Scott Wynn

Scott Wynn

Friday, 09 April 2021 01:22

WYNN - Wynn At The Movies And Info


Cinemasafe  - Great site to see what to expect at the movie theaters (Link)



#1 -Godzilla / Kong   $32.2 Million  Biggest opening in a year!   (Story)



Godzilla / Kong - Set all time HBO Max viewing record  (Story)



Mortal Kombat   - Pushed back a week (story)



American Pie – Five? Looks Possible-.... (Story)   The Original was 1999!  How???

 

Daniel Craig – Knives Out sequels – YES He's getting 100 Million  (Story)



Gladiator 2 - Rumor is that Chris Hemsworth will play Maximus' son   (Story)



GREAT - A Peeps Movie is in the works. (Story)

 

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

Wynn small pic

SW small Logo

 




This weeks article is different than most.  Next week, we'll get back to featuring a great artist. This week we will mention three, and what they did that really propelled Country at a pivotal time. There were three big songs, released by three great women over about an 18 month span or so that introduced country to millions of new people. They were big country hits, and crossed over and showed many non fans, that country was not some twangy, stereotypical form of music that wasn't worth a listen. 

There is no order here, just three songs from three amazing women and where they led us.

Dolly Parton - Here You Come Again

This came out in 1977, fed into 1978, and was a very big song that not only had a great run on the country and pop charts, but really accelerated Dolly into the brightest spotlight in the mainstream.  The album was the same name, and changed her career. Yes, this song is very pop sounding, but Dolly had a nice foothold within the format already as this song was wing-spreading for her and the format. In fact, she recorded a ton of albums before this one, in an era when albums came out way faster than today.  The followup song, Two Doors Down was a big hit too, and Dolly was soon known by everyone in America.  We loved Dolly, this album and this song, it changed everything for her.  A couple years later she was a movie star and a singing star. The album is legendary.

 
Crystal Gayle - Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue

Again, 1977 into 1978.  The size of this song is hard to explain properly. It was a worldwide hit, and it was one of the ten most played, and performed songs of the 20th century.  Grammy winner.  The title alone tells you it's country. This is a fantastic example of the perfect song reaching the perfect artist. This song was everywhere, and everyone knew it, and you still know this song.  It was a big country and pop hit, and what this song really did was subliminally show people that they liked traditional country.  Everything about this song is traditional, even though it is a bit bluesy, from the Floyd Cramer influenced piano style, (Played by the legendary Hargas "Pig" Robbins)  the gentle beat,  and Gayle's angelic vocal performance.  It's easy to listen to, its message is timeless, and it's one of the most important 2:32 in country music history.   She instantly became a star as a result of this gigantic song. BTW -  Her eyes were already blue as you can clearly see.

 

Barbara Mandrell  - If Lovin' You Is Wrong (I Don't Wanna Be Right)

1978 - This not only was a major hit song on both charts, it made people want to know who was singing it. This song is timeless and delivered by the perfect singer.  It was arranged poppy as this had been a hit in 1972 in other formats, but the story of the song is country. Mandrell became an instant star, and soon a pop culture icon. New fans and old really liked her, and this song propelled her to unimaginable heights.  She was not stereotypical "country" in her sound or image, and fans loved her and followed her to the country charts where she had a great run. Shortly thereafter she was a TV star, and a performing legend, where she and Dolly were among the first women to headline major concert tours.

 

Those three songs did us a whole lot of good in that era, as they bled into Urban Cowboy.  UC gave rise to many new pop country stars, men and women, and a movement that lasted with varying levels of success until the mid 1980's, when the Neo-traditionalists came to town and changed our direction again. But these three very important songs opened a closed door and equally closed minds. They were disarming, showing many that their stereotypical notions of who were to a degree were incorrect. And they also helped change our direction.  These songs really paved the way. 

Then in 1980, after the stage had been set, this happened  - Reba McEntire  -  Up To Heaven

When Up To Heaven broke through, it was the first hit song for a young singer named Reba McEntire, as she took the first step towards to becoming the dominant woman of the decade. She then would become as influential as any performer of her era.  Her popularity, though different today, is still a part of our pop culture, along with Dolly.  These four women inspired a whole new era of country singers and stars and helped make us mainstream.

 

Thanks for reading, and listening!

Wynn small pic

SW small Logo

 

 

 

Today the Tribe opens thier home season after a weekend series at Detroit. And about 4:10 this afternoon the first pitch will be thrown to the Kansas City Royals batter, Whit Merrifield. I've had it with Whit Merrifield already!

We play the Royals 19 times during the season and we see a lot of the same players year after year. This guy, first of all is great!  I wish he played for us, but he doesn't  - but he kills us!  He's always up to bat!  How is it Whit Merrifield hits in every inning? Seems like he does. What is the algorithm he uses?  How it is Whit Merrifield is always up with the bases loaded, or when the game is on the line?  Or when there's two outs in the 9th and we need an out? Why is Whit Merrifield always hitting when the wind is blowing out, or when all of our great pitchers are out of the game?

We're up by 4 in the 9th, here comes Whit with 2 outs and two strikes and he hits a grand slam to tie the game!  We have a 1 run lead with two outs and we make an error to extend the inning. Who's always up next? Whit Merrifield! The guy drives me nuts! Then he makes the big defensive play that saves the game as we are making a comeback. How does he play every position?  Seems like he does.  Dude's everywhere!

In his first two games this season he is 5-9 with 4 runs scored, driven in 6, and has two home runs!  So he can play.  Through those games, he has driven in more runs than the Tribe has scored.

Look, I'm sure he's a very nice guy, probably comes from a good family, but he's like an itch that we are always scratching as Tribe fans.  The Tribe had the same problem with Eddie Rosario from the Twins, and now he plays for us - thank GOD!  So we should get Merrifield next!  And why does it seem we play the Royals 132 times a season? Whit Merrifield!

Watch the Tribe and Royals games this year and tell me I'm wrong, the guy is always there, always a problem. But here we are a number of hours away from the first pitch of the home schedule and I've already had it with Whit Merrifield!

Go Whit.....er I mean  GO Tribe!  See??

Wynn small pic

SW small Logo

 

Wednesday, 07 April 2021 01:20

WYNN - Tribe - What We Have Left!

The new baseball season is here, and right up front I love the Tribe and baseball. There's already whining about this season a few games in. I get some of it, some I don't.

We can't hit so far and that stinks. There's nothing wrong with complaining about millionaires that can't hit at the professional level. It's our right as fans.  But whining about the owners is a total waste of time and energy. It's howling at the moon.  Yes, they have their problems about that there is no doubt.  But they've hired and maintained the best manager in MLB, Terry Francona, to run the Tribe and he has done the job. From 2013-2019 NO team in the American League has more wins than the Tribe. They've been to the playoffs a ton of times and the World Series in 2016. They've had three Cy Young Winners in that same window, and 5 since 2007. ANY small market team would love that.

What else can they do?  Only one team wins the World Series each year, and it's a very hard thing to do. How hard is it? The spend hog Yankees have not won it since 2009, and the way over the top spend hogs, the Dodgers won it last year after a 32 year drought and billions upon billions of dollars. And our very hard reality is, the owners here didn't give up a 3 games to 1 lead in our World Series in 2016, and they didn't give up a 2 games to none lead on the Yankees the next playoff season.  Harder truth too? They were right there to win BOTH titles those two seasons, and should have -  and didn't.  

Lots of whining about not paying Frankie Lindor this year. I wouldn't have given him 341 million and tied myself up for 10 years either.  Interesting to think of it this way, if you have house worth $100,000, would you spend $30,000 on a couch and pay for it for a decade? No? Even if it's a good couch you really liked and was really comfy?  That is the exact math for the Tribe with Lindor. This is a big MLB problem. The Tribe is like about 25 other teams in the league, they will always be outspent by the big boys. MLB should fix this, but they won't.

IMG 20210407 053342070

BTW - If they would fix this issue and make it a relatively even playing field, it would restore baseball's extreme popularity. Fans in many markets are fed up with being farm teams for the Yankees, Mets, Dodgers..blah blah... The NFL has understood this, and the salary cap (which is high) makes it possible for all markets to compete.

So what's left? What about the Tribe 2021? They have they best young pitching staff in the entire league. They have games BEST manager, and probably the best front office in baseball who has been making great baseball player decisions for years with money always an issue.  A beautiful newly renovated ball park with affordable ticket prices and a fan base ready to erupt. Not a bad scenario.

When you're built on pitching, the 162 game schedule is to your favor, as it always rises to the top. The Tribe will pitch well, they will score enough over time to win their fair share of games. And in the end will contend for a playoff spot.  Let's just play some games (more than four) here and see how things go.

And remember, those other 25 teams mentioned?  They would love to have left -  what we have left.

GO TRIBE~!!

Wynn small pic

SW small Logo

Tuesday, 06 April 2021 01:48

WYNN - SONG OF THE WEEK - My Masterpiece

The song of the week belongs to one of our most popular stars, the incredible Darius Rucker.  I loved his move years ago to country, and he is in the middle of a really nice run. Beers And Sunshine recently was a big #1 song, and this one will be a big song too. 

Darius is one of the best vocalists anywhere in music, and it always seems so easy for him with his natural style.  He was absolutely born to sing.  When he went country years ago, I think many went like, "Wait,...what?"  But one of the best decisions I have ever seen in this format was the decision of his first single, Don't Think I Don't Think About It.  Before you hear a single note, you know it's country.  It's an incredible country song that launched his wonderful string of big hits. In my humble opinion, I feel it's one of the best songs in country in the last 25 years.

 What An Amazing Debut Country Single

 

My Masterpiece is another fantastic song of love and tribute that will resonate with many.  I know it does with me.  It's not really a ballad, it's just a very nice song. We are so lucky to have Darius Rucker in our format, what a star!

Grab a coffee and take a listen....The Song Of The Week

Wynn small pic
SW small Logo

 

Friday, 02 April 2021 01:42

WYNN - Wynn At The Movies And Info!

#1 -  Nobody - $6.7 Million  Did very well, way above expectations. 

 

About Half - Of us feel comfortable going to a movie theater  (Story)  

 

Cinemasafe  - Nice Website



Regal Cinemas - Will reopen this weekend to show Godzilla VS. King Kong  this weekend and Mortal Kombat later this month   (Story)

 

Godzilla / Kong – Is out and Mortal Combat is out April 16



New This Week – Drive Ins. Many open this weekend  (Good List)



Sylvester Stallone - Is writing a ''Rocky'' prequel  (Story)

 

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

 

Wynn small pic

SW small Logo




Friday, 02 April 2021 01:35

WYNN - Weekends With Wynn!

The WEEKEND is here!  Live well, live right, and do it without breaking the bank!

Expected Weather 

Saturday  - Sun 61

Sunday - Sun 68

Music

Read My Country Music Memory Lane This Week  - (Janie Fricke)

Read My Song Of The Week -  (Just About Over You)

Wynn's Weekend Breakfast! 

How about a delicious breakfast -

Food And Drink

Wynn's Wine Of The Weekend - Intermingle  (Red)

Wynn's Cheese Of The Weekend  - Honey Goat Cheese with Jerky!

Wynn's Weekend Menu  - This Looks Good!  (Recipe)

Treat Yourself This Weekend Or Next  - Tavern At Twin Lakes (link)

Saturday is - Chocolate Mousse Day

Sunday is   -  Cordon Bleu Day

Viewing

In Theaters  -  Theater listings  (listings)

Drive- Ins  -  Most Drive Ins are opening this weekend

HBO Max  - Godzilla VS. Kong

Weekend Golf? 

Courses Improving Quickly -  Valleaire in Hinckley  (Link)

This Weekend -  Bunker Hill In Medina (Link)

PGA Tour  -  TPC San Antonio  (Golf Channel and Local TV)

Sports

NCAA - This Weekend Final Four (Local TV CBS FAmily)

NASCAR - OFF No RAce (Easter)

The Tribe  - Regular Season in Detroit (Local TV)

The Blue Jackets - Saturday and Sunday In Miami (Local TV)

Cavs Play - Saturday In Miami  (Local TV)

Have a GREAT weekend!

Follow Me On Instagram / Twitter / @Scott Wynn Radio

Wynn small pic

Wednesday, 31 March 2021 01:31

WYNN - Can Godzilla And Kong Save Hollywood?

Who ever thought these two would be very important characters in today's real life world?  Funny how two movie legends that have spent decades destroying things suddenly have a new charge.  Now we are relying on Godzilla and Kong to help us put an entire industry back together. Big jobs requires big.....well, monsters. Seriously, Hollywood is betting a lot on them this week- and this month.

 In Theaters And On HBO Max - TODAY!

 

In case you are living under a rock, you know that today the new Godzilla VS. Kong opens today in theaters, and is a major reason many theaters chains and Drive-Ins are re-opening this weekend.  These two are icons. Godzilla will be starring in his 37th movie role....as himself, (he's always type-cast) after debuting in 1954.  The original was a big movie making breakthrough at the time, and it also made a very loud statement within the story, against Nuclear testing and weapons.  Godzilla's genesis was a product of man's Nuclear quest and test in the original film, and he was portrayed as a victim, as much as a terror.

Original Godzilla Movie - Starring Raymond Burr - A Big Star At The Time!

 

Kong is a bit older, born on screen in 1933, and there have been 13 Kong flicks.  The original looks so technicaly silly by today's standards, but was honestly very scary to people in the 30's, as that type of movie had never been seen before. This was a major movie making achievement at the time, compare it to Jurrasic Park as far as film making was concerned.  Talking movies were only 6 years old at the time.  Kong was a sympathetic character in the original because of man's greed, and still is today.  So between them, 50 flicks.

King Kong - 1933 - A Classic!

 

James Bond has only been in 26. And in case you're wondering, Sherlock Holmes holds the all time record, appearing in 254 movies!  I think Godzilla is second.

Wynn small pic

SW small Logo

 

 

 

Jackie asked about Janie Fricke and I was glad she did. She, along with Kathy Mattea have the two most mispronounced names in format history. (Frick-y or Frick-ee). Janie Fricke was extremely popular when I got my start in country music and country radio. She was also the first star I met backstage as a pro at my first country station, WOBL in Oberlin, Ohio. She was at the Lorain County Fair early 1980's.  (I doubt she remembers me LOL)

This Song Was Very Popular When In First Got My First Country Radio Job.

 

To accurately give you an overview, Janie Fricke was a pure singer, a sensational vocalist, and an incredible talent that literally did everything a singer can possibly do. And she did it all very well. Yes, we'll remember her as an award winning country star which she was, but believe it or not that's only the beginning. Being honest, time has not been overly kind in remembering her legacy, or many other's legacy's from that era (1980-1986 or so) as country has dramatically pivoted so much since then. Her chart run happened during a time we were really trying to find our way.  But that doesn't mean she wasn't great, because she was.

Great Ballad Sung With Heart  - Fantastic Song!

 

Before she ever had her own songs on the radio, she did some incredible things in the mid to late 1970's.  She sang backup for Dolly, Barbara Mandrell, Ronnie Milsap, Crystal Gayle, Conway Twitty, Tanya Tucker, and Eddie Rabbitt, a serious "A" List at the time.  And Oh yeah....Elvis.  She was also one of the most sought after jingle singers anywhere, recording jingles for numerous ad campaigns. She then recorded a series of background vocals/duets with country singer Johnny Duncan that really catapulted her to a new level. She also did duets with Vern Gosdin, and later with Merle Haggard. She deserved and got her own deal, but it would be a couple years before she would really take off.

I Always Loved This Song - Very Vulnerable - Well Done

 

But solo success did come, and ran through about 1986.  A bunch of number one songs, touring with Alabama, and winning the CMA Female Vocalist Of The Year  in 1982 and 1983, and ACM Female Vocalist Of The Year  1983 as well.  She also did some TV acting on various shows, and was very popular within our format. But truth be told, country was getting ready to explode in a brand new direction about 1986, and many of the stars popular early in the decade were about to be replaced by neo traditional stars on the charts.  Even Alabama. 

Big Song For Her - Early 80's - Clearly

 

The new Mashalls in town were, George Strait, Randy Travis, Dwight Yokam, Keith Whitley, Patty Loveless, Holly Dunn, Reba, Kathy Mattea and others. They were the start of the flood that would follow.  Country was rapidly shedding "pop country,"  and a far more traditional sound was in.  But I really want to say this. There are alot of singers, both past and present in many different formats that wish they could sing as well as Janie Fricke.  She's blessed with the ability to make any song sound great.  I think she could sing a refrigerator owners manual -  and make it sound good.

Terrific Duet With Merle Haggard  - A live Version

 

Janie Fricke had a nice run.  I am proud to say I played all of Janie Fricke's songs on the radio for many years.  Her talent was amazing, her voice powerful, clean, pure and very versatile. She never got lost in a song, you heard her right up front, she owned it, and her singing was always very confident.  She was as confident of a singer as we've ever had.  She knew exactly where the notes were and nailed them with skill of a singing marksman.  No matter what changes were happening in country, or the rest of the music world Janie Fricke could flat out sing most of the competition in any format.

Later In Her Run - Loved This Song  - Another #1

 

I remember talking with her at the Lorain County Fair backstage with my Program Director Dave Lenahan from WOBL.  I couldn't believe I was talking with a real star that I played on the radio that very morning.  I was about 20, and was mesmerized by this beautiful and talented woman, wearing her signature headband, and concert outfit who was telling us stories about singing with Elvis. It's a memory I will never forget.

When you add it all up, Janie Fricke did it all. She's from a very different era that had way more limits for huge success for all of our stars.  No social media, and almost no TV exposure. Heck, most of us didn't have cable TV.  No YouTube, no internet, no downloading music, and hardly any country music videos. You had to buy the album at the store and for the most part, we were not selling a lot of those then. But she was a star, and led our format when we needed leaders.

Janie Fricke.  Amazingly talented.

Wynn small pic

SW small Logo

 

Tuesday, 30 March 2021 01:37

WYNN - Treat Season!

With warmer weather here, or at least teasing us a bit from time to time, it's Treat Season!  I think that going to your neighborhood ice cream place for an evening cone, (or cup as I am anti-cone), is a simple pleasure that you never outgrow and will always be a part of who we are. 

The other day, The Beautiful Windy and I went out and had a happy hour on the outdoor patio at River Merchant  (Great Place) in Kent. It was a fantastic day, and as we left she said, "Let's go to Strickland's, my treat."  Okay!  There was no decision to be made and I was thrilled at the idea.  We had an ice cream treat and it capped off a good day.

Delish!!

strick 2

This season, make sure you support your local ice cream place as many of them are just small businesses trying to make a living and be a part of the community.  Maybe make a few extra trips there this year.  We live in Streetsboro, and Strickland's is our most local shop.  But we don't live too far from Handel's, so we'll head there a few times this summer too.

If we all do that, not only will we be full and happy, but support local biz too.

Wynn small pic

SW small Logo

Page 91 of 173