If You Are  - Returning to a movie theater (Cinamasafe)

As Godzilla And Kong  - Got Hollywood back up and running a few weeks back. With restrictions changing, this weekend could be the one that gives it a very huge boost!  (Story)

New This Week -   Cruella  / A Quiet Place Part 2     

BTW  - In The Heights, Theaters and HBO Max - June 11

Box Office Results - Spiral (Saw) /  Wrath Of Man   (Story)

In June - You'll be able to get HBO Max with ads for $9.99 a month. The no-ads package costs $14.99   (Story)  

Hey, Don't Forget  - This weekend begins the Friends Reunion on HBO Max  (Story)

Lindsay Lohan – Returns to acting with a Christmas movie that will be on Netflix -  (Story)

New Movie – Wonka – story about a young Willy Wonka with Timothy Chalamet  (Story) 

Shrek – Turns 20 this weekend!

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

And My Song Of The Week  -  (link)

This is Part One of a Two-Week series, this week and next - (5 songs this week, 5 next week!)

As my Country Music Memory Lane series rolls on, it has me thinking about all the various ways we can go.  Of course featuring stars is a great way, and we'll do more of them, but there are songs too. This week and next are dedicated to songs that made a huge impact on people in the first minute of the first radio play.  These are rare, as they make the studio phone ring immediately on the air, with listeners asking, "What is this song, and who is that??, I love this song!!"  

These are some of the songs I remember doing exactly that in my 41 year career so far.  There are others, but they are very rare.  And I am hoping there are more recorded as time goes on!

On The Other Hand - Randy Travis  -  (1986)

I was doing mornings at WRMZ (FM-100) in Columbus, Ohio when this song came out. It was NOT Randy Travis' first hit song, 1982 was. But this was released first and did nothing, as it peaked at #67.  They released it again, after 1982 and in my view after it went #1, became one of the most important country songs ever.  We couldn't play this song enough as fans LOVED it.  It was the strongest signal yet that a younger country, with a traditional sound that started a few years earlier by artists like Alabama, George Strait and Earl Thomas Conley, was here to stay.  What was left of pop-country was over.  Storms of Life is a classic album too, belongs in every collection.  Randy was the next level - (Please read my article Who Saved Country Music Part 1)  (And Part 2)

Honky Tonk Man -  Dwight Yoakam  -  (1986)

I was in Columbus still when this song came out, and he was something very new and totally different. We had never seen anything in country like this before.  Listeners loved this new kind of rockabilly, yet traditional sound.  We did a live show with him right about the release date, and we had people hanging from the rafters that night at some big club, and that was very unusual then. Dwight stirred forgotten passions within fans as we had many years of pop-country being the driving force. This was not. This is a song we could have played every 15 minutes and no one would have minded.  Along with Travis, country had been elevated by leaps and bounds.  The traditionalists, some were here, others were on the way.  This EP - Guitars And Cadillac's is universally loved. He's featured here -  (Please Read My Article Who Saved Country Music Part 1) (And Part 2)

Better Man - Clint Black  -  (1989) 

When I was doing mornings at KLIK (The Big 950) in Jefferson City, Missouri country was kicking into a very high gear and this song was a big part of it.  Midway through the first play the phone was ringing wondering if this was new and reinvented Merle Haggard. There is no doubt it is Haggard like, but Clint Black successfully tapped into the young, and the not so young, with this monster hit, and even bigger album.  He was Merle Haggard and George Strait rolled into one star.  This sound sent him on a huge run as one of our biggest new stars at the time. The next song, Killin' Time solidified him as a star.  He had a lot to do with country's massive acceleration from 1989 on. This album, Killin' Time is one of the best country albums of all time.

The Dance  - Garth Brooks  -  (1989)

Garth had a few singles before this and he was known as a nice young artist, but this song for many is about the perfect song.  This sent him on a real roll that, well is still going today as he sells out stadiums.  Still may be the most loved song we have ever had.  This song had a whole lot to do with his meteoric rise to a superstar level that we never had, and frankly couldn't imagine.  In short order, Garth Brooks was the biggest singing star on the planet, and this song had the phones ringing as the piano was playing out.  The massive popularity of this song was and is hard to explain unless you were there to see it.

Where've You Been  - Kathy Mattea  - 1989

This song had the phone ringing as it finished in my studio with listeners literally in tears and many proclaiming it was the most beautiful song they had ever heard.  This is one powerful song that may not speak to you right now, but at some point will. It's timeless and flawless and so was Kathy's performance. This is an example of the perfect song meeting the person born to sing it.  Kathy Mattea was a supreme vocalist that chose her material perfectly.  She is breathtaking in this song.  This kind of song defied the odds on being a "radio song"  It's just too darn good.  Still a favorite for those who discover it.  (Read my article on Kathy Mattea here)

Click Here To Hear Wynn's Song Of The Week!

I have been a long time endorser of Dunkin on WQMX, and proud of it. Hard not to be, their coffee and thier specialty drinks are incredible, and thier delicious treats, plus they help me and millions of others start their day off right.  So this increible deal is no real surprise.

Dunkin has teamed up with Backdrop for a limited time to make sure you can buy Dunkin color PAINT!  Their amazing pink and orange.  So you can give a room or your coffee nook a nice Dunkin feel!  What a GREAT idea!  I have a feeling this could be an incredible social media thing, as there will be those who do it, and have fun with it.

Here is the website with all the info for you and how to get your paint!

Dunkin Inspired paint from Backdrop!

Because for many years , you, me and American run on Dunkin' !!

Put the free Dunkin App in your phone and become a DD Perks Member!

OK, I'm eating this...

I don't eat a ton of potatoes, not because I don't like them, but because they are carb laden.  BUT sometimes you see a recipe or idea that is so good, you gotta dig in!

Fluffy, Crispy Baked Potatoes!

Are you kidding me?  Yes, Please!

BTW - Bonus Recipe - From ME!

Wynn's  - Jalapeno Grilled Cheese!

Texas Toast - Buttered - Sprinkle With Garlic Powder And Cajun Seasoning

2 Pieces Medium Sliced Cheese

3 Thin Slices Pieces Salami

Jalapeno Slices From A Jar

Small Handful of Shredded Cheese

Small Handful of Blue Cheese Crumbles

In skillet, put in a small amount of Olive oil and hot sauce - Mix and let heat up!

Make a Grilled Cheese as normal - Press after the first and second slip with spatula

EAT!!!

While You're Here, Listen To My Song Of The Week!

We did a charity show with Hardy a year or two ago at Tangier,  I was able to talk with him at length backstage before showtime.  It was fun to share stories and I had an easy conversation with a very nice, new unassuming star.  Sarah and I also talked with him over the phone on the show last week, and it's great to catch up with such a regular guy.  But there is nothing regular about his talent.

Things have gone very well for him since that night and that's great to see. Hardy is a remarkably gifted songwriter and this is  - a remarkable song.  He's written a ton of great songs already for himself and others in his young career. If you have not heard this yet, I'm not going into detail about the subject matter of this song, because after you watch this video it will be self explanatory why this song will resonate with virtually everyone.

But that is the strength of ANY Hardy song.  He writes and records real songs, about real people, in real situations, in real life.  This will hit a whole lot of people in the perfect way.  Hardy is on his way!  He's just flat out likable!

Grab a coffee and catch this - The Song Of The Week!

About Half – Of us feel good about returning to a movie theater (Cinamasafe)

Box Office Results -  Spiral From The Book Of Saw / Wrath of Man / Those Who Wish Me Dead  (Story) 

New This Week In Theaters -  Army Of The Dead  / American Fighter (Apple TV)

In June - You'll be able to get HBO Max with ads for $9.99 a month. The no-ads package costs $14.99.  (Story)

New Video - The Father / Tom and Jerry  / Raya And The Last Dragon  (Story)

Amazon - Is in negotiations to buy MGM for $9 billion (Story)

Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins - Now opens in theaters July 23rd

Zach Snyder - One of the biggest complaints about his new film Army of the Dead is that it’s too long. (2 Hours 31 Mins)

NBC - Will air Annie Live! this holiday season. (Story) 

Twister - Movie turns 25 this week!  (Story)

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

Also This Weekend - Wynn's Song Of The Week  (link)

There are many things to write about as far as Country Music Memories are concerned. Last week we looked at some incredible duets (CLICK TO READ) and we will do more of those in weeks ahead.  This week, we will look at Desert Island Country Albums.  The ones you would choose if you were marooned on a desert island to listen to, (ALA - Tom Hanks In Castaway).  I'll list some of mine, and I will pick one for each article from each decade starting with 1980, up until 2019, and a Wild Card album which can be from any decade. So each installment, there will be 5 to list. I'll do four parts, so 20 should about cover it. 

If your favorite doesn't make the list this week, chances are it will make future lists on this subject, so let's have some fun.

Desert Island Country Island Albums - Part 1

The 1980's  (1981)  Earl Thomas Conley - Fire And Smoke

This album in my view, is one of the most pivotal albums in Country's shift from an older set of country stars, sound and image. ETC was different, but that didn't turn anyone off, in fact, he opened minds, ears and eyes.  It was his first album on a major lable (RCA). This ten song collection is incredible, each song being very strong, and boasted 4 big hits plus 6 fantastic album cuts, and both were unusual for the time. It was forward sounding, with a slick band and different kind of production.  It was traditional, yet contemporary, with a new way of doing things. He also was a new breed as he wrote the entire album as he was an incredible songwriter.  I think this album sent a message that new country was coming as it was very different than what was on the radio at that time.  Fire And Smoke, Song Of The Year 1981  It was soon to be a new day.  (Earl Thomas Conley Article I Wrote)

Singles -  Silent Treatment #7  /  Fire And Smoke #1 /  Tell Me Why #10 / After The Love Slips Away #16

Tell My Why - Third Hit Off This Album  (Read YouTube Comments)

The 1990's  (1997)  Tim McGraw - Everywhere

This is just flat out great stuff.  This is one of the very best albums, of any format, anywhere over the past 25 years.  Everywhere is an upper deck grand slam home run from the first song to the last. It was, and is the crown jewel of his incredible career.  There were great albums from him before this, and of course great albums after, but this is beyond sensational.  Again, this ten song album threw out 6 hits, 4 of them #1's.  Two of the hits spending 6 weeks at number one. This is a once in a lifetime kind of deal where an album is so good, and universally loved by fans. What a gem for music in general. Any artist  - recording any kind of music would love to record an album this good, focused, and on point.

Singles  - It's Your Love #1 (6weeks)  /  Everywhere #1  /  Just To See You Smile #1 (6weeks) /  One Of These Days #2 /   Where The Green Grass Grows #1  / For A Little While #2

Just To See You Smile  - 6 Weeks Number One!  What A Smash!

2000 - 2009 (2002)   Kenny Chesney  - No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems

Kenny Chesney has a ton of great albums, but this from 2002, was the first that showcased the island vibe that he became synonymous with.  Chesney had been on the charts since 1995 with the song, Fall In Love, and had been a solid act and consistent hit maker.  But this album changed a lot of things. After this, he seemed to record with a lot more confidence and had a better level of success.  He found his footing and launched a new direction. This fantastic album has 5 big hits, including a #1 with The Good Stuff, which won song of the year, and deserved it.  This set the stage for the wildly successful, When The Sun Goes Down album two years later. But this album to me is the best mix of who Chesney was, and who he was becoming in the years ahead.

Singles - Young  #2  /  The Good Stuff #1  / A Lot Of Things Different #6  /  Big Star #2  / No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems #2

No Shirt, No Shoes, No Problems - Changed A Lot Of Things For Chesney

2010 - 2019 - (2016)  Maren Morris - Hero

When Maren Morris came to the WQMX Studios a few years ago and was on our morning show, there was no doubt she was loaded with talent. This album is really great, and even though the chart numbers aren't mind blowing, the sales numbers are and so is the enthusiasm for her as a person, and her music.  She burst on the scene and was different. Her songs have a real punch and a powerful underneathe. I love her bold and determined singing style and use of vocals in a whole new way. This album was on the charts a long time with 4 singles and a number one.  It introduced us to a new star that was to become exceedingly popular with her fans on and off the stage. This is a very well done album, and will be a fan favorite for years to come.  Awards, and accolades, she is a star.

Singles  -  My Church #5  /  80's Mercedes #11  /  I Could Use A Love Song #1  /  Rich #8 

80's Mercedes - Great Song, Very Different, With A Thunderous Beat

Wild Card  -  (1980)  Alabama - My Homes In Alabama

This album helped change everything.  It broke through, became a huge hit, and put Nashville on notice that there was a new Marshall in town with a new look and sound. Alabama and Earl Thomas Conley around the same time hit the radio and began to pivot us to a whole new country, but in fairness, it would take a while longer still.  It was new, different and it was from a country "band"  very unusual then. It gave them 4 hit singles, with the last two going to #1.  That was the start of an insane 17 straight number ones and 30 some say 40 overall.  When this album came out, there was no denying that it was new, fresh, young but still traditional.  It set the stage for the incredibly successful Feels So Right album which launched them into superstardom, but this is where it began. There's something about this album I really like, it's natural, unspoiled, and groundbreaking.  They were right on time when we needed a hero.

Singles  - I Wanna Come Over (released 1979) #33  (My favorite Alabama Song) /  My Home's In Alabama #17  /  Tennessee River #1  /  Why Lady Why #1 

Their First Number One!

CLICK HERE FOR THIS WEEKS = WYNN'S SONG OF THE WEEK!

I would like to share this with you, because what's happening with my mom right now will sound similar for many of you I feel. My mom is 93, is in very bad shape and the end is not very far off. Her memory has failed and now her body is too.  It has me thinking about the immediate future, but it also has me thinking about the past.

Yesterday, I tried to think about the last thing I did with both my mom and dad together before he died many years ago.  And I had a thought, and I was able to track it down.  And it made me happy to think of good times as opposed the difficult, beit temporary ones ahead as I have not lost my perspective.  My dad died in April of 1978, after a short battle with cancer. He told me he was ill in August of 1977, and it wasn't long after that things got pretty tough.  But Labor Day Weekend 1977, there was a very good day within it.  I was 15.

Me, my mom and dad together went to the old Municipal Stadium to see a doubleheader with the Tribe and the New York Yankees!  Just us three as my siblings lived out of town.  In those days the Indians were not very good at all, and the Yankees were great with tons of really good players.  They won the World Series later that fall.  I can't remember who's idea it was to go, but it was a good one.  And us three together doing things was very rare in those days.  Being honest, I can't remember why that was. It might be good I don't. 

But it was September 4, 1977. My dad bought us very nice upper box seats by home plate, that was rare too for us then.  We had pop and hot dogs and bought programs and kept score.  We watched and stayed for both games, and the Tribe WON both games! They swept the YANKEES in a doubleheader! The crowd was big for those days (28,184) and it was one of the best times I ever had at a game.  The crowd was crazy as we waved our "I Hate The Yankee Hankee"  (That was the giveaway that day). No one complained about being there for 8 hours. The weather was great, and the memory burned into my brain at that moment. I knew, at that second I would remember this day my whole life.  And I still do - like it was yesterday.

Yankee Hankee

My dad got very bad a couple months later, and passed in the spring.  My mom went on and lived alone in her house till this day, and has had a great life and led an interesting one as well.  She can't remember that day, these days, or any day, and that is a tough one.  But that's OK.  I do, and I am thinking more about that day these days than I have in decades.

As a kid I played lots of sports, and played them well.  I had a bunch of friends as a little kid, lived in a nice house in a good neighborhood.  Sleep outs, sleep overs, and parties, and all of those are incredible memories. But there is no doubt that September 4, 1977 - Labor Day weekend, was my very best day as a kid.

If I live to 100, or as long as my mom has so far, 93, I will never forget it.

OK, the secret is out.  I love to eat, and I'm sure you do too.  And sometimes I run across something I have to try like,..NOW

That is this. Garlic Butter Steak Bites!  What is wrong with any of those four words?  NOTHING!  This is certainly on my radar and my menu this coming weekend!

Garlic Butter Steak Bites!   Recipe here!  You're Welcome!

Click Here Too, For Wynn's Song Of The Week!

Yes!  Please!

Duets are the rage right now, as I think we are playing about 10 of them on our current playlist on WQMX.  Duets have a long history with country.  We are not the only format that does them, but we do more of them than most.  (Read My - Country Duets Part 1).  I love this one.  With summer coming, this is right on time!

Jimmy Allen has the stuff to contend long term, and he picked a great partner to record this really slick song in Brad Paisley.  This is a terrific driving tune, and it also one of those songs that gets you excited to listen to it from the very second it begins.  I love when hit songs do that. They get right to it. (Blake's - Minimum Wage is another great example of how effective that can be).  Far too many songs sort of drag their feet before shifting into a higher gear, or even drive. Quick starters also sound really great on the radio, and I have always thought that can be essential to a songs appeal by getting your attention on the air in a few seconds.

This is a fantastic melding of a new artist and a veteran one.  Also in styles, as they absolutely play to each other's strengths here.  There are times that is not the case with duets, as there are instances it seems it's being done, just to be done.  But not here, this is focused and well thought out.  And the song is tidy, moves along and doesn't wear out its welcome. This is just a flat out good song in its written form and in its produced form. 

What A GREAT New Song!

It won't be long before this is the best song stations are playing and is a real favorite with fans. Just flat out great.

Grab a coffee and enjoy this song - a few times, because as I found out, once is not near enough.