This is so incredible think about this. This holiday season when you have to run out and grab some butter or some rolls.  I know you have to drive "all the way up there"  I get it!  I don't like it either, but this is a whole other level!

Sheesh!

Gets Her Groceries By Plane!

This would be a nice "Thank you for being a friend..."

Lunch or dinner at the Golden Girls Pop Up Restaurant in Manhattan.

Think of throwing a party and inviting everyone you know....

Golden Girls' Kitchen... is open Wednesday - Thursday, thru the end of February.

Your reservation would be for 90 minutes and includes a main course and a slice of cheesecake.

Now the question is do they play the Theme Song during the whole 90 minute meal.

Has anyone seen Sarah Kay???  Oh, she must be making a reservation...  

I was finally able to get the decorations out for Christmas! It really wasn't as hard as I thought it was going to be, and although it's a little shabby, I have a place to put gifts now, and I think that's lovely.

The only problem is that I needed a little help to get the lights up so I'll have to wait until this weekend, but it shall be done! After all, they are my favorite Christmas decorations, second only to the tree.

I hope your decorating went smoothly, or it will be in the time to come.

  The Browns had a nice win at home this weekend against the Ravens 13-3 in the cold. The Browns have won 3 of 4 and are 6-8 on the season with three to go.  How big of a win was it?  Looking at it very honestly, it would have been exceptionally disappointing not to win this game.  At home, national TV, with a QB depleted divisional Ravens team. I mean if you're not gonna beat them now, then when? But a win is a win and we move on to the Saints at home closing out the home schedule.

The game was very big for the Ravens, and the loss to us was a big blow to them.  The Browns got the Ravens at the right time, as it is many weeks in the NFL, it's when you get 'em.  The Ravens without QB Lamar Jackson are very pedestrian in about every way.  But injuries are a part of the game and it paid the Browns big dividends this week. The Ravens are also overrated and their climb into the playoffs is now a far bigger one. They need Lamar back to compete.  The Browns played a decent game in many aspects, but are still the same Browns in others.

The Browns scored a mere 13 points at home on national TV against a rival.  Hardly a reason to be all giddy.  They missed easy field goals, and were gashed again by the run.  In the last three games the Browns offense has scored 29 total points, and only two TD's, but to their credit have won 2 of those games.  But can we dive into this?  The Texans are the worst team in the NFL, and last week the Bengals beat us as we scored 10. At full strength, the Bengals would have scored 35 points.  And this week, we beat an MVP QB depleted Ravens team.  The Browns will have to get better than this moving forward.

They got the Ravens with Jackson out and their kicker, (the best the NFL as EVER seen), on the worst night of his career.  Sometimes it does line up, and when it does, you need to take advantage, and the Browns did. Even a few weeks ago beating Tampa, they got a mediocre Bucs team at home with Brady having a terrible day.  These three wins are possibly saving numerous coaching jobs here. The Browns right now, as constructed can't beat really good teams that are healthy and ready to play. Yes, the Browns have some injuries too, but not to really very key players, they have been very lucky this year in that regard.  (Watson being out with suspension, they knew that going in.)

Think about this  - the Browns losses are to the Bills, Jets, Chargers, Patriots, Bengals, Ravens, Dolphins, and Falcons.  All of them except Falcons playoff teams, or darn near.  The wins, Panthers, Steelers, Texans, Bucs, Bengals, Ravens. Well below average teams except Bengals and Ravens.  BOTH of those wins at home on national TV.  The Browns have much work to do in the off season. This roster is overrated, but there are some great pieces here to build on. But there a number of glaring problems that need a total overhaul. And without much to draft for the next few years the challenge will be tough.  They must be active in free agency, some coaching changes, and a very different direction on defense and special teams.  If they keep this very small, light, speed only defense, they will get steamrolled again next year.

Whether you love Stefanski or not, he's probably going to be here another full year.  It's an owners thing.  Firing him makes THEM look even worse than they already do, so that's not gonna happen.  Plus, he's going to be granted a full year with his crown jewel QB he wanted, but that's it.  A clunker next year with Watson making 45 million per, will cost him his job. 

BUT keep this in mind.  The Browns proved last off season, if a REALLY GOOD THING becomes available, like say, Sean Payton, they could make a change, just like Watson last off season. Remember then? They said one thing, did quite another.  I don't feel ownership really likes Stefanski, as he is probably wasting their time, money and prime years of a few superstars, so they will do what they feel they need to, to win.  With Dallas having a great year, seems Payton going there is less and less. Ownership here has proven that money is no object, and they would pay Payton, or another first class coach whatever he wanted, just like Watson.

As in the Bucs, as in the Ravens, as in Watson, and as in who is available in the off season -  it's when you get 'em.

GO BROWNS!

I feel that 2022 was a pretty good year for many in some regards and not so for others.  Sure times are tough economically for about everyone, but 2022 signaled back to normal for most of us.  For me, mostly good, although was not happy about my Florida home going through the teeth of a hurricane (Ian).  But we are getting back on our feet down there too.

But overall, happy in life and played a bunch of golf this year, so there's that!

How was your 2022? 

Very cool article about the things learned in 2022. 

Check it out from this writer!

52 Things Learned In 2022

Every year for Christmas I get a few new things. One I previously mentioned was a full Bath and Body Works scent set (RIP Vanilla Bean Noel). The others are a new set of christmas pjs and a new ugly Christmas Sweater! I usually alternate between a pop culture one and a plain ugly one, and this year was plain ugly! I'm a sucker for a good pun, but I'm even more of a sucker for my kitten, Pebbles! So when I saw this “Meowy Christmas” sweater at Target that had an orange cat that looks JUST like Pebbles, I knew I had to get it this Christmas! I think it's not only a great addition to my collection, but also a great ode to one of the biggest things that happened to me this year: getting my best friend!

If you check out our Christmas card you can see the sweater in action, and of course I had to snap a picture of the two of us together! I love it and I hope you have a tradition you love too!

Box Office Results - #1 -  Wakanda Forever  - 5 weeks

New This Week - Avatar  /  Spoiler Alert

Second Worst - Weekend of the year at the movies  (Story) 

December – Puss and Boots / Babylon / I Wanna Dance With Somebody / Women Talking

John Cena and Jason Momoa - Are teaming up in an action comedy called  Killer Vacation (Story)

Taylor Swift - Has written a screenplay and direct a movie for Searchlght Pictures - key details, like plot and casting, are still secret  (Story) 

Julie Andrews - Says it's probably not going to be possible' for her to be in Princess Diaries 3 (Story) 

Netflix - Has canceled Warrior Nun after two seasons -  (Lots of fans upset)

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

Also  - New country countdown coming soon  (Link)

This week we will take a look at The Influencers Part 2.  In the 42 years I've continuously been in Country Radio, I feel these artists are among the most influential in one way or another, each in their own way.  They paved the road for the sound, shows, styles and images of the next generation and for today.  Keep in mind this list is from about 1980 forward.  This is how we got where we are today. This is Part 2   -  (Part 1 Click Here)

No order.....

Alabama  (Full Profile)

When Alabama showed up in 1979, everything began to change in country. They were the start of a complete and total overhaul that began with their arrival and culminated in 1989 when the real surge came and the boom of the 1990's. Alabama looked like the new listeners we were looking for. Young and cool and not at all what was the the style of the time.  But the really big thing they heavily influenced was the country "band."  They were really the first and only for quite a while, but in time others came and had great success, although not "Alabama" success. Their music was great, so was their image and they gave confidence to other country bands out there in the shadows that they could make it too in a world of solo artists.   Alabama dominated the 1980's like no one had ever before.

The Judds   (Full Profile)

This duo was as different as anything we could have imagined in the early 1980's when they came to prominence.  A stylish mother-daughter act that was based in acoustic country with beyond slick harmonies and a treasure trove of great songs.  Their absolute difference was their strength.  They were the most unique act at the time and gave rise to other similar acts like Sweethearts Of The Rodeo, The Whites, and The Forester Sisters.  But no one could touch The  Judds.  I feel they were as big of an inspiration to many young women singers that dreamed about being a country star as anyone.  They were universally loved and their following was enviable in and out of country.

Dwight Yoakam  (Full Profile)

When you help save a genre of music, you make the list. Yoakam came along about the same time as Randy Travis and together sent country on a new direction that made it thrive. Yoakam was the predecessor to Garth in helping reinvent the country stage show. His very cool music was enhanced even more by his new and inventive way on stage when he showed up in 1986.  His style too was new and copied by many.  Yoakam is one of the real spokespersons for acts in country that are so newly unique at the time that fans gravitate to them and other artists wonder why they did do it first. Yoakam was an original and that's darn rare. He really put the movement into the stage show and turned the "cool" meter on high.

Tanya Tucker   (Full Profile)

Her amazingly distinct voice is not easy to imitate, so no one ever did.  As a kid you could hear she was gifted, and as an adult it just got better.  In the late 70's with her controversial album cover, TNT, she single-handedly ended the huge floor length dresses, bouffant and beehive hair, and general stuffiness that had been the style for women in country, and she loosened up the men too.  Her leather pants album pic was loved by many and hated by same, as it was way outside the norm at that moment.  BUT in one swoop, we never went back to the old style, even though some hung on to it for a while.  Suddenly we were younger, cooler, and different.  She deserves a lot of the credit for this.  From that point on the styles were tight jeans and more flattering dresses for women and wardrobes in general for men were not rhinestone leisure suits and polyester pants.  She also was the champion of second chances, reinventing herself a few times very successfully and inspiring others not to give up on their dreams.  Very powerful artist and person.

Brantley Gilbert

This one may surprise many, as he is still a very current artist.  BUT it was the song, the sound of THAT song that turned a lot of heads and woke others up.  His anthem, Country Must Be Country Wide was a very influential song when it first came out.  Influential like the Hank Jr song he references.  Many of today's artists heard his song, pointed to the radio and thought, "I want to do THAT!"  It was an anthem, it was honest, it was hard core country, it was southern rock. It was many, many strong things wrapped up in one slick package that pointed where we were going, while bridging from - but not disrespecting where we had been - and solidified where we were.  It was a turning point for many and some could not keep up and others were inspired to find that kind of song of their own.  They are tough to find. 

Barbara Mandrell   (Full Profile)

It's not often that someone can do it all, but she could. BM had an amazing musical career, with tons of hit songs. She was an actress, a musician that skillfully played a dozen instruments. She was a TV star with her own network TV show.  And she was a real game changer as far as live entertaining was concerned. Her concerts were incredible, with high energy and a fast pace. Very different than most females at the time. Barbara Mandrell overall may be the most talented person we have ever had in country. That doesn't mean the "best".  It means what it means, her extreme musical talent is legendary, and she was an incredible inspiration for many to chase a new dream and to be a star.  The incredible Barbara Mandrell.

Over the weekend I had the opportunity to do something I usually don't with my schedule...go out for breakfast! On Sunday I was craving some waffles, so I went to Wally Waffle in Tallmadge. I love the food there!!! OMG! 

I get The Patriot. It's a waffle with strawberries, blueberries, and bananas (see the red, white and blue?). I also get it a la mode ;). Can it get any better than that?! Everything was so delicious and it was great to get a brunch out and about.

Well it is that time of year... Well Bah-Hum-Bug to the Grinches!   Maybe my Off-The-Top 10 Christmas Songs will put the Fah in your Fah-lalalalalah.....

These are in no certain order and I would probably change some if it wasn't Off-The-Top of Ben's 10.

George Strait - Christmas Cookies

The Drifters - White Christmas

 Travis Tritt - Santa Looks Like Daddy

Brenda Lee - Rockin Around The Christmas Tree

 Bing Crosby - Mele Kalikimaka  or Jake Owen's Version too.

Elvis Presley - Blue Christmas

Paul McCartney - Wonderful Christmastime

The Waitresses - Christmas Wrapping

Bing Crosby - It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

Dominick The Donkey

 There are a ton more... this was just off the top of my head.