We do tons of charity shows here at WQMX, many of them annual events, like tonight's Ones To Watch Concert, at the historic Tangier in Akron.  And should be noted, this concert raised over $7200 for NEOPAT - helping veterans.  Well done!

Getting Ready For The Big Night - Tangier, Akron!

Jimmy Allen, Hardy, and Matt Stell starred on stage, bringing their newfound fame to the intimate stage and setting in front of a sold out crowd.  Each have songs on the charts and each is very different from the other, making this a nice microcosm of today's country.

Allen, an easy to listen to voice and style, reminiscent of some to the strong balladiers in our format. He has a #1 already with Best Shot.  When you first hear him, you get what you get, but you also get the feeling that there is more in reserve, and that you better be ready for real versatility, and that's what you get.  There is also real star power here. 

Hardy, has a remarkably popular song out, Rednecker, that core WQMX listeners just love.  It's what I call a "list" song.  It lists off the reasons why he is more redneck than you.  It's a playful, fun tonge-in-cheek number of course that comes from a guy and a voice that makes it totally believeable.  I asked him where this song came from, and he said it was written by him and some friends in a few hours in Colorado, as kind of a poem or sorts. After words, they said hey this could be a fun song.  And here we are. 

Matt Stell has a hit single, Pray For You, a powerful, honest ballad that gives thanks to the new found love in his life. As I talked with him it's a song he wrote and is autobiographical.  Highly relatable, and to the point.  Listeners love it, and even though it's early this has the potential to be a big hit.

These charity shows are a rare chance for listeners to get close to those that are the new blood in our format.   And all of our stars were amazingly engaging both on stage and back stage with those lucky enough to meet them.




Overall this was a terrific show!  Seems the ones we watched, are the ones to watch.

A couple cool things happening in NEO for football fans - one you can check out now, the other in 2021

First, If you remember (I know we all try to forget) when Cleveland was not doing so well in the world of Professional Football... so there were special edition"Fridges" installed in area bars that would 'Unlock' after the first Victory of the season so patrons could toast with a free adult beverage.  One of these exclusive refrigerators has been donated to the Pro Football Hall of Fame by the folks at Loby's Grille in Canton and will be on dispaly for the world to see at the Hall. (FULL STORY from Cleveland.com) 

So the other thing is kind of a big deal... if you saw any footage, pics or social media posts about this years NFL Draft that was held in Nashville, TN, andthought it looked like a good time but think 8 hours is a long drive for a party, then you are in luck.  The NFL has announced that the 2021 NFL Draft will be held in CLEVELAND!  The 75th Anniversary of our North Coast team in Orange happens to be the same year, and if things continue to improve on the shore of Lake Erie, this could, and should be, one of the biggest things to happen in Cleveland since that little Championship parade for the Wine & Gold. (CLICK FOR MORE)

Congrats, CLE!  

 

(CREDITS: ESPN, Anheiser Busch, NFL, Pro Football Hall of Fame and Museum, Cleveland.com)

 

5/22/19

Pay attention to who you're with when you feel your best.

Looking for something to do this weekend. This site is an incredible reference to find all the parades, memorial services, concerts and more.

 

Northeast Ohio Family Fun

 

The events are divided by counties all over NEO. Take a look and enjoy your 3 day weekend if you get it and remember why we get it. Be safe too ;)

We all like to help, and no one likes to be taken advantage of, that's why it takes a special type of low-life to try and profit from tragedy.  Sadly this is a reminder to always, ALWAYS, make sure to verify that you are donating to the correct or preferred charity if using those on-line crowdfunding sites.  Fox 8 Cleveland reports on a couple of crowdfunding pages that have surfaced after the tragic loss of a 22 year old woman during the annual Cleveland Marathon last weekend.  The Family of Taylor Ceepo had requested in her Obit that in lue of flowers, any donations should be made to Akron Children's Hospital.  Click HERE for more. (Courtesy Fox 8 Cleveland)

Walker Hayes has released his next single "Don't Let Her" which is a love song all about his wife, Laney. He says that he hopes that fans love the song as much as he loves her. The song was co-written by Walker, Andrew DeRoberts, and Shane McAnally, and is a conversation between Walker and hypothetical man taking his place if something were to happen to him. It started as a series of texts to his wife about all the things he loves about her, and turned into this song, a modern day love letter. 

He's also released the lyric video which gives fans a look into their, almost, life long relationship. From meeting in elementary school, to the family they now share together. 

This song is not included on his last album. Perhaps it's part of a new project? We'll keep you updated! In the meantime, what do you think about this new song? Let us know! 

Would you live alone on an island for an entire year for a cool million? Of course, you would be supplied with food, water, and fire. So, how about it? According to those who responded to my "Texter's Choice" on Tuesday, May 21st, 72% said "Yes", while only 28% said "No." Check out my daily "Texter's Choice" question every afternoon on WQMX at around 3:50pm...and hear the results when I announce them at 4:20pm! And make sure YOU vote everyday with our Studio Text Line (Powered by Discount Outlet) at 330-370-2000.

Godzilla, Rocketman and Ma are here!

 

Godzilla: King Of The Monsters  (Preview)

No single character has appeared in more movies in history than Godzilla, and he's back again fighting off tons of monsters here.  This appears to be loosely inspired from an old movie called Monster Zero from many years ago where a three headed monster comes to earth to cause a bunch of problems and Godzilla is summoned to save the day.  But here Godzilla will take on all comers!

 

His cinematic staying power is incredible as they have been making Godzilla movies since the early 1950's.  Here, our hero battles a number of monsters to keep order and balance in the world, and my guess is that he will be victorious.  It's his world!

 

Rocketman  (Preview)

The Elton John bio-pic has been promoted to death and had tons of screenings, and there is word there is room to be concerned over its quality.  I am a big Elton fan and I would like to see them get this right.

 

Many more music based movies coming in 2019.

 

Ma (Preview)

This looks creepy and I can't decide if this is going to be really good or really bad.  Octavia Spencer stars in a very different role for her, as she wreaks terror over a small town's kids.  This does look a bit creepy, I'm looking forward to seeing it.

 

 

We will see.

 

Aladdin  (Review) 

The list of live action Disney movies continues to grow, and this is the latest installment. This caused a ton of buzz, and it delivers quite well.  And to answer your first question, Will Smith is good in the role that Robin Williams made iconic. For Smith, it's a thankless job, as Williams performance may have been the best of his career as he was made for the character. 

 

 

This is fun, looks great, moves along nicely and may be a bit too long, but who cares?  It's Aladdin, it's Disney and it's just fine. Well done.

 

 

 

John Wick 3  (Review)

This is one of the most successful franchises that came out of nowhere, and has found an audience.  This is totally an acquired taste as these movies are rampant with tons of violence and long action sequences that are spectacular, but not for everyone.  Our favorite, aging retired hit-man is back at it again. 

This is everything you would hope it would be.  HIGHLY entertaining -  but CLEARLY not for everyone.  Halle Berry joins the already great cast too.  Highly violent, but fun at the same time.  This is maybe the best one yet, rivaling the first film.  And the success was so great opening weekend, JW4 was announced fo 2021.  This is loaded with long and extremely well done action sequences that are very imaginative.  This franchise continues to find new ways to do the same thing, and that is a skill in itself. 

 

This is rich with parody of course, and is almost a cartoon of itself, but for many, me included, these are so absurd they are highly entertaining.  Seeing this, it is paramount you have seen the first two. Keanu Reeves found a diamond in the rough, and has turned out to be a huge hit.

I enjoyed every frame of this.   BUT  - Leave Nana at home. 

Cucumbers are my jam. It is easy for me to say that not a day goes by that I don't eat a cuke slice or two. They are a huge part of my new diet. They are delicious and quite nutritious. You can have a cup of cucumbers and consume zero calories and just 2 carbs. To me that is nothing. Nothing! There's no sugar, no fat, almost zero sodium, so I eat all the cucumbers with ZERO guilt.

They are good for hydration because they are full of water. Apparently they are good for your bone health because they are full of vitamin K. They help with heart health, digestion and oh yeah- weight loss!

Now, I know what you are thinking- just cucumbers. Hmmmm. They are liveable alone, but cukes are the most dippable rounds around! Veggie dip yes, but with my new low carb lifestyle you can use them with salsa, queso, guacamole, hummus, anything and again-guilt free.

You will always find cucumbers in my fridge and they are my go to side.

5/21/19

Beauty begins the moment you decide to be yourself.