Kelsea Ballerini, Kenny Chesney, Luke Combs, Dan + Shay, Jordan Davis, HARDY, Alan Jackson, Cody Johnson, Post Malone, Mac McAnally, Ashley McBryde, Morgan Wallen, The War And Treaty and Zac Brown Band have been added to the list of performers for next week's CMA Awards.

They join previously announced performers Little Big Town, Megan Moroney, Old Dominion, Carly Pearce, Chris Stapleton, Tanya Tucker, Lainey Wilson and K. Michelle.

The performances include:

Kelsela Ballerini - "Leave Me Alone"
Luke Combs - "Where the Wild Things Are"
Dan and Shay - "Save Me the Trouble"
Jordan Davis - "Next thing You Know"
Cody Johnson - "The Painter"
Ashley McBryde - "Light On in the Kitchen"
The War and Treaty - "That's How Love is Made"

The show will also include a tribute to Jimmy Buffett featuring Kenny Chesney, Mac McAnally, Alan Jackson and Zac Brown Band. Post Malone, HARDY and Morgan Wallen will sing a medley of country classics. Jelly Roll and K. Michelle will sing The Judd's "Love Can Build a Bridge," Little Big Town will join Tanya Tucker on "Delta Dawn", Old Dominion and Meg Moroney will perform their song, "Can't Break Up Now." Carly Pearce and Chris Stapleton present their current single, "We Don't Fight Anymore."

The 57th annual Country Music Association Awards, hosted by Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning air live from Nashville's Bridgestone Arena on November 8th on ABC.

Keeping it brief for this blog, I've been excited to reveal my Halloween costume for this year. I wanted to pick something that complimented the fact that I have long hair, tied into what I do here on-air at the station, and was easy to pull off. What better than a country music artist? 

It wasn't just any artist either. I chose to dress up as the legend himself, Willie Nelson! This was partially a nod to his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame coming up this weekend, and also just because he's iconic.

All things considered, I was happy with how my costume came out aside from two minor details. First and foremost, I had forgotten that my acoustic guitar is sitting at my mom's house currently. That realization just before heading out hurt. Secondly, I struggled with greying my hair and beard. I looked up several ways to do it and had it all ready to go, but totally missed the fact that I needed hairspray to keep the powder in. Despite this, I think I got the point across! 

Did you have a really cool costume this year that you'd like to show off? Drop a picture of it on the WQMX studio text line sponsored by Cricket Wireless at 330-370-2000 any time day or night; I'll be sure to see it. Thanks for reading, and I hope you have a Willie great November! 

Remember Tree of Lights is coming up quick.  There are plenty of ways to donate and support our military members and their families this time of year.   

Chase Mathew will be play a WQMX Tree Of Lights Charity Concert on November 9th a $25 full band show tickets at DustyA.com.

Oh Annual Tree of Lights is coming the 1st Saturday in December.  There will be plenty of information coming for the fun, festivities and ways to be part of this terrific event and how to donate.  

With Veterans Day November 11th our friends at NEOPAT have dropped a great resource to allow our military members and their families an opportunity to save this season.

Our friends at https://t.co/M2nrpm4mjV have compiled a list of Veterans Day discounts & deals to honor our Veterans on & around Veterans Day. Visit https://t.co/slJA99uVYr for the most up-to-date list of services, events & discounts.?? #ournationsheroes #supportingourveterans pic.twitter.com/AU73i2Fedf

— NEOPAT ?? (@NEOPatriotism) October 30, 2023

Highway 101 - Cry, Cry, Cry - 1988

For a few very good years, Paulette Carlson and her band Highway 101  from California were really on top.  They had a bunch of big songs in a very short time and fans loved them.  They were there at the start of a real country explosion as they were part of it as the format was changing quickly.  They were young, cool, uptempo and seemed to be right on time as bands were getting a footbold other than Alabama.  Carlson also possessed an incredibly distinctive voice that cut through like few have in country history.  Many likened her to Stevie Nix and there were similarities. Mainly she had that few notes below normal register and a souly and bluesy style.  They had the right idea with four number ones in about three years.  The Bed You Made For Me, was a powerful song too that only went #4, but fans loved it.  But in 1990, Carlson left the band for her own solo career that never took off and she was replaced with Nikki Nelson but things for either side was never the same.  It's a phenomenon that I can't explain, almost every time a band front person in country leaves for a solo career it seldom works out.  But man were they great, and is this a great song!

 My Full Profile On Highway 101

Here's some fun facts for you on the topic of Halloween!

1. *Origins in Samhain*: Halloween has its roots in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, which marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. It was believed that on the night of October 31st, the boundary between the living and the dead was blurred, and spirits could return to Earth.

2. *Jack-O'-Lanterns*: The tradition of carving pumpkins into Jack-O'-Lanterns comes from an Irish legend about a man named Stingy Jack. According to the story, Jack made a deal with the Devil and carved out a turnip to carry a coal to light his way. This gave rise to the tradition of using pumpkins or turnips as lanterns during Halloween.

3. *Candy Galore*: Halloween is a candy lover's dream. Americans spend billions of dollars on Halloween candy each year, making it a sweet holiday. It's a time when children and adults alike indulge in their favorite treats. Reese's is the most popular nationwide. 

4. *Second-Largest Commercial Holiday*: In the United States, Halloween is a significant commercial holiday. It comes second only to Christmas in terms of consumer spending on decorations, costumes, candy, and more. Horror movies naturally see a rise in sales too. 

5. *Costumes*: Dressing up in costumes is a significant part of Halloween fun. The practice of wearing costumes on Halloween is thought to have originated from the ancient Celtic belief that disguising oneself would protect against evil spirits. Witch costumes are the most popular, generally. 

6. *Trick-or-Treating*: The tradition of trick-or-treating has its roots in various customs, including a medieval practice called "souling" in which people went door-to-door, offering prayers for the dead in exchange for food. It has evolved into the modern-day Halloween tradition of children going door-to-door for candy. In theory, kids either want a treat, or they make a lighthearted threat to trick. 

7. *Haunted Houses*: Haunted houses and mazes are popular attractions during Halloween. Some people transform their homes or local attractions into spooky haunted houses for entertainment, providing visitors with thrilling, scary experiences. Ohio has the most of any state!

8. *Black Cats*: Black cats have a long history of superstition surrounding them. They are often associated with witches and bad luck, making them a common symbol of Halloween. In all reality, they could not be any more harmless and cute!

9. *Dia de los Muertos*: Halloween is sometimes associated with Dia de los Muertos, a Mexican holiday that honors deceased loved ones. Dia de los Muertos is celebrated from October 31st to November 2nd and includes traditions such as creating colorful sugar skulls and ofrendas (altars) for the deceased.

10. *World Record*: The largest pumpkin ever recorded weighed over 2,600 pounds! It was grown in Belgium in 2016. Growing gigantic pumpkins has become a competitive sport in some places, with enthusiasts vying to break records.

11. *Bobbing for Apples*: This Halloween game has its roots in ancient Roman traditions, particularly the festival of Pomona, the goddess of fruit trees. It was believed that the first person to bite into an apple would be the next to marry.

12. *Halloween Colors*: The traditional Halloween colors, orange and black, have symbolic meanings. Orange represents the harvest and autumn, while black is associated with the darkness of night and the theme of death often present in Halloween traditions.

13. *Superstitions*: Halloween is a time associated with various superstitions. One example is the belief that you can see your future spouse by looking in a mirror in a darkened room at midnight on Halloween, a tradition rooted in folklore and romantic superstition.

Leaves, Leaves, Leaves: Fall Tour! 

Akron's Leave Removal Program is underway.  Signs will be posted in each ward prior to pickup.  Within 2 days of pick up rake leaves within 2 feet of the curb.  Adverse weather conditons may prohibit removal.  Click Here for more Info...

After about eight years together, this past Saturday I decided to pop the question and propose to my girlfriend. She said yes! 

I'm so excited to now be an engaged man, and the proposal went fantastic thanks to help from friends. It all went down at the beautiful Maize Valley Winery in Hartville, which is where WQMX recently held our 5th annual charity 5-Kay. Having been there for that event, I was struck by the scenery and fun fall activities. I've always been told by my fiancé that she wanted a "spooky" proposal, and I figured this venue fit in well with that Halloween vibe. 

It was truly awesome and I especially want to thank Scott and his team from Maize Valley for welcoming the idea and accommodating my plans. He went out of his way to assist me and help make the day into a special occasion and memory that will stay with us forever. We participated in their charity Sunset Sip in the Maze event, which primarily involved searching for sample stations within the cornfield, and it served as the perfect cover for what was really going down. 

The execution of my plan could not have gone any better. The day started out grey and rainy, and we were contemplating implementing the backup plan and setting up the proposal in our living room. Thankfully, the sun came out and it turned into a beautiful evening. Setting things in motion, her and I began by grabbing a drink inside and checking out the goods; it was essential that we took our time in doing so. I had to drag my feet so that family could set up our area within the cornfield and ready themselves for pictures. We nearly arrived too soon, but thankfully they heard us approach and scrambled away quietly, in the nick of time. 

I was crystal-clear on where in the maze we were to go, but almost forgot the path to get there! My fiancé surprisingly let me guide us with little-to-no resistance. Fortunately, we came upon the first sample station and I was reassured on our direction. From there it was a short journey to the spot, and she was totally oblivious even after seeing a blanket setup with décor and pictures of us through the years. Well, I let my knee hit the dirt and did the deed! 

It may have just been the most special moment of my life up to this point, and I am still on cloud nine from it! We took some amazing pictures and did a big reveal on social media the following day. With that, we have been flooded with positivity, joy, and excitement about her and I spending forever together. I'm certainly looking forward to the day we tie the knot, but for now I am simply loving the fact that I have been upgraded from boyfriend to fiancé! I'm so happy. 

As a little side note, what was funny about this too was our car ride to Hartville. Per usual, I was blasting 94.9 enjoying the tunes when I realized that every song playing during that window involved proposals, mentioned rings, or was otherwise significant to us. Buy Dirt came on and I said to myself, "get out of my head!" Prior to leaving I also had a bit of an earworm going on with Body Like a Backroad, and wouldn't you know it? About a mile away from the place, it came on! It was uncanny just how perfect the mix of songs was for the upcoming moment. 

I don't have a great way to wrap this blog up, so... till next time!

I'm a little odd (like you needed me to tell you that ;)). I have a sweet tooth, but I'm not huge into candy. That doesn't mean that I don't have my favorites! My go to would be something chocolate with nuts in it. I love peanut or especially almond M&Ms, Mr. Goodbar, Hershey's with nuts, Snickers, Milky Way, or I have always loved Crunch bars with the rice too!

I still have to buy my Halloween candy...even though it's Friday night and Trick or Treat is 24 hours away! I hope the stores still have a decent selection when I go tomorrow! Wish me luck and Happy Halloween!!!

Halloween is Tuesday... But some Trick-Or-Treating Schedules happen this weekend.  (Check your local municipalities for official times!)

Summit County

Akron — 5-7 p.m. Oct. 28.

Barberton — 5-7 p.m. Oct. 28.

Bath Township — 5-7 p.m. Oct. 29.

Boston Heights — 6-8 p.m. Oct. 31.

Boston Township — 6-8 p.m. Oct. 31.

Clinton — 6-8 p.m. Oct. 31.

Copley Township — 5-7 p.m. Oct. 29.

Coventry Township — 5:30-8:30 p.m. Oct. 29.

#7 - Deana Carter – Strawberry Wine  - 1996

It's a song that defined a brand new generation of country listeners.  It was a major hit song on the Country charts and far beyond.  This was a perfect generational anthem as can be written and It spoke directly to the new fans we had and the older ones too.  Everyone has a story to tell and remembers the pivotal moments in life, and this dares to share them in song.  Deana Carter was the perfect artist for this remarkable song and she sings it with grit, honesty and you can hear the mixed feelings of regret and fondness all at the same time.  I remember the first time I played this song on the air at WPCV in Lakeland, Florida doing the morning show and saying to my on air partner Tom O'Brien, "This is a total smash hit song!"   This has stood the ultimate test in our format and that is the test of time. With Country, as it's always evolving from traditional to pop country to Bro Country, back to regular country, rock country, Coffee House Country, and so on, this song still gets played and still gets turned way up on radios all over the country when it's on.  Award winning, directly immitated, and loved, this is the definition of a hit major hit song. A story telling gem!

Last Week #8

My Full Profile On Deana Carter