I'm participating in Dry January this year, and it's been going pretty well so far. I didn't realize how often drinking came up in my life, and it's weird to not say no just cause I don't want it, but also because I can't have it. But alas, this story doesn't start here, it starts where my food stories usually do: I bought a thing from Trader Joes and wanted to find a way to use it.

I got "Quite Possibly The World's Largest Fusilli" a few weeks ago, and instead of making a giant fusilli Jerry, I decided to date a craving I had: Pasta Alla Vodka. I thought the pastas size was perfect for holding onto the sauce. If you have a bar with vodka in it, you probably have the other ingredients you need already at home: butter, garlic, an onion or shallot, heavy cream, tomato paste, crushed red pepper, and of course, vodka. You just combine all the ingredients, add pasta water, and you have a delicious sauce on your hands.

I definitely should've halved the amount of pasta I used, and maybe less tomato paste, but overall it was delicious. It does make me wonder though, is this allowed during dry January? Since the alcohol gets cooked out, I don't think so, and it might help you get rid of any booze you have in your home without drinking!

OK. News Years Day was two weeks ago, so I'm a little late to the party with this list. Anyway, 2022 was a year that had a lot of great music so it was hard to decide which songs I thought were in my top 5.

I gave this a lot of thought late last week to put the list together and did my fair share of research to make sure I had things correct and the way I wanted them. There were many that ALMOST made the list, or I couldn't decide between two, etc.

Long story short, here are my Top 5 songs of 2022:

5. Gabby Barrett - Pick Me Up

4. Cole Swindell - She Had Me at Heads Carolina

3. Kane Brown - Like I Love Country Music

2. Kelsea Ballerini - Heartfirst

1. Nate Smith - Whiskey on You

I got an e-mail from Jeremy this week asking where he could see some of my Memory Lane articles from a long while ago. They are all here at WQMX.com, but I have been doing this series for almost three years, so for the next couple weeks, I'll post some articles you may have missed. For the next two weeks, we will feature some great country bands that I have written about over the years.  These bands all had GREAT success! 

We'll start with these five in case you missed them the first time around.  The Southern Pacific article was the first one I ever wrote n this series.   And THANKS for reading and listening every week!

Alabama

Atlanta

Southern Pacific

Shenandoah

The Bellamy Brothers

Chris Young has sent his next single to radio! Chris released two new songs that will be on his upcoming album, which he says is pretty much done, and "Looking For You" will be the lead single. It's a song about love at first sight, sometimes you're looking and you can't find it, then it just happens out of nowhere. 

Everyday we bring you the Entertainment Update. It's a look at the concert calendar for Northeast Ohio. 

This time of year it can be pretty short, as not a lot is going on in the middle of January, lol. BUT, let me tell you...things are going to change fast! We've had a couple big announcements this week, and more to come. A couple I cannot tell you about quite yet, but they are BIG!

It'll be fun to get out to outdoor venues again for Summertime shows and frankly back out to concerts again no matter what! Looking forward to another great concert season!

This trailer Thursday I'm highlighting the latest from A24: Beau is Afraid. A24 is not usually known for its linear storytelling, and this trailer is no exception. I'm not even entirely sure how to explain it, but if you're a Joaquin Phoenix fan, be sure to check it out! I definitely will be.

Here's the trailer for Beau is Afraid.

The Browns had a press conference last week and we've all either heard the clips, watched, or listened to what the coach and the higher ups had to say.  And as I listened with you, it seems it's more of the same, and then some.

The problems with the Browns are far beyond the players on the field.  The Browns have some very nice players on this team who are as good as any in the NFL.  And there are some pieces to build on going forward, but as good or as bad as they are, they are not the main problem with the Browns. The bulk of the problem with the Browns are the ones in charge of those players.  The higher ups, including their coach are living in a denial state with this team.  To hear them talk it would seem we are right there, ready to be a big winner, a few tweaks and all is great!  Then one thing jumped out at me - they don't know, or refuse to believe  - they are not winning.

The sheer amount of double talk and flowery words is simply incredible.  The past two seasons have been an exercise in underachieving and non-accountability.  And the majority of it has to be laid at the feet of the "smartest people on earth."  The ongoing decisions off the field are really catching up with the Browns.   Have you watched many of these playoff teams this week?  It seems they are playing in a different league than us. And they are.  Faster, stronger, smarter and just better overall. 

The last few drafts have been overall lousy, and the next couple drafts have been heavily compromised for Deshaun Watson.  The commitment to overrated veteran players other franchises let go with big money here has revealed few benefits.  The teams decision to play a certain type of football on both sides of the ball is well into question.  Analytics are being used on big time game day decisions that are costing this team a few games a year.  In short, this team seems to be far more bent on being right, than being successful.

Kevin Stefanski is more than likely on the hottest seat imaginable for next season. The brass sold the owner on the Watson thing so much, I feel it is believed in the Berea building that he will fix all the ills.  He won't.  And if the Browns are off to a bad start next season, that may be all for Stefanski.  The Browns also have to understand the fan base doesn't buy this whole disingenuous act they stage. They're not honest with fans, themselves or reality and think we are too stupid to notice.  Love him or hate him, Mike Tomlin is straight forward, honest and you know where he stands, where the Steelers stand, and what their reality is. 

To fix what's on the field, the Browns first have to fix what's off the field. Accountability, honesty, and the guts to do things differently.  If they fail or are unwilling to do that, then it will be more of the same next year and stand by for 7-8 wins.  When that part of this organization is adjusted it will lend itself to better decisions on players drafted, chosen, signed, committed to and the correct schemes to place them in on all sides of the ball. 

Buy the front office a mirror, look into it, and understand that you -  through your own denial, are not winning.

I remember the first time I heard this song.  I was stunned by its raw power musically and the near perfect delivery of the artist.  We all heard Gilbert had written a lot of big songs for others, but this was his real debut on radio.  Country was not this rock inspired in 2011 -  as it would become in the coming years.   I have always felt this song is among the reasons why, if not the biggest reason.  To me, it's one of the most influential songs of the last 40 years in Country.  It's an anthem for sure, and I feel there were many new artists that pointed to the radio when hearing this and said, "I wanna do THAT!"  Lyrically it pays respect to the music before it, and is sung by a guy clearly influenced by those who were here before he was.  But this song also pointed straight ahead to where we were possibly going. (Word is too the first recording was even stronger than this final version  -  and they scaled it back some) .

Last Week - #50

Other Articles I've Written Featuring Brantley

For the past few years I've been writing my Country Music Memory Lane Series and my Mega Star Series.  They post here on Thursdays and will continue to do so.

Over the past 42 years I've played Country Music continuously on the radio, I  am featuring 50 songs that are ones I have enjoyed playing the most, and in many cases still play -  on the radio.  I'll post once a week, till the end of the year!

I am NOT saying these are the BEST songs, just the ones I enjoy the most.

I have finally gotten around to beginning Season 5 of The Crown. In case you aren't in the know, this is following the Royals in the Early-Mid 90s. So far I have watched only the first two episodes. Charles and Diana are married, William and Harry are either side of 5-7 years old, and the marriage is starting to really fall apart.

The last thing I have seen to this point is that Diana is helping to "write" her 1992 tell-all book, and Prince Philip tells her it's not the best idea.

Now I know this is a show for entertainment purposes that has elements of real events and stories woven in. Looking back, it is kind of sad to see because they are a real family even though they are seen as the world's royal family. At the same time, it is intended as an entertainment venture for that purpose - to entertain. Boy does it! Definitely binge worthy material.

I love eggs!  Especially on the weekends like we just had.  A good egg breakfast to me is a very comforting way to start any weekend day, let alone a cold an wintery one.  Poached is my very favorite, but a good omelette, or scrambled is fine too.

I found this great article for all of us advanced egg-mavens and maybe we can get some new ideas, or confirm that we do indeed, know what we are doing!

LET'S MAKE SOME GREAT EGGS!!