Scott Wynn
WYNN - Eat Of The Week!
This is the time of year many of us are trying to watch what we eat. I have always had great luck with hard boiled eggs. They are filling, and loaded with protein. My partner Sarah Kay, eats them every morning during the show. BUT no matter who you are, the problem is always - how easy they will be to peel.
You never really know until its go-time. Sometimes very easy, sometimes, no so much. I've tried boiling and even making them in the oven, there seems to be no real definitive way to do it. I've even heard the older the eggs, the easier they will peel.
Who knows? So let's try this for a while!
WYNN - Wynn At The Movies And More!~
Box Office Results - The Lost City ( 31 million) - The Batman (20 Million)
New This Week - Morbius (Marvel) / The Contractor (Chris Pine) / You Won't Be Alone (Witch Craft)
The Oscars Winners – CODA – Jessica Chastain and Will Smith (Story)
Chris Rocks – Concert ticket prices surged from about 50 bucks to 350 bucks this week (Story)
The Razzies - Diana the Musical - Lebron and Space Jam 2 won 3 (Story)
There IS - A NEW trailer for Top Gun:Maverick out this week!
Alec Baldwin – Going to be a father for the seventh time!~ (Story)
This Weekend – Check out my Country Music Memory Lane (link)
WYNN - Country Music Memory Lane - Celebrating Great Women
This is Women's History Month, and I have been featuring great country women all month long in this article. Over the last couple of years, I have featured a lot of them, so this week, let's look back at many of them in case you missed the posts the first time around.
If your favorite isn't here, I'm sure I will do a feature on her soon!
I have proudly played all of these incredible artists on great radio stations across the country for over 40 years, and they all have made great contributions to Country. All are terrific!
Grab your earbuds, some coffee, and find a comfy couch, here we go!
WYNN - Goin' All Van Winkle
Naps are a funny thing. When you are a kid, it's the worst thing ever when you are made to take a nap. You might miss something! No little kid rally likes "nap time." But as you get older, naps are sent from heaven. And when you have a crazy sleep schedule like I do, getting up at 2:30AM for the show, napping from time to time is a way of life.
We hate it young, but we love it when we are older. So, I found this article and it says, think about a nap!
WYNN - Eat Of The Week!
The weather IS going to break and we ARE going to be able to grill and eat outside on the regular soon! One of my favorite things to grill are burgers! - Just burgers...
I found this, that helps guide us ALL though the various steps to make the BEST BURGERS ever!
WYNN - Country Music - Want To Get Noticed? Three Minutes Or Less
Over the course of many decades I have been asked why some artists go a long way in country and why some never make it. After all, they get record deals and all have talent. That is fact.
There are so many reasons and it's hard to fathom the amount. But to me, one of them that's fun to look at is, how did we get introduced to them in the first place? Your first impression of a new artist most of the time, is the very first song you hear from them. How important is that? I think it is crucial. You want a first song that makes the fan want to hear more.
That's why I have endorsed for many years the 3 minutes or less formula. I feel the first song that we learn about you from should be that length and should be of a sound or subject matter that makes listeners want to know you better. So I'm gonna make a list of some of those songs. Understanding that there have been many that have done it differently and had great success. We also really seem to remember an artist's first song far longer than many that follow, as we remember how that song made us feel discovering a new sound or singer.
For the last number of years the 3 minutes or less formula hasn't been the practice like it once was. Songs in general are longer for many reasons. More time for the video, more time on the radio, and frankly, ego. Many songs could end long before they do and would be far better songs. Lots of songs tend to wear out their welcome. Also, people's listening habits have changed too and are far more likely to get bored with a song.
This is fun and interesting. Man, does this formula have good some success.
George Strait - Unwound - (1981) (2:24) Fun very country song that got him on the radio at last and went to #6. He went on to have 60 plus #1 songs.
Garth Brooks - Much Too Young - (1989) (2:56) Peaked at #8, but I think we could all agree this got him noticed long before he sold over 150 million albums in the years ahead. My favorite Garth song still.
Kenny Chesney - Fall In Love - (1995) (2:30) Peaked at #6. This is the first song pretty much anyone heard from him, nice and tidy. Of course has gone on to sell about 30 million albums - and counting.
Jake Owen - Yee Haw - (2006) (2:44) Peaked at #16, but the subject matter and the feel of this song got him on the radio. He has been a consistant hit maker ever since and still is. Album sales still counting.
Tim McGraw - Indian Outlaw - (1994) (2:55) peaked at #15. But was very popular at the time. Pretty much the first song we all heard from him. Very unique song that was short and got him on the radio at last. Has sold 75 million albums world wide.
Alan Jackson - Blue Blooded Woman - (1989) (2:10) Peaked at #45 but got him on the radio. You may not know about this song, but it led to Here In The Real World, the song changed his life #3. 35 #1's and 75 million albums sold.
Mary Chapin Carpenter - How Do - (1989) (2:07) Peaked at #19. But got her noticed and she went on to sell about 14 million albums and help change country music in the 1990's.
Clint Black - Better Man - (1989) (3:00) Went #1, and 3 of his first 4 singles were less than 3 minutes and they all went #1. (Killin' Time) and (Walkin' Away). Began the Class of 1989 and a gigantic hit maker selling 20 million.
Randy Travis - On The Other Hand - (1985) (3:00) First time released peaked at #67. Then re-released and went #1. The song (1982) (3:00) got him noticed between releases and it was #6. (Diggin Up Bones) #1, this third hit was also less than 3 mins. Then he sold about 30 million albums.
Reba McEntire - Up To Heaven - (1980) (2:46) Peaked at #8. This was the first song pretty much anyone heard from her, and the rest is history. Also, her first #1 (Can't Even Get The Blues) was (2:21). She sold 41 million albums.
Faith Hill - Wild One - (1993) - (2:38) Peaked at #1. She became a superstar and sold over 40 million albums and was one of the most loved singers of the 1990's.
Martina McBride - My Baby Loves Me - (1993) - (2:37) Peaked at #2. This was the first song pretty much anyone heard from her. Big song, one of her best. Went on to sell about 18 million albums.
Brooks And Dunn - Brand New Man - (1991) - (2:53) Went #1. They became one of the best country acts ever, selling over 30 million albums and winning 200 awards.
Travis Tritt - Country Club - (1989) - (3:00) Peaked at #9. But Tritt went on to amazing success and still tours today. Has sold 30 million albums.
LeAnn Rimes - Blue - (1996) - (2:46) Peaked at #8. But I'm not sure any song created the stir this did, fans loved it. She went to sell about 37 million albums world wide.
Dwight Yoakam - Honky Tonk Man - (1986) (2:45) Peaked at #3. He sold over 30 million albums and his second big song, (Guitars, Cadillac's) also (3:00)
Of course there are more and like I said there are others that did it differently. But it is food for thought as the success of these superstars is undeniable.
WYNN - Wynn At The Movies And More!
Box Office Results - The Batman - ( 37 million)
New This Week - The Lost City
The Oscars – Are this week (Sunday Night) (Story)
Salena – Was in theaters 25 years ago this week!
Nicolas Cage - Has taken every single movie role he could the past few years to pay off his debts – he blew a 150 MILLION dollar fortune (Story)
Tom Hanks – Photobombed a wedding photo in Pittsburgh this week and posed for pics with the bride – huge hit! (Story)
CODA and Succession - Won the top prizes at Sunday's Writers Guild Awards and Saturday's Producers Guild Awards (Story)
SATC – Gets a second season (Story)
This Weekend – Check out my Country Music Memory Lane (link)
WYNN - CMML - The Mega Star Series - Shania Twain
This is Women's History Month and I am featuring great country women this month. This week I have my Mega Star Series too, and from Canada, Eileen Regina Edwards or, Shania Twain was a logical choice for both. There was a time she was as big as any singing star on earth. I played all her music on the air for many years and was glad to do so, and still do.
Her First Real Hit Song -
Shania is easy to write about because she was right out there for everyone to see. She carved out a perfect niche that separated her from the pack in virtually every regard. Much of it because of very savvy decisions, some of it was the 1990's itself, the sudden advent of country music videos, surrounding yourself with good people, and as always being in the right place at the right time. And maybe the number one trait that any good singer can have. When Shania was singing on the radio, there was no doubt that was her. She cut through as much as anyone can, does, or did. I remember the first time I played her first single, I KNEW there was something really different here.
This Song Sprung Her To Superstardom #1
In an era where we were blessed with many incredible country vocalists, it was tough to really get noticed. Shania took a very different route. She didn't join them, she went around them understanding that her song choices were spot on and completely different than everyone else at the time. She is the best example I can think of where the songs were the real difference. Not only was her voice distinctive, but so were her hit songs, her arrangements and overall sound. There were great songs by other big artists both men, bands, and women on the charts, and then there were "Shania Songs." Shania didn't try to out-sing anyone, or reach for some soaring vocal high note, what she did though was find a unique musical island - that only she was on. She invented a new sound.
One Of My Favorites From Her
I felt the absolute strength of her songs and the key to her success was this. Her camp understood that fans wanted someone to "like" and grab on to. Her songs were fun, positive, relatable and made you feel good, happy. Many times in country we take ourselves way too seriously with our music cycles. Shania was the other end. Even on songs like Any Man Of Mine, where she was seemingly "laying down the law," for her rules of a relationship, there was a tongue-in-cheek and smile feel to it where it wasn't mean spirited bossy or offensive. That was the underlying tone for many of her biggest songs.
Huge Hit - Still A Real Favorite With Fans
The subject matter of virtually her entire library was accepted as upbeat and positive. I feel that is a great path to follow, although right now we have a tendency to be less than that at times. And except in rare cases, that doesn't serve us well. Shania understood that recording songs that alienated half of the audience was not a very good idea for big success. Her way really worked as she sold about 80 million albums world wide, won 5 Grammy's, and is the top selling woman in country music history. She made around 40 videos, and the sheer amount of awards she won between the USA, Canada and the rest of the World is simply staggering.
This Became An Anthem!
Shania broke through in 1995 and it didn't take long to climb to the top as it happened about as fast as it can for any artist in any genre. She had been in Nashville for a few years, with not much success. Then she met Mutt Lange who had been a rock music producer for many years (Def Leppard AC/DC and others including Michael Stanley) and he loved one of her early albums. Then offered to write and work on her next album. I'm sure you know she said yes, and of course they got married soon after. The first album they did was The Woman In Me, and it was a huge success, selling about 12 million and had 8 songs released as singles. She had a new and distinctive sound that jumped out of the radio and was coming from a different place. It turned out to be gold.
Great Example Of The Video Being The Star As Well As The Song
Her videos in support of the album and all subsequent albums were immensely popular. She found a real home in front of the camera and fans loved it. (look at some of these view numbers on some of these videos - huge!) . They always positioned her in the videos as someone you would like to know better and that was really smart. Her songs and videos weren't out to change the world, or make some gigantic statement, they were just fun to watch and were a big part of her success. Many great decisions there.
Her Concerts Were Pretty Big Too
The Come On Over album in 1997 is stuff that legends are made of. It sold a ridiculous 40 million to date and it's currently tenth on the all-time list of the biggest selling albums ever. It's in the same conversation as Thriller (1982), Back In Black (1980) ,Hotel California (1976), Rumours (1997), The Eagles Greatest Hits (1976) , and Saturday Night Fever -Bee Gees (1977). She just did it faster, on average about 20 years faster. Simply incredible. And BTW, her first album Shania Twain, that got no play, or anything, fans circled back around and got it certified 2 million sold from 1993.
The Up Album - Two Versions, Country And Pop
Of course with Shania you can talk forever about numbers and number ones, chart success and sales, but it all blends together after a while. The plain and simple truth is she was a gigantic mega star. Her music certainly is very different from Garth's, but her success was very similar. She had amazing success on the pop charts too, has done Vegas residencies and has sung about everywhere you can. The really incredible thing too is, she did all of this with very few albums. There were really five that pulled most of the freight for her.
Always A Fun Song
She was at one time as big as stars could get. Her music is still loved by her fans that grew up with her. You talk about someone that brought us a ton of new fans! She is country, she is pop culture, she is an icon for a generation. Shania Twain is and was a mega star, and we were lucky to call her ours.
EVERYONE loved Shania Twain.
Others In The New Mega-Star Series
WYNN - Let's Tee It UP!! - Royal Crest GC
We've been getting in our very early rounds of golf the past couple of weeks, and it feels good to swing between snow, wind and rain days.
We have gone out and got in a couple of really fun rounds at a wonderful, family owned course, called Royal Crest in Columbia Station, near the Strongsville line on RT. 82. Since we are a family business here at WQMX, we love supporting other locals. Royal Crest is a course me and my friend Beef have been playing since we were kids, and we still love it.
In addition to the fact that it is a great course, they are making a lot of terrific improvements like almost all new cart paths over the entire course. They are also doing a big tree trimming and removal in many areas that is making the course even nicer and promoting better growth of grass and speeding up play. I wish more courses would do that as many older course trees are old and tired and need to go. Taking some down and replacing some with new growth is a great thing to do, and it make the course look way better.
We also love the barn style clubhouse that is very charming and the unbelievably nice staff that make Royal Crest not only a nice course to play, but to do business with. Good hot dogs too!
There is a nicety to Royal Crest that is darn rare in today's world. They must be doing something right as they have been open since May of 1966. 56 years don't lie.
Play Royal Crest when you can. Tell them I sent you.
Royal Crest Website (Tee Times)
Thanks Royal Crest!
WYNN - It's Getting Dark Around Here!
I saw this and it's pretty interesting. This is an article that explains the real deal if Daylight Saving Time is made permanent. Congress passed it, now the House will vote on it, and it could become law. That means NO MORE clock changing twice a year if passed.
Many parents worried about kids going to school in the dark, and that's understandable. This shows you how different things would be.
Check it out!