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Mel Tillis, the country music legend who wrote and sang dozens of chart-topping hits, is dead.

Tillis died Sunday morning of respiratory failure.

Tillis recorded more than 60 albums and scored 3 dozens top 10 singles in his decades-long career.

He wrote the classic, "Ruby (Don't Take Your Love to Town)," "Detroit City" and "Mental Revenge." Tillis also recorded "Coca Cola Cowboy," featured in the Clint Eastwood flick "Every Which Way but Loose."

Tillis was indicuted into the Grand Ole Opry and the Country Music Hall of Fame.

He was 85.

RIP

Taylor Swift's literally putting up walls all around her, turning an historic landmark home into her own personal fortress that will be impenetrable to cameras -- if all goes according to her plan.

Taylor obtained permits to block visibility to her Beverly Hills mansion ... including putting up a 6.5 ft tall cinder block wall by her front porch and a 7 ft high retaining wall by her tennis court. She also upgraded and remodeled her front gate -- emphasis on "up."

Normally, this would be no big deal, but Taylor's crib -- purchased in 2015 -- was designated a historic landmark by the city of Beverly Hills. That means she gets a HUGE tax break, but it also means she has to jump through hoops to make the slightest alteration.

Phil Saveni, president of the Beverly Hills Historical Society, tells us Tay Tay's changes are all good though because the walls won't "impact the integrity" of the home.

Translation: It's full steam ahead at Chateau Swift!

Jameis Winston is getting backup from another NFL player who says he's positive the QB didn't sexually assault an Uber driver back in 2016 ... because he was in the car that night.

The witness is Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Ronald Darby -- Winston's longtime friend who was also a witness in JM's rape case at Florida State back in 2012.

"I felt the need to come forward and clarify some inaccurate accounts of the evening of March 13, 2016 when myself, a friend and Jameis Winston took an Uber ride in Arizona," Darby said in his statement.

"There were three of us in the car, not just one as has been reported. Myself and Jameis were in the backseat. I am confident that nothing inappropriate in nature happened in the car that evening and Jameis did not have any physical contact with the Uber driver. The accusations are just not true."

Darby went to bat for Jameis during the 2012 rape case -- straight up calling the accuser a liar during the videotaped deposition. He and Jameis have remained close ever since.

The driver told BuzzFeed she picked up Jameis from the bars in Scottsdale around 2 AM in March 13th of last year. She says he was riding alone and the QB grabbed her by the crotch during the ride.

Winston has adamantly denied the allegations and says there are holes in the driver's story -- starting with the number of passengers in the car.

Tyrese Gibson had a celebratory lunch Saturday with daughter Shayla after winning a sweeping courtroom victory against ex-wife Norma Gibson.

Tyrese and 10-year-old Shayla hit up Nobu in Malibu ... this after the judge denied Norma's request for a permanent restraining order. The judge also awarded Tyrese 50/50 custody.

He has some interesting things to say. On the one hand he says Rx drugs took him off the rails, which is why he said Will and Jada Smith gave him $5 million ... which they did not. But then he insinuates they promised him money but it never arrived. Our Will and Jada sources say they never offered.

Tyga was hanging in Paris, France where it looks like he's back in business ... with another beautiful woman.

Tyga hit up the Paris Saint-Germain Football Club where he attentively watched the game.

The woman is Barbara Palvin, a Hungarian model who was named the Rookie of the Year for the 2016 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.

Tyga had been dating Arianny Celeste a few months ago but that seems to have fizzled.

It seems he's finally put Kylie Jenner in his rear view ... she did that months ago.

Joe Jonas and fiancee Sophie Turner were all about the tequila in Rio.

Joe and Sophie cut loose Saturday afternoon at the Fasano Hotel Pool Bar. When they spotted photogs they got super animated ... clearly enjoying the moment.

Their engagement is now a month old and she's still showing off the ring ... and good for her.

No word on when they'll tie the knot, but our suggestion ... have lots of tequila at the reception -- makes for a fun time.

Lee Daniels thinks his hit show "Empire" has helped cure hip-hop's homophobia and it won't be long before a gay rapper dominates the real charts.

Daniels was on "Larry King Live" this week where he told King he thinks his show has "made gays okay” in the hip-hop world.

For those who don't watch Empire... a big part of the plotline is the relationship struggle between hip-hop mogul Lucious Lyon and his gay son, Jamal, who's an aspiring musician.

Chance the Rapper skewered Donald Trump on SNL and paid homage to Barack Obama in what could actually become a hit song ... at least that what we think.

Chance, along with SNL cast members Kenan Thompson and Chris Redd, were featured in a soulful R&B song, "Come Back Barack," which is at the same time both meaningful and hilarious.

Savannah Guthrie's good looks are worth giving thanks!

Here's a 33-year-old version of the "Today" host at a fundraiser back in 2004 (left) and 13 years later ... the 45-year-old Aussie Thanksgiving Day Parade host -- in New York City earlier this year (right).

What a show!

The question is ...

Detroit Lions star Marvin Jones listen up ... sure you might've killed your "American Idol" audition like O.J. in his prime, but that doesn't mean you're gonna win the show ...

UNLESS YOU LISTEN TO RUBEN STUDDARD RIGHT NOW.

We got Studdard, America's "Velvet Teddy Bear" and 'Idol' Season 2 champion, at LAX and asked him to rate Marvin's audition, and give him a little advice for the journey to the top.

First off, Ruben was sold on Marvin's voice -- makes sense, the MAN CAN SANG -- and as far as advice, he used his gorgeous voice to drop some knowledge on the kid.

BTW -- Did you know Ruben Studdard was a former college football player? Neither did we, but now that we think about it, makes sense.

Blac Youngsta got a serious case of the late night munchies after a North Carolina gig, hopped a McDonald's drive-thru line and set off a string of hijinks that cost the night manager his job.

The rapper hit up a Mickey D's last weekend in Raleigh, and even though it was only serving at the drive-thru ... the manager opened the doors wide when he recognized Youngsta and his crew.

That's when the trouble began -- dancing on counters, ordering up burgers, play fighting and hanging out the drive-thru window. Full golden arches turn up!

But the whole thing went too far when Youngsta attempted to take orders from actual customers. Not cool if you're a non-BY fan who's jonesin' for fries at 3 AM. We're told someone complained to corporate, and the late night manager got axed.

Judging by the video, it was totally worth it. At least until rent's due.

Diddy -- aka the man of a thousand names -- is gonna run into some issues if he wants to go slapping his new Brother Love alter ego on music and merch because there's already another BL in the game.

Rocker Larry Florman has been using the Brother Love alias since 2000 and has released 2 albums under the name. Florman told us he's shocked that he's the first to go after the trademark, considering he only did so a week ago after learning about Diddy infringing on the title.

It's also too late for wrestling's OG Brother Love, Bruce Prichard, who told us last week that he would be going after the trademark.

Unclear how far Diddy was planning on taking his own Brother Love alter ego. He told us last week it was just the booze talking when he decided to make the change.

Serena Williams and her new husband hopped on a private jet to zip off to their honeymoon ... and he was more than happy to lend a hand.

Serena and Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian were spotted loading up Saturday in New Orleans with their baby, Alexis Olympia, in tow. The couple got married 3 days ago in The Big Easy.

It's unclear where the newlyweds and the little one are off to, but if it's anything like their star-studded wedding ... we know the honeymoon will be incredible.

Have fun!!!

David Cassidy is in the hospital in critical condition -- his organs are shutting down, and as one source put it, "It's looking grim."

We're told David was rushed to a Florida hospital 3 days ago ... and his condition has been worsening since his admission. We're told he's suffering from organ failure and unless he gets a liver transplant soon he could soon die. We're also told he's suffering from kidney failure.

David, we're told, was in an induced coma but is now in and out of consciousness.

David's family has been arriving at the hospital to comfort him.

The 67-year-old former Partridge Family star has been in failing health for more than 2 months ... this according to sources connected to the family.

We're told doctors have made it clear to the family ... with Cassidy's organ deterioration, they need to prepare for the worst.

1:00 PM PT -- According to the arrest report ... Maualuga was confronted by an employee at club E11EVEN about an outstanding $40 tab around 8:20 AM. Rey allegedly became upset and refused to pay. The employee claims he asked him to pay again, and Rey grabbed him by the throat and shoved him. Rey was then kicked out by security and detained by cops, who arrested him.

Miami Dolphins linebacker Rey Maualuga was arrested for battery in Miami, FL early Saturday morning ... TMZ Sports has learned.

The details surrounding the arrest are unclear -- but according to ProFootballTalk, the Dolphins are planning to release him as a result of the incident.

TMZ Sports obtained Rey's booking information -- 6'2 inches, 350 lbs. (guessing this is supposed to be 250) -- and he was booked at 12:46 PM. His bond has been set at $1,500.