Happy Juneteenth!
Happy Juneteenth! In 2021, Juneteenth became a federal holiday. Maybe you're wondering what Juneteenth is, how to celebrate, and why it's important!
What is Juneteenth?
Juneteenth is a holiday celebrating the emancipation of African Americans from slavery. On June 19th 1865 Major General Gordon Granger of the Union Army came to Texas, bringing news that the Civil War had ended and all slaves were free. This was TWO YEARS after the Emancipation Declaration was declared, so this was a big shock to say the least. So it is a celebration of the freedom of all slaves, since only then were all of them aware they were free.
How can I celebrate?
Great question! There are a ton of ways to celebrate Juneteenth, check out juneteenth.com for some great ideas, and this article as well!. Here are my personal favorite ways to celebrate!
1. Support Black Businesses. Don't just talk the talk, walk the walk! Supporting locally owned black businesses is a great way to celebrate Juneteenth, as well as try something new in your area! Click here to find some black businesses in the Akron area!
2. Talk about it! If you're working tonight, find ways to incorporate it into a discussion! Make posts on social media, put up flags and signs in your yard, get the ball rolling and spread the word to celebrate!
3. Eat/wear red! Red represents resilience and joy, as well as bloodshed and sacrifice. Celebrate by wearing red and eating red foods! Red velvet cake and strawberry soda are some traditional foods. You can also incorporate green, gold, and black into your clothing!
4. Watch black media. Blackish has a great episode about Juneteenth, and so does Atlanta. Movies like 12 Years a Slave and Django Unchained.
Why is it important?
To me, Juneteenth is a way to celebrate not only my culture, but a way to teach others about history that is still making an impact today. We celebrate to remember, bring awareness, and to be joyful.
I hope you found this helpful, and that you take the time to celebrate, in the office or at home!
Next From Carly Pearce: We Don't Fight Anymore
Carly Pearce has announced the follow up to her #1 single "What He Didn't Do" and it features Chris Stapleton! Carly co-wrote the new single alongside frequent collaborator Shane McAnally and Pete Good. This marks the first new music since her critically-acclaimed third studio album 29: WRITTEN IN STONE.
“I’ve always wanted to write music that makes people feel something – whether that is feeling seen, less alone, happy or even uncomfortable. ‘We Don’t Fight Anymore’ felt like I was writing one of those stories that, whether or not we want to include it in our social media highlight reel, we’ve either been there or are living there right now,” Carly says of the song’s origins in a press release. “Having Chris Stapleton join me on this song was a dream come true and he unlocked an element to the story that I didn’t even know it needed.”
WYNN - #26 - Still The One - Shania Twain
Still The One - Shania Twain - 1998
We are exactly halfway through my list, as this is #26!!
Of all the songs Shania Twain had during her incredible run through the 1990's and beyond, this may be the most important. This was a huge hit both on the country charts and the pop charts. It was a 2-time Grammy winner and would have won more if the Titanic theme by Celine Dion wasn't in the mix. This was also the first song that Shania actually released directly to pop radio as well as country. But even with all that kind of stuff said, this is just a great song. This makes you feel good, as did many of her songs. This has really stood the test of time as well as it is still played on tons of stations of all kinds. This, without any question whatsoever, elevated Shania to heights that already were incredibly high. This was from her third big album, and the first two were insanely successful. To show you how big she was at that time, a song this great, and this successful, was the FIFTH SINGLE from the Come On Over album. (World wide sold 40 million) - Still sounds great, still is great.
My Full Profile On Shania Twain
Dad's Day
As a dad, there is no better day in the world. You could get me a tie, a beer, a tuxedo t-shirt. Maybe the best thing in my life would be to play catch with my son, Killian. Throwing the ball, throwing batting practice, heading to the batting cages... really any of it is calming to me.
I love my son, baseball and the outdoors for me... I know The Country Fest was this week. I saw a lot of multi-generational families in the crowds. Thank you for that. As a dad though... I think there are a few songs that really hit home for being that dad... or fatherly-figure in someones life that draws or deserves your attention. Happy Father's Day to all the dads, grandpas, steps, fosters, uncles and various fatherly figures who stepped in. We appreciate you. I appreciate these songs on Father's Day...
1. George Strait - Best Day
2. Brad Paisley - He Didn't Have To Be
3. George Strait - Love Without End Amen
4. Kenny Chesney - There Goes My Life
5. Ashley McBryde - Bible and a .44
6. Conway Twitty -That's My Job
7. Rodney Atkins - Cleaning My Gun
8. Eric Church - Cause My Dad Did
9. Brad Paisley - Anthing Like Me
10. Trace Adkins - Just Fishin'
11. Gary Allan - Tough Little Boys
12. Rodney Atkins - Watching You
13. Darius Rucker - It Won't Be Like This For Long
14. Zac Brown Band - Old Man
15. Tim McGraw - My Little Girl
16. Trace Adkins - Your Gonna Miss This
17. Confederate Railroad - Daddy Never Was The Cadillac Kind
18. Holly Dunn - Daddy's Hands
19. Craig Morgan - This Ain't Nothin
20. Alan Jackson - Drive
21. Jimmy Dean - To A Sleeping Beauty (the most endearing/creepy talk)
22. Elvie Shane - My Boy
23. Lee Brice - I Drive Your Truck
If you haven't seen it...GO!
I was getting ready to head to Country Fest Friday afternoon when I got a text from my mom asking "Will you PLEASE go see The Little Mermaid in 3D with me tonight?" Since the word please was in all caps, I said I would since this was an unusual request of her. I really didn't have much of a desire to see it but I figured I'd humor her.
Of course I have seen the original cartoon version from 1989 (my mom hasn't..just the show at Disney World). While I like the movie, it's not my favorite of Disney's by any stretch. What I do like about the original is Sebastian and his song "Under The Sea", as well as Pat Carroll as Ursula...her performace was EPIC!!! So I wasn't sure what to expect with this version, but kept an open mind.
I thought it was GREAT!!! Halle Bailey NAILED Ariel. Sebastian and Scuttle are funny just like in the original. Then there's Melissa McCarthy as Ursula. WOW!!! She was just as good as Pat Carroll in my opinion. Not like she would or could replace her...but McCarthy's portrayal is on point! If you haven't seen this version yet...GO! Even if you don't have kids to take, it is enjoyable for sure!
WYNN - Eat Of The Week!
I love one dish meals, and this is a really good one. Yes, it's a copycat, but who cares? I love throwing a bunch of things that taste good into a pan, cooking them up and then eating it. It's about my favorite way to cook, maybe next to grilling! It also amazes me still just how versatile chicken is - Delish!
Let's do this!!!
More Amazing Things To Do With Chicken~~
WYNN - My Sunday Morning Song
This week I'm featuring the new song Gabby Barrett, Glory Days. With me, Gabby has hit and missed in her early career, but this is a definite hit. I also loved Pick Me Up, and this is a terrific follow up. This makes happy and you can't help listen and sing along. Gabby Barrett no matter what song she is singing is blessed with one of the most absolutely distinctive voices we have right now. It is different enough to have instant recognition and it cuts through. Sit back, relax, grab a coffee and listen to this well written song, performed by one of our really unique young artists!
WYNN - Wynn At The Movies And More!
Box Office Results - The Flash - (55 Million) - (Far Below Expectations)
#2 - Elemental - (29 Million) - #3 Spiderman
New This Week - Asteroid City / No Hard Feelings (Trailer Inappropriate for Here)
Disney - Deadpool 3 will be out on May of next year instead of November
Oliver Stone - Says John Wick 4 is “digusting beyond belief” (Story)
Ryan Murphy – Producer of The Jeffrey Dahmer Story and American Horror Story, leaving Netflix at the end of his five-year deal and will head to Disney (Story)
This Weekend – Check out my Country Music Memory Lane (link)
Also - My 50 Favorites Over 40+ Years This Week #27 (Link)
Plus - My Sunday Morning Song (Link)
How important is it to you to change your name?
Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood have been married for 18 years (since 2005)! That's an eternity in Hollywood! It has now come to light that Trisha really wanted to legally change her last name to Brooks, but Garth said he didn't want her to.
It is quite unusual in our society not to change your last name when you get married, but sometimes people don't. I have a friend whose wife didn't change her name after the wedding because of the hassle of all the government documents that need changed.
Come to think of it..."Trisha Brooks" does sound a lot different than "Trisha Yearwood".