Sunday afternoon, I finally did it for the first time this season - cut my grass. It had really been needing it too! Some parts of my yard were starting to look like a jungle!

I am not the biggest fan of the chore. I find it to be just that - a chore to do. I am not exactly sure why. It gets me more steps in for the day, and I have a pretty small yard. I have a push mower and can cut the front AND back yard in just about 30 minutes.

I guess I just don't usually want to take the time to do it then smell like grass and have to shower afterwards. Either way, it's something we will need to be doing like it or not for about the next 6 months. :/

Growing up I waited for SNL to come on everyweek.  There were sooo many good skits running thru my head.  

This weeks SNL could have huge possibilities as Ryan Gosling is hosting.  While Chris Stapleton is the Musical Guest but I am looking forward to a few skits Chris to pop-up. 

Stapleton has been musical guest in the past with hosts Adam Driver and Will Ferrell.

 

 

 

 

 

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The ACM Awards are coming up May 16th in Frisco, Texas, and WQMX has paired with National Design Mart to send a lucky listener plus one to the show! It's an ACM Flyaway all through this week on Your Country 94.9 WQMX; for complete information on this contest, click here. 

With that, the Academy of Country Music just announced the list of this year's nominees. For what's probably the first time since Bell Bottom Country's release, Lainey Wilson isn't the leading female.   Instead, huge props go out to Megan Moroney, who is in the running for awards in six categories! These include Female Artist and New Female Artist of the year. 

Luke Combs leads overall with a total of eight nominations in major categories such as best Entertainer, Male Artist, Album, and Single. Morgan Wallen should also be pleased with six nominations coming his way, tying Megan Moroney for second-most. Lainey Wilson, Cody Johnson, and Chris Stapleton are next with five nominations apiece. 

Cheers and congratulations!

Now, these nominations are cool and all, but we'll have to wait until the May 16th show to know who's taking home the big W's. You can stream it live with Amazon Prime Video. It should be a cool ceremony, and WQMX is thrilled to send somebody there to see it live in person... maybe it will be you! 

Here's the list of nominations for the 2024 ACM Awards in Texas: 

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR

• Kane Brown
• Luke Combs
• Jelly Roll
• Cody Johnson
• Chris Stapleton
• Morgan Wallen
• Lainey Wilson

 FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR

• Kelsea Ballerini
• Ashley McBryde
• Megan Moroney
• Kacey Musgraves
• Lainey Wilson

 MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR

• Luke Combs
• Jelly Roll
• Cody Johnson
• Chris Stapleton
• Morgan Wallen

 DUO OF THE YEAR

• Brooks & Dunn 
• Brothers Osborne 
• Dan and Shay 
• Maddie and Tae 
• The War And Treaty

 GROUP OF THE YEAR

• Flatland Cavalry
• Lady A 
• Little Big Town 
• Old Dominion 
• Zac Brown Band

 NEW FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR

• Kassi Ashton
• Ashley Cooke
• Hannah Ellis
• Kylie Morgan 
• Megan Moroney 

 NEW MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR

• Ernest  
• Kameron Marlowe
• Dylan Scott 
• Conner Smith
• Nate Smith 

 NEW DUO OR GROUP OF THE YEAR

• Neon Union
• Restless Road
• Tigirlily Gold

 ALBUM OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]

• Gettin’ Old - Luke Combs
• Higher - Chris Stapleton
• Leather - Cody Johnson
• One Thing at a Time - Morgan Wallen
• Rolling Up the Welcome Mat (For Good) - Kelsea Ballerini

SINGLE OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]

• "Burn It Down" - Parker McCollum
• "Fast Car" - Luke Combs
• "Last Night" - Morgan Wallen
• "Need a Favor" - Jelly Roll
• "Next Thing You Know" - Jordan Davis

SONG OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Songwriter(s)/Publisher(s)/Artist(s)]

• "Fast Car" - Luke Combs 
• "Heart Like a Truck" - Lainey Wilson
• "Next Thing You Know" - Jordan Davis
• "The Painter" - Cody Johnson
• "Tennessee Orange" - Megan Moroney

MUSIC EVENT OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]

• "Can’t Break Up Now" - Old Dominion and Megan Moroney
• "Different ‘Round Here" - Riley Green and Luke Combs
• "I Remember Everything" - Zach Bryan and Kacey Musgraves
• "Man Made a Bar" - Morgan Wallen and Eric Church
• "Save Me" - Jelly Roll with Lainey Wilson

VISUAL MEDIA OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)]

• "Burn It Down" - Parker McCollum
• "Human" - Cody Johnson
• "In Your Love" - Tyler Childers
• "Next Thing You Know" - Jordan Davis
• "Tennessee Orange" - Megan Moroney

SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR

• Jessie Jo Dillon 
• Ashley Gorley
• Hillary Lindsey
• Chase McGill
• Josh Thompson  

ARTIST-SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR

• Zach Bryan
• Ernest
• Hardy
• Chris Stapleton
• Morgan Wallen

Today is my birthday. A couple weeks ago I scheduled routine maintenance for my car for today - oil change/tire rotation. I also mentioned I have been hearing a noise that sounded like it was coming from the left front tire area.

I get the call later with the diagnosis - I need a new transmission! YAY!!! On my birthday no less. At least they tell me it's covered under my warranty. I should have a rental tomorrow. I hope. I also hope I am able to get my car back sooner than later.

I don't think I was fully prepared for how amazing yesterday's total eclipse was really going to be. Sure, I have read every article of what to expect, but that experience was beyond what I imagined. On my way home, there weren't many on the road but what I did notice were the people, outside with their solar eclipse glasses, looking up at the sky. Already I was thinking this is going to be something special.

I am so glad I was able to share this moment with my family. We all sat outside and watched, giving eachother updates up until totality. The coolest thing ever. The way the sky got dark, the temperature drop and the quiet. Other than the neighborhood erupting in cheers at the moment it happened. I will never forget that moment.

If you weren't able to experience the total eclipse, find out when and where it will happen again and travel! 

Now, what to do with those glasses? There are organizations that will collect your used solar eclipse glasses, whether to be recycled or reused. Locally, I have seen that Kent State, the Twinsburg Library, and Brewnuts are collecting them. You can also drop them in collection boxes throughout Cuyahoga County. 

Looking for a unique and in-demand career?  Stark State College has many including these great career paths with plenty of openings locally now and for many years to come.  

 

 

 

 

 

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 MLT is just one of the many unique and in-demand jobs that I will receive a crash course in throughout this series.  

Find out more details on all that Stark State has to offer.  Click Here.  Spend Less, Earn More, Go Further at Stark State College.

I am learning so much in so many different fields.  Stark State College offers many.  Start your pathway to success today.  Maybe in Robotics and Automation check out my crash course below.

 

 

 

 

 

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There's a lot I could touch on for this blog. Morgan Wallen is in the news with felony charges... but I don't have much commentary to add on to that. In case you missed it, here's a link to what we know as of now on that developing story. Morgan Wallen Arrested on Felony Charges (tasteofcountry.com)

 Of course, there was the total Eclipse here in Northeast Ohio. Boy, was that cool to see! I didn't get any good pictures, but I viewed it with my close friends/family and that's what is important to me. I'll fondly remember the day for years to come. 

The main topic of this blog, though, is the motorcycle. I took the old Honda out for a spin before our little get-together in the afternoon, and it was a joy. It was my first ride of the season. That bike fired right up as if it had been sitting overnight, and not for months like it actually has. I didn't check the oil, didn't measure the tire pressure, and didn't even look to see if there was any gas in the tank. It sputtered awake, I threw on a helmet, and off I went.

Let me tell you, it was quite literally just like riding a bike. Driving a manual car has helped to make shifting gears instinctual, and it all felt good. It was just how I left off. The sun was shining, traffic wasn't too bad, and the motorcycle runs great. I couldn't ask for more, really. 

It's about to be a good year for me out in the bike, and I couldn't be more excited. I plan to regularly take it here to the station for the overnights, and I'd love to maybe do a little road trip for the first time. Southern Ohio has been calling my name. 

So... I want to take another opportunity here to remind you to please look out for motorcycles. I can't emphasize it enough. Many accidents happen early in the season, so now is an especially good time to stay vigilant as a driver or motorcyclist alike. I sure don't want to end up as another statistic. 

I appreciate you reading this blog, and thank you for listening to 94.9 WQMX. Enjoy this beautiful change in weather with the windows rolled down and Your Country cranked up! 

A friend of mine from High School texted me last week and asked if I wanted to go with him to check out the eclipse. I said, sure why not!

We went to the Akron Art Museum and the events they had going on there. We started out having lunch downtown at El Patron which was quite yummy! Then, we walked over to the museum and toured the galleries for a bit. We stopped in the gift shop as well, then he got a drink - they were serving some food and cocktails/mocktails for the afternoon.

Then we went outside and found a spot to sit for the actual eclipse. It was very cool to watch it unfold. When totality hit, I took the attached picture. What was very cool was to see the contrast in darker skies looking West and brighter skies looking East. I remember the partial eclipse from 2017 and how dark it seemed then. This WAAYY outdid that! What a cool thing to experience! Hope you enjoyed it!

This week the WQMX Country Cafe is being fed by Reeve's Cake Shop, so I will have chances for you to win a FREE 7" Lemon Raspberry Cake and a $20 Bell Bucks gift card around 12:30pm each week day. Be listening for the ACM Flyaway plane sounder to win a $50 Amazon Gift Card and get qualified for a trip for two to the ACM's in Frisco Texas thanks to Naitonal Design Mart! 

Now I Know  - Lari White - 1994  -  (Album - Wishes)

 I always loved this song, and the late Lari White (pronounced Lori).  In the 1990's she joined the fray as a terrific vocalist during country's most competitive and successful decade.  I was working in Lakeland, Florida at the time doing mornings at WPCV, and she was from nearby Dunedin, Florida so we knew who she was very well.  She's a great example of the fact there's only so many slots, and not everyone has the huge 20 year career, but in her case it was not for lack of talent.  She could sing with anyone, was very likeable with striking beauty.  She won a talent show on The Nashville Network at the time, You Can Be A Star.  The few singles she released were all pretty darn good, there was just so much talent coming out every weeks it seemed.  That's My Baby  #10, was a great song in addition to this from the remarkable Wishes album, which was certified gold.  But this song was the one that really broke through and went top 5. But she was far more talented than just these solo songs.  She was a great songwriter and producer for many like Toby Keith, Billy Dean and others. She was a stage actress and was the sculptor in the Tom Hanks movie, Cast Away that he returns the FedEx package to after being away on the island for many years. Sadly, Lari White died in 2018 of cancer at the age of 52.  I have to admit, I was very sad when she passed and it still makes me sad to think about.  Such a talent and gone way too soon.  Get to know, the amazing, Lari White.

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