Trace Adkins is a very interesting artist.  His huge baritone voice with incredible presence seems on the surface more fitting for a far more classic kind of music.  But with that said, his demeanor, song choices and who he is made him a natural for a great run on the country charts for a good long while.  He may be one of the most underrated artists we have had.  Without question he had great success, but his talent, image and song choices were all right on the money with 90's and early 2000's country.

 First Real Hit Song

His career has been filled with ups and downs, good times and bad.  Music, and a world outside of music, he is one of these artists that has done it all.  Music, tons of TV, movies, voice over work, TV commercials, and charity work too. In fact, his list of movies and TV is far more extensive than you may think, he has made a nice career for himself with that outside of country music.  He has an incredibly loyal fan base that love HIM as much as his music. When I first came to WQMX there was this woman listener that would call in and tell us where she was going that weekend to see him perform, and the list was extensive and many venues a great distance away.  Plus she was part of a large group that was doing the same thing - weekly.

First Number One - Made Him a Star

Adkins is not hard to like. That big, warm voice that sounds good singing about any song you throw at him.  I featured him in my Vocalist Supreme Series here a few months ago.  Adkins has the amazing ability to make the song his own. I remember years ago I heard him sing in person, Hank Williams Sr's,  Your Cheatin' Heart at a tribute and he made it sound like the song was written by him, and of course it wasn't.

That Voice  -  #4 Hit

His first album, Dreamin' Out Loud in 1996 was as good of a debut album as you can have.  It had a bunch of hit songs on it, was sung with extreme confidence and sold a ton.  As a result he was named the ACM Top New Male Vocalist of 1997.  He has won a few major awards including a couple for Hillbilly Bone with Blake Shelton, a song that I love and I'm not real big on duets.  During the course of his chart run there were some great albums and singles and there were some that didn't catch on.  He has been with a few different record companies and had some well documented personal setbacks that didn't derail his career, just made it a bit more challenging in the long run.

This Is The Stuff He Does Best

But in the end, he sold about 12 million albums, had 4 number one songs and for many years was a staple on the country charts. His live stage shows were also very popular with his fans and always seemed to be in the midst of other great artists in touring.  Adkins showed up in the middle of a very competitive decade for country music, and it was tough to get noticed for many, But Adkins did and had a great run.

Amazing Song - Will Be Played Forever  #1

It's that voice.  That incredibly big, warm, distinctive voice that could sing the most fun and funny songs you can imagine. Or the most touching, and powerful ballads of life you can think of.  His vocal versatility is hard to match, still is  -  and so was his pure speaking and singing voice.

 Big Song - #1

Trace Adkins - I Left Something Turned On At Home  -  1997  (Album -  Dreamin' Out Loud)

Trace Adkins is very popular with WQMX listeners.  He also is a tremendous vocalist. I featured him in my Vocalist Supreme Series a while back. Trace is a terrific singer who understands that louder is not better, better is better.  This was the fourth single from his debut album and went to #2 on the charts for two weeks. The only thing that kept this from #1 was one of George Straits biggest hits, Carrying Your Love With Me, which camped out there for a while.  This song is total fun and was a perfect fit for Adkins.  That for me has always been a strength of his.  I can't imagine anyone else singing this song as he made it his own.  He's done that a few times, none more so than this song, and You're Gonna Miss This.  Adkin's big voice is his calling card, and I love that he lent it to a song that is fun, and tongue in cheek.  This debut album too was sensational.  I wish we heard this song more, but it's a good fit for the Forgotten Jukebox.

The Vocalists Supreme Part 1

George Strait - Amarillo By Morning  - 1983

This is one of Strait's very best songs, and has been on numerous lists of "Greatest Songs"  and it's on mine too. This was first recorded in 1973 by its writer, Terry Stafford (His Version) to no real success.  Then recorded a few more times again, to no charting success. But this version has become one of George Straits signature songs from early in his run.  It's also a very important song in Strait's and our history.  This song completely solidified Strait as the real force in country.  It connected him directly to a segment of country listeners often ignored.  Rodeo people, cowboys and cowgirls, horse people, people on farms, people in rural communities and those who drive over the road or travel for a living that understand the rigors and difficulties of being away from loved ones for whatever reason.  And to those dedicated to a passion that does not always serve them well. It was released during a very tough economic time and captured that moment too for many.  The traditional arrangement was welcome to those searching for a real country sound.  This song is an absolute gem, selling over 4 million copies, and sent George Strait right to the top of everyone's favorite artist list.  Almost unbelievably, this was only #4 on the charts, which shows you they don't always get it right.  Right song, right artist, right on time.  This version of this song is about perfect.

Last Week #9

My Full Profile On George Strait

OK, you gotta love broccoli to love this and I do!  During the fall we are looking for comforting foods and this is certainly one.  This could be a nice new dish for a big fall meal - maybe Thanksgiving!

Delish!  Enjoy...

THIS LOOKS AMAZING!

Hey, I'm as glad as you the Browns are 4-2 and in the thick of it in their division and the AFC. But unless you're living in some kind of dreamland, you have to admit them being there -  is fortuitous right now.  As well as some of the team has played, the last two wins have basically been gifted to them.  The referees have aided the Browns immeasurably with horrendous late game calls the last two Sundays.  Officiating in the NFL is beyond horrible, and it's league wide every week.  These clowns can't help themselves from deciding games around the league with terrible calls, and ridiculous errors at critical times.  The NFL needs to acknowledge this.

You can speculate as to why, there are plenty of conspiracies.  I'll have a beer with you and talk those over.   But what I won't do it this.  "Well, these calls have gone against us all this time, so it's payback, Cleveland against the world."  If your a fan, you've gotta know these guys have to start getting this stuff right, because the next time it will not play out as pleasantly as the last two weeks.  Because what just happened to the Colts was bad for the NFL. The Colts made the plays to win the game  - twice  -  and had it taken from them by ego driven part time employees who think they are to decide hard fought and entertaining games.  This week and last we were the beneficiaries.  You know, like the Chiefs seem to be every week.  (Yeah, I said it)

Celebrate? Sure we won, but there will be a next time the bagel may not bounce our way.   This stuff concerns me for more important games up the road for the Browns.   And can we stop with the ridiculous Gene Steratore "Rules Analyst" nonsense on the TV broadcasts?  He's a former ref with a cushy salary that won't get in the mud and take a real stand.  He won't go after his former brethren like he should, as he could do a lot of good if he really challenged these guys on national TV.  But he seldom disagrees and sounds wimpy and adds nothing.  The "uncatchable" play was the last straw for me, as the pass nearly went in the stands.  Paul Bunyan couldn't have caught it and he basically said no problem, as did the refs and that gave the Browns a virtually guaranteed win.

But the game was a win and we should all be glad that the Myles Garrett we all hoped would emerge this season showed up and really took the game over.  But I was disappointed with the defense being torched for 38 points against a team not offensively proficient.  And they were all earned, no flukes. Special teams were very special and played well and that's great to see especially with the new kicker who so far has been money.  Winning on the road in the NFL is tough, and we got it done.

The Watson situation is a mess and I don't think anyone really understands what's going on there. I'm starting to think it possibly is far beyond football in terms of the reasons and the genesis of his injury.  The Browns should get in front of it and quit side-stepping.  He clearly isn't right for whatever reason and I'm OK with that, people do get hurt.  Take charge Kevin, put him on IR and say see you in four weeks.  Leaders lead.  This is starting to smell pretty bad.

Going forward, let's get ready for the game at hand. Seattle is a tough place to win, and the Seahawks are pretty good. The Browns will need great defensive play and special teams too.  The offense is what it is right now and seems to be getting easier to defend as opposing teams are seeing the Browns limitations similar to last year.  But they can win this game if managed well and kept close.

Good defense, good special teams, and maybe a bit more fortuity.   But we shouldn't count on the latter.

GO BROWNS!

Last Weeks Article - Signature Win!

In case you missed some of my articles from WQMX.com this week, here's a recap.   Thanks for reading and thanks for listening everyday!

BROWNS - Signature Win!

Eat Of The Week

50 Favorites From 40+ Years #9

Forgotten Jukebox - SD -99

Country Music Memory Lane - Dwight Yoakam Birthday (Revisit)

Wynn At The Movies And More!

Box Office Results - Era' Tour (31 million)

#2 Killers of the Flower Moon (23 Million)          #3 Excorcist (6 million)

New This Week -  Five Nights At  Freddy's

Paramount Pictures - Delayed the next Mission: Impossible movie, moving it from June 2024 to May 2025.

Tyler Perry - Has signed an eight-movie, four-year deal with Netflix

Meryl Streep - And her husband, Don Gummer, have been separated for more than six years - married 45 years

Interesting - They "haven’t even begun" the process of updating James Bond The next Bond must reflect the way the world has changed in the two decades since Daniel Craig was selected as the sixth 007.

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

Also - My 50 Favorites Over 40+ Years This Week #9  (Link)

Dwight Yoakam can be an acquired taste, but in the long run he sold a ton of albums and really helped change the direction of country when he hit the charts.  Great success with country music and Hollywood too, let's wish him a happy birthday this week!

Dwight Yoakam Birthday (Revisit)

SheDaisy  - Little Goodbyes - 1999 -  (Album - The Whole SheBang)

You know, when they showed up there was a lot of buzz about them.  They visited to the WQMX studios and did an in-store appearance with us that was a big success.  I loved their sibling harmonies and this album was quite good. The three sisters were from Utah and fan liked THEM!  This was a top five hit and listeners loved this song.  They were Grammy nominated and there were five songs released from this album that had varying levels of success.  For the run of this album, they enjoyed a great deal of popularity.  Another one of their singles, I Will...But   was a song I really liked as it too was a top ten hit.  They, without any question had an unmistakable "catchiness" that was fun and easy to listen too.  But like I always say, not everyone is promised a 20 year run on the charts.  I recommend highly their amazing Christmas album which is absolutely terrific.  Maybe one of the best ever.  There were other albums too, but not the success of this one, which sold a million and is certified platinum.  Their chart run was short, but you love this song. 

BTW  - "SheDaisy"  - Translated from the word shideezhí, a Navajo word meaning  -  "my little sister".

Huge win for the Browns last week that I'm not sure anyone saw coming. The defense played very well, the weather was what they would have hoped for, and Walker played better than expected. Toss in an injury or two for San Fran, less than their best day and a break of two that went our way and the Browns get a signature win that they have been waiting for.  It's a week to celebrate, as it was a very big win for many reasons and well earned.

Winning a game that you are not "supposed to" in the NFL can be a very big deal.  It can spring you forward with a confidence not there before.  And it can put the emphasis back on football and not on the side stuff that losing can dredge up.  After beating the Niners, this week do you really care who plays QB this week as much as you did last week?  LOL well, of course we all want our guy to play, but somehow it doesn't seem as important as it did then.  We will see what the Browns do with this win, and the Jets too, see what they do after beating the Eagles leaving us with NO unbeaten teams.

The Browns showed a great deal of heart last week, notably on defense as it's the heartbeat of the team.  It's amazing what happens when a coach of a position group asks them to play with passion and shows that same passion outwardly.  Jim Schwartz, is the most important person this organization has hired in years, and that without question includes the actual guys that hired him.  I feel he has a good chance to be here longer than them too.  But -  there's this to keep in mind. (Temporarily he is saving their jobs)  Schwartz is a head coach, so at the end of this season the Browns will have to make a big decision.  Keep Schwartz (somehow in some way)  or lose him to one of the teams that will be looking for a head coach.  Because they will be calling.  Chargers, Bears, Washington, even New England comes to mind.  

It's a shame it took this long to get it through our heads that defense is important and not an afterthought. Especially after Stefanski's famous line last year, "No one plays smashmouth football anymore."  The league heard that and smashed our mouths every week.  Incredible he actually said that on the record.  Now the Browns are in a place they didn't envision a few days ago.  A winning record with some very winnable games ahead.  The 49ers and Eagles proved it can be very tough to win on the road in the NFL and that's exactly where the Browns are going. The Country Club 4 of 5 game home stand is over -  for the next two weeks, at Indy and Seattle.  In fact, 5 of the next 7 games are on the road. But good defense travels well and it looks like it's going to have to.

Isn't it ironic?  All this money, drama, trading draft picks and emphasis on trying to score 100 points a game for an offensive minded coach, and now we win by scoring barely enough   -  and giving up very few.  We have this incredible defense that was a single hire and a few players away.  And for those screaming for Stefnaski to turn over play calling to Alex Van Pelt, you can be rest assured that is NOT going to happen   -   now especially.  There's no way he'll let another coordinator possibly outshine him as much as Schwartz is clearly doing right now.  BTW the most points we've scored in a game since this coaching staff has been in place was against the Steelers in the playoffs a few years ago and Stefanski was in his basement with COVID watching on TV.

Football, as much as many try to make it different, it's still this.  If you give up less points than them  -  you win.  It's just math. 3-2 is ALL thanks to the new guy.   Keep it going, take care of the pesky Colts today!

GO BROWNS!