Box Office Results - Spiderman 11 million  /  Scream  7 Million

New This Week - Moonfall (Sci-Fi Disaster  /  Jackass Forever  /  Last Looks (Mel Gibson – Mystery)

Moonfall - Being shredded by critics!

Paramount Plus - Has  renewed SEAL Team, starring David Boreanaz, for a 10-episode sixth season.

Huge - The Janet Jackson documentary drew 15.7 million total viewers across Lifetime and A&E on Friday and Saturday.

Ryan Hurd's new single "Pass It On" encourages those listening to it to pay it forward someway, somehow with lyrics like "If you got a little weight in your wallet/ Or right direction to point/ Some good advice, or good vibes, or a little positivity". Ryan recently performed his new single from his debut album Pelago on Jimmy Kimmel Live. 

In the 1980's and 90's when I played  Alabama on the air, I would refer to them as "Super Group Alabama", because that's exactly what the were - they earned it. I'm not sure Country music even know it needed a hero until they showed up. They, along with a few brave, select others were the very beginning of change that would reshape country music in every way for the next 40 years.   I have proudly played all their songs on every radio station I have ever worked for - 42 years. 

Their First Hit Song 1979- Peaked at #33 - Things Got Better

You are more than likely a fan of theirs in some fashion. You either go back to the start with them, jumped in halfway through or learned of them from your parents. As one that was there from the start, I will attempt to effectively communicate with you on how big and important they were.  Alabama formed in the late 1960's, but did not hit until the very late 1970's and early 1980's.  Country "bands" were really not a thing then. They were pretty much alone in that for the most part. We had the Oak Ridge Boys and Statler Brothers, but they were vocal groups.  Alabama seemed younger and looked like a contemporary rock band of the era. But they were country. And they were right on time.

First #1 - Changed Everything The Next 21 Also Went #1

When Alabama hit, many of our stars seemed for the most part to be a bit older, not really fashionable, and not overly marketable to an still untapped younger mass audience.  I loved many of those stars, but for our format to grow and prosper, deep down we knew we had to get younger and look like the fans we wanted to attract that we currently didn't have.  We needed a sound that was younger too, with a thump, but still country.  We needed to sing songs that spoke to a more youthful lifestyle and life, with a stage show to match.  That was Alabama in a nutshell.  They took the format and the entire country by storm very quickly.  They, in no time were everywhere. TV, radio, magazines, and videos, they were instantly loved and you could tell they were here to stay.

This Song And Album (Same Name) Huge Success

They would dare to open a new door that needed opening, and a few others would walk through it with them at that time. About 1981, there was the gathering of the musical clouds that would create the storm that would take about a decade to complete and change country's popularity forever. They were the start of it. There were still those artists and listeners who were clinging to the Urban Cowboy sound and would do so for too long. Alabama was popular with those who wanted "country" and missed it.  They were also accepted by the casual cross over fan, and by those with little or no previous interest in us, and that made them completely unique.  There were a few others that were doing the same, but not near to the extent of Alabama.

This Song And Album (Same Name)  Shoved Them Into An Even Higher Gear

Their versatility was incredible and their sales were simply mind-blowing at the time.  Alabama understood too the absolute importance of establishing the "front man" singing voice with Randy Owen, which was a great move.  They were selling millions when no one else was.  As they powered through the 80's, their acceptance and popularity was making it possible for country to get more exposure than it ever had.  They, along with George Strait, Reba, The Judds, Earl Thomas Conley, Hank Jr., John Anderson, Ricky Skaggs, and others were slowly ridding us of pop country, and Urban Cowboy and clearing a new path for the next gen about 1986 of Randy Travis, Dwight Yoakam, Keith Whitley, Holly Dunn and other traditionalists. But make no mistake, for the years leading up to that time, Alabama was without question the number one act in country music. 

This Song Is Universally Loved

They recorded incredible music through the 1990's and into the early 2000's with great success, even though the brand new shiny giants of 1989 were here -  Garth, Clint, Alan, Travis Tritt.  Not only did Alabama change the 80's, but their continuance into and through the 90's really helped us dominate the entire musical landscape for that decade when teamed up with the new generations they helped create from 1981, 86, and 89.  As with most long running acts, some of their music was more popular than others over the many years. I certainly didn't love every single Alabama song, but I always loved what they did for us and continued to do for us long after their initial heyday of the 1980's. They simply put us on the map with millions who never considered us before, and that's a GREAT gift.

Yeah, They Can Do A Truckin' Song!

Think about this, over 30 #1 songs, 15 PLATINUM albums (at least a million sold each with many multi-platinum)  and over 80 million albums total sold.  Plus over 200 awards of some kind claimed in their career.  You see how lucky we were to have them?  They are simply one of the most successful music acts in history, regardless of the genre.  They brought us millions of new fans that still call country music home. I don't feel they saved country music, I think that came a bit later. But they not only kept us going, and they showed Nashville what could be with a commitment to the right and proper kind of change.  They also without question made Nashville believers that country "bands" could make it, as many very successful ones followed starting in the later 80's  - till today.

Fans Loved Their Ballads Too

Alabama led to a new kind of everything for us. They sold albums that we could only imagine selling in years prior. They carved a new path that allowed others to follow in 1981 and beyond.  We owe them a real debt of gratitude, as there were years they kept us very relevant and started us growing where we had never been planted before.  Almost every act that followed should them should send them a thank you card.

Love This Song!

Super Group Alabama - A Mega Star without question and very important in our history.  Thank YOU!

For the past couple of years I've been doing the Memory Lane series here and I am going to keep it going strong.  Starting this month, the first Thursday of each month,  I will feature the CMML Mega Star Series.  These are stars over the course of my 42 years in Country are the top in our format.  Many have been mentioned in some of the specialty articles I have written and now it's time to write about the true giants and let you know what they brought to us in addition to the music.

I will continue the specialty series' of many kinds and I will still feature other big stars, albums, and songs of our format.  There will be no ranking, and not in order of any kind. So let's start off with our first in the CMML Mega Stars Series  -  Starts this Thursday!!

There was kind of a round here buzz about a certain game last weekend.

KC/Buffalo was basically an instant classic, that no one wanted to end.  A game that ended on such a high note.  Really fell flat in overtime!

It seemed like everyone instantly called for "New Overtime Rules" or at least a way to allow the other offense to at least touch the ball.  I made a statement that "Funny the winning team and their fans aren't complaining about a rule change."  Meaning the team, the rules worked in their favor and are already moving onto the next week.

With the above statement of winning.  I received posts stating...

-  I hate how a coin flip decides the game.

- The NFL wants the games to end.

- There needs to be a shootout like in soccer.

These are all well and good.  I don't know if we need a rule change per say.  But how about taking like a halftime?   There is a halftime after 2 quarters but after a tie you come right back out and flip the coin...  take a 15-minute break in the locker room.  That will break momentum, let teams adjust or if your defense gave up the last 27 points give them a rest since they are gassed.  

Suggestions other than that to make OT more interesting:

- The soccer or hockey shootout has been done in college and maybe in XFL.

- As for the NFL wanting the games to end.  I agree if it is a bad game.  How many times have you been watching the Browns, especially in the Hue Jackson era, and they change the game to a more interesting one?  It happens all the time.  Sunday KC/Buffalo was the highest rated playoff game in 5 years, they did not want that to end.  

- And as for the coin flip deciding...  Both teams should get a chance to possess the ball.  Some of my thoughts to help this out. 

1.  The Offensive and Defensive Units switch.  Patrick Mahomes would play safety- Travis Kelce is now a Defensive End in Overtime...and Honey Badger would quarterback.  Instead of the Defensive line going after a QB now Offensive Linemen are going after a Defensive Back or a Linebacker playing Quarterback....

2.  My second idea is to keep Sudden Death...  But it is first Defensive TOUCHDOWN or Special Teams TOUCHDOWN wins.  the '21 Super Bowl will be played in 2023.

I know these are outlandish but so is the Super Bowl on Saturday or the fact these teams care about overtime.  Let's just enjoy the games this weekend and hope for another great game that was as exciting as last Sunday Night. 

Today is 02/02/2022  - Ground Hog Day!!

I know strange date too.  I have lost all faith in Puxatauney Phil.  Ground Hog Day is a fun little ritual we go through every year. We all watch those strange dudes in Pennsylvania their get up and stove pipe hats fumble through the proclamation of Phil predicting 6 more weeks on winter or an early Spring.

To be honest, I'm sick of Phil. Good ground hog and all I'm sure, but I've moved on the Buckeye Chuck, the Ohio ground hog.  He's more local, he's homegrown and I generally like his prognostications better.  Phil had a great run, but I'm done.

Why we outsource our Ground Hog Day is beyone me.  If Phil wants to predict 6 more weeks of winter for the fine folks in Pennsylvania, that's fine with me. Just leave us alone.

So even though they get all the pub, movies and the drunkin 7AM slot on the morning new shows, I'm going with Buckeye Chuck - no matter what!

Do you know what's wrong with Prime rib?  - NOTHING!  But many are afraid to cook one. The Beautiful Windy makes one on special occasions sometimes and it's fantastic!  I know they can be pricey and that scares some people off too as you don't want to blow it.

But this recipe and method can help you, because Prime Rib is soooooo gooood!

Take a look here -  Hey, it's winter, we got nothing else to do!

PRIME!!!!! Rib!

Well the Superbowl is set now and guess what?  The Browns aren't in it.  Bengals are!  6 months ago there was such hope and a feeling that this could be our year, now it's next year  - again.

So what about next year?  So many questions around the league in general, with many new coaches, GM's, and QB's in new homes probably. Lots of speculation as where Baker Mayfield will be, and what the Browns will actually do. If I was a betting man today, I would say the Browns are looking for a new direction there. It sounds so easy, but it's not.  QB's don't grow on trees, and let's face it, young guys with money and fame, well Cleveland?  Yes, that's still a thing.  Then there's the whole money thing. A GM's job is not just to put a great team on the field, but he has rules and a boss too, (just like us)  and there's an end to the money and salary cap issues.

Anything can happen, but if it was me, I'd keep Baker -  get him healthy and enjoy the bargain price of 18 million for next season and see what happens.  But I fear that is not plan A. I feel with the Browns that is the "fall back" plan. But who? Word is Kurt Cousins from the Vikings may be in play.  OK, I thought the whole idea was to get better.  Any way you look at that, you're probably not better with that move and he's 35 million or so.  And you then have to find someone to trade with for Baker. 

There's a thought that local kid and top draft pick a few years ago, Mitchell Tribisky may be signed to a bargain one year deal and compete with Baker to spark a fire.  OK, again I thought the whole idea was to get better and NOT start up a stupid QB controversy YET AGAIN!   Derrick Carr from the Raiders is a possibility in many ways.  But the dominoes around the league would have to fall exactly right, and then convince him to come here. And there lies yet another problem for us.

Any QB that is willing to come to the Midwest and play football outdoors from anywhere else, Las Vegas, California, the south, anywhere, we have two big problems.  The Packers (probably) and the Steelers, both will need QB's.  That darn Mike Tomlin! You want to play for Mike Tomlin or Stefanski? That's easy.  You want to play at Lambeau Field, or here?  Wear Steeler black and gold or Packer green and gold?  And Matt LeFluer  also has won more games in three years in GB than anyone else in the NFL.  These are legit problems.  Who wouldn't want to play for Mike Tomlin? 

Jimmy Garoppolo is a possibility, but he will be plenty expensive.  Why San Fran wants him out of town is still a mystery to me. They drafted that young QB, and they want him to play next year, but they have a guy who has taken them to the Superbowl and almost a second.  Strange, but hey.  JG is hurt a lot that's a fact, but his price could set the Browns back a decade if they get it wrong, and you still have to trade Baker.  But again, JG could feel way more at home with the Steelers great defense and that darn Mike Tomlin!

Then there's this -  that could probably be worked out the easiest.  It's a gamble, but it could be long range.  IF THEY ARE DETERMINED to trade Baker, the Atlanta Falcons are the logical choice.  You send Baker there with some draft picks and get veteran Matt Ryan. I know, he's older, he's a sharp veteran and has a few years left and taken the Falcons to the Superbowl.  You draft a college QB you like and attempt to groom him in the couple years you have a real pro like Ryan.  Long term plan, short term plan, and the Baker thing solved.  Do I like this?  Well, NO not really, but if they are hell bent on trading Baker, this is not a horrible plan. Oh, and we need to hope that darn Mike Tomlin and the Steelers, Packers, Raiders, Panthers, and a few other teams, like possibly the Bucs, don't have the same idea.  (If Brady retires and it's warm in Tampa)

So, yes this is a problem that to me the Browns seem to be creating for themselves. Change for change sake in the NFL not always the best.  I say go with what you got and hope 2020 recreates itself with Baker in 2022.  If he and the team stay healthy they can absolutley compete with anyone.  You can't worry about Mahomes, Allen, Burrow, Jackson and all the other studs QB's out there. You have what you have, so get healthy, call better plays, get a better scheme , run the ball, lace 'em up tight and let's go!

But in all honesty you do have to worry about that darn Mike Tomlin.  In a city that in many ways mirrors our own in it's geography, size, weather, stadium, game times, and fan base, he's a problem for the Browns.  He is the pilot of the best run professional sports franchise in the country.  (And we are not).  And he will play a part in any QB's decision on where he may want to go if the Steelers are gonna jump in and get it going.

Go Browns - and someone keep an eye on that Darn Mike Tomlin!!

Kenny Chesney took to social media to announce his next single will be "Everyone She Knows": 

Excited to share that the next single from the #hereandnow album is "Everyone She Knows." I know so many women who are their own compass... and this song is for them. Wherever you are, however you are, just love the adventure and don’t worry what people think. #everyonesheknows pic.twitter.com/TIqMXBlEfH

— Kenny Chesney (@kennychesney) January 25, 2022

This is the follow up to his #1 single "Knowing You", and was written by Shane McAnally, Ross Copperman, and Josh Osborne. Kenny will be bringing his 'Here and Now' tour to Blossom Music Center on Thursday, June 9th with special guest Carly Pearce. Tickets go on sale Friday, February 11th at 10am, click here for more details! 

Eli Young Band have released a new single, "Love Talking" which tells the story of a guy who confesses his feelings to his love interest. This song was 1 of around 100 songs that frontman Mike Eli has written over the past couple of years. This one will be part of an upcoming album that we're hearing is tentatively scheduled for release this summer. 

Eli Young Band are currently out on the road, though they don't have a Northeast Ohio date on the schedule, you can take a road trip to see them at The Bluestone in Columbus on Thursday, April 14th!