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.

Last Weeks Selection

I wanted to drop a quick reminder here for you to keep safe on this Eclipse day. Enjoy this rare ocasion to the fullest, but don't forget to be careful. 

First and foremost, this means you need the proper eye protection from the sun. You already know about that, but I wanted to go a step further to assure you that not every welding mask is sufficent and you'll have to do research to determine if yours is. If not, some places are still handing out glasses, but I wouldn't count on easily getting a pair at this point. 

It's obviously going to be busy in our area. If you're going out to some public celebrations, expect traffic. My recommendation would be to fill your tank earlier in the day. I would also be sure to keep your belongings and children guarded, as opportunities for crime may be exploited. Local first responders, from park rangers to firefighters, are ready for action. It's a big day. 

Whether you're stoked for this ocassion or just excited for the eclipse to be done with; either way, it's happening. You've got to have some plan for it. And whatever you do, I sure hope you enjoy it!

Stay safe, now. 

You heard Cherise play it during the Country Cafe earlier today. Now, it's time for you to have a say with Keep It or Kick It.

Tonight at 9:00 on the New @ 9 I will play the new Luke Bryan single "Love You, Miss You, Mean It" as the New Song Spotlight. Then I need you, the listener, to tell me...do we Keep It or Kick It? This is where you REALLY DO have a voice and your opinion matters to us at WQMX. 

Even if you aren't a fan of the song don't be afraid to call or text me saying so. That's what this is all about - to get your TRUE feelings about the new music.

See you at 9:00!

He's Scotty McCreery, of course he played the WQMX Charity Concert Series at The Dusty Armadillo...  Damn Strait!

 Look for his new album Rise & Fall, May 10th!  

Lady A stopped by Good Morning America to perform their new single "Love You Back" this morning! 

We're breaking out the grill again, and always looking for a deal as well.  London Broil can been a very tasty and easy griller. No matter how you make it, there is a very easy formula for it   -  Grill  7 minutes one side  - 7 minutes other side - then 2 and 2 and you're perfect.

Try this recipe though!

LONDON BROIL DONE RIGHT!

 Hit songs don't get a whole lot bigger than this.  Sure there are lots of big lovey-dovey songs, but few have this impact.  The importance of this song is, it's the definition of a song that pretty much everyone on earth liked, its popularity was - well - Amazing.  It sold millions and was #1 country for eight weeks and was on the A/C charts as well.  This song also charted very well on charts all over the world over the course of a few years.  This became the wedding anthem for a generation and was used for themes for about every major occasion there is.  This has an appeal that's very rare but has been tried a million times. This is kind of "format-less."  It's all things to all people, which in music and life almost never works.  As many times as other artists have tried to do a song like this, it seldom takes off.  It's country enough for country fans, pop enough for those non country, and the message is universal.  For some reason it's accepted wholeheartedly by all audiences, and that's darn rare. Sometimes, everything just falls into place.  I would say this is one of the most loved songs over the last 30 years, skyrocketing Lonestar to heights unimaginable. Still a loved power ballad and will be for years to come.  Hard to think this was 25 years ago, but it was.  What a hit, that brought country to many new listeners that eventually came to us and stayed.  Every artist comes to Nashville hoping for a song this big.

Last Week #36

My Full Profile On Lonestar