Tuesday, 06 February 2024 01:35

My AI Calendar 

Not long ago we flipped the calendars from January to February, and it was then that I noticed something was a little off with mine. For as long as I can recall, I have always had a car calendar on my wall, and while some of them have not been the highest quality, I've never had one like this. 

I was looking at the picture of the sports car for February when I noticed that one of the wheels was not entirely circular. Not only that, but there was no real emblem on the car; instead, it's some unsymmetrical silver blur on the front of the grille. That detail confirmed something was suspicious and upon closer inspection of the entire calendar, it just got worse. 

There are random shapes and objects in the backgrounds of the images that don't make sense or belong, the vehicles themselves are terrible copycats of actual cars like the Tesla Model 3 or the Chevy Corvette, and everything just looks artificial like a video game. It didn't take long to put together that this must be an AI calendar. My immediate question: why? 

Why generate something that you could simply take a nice picture of? It's not like these images were set in outer space or with the automobile jumping a volcano or anything; they were just your standard mundane calendar design. There must be a plethora of high-quality car photos available in the public domain, so if it has anything to do with licensing, I'm confused. From January to December, these calendar pictures are just awful. 

So, do I keep it up or not? I never actually use a calendar for any real purpose, but it wouldn't feel right to be without one in my bedroom. It gets the point across, but I don't really like the idea of substituting human artistry for some computer knockoffs. I'm not opposed to AI as a tool for helping humans, but I'm thinking this goes a little too far....

Published in Joe Headley
Monday, 05 February 2024 23:04

Big Game Drinking Game

With Sunday being the Big Game... Might as well have a Big Ol' Drinkin Game for it...

(Obviously, you can substitute drinks with or without alcohol.  Or maybe grab a bunch of dips or dishes if you are more of the foodie type.)

Things we know:  Reba is singing the National Anthem, Post Malone will handle God Bless America, Usher is the Halftime Show...

Rules: (suggestions)


Drink or eat if...

-There's a 20+ yard pass.

-Players or Celebrities with Cleveland or Ohio Ties. (Jason/Travis/Donna Kelce, Kyle Juszczyk, Ohio St. (Nick Bosa & Chase Young)

-A player puts hands up and argues a call (it's football, not futbol.)

-A celebrity in the crowd other than Taylor Swift.

-Player points to the sky.

-Penalty, Field Goal or Interception.

-A Car Commerical.

-Andy Reid's Mustache makes it on screen.

-Endzone Celebration

Finish Your Drink If...

-The team you want to win scores first.

-Usher Goes Shirtless at Half.

-There is a Country Artist in a Commercial.

-A Sack, Blocked FG or Punt.

-Taylor Swift makes it on TV.

-Replay Won.

Take A Shot If...

-Refs Miss A Call.

-Someone makes a "Purdy" Pun.

-Streaker (it's Vegas!)

-A coach yells at a referee.

-Jake From State Farm or Flo From Progressive Insurance make an appearance.

-A Fumble. 

Drink responsibly and enjoy the food, commercials and game responsibly also...

Going to be a big weekend and a lot of call off's Monday.  Hope your team wins or your squares do too.

Published in Ben McKee
Monday, 05 February 2024 11:27

GRAMMY Awards: Country's Big Winners

It was a big night Sunday for Lainey Wilson, who not only attended her first GRAMMY Awards, but also took home her first trophy for Best Country Album (Bell Bottom Country).
 
Chris Stapleton took home two GRAMMYs-- one for Best Country Song with co-writer Dan Wilson and the other for Best Country Solo Performance, both for "White Horse." In addition, Zach Bryan and Kacey Musgraves landed their own Best Duo/Group Performance for their collaboration "I Remember Everything."
 

One of the best performances of the night came when Tracy Chapman joined Luke Combs on stage to perform their chart topping hit "Fast Car." 

Published in Cherise
Monday, 05 February 2024 03:05

Winter Euchre Tourney Recap

First and foremost, on behalf of WQMX, I'd like to thank everyone who came out to Saint George Fellowship Center on Saturday to play Euchre in support of NEOPAT. We raised some money for an awesome cause and had some fun, and that's what events like these are all about!

The food and drinks were great, the venue was perfect, the rounds generally went smoothly, and many people went home with some awesome prizes like concert tickets, cash, and various surprises. We were surely happy to be there, and it seemed as though everyone else was too. In fact, we were asked countless times when the next one is going to be, so I think that speaks wonders. 

With it being our very first card tournament, there were a couple unforeseen matters in the rules and operation brought to our attention through the night which we'll be sure to address. Even so, it was nothing short of a huge success, truly. I met some great people and learned about the local Euchre clubs and competitions from Cuyahoga falls to Canton. Some of the participants are pretty serious about the game, but we appreciate most everyone understanding that this was in the name of fun and charity, and nothing more. 

On a personal level, I'm so grateful to have been given the opportunity to participate. I was a fill-in for some player who didn't show, on the Brad Paisley team. Despite losing most of my matches, it was a total blast! If I had a little more time on my hands, I'd absolutely be looking into joining a club after the enjoyment I got from being in this tournament. In total points, I think I did alright, but we'll just have to see how I stacked up against the ranks once Sarah posts the official scores here on the WQMX website. It was mildly intimidating running with the big dogs, but I did! 

If you missed out on this event and are looking to have a good time, we've got something else coming up that's likely right up your alley: bowling! It's the WQMX Red, White, and Bowl with special guest Ryan Larkins on March 16th. Find all the info on that and sign up here

WQMX is live and local, and we couldn't do what we do without such an amazing community of listeners. With that, as always, thanks so much for tuning in to 94.9 WQMX! 

Published in Joe Headley

February was Black History Month, and all month I featured artists that contributed greatly to country music over the years.  It was great to look back on these amazing artists and showcase them.  In case you missed any of them, here is a recap of who was featured and where.

The Mega Star Series - Charley Pride

The Mega Star Series - Ray Charles

The Mega Star Series - Lionel Richie

Country Music Memory Lane - Big Al Downing

Forgotten Jukebox - Seven Spanish Angels

Forgotten Jukebox - Stuck On You

Forgotten Jukebox - Too Many Times

Forgotten Jukebox - Deep River Woman

50 Most Important Country Songs 1980 - Today - #45

Wynn small pic

Published in Scott Wynn

SW small Logo Big Al Downing was a very talented artist, and a very interesting story that is little known, but should be. Here's a guy that played venues all over the world for decades, in front of millions of people, and never had any real charting success.  I remember playing BAD at my first station or two, and I remember seeing him on TV on tons of shows. But what an incredible career he had.

Big Al was a sizzling rockabilly piano player and that talent alone got him regular appearances at the Grand Ole' Opry and great concert halls everywhere.  I never met Al Downing, but by all accounts he was a hugely liked man and performer to all. He was a band member early in his career for the amazing Wanda Jackson. He also was a great song writer and early on wrote songs for Fats Domino and later for others like Tom Jones.  He then became a wonderful music producer well into the late 1990's for many in Nashville.

This Has Been Recorded By Many  - Written By Big Al

 

He was a much respected member of the country music community.  He did chart a few songs mostly in the late 1970's.  He had two top 20 hits back to back, Mr Jones, and Touch Me, both off the Big Al Downing album which enjoyed good commercial and great critical success.  As a result of that he was nominated for Best New Artist of 1980 by the ACM. He was also nominated for the ACM Single Of The Year for Mr. Jones.  Plus Billboard Magazine's New Artist of The Year & Single of The Year Awards for that same year.  All of this 20 years after breaking into the music biz. Mr. Jones is considered by some as one of the most poignant and powerful story songs we've ever had.

This Song Was Loved - Powerful

 

Big Al Downing performed world wide for most of his adult life, and was a fixture on Television on shows like Hee Haw, and American Bandstand With Dick Clark.  He's in the Rockabilly Hall Of Fame as well.  He was a sensational musician and a pretty darn good songwriter. And even though his charting success was limited, his contribution to country is not. 

The Story Behind The Story  - Fans Loved This Song

 

His start in the music business was from the 1950's and lasted until the early 2000's.  He helped integrate country music along with Ray Charles and helped pave the way for others that followed.  His single, Mr. Jones was a much loved song we played for a good long while, I remembered getting lots of calls for that song early on in my career.  And that Big AL Downing album, is really terrific.

Big Al Downing left behind great songs, great performances and a great legacy.   Al Downing passed away in 2005 at the age of 65.

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

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Published in Scott Wynn
Wednesday, 28 February 2024 01:04

WYNN - Forgotten Jukebox LR-10

Deep River Woman - Lionel Richie & Alabama  - 1986 -  (Album - Dancin' On The Ceiling)

In 1986 Alabama was on top of world and so was Lionel Richie.  They were each dominating their respective charts that were seemingly miles apart.  But after Richie got on the country charts with Stuck On You, this was the next step.  This Richie penned gem of a song was about perfect.  Alabama was loved by about everyone no matter what your musical preference was, and so was Richie. Their harmonies on this song are legendary, as it sounded as if they had been singing together forever.  This song was a work of art in the fact too, it sounded like a song each one might have recorded independently of each other under different circumstances.  To me, that is the key to any attempted duet, is it a good song, or an attempt to make a big song out of an average one?  But lucky for us, they did it as a duet that went to #10 on the country charts.  This song was also redone on Richie's 2012 masterpiece album, Tuskegee with Little Big Town and is terrific as well.  I'll include both versions below.  But in 1986, with two musical giants meeting in the studio to record this amazing record, was the stuff of legends.

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

Last Weeks Selection

My Mega Star Profile On Lionel Richie

WIth Alabama  - 1986

 

 With Little Big Town - 2012

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Published in Scott Wynn
Friday, 02 February 2024 18:12

Looking Forward To It??

So I have been trying catch on to Euchre in time for the WQMX Winter Euchre Tournament. 

The Tournament is Saturday Night at St. George Fellowship Center in Fairlawn brought to you by TLC Catering. 

Needless to say, I haven't caught on quickly.  It is SOLD OUT going to be a lot of fun with prizes, food, cash bar and much more. 

Can't wait to see y'all.... Looking forward to that at least... not sooo much the card playing.

 

Published in Ben McKee
Friday, 02 February 2024 11:27

New Music Friday!

New music, new albums! Let's check them out!

Here are some new songs you can ad to your library:

Chris Young "Double Down"
Tyler Braden "Devil You Know"
Dylan Marlowe "You Did It Too"

Gabby Barrett released her new album "Chapter & Verse" today that includes her latest single "Glory Days"! Tonight, during New at 9, Rick Allen is in for Eric Matthews and he will be playing you a track off the album! Which one? Well, you'll have to tune in to find out!

 

Album releases coming soon:

2/16 Chase Matthew "We All Grow Up" EP
3/22 Chris Young "Young Love & Saturday Nights"
3/29 Kenny Chesney "Born"
3/29 HIXTAPE Vol. 3: DIFFTAPE ft Joe Diffie, Post Malone, Morgan Wallen + HARDY
4/26 MacKenzie Porter "Nobody's Born With A Broken Heart"

Happy listening! -Cherise, Music Director at WQMX

Published in Cherise
Friday, 02 February 2024 00:24

I need to work on this...

It's a short Blog this time around, as I must focus my time practicing shuffling cards in anticipation for the Inaugural WQMX Winter Euchre Tournament. If you registered, don't forget it's tomorrow, Saturday, at Saint George Fellowship Center in Fairlawn! Doors open at 6 and we begin dealing at 7.
 

I can't wait! We'll see you there. 

PS: Happy Groundhog Day! 

Published in Joe Headley
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