Being honest this kind of ticks me off!  Also full disclosure, I don't eat a bunch of Peanut Butter and Jelly sammiches anymore, but it's an institution.

Even more disclosure - I DO eat Peanut Butter and Mayo sammiches on occasion as it is delicious!  (Real mayo too, not that Miracle Whip stuff)  Don't judge till you try it. LOL -first open your mind, then your mouth - fantastic!  Let's break it down - Peanut Butter? - Good!  Mayo? - Good!  Bread? - Good!  What's not to like?

But the decline of the classic PB and J is a sad commentary indeed.  We all grew up on them, and they have a special place in our hearts!

What Happened To Peanut Butter And Jelly?

This week, Part 4 of Desert Island Country Albums.  The ones you would choose if you were marooned on a desert island to listen to, (ALA - Tom Hanks In Castaway).  I'll list some of mine, and I will pick one for each article from each decade starting with 1980, up until 2019, and a Wild Card album which can be from any decade. This is the last part of this series. I have played all these songs and albums on the radio.  (Here's Part One) -  (And Part Two) -   (Part 3 as well)  -   if you missed them.

Desert Island Country Island Albums - Part  4  (Final Part)

The 1980's - (1981)  Merle Haggard - Big City

This was a huge success for a star that had been around for years. He signed with a new record label and it was the shot in the arm he needed. This re-energized his career, and sent him on a very nice 5 year run in the 1980's that was very different than his previous 15 years.  This album was a new path, and in my view was the beginning of the best music of his career.  It was such a great re-invention, as a lot of younger fans found Haggard and realized that he was pretty darn good, and not just their parents favorite. I saw Haggard with Brooks And Dunn at Blossom a number of years ago and he was terrific, and was still riding the redesigned sound that this album provided.  This album also focuses on the struggles of the common man, as an ugly recession was devastating factory workers that year, it was exceedingly timely. I had just begun my country radio career at my first country radio station WOBL in Oberlin, Ohio, and this album made a huge impact on me.  Are The Good Times Really Over For Good, sung by this American Icon, became a loved early 80's anthem.

Singles - My Favorite Memory #1  /  Big City  #1  /  Are The Good Times Really Over For Good #2

Very Powerful Song!

The 1990's -  (1998)  Faith Hill  -  Faith

Sometimes we forget just how big a star and album actually were.  This may be the best example I can think of in country.  This album to me was the zenith of Faiths wonderful run through the 1990's. This sold six million copies and spawned a lot of hit songs. It also launched a "new" Faith, more mainstream, and her fans - and her new fans loved it. This Kiss was the biggest song she ever had, and drove the insane sales of this album. There is probably no better example of the perfect song, done by the perfect artist, at the perfect time in her life. We believed every word of that song, and we could sense her sincere happiness, her passion for the song, this project, and her life.  I feel many artists could benefit from her example here.  Fans love passion, positivity and being happy. Far more people like music to lift them up rather than to slap others down, as a little bit of that goes a very long way. This is a big, big album. 

Singles  -  This Kiss #1  /  Just To Hear You Say That You Love Me #3  /  Let Me Let Go #1  /  Love Ain't Like That #12 / The Secret Of Life #4

 This Song Drove This Album To Incredible Heights!

The 2000's - (2005)  Dierks Bentley  - Modern Day Drifter

Dierks Bentley has recorded a bunch of really good albums.  And even though this was not his first album, I feel this is where the really great albums began. This was his second album, and this is proof yet again that the second album is the one that decides if you're gonna hang around or not. This gave us really great songs that are still real radio and concert favorites all these years later. It's hard to imagine that he has been around 20 years now.  This is a platinum album a couple times over, and really established him as a legit star that had a golden future.  Bentley has a real love of traditional country and this is a fantastic mix of old school in music and lyric, and a newer school sound. Great, great album. 

Singles -  A Lot Of Leavin' Left To Do #3  /  Come A Little Closer #1  /  Settle For A Slowdown  #1

A Real Favorite On The Radio, Video And Concerts!  (Very Waylon-Like)

The 2010's - (2017)  Luke Combs  - This Ones For You

It isn't often that someone like Luke Combs shows up and breathes new life into an already successful format that was not gasping for air.  But that's exactly what Luke Combs did.  He sang on our morning show here at WQMX, just as Hurricane was hitting the radio.  Luke is a regular guy with more than incredible talent.  After Hurricane was #1, I think the next single absolutely solidified his place as not only a real contender, but a superstar.  When It Rains It Pours, is one of the great country songs of this century, and after it when #1 the floodgates flew open and we had a new mega star. This album was number one for 50 consecutive weeks and that tied Shania's, Come On Over. (In Part 3)   Combs along with Jon Pardi (Also in Part 3) have re-energized the traditional country fan and that's a big deal.  This album is sensational and so is he. Mandatory owning.

Singles  -  Hurricane #1  /  When It Rains It Pours #1  /  One Number Away #1  /  She Got The Best Of Me #1  / Beautiful Crazy #1

 What A Hit -  Look At The Views!!

Wild Card - (1983)  Earl Thomas Conley  - Don't Make It Easy For Me

This was a record setting album that only made country music history, but music history. It was ETC's third album on RCA records, and was a huge success. This became the first studio album in recorded music history to have four consecutive number one songs on it.  Not the Beatles, not Micheal Jackson, not Bing Crosby, not Elvis, not anyone.  Should be noted it has been done since, but not often (Luke Combs and a few others).  Casey Casem spotlighted Conley on American Top 40 that year chronicling his historic feat. Conley was a real up and and comer at the time and this album sent him on a truly incredible run through the 80's. In fact, the singles from this album were the first of 17 consecutive #1's for him, that string finally ended in 1989.  He had 20 #1's overall.  This is a mix of many kinds of music, with two common denominators, Conley's country voice, and the best people in Nashville in every aspect, putting this project together.  Everyone should own this album.

Singles - Your Love's On The Line #1  /  Holding Her, And Loving You #1 /  Don't Make It Easy For Me  #1  / Angel In Disguise  #1

 The First Of Seventeen Consecutive Number One Songs 1983-1989

OK, I'm eating this!  I love to grill out and I've developed some skills over the years, but this I gotta try.  On the grill, or in the oven, pork and chicken, low and slow is a good method to use. Especially pork.  But steak?

I Love Grilling!

I've never really done this, but I've seen it on the Food Network and here, so I'll give it a go. 

Try this and let me know how it goes, we can compare notes!

Steak Low And Slow In OVEN!

OK start rolling out the summer songs, even though we are well underway with it. This is a big time summer song. This is just flat out fun, and sorry in advance for the ear worm, but this song does what all good hit songs do, it gets stuck in your head!

I love that fans still really like David Lee Murphy too.  This is just flat out fun!  There is always room for a song like this in country.

Grab a coffee and take a listen!

"Beer With My Friends," Shy Carter featuring Cole Swindell and David Lee Murphy

About Half – Of us feel good about returning to a movie theater (Cinamasafe)

Good News! - For the third year in a row the average movie theater ticket price has remained at $9.16   (Story)

Box Office Results - Jungle Cruise – Big at the movies bringing in about 35 million  (Story)

New This Week - Suicide Squad / 6:45 

Scarlett Johansson – Is suing Disney because of making Black Widow available on Disney Plus too soon  (Story)

Ghostbusters Afterlife - AGAIN! November 11  (Story)

Clifford – Has been delayed till mid November for theaters!  (Story)

Tim and Faith - Will to star in a Yellowstone prequel called 1883 on Paramount+  (Story)

Reese Witherspoon’s -  Hello Sunshine production company has been sold for more than $900 million. Now that's a good day!  (Story)

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

I do not write this to try to convince you to adopt a shelter animal, as that is your own choice.  My beautiful Alaskan husky, Juneau has been with me for 10 years, and she is 11. She is a part of who I am, and that's nice.

Juneau and I meeting was serendipitous.  I didn't intend to adopt an always talking, energetic, young husky.  I actually was interested in a Great Dane that I learned was at a shelter for almost a year, which made me very sad, as that was way too long.  When I learned that someone had just adopted the Dane, I again was sad, but happy for that patient pooch.  Then there was this young husky.  She looked a whole lot like the dog I already had, Kona, who was getting very old. She seemed like a nice dog, but she too had papers signed as someone had adopted her and was getting her in the next couple of days.  Then that fell through.  My lucky day - I renamed her Juneau.

Juneau Loved Kona For The Short Time They Were Together

She had a real rough start somewhere else. She was on the run, as I think she was dumped.  She was very skinny, skittish, hungry and scared. But she didn't want to be, I could see that. She was very hand shy, and still kind of is as I feel someone(s) were very heavy handed with her as a puppy.  She had some physical battle scars on her body and with her teeth, and she didn't want her paws or sides touched at all, and would scream if you did.  In other words, she wasn't and isn't perfect.  Good match, because neither was - or am I.

After bringing her home she laid low for a few days, and then she started talking. Juneau seldom barks, she just kinda growl talks. She was completely housebroken, and after a number of months, the rest of her that was broken all seemed to get a lot better.  I am proud of her, and of the fact that so many people who know, or care for Juneau remark about how happy she is.  She has her flaws, but she is a great dog, and I'm lucky to have her.  She loves Windy now and she loves her life with her two little Pug friends, Luna and Midnight

Dog Train -  Luna and Midnight

Juneau is getting older and I know that sadly she is creeping closer to the end than the beginning.  But she is healthy, and happy and that's all I really care about. She is great company, and she makes people around her happy and that to me is the sign of a great dog.  We've had our disagreements and we've gotten over them, and we remain the best of friends.

I won't use the old line of "I didn't rescue her, she rescued me" because I don't think in most cases that is a true statement.  But I do believe that she needed someone to believe in her.  She also has been with me through a lot of good and tougher times. And I am thankful that when I was living alone in my old house, she was there and was always happy to see me and sit on the porch with me while I had a cigar, and a drink.  Or get up at 4 AM in winter and go for a walk on a snowy road with enthusiasm.

She's a good dog, but actually she's more than that. Not bad for a $65 adoption fee. I do think that shelter dogs have a better understanding of a second chance and a better life.  She taught me that, and I'm better for it. Good lesson for us all.

This week, Part 3 of Desert Island Country Albums.  The ones you would choose if you were marooned on a desert island to listen to, (ALA - Tom Hanks In Castaway).  I'll list some of mine, and I will pick one for each article from each decade starting with 1980, up until 2019, and a Wild Card album which can be from any decade. So each installment, there will be 5 to list. I'll do four parts, so 20 should about cover it. 

If your favorite doesn't make the list this week, chances are it will make future lists on this subject, so let's have some fun.  (Here's Part One) (And Part Two) if you missed them!

Desert Island Country Island Albums - Part  3

1980's – Storms Of Life - Randy Travis (1986)

Rarely does an album or artist come along that captures our attention as quickly and as well as Randy Travis and this gem of an album. This was so fresh and new at the time, it took the format by storm. This album just about single-handedly ended the pop-country phase.  It had been waning in popularity for some time, but this album was the death blow, and traditional country was now the rule.  It was his debut album and went on to sell a few million, and opened the eyes and ears of people who had been waiting for a sound like this.  His big, warm voice filled the radio and this album went on to inspire the next generation that was on the way. This was a gamble, and it really paid off.  If you've never heard this album it's worth the buy for many reasons, but also because it was pivotal in a starting an avalanche of new artists and styles that we still are riding today. Travis went on to an incredible run.

Singles  -  1982 #6   /  On The Other Hand #1  /  Diggin' Up Bones #1  /  No Place Like Home #2

Very Important Song As It Changed Our Direction

1990's - Toby Keith - How Do You Like Me Now (1999)

I like albums that have a significance and this one does. When Toby Keith recorded and released this album it was a new day.  This was his fifth album and he had moved to a new record label. The first song off this project, When Love Fades was disappointing on the charts.  But the second hit, the title track was a gigantic hit, and everything changed.  The title song, spent 5 weeks at number one, and became a more than a song, it became a catch phrase and a favorite of many for years to come.  Keith's career really was shoved into high gear with this album, and he then went on a run with a new image and a more dominant sound. He took the mantle and became the face of Country, as this album moved Keith from a star to mega star, and for the next few years he was at the top of the format.  As many great songs as he has had, How Do You Like Me Now, is the dream song every artist would love to have.

Singles  - When Love Fades #44  /  How Do You Like Me Now #1  /  Country Comes To Town #4  /  You Shouldn't Kiss Me Like That #1

 Career Changing Song And Album

2000's - Drive - Alan Jackson (2002)

Alan Jackson couldn't do a whole lot wrong at this time. He had been a hit maker for years and was at the top of the format and charts for much of it. But this album is loved and is considered maybe his best overall album. The year this was out, Jackson was nominated for ten ACM awards. This sold a ton and overall this album really resonated with fans. This became one of the most popular and best albums of the entire decade, and I think this is the album that defined him in his career. Four big songs off of it and even a song, Designated Drinker went to #44 and was not even released as a hit. Jackson had been around since 1989 of course but this album 13 years later is the crown jewel of his remarkable career. His world debut of this song below on the CMA's is one of the greatest moments in our history.  He made us all stop and take notice with this song.  We should all remember the gigantic star he was for a long time.

Singles  -  Where Were You When The World Stopped Turning #1  /  Drive #1  /  Work In Progress #3  /  That 'd Be Alright #2

 Career Moment For A Country Legend 

2010's - Speak Now - Taylor Swift (2010) 

I know Taylor Swift is a polarizing figure in our format. Of course she has left us with great success since. But we have to remember, she was ours once and was a force in popularity, sales and brought us millions of young fans. This album was a bridge for her. She had grown up a lot and there is a more mature overall sound here both in music and subject matter. This album had a bunch of hits and sold a huge amount too. In fact, this sold a over a million in its first week out, and set records at the time that she would later break with subsequent albums. Whether you like(d) her or not, her success was undeniable and her sound unique. The single Back To December on this album to me, is still the best song of her career by a mile - and was a big hit. True, she did leave us a few years later to go pop, but I have no problem with that. She did it right. She announced it, she did it, and didn't use us as a safety net. She flipped her career in a new direction without trying to fool or lie to us. I respect that -  and her insane success of her early country career to me, is culminated with this great album.

Singles   - Mine  #3  /  Back To December #6  / Mean #11  /  The Story Of Us #44 /  Sparks Fly #17 /  Ours #13 

 Incredible Song -  Vulnerable, And A New Grown Up Sound

Wild Card - Willie Nelson - Stardust (1978)

Talk about significant, this album is simply sensational.  I know it's older and very different than most country albums, but this is a work of art. This is a collection of classic standards that Willie does magnificently, and with a simplicity that is brilliant. This project was a record setter for many reasons.  It spent over a decade continuously on the all genre albums chart, (around 800 straight weeks) won Grammy's, and was named the best country album for 1978.  I think this album is mandatory owning for anyone. I feel this is one of the best albums ever recorded no matter what music you love. Classic standards, sung by an American Icon, with the help of some of the best people in the music business. Stardust is quite frankly a diamond of an album. This as much as any project propelled Willie to legendary status that he has never relinquished.  Multi platinum many times over, one of Rolling Stones Greatest Albums Ever, this should be in every collection. The singles listed below don't really tell the story of Stardust. Every single song is terrific.

Singles   -   Georgia On My Mind #1  /  Blue Skies #1  /  All Of Me #3  / September Song #15

 Grammy Winner!

A wise man named Ed Manning told me years ago that the only three things you needed to fix about anything around the house was, duct tape, vise grips and WD-40.

He may not be literally right, but he may be technically right. Read this link about the things you can actually do with WD-40. Some you know, like we most of us do, but many were news to me as a long time home owner.

WD-40 Actual Uses!

Who Knew??

I won't lie, I love pizza!  OK, I'm eating this! 

When it comes to pizza there is pizza, and then there is very good pizza.  There is more not so good than good pie, than really good pie, and that's OK. 

Thick crust, thin, medium all good.  But check this out for an incredible thin crust to make at home!

Gotta Try THIS!

BTW - Get serious, do what we did and double the recipe!  Not eating like a bird!

About Half – Of us feel good about returning to a movie theater (Cinamasafe)

Box Office Results - OLD (about 17 Million)

Space Jam 2 – Dropped to 4^th Place from #1

New This Week - Jungle Cruise  / Stillwater

Lena Waithe’s - Is producing Being Mary: The Mary Tyler Moore Documentary. The first authorized biography of MTM who died in 2017, will be released in 2022   (Story)

Check out my Song Of The Week - (Link)