brown and Company.

It’s described as an “unvarnished, complete, and tremendous story” of the singer’s life, and the publisher promises that while there are printed works on Nelson already in existence, “none will be as personal

or as wide in scope as this.”

So far, the book doesn’t have a title, but we imagine it will be a page-turner that every country music fan will want to place on their bookshelves. According to the publisher, “He starts at the beginning, revealing a tough little kid abandoned by his parents, and moves through his failures at various jobs, his early days as the self-starting proprietor of Willie Nelson Presents, his struggles in 1960s Nashville, and then on to the profound success he has had as one of America’s all-time most beloved singer-songwriters.”

Plus, he shares unheard stories of some of country’s most beloved artists, including Ray Charles, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Merle Haggard and many more. Sounds fascinating, doesn’t it?

With 80 years under his belt, Nelson’s memoir is sure to have good stories, sage-like advice and fascinating information about

the man lovingly known as Shotgun Willie.

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GARTH BROOKS SUFFERS

HEARTBREAKING LOSS

Garth Brooks‘ half-sister, Betsy Smittle, has died. The 60-year-old was known as Brooks’ bass player for part of his career. She also released one solo album and was a gay rights activist who performed and participated in numerous gay rights events.

KWTV News 9 in Oklahoma City, Okla. reports that Smittle died on Saturday (Nov. 2). The cause of death has not yet been revealed.

“She has a wonderful knack for rhythm, but probably her greatest talent is relating to the audience,” Brooks told Oklahoma Today in 1993, adding that he called her “Hollywood.” She was one of the singer’s four older half-siblings. He also has an older brother named Kelly.

Smittle released her solo album, ’Rough Around the Edges,’ in 1994. Funeral arrangements have not been revealed, but they will take place at the Ninde Funeral Home in Tulsa, Okla.

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“HE MAY NEVER PERFORM AGAIN”

SAYS RANDY TRAVIS’ FATHER

The most common question we get at Country Music Nation right now is “How is Randy Travis doing?”  It’s been awhile since we had an update and most of them have all come second hand.  The last update we received was from Billy Ray Cyrus, right before the legend was released from the Hospital to go home.

The latest update also comes second hand

but the news is heartbreaking if it is in fact true.

According to Saving Country Music Randy Travis’ father,

Harold Traywick, has been  quoted as saying

“Randy is still in very bad shape. It’s possible he’ll never perform again.”

Taking it even further a friend of the family has reportedly said “Randy is still paralyzed on his right side. He can’t walk and he can barely speak.

There’s nothing more doctors can do. Randy’s chances of a full recovery don’t look good.””

The last statement has not been verified as truth but either way our thoughts and prayers are still with Randy and his entire family.