Too many fatal crashes occur on two wheels every year, and quite often it has nothing to do with the biker or their ability. A motorcyclist is 28 times more likely to lose their life in a fatal collision compared to other motorists on the road, and motorcycles are undeniably more vulnerable in nearly any given situation. Motorcycles are smaller, more difficult to see, and less intimidating than typical vehicles when headed in your direction. This leads to the too common occurrence of people pulling out in front of bikes, hence the need for the social campaign, "Look Out For Motorcycles." 

Unfortunately, the responsibility to ensure a biker lives to see another day seems to rest almost soley on their own shoulders. Driving a car you have a protective shell with seatbelts, airbags, and impact zones. This numbs the driver and detaches them from the dangers of what they are doing. It's quite apparent on a bike, on the other hand. Not only do motorcyclists have to deal with decreased traction, debris/hazards in the roadways, and unfriendly weather/environmental conditions, but we also have to be hyper aware of every single moving object within our eyesight and beyond. We must hold the expectation that we are essentially invisible to others, and that everything is out to get us. There are no givens on a motorcycle, and assumptions can be deadly when other drivers act unpredictably. Despite the increased difficulty in operating, motorcycles are constantly looking out for cars, but that seems to go unrecirprocated. What I'm trying to explain here is that it takes a lot to operate a motorbike in of itself, let alone with traffic and pedestrians all around. 61% of motorcycle fatalities occur within Urban areas. Additionally, 76% of motorcycle collisions are head on, suggesting that often something enters their zone before they are unable to brake in time. 

I don't want to suggest that motorcyclists are always in the right and that every accident should be attributed to vehicular negligence on the part of the car. Factors such as alcohol, lack of helmets, and speeding are substantial contributors to the fatality statistics as well, in reference to the biker. There will always be present danger in riding a motorcycle, but measures such as proper protective riding gear, a sober and clear mind, and loud pipes can make a positive difference. 

This blog comes in a timely matter because August is reportedly the most dangerous time for a motorcyclist to be on the road, with 14% of all fatal crashes occurring within the month. No one should get the call that their family member won't be coming home tonight or ever again, especially when the motorcyclist did nothing wrong. I ride and have many family members and friends that do as well. I have lost friends and seen lives turned upside down from crashes. For me, for those you know, and for those you don't, please look out for motorcycles. 

Statistics cited in this blog and additional information on the topic can be found at: Motorcycle Accident Statistics & Numbers For 2023 – Forbes Advisor

Jake Owen - Down To The Honky Tonk - 2018

This is perfect for Jake Owen.  On the air I've quipped that this is the "greatest song ever written."  OK, clearly overstated. But it's spot on for the kind of song that sets us apart from every other kind of music.  Not many are willing to have this kind of levity and take shots at ourselves by stating in song that having enough, is simply normal and enough.  In country many times we take ourselves entirely to serious. In addition to our strong traditional lineup, we go through phases of super high intensity songs that are over sung, and over done. And the "coffee house angsty songs"  where artists attempt to wow us with some kind of deeper meaning from an open mic night.  A little bit of those go a long way.  Then there's simple songs like this that everyone loves, knows all the words too, and gladly sings along with at the bar.  Jake Owen to me is so versatile and does songs like this real well.  He also can do tough stuff too, and I respect that.  I have been a fan for years and I watched this song go top ten.  Is this "The greatest song ever written?"   Well, on a summer night on the patio or deck of your favorite bar with your friends and a nice breeze?  Well - yes.  Yes it is!

Last Week #18

High School Football is here, and College starts this week!  Browns a couple weeks away yet, but we have to start getting our game day menus together, and this is a GREAT place to start.

Always room for Chili!

Texas Chili? Almost Football Season

Cody Johnson is on a roll right now in the fact that he is recording and releasing songs that really resonate with many listeners.  The chart success is what it is.  It's good but not as strong as our listeners passion for some of his songs. But this new song is just another in a nice line of highly relatable songs that have real feel.  This song is pretty darn good and I feel you are going to share the same passion for this song as you have for his others.

Sunday is National Radio Day and at WQMX we say it all the time...

We are YOUR COUNTRY! We are live and local... You make us what we are and allow us to do what we love.  Thank you for make us part of your day, sharing your stories and sharing parts of your lives with us.  We are part of your community, we are your neighbors and friends.  We appreciate you lending an ear, reaching out to us, supporting our amazing charities and events and above all being you always.

I am honored and wouldn't want to do this anywhere else.  Thank you for turning us on, turning us up and being the best!  

Hard to believe, but week 1 of the High School Football season is here! It's crazy to think that for the next 10 weeks (maybe more depending), it'll be the place to go and thing to do on a Friday night. Most of my years in high school at Stow, we had bad teams. There was one year our record was 1-9 :(. I do remember though that in my senior year, a friend of mine and I said to each other that together we'd go to all 10 games - home & away no matter what.

We did. Let me tell you...we sat through some good games and bad games. I specifically remember travelling over to Kent for the game one week and it was FA-REEZING!!! I thought for sure I was going to get stuck to the bleachers!! LOL. We made it through the whole game though - and the whole season. If you make it out to catch some hs football this Fall, enjoy it!

Scotty McCreery just earned his sixth consecutive #1 single with "It Matters To Her" and now he has sent his next single to radio from his latest album Same Truck. "Cab In A Solo" finds Scotty singing about heartbreak after finding out an ex had moved on. He said that the song was born in the mountains of North Carolina while he and his buddies were around the fire writing country music.  

ICYMI - Here are my articles this week from WQMX.com  Grab some coffee and earbuds and get caught up!  Thanks for reading and listening every day!

My Sunday Morning Song

Eat Of The Week

50 Favorites From 40+ Years #18

Forgotten Jukebox E-18

Country Music Memory Lane - The Keyboardists

Wynn At The Movies And More

There's not much in this world I would rather do on any given day than ride my quad through some trails. Whether its Bear Creek or simply the swamp in my back yard, my Recon is like a magnet to mud holes. 

Riding with friends is not only significantly more fun, but also safer. On top of that, if you get stuck like I tend to do, there's another machine to help get you out. My good friend Tyler will drive straight into anything with no hesitation, and yesterday was no different. We approached my swamp, which had been uncharacteristically dry this summer, to discover it has been flooded-out from recent rain storms. Because of this, the makeshift bridge that I had made from disassembled wooden pallets was a few yards from where it was supposed to be. With it being submerged for an unknown amount of time and built from untreated wood, it was all but destroyed. Naturally we decided if we could not go over, the only way was through. 

Well, you could probably guess where that got us. Tyler has no regard, and is always the first to give it a go. His tires disappeared. The swamp literally ate his tractor, and after some muddy repositioning, we were still unable to pull it out by ourselves. My tractor wasn't going to do much, so it was time to get the quad. For a two-wheel-drive it is fairly capable, and it was easy to yank out the stuck Wheelhorse once we found a strong enough recovery rope. 

Most people probably make attempts to avoid getting stuck, but my friends and I often do the polar opposite. Since our riding area is relatively small, we find enjoyment in pushing the limits of traction whenever possible. The bigger the hill or the deeper the mud, the better! We actually say, "let's go get stuck." 

I am so happy that the weekend has finally come back around, and I intend to ride hard this weekend. I have a mechanic who is going to work on my quad next week, so I had might as well send it. Let's get a little mud on the tires!

Meeeee meeee meeeeeee!!!!  (clears throat).  

If you have listened to the show... You know I am not a singer.  But in the singing game, a voice, is the money-maker!  Gotta Protect It!

Artists have to realize that after taking a huge chunk of time off during the pandemic. (not their fault)  Their voices will take time to strengthen for the abundance of shows they are putting on their vocal cords these days. 

For some artists the pandemic was the biggest layoff of their careers. Now being back on the road for a full tour is overload.

Recently,

-Morgan Wallen was put on vocal rest by doctor's orders and missed a month of shows. 

-Miranda had an illness that had her re-schedule a few of her residency shows. 

-Luke Bryan had to cancel 3 shows due to illness.  Then Played 2 shows and then had to cancel another. 

Vocal rest is nothing new.  Reba, Jon Pardi, Shania a lot of artists have been on ordered rest in the past.  It is just the nature of the business.  People get sick, strain vocals and can't make shows for some reason or another.  It is nothing personal against us the ticketholders! I understand the frustration.  Going, waiting to park, paying for parking, standing/waiting/getting into the venue, refreshments, concert memorabilia, just to turn around and have to do it all over again or just get a refund.  

I realize this summer has been a really wet one for outdoor country shows.  We are Ohio!  Wait 5 minutes and the weather is different...   some shows have been like 5 hour delays, but they happened, and were worth it to me.   The artists, venues, promoters... no one wants to cancel million dollar shows or tours due to weather, voice, health or any instance.  Life happens... The artist wants to give you the best show because it's their livelihood and you pay their bills and keep them going.  They do not want to let you down.  If it is a vocal issue they have to wait for doctor's 'all clear'.  Let's just hope the rest of the outdoor shows go over without any hiccups...  You can't cancel a show for those???   Kidding.  

Dylan Scott just dropped a few shows due to doctors vocal rest orders (not around Ohio):

(1/2) "Hey guys - cancelling shows is never something I want to do but with doctor’s orders I cannot perform this weekend.
Kansas City - we will be rescheduling tonight’s show two weeks from now to 08/31.

Unfortunately, my appearances on the following two shows are cancelled:

— Dylan Scott (@DylanScottCntry) August 17, 2023

(2/2)

08/18 Watertown, SD
08/19 East Grand Forks, MN

If you had tickets to any of these shows, more information will be coming to you directly from each venue. I am so sorry but thank you guys for understanding!” - Dylan

— Dylan Scott (@DylanScottCntry) August 17, 2023