Monday nights loss at Pittsburgh was ugly for many reasons.  FIRST very sad about Nick Chubb, one of the NFL's good guys. He is Cleveland. He works hard, plays hard and is intent on making a difference. He is the heart and soul of this Browns team, and I'm not sure those in charge of the Browns realize that yet, but they're gonna learn - reluctantly it would appear.

Last week against Cincy, when the offense was not at all effective, they had no choice but to turn to Chubb and he bailed them out and got things right.  Early in the Steeler game, the same thing until his devastating injury.  But that's not at all what this organization wants to do. They want Watson to win them games and chuck the ball all over the yard all day.  Well, now he pretty much is going to have try to do that, becaue their backup plan just had knee surgery.

The Browns are much more talented this year as opposed to last year, mainly on defense and that's great to see.  But the defense had nowhere to go but to get better.  The main issue with the Browns is this puzzling, myopic view of the game and the way they run this team.  They are stubbornly committed to one way to play a game.  In NFL reality, you have to do  -  what you need to do that day  -  to win that game.  They did that in game one and I was thrilled to see that.  But not in the Pittsburgh game.

Stefanski watches and manages a game through a porthole and not a picture window. He is so focused on what HE wants to do, he fails to see the game, place, and situation in its entirety.  He continues to think he is the smartest person in any room.  He's gonna "fool them."  That he's of superior intellect.  And he continues to get beat by far better football men who break the game down to its guts, nuts and bolts.  In the end, that's what football is. You know why the Steelers won Monday?  They out-footballed us.  They lost virtually every single statistical category by a mile, but they knew what it takes to win.  They did, they do, and have for 21 straight years against us in their yard.  My feeling is Tomlin told his team before this game, "We don't lose to the guys here."  And they listened.

As a head coach and organization, you have to take in the totality of the environment with game in front of you. The place, the crowd, momentum, situation, the ramifications of the moment, and the hour.  Also THE reality, and not YOUR reality.  Look at the big picture and not the tunnel visioned kaleidoscope of your rigid plan.  We don't do that well.  Play calling that is just silly, decisions that are reckless and self destructive.  The time has come for this entire organization to quit trying to BE right, and focus on DOING right.  There was none, zero excuse for not winning Monday night, except the Steelers knew how to win it more from the owners box to the equipment box.

And here come the Titans into our yard.  We are better than them and we have no excuse for not winning this game. This is the third straight game we are better on paper, having an overall superior roster.  BUT Tennessee comes in after watching the Pittsburgh game too.  They are tough, well coached and thinking about the playoffs.  And now they have no fear of us after Monday nights debacle.

Get ready coach.  These are football men coming to town who have the ability to see the whole thing better than us. If you allow them, they will find a way to get this done too.  Put down the Denny's menu, hand off play calling to people getting paid to do it.  And finaly at long last get in the whole game, not just the portion you have interest in.  Look around, feel the crowd, the day, the mood. Take it in, read the room and lead.

The time has come to widen the lens and be the head coach. The team needs one.  And - I feel there is one in waiting.

My Previous Browns Articles -

Playing In The Neighbors Yard

There Is No Excuse

I love to fish, and yesterday I took my kayak to a little honey hole I know of to try to reach some areas I can't from the shoreline. It was raining a little bit at first, and I hunkered down in my El Camino to wait it out. As soon as it cleared up, I launched the boat and readied my pole. I'm an amatuer fisherman by all accounts but I am pretty sure it's a good time to go out, right after some showers. 

I did a little paddling and tried out this spot I have always had my eye on, to no success. I always see them smacking the top around there, but I suppose they weren't hungry for my nightcrawlers at that particular moment. I took my time around there and threw on an automotive podcast to entertain myself. 

I should mention that the lake I went to is the Nimisila Resovoir, my favorite local fishing place. I'll keep my little spot a secret, but there's hardly a bad place to go there. I've fished there my whole life and have caught some impressive fish over the years, but what always escapes me is a big bass. 

Well, I found out where they are at! After moving to a few spots with no luck, I made my way into a small cove with a bunch of weeds and algae. Looking towards the land, about a yard out from the shoreline I saw something BIG swimming. As I approached, I thought it was a snapping turtle or maybe even snake, but I soon realized there was a large tail pushing side to side. Not only that, but I saw two more of the same nearby and it clicked that I was somewhere special. 

No less than five enormous bass were feeding off the algae and smacking the top all around me. It was quite the spectacle. I was slightly uneasy on that little kayak thinking about what I'd do if I actually caught one, as I figured one of these monsters could just about pull me around the lake if my line didn't snap beforehand. My pole in general was another concern, as it was just my "old reliable" little rod and reel with a relatively weak strength of line. 

Of course I casted towards them, again and again. I've never seen fish so unresponsive to disturbances near them. I guess they were just too big to be concerned with predatory birds or just about anything, as they just kept munching on that murky green stuff. Now that I know where the hogs are at, I can't figure out how to catch 'em. 

Just like Hank Hill, I'm a diehard worm guy, but I think I need to switch it up. On the kayak I tried a lure or two but kept getting snagged, and I gave up quickly. I'm thinking some sort of weedless frog could maybe work. It's been way too long since I have shopped for some new supplies for my tacklebox, and I'd love some suggestions. 

Let's talk fishin' sometime, hit me up on the WQMX studio line! Call or text 330-370-2000 weeknights from midnight to 5am and let me know what's working for you; I'd appreciate some tips and advice. Remember: it's called fishing and not catching for a reason, and there's never a failed day out on the lake if you're soaking up the sunshine and enjoying nature. 

Get ready for the "Ahoy's", "Shiver Me Timbers", "Matey" and "Scallywag"....

Tomorrow is Talk Like A Pirate Day...  My Family is so happy the day has finally arrived.   I have been talking like a pirate for about 4 or 5 days now practicing.   I am a method actor pirate.... So you can imagine the frustration of my family living on the high-seas with a pirate talking matey like me.

I believe my son's exact words were "Can you stop!  "Yar" pirate talk is terrible."   Haha!  He gets it honestly.  Enjoy the fun tomorrow!  "Yar" welcome for the reminder.

Steve Wariner  - All Roads Lead To You -  1981 -  (Album -Steve Wariner)

Time has not been kind to a lot of country stars and their music.  We do a very good job of affectionately remembering many stars  -  and a not so good job at looking back at others.  In the former, we do as good a job as anyone, in the latter we could use improvement.  Steve Wariner was a star in the 80's and then well into the 90's.  His career shifted a few times. He initially was very popular during a time country was very pop sounding.  Then as traditional became the fashion, he adjusted his career path quite well.  He had a big hit with Garth, Longneck Bottle.  He is a supreme guitar player and was featured in my series, The Guitarists.  In fact, he is just an incredible musician in many respects.  This song really sprung Wariner in the time of Urban Cowboy-ish sounding songs.  Yes, this is pop country, but to me it's more than that.  Putting formats aside for a minute, this is just a GREAT song, written by two of the biggest song writers in Nashville at that moment.  This was the style at the time that was very prevalent, pop - and country -  on equal footing.  Trying to be all things to all people.   Is it format-less?  Maybe, but it's terrific.  If you like good music, you'll like this #1 song.  (He had 9 of them)

My Full Profile On Steve Wariner

Steve Wariner - The Guitarists

Brooks And Dunn - Only In America - 2001

This song is so good, it still makes me happy to it play every time we fire it up on WQMX.  Brooks And Dunn rattled off a gigantic line of huge hits for years, and this to me tops their list. Honestly though, it's a tough choice because their line of hits is long. The Steers And Stripes album that this come from is simply sensational spawning off a ton of hits.  A couple years ago they were at Blossom and that wasn't just a concert, it was an event.  They still have it after all these years. This song has that one element that to me is the sign a song is in the right place.  My ears can't imagine anyone else singing this gem. This also does what virtually no other music format has any interest in doing. It shows pride in America and tells the story honestly of the people in it within its inner story. This song makes you feel good and is timeless in every regard. It makes you proud and happy you live here, nothing wrong with that. I love all kinds of music and all kinds of subject matter.  But to me, music is best served when it picks you up.  Yes, I'm a Brooks And Dunn fan, but weren't we all, aren't we all?  They are one of the best, most successful and longest running acts we have ever had. 

This was co-written by Kix Brooks, and this song Kix A$$. 

Last Week #14

My Full Profile On Brooks And Dunn

We are far more fortunate than many in the USA!  We live in "corn country"  and that is nothing but good news.  This is corn season and there is no better corn than fresh corn on the cob from the Midwest! 

You do the shucking,  and I'll do the eating!

Corn On The Cob Recipes!!!

This past Saturday evening, Hardy played a sold-out show at the Covelli Center in Youngstown and blew the roof off the place! The energy between the artist and audience was unlike anything I have witnessed before, and I can now say that I get Hardy. I've always loved his music, but I get it now. I don't know if that makes sense, but I'm not sure how else to describe it. Lainey Wilson compared his performance to a WWE event and at first I was confused, but not now. 

Hardy's fans seem to be as intense as he is, in the best way. Every song was a jam, and his setlist impressed me in that he was able to sample his diverse catalog seemlessly. To play tunes like Radio Song and One Beer within the same act and have an equally warm reception from the audience is a feat. I still can't get Unapologetically Country As Hell out of my head, which was probably my favorite from his performance. 

Of course I can't talk about this concert without mentioning my favorite female country artist, Lainey Wilson. (Megan Moroney might be tied with her, but I digress.) I've been a huge fan of Lainey since she first hit the limelight, and fondly remember meeting her for the first time at our Bossom Buddies Benefit Conert 2022. She was just gaining traction in the charts at that point, and soon after exploded in popularity (rightfully so). She's just amazing, and her story of perservearance is inspirational to all. I love her Bell Bottom Country style and attire, and on Saturday she wore this super-cool hat with a feather coming out; it was a certified 'fit.

My favorite song of hers is a little ditty called Those Boots, off her latest album. She unfortunately did not play it, but I can understand why as it is one of her less popluar tunes and may not have fit in so well with the rest of the show. She did play all my other favorites however, and she even did a striking solo version of Never Say Never. It was so good. 

To see Lainey Wilson glow up from where she began to selling out huge venues touring with Hardy makes me so happy. I was content to see she has mantained the same band she toured with on the smaller stages. Her producer/guitarist dude with the bowler hat is a whole vibe; he and the rest of the band are quite talented. Just like Hardy, Lainey Wilson did not miss a beat and put on a stellar performance. 

I unfortunately did not catch the opener Dylan Marlowe, but it was a sort-of funny story why. I never drive out to the Youngstown area, and I'm not sure if I've even been there once. With that, I was unfamilar with the map and ended up going about fifteen minutes in the wrong direction once getting off the highway. Let me tell you, it was weird. There was a single road with no outlets for miles, with woods and industry on either side. Traveling down it I thought, "there's no way the tour busses went down this road: something's off," yet I proceeded still. 

I should have trusted my gut, as I ended up in this weird little town that seemed like the setting for a horror movie. There were a ton of houses, streets, and cars; and aside from a resturant/bar we passed on the outskirts of town, there was literally no activity. It was uncanny, and I could smell bonfires but saw none and nobody. I joked that the whole village must be at the Hardy concert, but seriously it was strange. I'm still a little creeped out from it. 

I did hear Dylan Marlowe perform a Jon Pardi tune he wrote, and Hardy sang a Morgan Wallen tune that he penned. Scott Wynn once told me that Hardy is an incredible songwriter who has had a hand in many a hit song, but I had no idea just how much he has written. He wrote every one of my favorite Wallen songs and so much more, and I bet you'd be shocked as well to discover the depth of his discography. I'd venture to claim that Hardy is the best country music songwriter of this era. I'd love to hear a rebuttal for that, but personally I can't think of anyone comparable. 

To wrap this long blog up, I just want to express how thankful I am to have my job here at WQMX and for all the experiences it has afforded me. It's not always glamorous, but there's no where else I'd rather be in my professional life right now than at the best dang radio staion in the whole wide world, Your Country 94.9 WQMX! Attending events we put on and interacting with listeners is one of the best parts about what I do, and if that sounds like something you'd be interested in, Rubber City Radio Group is looking for enthustiatic individuals to work part-time on our Street Team in promotions. I'll drop a link for more info on that below, and thanks for reading!

https://rcrg.net/street-team/

Thank you for coming out to the charity shows on Wednesday & Thursday with WQMX! Three words to describe them - A. MA.ZING.!!!! We raised a lot of money for both Bosom Buddies and NEOPAT. As always, this money stays local here in NorthEast Ohio! Beyond that, the shows the artists put on were A+!

Wednesday with Hannah Ellis at the beautiful setting of 1875 Winery was such fun! It got chilly after the sun went down, but who cares?! The music was great, and I hear the food and drinks were top notch as well.

Then on Thursday at the Dusty Armadillo, Frank Ray and Michael Ray blew the roof off the house! Frank was fantastic, and Michael put on a show that was one of the best I have seen in a long time.

It was great seeing everyone at both events, thank you so much fo helping charity, and I hope you enjoyed the shows as much as I did! See you at Bosom Buddies Oct 18th. Get your tickets now!!!

There is a lot of new music available today that you should know about!

Let's start with the singles:

Maren Morris "The Bridge"
Nate Smith "Chasing Cars"
Ian Munsick "Long Live Cowgirls"
MaRynn Taylor "In My Head"

Here are the new albums available now:

Jon Langson Heart On Ice
Dan + Shay Bigger Houses
Brothers Osborne Brothers Osborne
BRELAND CROSS COUNTRY: THE EXTRA MILE
Justin Moore Late Nights and Longnecks Deluxe
Tyler Booth Keep It Real

Make sure to pre-save/add these:

9/22
Carrie Underwood Denim & Rhinestones (Deluxe Edition)
Parmalee For You 2

9/29
ERNEST & The Fellas Unplugged

10/6
Darius Rucker Carolyn's Boy
Reba Not That Fancy
LANCO Run, Run, Baby

10/13
Riley Green Ain’t My Last Rodeo
Kylie Morgan Making It Up As I Go
Charlie Worsham Compadres

10/20
Restless Road Last Rodeo
James Barker Band Ahead of our Time

10/27
The Cadillac Three The Years Go Fast
BMG presents A Tribute to The Judds
Robyn Ottolini Growing Up To Do EP

11/3
Jason Aldean Highway Desperado

11/10
Chris Stapleton Higher

11/17
Dolly Parton Rockstar

Here are my articles this week from WQMX.com in case you missed any of them. Thanks for reading and thanks for listening every morning!

Grab a coffee and earbuds and enjoy!

My Sunday Morning Song

BROWNS - Playing In The Neighbors Yard

50 Favorites From 40+ Years #14

Forgotten Jukebox GS-82

Country Music Memory Lane - Trisha Yearwood (Birthday Revisited)

Wynn At The Movies