Happy 47th birthday to WQMX artist Jason Aldean! To celebrate, tonight at 9:00 on the New @ 9 Rick Allen will be featuring Jason's debut single from 2005 "Hicktown" off of his self-titled debut album.

He's had many hits since (and several #1's) but we will take a look back at how it all began. Be here tonight at 9:00 on WQMX!

Having my wisdom teeth removed has affected me in a number of ways. I've struggled to eat or drink anything, talking has not been easy, and I've been in pain for over a week now. I've done little more than wait for each day to turn to the next, coming closer to full recovery with every tick of the clock. It's been awful, truthfully, but I keep hope that I'll feel better soon. 

I'm in a rough spot as I write this. I'm already behind on sleep and can't catch a wink of shuteye due to pains in my face. It feels like my lower jaw is out of place, as if it no longer fits into place in my mouth. I simply can't stand it; it's consuming me. 

I really hope you don't have to go through the discomforts I feel currently, but if you're ever struggling to drift away; don't forget WQMX is up at all hours. We are proud to be live and local, and I'm here for you weeknights from Midnight until 5a.m. for better or for worse!

Hopefully, I can finagle even just a few hours of rest after my shift....

The Unique & In-Demand Jobs keep coming from Stark State College in Summit & Stark Counties...  and StarkState.edu.

This series will continue with videos and posts spotlighting some In-Demand Jobs and Locally Growing Careers that you will be able to fast track your career path quickly at Stark State.  

Baseball's regular season is right around the corner - getting underway in about a month. The Guardians' home opener is April 8th, and I mentioned in the Sports Roundup last night that for the 31st consecutive season the game is sold out!

That means that every home opener at Progressive Field/Jacobs Field has sold out. The last time the opener was NOT sold out for the then-Indians, they shared Cleveland Municipal Stadium with the Browns! That is a great milestone of achievement as fans. Now, let's hope we can keep those numbers up and have a reason to keep those numbers up because the Guards have a great season! Fingers Crossed!

I'm sure you noticed that it has been just gorgeous outside, especially considering it is still February. I'm personally stoked whenever it is above freezing, let alone nearly sixty degrees and sunny, so this fair weather has put a smile on my face. It's a welcome reminder that spring is really on the way and as much as it may seem like it, winter won't last forever. Soon enough we'll be wearing shorts, eating ice cream, firing up the barbeque, and doing all those fun summertime activities. 

One of my absolute favorite things to do when the weather turns nice is to drive my El Camino, Eleanor. Sunday and Monday were both excellent opportunities to wake up the old beast, so that's exactly what I did. I gave her an overdue bath and went for a pleasant little cruise with the windows down. It was a good feeling being back behind the wheel of that Chevy, and I am so ready for the cold and road salt to be behind us. How about you?

Are there any warm weather activities that you've been longing to return to? I've sure got a list! 

Whatever the weather is, thanks so much for keeping it tuned to Your Country 94.9 WQMX! 

Late Saturday afternoon, I met my mom at the laundromat. We both had a TON of stuff to wash - and big things too. I needed to wash the comforter from my bed (Buttercup had some spit-up one morning), and I wanted to wash several blankets from my house as well. My mom had the same situation, plus our regular laundry too. We figured why not get it all done at one time and much quicker too?!

In total we were there between 2 and 2 1/2 hours. It actually went by pretty fast, just not my ideal way to spend a late Saturday afternoon. LOL

If you missed it; I had my wisdom teeth taken out this past week and I have been in recovery since. Let me begin by telling you just how good it feels to be back in the studio here doing my thing! I was tuned in throughout my time off, and I want to thank Nate, Nick, and Marty for filling in for me during my absence. 

I'd rather not go into much detail on the surgery itself, but it was successful. The team of professionals taking care of me did a fantastic job all the way through, and I am so very grateful that it was a smooth operation. I was totally freaking out as I awaited sedation, and I am glad they wasted no time in knocking me out. I was somewhere in between awake and asleep for the procedure, but once that IV was going, I felt nothing. I was a little loopy for a short while afterwards, but I had it together more than I had anticipated for the car ride home. 

For the remainder of the first day and even into the next, I was numb. I couldn't feel my lips or chin, and that really messed with me. I also could not open my mouth more than a little bit, and even drinking a sip of water proved nearly impossible as I just couldn't figure out how to swallow. Alongside the overall pain, these things improved in the following days. The swelling, on the other hand, got worse before improving. 

Once I was able to eat, I tore up a ton of creamy mashed potatoes. I've had so much that I think I'm good on that dish until about Thanksgiving! I would switch between those and vanilla ice cream, and it was several days until I was able to have anything else. 

Just as my choices for nourishment were drastically limited, so too were my options for things to do. I'm not the type who enjoys being idle, but I was forced to take it easy. I watched a lot of television and movies, and I barely left the house at all. Our housecats, Freddy and Fiona, kept me company as I healed. I managed to get a little work in on my buggy project and played some video games too. That was pretty much it.... 

So, where am I at in my recovery currently? I still can't eat anything that requires chewing. Talking isn't the easiest thing, and I'm doing my best to not let that affect my performance on-air. I'm still very sore and a dull face pain remains constant. I'm swollen and outwardly bruised. The process is certainly slower than I had expected, but I'm taking it day by day, and each one is now better than the last.

I'm just glad to be back! Thank you for tuning in to 94.9 WQMX. 

 By now I'm sure you've heard about the new project from the Tom Petty estate. There is a new tribute album (Petty Country)  due in May featuring many of today's big country stars doing Petty songs. (Cherise introduced us to this Friday)   This of course has been done dozens of times before from various artists over many years.  Some of them have been good, others have been ill-advised, but in Tom Petty's case I feel this is a pretty darn good idea.

Hey, I'm not gonna sit here and try to pretend that Tom Petty was country, because that isn't accurate.  But what is accurate, the fact that he was highly influential to many future country stars that grew up Petty fans.  Petty, more than most of his era cast a certain overall dye that was appealing to many young musicians.  His heavy guitar riffs were fun to imitate and the structure of his songs were simple and straight forward.  Petty was an interesting mix of rock, southern rock, future country and garage band fun. 

There was nothing about his music that seemed out of reach for those who had dreams of stardom. His vocals of course, extremely unique in the fact that he was kind of a stylist. His vocals were not intimidating, and you felt secure singing along.  I also have never seen someone so humble and thankful to be given a Superbowl Halftime performance.  You could see it in the picture above. A career moment never thought possible. Incredible example to others.

Big Hit - Very Simple And Straightforward

Petty's image itself was disarming and had a very welcoming approach. He was far more unassuming than virtually every other rock star of his time, and that's how many country stars are.  What I think Petty did very well without really trying was, making those up and comers with big dreams feel like they could do it too.  And even though his songs were not country, they were a mindful blueprint for those in the next generation of country stars to build on. He was influential to a new line of future country stars much like the Eagles, Lynard Skynyrd, ZZ Top and the Allman Brothers were. Just as Petty himself was highly influenced by Elvis.

This Is Played Everywhere - Still Loved! 

Petty was from Gainesville, Florida so southern rock ran through his veins and manifested itself through his music.  His Damn The Torpedoes album is one of the most successful albums of its era, and has been imitated many times.  In the 80's he wrote songs for the country group, Southern Pacific who had a top 20 hit with the Petty penned, Thing About You that featured Emmylou Harris in 1985.  He recorded it too in 1980.  Petty was versatile in the fact he recorded with many big stars and had a long career that was hard to place in one category.  

Dierks Bentley  - From The Tribute Album

Southern Pacific  - Top 20 - Petty Written - GREAT Guitar Riff

Yes I was a fan, but that makes little difference in the fact that Petty was a star, who left no doubt that his influence to a more modern country was enormous.  I'd write this if I wasn't a fan because the truth is the truth.  Not bad for a guy who himself never charted a country hit.  His legacy to country, was his influence.

Well done Tom!

Box Office Results - #1  - Bob Marley   (13 Million)

#2- Demon Slayer

#3 - Ordinary Angels 

New This Week – Dune Part 2

SAG Awards - Oppenheimer won a few more  - Netflix

Big Money - We may see Anyone But You stars Glen Powell and Sydney Sweeney in more rom-coms. It just passed the $200 million mark worldwide

A New Trailer - Has been released for the Huey Lewis and the News musical The Heart of Rock and Roll. The musical starts previews on Broadway March 29th.

The Reboot - Of the Naked Gun with Liam Neeson has a release date. The spoof will hit theaters on July 2025.

Interesting - The first season of Sylvester Stallone's Tulsa King will make be on CBS ahead of Paramount+ release of Season 2

From 1964 - The classic Disney film Mary Poppins now has a PG rating in the U.K. because of some terms are now offensive

This Weekend – Check out my Country Music Memory Lan   (Link)

Also - 50 Most Important Country Songs 1980 – Today #42  (Link)