There's been a lot of talk about the Browns and where they'll be playing in a few years.  Of course, NFL league rules say it will be Cleveland, but in what building and where will it be?  The Browns are very interested in the Brook Park property by Hopkins Airport and may be buying that 176 acres officially soon.  And of course there are those that want the old stadium renovated or replaced on the lakefront, and I understand both sides.  But if I was the city, I'd get moving on something.  Because the Haslams have money and they're out of the Flying J business, flush with tons of new and old cash and they want Cleveland to be their home for their budding sports empire business. And they'll do that with or without them.

Who will pay for what and how much always comes into play.  Haslam has ridiculous money, and in essence could build his own place and leave the city behind.  But NFL billionaires generally like others to chip in for part of it.  If he pays, he's gonna have the place he wants, and my belief is he wants a dome.  And as much as I am into tradition and history, that's hard to argue.  We've all heard the discussions, and they're apt.  A dome will attract far more events to the area, and that would more than likely include a Superbowl.  The venue would be used far more than the current stadium, and I think all - no matter where you stand on this  - have to agree that's true.  Whatever happens, happens, but there are factors that should be thought about, as you are not building a new place simple for today, but for the next 35 years after a possible completion date of 2028 (About 2063).

Yes, there is a very loud group that wants outdoor football on the lake, like it's always been.  Jim Brown, Paul Brown, Bernie, Sipe, the cold, the way it was.  I understand that completely.  But the anti-venom to their argument is this.  People today and going forward are different, very different than years ago, and they're never going back.  People have gotten used to a contemporary world of "ease" and they like it, and this will continue as more are born into it.  By and large today, they don't want to sit in the rain, wind, snow, sleet, the cold, zero degree wind chill, or 90 degree sun or 95% humidity.  Whether this is a good thing or bad can be up for discussion, but this is where we are.  People are just different.

For many too, Browns tickets are stupid expensive and fans don't want their experience tainted by the elements.  Think about how many fans actually watch football games now.  They're have their phones taking videos, texting, posting, picture taking, Facetiming, and  - checking and placing bets. All of these are a big deal, especially to younger fans, who eventually will get older.  Then toss in the very expensive and bougie food, and drink -  they want that in comfort.  Plus with kids or elderly fans, they don't want the problems, they want comfort.  The days of the Ice Bowl, or the Browns 1980 Playoff loss in -10 temps are over.  I'm glad I saw it, and it's fun to remember, but that generation for the most part is rare.  With domes, it's like everyone's in suite.  People like that.

And let's not forget about the players.  More and more players will have zero interest in playing in colder weather cities as additional domes are constructed, and newer outdoor stadiums are built in Sun Belt cities.  Why would a great player from Florida want to play here, when there are vast other choices.  The Browns right now have to overpay to get some players to come or stay here, and that's not gonna change.  Look at Watson, from Atlanta, Clemson, and the Dome in Houston.  He stated out loud he had NO interest in playing here, until the Browns guaranteed him 240 Million Dollars!  Right now they are overpaying a number of players, because they have to.

I hear the traditionalists. I know that the way things are and were are fun to look back on.  But football has changed at all levels, it's not played in the blood and mud anymore.  And the new palaces it's enjoyed in are spectacular.  The fans love it, and so do the players. Today's game is clean and warm, and in many ways on the field far less than it used to be. Today's game is not the NFL of years past, and going forward it's going to be more sanitized on the field and off.  If it's decided that an outdoor venue is the plan for the next 30 years, in half that time, we will be in the extreme minority.

People, football and times are different, and they will continue to change, and they're not looking back.

 There are many reasons that songs are important.  There are the obvious ones, and ones not so obvious. Earl Thomas Conley in the 80's was rattling off a long list of number one songs, and that's where this song comes into play.  Sometimes in addition to being great, it's just being in the right place at the right time.  This was ETC's 6th number one overall.  This is from his remarkable Don't Make It Easy For Me album.  When this song went number one, it made MUSIC HISTORY.  It became the fourth number one song from a studio album. That had never been done before in recorded music history, from any genre -  Not Elvis, The Beatles, Michael Jackson,  The Eagles, Alabama, George Strait, The Rolling Stones, Frank Sinatra, Glenn Miller, not ANYONE.  The three other number ones from this album should be mentioned too.  Your Loves On The Line, Holding Her, And Loving You (Grammy nominated) and Don't Make It Easy For Me, put this song in a place to make history and it did.  This is a great and innovative song for 1984.  This caused a buzz in the music biz and got a lot of pub. Casey Kasem, others all talked about it extensively on the countdown shows. In fairness, the feat has been done since, and has been surpassed with 5. But it was quite an honor, and that honor will always belong to Earl Thomas Conley.  It was also big for Country Music at the time, as any mainstream pub was rare in those days.  Oh, and by the way, his 18 number ones led the 1980's. - for anyone.  (Read the comments as you play these videos) - It's probably time to put him in the Hall Of Fame.

Last Week #41

My Full Profile On Earl Thomas Conley

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.