I would like to share this with you, because what's happening with my mom right now will sound similar for many of you I feel. My mom is 93, is in very bad shape and the end is not very far off. Her memory has failed and now her body is too.  It has me thinking about the immediate future, but it also has me thinking about the past.

Yesterday, I tried to think about the last thing I did with both my mom and dad together before he died many years ago.  And I had a thought, and I was able to track it down.  And it made me happy to think of good times as opposed the difficult, beit temporary ones ahead as I have not lost my perspective.  My dad died in April of 1978, after a short battle with cancer. He told me he was ill in August of 1977, and it wasn't long after that things got pretty tough.  But Labor Day Weekend 1977, there was a very good day within it.  I was 15.

Me, my mom and dad together went to the old Municipal Stadium to see a doubleheader with the Tribe and the New York Yankees!  Just us three as my siblings lived out of town.  In those days the Indians were not very good at all, and the Yankees were great with tons of really good players.  They won the World Series later that fall.  I can't remember who's idea it was to go, but it was a good one.  And us three together doing things was very rare in those days.  Being honest, I can't remember why that was. It might be good I don't. 

But it was September 4, 1977. My dad bought us very nice upper box seats by home plate, that was rare too for us then.  We had pop and hot dogs and bought programs and kept score.  We watched and stayed for both games, and the Tribe WON both games! They swept the YANKEES in a doubleheader! The crowd was big for those days (28,184) and it was one of the best times I ever had at a game.  The crowd was crazy as we waved our "I Hate The Yankee Hankee"  (That was the giveaway that day). No one complained about being there for 8 hours. The weather was great, and the memory burned into my brain at that moment. I knew, at that second I would remember this day my whole life.  And I still do - like it was yesterday.

Yankee Hankee

My dad got very bad a couple months later, and passed in the spring.  My mom went on and lived alone in her house till this day, and has had a great life and led an interesting one as well.  She can't remember that day, these days, or any day, and that is a tough one.  But that's OK.  I do, and I am thinking more about that day these days than I have in decades.

As a kid I played lots of sports, and played them well.  I had a bunch of friends as a little kid, lived in a nice house in a good neighborhood.  Sleep outs, sleep overs, and parties, and all of those are incredible memories. But there is no doubt that September 4, 1977 - Labor Day weekend, was my very best day as a kid.

If I live to 100, or as long as my mom has so far, 93, I will never forget it.

OK, the secret is out.  I love to eat, and I'm sure you do too.  And sometimes I run across something I have to try like,..NOW

That is this. Garlic Butter Steak Bites!  What is wrong with any of those four words?  NOTHING!  This is certainly on my radar and my menu this coming weekend!

Garlic Butter Steak Bites!   Recipe here!  You're Welcome!

Click Here Too, For Wynn's Song Of The Week!

Yes!  Please!

Duets are the rage right now, as I think we are playing about 10 of them on our current playlist on WQMX.  Duets have a long history with country.  We are not the only format that does them, but we do more of them than most.  (Read My - Country Duets Part 1).  I love this one.  With summer coming, this is right on time!

Jimmy Allen has the stuff to contend long term, and he picked a great partner to record this really slick song in Brad Paisley.  This is a terrific driving tune, and it also one of those songs that gets you excited to listen to it from the very second it begins.  I love when hit songs do that. They get right to it. (Blake's - Minimum Wage is another great example of how effective that can be).  Far too many songs sort of drag their feet before shifting into a higher gear, or even drive. Quick starters also sound really great on the radio, and I have always thought that can be essential to a songs appeal by getting your attention on the air in a few seconds.

This is a fantastic melding of a new artist and a veteran one.  Also in styles, as they absolutely play to each other's strengths here.  There are times that is not the case with duets, as there are instances it seems it's being done, just to be done.  But not here, this is focused and well thought out.  And the song is tidy, moves along and doesn't wear out its welcome. This is just a flat out good song in its written form and in its produced form. 

What A GREAT New Song!

It won't be long before this is the best song stations are playing and is a real favorite with fans. Just flat out great.

Grab a coffee and enjoy this song - a few times, because as I found out, once is not near enough.

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

NBC - WILL NOT air the Golden Globes next year (Story)

Box Office Results - Wrath Of Man / Demon Slayer / Mortal Combat / Godzilla Kong

New This Week – Spiral From The Book Of Saw / Those Who Wish Me Dead 

May 13 – The original Top Gun is being re-released to movie theaters this weekend  (Story)

Emily Blunt - She stars in the new Western drama The English for Amazon Studios (Story) 

Edward Norton - Has joined the cast for the Knives Out sequel  (Story) 

NBC - Has renewed Days of Our Lives for two additional years, taking it to a 58th season (Story) 

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

Maria asked me why so many country stars record duets.  Great question, as it has a real history in country from Conway and Loretta, all the way up to today's Keith Urban and Pink.  Many times it's to showcase a star with a far bigger star for larger recognition and exposure.  There is often a lot of strategy to them for marketing and sales success.  And sometimes it's just two power stars recording a can't miss song.  Over the next few weeks we will look at some of the really big duets in our history. (There are too many to list them all)

It will be fun to look back and maybe introduce you to some you may have never heard or forgotten about.  Some seem mismatched, but they worked.  We will start with the 80's and work forward.  I played all of these on great radio stations around the country. And I, like you, had some raised eyebrows when I saw the "record" for the first time.

Alabama and Lionel Richie -  Deep River Woman (1986)

This was a Lionel Richie song from the Dancin' On The Ceiling  album, that turned out to be a top ten country hit. It was a far bigger hit country than pop.  Richie had recorded the song, Stuck On You  a year or so earlier and had some country success with it, but this was a far more legit country hit.  Stuck On You was a very nice song, just not a real country song.  But this still sounds great all these years later, but seemed then like a very unusual pairing at the time, but both acts were very big stars then.  Alabama was beyond huge with us, and pretty much what they touched turned out great.  The strength of this song is that it really sounds like a perfect mix of who they both were at the time.  This is one of Lionels best songs to date. 

Nice Song - Big Song

Willie Nelson and Ray Charles -  Seven Spanish Angels  (1984)

I love to hear Ray Charles sing any song in the world. In his career, he charted eight songs country, but this was his only #1. This remarkable album, Friendship was a huge success, and was highly critically acclaimed with duets with legends like Willie and many thers.  Another interesting combo, but this song further proved that Willie had incredible versatility.  But make no mistake, Ray Charles is the absolute soulful the star of this song, and it's fun to hear Willie ride with him.  Ray Charles was so great and was the kind of vocalist that really doesn't exist much anymore, he was a true treasure. This song also has been covered and recorded hundreds of times worldwide since, and has many millions of YouTube views. 

A True, Much Loved Hit Song

Willie Nelson and Julio Iglesias  -  To All The Girls I've Loved Before   (1984)

I remember seeing this come into the station  (and the above songs) when I was doing mornings at WRMZ in Columbus, Ohio. We were all like, "What??"   There are not a whole lot of songs that are worldwide hits, but this is one of them. This song went #1 on the country charts and was number one in many countries over the next year or so. This has also been much parodied too, but its success can't be denied.  Two world famous icons recording a song that was written about a decade earlier but had no success  - until this.  This was recorded to get Iglesias introduced to an English speaking audience - and it did.  They also had a follow up song, Spanish Eyes that was a top ten hit a year or so later.  But this song was an absolute smash.  Voted Duo Of The Year that year as well. 

One Of The Biggest Hits Of The 1980's

Eddie Rabbitt And Crystal Gayle - You And I  (1982)

This song was a major country and pop hit, going number one on both charts. It also became one of the most popular wedding songs of the decade. It was one of the very few songs Eddie Rabbitt had as a big hit that he didn't write. Rabbitt was an incredible songwriter, penning at least 17 #1's  and at the time was a major star and Gayle's popularity was riding high.  This song was a perfect melding of voices that should have sung together more often, and everyone loved. One of the best "love ballad duets" we have ever had.

Huge Song, Both Pop And Country

Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton - Islands In The Stream  (1983)

This was a monster hit.  Originally written for Marvin Gaye by the Bee Gees. Its title is from an Ernest Hemingway story of the same name, and somehow ended up with Kenny and Dolly.  It was another worldwide hit going number one all over the globe.  It also was the song that dethroned Bonnie Tyler's, Total Eclipse Of The Heart, which had been there for several weeks on the pop charts.  We could have played this song every 15 minutes on the radio and no one would have minded. It's on Kenny Rogers AMAZING Eyes That See In The Dark album, which I think was his best ever. Totally worth a download. (The song Buried Treasure with the Gatlins on that album is an incredible duet too)

Classic Duet

Don Williams and Emmylou Harris - If I Needed You   (1981)

Some think this is one of the most beautiful duets ever, and they may be right. This song too was written about 10 years earlier by an artist name Townes Van Zant, but this version really stuck going to #2. This song has been translated into dozens of languages and recorded all over the world for decades. This is from Emmylou's, Cimarron album, again which I think was her very best, totally worth a download.  (The hit  - Tennessee Rose -  on that album is a terrific song too)

Much Loved Duet

From time to time we will look at more great country duets, as there are many. They are a big part of who we are and are worth remembering.

There is going to be a new Top Gun Maverick movie (sequel) out at some point. Seems now it will be November after a few long delays.  Hard to think that it's been 35 years since the original was out.  

 Top Gun Maverick

Well it seems they want to get you caught back up on Top Gun, and introduce Top Gun to a new and younger crowd as the ORIGINAL will be put back in some theaters and drive-ins Thursday!

 The OG -  1986

So, let's mullett-up! And let's break out the Kenny Loggins albums.

Everyone has a favorite pizza joint, and I found this link that shows the favorite pizza in every state. Very interesting results.  It shows you people are the same and still different no matter where you go.

My very first job was at Mama Mia's Pizza in Berea.  I washed dishes and eventually made pizzas, and I think it was for a whopping 2 dollars an hour.  But, I did get a pizza or two every night to take home, bonus!  We all love pizza, let's see where Ohio goes for a good pie!

In Ohio, It's Dicarlo's Pizza in Steubenville.   (Many Locations)

Check the ENTIRE list here!

I am a fan of Ashley McBryde and I am so glad to see her having great success these days.  I loved One Night Standards, and I love this new song. I think that she has the right idea on so many levels, I would love to see her go on a real nice run.

 Martha Devine - Great Song!

I also love seeing social media comments on her songs and videos.  (She has a very interesting video chain going now)   There is a real hunger for real country, and she delivers.  This song is solid and rooted.  I feel they have figured out how to separate themselves from many others.  Her music for me, does cut through and that's not always the easiest feat.

Go Ashley, for your fans.  Love your direction.

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

Wrath of Man - This weekend – Jason Statham, hits theaters today, Josh Hartnett, Scott Eastwood and Post Malone! 

Here Today - Billy Crystal and Tiffany Haddish

Box Office Results -  Demon Slayer: Mugen Train - $6.4 million  Mortal Kombat - $6.2 million  Godzilla vs. Kong - $2.7 million

May 13 – The original Top Gun is being re-reeased to movie theaters

Thanks Alot - Because of Wrestling and The Office – Peacock now has 42 million subscribers

The Spice Girls - Are reportedly set to film a sequel to Spice World!

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

Michelle asked me to feature her favorite, Earl Thomas Conley in this series.  Earl Thomas Conley may be the most underrated superstar we ever had.  I know that sounds like an oxymoron  - but it somehow -  is true.  His music was known as "Thinkin' Man's Country.'  He was absolutely pivotal in the development of a far more contemporary and younger country that we still enjoy today.  Alabama and Conley were a starting point of real musical style change. I proudly played all his songs on the radio.

His First Real Hit Song

ETC was from Portsmouth, Ohio and after serving in the armed forces, moved to Nashville and would become a record setter that helped carry us through the 80's. An incredibly gifted songwriter, a warm vocalist, and trailblazer, he scored 30 plus hit songs and 18 number ones.  The most from any artist, from any genre of the 1980's. (There are some stats that say 20 as there are many charts.)  He also became the first artist of any genre to score four consecutive number one singles off a single studio album - ever.

Fire And Smoke - A Big Number One - Changed Everything For Him

His break came when two of his written songs were recorded by others, Smokey Mountain Memories for Mel Street, and This Time I've Hurt Her More, Than She Loves Me, for Conway Twitty.  He signed with Sunbird Records and released the album, Blue Pearl in 1980.  He moved to RCA where much of the Blue Pearl album, and some new cuts were put on his new album, Fire And Smoke (1981), and the rest is history. Fire And Smoke, the song  - named #1 song of the year, and the album #19 sent him on an incredible run through the 80's. It got everyone's attention that there was a new sound in town.

Big Song - Grammy Nominated