Scott Wynn
WYNN - SONG OF THE WEEK - Martha Devine
I am a fan of Ashley McBryde and I am so glad to see her having great success these days. I loved One Night Standards, and I love this new song. I think that she has the right idea on so many levels, I would love to see her go on a real nice run.
Martha Devine - Great Song!
I also love seeing social media comments on her songs and videos. (She has a very interesting video chain going now) There is a real hunger for real country, and she delivers. This song is solid and rooted. I feel they have figured out how to separate themselves from many others. Her music for me, does cut through and that's not always the easiest feat.
Go Ashley, for your fans. Love your direction.
WYNN - Wynn At The Movies And Info
About Half – Of us feel good about returning to a movie theater (Link)
Wrath of Man - This weekend – Jason Statham, hits theaters today, Josh Hartnett, Scott Eastwood and Post Malone!
Here Today - Billy Crystal and Tiffany Haddish
Box Office Results - Demon Slayer: Mugen Train - $6.4 million Mortal Kombat - $6.2 million Godzilla vs. Kong - $2.7 million
May 13 – The original Top Gun is being re-reeased to movie theaters
Thanks Alot - Because of Wrestling and The Office – Peacock now has 42 million subscribers
The Spice Girls - Are reportedly set to film a sequel to Spice World!
This Weekend – Check out my Country Music Memory Lane (link)
WYNN - COUNTRY MUSIC MEMORY LANE - Earl Thomas Conley
Michelle asked me to feature her favorite, Earl Thomas Conley in this series. Earl Thomas Conley may be the most underrated superstar we ever had. I know that sounds like an oxymoron - but it somehow - is true. His music was known as "Thinkin' Man's Country.' He was absolutely pivotal in the development of a far more contemporary and younger country that we still enjoy today. Alabama and Conley were a starting point of real musical style change. I proudly played all his songs on the radio.
His First Real Hit Song
ETC was from Portsmouth, Ohio and after serving in the armed forces, moved to Nashville and would become a record setter that helped carry us through the 80's. An incredibly gifted songwriter, a warm vocalist, and trailblazer, he scored 30 plus hit songs and 18 number ones. The most from any artist, from any genre of the 1980's. (There are some stats that say 20 as there are many charts.) He also became the first artist of any genre to score four consecutive number one singles off a single studio album - ever.
Fire And Smoke - A Big Number One - Changed Everything For Him
His break came when two of his written songs were recorded by others, Smokey Mountain Memories for Mel Street, and This Time I've Hurt Her More, Than She Loves Me, for Conway Twitty. He signed with Sunbird Records and released the album, Blue Pearl in 1980. He moved to RCA where much of the Blue Pearl album, and some new cuts were put on his new album, Fire And Smoke (1981), and the rest is history. Fire And Smoke, the song - named #1 song of the year, and the album #19 sent him on an incredible run through the 80's. It got everyone's attention that there was a new sound in town.
Big Song - Grammy Nominated
His albums were very successful, distinctively different, and groundbreaking. He understood as well as anyone you can't record the same album over and over again. ETC found great musicians to bring life to his songs. He implemented horns at times, saxophones, synthesizers, strings, long musical solos, incredible backing vocals (from his brother, Fred), and a beat that was powerful. He also wrote and sang very emotive songs, gut-wrenching songs, drinkin' songs, and party songs. He was as honest of a singer as we had. He recorded with many duet partners including Keith Whitley, Gus Hardin, Emmylou Harris, and Anita Pointer (Of The Pointer Sisters). Their song, Too Many Times was a number 2 hit, and ETC was the first ever country singer perform on Soul Train.
Too Many Times #2 - With Anita Pointer - Incredible Versatility
4th Number One From The Record Setting - Don't Make It Easy For Me - Album
Between late 1982 and mid 1989, every song he released went number one for the exception of, I Have Loved You, Girl (1983) #2, and Too Many Times (1986) #2. Every release from 1980-1989 all in the top 10. There was also no doubt he was recording the best albums in Nashville. Fire And Smoke, Somewhere Between Right And Wrong, Don't Make It Easy For Me, Treadin' Water, Too Many Times and The Heart Of It All, are works of art. And there were others. The Don't Make It Easy For Me album, had 4 number ones, as the song Holdin' Her And Lovin' You was Grammy nominated. Then, country albums came out at a faster pace, but ETC followed more of the rock school of thought, more is not better, better is better.
Great #1 Of Course - Fun Bar Song
Big Favorite Of His With Many Fans - #1
His image was slick, The ETC Band was terrific, and his music was fresh. Quite frankly, he was way ahead of his time. When he broke in, we were playing Conway, George Jones, Willie, Waylon, Mickey Gilley, Tammy, Lynn Anderson, Loretta, Milsap, and Eddie Rabbitt. Nothing wrong with any of those. There were new acts too, Alabama, George Strait, Janie Fricke, Reba, The Judds, and Ricky Skaggs that were coming on strong. But ETC was different and fans loved his direction. He opened up minds, ears and eyes to a new way of doing country, while not alienating fans reluctant to change. Blake Shelton Watch This recently called Conley his musical hero growing up, and he's one of mine too, Luke Bryan too watch this . He wasn't Urban Cowboy, he wasn't Neo Traditionalist, he was....well, Earl Thomas Conley.
Big Song #1 Off The Treadin" Water Album
As a young country radio announcer in 1982 with everything to learn about Country Music, ETC showed me what he showed a lot of us. That we were cool, young, honest and up to date. That new things could be brought into the music not at the expense of losing something else. And even though he broke new ground, make no mistake, Earl Thomas Conley was COUNTRY! He didn't lose anyone for being different, he brought us a lot of new fans because of it, and did so as quietly as a superstar could. His voice reminded some of the old schoolers, but nothing else about his sound was old school. His songwriting was incredible, as not a lot of performers were writing then. Some did, ETC, Eddie Rabbitt and some others, but there was a line between singers and writers.
Very Powerful Song - #1 - Haunting For Many
History has not been overly kind to some in our format, and he is one of them. But the great thing about our history, is that we have proof of greatness. Numbers don't lie, ETC was a force and a star. If you don't know him, you can easily YouTube him. Seriously, if you love 80's and 90's country, I recommend all of the above albums without reservation, and greatest hits compilations too. He was an amazing artist.
Near The End Of His #1 Run - Very Big Song! #1
Earl Thomas Conley - The quietest superstar we ever had. He should be in the Country Music Hall Of Fame - TODAY!
(As you listen to some of these songs, read the YouTube comments - much love)
ETC passed away in 2019.
1991 - What A GREAT Song - Those Harmonies!
BTW - If You're Brave And Hard Core Country - Listen To - "You Must Not Be Drinkin' Enough"
WYNN - SONG OF THE WEEK - You Ain't Pretty
Newcomer Nate Barnes did a Rising Star Showcase for us last week here at WQMX, and man did it feel good to hear live music again. Nate is an interesting guy and story. He is from Michigan, and once worked at a nuclear power plant. And somehow in the course of about two weeks his life went from normal - to this!
Sarah and I With Nate Barnes
You Ain't Pretty is a fantastic new song and a great way to get to know Nate Barnes. It's a powerful song, a timely song and one that's easy to remember. I have always felt that to really get noticed, you need "that song." And this is one of those. (Most big stars have had them) Plus, this video does an incredible job of introducing you to Nate Barnes who has all the amazing attributes lined up for stardom. This is a song that could really make a move and be a very big hit. It's traditional - but with strong backbone, a thump and a poignant message. That is where we are going.
Nate - Our First Rising Star Showcase In A Year!
He's talented, personable, relatable, and accessible. To me, that is the perfect formula that poises you for a good long run. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting and chatting with Nate, and I feel he has the right idea at the right time. You can go a long way if you have great songs, and get to know your fans. Nate Barnes is right on time, after this very difficult time. A new and exciting new star to root for, with gratitude in his heart.
GREAT New Song!
Grab a coffee, and check out this amazing new song, by Nate Barnes!
WYNN - LOCAL GOLF - Seneca
This course goes on the list of, this is really a nice place to play - again.
Seneca is in the Brecksville/Broadview Heights area, and is an historic golf course built in 1940. Historic is not too dramatic of a word either. In its Heyday, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and many other pro legends played Seneca as there were smaller PGA events there. There are 27 holes there and a very seasoned clubhouse. I played there years ago, and again late last fall. Being honest, I thought it was just OK. I have always liked the design, but there were issues. Years ago it fell into tougher times, but it is now a MetroParks Course over the past number of years and it is back!
This is a well designed course with challenging greens and a bunch of sand protecting most if not all of them. This course has as much sand as any public course you will play these days as many courses are eliminating traps for cost issues. Elevated greens too on many holes, as it goes traditional, and I love that. If you hit the greens on this course you are rewarded. If not, it can be a long day. It's in a very nice setting, and the entire place was in really terrific shape. Many tee boxes that can accommodate most any skill level, but no matter how long you play the course, you still have to deal with the approach shots to the very interestingly shaped greens. Fairways were amazing, and the condition of the course was same.
This place has come a long way back and there is still some journey to go. You can see that in years to come if the good things continue there, this will be an incredible track. Seneca is a very nice place to play, and we can't wait to get back there and try it again.
Seneca - Darn nice place!
WYNN - Wynn At The Movies and Info!
About Half – Of us feel good about returning to a movie theater (Cinemasafe)
Mortal Kombat - Barely beat out Demon Slayer at the movies (Story)
Oscars - Sunday – Nomadland was the big winner! (Story)
Oscars - Sunday Ratings - DISASTER! (Story)
Bridesmaids – Turns 10 this week!
New This Weekend – Separation
New This Weekend – PRIME! - Without Remorse
Hallmark - Starting in May, Thursday and Friday nights on both Hallmark and Hallmark Movies and Mysteries, you can watch Christmas movies. (Story)
Like Love On The Slopes
Making Another - The next Mad Max movie is going to cost 350 MILLION to make (Story)
A Jim Henson - Biopic is in the works for Disney. (Story)
WYNN - OK, I'm Eating This......
Alright - carbs are a problem, I get it. But when I saw this, I said "Fine, just this one.....OK, many times."
Sometimes something you run across just looks so darn good you just have to try it. Over the past year we have all been watching a lot of Food Network and many now have a new appreciation for really great food.
So, here we go - I present
Bacon Cheddar Chive Biscuit Recipe
Delish, I know what you're making this weekend!
WYNN - COUNTRY MUSIC MEMORY LANE - Great Country Women!!
Recently I have featured a lot of great Country Women here. I thought it might be fun to recap some of them, just in case you missed the posts the first time around. (We'll feature a new artist next week)
It is so good to remember these amazing women, and their equally amazing music and contributions to Country! Here are the most recent articles I have written - enjoy!
3 Important Songs, 3 Amazing Women
Also - The Entire List Proceeding These Most Recent
WYNN - LOCAL GOLF - Cossett Creek
We played Cossett Creek this weekend, and we always like playing there. The former Brunswick Hills, Cossett Creek is a fun place to play that gives you a bit of everything.
Cossett Creek is the story of two completely different nines. The front is a bit forgiving, as it is flatter and far more wide open. The back is very tight, and very hilly and is the part of the course you have to survive to score well. It makes sense to score well on the front, as that's where all good rounds can be traced back to here.
It's on RT 303, just west of RT 42 in Brunswick so it's not far from anyone. Always in good shape, and a very nice and quiet place to play. It's worth a small drive.
Check them out!~
WYNN - SONG OF THE WEEK! - Country Again
Country Again - Thomas Rhett
This weeks SOTW belongs to one of our biggest stars, and songs like this show you why he is. After his last single, (that I loved) What's Your Country Song, I was really encouraged about the direction was going. That song, and this song, is a throwback to the 90's kind of feel and sound, and I feel there will ALWAYS be a crowd to listen to that. That decade gave so many of our listeners their very first taste of our music, and it takes us back to some of the best times in our lives.
Being very honest, and completely understanding that he is a huge star, there have been singles by him in recent years that have gone right by me. Not because they're not good songs as they were hits, and found an audiance and I always respect that. But more because I felt at times they were not really who we are at our core. But with that said, this song is what he does the very best. This video too is very well done, and sells me totally on his direction for the foreseeable future. I love the simple presentation of this song to us!
This terrific song, from this talented guy, done this way, and packaged this well is the kind of stuff that wins Song Of The Year. Stating that you are "country again" leads me to think that maybe there was straying a bit too far from the roots, and now something is pulling you back, and that's great to see, great to hear and great to know.
What A Song!
I can listen to this song over and over. Grab a coffee and take a listen to this masterpiece! This will be one of the best songs of the year - for ANY year.
Well, well done!