Love Your Lizard : Today's Small Town Scandal

  A  video on the internet shows an Australian man saving the life of a Gecko he found drowning in his beer.    The man known to his friends as Slab saw the reptile drowning in a glass of beer .  He scooped him out and did CPR on the little green guy until he had life back in his scales. 
  Some wildlife experts assume the lizard may have simply been playing possum as a defense mechanism.   The bigger question; Did Slab end up saving 15% on his car insurance.

This Day In Country Music

  Today's look at this day in Country Music for 2/20

1993

Billy Ray Cyrus was at #1 on the US Country music album chart with his debut album, Some Gave All.  The album features his classic Achy Breaky Heart.   

   Billy Ray Stops By America's Funniest Home Videos

1996

Alan Jackson made a guest appearance on Home Improvement, singing "Mercury Blues".

    AJ's special guest appearance

2005

LeAnn Rimes performed "Nothin' 'Bout Love Makes Sense" and Big & Rich performed "Save A Horse (Ride A Cowboy)" at halftime during the NBA all-star game .

  Big & Rich Live in 2005 

       

Jim's Equipment Repair Nashville Music News 2/20/20

  Carlile Hits Hollywood

  Brandi Carlile tweeted her excitement about contributing to the new Disney-Pixar film ONWARD.

Thrilled to announce that I will perform the end credit song for Disney & Pixar’s upcoming film, Onward! This new song is called “Carried Me With You,” which I wrote and produced with Phil & Tim Hanseroth. https://t.co/YhO0zqEm9D

— Brandi Carlile (@brandicarlile) February 12, 2020

   The Song, CARRY ME WITH YOU was written specifically for the film.  ONWARD Opens nationwide March 6th.

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 Kane Brown's New Documentary Is Coming

Kane  Brown is the subject of a new  Amazon documentary.    The film is entitled Velocity and follows Brown's recent sold out show at the Staples Center in LA.   TASTE OF COUNTRY   reports that Brown is only the 11th Country Artist to sell out the arena. According to his management, he did so in 90 minutes.    

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 Ronnie Dunn Covers Merle in New Project

Ronnie Dunn is bringing a 1984 Merle Haggard Grammy winning classic back into the public eye by performing his own rendition. Dunn lends his smooth delivery to THAT'S THE WAY LOVE GOES.  The song is part of Ronnie's upcoming project Re-Dunn a lovingly record collection of 24 classic country songs covered by  Dunn.

Patient Plays Violin During Surgery (with video)

  A 54 year old professional musician recently underwent surgery in London. The woman was diagnosed with a small tumor years ago which had grown to the point that action needed to be taken. Her chief concern was that she would lose the ability to continue in her career as a professional violinist.   In order to ensure that they avoided damaging her motor skills during the procedure they woke her up and allowed her to serenade them as they finished the life saving surgery.

Couple Feels The Sting Of Their Mistake

A couple somewhere in the Southern part if the United States is moving a little  slowly today after being ravaged by bees following a car wreck.  The video may be the most stereotypical southern story you see all day. 

   

SNAKES ALIVE!! Today's Small Town Scandal

 A Total of 29 snakes have been tossed outside of a fire station in England over the course of a week.

Last week  pythons were discovered wrapped in pillowcases.  This week 15 corn snakes and a carpet

python were found in a bin behind the same fire station.    Authorities are unsure if they were dropped

at the same time and not discovered or if the shameless snake skippers made a return trip.   The

reptiles have been checked by a vet and are free of any form or a reptile dysfunction.   The RSPCA  is

 working with local authorities to locate the slithery sidewinders responsible.  More information can

be found at CNN.COM or UPI.COM

Sabres & Senators NHL Preview 2/18/20

  Tonight the Buffalo Sabres travel to Ottawa to for game 4 in the season series against the Senators.
Buffalo is on hot streak right now, having won 4 of their last 5 games and coming of a convincing      5-2 win over Toronto. Ottawa has a 2-3 record in their last 5 games and is coming of an overtime win against Dallas.     
   Buffalo has seen some key players returning from injury in the last week and may be as healthy as they have been all season.  The dark horse in terms of health may be the presence of the flu in the Buffalo locker room; Sabres forward Michael Frolik missed Sunday's  game with the flu. 
  The puck drops at 7:30 tonight. 

This Day In Country Music 2/18

A quick look at the biggest moments from this day in country music.

1954
 "No Money in This Deal" George Jones' debut single was released

1975
 Trevor Rosen from Old Dominion was born Michigan

1988
Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner shared a stage for the first time since they parted ways in 1974.   The reunion happened during a taping of Dolly's short lived TV Show Dolly!

1999
Dixie Chicks were at #1 on the US Country music album with Wide Open Spaces.

RAGE BAKING: Sweet Stress Relief

Good Morning America recently did a  story on the new phenomenon of RAGE  BAKING.  

IMAGE GOOD MORNING AMERICA

A few years ago Kathy Gunst was struggling with bubbling rage over many political and social issues in the world.   The renowned chef, and author took her frustration to the kitchen and whipped up a pan full of stress relief. She posted exploits to social media with the hashtag #Ragebaking.    Before long the internet  was loaded with rage bakers relieving stress one confectionary treat at a time.   

    Gunst told GMA,  "The science of baking became very soothing to me, the idea that if you measure your flours and you put in all your ingredients and you whip the butter, you will get results."  Visit GOODMORNINGAMERICA.COM  for the full story.   

Hamlin Wins 3rd Daytona 500

 It was one of the most exciting conclusions to the Daytona 500 in history, albeit overshadowed by

image MRN.COM

the horrible last lap crash that sent Ryan Newman to the hospital with serious injuries.

As the world pensively watched in simultaneous prayer and terror Denny Hamlin won his second

Daytona 500 in as many years. Hamlin barely edged out third generation racer Ryan Blaney for the win.   It was also the second closest finish in 500 history. Hamlin just happens to have been involved in the tightest Daytona finish as well. Overall it was the 3rd Daytona 500 victory for Hamlin. The number 11  led 79 of the race’s 209 laps and picked 50 regular and 10 bonus points for the win. 

   

 Making this win more remarkable is the fact that Hamlin had to start from the back of the pack after NASCAR inspectors found an irregularity during the pre-race inspection on Sunday.  MRN.COM reported that Hamlin had to surrender his 21st starting position and drop to the back of the back. In addition to the starting grid penalty, crew chief Mark Fordham was ejected.    Regardless of the starting circumstances, one thing remains; Hamlin and the rest of Joe Gibbs racing continued their dominance in the Monster Energy Cup Series with a big win among a myriad of  unfortunate and unusual situations.   

 The season takes us to Las Vegas next for the Pennzoil 400.  The race will air on 101.9/96.3 The Ride.   

Full Daytona 500 Results

 Denny Hamlin and Ryan Blaney had a classic shootout for the one and two spot in Daytona last night with Hamlin taking the win by the second closest margin in the storied history of the Great American Race.  Here are the top ten finishers from Daytona. 

1 #11 Denny Hamlin

2 #12 Ryan Blaney

3 #17 Chris Buescher

4 #36 David Ragan

5 #4 Kevin Harvick

6 #14 Clint Bowyer

7 #62 Brendan Gaughan

8 #32 Corey Lajoie

9 #6 Ryan Newman

10 #42 Kyle Larson

 See the full results at Foxsports.com 

Ryan Newman's Accident As It Unfolded On Twitter

  Ryan Newman's horrific accident in the closing moments of the Daytona 500 captured the nation's attention last night and overtook social media. Newman related topics shot to the top of social trends as various hashtags were used to share the latest information. The following tweets retell the tense and anxious hours that followed as we all awaited some news... good or bad.. Luckily when the news came it was better than most expected, but still worrisome.

 These were the tweets we were all waiting for.

pic.twitter.com/euuHYxPHxj

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) February 18, 2020

NASCAR provides an update on Ryan Newman. pic.twitter.com/rZpVKyKeRt

— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) February 18, 2020

pic.twitter.com/QTIVlzmSWz

— Ryan Newman (@RyanJNewman) February 18, 2020

 Earlier tweets convey the concern we all felt. 

No official word yet. Please join us in sending prayers for @RyanJNewman, @roushfenway, the @FordPerformance family, and all of the larger @NASCAR family. These moments are never easy. #Daytona500 | #NASCAR

— Roush Yates Engines (@roushyates) February 18, 2020

Big prayers for Newman

— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) February 18, 2020

Please please please! https://t.co/c6GgGTRqsz

— Brad Keselowski (@keselowski) February 18, 2020

Prayers for @RyanJNewman 🙏🏻

— Joey Logano (@joeylogano) February 18, 2020

Rascal Flatts Adds Dates To Farewell Tour

  The good natured guys in Rascall Flatts have announced  more dates in their farewell tour.   The new dates take them to

• Rogers, AR
• Dallas, TX 
• St. Louis, MO 
• Southaven, MS
• Kansas City, MO 
• Welch, MN
• Omaha, NE 
• Dubuque, IA  
• New Orleans, LA 
• Brandon, MS 
• Birmingham AL
• Columbus, OH 

   
They have also added one final show in Nashville on October 30th to end the tour and an entire era of country music.
 Rascal Flatts will visit Darien Lake on September 5th.

Laughing Gas In Childbirth?

 
   A recent TV report claimed that the same laughing gas used by dentists could be effective in the delivery room as well.   Experts have long debated the safety and effectiveness of nitrous oxide being used in childbirth. The topic has become so widely discussed that the mayo clinic has created an FAQ.    The site covers everything from side effects to reasons why some moms are taking this route.  The FAQ Can be found by clicking here.   

Mini Aldeans visit OLD TOWN ROAD

 Jason Aldean's babies know a hit when they hear it.  The Dirt Road Anthem singer's youngsters, Memphis and Navy are seen in an Instagram video going crazy to another song about a road,; the Lil Nas X/ Billy Ray Cyrus hit Old Town Road.

View this post on Instagram

When u go too hard in the paint! @lilnasx @billyraycyrus 🐴

A post shared by Jason Aldean (@jasonaldean) on Feb 17, 2020 at 4:59pm PST