Almost Home  - Craig Morgan - 2003 - (Album -Love It)

 Some songs become hits because the listeners demand it.  That's the story with this absolute gem from over 20 years ago. Craig Morgan's, Almost Home was a song listeners liked so much, they just had to have it on the radio.  Its a powerful story song where a guy comes across a homeless man at a crossroads moment for the second man.  This is the conversation they have with the second man proclaiming he was disturbed at a moment he was "almost home."   It's never made clear if the man was about to dream deeply or die. But this song is terrific.  It was on the charts, then fell off the charts, then fans demanded it back on and instead of stopping at #33 on the charts it goes to #6.  This was not the typical debut single from an artist from Nashville.  Yes, he released a song before this, but this was his first success.  It's slow tempo, it long (4:35) many times those kind of debut songs flat out will not launch a new star.  But this was very different, honest, topical, and a wake up call for many.  I always contend it's a great song that is the key to getting started.  There has to be something special that separates you from the pack that's already running full speed ahead of you.  This is a GREAT example of that. This touching, highly emotive song hit fans directly in the heart.  It launched Craig Morgans great career and the rest is history. 

Last Weeks Selection

In our world today easy is always best. Take chicken.  Boneless, skinless, cut up chicken is easy to make and kids love the nuggets and fingers too.  But roasting a chicken isn't hard at all, and the taste is incredible.  So as we wrap up winter let's have a few more fun Sundays making comfort food and lets roast one up!

Yes, You Can Roast A Chicken

 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

 By now I'm sure you've heard about the new project from the Tom Petty estate. There is a new tribute album (Petty Country)  due in May featuring many of today's big country stars doing Petty songs. (Cherise introduced us to this Friday)   This of course has been done dozens of times before from various artists over many years.  Some of them have been good, others have been ill-advised, but in Tom Petty's case I feel this is a pretty darn good idea.

Hey, I'm not gonna sit here and try to pretend that Tom Petty was country, because that isn't accurate.  But what is accurate, the fact that he was highly influential to many future country stars that grew up Petty fans.  Petty, more than most of his era cast a certain overall dye that was appealing to many young musicians.  His heavy guitar riffs were fun to imitate and the structure of his songs were simple and straight forward.  Petty was an interesting mix of rock, southern rock, future country and garage band fun. 

There was nothing about his music that seemed out of reach for those who had dreams of stardom. His vocals of course, extremely unique in the fact that he was kind of a stylist. His vocals were not intimidating, and you felt secure singing along.  I also have never seen someone so humble and thankful to be given a Superbowl Halftime performance.  You could see it in the picture above. A career moment never thought possible. Incredible example to others.

Big Hit - Very Simple And Straightforward

Petty's image itself was disarming and had a very welcoming approach. He was far more unassuming than virtually every other rock star of his time, and that's how many country stars are.  What I think Petty did very well without really trying was, making those up and comers with big dreams feel like they could do it too.  And even though his songs were not country, they were a mindful blueprint for those in the next generation of country stars to build on. He was influential to a new line of future country stars much like the Eagles, Lynard Skynyrd, ZZ Top and the Allman Brothers were. Just as Petty himself was highly influenced by Elvis.

This Is Played Everywhere - Still Loved! 

Petty was from Gainesville, Florida so southern rock ran through his veins and manifested itself through his music.  His Damn The Torpedoes album is one of the most successful albums of its era, and has been imitated many times.  In the 80's he wrote songs for the country group, Southern Pacific who had a top 20 hit with the Petty penned, Thing About You that featured Emmylou Harris in 1985.  He recorded it too in 1980.  Petty was versatile in the fact he recorded with many big stars and had a long career that was hard to place in one category.  

Dierks Bentley  - From The Tribute Album

Southern Pacific  - Top 20 - Petty Written - GREAT Guitar Riff

Yes I was a fan, but that makes little difference in the fact that Petty was a star, who left no doubt that his influence to a more modern country was enormous.  I'd write this if I wasn't a fan because the truth is the truth.  Not bad for a guy who himself never charted a country hit.  His legacy to country, was his influence.

Well done Tom!

Box Office Results - #1  - Bob Marley   (13 Million)

#2- Demon Slayer

#3 - Ordinary Angels 

New This Week – Dune Part 2

SAG Awards - Oppenheimer won a few more  - Netflix

Big Money - We may see Anyone But You stars Glen Powell and Sydney Sweeney in more rom-coms. It just passed the $200 million mark worldwide

A New Trailer - Has been released for the Huey Lewis and the News musical The Heart of Rock and Roll. The musical starts previews on Broadway March 29th.

The Reboot - Of the Naked Gun with Liam Neeson has a release date. The spoof will hit theaters on July 2025.

Interesting - The first season of Sylvester Stallone's Tulsa King will make be on CBS ahead of Paramount+ release of Season 2

From 1964 - The classic Disney film Mary Poppins now has a PG rating in the U.K. because of some terms are now offensive

This Weekend – Check out my Country Music Memory Lan   (Link)

Also - 50 Most Important Country Songs 1980 – Today #42  (Link) 

March is Women's History Month.  And all March on Thursdays, in my Memory Lane articles I will showcase and revisit some of our greatest female vocalists from my exclusive Mega Star Series. These women are among the biggest stars our format has ever had.

This week let's revisit - 

Reba McEntire

My year long countdown of the 50 Most Important Country Songs 1980-Today is now two months old.  Here is a recap of the songs I featured this month, and a recap of the January songs as well.  I'll do this monthly in case you missed any of my articles.

Grab some ear buds and coffee and let's get caught up.  Thanks for reading and listening every day!

#42  Gunpowder And Lead - Miranda Lambert

#43  Are The Good Times Really Over - Merle Haggard

#44  I Cross My Heart - George Strait

#45  Never Been So Loved - Charley Pride

January Recap

Shenandoah  -  Mama Knows  - 1988 - (Album - The Road Not Taken)

These guys had a nice run of very popular songs during an era where country bands were starting to get a foot hold. The first few songs they had were not so successful, but then there was this. I don't know the actual story, but to my ear this is how it may have played out.  First, this is a very nice song, and these are talented guys.  It's almost like someone suggested, "Hey, why don't we get a song out there where a bunch of really nice country boys are singing about how great mom is, and how much they love her, sound good?"   Now whether that happened or not is debatable, but this song worked. This wonderfully traditional, very easy to listen to song went top 5 and set the stage for them to have a long line of hit songs.  And that includes the next 3 songs from this album going #1.  And to my ear again, this is the best song on this album, and is one of their very best songs ever.  It's great to hear this again. Take a listen.

Last Weeks Selection

My Full Profile On Shenandoah