JOHN RICH is the first artist I've heard say anything since ERIC CHURCH apologized for talking smack about singing competitions. And he totally has Eric's back on the whole thing.
John said, quote, "I heard his apology. I think he just got to talkin' too fast probably and didn't realize, 'Uh-oh, I didn't remember all these great singers that have come from some of these shows.'
"I don't think he was trying to be that malicious about it or anything."
Not only does John give Eric a pass . . . he'd also like to see him as a contestant on "The Celebrity Apprentice".
John said, quote, "I would like to just extend an invitation that if he wants to meet DONALD TRUMP and go on "Celebrity Apprentice", I will make that happen.
"The guy's been working his tail off for however many years on the road and building his audience, and he's a smart, tough guy. I do think he'd be good."
TAYLOR SWIFT got invited to another high school prom . . . but this might be one she'll actually attend. A boy named Devon Whitney made a YouTube video asking Taylor to his senior prom in Aurora, Colorado.
Devon has an extremely rare disease called Oto-Palatal-Digital Syndrome, or OPD. He's had over two-dozen surgeries since he was born. The syndrome also makes Devon look a little different.
He told Denver's KUSA-TV, quote, "People stare at me because of the way I look. They laugh at me and talk behind my back. And sometimes I can hear them. You want to say something, but you can't. And it hurts."
Devon says he's too shy to ask anyone in school to the prom . . . so he decided to shoot for the moon and see if Taylor would go.
His YouTube video has gotten over 9,800 views . . . and I'm guessing word has probably gotten back to Taylor by now. We sure hope she can make this happen.
Take a look and I guarantee you'll be pulling for him.
CARRIE UNDERWOOD'S album "Blown Away" has debuted at Number One on the "Billboard" Top 200. It's a big deal because she's only the THIRD woman to take three country albums to #1.The other two were FAITH HILL and LINDA RONSTADT.
Naturally, "Blown Away" also debuted at #1 on the magazine's Top Country Albums chart . . . making her only the SECOND country artist have each of their first four albums debut at #1.The other artist to do that was MIRANDA LAMBERT.
