Songs on this list are important for various reasons, and one of them is what they started. That's what's going on here. When Dwight Yoakam released this single, country was desperately looking for a new direction that would be the next great phase and hopefully put us on a far more successful path. And this single was a very big part of that.  This launched the career of Yoakam and his sound and look helped reinvent the format, opening the door for a far more traditional sound, and showing the fading and faded "pop country" the door.  I have always contended that Randy Travis and Yoakam really helped save the format, as they showed up about the same time and were both incredibly successful right from the get-go.  They each had a very distinct vocal sound that separated them from the pack at the time.  This was a #3 hit off the Guitars And Cadillac's album (EP) and was exceedingly popular with fans.  His image, style, and stage presence was also very new and fresh as he stirred up a lot of new fans with that as well.  The class of 1989 gets a lot of credit for country's massive popularity and it's deserved.  But this era a few years earlier without any question opened the door for them.  This song turned a lot of heads and helped to set us on a new and exciting road for years to come.

Last Week #27

My Full Profile On Dwight Yoakam

Class Of 1986

Lots of times in the warmer months I have the tendency to eat lighter at times, and this is proof positive it can be done. I love both eggs and tomatoes!

Give it a try!!

Eggs And Tomatoes!!!

In case you missed some of my articles this week from WQMX.com here is an recap to get you caught up!  Thanks for listening and reading everyday!

Eat Of The Week

50 Most Important Country Songs 1980-Today #27

Forgotten Jukebox R-10

CMML - Were They Or Weren't They (Part 2)

Wynn At The Movies And More!

Box Office Results - Bad Boys ( 56 million)

#2 Garfield ( 10 Million)

#3 - If ( 8 million)

New This Week - Inside out 2 / Firebrand

T-Swifty - Will NOT be in the new Deadpool and Wolverine movie as rumored

Looks Like - There may be another Practical Magic movie in the works Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman are on board (1998)

Disney - Live action version of Moana is in the works – in theaters July 2026

My Country Music Memory Lane   -  (link)

Also - 50 Most Important Country Songs 1980 – Today #27 (Link)

Turn On The Radio  - Reba McEntire - 2010  (Album - All The Women I Am) 

This song was a number one song, and will more than likely be Reba's last number one, and that's OK.  Reba for the most part has moved on from a charting country music career and is now a superstar ambassador for our format and music. But this was a GREAT song, and I do miss playing this on the radio.  It's just Reba the way we like her, with a strong song, voice and a bit of attitude. If it's been a while, take a listen to a great singer, sing a great song.

Last Weeks Selection

My Full Profile On Reba McEntire

The Vocalists Supreme Series Part 4

50 Favorites From 40 Years #4

Songs are important for assorted reasons, like this big number one song. Darius Rucker announced a Country Project and many of us were wondering where that came from.  There has been no shortage of non-country acts coming to Nashville for decades, making friends, enjoying the "scene" then deciding to make their "country" album.  A whole lot of the time it doesn't work, and sometimes fails horribly.  The single biggest mistake they all seem to make is this.  They think they can reinvent the format. That arrogant thought process generally is the kiss of death. We all knew Darius from the Hootie days and I think we all enjoyed a lot of their music.  But this was Darius solo. A South Carolina guy with some country roots in him, and of course his incredible voice we were all wondering what he would do.  So he recorded a country album, and it was country. This was the first single, and this is terrific.  From the title, to the arrangement, to the delivery, the subject matter, this was an upper deck home run.  Incredibly smart, savvy and just flat out good. He made instant believers of us all.  He's had a great country career starting with this amazing song, and that's great for all of us for every reason their is.  And it all started with a reuinvention of himself, but not trying to reinvent the format. We're lucky to have Darius Rucker.  This is one of the best country songs of this new century.

Last Week #28

50 Favorites From 40 Years #15

The Vocalists Supreme Series  Part 2

This is a fair question, who is the genius who invented Chicken Crust Pizza? A pizza crust made of chicken?  Sounds too good to be true!

Chicken Crust Pizza? OK, I'm IN!

A few months ago I wrote a series on Were They Or Weren't They?  It was very popular so I thought we would look back on it again.   It looked at a lot of artists that we used to play on Country Radio years ago when we were not as popular as we are now. So were they Country?  You can decide.   Let's look back at that series today with Part 2

Were They Or Weren't They - Part 2

A few months ago I wrote a series on Were They Or Weren't They?  It was very popular so I thought we would look back on it again.   It looked at a lot of artists that we used to play on Country Radio years ago when we were not as popular as we are now. So were they Country?  You can decide.   Let's look back at that series starting today with Part 1

Were They Or Weren't They? Part 1

Miranda Lambert  - Famous In A Small Town -  2007  -  (Album Crazy Ex-Girlfriend)

It's hard to think this was almost 18 years ago, but it was.  This song from this album to me, is the reason we love Miranda Lambert.  I like her when she sings with an edge.  I like it when she's not overly polished in voice or in image. I like Lambert in jeans and boots, and a guitar,with attitude kicking over amplifiers and being rock star-ish!  This really fun song only got to about number 14 in 2007, but greater things were up the road.  But her road is paved with gems like this that fans loved to hear and sing with.  This has the incredible feel of a legendary garage band on the verge of being discovered and I love that, and that will never get old.  This is just good!  This is not her biggest song by any measure, but I will drive around the block to hear her finish this, and I can't say that about many songs, in any format. This is perfect Miranda.

Last Weeks Selection

Miranda - 50 Most Important Country Songs 1980- Today #42