Box Office Results - Halloween Ends  -  (42 Million)

New This Week - Black Adam / Ticket To Paradise

New NEXT Week - Till / Prey For The Devil

Hallmark - Countdown To Christmas begins TODAY  (Story)

The Black Adam - Movie hitting theaters Friday will be a lot less violent than the first cut. It was originally rated R Fourth final edit  (Story) 

Captain America : New World Order - Starring Anthony Mackie and Harrison Ford is joining the cast   (Story)

Oh MY - There is a sequel to Twister in the works, 26 years after the original  (Story)

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

The Beautiful Windy and I are always looking for new and fun things to eat as we are each adventurous in that regard.  O have to admit, these look pretty darn good and we are gonna give these a go!

Dan Dan Noodles!

  What a great season for out upstart Guardians, winning their division, winning a playoff round and taking the Yankees to a five game series, before falling last night.

This area loves this team and we should because they are everything that is right about baseball in general, not just MLB. There are few teams that play the game the right way, and they do. They play the game the way you and I were taught in little league. Play hard, run out ground balls, play with passion and respect the game in general.  Plus, this team is representative of its fans. Hard working, under-dogged in perception, and a well kept secret like our stadium, city and area in general.  They play the game the way we all wish every team in every pro sport would.

Losing to the Yankees is never fun for anyone, for many reasons.  The number one reason is the Yankees are everything that is bad about baseball and MLB.  Being fair the them, they do play by the current rules, which are virtually none, so it's not all their fault.  But they simply buy players with a ridiculous never ending payroll, and hoard great players for themselves and keeping them off other teams. They have a all-star roster on the bench and on the injured list too.  It's a bad system, and they are not the only team that does this.  The Dodgers and Mets do the same thing and a few others.  Those two teams are home and the Yankees will soon be as the Astros will beat the Yankees, but that's hard to swallow too.  The Astros spent years NOT playing by the literal rules of the game.

I have stated this a ton of times. The Yankees are probably the worst run team in MLB, as where the Guardians are probably the best.  All that money, with every single advantage imaginable, and the media with it's junior high crush on them, you would think they should win the World Series every year.  But they don't.  If they had our front office and manager, they might.  It's pretty easy, and doesn't take mental giants to simply write checks that are bigger than other teams when there is no bottom to the money well.

The Guardians/Indians this century have 5 Cy Young winners, been to the World Series, have won numerous division titles, playoff series, and have the best manager in the game.  They have won about as many games as any team in the American League over that same time, and have made easily the savviest trades and drafts in the entire league.  All with NO money, no media love, and in small market.  Simply incredible.  The front office of this franchise and the Tampa team too, are true baseball savants, and know how to be exceptionally competitive every year in a system that is rigged against them.  Should be noted in fairness, the system is rigged against about 25 other teams as well, so it's not just us.

But that's the current state of MLB.  The Guardians were the last really great "story" of the playoffs this year with their youth, payroll, and style of play.  Now we have the Yankees, the Astros, Phillies and Padres.  HO-Hum. And I think much of the nation will feel the same way.

Great season Guards, see you next spring!

The NFL is a tough biz.  You spend all week getting ready for a worthy opponent. Then Sunday comes and it all plays out in three hours.  And this week....sheesh!   Again, it's not about being down on the Browns, but things are what they are right now after week six. Watching them in an honest fashion is not always fun, but it's the truth.

It's one thing to get beat by a better team.  But to be humiliated at home is a very different story.  The last two seasons we have played the Patriots with Bill Belichick now the second winningest NFL coach ever thanks to us yesterday. Two different seasons, two different cities, two different QB's, and this year the infamous Bailey Zappe.  Who?  And we have been outscored 83-22 in those two games.  Humiliating.

Out coached, out prepared, out smarted, out hustled, out everything. Yesterday was worse than the score.  The Browns looked amateurish from the start.  And after the first quarter it got even worse.  Now there is more film out there. The Atlanta film showed that the Browns are too small, and can't stop a running attack that is determined to run.  Now the New England film shows that if you stop Nick Chubb, the game is over, and that's exactly what they did. 

If we can't run that ball, we can't do anything well.  Make the QB beat you and he can't and won't.  Belichick knew he could do it, he did it, and that was that.  Kevin Stefanski had his usual coaching answer, which is no answer.  And all his Ivy League pass plays looked more Beer League plays. I have have maintained this team is not that good, and they're not.  But it's not all the players fault per say.  Front office decides who to keep and who to cut, and what kind of team they want to be.  Who to pay and who not to.  The coaches decide the kind of plays and schemes we have, and the players execute it - or not.

With every week that goes by we become easier to beat. We are more exposed, and teams will figure we are very limited on what we are capable of doing well on the field and on the sidelines.  I know, the new QBs on the way, but I fear it will be way too late by then.  I feel in Berea right now, we are a few weeks from being every man for himself unless Stefanski figures something out and begins to understand how to win games other that the one way he knows.  You do what you have to do that Sunday to win.  Yesterday we were completely outclassed -  in every regard by a far better organization from top to bottom, regardless how we feel about Belichick.  It's the truth. 

We have a very, very long way to go. But the organization is thrilled Myles Garrett is now the all-time team sack leader.   That's where we are right now - career sack records.

Maybe their analytics can help them out.  It's working so well now.  So what was the word?  Humiliated.

Go Browns!  Let's get this thing turned around.

Box Office Results -   Smile   (Again #1 16 million)

WOW Huge Flop  - Amsterdam  - Had a 80 Million dollar budget and brought in 6 million

New This Week - Halloween Ends / Emily

New NEXT Week - Black Adam / Tickets To Paradise

Cher - Is selling her Malibu mansion for $85 million. She bought it in 1989 for $2.95 million  (Story) 

Transformers: Rise of the Beasts - In theaters on June 9th, 2023

Liam Neeson - Is in talks to star in a remake of the Naked Gun  (Story)

Tom Cruise - May become “the first civilian to do a spacewalk” outside of the International Space Station when he films his next action movie  (Story)

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

Wanda sent me a note this week asking about her favorite from years ago, Kenny Rogers.  In the three years I've been writing this article, it may seem that I have been hard on the Urban Cowboy phase of country that began in the late 1970's. I entered country radio at the same time UC was gaining huge favor.  The success of UC is not lost on me, I was part of it.  It brought us many new fans, but it hung on too long.  Few artists benefited more from the pop country culture than Mega Star, Kenny Rogers.  I proudly played all his songs for decades on great radio stations across the country

His First Country Hit - A Smash

With that said, let's clear this up right now.  Kenny Rogers was a Mega Star in every definition of the word.  His popularity is undeniable, and his legacy is sealed in stone without any question.  His fans loved him passionately then, and they still do long after his passing. Rogers did us a whole lot of good by defining country for many who were brand new to us, and made it a safe place for them if Merle Haggard, Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette, and Conway Twitty were not their cup of tea.  He gave us tremendous national mainstream exposure when country had a very tough time getting any.  His incredible and distinctive voice set him apart from the typical country star at the time.

Early Country Success  - One Of My Favs From Him

Truth is, we all loved Rogers in those days.  He had ton of big songs, he was very likable and made his way into TV and the movies and as country fans we were thrilled for the representation.  He was recording music solo as far back as the late 1950's with no real success.  Then he moved into joining some groups and small bands.  After his time with The New Christie Minstrels and the pop group The First Edition, he branched out on his own, and charted country for many years, and it all started in 1977 with the monster song, Lucille.   It was a major hit record and gave way to many others that all have become household common knowledge. 

This Song Defined Rogers For Generations

Now what is also fact is that Rogers became incredibly popular for decades, but his real huge run on the country charts lasted about 10 years with many major hit songs.  His music was not really "country"  but many of the story songs that defined him were country in nature.  Many of his very popular ballads were piano driven, string section laden, emotive songs that were honest and pointed directly at the heart.  He recorded a ton of duets with many other stars of the era and took many of those songs to the top. That list includes Dottie West, Sheena Easton, Ronnie Milsap, Kim Carnes, James Ingram and many others.  Rogers was favorite in concert too embracing the audience with his sharp sense of humor, slick storytelling, an overall affable personality.  I saw Rogers many times in concert, and each time fans laughed, cried and hung on his every spoken and sung word.

This Song Was From The Urban Cowboy Movie Soundtrack

Rogers was a staple on our charts without question during Urban Cowboy as it hung on for a number of years until the Neo (new) Traditionalists showed up and country pivoted very quickly and mercilessly sharp to a far more country sound.  Rogers was among the very established older artists of that moment, whose chart success came to screeching halt as tons of new stars were now dotting the country chart landscape starting in 1986 or so.  The new stars were younger and so were the new listeners they brought to us, and they were looking for something very different.  It was shocking how fast it all turned over.

Hit Songs Don't Get Much Bigger Than This

But I always felt that Rogers saw that coming.  He was very much like Dolly Parton and later Reba McEntire in the fact that he knew that he wasn't going to be a recording star forever, as no one is.  With his success he had become a part of our society with his massive popularity, his extensive work on TV and in the movies. He was now pop culture, and not really a current country artist.  He still performed in the proper venues and the fans kept coming to see him.  Fact it, we all still loved Kenny Rogers, even it he wasn't on the charts anymore. 

With The Gatlin Brothers  - Terrific!

Rogers was also still insanely popular with those who loved to hear him sing his powerful ballads.  Lady is a song that will be played and loved for future generations, and songs like The Gambler, its lyrics became more than words in a song, they became part of our pop culture. Islands In The Stream, his duet with Dolly was everyone's favorite song at one time.  Rogers also recorded with dozens of other stars in and out of country as his legend grew, including The Bee Gees on his Eyes That See In The Dark album, which is terrific.  For me, that album is the best example and sheer definition of early to mid 80's pop country.  Best album of its kind without any question. To me, that album defined him and the era at the same time.  Worth a download.

Lady - One Of Country's Biggest Ballads

Rogers is the undisputed leader to me, of a group of artists that we all played and had success with. He defined country for many  -  for what country was at that time.  And what it was, was pop that was leaning country, BUT had the courage lyrically to be very deep and honest, far more than standard pop songs of the time.  It was adult for sure.  Country in the years shortly there after would be nothing like Rogers and others as it drifted back with new stars, with an edgier guitar driven sound, as we put the piano away, with a far more country image and gigantic stage shows.

What A Hit!

But with 40 some albums, 30 ish number ones, and album sales of 120 million, Kenny Rogers was a Mega Star when we didn't have many, or any.  He is one of the biggest selling male arists of all time regardless of genre.  And he remained very popular with his fans for decades after the big days on the radio were over. Rogers led a very colorful life being married five times, had five children, and passed away in 2020, he was 81.  Kenny Rogers had a career that was seven decades long, simply staggering.

Big Ballad  - A Real Favorite

Thanks Kenny, for everything you did.  At that moment  -  We needed you ...

We Browns fans are a tough bunch.  It seems every week we have to watch this organization blow another winnable game in new and inventive ways.  But it all comes down to one guy. The guy at the top, Kevin Stefanski.

His continued arrogance and smartest guy in the room mentality is killing this season. We can talk about the late interception in the end zone all day long.  The QB is who he is, he's a career backup who has limitations.  He has played quite well, but he's a career backup for a reason.  Asking him to make a play at games end is ridiculous when there were plenty of other ways to go.  A field goal more than likely wins the game if you manage it right.

Run the ball, keep the clock moving, or make LA use time-outs.  You have great running backs that don't fumble, and are very dependable. If you don't score, kick a chip shot field goal and take the lead.  Pretty simple stuff.  There's only one thing you can't do. Turn it over - he did.  But he NEVER should have been put in that position. In fact, just the opposite.  The last two minutes again - amateurish.  The end of that game looked more like they were trying to win a Beer League Game on a Saturday afternoon, and nothing like a professional NFL game and coach.

THEN LA tries to GIVE you the game for some other stupid reason on their part, and you don't take advantage and you lose on a missed 54 yard field goal at home.  Not the biggest offense either. But the missed 43 yarder earlier in the game by your new shiny kicker certainly is, and again, cost you the points to win.  Should be noted that the teams the Browns have squeaked by are combined 2-8. 

The worst rushing team in the NFL ran it down your throat all day long too. Second week in a row. The word is out and so is the film from Atlanta.  The Browns are too small at linebacker and too physically weak up the middle, and teams are gonna do it till we stop it, but you can't get bigger in 7 days.  Again too, the Browns defensive "stars" didn't make a play pretty much all day.  It's going to get worse there too.  Even with the big guys back, we are movable, and the great players maybe aren't so great, because when it matters, they don't make big plays.  Player decisions are made in the summer too, by the coach and others.  Fast is great, but small where it matters isn't.

Much has been made about giving up the big play late in games, and this week we didn't.  But we also didn't make a big play late in the game that mattered and good teams do that too.  It's time to face the facts, there are things we do very well. But there are many things we don't do weekly.  And it cost us yet another game.

This one sits with the coach much like the Jets game by tripping over your own shoelaces again. This team needs a game manager on the field. We are a miracle kick from being 1-4, and now that guy has the shanks.  Stefanski knows offense there is no doubt, but he does not know how to win when it is winning time.

This is nothing new, and in fact, it's getting old

Get ready for a compelling story about the pickle. I love pickles, I am partial to Dill, but I'll eat a sweet too.  Versatile, crunchy, delicious, I give you the history of the pickle!!!

History Of The Pickle!

Box Office Results -  Smile    (22 million)

New This Week - Amsterdam / Lyle Lyle Crocodile

New NEXT Week - Halloween Ends with Jamie Lee Curtis

Box Office - The movie theater box office has hit its worst September levels in 25 years (Story)

Hallmark - Rolls out its nonstop holiday movies starting on October 21st  (Story)

Beverly Hills Cop 4 : Axel Foley - Has grown in a big way: Kevin Bacon will join Eddie Murphy in the upcoming flick  (Story)

Hillary Swank - Is pregnant with twins - shes 48!  (Story) 

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

  I have wondered for a couple years if someone would ask about Mindy McCready and her story. This week, Jennifer did, and yes she has a sad and tragic story.  In my 42 years of country radio, this is one of the toughest ones for many reasons. 

Her First Single - Much Loved By Fans

MM was from Ft. Myers, Florida and moved to Nashville at 18 with a dynamic almost angelic voice many thought, a contemporary look with a huge smile, and a sassy attitude that was right on time for early to mid 90's country.  She had grown up singing in church and graduated high school early at 16 and was on her way.  In just three years she signed a record deal and had her debut album on the charts in 1996, Ten Thousand Angels.  Keep in mind this was way before the real internet and YouTube and all that.  I was doing the morning show at WPCV in Lakeland, Florida at the time, and there was a tremendous phone buzz about her debut song, the title song of the album, long before we were playing it.  Fans had known of her and were excited about hearing her music on the radio.   She was a hero to them at just 21 years old.

Her Only Number One - A Smash!

She rallied a very young fan base and there was a big demand to hear her debut song.  Sure we played it as did everyone else, and it was big for her going to number 6 on the charts.  But there was something there. Something magnetic that was drawing.  She was right on time debuting in 1996 in country and seemed to initially fit right in. Women in the 1990's in country had a GREAT run. Shania, Terri Clark, Pam Tillis, Lorrie Morgan, Patty Loveless, Trisha Yearwood, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Faith Hill, LeAnn Rimes, JoDee Messina, Suzy Bogguss, Lee Ann Womack, Martina McBride , Holly Dunn and others.  And MM seemed to be the next in a line of wildly popular women with great music, popularity, image and attitude.  She was award nominated in 1997, but lost to Deana Carter at the ACM's, who had nothing short of an incedible year.

With Richie McDonald Of Lonestar

Her second song, Guys Do It All The Time was a smash number one with a driving beat, fantastic guitar riff, and a slick video. Then two more singles came from the first album that sold over 2 million, and we had a new star.  Her second album in 1997 was a success selling close to a million copies. In 1999 she released a third album that was no success at all, dropped from her record label and then making two more albums later with virtually no commerical success, it was now the 2000's.  What had sadly happened, MM was now becoming more famous for things far outside of any kind of music.

Big Favorite As Well

For a number of years, MM found herself in many very tough legal and personal crisis situations.  Substance abuse was at the forefront. She appeared on numerous reality TV shows were she discussed her struggle with drugs of many kinds. She was engaged to actor Dean Cain but that ended.  There were numerous other romantic relationships as well including an NHL player, various actors and others.  Her life had become a series of sad errors with substance abuse, and domestic abuse as the ongoing problems.  The list of troubles is very long and went on for very long.

Great Song - Underrated

You can Google the exact details of many of these really terrible situations, they are no secret.  But the truth is, all of this along with a career that faded all too quickly lead to the worst of ends, with Mindy McCready taking her own life in 2013.  She was only 37 years old.  It was a very sad day for us all.  Even tough it had been quite a while since any real success for her, we were all pulling for her, as we were all watching her struggles in the news and on TV.

Mindy McCready for me, is one of the real tragic stories of my long career.  Fans liked her, young listeners really liked her, she was going to the top, and somehow it all just went wrong.  Hers is a very tough story to tell, as there is no shortage of sad.  Read the comments on the videos here.  She was very influential to many new listeners who were in their teens when she hit the charts. 

I was initially like a lot of people feeling like she was on her way to join the others and maybe surpass many of them in the 1990's as a very successful artist singing songs that we would all play for a long time.  I was very impressed with the entirety of that first album especially, as it had all the earmarks as a first class project introducing an incredible new artist.

It's very sad for many involved, and for many loyal fans.  But for a moment that was far too short and fleeting Malinda Gayle McCready  - was on top.