Time is a very interesting thing.  It's about the only thing on earth that never stops.  It just marches on every second of every day.  Today is April 7, and it's a week I always remember.  This week in 1978, my dad passed away at 53 of lung cancer.   I was in the 10th grade, April 9, 1978.  46 years ago...

Times were very different then.  You were diagnosed, you did this, you did that, and then you died. He was very healthy his whole life.  Always in good shape, and as our family still jokes about it, he said he quit smoking during WWII while in the U.S. Army Air Corps, because "cigarettes went up to 23 cents. Damn things got too expensive"   He never smoked after 1945.

This year would have been my dad's 100th birthday, July the 20th.  Same date as the first moon landing in 1969.  He told me then, "they waited till my birthday."  He had a good sense of humor and was very popular as he coached little league for many years and taught many how to pitch.  And more importantly how to play the game the right way. That went for any sport. He was three sport All-State athlete in high school, and was given a full football scholarship to Duke. He was also signed by the Boston Red Sox. Then the War.  But post war, he was a 200+ bowler, and a scratch golfer.

Neighbors liked him and he was very good about my moms passions in theater and the arts, as that was far from his world and comfort zone.  But he went to every play or show she was ever in. And sometimes he and I would go on the spur of the moment to see the second act of her plays, or as he said, "at halftime."  No matter what your passions were in life, he supported you.

Many people have asked how he died so young.  I feel it's because of his time in occupied Japan after WWII.   The atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.  He was in Japan for about 18 months post war, and we have a bunch of pictures.  I feel he was exposed to much radiation, and who knows what else as were many others I'm sure, and their story is no less powerful than his. My dad had three brothers that were also in WWII. They all lived well into their 80's and 90's, and his mom and dad too. They were in Europe during the war.

Many have asked how I did with him passing so young. Truth is, it's been so long, I can't imagine my life with him. He never saw me drive, have a girlfriend, and he never heard me on the radio in this world. That stuff at one time years ago used to bother me, but not at all now.  I am sorry he never got to meet Windy, as he would love her very much.  And he would like to see how I love her. I wish he would have known my great friends I golf with and see regular.   He would love all those guys.

On this week every year I am never sad about this.  I am very happy actually and grateful I had a good dad that left an imprint on me.  I am also thankful he left such an imprint on the city he lived and its people.  And I am proud he served his country as part of his generation. He only lived till 53 but he did a lot of living in those years, we should all be so lucky.

He did what was asked of him his whole life and that is a great example for anyone.  But in the end I am only sad for him, not me.  For him there was so much more to do and see.

Thanks for reading......

Just in case you missed some of my articles this week from WQMX.com   Grab a coffee and some earbuds and let's get you caught up.  Thanks for reading and listening everyday!

My Dad's Week

Eat Of The Week!

50 Most Important Country Songs 1980-Today #36

Forgotten Jukebox LW-94

The Mega Star Series - Vince Gill (B-Day Revisit)

Wynn At The Movies And More!

Box Office Results - Godzilla/Kong   -   (31 million)

#2 – Monkey Man (10 million)

#3 - Ghostbusters (9 million)

New This Week – Civil War / The Long Game / Don't Tell Mom The Babysitters Dead

It's Happening - Universal Pictures and Working Title have finally put in place the talent for Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy  - #4 in the series

OUT - The Game of Thrones spin off centered on Jon Snow is “off the table” and no longer in development at HBO.

Margo Robbie – Is going to produce a movie based on Monopoly the game

CBS - Has renewed FBI, FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International, Variety reports. All three returning

This Weekend – Check out my Country Music Memory Lane (link)

Also - 50 Most Important Country Songs 1980 – Today #36 (Link)

Driving... It's one of the most fun and rewarding things to do for a car lover like me, but at times, it can be the worst. There's those drivers out there that make us scratch our heads as to how exactly they acquired a license. Road rage, accidents, and traffic all stem from these careless, negligent people behind the wheel and the situations they create. It can make you want to rip your hair out! 

So, maybe you'll find some comfort in knowing you're not alone on some of these things. Or maybe I just need to take a chill pill. Either way, here's my top ten driving pet peeves!

10. Tailgating

9. Full stopping before an empty roundabout (or worse, stopping in the roundabout)

8. Distracted driving

7. Poking about in the fast lane then moving over only after I pass on the right

6. Cars pacing one another ahead of me blocking any chance to pass

5. Dangerously pulling out into traffic

4. Blinding bright headlights 

3. Littering the roadside

2. Coming up as close as possible behind me at a stop

1. Failure to use a turn signal

Most of these are self-explanatory, but let me give a little context on those that may not be. 

#7 happens to me so often. I drive like I've got somewhere to be, so I'm no stranger to overtaking. Out of courtesy, I always try to pass on the left. When I come up on a lone vehicle in the leftmost lane, I give them a moment to throw their blinker on and move over, and usually they will. Sometimes, though, they stubbornly remain in the lane, which prompts me to pass on the right before coming back into the fast lane. Now, that's all fine, but what happens next makes me want to scream: it's at this point that the car I just passed decides to move over. After I overtook them from the right, like I want not to do. 

#6 is a bad one for me too. If you've ever been out to the Dusty Armadillo past Kent on 76, you've probably experienced something similar. When a highway is two lanes, the left one should always be moving faster. When a vehicle in that passing lane wants to go the same speed as the car to its right for an extended distance, it frustrates me to no end. Somebody either speed up or slow down, and let me by!

#4 used to bother me a lot more than it does now. I got nicer anti-glare lenses in my glasses this past time and I think it's really helped. I also feel like cars have better low beams, so less drivers may be using their brights regularly. Who knows? 

Lastly, #2 has always annoyed me, and its only worse now that I drive a manual. Why do people feel the need to be as close as possible behind me at a stop? Whether it's a red light or a fast-food drive-through, give me a little space please. I don't need you to keep back 100 feet like I'm driving a dump truck or anything, but you shouldn't be so close I can't even see your hood. 

That's that! It feels good to air out some of these pet peeves of mine when it comes to driving. If you have anything to add, something that really get under your skin when you're behind the wheel, I'd love to hear about it. The best way to connect with me is by dropping a message any time on the WQMX Studio Text Line (sponsored by Toth Buick GMC) at 330-370-2000.

Till next time, safe travels!

WrestleMania 40 the 2 Night Event is this Saturday and Sunday in Philadelphia, PA!

As you may know this is the Super Bowl of  Professional Wrestling.  This year is not a repeat but the Main Event is for the first time since Rock vs. Cena in like '12 and '13.

Can Cody finish his story or does the dominance of the Roman and The Bloodline continue.

Saturday: 

Women's World Championship Match - Becky Lynch vs. Rhea Ripley.  I think Rhea retains but could be some heat from Jade Cargill, Tiffany Stratton, Nia Jax, Alexa Bliss or Sasha Banks???

Rey Mysterio + Dragon Lee vs. Dominik Mysterio + Santos Escobar.  This I feel will be one of the worst matches of the night.  

Intercontinental Championship Match: Sami Zayn vs. Gunther.  Gunther retains there is no way they are dropping his title and run... They have to be making Gunther on a crash course with Roman for longest, greatest title-holder?  Sami Zayn will put up a great match but Imperium will win this one for Gunther.

Jey Uso vs. Jimmy Uso.  This one I think Jey wins but there will be a whole bunch of The Bloodline Interference.  If there are anymore members of the family I am sure they are coming to the party...  

Six-Pack Ladder Match for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship: DIY - Awesome Truth - The New Day - New Catch Republic - Grayson Waller and Austin Theory - The Judgment Day.   I hope DIY take the Titles.  Although anyone would create dessension in The Judgement Day Ranks...  

Jade Cargill, Bianca Belair, and Naomi vs. Damage CTRL.  I am excited to see this one but Damage CTRL has to start dropping belts soon and I hope it starts on Sunday Night. 

Cody Rhodes and Seth "Freakin" Rollins vs. The Rock and Roman Reigns.  The Bloodline Rules put a Cody versus The World on his story.  There is going to be a heel turn in this one...  Rock will turn on Roman to set up something in the future.  Although there maybe a double turn with Seth going to help his former Shield Brother... Roman.  Seth and Cody haven't always been buddies...  I expect someone to show up like a Stone Cold or an Attitude Era Wrestler to negate Rock if he isn't a heel turn...  

Sunday: 

World Heavyweight Championship Match: Seth Rollins vs. Drew McIntyre.  This one is going to be a great match.  Seth is banged up from the night prior.  Drew could definitely win.  I think Seth will keep the strap around his waist.  

LA Knight vs. AJ Styles.  AJ is jacked more so than before.  LA Knight has the hot hand and I think it keeps going on this night.  YEAH!!!

Triple Threat Match for the United States Championship: Randy Orton - Kevin Owens - Logan Paul.  Is there anyway they can let Logan Paul beat Randy Orton?  Randy gets gold in this one.  

Philadelphia Street Fight: Bobby Lashley + The Street Profits vs. The Final Testament.  I take it back, what I said earlier.  This one is a pretty bad match.  I love Montez Ford but this match isn't going to accentuate his talents.   I guess the Lashley + The Street Profits win...

WWE Women's Championship Match: Bayley vs. Iyo Sky.  I love Iyo Sky but outside the ring she doesn't bring to the table... What Bayley can and will.  Bayley gets the W and this could be another time that her buddy Sasha comes back and helps...  

Undisputed WWE Universal Championship Match: Cody Rhodes vs. Roman Reigns.  Cody's Story should end on a highnote!  That is what everyone wants.  But the Cody Crybabies might have to wait.  Dropping the Title could kill a goldmine of a storyline a loss would create a ton of others.   It kills me to say that Roman continues his reign and it will be Roman vs. The Rock at SummerSlam Cleveland?  

Tonight during the New at 9, I will be playing a new song from Randy Houser called "Country Back". We will play Keep It or Kick It to decide if you the listener love the song or not. If you were with Cherise during the lunch hour, you heard her play it during today's Country Cafe. 

We always like to get a read on if there is a difference of opinion between the daytime and nighttime crowds. Give it a listen tonight as the New Song Spotlight at 9:00 during the New at 9 on WQMX. Don't forget to vote either by phone call or text at 330-370-2000. Catch you then!

Chris Young stopped by Good Morning America yesterday (4/2/24) to sing his current radio single and the title track to his new album 'Young Love & Saturday Nights': 

There's this viral video circulating the internet depicting a man being flung out from his SUV after rolling it on the beach. He was out looking to be having fun, tearing it up on the dunes, when all the sudden his Toyota caught a bad angle and tumbled sideways several times. 

He's so lucky to walk away from the accident. I'd be counting my blessings. The way he was ejected is just wild, and it was totally preventable. First off, maybe don't take your top-heavy FJ Cruiser on such unstable terrain at those speeds. My Blazer even has a rollover warning label. He knew the risk, or he certainly does now. 

Secondly, though most importantly, buckle up! It takes two seconds and can be the difference between life or death. It doesn't matter where you are, what car you're in, or who's driving. Just strap in, please.

As a little sidenote, I can't go without noting how bad it is to drive in saltwater. You can't do much worse to a vehicle. Well, maybe rolling it three times....

Okay, so, I'm sure you want to see it. Here ya go! 

Coming up this Sunday at the CMT Music Awards, Little Big Town and Sugarland are getting together for a performance live on stage! Little Big Town is celebrating 25 years together, and Sugarland is celebrating 20 years since their breakthrough hit "Baby Girl".

Catch the CMT Music Awards from Austin this Sunday (April 7th) at 8:00 on CBS & stream on Paramount +.

In my young career in radio thus far, I've met some awesome people. From Sales to Street Team, I've made professional connections I'll carry with me long into the future. Of those, it's especially great to encounter peers from my college station out in the field or in the studio, and I bumped into one last night. I haven't seen Jake since I did the weekend evening shifts here on WQMX, and my face lit up when I pulled into the lot and saw his vehicle. 

He was finishing up broadcasting the Guardians game on our sister sports station as I settled into my overnight shift here, and it was so nice to catch up and chat. It'd sure been a while, probably even longer than I realize. We talked about life post-college and all that it holds, such as marriage and long-term career goals. Him and I are in the same boat on a lot of stuff like that. 

Now that we're back into baseball season, hopefully I'll get some more chances to run into my pal Jake. It'll have to be a late game, like some in the West Coast run. I've long been thinking about reaching out to some other folk I haven't spoken with in a while, so maybe this positive experience will be the catalyst for me to do so and reconnect. 

Time flies; that's for sure. 

By the way, the Guardians lost to the Mariners in Seattle 4-5 in the first of the series, leaving Cleveland with a 3-2 record so far this season. The next game is today, Tuesday, at 9:40 PM EDT.