Legend is not too strong of a word to use here.  In fact, it may not be big enough.  Charley Pride simply was one of the most important people the entertainment industry has ever had. I proudly played his songs on many country stations around the country for many years.

This Song Made Pride A Household Name - 1971

Charley Pride wanted to be a baseball player.  And even though his run through various levels of professional ball was way before any of us can remember, by all accounts he was a good player pitching for a number of years.  But many times in all of our lives, one dream supplants another.  And when injury and father time ended baseball, he chose differently.  About as differently as you could back then.  He became a country singer.  He was actually singing before some of his minor league games for some extra cash.

1980's Pride - This Was A Big Song

I interviewed Charley Pride a few times over the years, you would never have known he had about 30 number one songs on the Country Chart.  He's in the same breath as Conway Twitty, Kenny Chesney, and Tim McGraw in overall charting success.  And in the 1970's, he was the second biggest seller for RCA Records behind only Elvis.  Between 1969 and the mid 1980's he charted 44 singles and all but about 7 went to the top 5.  He outsold everyone for a good while in the 1970's. And that means EVERYONE in country.  BY A LOT!   The size of his popularity was incredible.  Name a name and he was outselling them.

This Song Was Loved - Big Hit #1 - 1980's Masterpiece

He had many gifts.  First, you absolutely KNEW it was him singing (Best gift a singer can have).  He knew how to sing the song the way it was written, and he knew what fans wanted.  He knew where the notes were and found them with great ease and power, and he NEVER over sang a song.  And he knew he was going down a road not really traveled before, and he made everyone comfortable.  He was the right man, in the right place, at the right time for every reason there is. He and Ray Charles are among those credited with the integration of country music.

A Much Loved Love Song  - HUGE Hit

After his incredible run through the 70's, Pride gently reinvented himself for the 1980's and did it perfectly as his booming baritone voice got even better. His style and song choices modified slightly, as was country music.  Many not familiar with the 1970's Pride, more than likely remember the 1980's Pride. The music was different, but still great.  He was immensely versatile, and that usually shows up when you can truly sing. He's also one of those lucky singers who got better with time, the voice got stronger, much like Trace Adkins in a more modern era.

This Song Helped Reinvent Pride - Big Song

He sang the National Anthem at a Superbowl, The World Series, he won numerous ACM'S, CMA'S ,Grammy's, AMA'S, and is in the Country Music Hall Of Fame.  Pride sold over 70 million albums in his career.  And he's still in the top 10 all time in country #1 songs.  In addition to giving career changing advice to a young and unknown Ronnie Milsap after seeing him perform one night in a Nashville Bar.  He advised Ronnie to sing ONLY Country Music. He took it, and Milsap had about 30 #1 country songs himself.

His Last Number One Song

Charley Pride was honored by the CMA for Lifetime Achievement a month before he died, and it was overdue. But with that said, we should all be so lucky to stand on our own stage at 86 years old, sing our own song with a strong voice, and leave a multi-faceted legacy that's important and will be remembered for generations to come. 

Charley Frank Pride - Incredible talent, incredible career, incredible life.  He passed away at 86 years old.

For More On Black History Month click here for more information from our sister station (WAKR)

Ray Charles And Willie Nelson - Seven Spanish Angels  - 1985  (Album - Friendship)

In the mid 80's the incredible Ray Charles returned to country music after 20 years.  Pop country was in vogue and this song fit right in.  This was from his classic, Friendship album, a series of duets with that eras biggest country stars.  The entire album is a work of art, as is his country album 3/4 Time  in that same era.  Seven Spanish Angels  was a monster hit going number one, becoming the biggest country hit Charles ever had. Charles was a sensational vocalist, the kind that doesn't exist anymore.  He was a highly emotional singer of country, soul, gospel, blues and about 20 other styles rolled into one. He was a master entertainer and one of the most influential people in music for over 40 years.  He is credited with the integration of country music as well.  Two giants of music performing a powerful ballad, each at the top of their game.  Yes, this sounds a bit dated today, but you have to listen to this and understand exactly what you're hearing. Two absolute music icons together even if it's not what you're used to. Friendship is an album worth owning and this song is worth remembering.  There are some that feel this is the best duet ever in country music.  I don't know if that's true or not, but it's pretty darn good.  I will feature Ray in my Mega Star Series next week.

For More On Black History Month click here for more information from our sister station (WAKR)

Last Weeks Selection

There's no doubt these "older school" songs from an artist like this and many others don't get played anymore. But the amazing Charley Pride was a Mega Star we owe a lot to for about every reason there is making this song very important.  His incredible career lasted about 25 years on the charts scoring some 30 #1 country songs.  Much of Pride's amazing run was in the 70's, but in the early 80's he reinvented his sound and scored some very big hit songs.  This was a #1 and introduced Pride to a new wide fan base that found him and us through the Urban Cowboy craze.  It's an uptempo love song sung by the powerful, baritone voice of a legend.  Yes it has the old school backup singers and string section that doesn't exist anymore making it a more pop sounding country song as those influences were still firmly in control.  But Pride found new footing with millions of new fans, that made this a big hit as he was featured on many TV shows like the talk shows, Solid Gold and other big music shows of the time  Charley Pride is a very important star in our history as he broke down countless barriers, and delivered fantastic music for a couple of generations selling 70 million albums during his run.  His golden voice makes him a Mega Star, and this was a Mega Hit!   Charley will be featured in detail Thursday in my Mega Star Series.

For More On Black History Month click here for more information from our sister station (WAKR)

Last Week #46

Box Office Results - The Beekeeper  -   7.5 Million

#2 -  Mean Girls

#3 - Wonka

Slowest  - Weekend in 5 months at the movies 

New This Week –   Argyle / Scrambled

New - A new complete reboot of Jurassic World franchise is being fastracked - starting over

SNL 1975 – Movie cast is set, and it'll be a movie about the nevents leading up to the show debuting on NBC

Adam Sandler - Will receive the People’s Icon Award at the February 18th People’s Choice Awards.

Reba - Is getting a new sitcom 20 years after the debut of her orginal- no name for the show yet

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

Also - 50 Most Important Country Songs 1980 – Today #46  (link) 

The Browns held their season-ending news conference that was heavily quoted on social media and the news. The GM did his normal word salad with lot's of words without a lot of information.  But there was one thing said that really flashed on social media spurring a ton of comments, stating they would love to have Joe Flacco back next season.  I don't think he really means it, and I am 100% certain that's a very bad idea.

But you know it sounds like a good idea with as well as he played and that the Browns offense was never better doesn't make a bit of difference.  Flacco is clearly capable of playing the the NFL, and he fits well here for about 1,000 reasons but that doesn't matter.  Or that Stefanski never looked more at ease, happy and comfortable with him makes zero difference.  The cold truth is, this organization doesn't take accountability for things they have decided no matter what.  They are committed to Deshaun Watson no matter where that does or does't take them.

In two years Watson has played in 11 games and has really not played very well.  There are flashes of greatness here and there but not enough to win on the regular, and he's not healthy a lot of the time.  His 4-1 record this year is questionable.  Cincy at home with a hurt Burrow, the Titans (at home) turned out to be terrible, but a GREAT win against the Ravens (on the road) was his cap feather.  He was beyond awful in the loss to Pittsburgh, as it was shown the style of offense he wants to play isn't as effective as the play-action offense Flacco directed. 

But sadly, having Flacco as your backup is asking for gigantic problems with fans, media and the locker room.  Because the minute the offense looks sluggish or isn't working, fans will turn on the Browns and be SCREAMING for Flacco.  And so will some in the locker room who's career is ticking by week by week waiting on the Watson miracle.  If Flacco signs here the only way he would ever see the field would be circumstances similar to last season.  If Watson was the worst QB in the league, Flacco would still sit.  The organization has to be right, even if it means being bad.  Remember 2021 we had the highest paid, most capable backup QB in the league (Case Keenum) on the bench who was a friend of Stefanski for years from Minnesota. Even he watched as they marched a clearly compromised Baker out to play in winnable games all year.

No veteran backup QB may want to come here because of that very fact, and with the Browns drafting DTR, a player they really like and seem committed to as well.  There is also a money component to it, as we have a ton already in the QB room spent.  The Browns should remember better than anyone, when the most popular person on the team with fans is the backup QB, that leads to very big problems.  We've been there a few times, and it never worked out at all.

I love Flacco and how well he played.  But for him and all concerned it would be best he go elsewhere to play or mentor a young QB who observes Flacco for a year of two.  At his age why play, if you're not going to play?  Having an able and popular QB that talented on the bench with a QB that's "guaranteed" is a recipe for disaster with the fans, media and the locker room.

I love him too.  They have every bit the same chance to win with Flacco than with anyone else, but it's just too divisive.

Should be interesting.

If you're just jumping on, this is the first month of my new year long series, The 50 Most Important Country Songs 1980-Today.   All songs on this list had to have been released since 1980, about the time I joined the format on the radio. This is month one, and I featured 5 songs.  These post here on Tuesdays.   Let's get you caught up!

#50 - Don't Rock The Jukebox - Alan Jackson

#49 - Tim McGraw - Taylor Swift

#48 - Stay - Sugarland

#47 - Should Have Been A Cowboy - Toby Keith

#46 - Country Must Be Country Wide - Brantley Gilbert

As we watch the NFL Conference Championship games today, we'll be eating good food be comfy inside.  The NFL is good for a day like that, when the weathers lousy and there's nothing else to watch with games at 3 and 630 today.  I know it's hard to wait till 3 to watch a game when regular season games start at 1.  I'm like you, I'd like to see the 1 and 4 o'clock games today, but we won't for one reason only.  The NFL doesn't care what you want.

As much as we watch, it's hard at times to patronize a company that cares so little about us.  Heck they seem to not even care about their own.  They don't care that their constant meddling with dumb rule changes, ridiculous officiating, unending replays and other nonsense have infuriated many fans.  They are the kings of TV and as long as that's true, they'll continue to behave this way.  The NFL is no longer a sport, it's a TV show.  Over the decades it has morphed into entertainment from sport.  Very clean fields of play, much of it inside, no mud, all very tidy.

Each year the most watched TV events or shows are NFL games, some with very high numbers.  The NFL has an advantage over other sports in the fact there is little else on TV to watch during these months, days and times.  They totally own a day of the week and have a large presence on Mondays and Thursdays.  And in years ahead, with college football starting to implode, some Saturday nights may be in play. 

When weather services strongly advised them to move the Chiefs-Dolphins game to a 1PM start to avoid a -7 degree kickoff temperature at 8pm for the physical safety of fans and players, they said no.  They have part time refs officiating the biggest league on earth who continue to butcher games and outcomes with actual lack of rules knowledge, taking no accountability.  When the refs decisions clearly cost the Saints a Superbowl appearance a few years ago, it was no big deal. 

And what is exactly a "catch" anymore?  Every week it seems there is a new "catch" that's not a catch by not "finishing the play."  We didn't have this problem for 100 years, now we do.  And does anyone know what pass interference is anymore?  And can we stop with these pathetic ex-refs on TV defending these officials?  They seldom disagree and NEVER call them out and say BAD CALL!   Oh, the actual refs are doing this as a well paid hobby. Want to be the next John Madden type?  Be the one who will call them out with real passion during broadcasts. 

When games start at 820 PM ending at midnight eastern time, they don't care.  They also basically got rid of the games most exciting play, the kickoff return.  So we'll never have a Josh Cribbs situation again with special teams players getting paid very well.  This de-emphasizes special teams players as they now just run down the field, keeping salaries down, and making lower end roster players very expendable.  There's a safety element that's true too, but they figured out a way to make that advantageous for themselves.

Football on TV has basically always been free, that too could eventually change.  We have forgotten ESPN is pay and many games have moved there and to their own NFL Network.  Prime and Peacock are paid streaming and they are in the game now.  I have thought for years that the NFL will eventually be a pay thing for everyone and that's not good for anyone - except the owners.  Oh, they don't care that you're unhappy about Prime, and Peacock and other streamers that may want to get in.  There's just too much money. 

Hey I love watching football too, it's sad they won't make these things right when all they have is money and time.  Just remember if your team is "performing" today or not -  it's not sports anymore.

It's pure entertainment. And we watch and love it.

In case you missed some of my articles this week from WQMX.com let's get you caught up! Grab a coffee and your earbuds and start off your Saturday right! 

Thanks for reading and listening every day!

Eat Of The Week

50 Most Important Country Songs 1980-Today #47

Forgotten Jukebox - F-97

CMML - The Mega Star Series - Dolly (Revisited)

Wynn At The Movies And More

Browns - Oh, One More Thing

Early this year I've been featuring past articles from my Mega Star Series and today we will revisit George Strait.  This will all lead up to my newest Mega Star Artist that will debut next week right here, and new ones continuing all February.  But for this week, let's look at The King  - George Strait!

Mega Star George Strait - Revisited

Cross My Broken Heart  - Suzy Bogguss - 1989  (Album - Somewhere Between)

To say that Suzy Bogguss is an incredible singer isn't doing her justice.  Quite frankly, she has one of the most beautiful singing voices I have ever heard.  She scored a top 20 song on my Fifty Favorites From Last Years List (#18).  This song was written by two of Nashville's best songwriters at the time and was at the start of her career from a debut album that was well liked by fans.  This was also at the beginning of a real country boom and new artists were coming out every week.  As great as the boom was from 1989 to the early 2000's not all artists were going to get as noticed as they would like.  Suzy Bogguss is and was an incredible talent that is undeniable, and many of her songs are absolute works of art that her fans loved.  But her issue was, where did she really fit in?  We were lucky to have her in country and she still tours today, and being very active on social media. I was a big fan of her and her music. Because as amazingly skilled as she is and was, her music should not be forgotten. If you have never heard Suzy Bogguss sing, click on this video and take a listen. I wouldn't steer you in the wrong direction.  Song reached #14 in 1989.

Last Weeks Selection

My Full Profile On Suzy Bogguss

My The Vocalists Supreme Series (Part 2)

Drive South - Top 20 On My Favorites List 2023 - #18