The Browns lost a tough game on Sunday and that's a shame.  Great season, and a hard fought game. The Browns had a number of chances to win that game Sunday at Kansas City, but just couldn't get it done.  The officiating DID NOT lose this game for the Browns.  It was a great game, and a tough finish.

But every year in the NFL Post Season there is an instance that is so amplified it triggers an off season look.  Instant replay goes back to a post season playoff game with Buffalo and New England many years ago.  What a catch is -goes back to a Packers / Cowboys game a few years ago.  (WE still don't really know what a catch is).  And pass interference was screwed up so badly two years ago with the Rams / Saints, we may never know what really happened there. And now the fumble touch back rule will more thank likely be rethought. 

When you fumble the ball out of the end zone as the Browns did on Sunday, you lose possession of the ball and the other team gets a 20 yard advantage.  It is the MOST penalized play in football, and it's not even a penalty. Just saying, when two players get into a huge fight on the field, or the most violent personal fouls happen in the NFL, there is far less penalty than this play.  Very strange rule. Name another play where the other team is awarded the ball for you making a big play.

How about this?  Fumble touch back happens.  You keep the ball and you take the ball back to the 20 yard line.  That's still a 20 yard penalty on you, but you keep the ball.  OR make it a spot foul, where the ball goes back to original line of scrimmage OR the spot of the fumble, and you keep the ball.  Makes way more sense.  The way it is now, the opposing team is rewarded the ball for playing bad  defense.

I have not cared for this rule for many years and now it will reviewed by the league.  But more than likely as most rule changes in the NFL, they will get it wrong.  They seldom get it right with this stuff when most things are subjective. But this is not.  This is pretty easy, if they simply look at it logically.

Today is a big day for Browns fans around here and all over the country.  The Browns have advanced in the NFL Playoffs, and it's time to move on to the next level.

I am so glad we get the Chiefs today.  I know they are the champs, and I know they are the darlings of the NFL.  But what better way for the Browns to move on, and command the respect of everyone than to beat the Chiefs.  This week, the Browns have taken a huge leap forward by not only eliminating Steelers, but possibly changing THAT franchise for the next few years. The Steelers have to reshape who they are now, that is clear. They know Browns are for real, and are here to stay. The days of the Steelers having a 14 or 12 game schedule (Browns and Bengals) are over.

I'm not here saying that the Browns are going to win the Superbowl this year, because the NFL can be a stair step deal.  Seems teams get better, they make the playoffs, they lose. The next year they win a playoff game, and then get eliminated. The next year, they go father, and so on.  And even though history can show that's the way it generally goes, there's no rule that says it has to be that way.  Not many teams come out of nowhere and win it all - in any sport.  But what if these Browns are a bit different?  We as fans should not be wary of the Chiefs.  We should respect them, and prepare for them, and then go out and beat them. There is no rule that says we can't.

When it comes to the Browns, I am not of the mindset of, "I'm happy to be here," or "Whatever happens today, it's been a great season,"  or "I support my team win or lose."  To me, that's preparing for a loss, and I'm not there. I say we've earned our place, we've been invited to the party, and it's time to stop knocking at the door, and now it's time to kick it down.  The best part of the NFL Playoffs is that it's not a best of series. It's one and done. Play well for a few games and you can win it all. And that plays to the Browns favor, as they are playing good ball right now.  If they play like who they are, there is no reason they can't dispense of the Chiefs and move on.

I know, the clowns at ESPN and all the other sports channels already have the Chiefs repeating, three-peating, and Mahomes is already the greatest player of all time.  But as great of a young player as he is, and will be if he stays injury free, the Browns are on fire from within. He's not entitled to a title, and neither are we. We gotta go get it. This is the time of year that the heart can really play a part. It isn't about how much you want it.  Everyone wants it, no matter what team you're talking about, that's a given.

It's how much you want  - to be who you are.  To do the right things to win a game like this.  To be smart, be disciplined, be physical, to play with no big mistakes, and to play free and easy.  And from what I see, I don't think the Browns care one bit who they play this week, or next week. 

And to me that is the way you move on. Not thinking about next Sunday, this Sunday,  but knowing that next Sunday you'll be doing the same thing again.

GO BROWNS  - Be who you are - and win from within!

I don't know how your resolution is going.  Mine is backwards... My food is watching me, instead of me watching my food.

By the numbers most people's resolution lasts 36 days. 

In my head, that means, around The Big Game or Valentine's Day everything falls apart.

So next year, I may not make my resolution until then...  Then I won't look so bad to my food. 

Let's not talk about the drinks either....

My son doodles during homeschooling.  If he is getting the work done, who am I to curb his creativity?

After a few days, I always make sure he didn't forget to turn something in to his teacher. 

I looked and found this gem the other day. 

Note: He has never seen the movie!

I approached him with picture in hand.  I said, "Buddy is...." he stopped me dead.

He replied "Isn't it funny it's RAINBOW instead of Rambo..."  and just belly laughed.

If you were wondering, where I get it from.

As you are probably well aware we have missed a lot of great events.

Yeah, we're all pretty sad about that here at WQMX.

Dr. Fauci said the other day that "concert venues and theaters could open Fall 2021."

We are all looking for little victories, that light at the end of the tunnel...

To stand up like Lloyd Christmas (Jim Carey) in Dumb and Dumber... "So you're telling me there's a chance."

St. Patricks Day doesn't look like that light or chance.   Akron's St. Patrick's Parade was canceled.  There was talk of a half way parade in September.  Which may be better weather.  

This week we did get some good news.  Akron is moving forward with their in-person race and Marathon Schedules.  

Click Here to find out more on Akron's Marathon.

Here's to hoping every pebble shifts and moves so we can get more light at the end of the tunnel...  Stay safe.

Wynn's Weekend Watch -   2 Years Ago Today  #1 At The Box Office

Box Office - Croods / News Of The World / Monster Hunter

New This Week - Liam Neeson - The Marksman

Netflix - Is releasing a new movie every week this year. (Story)

Netflix Red Notice - Ryan Reynolds, Gal Gadot, and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson  (Preview for all below)

Netflix  - Don’t Look Up - Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence

Netflix  - The Harder They Fall - Starring Jonathan Majors, Idris Elba and Zazie Beetz

Netflix  - Thunder Force - Melissa McCarthy, Octavia Spencer, and Melissa Leo.

Stranger Things Season 4 - Comes out on August 21st!  (Story)

Carrie, Miranda and Charlotte - Are set to star in a Sex & the City revival on HBO Max called And Just Like That. (Samantha is not a part of the story)  (Story)

Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem - May be starring in a new Lucy and Desi new biopic.  (Story)

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

Johnny C. asked me whatever happened to country band Highway 101.  They had a very short, but very successful run.  Being honest, it had been a while since I thought of them, and it was fun to look back. I was a big fan.

This Was An Iconic Pic Of Them

They were founded in 1986, and at the center of it was a very unique and talented singer named Paulette Carlson from Northfield, Minnesota.  As a group they were a highly skilled 4 piece band of terrific studio musicians and vocalists (Which means basically, the best)  that had a bunch of hits in a very short time, including a few number ones.  Fantastic song choices, a slick sound, and a dynamite lead singer (Carlson) with a very distinct voice that really cut through and told you absolutely you were hearing Highway 101.  Tough to do then, as country bands were coming out quickly, following the great lead of Alabama.  Her voice wasn't perfect, but it was beyond perfect for them. She instantly became a star, and the entire format was taken with her performances on their songs.

Their Debut Single Was A Big Part Of Their Success

They, as much as any act I can remember really benefited from their debut single, The Bed You Made For Me. It raced up to number 4 on the charts, (should have been a #1) but new fans LOVED that song (and her) as it really spoke to a ton of people as a gritty, strong and honest cheatin' song.  It was a perfect decision, as the song was endearing to listeners with the stinging subject matter, while others loved the jaggedness of their sound and the decision not to make it a sad ballad, but a song of strength.  That single cut through both as a written song, as well as ushering in a new sound that was fresh and exceedingly different. Their debut album Highway 101 was terrific with three more hits, Whiskey, If You Were A Woman, Somewhere Tonight, and Cry, Cry, Cry all big songs and all a part of having them win the CMA for Vocal Group Of The Year 1988.

Very Big Song - Well Written And Perfectly Performed

Many people, including me and those I worked with at that time felt that Carlson's voice was very reminiscent of Pop Icon, Stevie Nicks.  Although it was not a perfect match, it had the same tone and timber of Nicks. A few notes lower than most and really edgy.  That made Nicks a star years earlier and it was going to make Carlson a star as well.  That kind of uniqueness is darn rare.  H101 followed up their first album with their second album 101(2).  (Do You Love Me), Just Say Yes went number 1, and three more singles all going top 10. They were really flying high, and seemed ready to settle in and dominate for years to come.  But it was not to be.

I Loved This Song - Big Hit - They Were Rolling

The next album, Paint The Town was a success, but not like the first two, and then the group was dealt a serious blow. Carlson left the band to go solo in 1990.  There have been many speculative reasons why, but none of that matters today and Highway 101 was forever changed. She was replaced by Nikki Nelson.  And to no fault of Nelson's, they never really recovered. Carlson's presence and uniqueness was the total centerpiece of their large success, and fans knew it.  The music that followed was fine but different, it just wasn't the same to fans and success slowed way down.  Fans wanted to hear Carlson sing their hits.  Nelson was put in a very, very tough place.

What A GREAT Song!

Observation - Carlson's solo career didn't blossom on the charts, and Highway 101 struggled. In all my decades of being in this format I have never really seen a successful solo career from a lead singer who left a successful band. It has been tried dozens of times and after a song or two it doesn't work out.  Fans don't like it when members leave, and many times the magic is lost with the band left behind.  And that's what happened to Highway 101.  There were many other personnel changes to the band, (including Carlson returning years later) and that went on for many years, but it was never the same.

Early Success - What A Sound

If you are missing live music.  You are not alone.  I am right there with you.  

This show might interest you.

It is the 12th Anniversary of Island Time Music Festival.  Get your sandals ready!  Hold up...

Actually this year, it is taking place virtually on Wednesday February 24th thru Saturday February 27th.  

The Lineup right now includes: Kelli Pickler, Kyle Jacobs, Vince Gil, Lee Brice, Jake Owen, Locash and more.

Click here to find out more...

And it all benefits The Little Yellow School House

Netflix announced their 2021 schedule and it includes a new movie release every week in a promo video. Those movies include Leonardo DiCaprio's streaming debut in the comedy Don't Look Now, which also stars Meryl Streep. The releases also feature directorial debuts from Halle Berry and Lin-Manuel Miranda. 

Old Dominion were the musical guests last night on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. They sang their hit "Never Be Sorry" from The Basement in Nashville to raise awareness for Save Our Stages.