Scott Wynn
WYNN - Country Music Memory Lane - The Bellamy Brothers
Roni asked me about her favorite as she loved the Bellamy Brothers, and so did I. They took a very different path to country, that's for sure. They were, and still are, from very rural Florida (San Antonio area). Two huge breaks helped launch their incredible career, and they would then take that great fortune and rattle off (20) #1 Country Hits and many other terrific top ten's. They were one of the very big players in the 1980's and early 1990's. Before we had Brooks And Dunn, we had the Bellamy Brothers. I am proud to say I played all their hits for many years!
Their First "True" #1 Country Hit!
Howard and David Bellamy at the start formed a band called Jericho. They met up with young singer, another Floridian named Jim Stafford from Eloise, Florida. (I've been to Eloise - small) Stafford and David wrote a silly song called Spiders And Snakes that Stafford took to the top five pop and country in 1974, as it sold over a million copies. Howard and David took the money they made from that song and moved to Los Angeles to further their budding music career. Howard became Stafford's road manager, then came the second break, and it was a big one.
Crazy From The Heart - A Really Great Song!
A roadie on mega-star Neil Diamond's stage crew wrote a song for Neil to record, but Diamond passed on it saying it wasn't a good fit for him. The song was then offered to big pop star Johnny Rivers who also passed. A singer named Gene Cotton recorded it in 1975 as part of an album but it went nowhere. Then Neil Diamond's drummer, Dennis St. John, brought the song to the unknown Bellamy's saying, "This song sounds like you guys." The Bellamy's loved it, took the song, and with Neil Diamond's band recorded it in 3 takes. The song? Let Your Love Flow. It became one of the 100 most played songs, of any kind, of the 20th century. It's one of biggest country/pop hits of all time and quite frankly, it's a song everyone knows!
Let Your Love Flow - Not Everyone Records One Of The Biggest Songs Of Any Century
It was number one in the USA and number one in virtually every country at the time that had a music chart. And in most countries it spent several weeks at number one on each chart. It was literally a world wide hit. - These were rare. After a couple of years they found their way to the Country charts for good. They recorded classics like, Redneck Girl, Do You Love As Good As You Look, Old Hippie, and Kids Of The Baby Boom. (Rolling Stone calls Old Hippie one of the best country songs of all time
Old Hippie - A Much Loved Song, By Fans And Critics
They were versatile and struck it big with Crazy From The Heart, Sante Fe, When I'm Away From You, and many others. They were staples on the country charts starting in 1979 then for many years to come. Their sound was extremely country at times and crossover at others. They could sing fun numbers like Reggae Cowboy, Sugar Daddy, or Dancin' Cowboys, to very powerful ballads like I Need More Of You, and You Ain't Just Whistlin' Dixie. In time they took on an Island vibe too. Their list of hit songs is far too long for this writing, so Google them to remember, or to learn and discover some of the best country pop you'll ever hear. The Bellamy's are one of those that you may know their music, more than you know them.
I Need More Of You - Another #1
I emceed them many times in my career. They sounded as great in a bar, as they did in a large theater. One thing I remember is that they were always fun. Their shows were a great time. As their chart success slowed down, they didn't, as they still play today.
This Song #1 (Their Sixth) Really Solidified Them On The Country Charts
Yes, they will always be remembered for recording one of the biggest songs of an entire century. I asked them once backstage if they knew at the time they had recorded a classic. They said laughing, "Hell no, you never, ever know." Everything about Let Your Love Flow is fantastic. But the thing that really sticks with me from that song is this. I can't imagine that song being sung by any other artist. It's the definition of making a song your own. Funny, as big of a song as that was, it has not been successfully remade since. Everyone knows, its been done by the right group, the right way, and that's that. Sometimes the mold gets broken.
This Song Was GREAT - Later Bellamy's - 1988 Top 10
The Bellamy Brothers, a gem of a career. Now you know a very cool story.
WYNN - Not Sandwich Month - But Love A Good Sandwich
August is National Sandwich Month, but I have to admit a good sandwich can't wait, and I ran across this cool article.
So, even though it's the start of November, let's sandwich UP!
WYNN - Country In Good Hands - The Big Three - Maren, Kelsea and Carly
There are thousands of things I love about our Country Format. I have played country music on the radio for over 40 years, and one thing that is constant with us is transition. We've been through lot of it, and seems it transitions more every few years I wrote an article about it a few weeks ago (That Ain't Country).
But even though we are nimble, we are still the best, and we have some great new stars that are set to guide us through the next number of years. There will be more of course, but as of this writing here are some of the pillars that show that indeed, even though you can't please all the people all the time, Country is in good hands - The Big Three
Maren Morris / Kelsea Ballerini / Carly Pearce
These three are really a great example of today's country in both the sound and their appeal. And even though their overall styles are different, they are all very popular with their very loyal fan bases. And with their individual syles, they are expanding our appeal outside of our tightly knit format.
Maren Morris
I have been a fan since the beginning. She was on our show a few years ago, Scott And Sarah, and we all loved what we heard. My Church is a GREAT song, and I loved 80's Mercedes. Morris is more about great music than just country music. Her songs do well for us and trend to other charts, because they are good, relatable songs. Morris is one of those rare finds that finds an audience in many corners, and for some reason, no one seems to mind. She is not pigeonholed into any one format, all while not alienating another. Her universal appeal is a good thing. She takes us with her to other charts and genres and fan bases, and I think she brings them back to us. Incredible song choices, a very distinct voice and personal stories told through music. She's a star.
Love This Song!
Kelsea Ballerini
She too was on our show a few years ago, Scott And Sarah, and no one had ever heard of her. When she sings a country song, I think everyone listens. She made history in many ways with her early successes from her first big album. All kinds of number one songs. There is no question that she has been infuenced by pop singers growing up, but she is from Tennessee and her country roots show well too. She has also had a ton of outside exposure on TV that helps us in many ways. She is very likable, and much of her music is as well. She sings directly to her fans in her music, and that's always a good thing.
Fun, Country Song
Carly Pearce
I'm a fan. When she broke in back in 2017, I liked her first few releases. Every Little Thing, and Hide The Wine are big favs of mine. Her most recent success with Lee Brice, I Hope You're Happy Now is a terrific song. I'm a fan of her voice and of her country roots. I have overall liked her song choices and how she delivers a song. I also enjoy that many of her song choices are life based, as it seems she has been to the places she sings about. Well done!
Fantastic Song!
There are of course others that are insuring country moves on and remains on top, but these three seemingly, from the women's side are leading a real nice charge.
WYNN - Wynn At The Movies And Info!
Wynn's Weekend Watch - 20 years ago today, this was the number one movie (How time flies) Meet The Parents
One Year Ago - This was the Number One Movie!
Cinema Safe – Great site for movie theater procedures (Site)
Box Office - Let Him Go! November 5
Hallmark – Christmas movies started over the weekend! (Story)
There Is A Hallmark – Christmas Movie Drinking Game (Story)
Christmas Movies - That are really terrible! (Story)
WOW – New article says it was ALMOST George Clooney that starred in the Notebook and Paul Newman would have been in it too! (Story)
Tim Burton - May possibly develop the live-action Addams Family TV series. (Story)
This Weekend – Check out my Country Music Memory Lane (link)
WYNN - LOCAL BIZ - Sam's Emporium
This week Sam's Emporium, an Akron local business staple is our sponsor of our Polar Express Ticket Stops! I went down to their legendary location on Exchange Street and met Lee and his incredibly professional and veteran staff.
This is the kind of place you want to buy your jewelry from. You can feel the honesty and the family feeling there. It was my first trip there, and it wasn't my last, nor will it be my last. I went back the very next day to have two of my favorite watches worked on. They are now fixed and running like new for a fair price.
Watches Fixed!
I love finding gems like this! Places I really like to do biz with. Let's face it, most of us do not buy a lot of jewelry and we want to get it right! And thanks to places like Sam's we can!
Love this place! Good, good people!
And good luck on winning The Polar Express Tix!
WYNN - Country Music Memory Lane - Ronnie Milsap
Angella sent me a note asking about Ronnie Milsap as her "much older" sister was a big fan, but Angella was not into country then and was too young. I'm glad you asked because Ronnie Milsap was a gigantic star for many years. 40 #1 hits and 35 million albums sold. And the amount of CMA, ACM, Grammy, and other awards he won is simply staggering!
Pure Love - His First Number One!
Milsap's story is a cool one. He of course is blind, was abandoned by his mother, but he rose up to be a great star, showman, and piano player. He has some cool highlights too, like playing keyboards on Elvis' classic, Kentucky Rain - (a song Eddie Rabbitt wrote, both of them unknown at the time.) Also the legendary Charlie Pride gave him advice (in a chance conversation after seeing him sing at a club) in Nashville, that he should concentrate on COUNTRY music. - Milsap took that advice - A few years later Milsap scored his first #1 solo hit with Pure Love (another song Rabbitt wrote.) At that time no one could have imagined that would be the first of 40 #1's for him. Not a bad average considering he released only 69 singles. (58% went #1)
This Song Changed A Lot Of Things - Incredible Performance!
Country is very different today, as it evolves each year as much as any genre. Each trend and evolution brings us more fans. Understand that during his run, he was the one that set the pace in country. Also, when writing these, I always look for the intangibles they brought to us outside of the music. Milsap had many, but he really introduced country to literally millions who had never listened to us before. His image, story, likeability, and some darn good music was his calling card, and he enjoyed a whole lot of crossover success in addition to country. He also, from my seat, had the most powerful and best voice in Nashville for a long time. He may be the best pure singer we have ever had. His incredible range, and mainstream sounding voice was loved by virtually everyone. He is on the "Mt. Rushmore" of more recent classic country artists. He's in the same breath and Dolly, George Strait, Garth Brooks, and Alan Jackson, just a bit earlier for the most part.
Some Early Success Was Remaking Classics Like This One
After a good start on the charts that included some remakes of traditional country songs, in 1976 Milsap recorded a song that changed everything. It Was Almost Like A Song, is a big, powerful ballad that elevated Milsap to the next level, and he would stay there for the next 15 years or so. It's also one of my favorite Milsap songs. He then had 7 #1's in a row, and was on his way. The very best songwriters in Nashville were now writing for Ronnie Milsap. - All of them! And even though a lot of his run was during the Urban Cowboy craze, he was not. Milsap was - Milsap.
Smoky Mountain Rain - Huge Hit!
The 1980's were great to Milsap. Smoky Mountain Rain was a huge hit both country and adult contemporary as most of his singles did well on both charts. He then discovered a songwriter named Mike Reid, a former NFL player turned songwriter/singer. Reid had a few hits on his own, including a wonderful song, Walk On Faith, which went #1. But he wrote 7 number ones for Milsap including, Stranger In My House, In Love, and the absolute gem, Lost In The Fifties Tonight. The list of his hits is too long to list here, but a Google search will astound you!
An Absolute Masterpiece - HUGE Hit!
Milsap recorded with everyone, performed with everyone, and was loved by everyone. I emceed a couple of his shows during his run, and they were always incredible, plus his concert voice was as powerful as his recorded one. I saw him in Nashville just a few years ago perform in a show that involved many contemporary stars in a showcase. He was about 70 at the time and he was terrific, and it was fun to watch MOST of today's biggest country stars sit and watch him in awe perform. Sue Wilson and I interviewed him a number of years ago, and he still does a great interview! He is now 77.
Stranger In My House - Many People Discovered Us When They Heard This Song!
Ronnie Milsap came from very little and rose to the top of the ENTIRE MUSIC WORLD, not just the country music world. He was an international star, one of our first. If you are unfamiliar, or too young, I strongly suggest you discover him. We owe him a thank you for expanding our horizons, and helping us discover where we could eventually go.
Any Day Now - #1 Country and Pop (Written by Burt Bacharach)
Milsap was as good as they got. A giant of his era, with timeless music, that sounded good then, now, and in 50 more years.
WYNN - Thanksgiving - You're Off The Hook!
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday and clearly this year it is going to be very different for many and obvious reasons. And maybe since you've been cooking so many meals at home over the past few months, you are not as thrilled about cooking a huge Thanksgiving feed if you don't have to. Especially if your gathering is going to be much smaller.
Here is a website that can help you! Maybe consider this, and support some local biz in your town at the same time!
If you want someone else to make your Thanksgiving meal for you, click this!
Always here to help!
WYNN - (ICYMI) - Country Music Memory Lane
Every Thursday I write a Country Music Memory Lane article. Here are the last six if you missed them the first time! I'll post a new one next week!
WYNN - (ICYMI) - Wynn Quotes!
About once a month, I write a Wynn Quotes article for WQMX.com. In case you missesn these the first time, here are a few from a couple months back or so.
Thanks for reading!
WYNN - (ICYMI) - Fun Places To Visit!
These are all GREAT LOCAL places to visit. Windy and I have been to these places and had a ball. In case your looking for something different to do this week, here you go!