This is Part One of a Two-Week series, this week and next - (5 songs this week, 5 next week!)

As my Country Music Memory Lane series rolls on, it has me thinking about all the various ways we can go.  Of course featuring stars is a great way, and we'll do more of them, but there are songs too. This week and next are dedicated to songs that made a huge impact on people in the first minute of the first radio play.  These are rare, as they make the studio phone ring immediately on the air, with listeners asking, "What is this song, and who is that??, I love this song!!"  

These are some of the songs I remember doing exactly that in my 41 year career so far.  There are others, but they are very rare.  And I am hoping there are more recorded as time goes on!

On The Other Hand - Randy Travis  -  (1986)

I was doing mornings at WRMZ (FM-100) in Columbus, Ohio when this song came out. It was NOT Randy Travis' first hit song, 1982 was. But this was released first and did nothing, as it peaked at #67.  They released it again, after 1982 and in my view after it went #1, became one of the most important country songs ever.  We couldn't play this song enough as fans LOVED it.  It was the strongest signal yet that a younger country, with a traditional sound that started a few years earlier by artists like Alabama, George Strait and Earl Thomas Conley, was here to stay.  What was left of pop-country was over.  Storms of Life is a classic album too, belongs in every collection.  Randy was the next level - (Please read my article Who Saved Country Music Part 1)  (And Part 2)

Honky Tonk Man -  Dwight Yoakam  -  (1986)

I was in Columbus still when this song came out, and he was something very new and totally different. We had never seen anything in country like this before.  Listeners loved this new kind of rockabilly, yet traditional sound.  We did a live show with him right about the release date, and we had people hanging from the rafters that night at some big club, and that was very unusual then. Dwight stirred forgotten passions within fans as we had many years of pop-country being the driving force. This was not. This is a song we could have played every 15 minutes and no one would have minded.  Along with Travis, country had been elevated by leaps and bounds.  The traditionalists, some were here, others were on the way.  This EP - Guitars And Cadillac's is universally loved. He's featured here -  (Please Read My Article Who Saved Country Music Part 1) (And Part 2)

Better Man - Clint Black  -  (1989) 

When I was doing mornings at KLIK (The Big 950) in Jefferson City, Missouri country was kicking into a very high gear and this song was a big part of it.  Midway through the first play the phone was ringing wondering if this was new and reinvented Merle Haggard. There is no doubt it is Haggard like, but Clint Black successfully tapped into the young, and the not so young, with this monster hit, and even bigger album.  He was Merle Haggard and George Strait rolled into one star.  This sound sent him on a huge run as one of our biggest new stars at the time. The next song, Killin' Time solidified him as a star.  He had a lot to do with country's massive acceleration from 1989 on. This album, Killin' Time is one of the best country albums of all time.

The Dance  - Garth Brooks  -  (1989)

Garth had a few singles before this and he was known as a nice young artist, but this song for many is about the perfect song.  This sent him on a real roll that, well is still going today as he sells out stadiums.  Still may be the most loved song we have ever had.  This song had a whole lot to do with his meteoric rise to a superstar level that we never had, and frankly couldn't imagine.  In short order, Garth Brooks was the biggest singing star on the planet, and this song had the phones ringing as the piano was playing out.  The massive popularity of this song was and is hard to explain unless you were there to see it.

Where've You Been  - Kathy Mattea  - 1989

This song had the phone ringing as it finished in my studio with listeners literally in tears and many proclaiming it was the most beautiful song they had ever heard.  This is one powerful song that may not speak to you right now, but at some point will. It's timeless and flawless and so was Kathy's performance. This is an example of the perfect song meeting the person born to sing it.  Kathy Mattea was a supreme vocalist that chose her material perfectly.  She is breathtaking in this song.  This kind of song defied the odds on being a "radio song"  It's just too darn good.  Still a favorite for those who discover it.  (Read my article on Kathy Mattea here)

Click Here To Hear Wynn's Song Of The Week!

They say keep it interesting...

These are Tactical Couple Goals not Tactful ones.

Who is going to clean all that up?  It does look fun.

I have been a long time endorser of Dunkin on WQMX, and proud of it. Hard not to be, their coffee and thier specialty drinks are incredible, and thier delicious treats, plus they help me and millions of others start their day off right.  So this increible deal is no real surprise.

Dunkin has teamed up with Backdrop for a limited time to make sure you can buy Dunkin color PAINT!  Their amazing pink and orange.  So you can give a room or your coffee nook a nice Dunkin feel!  What a GREAT idea!  I have a feeling this could be an incredible social media thing, as there will be those who do it, and have fun with it.

Here is the website with all the info for you and how to get your paint!

Dunkin Inspired paint from Backdrop!

Because for many years , you, me and American run on Dunkin' !!

Put the free Dunkin App in your phone and become a DD Perks Member!

Thomas Rhett is trying to do what most of us need to do...

Get kids and hopefully grown-ups too off their Ipad's, phones and screens.

Rhett is trying to get 1.2 million kids off their screens and outside for at least 1 more hour a week. 

Dare I say... getting out and enjoying the 'country again'.  

Find out more about the Outsideologist Program from Rhett below.

OK, I'm eating this...

I don't eat a ton of potatoes, not because I don't like them, but because they are carb laden.  BUT sometimes you see a recipe or idea that is so good, you gotta dig in!

Fluffy, Crispy Baked Potatoes!

Are you kidding me?  Yes, Please!

BTW - Bonus Recipe - From ME!

Wynn's  - Jalapeno Grilled Cheese!

Texas Toast - Buttered - Sprinkle With Garlic Powder And Cajun Seasoning

2 Pieces Medium Sliced Cheese

3 Thin Slices Pieces Salami

Jalapeno Slices From A Jar

Small Handful of Shredded Cheese

Small Handful of Blue Cheese Crumbles

In skillet, put in a small amount of Olive oil and hot sauce - Mix and let heat up!

Make a Grilled Cheese as normal - Press after the first and second slip with spatula

EAT!!!

While You're Here, Listen To My Song Of The Week!

We did a charity show with Hardy a year or two ago at Tangier,  I was able to talk with him at length backstage before showtime.  It was fun to share stories and I had an easy conversation with a very nice, new unassuming star.  Sarah and I also talked with him over the phone on the show last week, and it's great to catch up with such a regular guy.  But there is nothing regular about his talent.

Things have gone very well for him since that night and that's great to see. Hardy is a remarkably gifted songwriter and this is  - a remarkable song.  He's written a ton of great songs already for himself and others in his young career. If you have not heard this yet, I'm not going into detail about the subject matter of this song, because after you watch this video it will be self explanatory why this song will resonate with virtually everyone.

But that is the strength of ANY Hardy song.  He writes and records real songs, about real people, in real situations, in real life.  This will hit a whole lot of people in the perfect way.  Hardy is on his way!  He's just flat out likable!

Grab a coffee and catch this - The Song Of The Week!

Lady A made an appearance recently on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and sang their latest single "Like A Lady": 

Blake Shelton was a guest on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and talked about his upcoming album 'Body Language' which will be released tomorrow (5/21), the season finale of The Voice, and his upcoming wedding to Gwen Stefani! 

I am still surprised this contest isn't a scratch off for a million.

Remember as of today, you can register for the Ohio Vax-a-Million Prize Money for getting your Covid-19 Vaccine.

Ohioans can enter to be eligible for the prize drawings at http://ohiovaxamillion.com or 1-833-4-ASK-ODH (1-833-427-5634).

 Rules: 

1. You must be a permanent Ohio Resident 18+

2. Must Opt-In

3. Cannot Remain Anonymous

4. Entrants will be assigned a number for drawing.

5. Winnings will be taxable.

About Half – Of us feel good about returning to a movie theater (Cinamasafe)

Box Office Results -  Spiral From The Book Of Saw / Wrath of Man / Those Who Wish Me Dead  (Story) 

New This Week In Theaters -  Army Of The Dead  / American Fighter (Apple TV)

In June - You'll be able to get HBO Max with ads for $9.99 a month. The no-ads package costs $14.99.  (Story)

New Video - The Father / Tom and Jerry  / Raya And The Last Dragon  (Story)

Amazon - Is in negotiations to buy MGM for $9 billion (Story)

Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins - Now opens in theaters July 23rd

Zach Snyder - One of the biggest complaints about his new film Army of the Dead is that it’s too long. (2 Hours 31 Mins)

NBC - Will air Annie Live! this holiday season. (Story) 

Twister - Movie turns 25 this week!  (Story)

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

Also This Weekend - Wynn's Song Of The Week  (link)