Nancy asked what I knew about one of her favs from the 1990's, Doug Stone.  I played all his songs on great radio stations including WQMX.  Stone was seen as a country music Neo-traditionalist, and I guess that's accurate.  He was a big deal for a few very strong years, then health problems really took a toll.

He signed his first big record deal in 1989 in Nashville after a long road before hand. He was discovered in a local VFW Hall as I remember. Stone was a name that he took on, as his real last name was Brooks, but he was asked to change it to avoid confusion with Garth Brooks. Stone had a ton of very good people behind him from record execs to songwriters and musicians, many of them the very best in Nashville. Stone had a nice run in the 1990's and has one of the best debut songs I feel in country music history with, the amazingly relatable I'd Be Better Off In A Pine Box released in 1990.  It peaked at #4, (should have been #1)  BUT was Grammy nominated and it is just flat out great.  I mean really great. True country songs don't get much better.

Incredible Debut Single - Grammy Nominated

His first two albums were very successful with a bunch of big songs.  Both were million sellers, plus his next two studio albums after that were GOLD. Doug Stone was a hit maker.  Sometimes in our history, time is not overly kind to some of our performers.  Stone I feel is one of them.  In a decade with a zillion mega stars, Stone contended and racked up a bunch of big albums, singles, and radio play.  He was seen by some critics as not having a clear direction. OK, that's fine, but I would say he was versatile.  Look who he toured with, (more later.)  His numbers are undeniable, fans loved his music.

Big Song From His First Album  - #1

His run which ran from 1990 and into 1995, had his first 15 singles all reaching the top 7 on the charts and 8 of them went #1.  Although he was overshadowed by many others during this time, he was blessed with great success. What he was not blessed with was good health, especially for a young man. Big heart problems, with bypass surgery and major ongoing issues resulting from that in the long run.  I remember when I heard that, I was shocked, and it kind of shook me up as that kind of thing doesn't happen to people that young. But sadly it did to him.

Fun Song - #1

He toured with big stars including Hank Jr, Patty Loveless, and even Lynyrd Skynyrd for a bit.  As I think back to the 90's I have good musical memories of Stone. He is in my view part of the reason the 90's were so big for us. We had all these mega stars of course, led by Garth and a ton of others. But guys like Stone were the next tier with Mark Chesnutt, Tracy Byrd, Hal Ketchum, John Michael Montgomery, Terri Clark, Pam Tillis, LeeAnn Womack and many others that absolutely insured we always had great songs on the radio all the time.  We were so deep then, and Doug Stone was a big part of that.  In many other eras these names, including Stone's may have dominated the format.

Early Success

After his initial run, and health issues of the late 1990's Stone continued to record and perform but time, health and the biz changes things.   I have said before, that not everyone gets a 10, or 20 year chart run, as those are the exception and not the general rule. But for a time, Doug Stone was near the top and was very good for our format in every regard.

Big Song - #1

If you are unfamiliar with him  - a Greatest Hits download is a GREAT idea.

Country Song!

This weekend the NFL Playoff swung into high gear, and many were stunned by the Bengals and the 49ers moving on. I was not.  I am a Browns fan of course, but I am happy for the Bengals as Joe Burrow is really terrific, and my underdog mentality takes over and you can't help but feel good for them and their long suffering fans.

This weekend's games should have reminded all of us, what many us forget during the season, with all the ESPN and NFL Network watching we do, that big-time football is a TEAM game. The post season in the NFL is very different than games in October. The stakes are higher, players are more focused, the stage is bigger, the weather is different, and there is a lot of money on the line. 

The media is so quarterback obsessed you would think that that is all you need to win a title. And you DO need a good one to do so. But you also need good health, and 52 other guys that want to win.  There is a formula to win in the post season and it involved the entire team and good decisions from the sidelines that are becoming more rare these days.

This weekend the Titans have themselves to blame for the loss. If they simply kick the extra point in the first half, they are leading 17-16 with :40 seconds to play in the game with the games best running back Derrick Henry.  You're not passing, not turning it over and you win. Terrible coaching decision. You "go for two" when you have too, not when you want to in the post season.

The Packers have themselves to blame as well. A routine field goal blocked and a punt blocked for a TD AT HOME!  San Fran plays great defense all night and moves the ball just enough at crunch time  - By RUNNING it, and they win. Packers special teams? THE WORST in the NFL.  Eventually it was going to catch up with them.  Aaron Rodgers can't do one thing about that.

As great as Bills/Chiefs game was from a TV perspective, the Bills have themselves to blame  - period.  How on earth do you NOT defend in the final :13  seconds of a game that means this much. A pooch kickoff runs clock. Then simply hold receivers at the line of scrimmage two times.  Take the penalties of 5 yards each and about 5 seconds off the clock each play.  You would then have to defend one single play from about 70 yards and you win!  Coaching again.

And BTW - The NFL overtime rule is fine.  The NFL is a TV driven entity, and in my opinion during the regular season, they would prefer games over ASAP, so they don't interfere with games coming on next on TV.  It also just about eliminates the possibility of a tie.  The harsh reality is, if you simply play a little defense and make a stop, you are totally in the drivers seat.  Sports and life are inherently "unfair."

And the Bucs/Rams game. Another great game on TV, but there is no real good reason why that game shouldn't have been in overtime. Bucs again simply blew it with just a few seconds on the clock at home.  Brady can only do so much.

All of these games were really great games and very good for the NFL. And in the end, we are reminded again that football is indeed a TEAM sport.

And also, this weekend proves yet again, that this stuff "just doesn't happen to the Browns"   This stuff happens to every team.

Can't wait for Sunday!

I love a good sandwich.  I'm not picky at all, I am pretty much in favor of all sandwiches.  The Cuban is probably my fav, but there are a few others that are not far behind.

Tuna Melts, Patty Melts and a great Club are right up there too.  See a trend? These are all sandwiches that require far more effort to make than just slapping something between bread with mayo.  (Which I love too). But a great sandwich that takes time and effort is amazing, and that is this Tuna melt!!!  It's DELISH!

EAT THIS!   -  The Tuna Melt That Beats All Tuna Melts

Zac Brown Band released a new single called "Out in the Middle" which was co-written by Zac Brown and Luke Combs. This is the first time that the two have collaborated on a song along with Ben Simonetti and Jonathan Singleton. "Out in the Middle" is one of two songs Combs co-wrote for ZBB's new album, The Comeback, the other is called "Old Love Song".  

Zac Brown Band goes out on the road for their Out in the Middle Tour beginning April 22nd.

Elvie Shane is following up his #1 single "My Boy" with his new release "County Roads". The song is featured on his debut EP of the same name and also appears on his full length debut album Backslider. 

Evlie Shane will be performing at The Country Fest on Friday, June 17th. Click here to purchase tickets! 

Dustin Lynch sat down for a virtual interview with Good Morning America host Michael Strahan this morning, which is when he made the announcement that he will be releasing his fifth studio album. 'Blue In The Sky' will be available on February 11th and includes his hit single "Thinking 'Bout You" his duet with MacKenzie Porter. The album will also feature collaborations with Chris Lane and Riley Green! 

Watch the interview and the performance of "Thinking 'Bout You" with MacKenzie Porter below!

'Blue in the Sky' is available to pre-order now, and here is the track listing for you: 

"Party Mode"
"Thinking 'Bout You" (featuring MacKenzie Porter)
"Stars Like Confetti"
"Somethin' That Makes You Smile"
"Break It On a Beach"
"Tequila On a Boat" (featuring Chris Lane)
"Tennessee Trouble"
"Summer Never Ended"
"Back Road TN"
"Huntin' Land" (featuring Riley Green)
"Pasadena"
"Not Every Cowboy"

It used to e more than common for careers with country artists to get going at about 40 years old.  That of course is not the norm anymore as breakthrough singers are now in their very early 20's for the most part.  But Walker Hayes is 42, and starting to hit his stride.

Fancy Like was of course a huge song in every way possible, so now what?  FL is a funny sort of novelty song like that can be really hard to follow up sometimes.  It's a smash, and people want to hear it.  So, his new song AA, yes it is a funny ditty about many peoples real life and the tune is exceedingly catchy. But there is much more to both songs.

But As funny as Fancy Like is, and as amusing as AA is, the strength of both songs is their blatant honesty. Both lyrically speak directly to millions of people that can relate in every way. And that has been the separator for country music since it's beginning.  Honest stuff here.

AA -  My Song Of The Week

Box Office Results - Scream  - 70 million

New This Week - The Kings Daughter / Redeeming Love   (Huge Book)

The Kings Daughter -  Was filmed in 2014 and just now released.

Paramount Plus - Has renewed Star Trek: Discover, Star Trek: Lower Decks and Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.  (Story)

Lord of the Rings - TV series will be called The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. It premieres September 2nd on Amazon Prime Video.   (Story) 

French Actor Gaspard Ulliel - Who stars in Marvel’s upcoming Moon Knight mini series, died in a ski accident in the French Alps Wednesday - He was 37.  (Story)

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

There's lots of excitement about Neal McCoy coming to the Dusty Armadillo next weekend, and a few of you suggested that now would be a good time to feature him. Good call.  (I also featured him as part of my series on the 1990's)

McCoy is a really fun story.  His fans love him dearly and he never disappoints in any way.  He is possibly the best example of a guy that was not going to be denied. He certainly traveled a long road, and he carved out a very successful career primarily during country's biggest decade - the 1990's.  And along the way developed a gigantic fan base that is loyal to him today.  I have played all of his songs on the radio, tha majority when I was doing mornings in Florida on WPCV.

His Breakthrough Hit Song -

McCoy, from Texas, gave up selling shoes and finally got a recording contract after winning a talent competition hosted by country legend, Janie Fricke in Dallas.  Then suddenly found himself opening on the road for another legend, Charley Pride for a few years. Word is Fricke and Pride had the same manager and Pride thought McCoy was a real talent. Pride also convinced Ronnie Milsap to go strictly country a number of years earlier -  and that worked out well too. Kudos to the late, Charley Pride.

Great Song On The Radio, Live And In The Clubs

McCoy recorded a couple of albums that really fell flat with no traction in the early 1990's. Then in 1994, he hit with the song, No Doubt About It off a new album of the same name.  It was a perfect song in many ways. Well written, timeless, easy to listen too, country and just flat out good.  It still holds up very well.   The song went #1 and changed Neal McCoy's recording life.  Wink was also a big number one and was very popular in the clubs.  The City Put The Country Back In Me was a top five hit and the album sold over a million copies.  It was tough sledding in the 1990's.  There were so many big stars, it was exceedingly hard to cut through and get noticed.

Loved This Song

The next album Ya Gotta Love That (also a single that I loved)  was a big hit with 4 singles, all top 3's.  It also sold a million nad McCoy was establishing himself as a real fan favorite. In a decade of absolute superstars I think McCoy gave fans sort of an underdog to root for.  He was/is likeable, affable, approachable and just flat out professional.  He puts on an incredible live show too, whether he's at the Dusty, or at an outdoor music festival in front of 20,000.  He has also been a champion for charity and his performing for the military has endeared him to millions of fans.  He has been married to his wife Melinda for over 40 years and fans love that too.

Very Underrated Song

Over the next number of years there was varying levels of chart success and some big songs, like The Shake, Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye, and Billy's Got His Beer Goggles on.  He continued to record, and in 2013 did a real nice album that was a tribute to Charley Pride. He is an incredible ambassador still for Country Music and one of the nicest stars I have ever worked with.  He has even showed up here at the WQMX studios in years past just out of the blue for a visit.

Huge Song With Fans

McCoy is the kind of act you are glad is in country music.  He fought and fought, stuck with it and made himself a viable star and has millions of fans to show for it that have gone on this journey with him. Most, if not all other music formats don't really have stories like his anymore.

Fans Love This Song

But Neal McCoy's is a good one.  Go see Neal McCoy!

Clay Walker announced that his next single from his latest album Texas to Tennessee would be "Catching Up With An Ol' Memory". 

Some of y’all may have guessed it already… but I’m so excited that “Catching Up With An Ol’ Memory” is my next single! Who’s ready to hear it on the radio? ? pic.twitter.com/iX0qtFxcsL

— Clay Walker (@ClayWalker) January 11, 2022

The song is about a heartbreak but it's ok, there is no sadness because of thinking about those old memories.