I got an e-mail from Jeremy a couple weeks ago asking where he could see some of my Memory Lane articles from a long while ago. They are all here at WQMX.com, but I have been doing this series for almost three years, so for the next couple weeks, I'll post some articles you may have missed. This is week two remembering some great country bands that I have written about over the years.  These bands all had GREAT success! 

And THANKS for reading and listening every week!

ICYMI Classic Bands Part 1

New This Week

Highway 101

Shenandoah

Restless Heart

Blackhawk

Desert Rose Band

There are people in the world, and in MY WORLD that don't like sandwiches, and I simply can't relate.  I mean what's wrong with these peeps?  There have been entire decades when they were the main staple of my diet, and maybe that wasn't the best diet, but the are good.

I have admit, I do like fresh sandwich ideas and there are a bunch of then here.   So let's break out the bread, bagels, and baguettes and get to work.

ENJOY!

You GOTTA Try These Sammiches!!

  Darius Rucker surprised everyone years ago he stated he was going country and I am glad he did.  His music over the years is loved, and overall has been great.  When he released this Bob Dylan written song from 1973, it was an instant hit.  This is one of the more fun songs of this newer century and he was the perfect artist for it.  The catchy, bouncy beat and slick video with easy to remember words are the signature of any hit song.  This is one of those songs that could be a blueprint for others to follow.  It makes you happy and sometimes I think we need a whole lot more of that in country.  Understanding that not all songs can be this way, it is interesting to note as I put this top 50 list together there are all kinds of songs, but there are a lot that make you smile and happy.  Darius Rucker is a supreme vocalist, who sounds great singing just about any kind of song.  As a singer, he is among our best, if not the best, he's a total pro.  Just a flat out GREAT song.  Go ahead, click below and sing along, you know you want to.

Last Week - #48

Two Weeks Ago - #49

I am not a gigantic "sweet" eater.  I do love Strawberry Rhubarb Pie, and...pie.   I also love ice cream, but being honest I don't eat much of either.   But I do love Chocolate Chip Cookies, and if they're in the house, I will eat them.  They are magnificent! 

I grew up in Berea and there is a bakery called Dick's Bakery that has the most amazing ones ever.  When I travel there I have to pick up a dozen.  But I found this article doing some show prep that can help us make the best ones at the house.

Take a look!

Best Chocolate Chip Cookies Ever!

I saw this article and read it.  Yes, falling asleep during movies or TV at home is a problem lots of people have. I may be the wrong one to ask, because for the last 42 years I've basically been getting up at 230AM five days a week to do a radio show.  Yes, my schedule is all turned around and this is a problem for me at times.

I fall asleep at home watching movies especially if we start them too late.  I have never fallen asleep at the movie theater but I have seen and heard those that do. 

So, if falling asleep is an issue for you while trying to watch a show or ball game, take a look at this article to see if it can help. 

If you can stay awake long enough.........

Stop Falling Asleep Watching Movies

Taylor Swift was a polarizing figure in country music. She left us for Pop a few years ago and I respect that, especially not using us as a safety net as has been done many times prior.  When she was country, there was great success and a ton of new and younger fans. I felt this was a very important song for her.  Until this song, Swift was recording songs that had that wonderful feel of youth.  It was easy to see why young fans loved her dearly.  But to me, this song was the bridge to a far more adult sound and Swift.  It's a song of incredible sorrow, grown up regret, and total accountability. Not many songs have the guts to be that vulnerable anymore.  In short, it's very real.  The fantastic musical arrangement was very different for her and this qualifies as a solid power ballad.  After hearing this the first few times, it was clear Taylor Swift was capable of much more than we had heard up until this.  Fantastic song, written and sung by the right artist  -  at the right time.  Perfection in many ways from a remarkable story teller. This song doesn't age at all, as it still sounds great.

Last Week #49

Other Articles I've Written Featuring Taylor Swift

Food secret - I love asparagus, I just don't know how to spell it without looking it up.  It's one of my favorite veggies. I love to grill it, or make it in the oven with olive oil and sea salt.  But there are many ways to make it.  Ken Stewart's in Akron breads it and deep fries it as an appetizer, and it's GREAT!   If you don't really know how to do it, or are looking for ways to freshen it up, here are some really great recipes!

Enjoy -

HOW TO REALLY MAKE ASPARAGUS

Box Office Results -  Avatar   -  Still #1

A Megan – Sequel is already in the development stages - out July 2025 -   (Story) 

New This Week - Alice, Darling / Missing / Women Talking

February 3rd - 80 For Brady   (Lots of buzz) 

Top Gun 3 - Is on hold right now, only because Tom Cruise is too busy with his Mission Impossible franchise - but it's gonna happen   (Story) 

Antoine Fuqua - Will direct the biopic Michael, based on the life of Michael Jackson (Story)

Channing Tatum - Says he's planning a remake of the classic movie – Ghost!  (Story)

Jeremy Renner - Is now out of the hospital and recovering at home  (Story)

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

Also - My 50 Favorites Over 40+ Years This Week  - #49  (Link)

I got an e-mail from Jeremy this week asking where he could see some of my Memory Lane articles from a long while ago. They are all here at WQMX.com, but I have been doing this series for almost three years, so for the next couple weeks, I'll post some articles you may have missed. For the next two weeks, we will feature some great country bands that I have written about over the years.  These bands all had GREAT success! 

We'll start with these five in case you missed them the first time around.  The Southern Pacific article was the first one I ever wrote n this series.   And THANKS for reading and listening every week!

Alabama

Atlanta

Southern Pacific

Shenandoah

The Bellamy Brothers

The Browns had a press conference last week and we've all either heard the clips, watched, or listened to what the coach and the higher ups had to say.  And as I listened with you, it seems it's more of the same, and then some.

The problems with the Browns are far beyond the players on the field.  The Browns have some very nice players on this team who are as good as any in the NFL.  And there are some pieces to build on going forward, but as good or as bad as they are, they are not the main problem with the Browns. The bulk of the problem with the Browns are the ones in charge of those players.  The higher ups, including their coach are living in a denial state with this team.  To hear them talk it would seem we are right there, ready to be a big winner, a few tweaks and all is great!  Then one thing jumped out at me - they don't know, or refuse to believe  - they are not winning.

The sheer amount of double talk and flowery words is simply incredible.  The past two seasons have been an exercise in underachieving and non-accountability.  And the majority of it has to be laid at the feet of the "smartest people on earth."  The ongoing decisions off the field are really catching up with the Browns.   Have you watched many of these playoff teams this week?  It seems they are playing in a different league than us. And they are.  Faster, stronger, smarter and just better overall. 

The last few drafts have been overall lousy, and the next couple drafts have been heavily compromised for Deshaun Watson.  The commitment to overrated veteran players other franchises let go with big money here has revealed few benefits.  The teams decision to play a certain type of football on both sides of the ball is well into question.  Analytics are being used on big time game day decisions that are costing this team a few games a year.  In short, this team seems to be far more bent on being right, than being successful.

Kevin Stefanski is more than likely on the hottest seat imaginable for next season. The brass sold the owner on the Watson thing so much, I feel it is believed in the Berea building that he will fix all the ills.  He won't.  And if the Browns are off to a bad start next season, that may be all for Stefanski.  The Browns also have to understand the fan base doesn't buy this whole disingenuous act they stage. They're not honest with fans, themselves or reality and think we are too stupid to notice.  Love him or hate him, Mike Tomlin is straight forward, honest and you know where he stands, where the Steelers stand, and what their reality is. 

To fix what's on the field, the Browns first have to fix what's off the field. Accountability, honesty, and the guts to do things differently.  If they fail or are unwilling to do that, then it will be more of the same next year and stand by for 7-8 wins.  When that part of this organization is adjusted it will lend itself to better decisions on players drafted, chosen, signed, committed to and the correct schemes to place them in on all sides of the ball. 

Buy the front office a mirror, look into it, and understand that you -  through your own denial, are not winning.