The reach of country music is enormous. There's a reason Nashville is called Music City as we have artists coming to town to pursue their goal of a country career or more accurately in many cases a certain country album or project.  Artists that are not necessarily country too like Motley Crew, The Beach Boys, The Eagles, Kelly Clarkson, Jessica Simpson, Cheryl Crowe, Elle King, Demi Lavato, Alison Krause, and many others come to mind all having different levels of success. 

Darius Rucker came to Nashville a number of years ago, sans The Blowfish, and has had tremendous success.  Ray Charles too years ago.  And in the 80's Lionel Richie had a country hit with Stuck On You,  then came back years later to record his country album, Tuskegee, which was a very big success.  Tuskegee is the historic city where Richie was born and the university where he graduated from.  The album is an absolute masterpiece.  I feel it's mandatory owning. 

Stuck On You  - Richies First Country Release

Tuskegee is a collection of 12 Richie hits that were remade with the biggest country stars and legends of the time in Nashville in 2012. The album to a degree followed the same formula as Ray Charles, Friendship album of the 80's, but the main difference was these were all established Richie hit songs where Friendship was a mix of material. The tracks were all re-recorded in Nashville to reflect a more country sound than the originals.  This album was far bigger than I think many were envisioning it would be. It became Richie's first number one album since the pop smash album, Dancin' On The Ceiling in 1986.  That's 26 years, and Tuskegee sold close to 2 million copies.  By any measure, it was a big hit.

With Jennifer Nettles - Awards Show Magic

I saw Lionel Richie perform at the Ryman in Nashville around the time of the release of this album.  He performed a songs from it, and was joined by Darius Rucker and hearing those two legends sing as Richie played the piano in the perfect Ryman setting was a real treat.  After all these years, he was in great voice and seemed excited about this project.  Richie is one of those artists that is so versatile and smooth, he sounds good singing about anything.

Darius And Richie  - This Version Of Stuck On You - Amazing

In 1984 when many country stations played Stuck On You, Richie fit right in with the sound of much of the pop country that was dominating the charts.  This was a long way from his days as the lead singer of The Commodores years earlier that gave us great classics like Brick House, Sail On, Easy Like Sunday Morning and Three Times A Lady.  The latter was remade by Conway Twitty in the early 80's and was a big hit going top 5.  Richie also teamed up with Alabama in 1986 and scored a top ten country duet hit, Deep River Woman, which is a fantastic song.

Big Hit With Alabama - Top 10  - Sensational Duet - Much Loved

Richie of course was a huge pop star that recorded a lot of albums over the course of his 40 plus year career.  But you may not know he also wrote the smash hit, Lady for Kenny Rogers which along with The Gambler became the song Rogers was most known for and is one of the most loved and biggest country hits of all time. It is safe to say the Lionel Richie was one of those artists that was just good for music in general. 

With Blake Shelton  - Just Terrific!

He was -  and is a prolific songwriter, a sensational vocalist, a very popular and much sought after performer to work with in the music business overall.  And by the way, all the songs I've mentioned in this article, Richie wrote.

With Willie Nelson  - Just Great! 

He's done it all, funk, soul, pop, and country. Lionel Richie a big contributor to many kinds of music, country included.

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

OKAY - The game is over and everyone has gone home.  The house is trashed and today you're getting your home back in order, and that includes the fridge!  You have a ton of leftovers in there and don't know what to do with them exactly.  Well before you eat them boringly  - or throw them out, see what a few top chef's say you can, and should do with them to make them really tasty!

Chef's Suggestions For Your Leftover Party Food~!

It should be no surprise that George Strait is on this list, and he will return again a few times as he's one of the biggest stars we've ever had. This makes the list as it's one of his most loved songs and was in the movie, Pure Country which marked his acting debut as well.  That's what makes this so important, as George ventured into acting and made a splash on the big screen and we all saw him as we had never seen him before.  Strait has some 60 #1 songs, but this song struck people deep as it's just an honest, straight forward love song that tells it like it is.  The way of his career was very interesting.  He would have a bunch of big songs and #1 hits, and THEN a huge song like this that was seemingly asking for a position higher than #1.  That pattern went on for about 30 years.  This is loved, quoted and was a big wedding song for a lot of the 90's.  And today if you would ask most fans what are their 5 favorite Strait songs, this would be on most lists.  #1 of course, sold millions and made Strait many new fans and made the older ones happy yet again. This was George Strait in his real prime in every way, what a Mega Star!

Last Week #45

My Full Profile On George Strait - The Mega Star Series

Today's the end of the NFL season and in a few hours, we'll know who the champion is for 2023. And in about a week, we will hardly remember who that is and most of us won't care.  It's the new way we are about most everything now, the world is a new place over the past number of years and even the mighty NFL can't escape it.

Years ago today was all about football. The men, the game, the game plan, the offense, defense...blah blah..  Man, who cares?  Today has become about - today.  The pageantry, the music, the halftime show, the anthem, the TV, the betting, commercials, the party's and the food!  And this year who's dating Taylor Swift, whose very presence today at the game will more than likely ensure the largest TV audience ever to watch this TV show.  And that's what it is, a TV show.  It's not a game anymore.

Quick, who won the World Series last year?  NBA?  Last year's NFL champ?  Stanley Cup?  Indy 500, Daytona 500? Kentucky Derby?  I thought so, all that stuff is not near as important as it once was to fans or just people.  If the Browns were there today, we would feel differently. But they're not, so we really don't care. And that's the way it works now in sports.  Your team in?  You're in.  Your team out?  You're way out.  And the NFL can't run from it anymore.  If you live in Kansas City or San Francisco you're vested. If not, have you seen the new Doritos commercial? 

When the NFL lost the Lions from the playoffs, they lost the only real interesting football story they had left, as they would have garnered a lot of interest, as would the Browns if they could ever get there.  Do you care if Pat Mahomes wins another title?  Yawn.... Brock Purdy is a nice story as the last guy picked in the draft, but not nice enough. Most fans will tune in today to eat a pile of food, see friends they haven't seen in a while, catch Reba and Usher, and pound a few beers.  Others will run into the room to get a glimpse of Taylor going crazy over a great play her guy makes.

And tomorrow unless the officials totally screw up this game, the only thing we will really be talking about will be the commercials and what Jason Kelce was wearing after his brother scored a TD.  This is the new reality of this day.  People eating, using their phones, and waiting for two things. The halftime show with Usher then Gronk trying to kick a field goal again.  And second, more people checking to see it their wagers and betting parlays are paying off from the office pool or their betting site.

This is 2024. Stadiums everywhere are taking seats out so people can mill and walk around or simply stand at sporting events.  Stadium food and drink is pretty boujee and today it has become far more important to say you were there  - than acutally watching the game.  And that has transcended to your house too.  Our big football parties are simply social events now, and no one by and large really cares who wins today.  The TV's  are just kinda on and hey, everyone hold it down, the commercials are on.

I love football, but I don't care one bit who wins today.  Because when we're out, or when the "story"  is out, I'm out too. I'll just be downing ribs and wings.

Next year Browns / Lions?   Now that's a story.  But I don't think Taylor would fly in for that one.

Stuck On You  - Lionel Richie - 1984  - (Album  -  Can't Slow Down)

  It's Valentines Day and this is perfect. This has a story and had pretty good success. This was the fourth song off this album and the record jacket they sent us with this song had Richie wearing a big cowboy hat and looking very country.  At the time, Richie was among the biggest pop stars on earth and wasn't known to be country at all.  But this had nice country guitar licks and a very sweet message that was totally country friendly.  The record company was working us to play it and the station where I was doing mornings, WRMZ in Columbus was very contemporary country and we jumped on board.  Pop country was still in vogue and some stations were playing it, and others were not.  In the end, it's just a nice song that makes you feel good.  Was it country?  Well, it was as country as a lot of other songs were playing then, and I'm glad we did. I lobbied for it.  We also played this at my next job, doing morning's in Richmond, Virginia as the same program director, Rob Ryan was my boss there as well as Columbus.  This song peaked at #24 on the country charts and went #1 A/C. But the one thing this song did very well, was set up Richie to get a big top 10 country hit a year or two later.  (I'll share that song later this month)   And also a very successful Country album many years later as I will profile Richie NEXT WEEK here.

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

Last Weeks Selection

It's the week of the big game and you are getting the menu ready for later this week.  I'm making ribs and wings as Windy will be traveling getting home Sunday afternoon.  So I am making these two things and of course there will be more.

If you're afraid of making ribs, OR wings the oven is a great place to do it, and it's easier than you think.  Let's get to work!

OVEN RIBS - AMAZING - I MAKE THEM ALL THE TIME

OVEN WINGS - DELISH

In case you missed any of my articles this week from WQMX.com - let's get you caught up!  Thanks for reading and thanks for listening everyday!

My Monthly 50 Most Important Songs Recap

Eat Of The Week

50 Most Important Songs 1980-Today - #45

Forgotten Jukebox - RC -85

My Mega Star Series - Charley Pride

Wynn At The Movies And More

You may not know much about Ray Charles as he was from a different era.  But his career spanned many musical era's and generations. Charles transcended all musical styles and he's hard to categorize. But his contribution to country music is absolutely undeniable.  His biggest gift was he brought country music mainstream and introduced it to millions of new fans.  In fact his contribution to all music is incredible, and is as big as anyone's - ever.  Ray Charles reached the top of every mountain he ever climbed, and he is the sheer definition of a Mega Star.

Iconic Version Of An Incredible Song 

Charles had a couple of stints in country music, the first one in the early 1960's with his album Genius Hits The Road.  Sounds dated right?  But the #1 song, Georgia On My Mind doesn't.  You've heard him sing that song in movies, TV commercials and TV specials your whole life, but you may not have known who it was.  His version is simply incredible. He also struck it big with the albums Modern Sounds Of Country And Western Music (Vol 1 & 2)  in the same era.  I Can't Stop Loving You  is a staple in our society, and was a big country hit.  Charles loved country music for its stories as he was a stellar story teller.

This Country Hit Is Honored Everywhere

He took about a 20 year break from country music before returning with the 3/4 Time and the Friendship albums and had more success.  Seven Spanish Angels with Willie Nelson went #1, and his music was loved by fans and all the academies. Charles' styles can't really be pinpointed to one format.  He was country, folk, gospel, blues, rock, jazz, and is one of greatest vocalists that we have ever had in entertainment.   The Friendship  album was a huge success going #1 on the charts, and finished the year as the #5 Country album of the year 1985 -  it's wonderful.

A Big Number One With Willie Nelson

Charles who was blind since age 7 (glaucoma)  would go on to begin the integration of country music, and is a hero in that regard.  He paved the way for Charley Pride who came slightly later.  He also became one of the most recognizable singers of any era, and influenced everyone from Elvis to Billy Joel to hundreds of future country stars and others from every other style of music.  He is a 18 time Grammy Winner after being nominated for 37 (that 47% percentage of winning is amazing)  and was inducted into the Country Music Hall Of Fame.  When he returned to country in 1983 there was great buzz about it, as the contemporaries lined up to record with him on the Friendship album.

 Friendship Album  - With Mickey Gilley  - Song Was Loved

Ray Charles is the kind of singer and entertainer who doesn't really exist anymore.  He was very popular with about everyone, had massive TV exposure and was a powerful presence on stage.  He did more than sing songs, he lived them, felt them, and became immersed in them.  Charles would go on to be as passionate of a singer as entertainment ever had.  He was a song's best friend and advocate.  Ray Charles is the kind of performer and singer you have to experience to understand the depth of what he was.  I'm going to include a live performance in this article to illustrate what he was to a song, and how he approached performing.

Grammy Nominated Country In 1984 From The 3/4 Time Album  - This Live Version Is Sensational

Born To Love Me  (above) lost to Lee Greenwood's I.O.U. song at the Grammy's that year.  Charles recorded great music and was heavily influential to us and all music.  He sold millions of albums worldwide and has fan bases everywhere.  We were lucky to have him for the time(s) we did.  He brought many new fans to our format and gave us remarkable credibility - both times.

With Hank Jr.  - Friendship Album  -  #14 Hit Song

Ray Charles died in 2004 from liver ailments.  In addition to the great music, he knocked down barriers that no one else dared to.  He took a large stand during the Civil rights Movement in the south. His professional and personal life was certainly adventurous.  Some legal troubles, substance abuse, a couple of marriages, and is a 12-time father.  He also did much work for charity donating some 20 million dollars to schools for the blind and deaf over many years.

Classic - Of Course - You've Heard This Somewhere!

He was an American treasure and what is certain, there will never, ever be another -  Ray Charles.

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

Last Week - Mega Star - Charley Pride

Forgotten Jukebox - Last week - Seven Spanish Angels

Box Office Results #1 - Argyle  (18 Million)

#2 - The Chosen  (Faith Based)

#3 - The Beekeeper

New Next Week – Lisa Frankenstein  /  Turning Red (Pixar) 

 Budget - For Argyle was 200 Million!~ (Apple) - First ever finacial flop movie making.

HULU – Is Next - cracking down on password sharing in March  

Moana - Disney will release the animated sequel Thanksgiving.

A Quiet Place: Day One (3) - Trailer this week – In theaters June 28

New This Week - Prime is running commericals - And Extra $3 a month NOT to have them

Carl Weathers - Died - Played Apollo Creed in the Rocky movies he was 76

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

Also - 50 Most Important Country Songs 1980 – Today - #45 (Link)

In case you missed any of my articles this week from WQMX.com - let's get you caught up!  Thanks for reading and thanks for listening!

Sadly, The Don't Care

Eat Of The Week!

50 Most Important Country Songs 1980-Today - #46

Forgotten Jukebox SB-14

CMML - George Strait - Revisited

Wynn At The Movies And More