New Title: “Solana Prices Dip Below $150, Marking 2021’s Lowest Point – What Does This Mean for Investors?”
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Solana, the popular cryptocurrency known for its fast transactions and low fees, has recently seen a significant drop in price, falling below the $150 mark. This decline marks the lowest point for Solana in 2021, leaving many investors wondering what the future holds for this digital asset.
So, what does this latest price drop mean for investors? While it’s natural to feel concerned when prices take a downward turn, it’s important to remember that the cryptocurrency market is known for its volatility. Prices can fluctuate rapidly, and a single event can have a significant impact on the market as a whole.
For those considering investing in Solana at this lower price point, now may be a good opportunity to buy in. Historically, cryptocurrencies have shown a pattern of bouncing back from price drops, often reaching new all-time highs in the process. Of course, it’s important to conduct thorough research and consider your own risk tolerance before making any investment decisions.
Additionally, this price drop could present an opportunity for current Solana holders to accumulate more of the digital asset at a lower cost. By taking advantage of these price dips, investors can potentially increase their holdings and position themselves for future gains when prices inevitably rise again.
As always, it’s crucial to stay informed about market trends and developments in the cryptocurrency space. By staying up to date on the latest news and analysis, investors can make more informed decisions about their investments and navigate the volatile crypto market with confidence.
Title: Fatal Crash on Route 33: One Person Killed After Car Collides with Tree
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Tragedy struck on Route 33 as a fatal car crash claimed the life of one individual after their vehicle slammed into a tree. The incident, which occurred in the Lehigh Valley region, has left the community in mourning and serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safe driving practices.
Authorities are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash, but it is clear that the impact was severe. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of the victim during this difficult time.
As we reflect on this heartbreaking event, let us all take a moment to consider the importance of being vigilant on the road and prioritizing safety above all else. Together, we can work towards preventing future tragedies and keeping our roads safe for everyone.
car accident, Route 33 crash, Lehigh Valley news, fatal car crash, tree collision, traffic accident, local news, road safety, car collision, traffic incident, Route 33 accident, Lehigh Valley regional news
After Universal tried and failed to usher in a new era of their classic monster movies, 2020’s The Invisible Man helped resurrect the concept with Leigh Whannell’s clever and thoroughly modern take on the story.
Not only was that movie a hit with both audiences and critics, but it also seemed to provide a much-needed template for Universal to update its beloved characters to reflect the times. It took five years, but the studio has finally made a proper follow-up in Wolf Man, and they brought back Whannell to try his hand again.
The response to Wolf Man was markedly different than that of The Invisible Man, regarding both box office and critical reception. But is it worth your time? It debuted on digital this week, 17 days after its theatrical release, so you can find out for yourself.
Wolf Man isn’t the only movie newly available on streaming this week — the critically acclaimed, ripped-from-the-headlines period journalism thriller September 5 is out now, and A24’s hit romance We Live in Time, starring Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield, hits Max.
The Pharrell Williams Lego biopic Piece by Piece is out on Peacock, which could be appealing to kids and parents alike. For after the kids go to bed, Kill, a hyper-violent action-thriller from India that earned rave reviews, is available on Hulu.
Here’s what to know about the theatrical movies newly available to stream as of this week and where you can find them.
Click on the links below to jump straight to a specific movie:
Wolf Man
Julia Garner in Wolf Man. (Courtesy of Universal Pictures/Everett Collection)
Wolf Man sets up a loaded metaphor in its terrific, tense opening sequence: A boy and his overbearing survivalist father hunting in the woods encounter some sort of animalistic creature. As the movie progresses, it becomes clear there’s not enough meat on the bone for the analogy they’re going for regarding parenthood, trauma, abuse and how we’re doomed to become our parents, no matter how hard we try to stray from the path.
It’s heavy stuff for a movie that could stand to have some fun, but there are still elements worthy of praise, including the practical makeup effects on the wolf transformation and the impactful, but all-too-brief moments of body horror. Christopher Abbott and Julia Garner are two great performers, but it’s hard to get a read on their characters.
Wolf Man is ambitious enough to recommend to those who like their genre fare more offbeat, but it doesn’t come together in the same satisfying way that Whannell’s previous effort did.
How to watch: Wolf Man is now available to rent or purchase on Prime Video and other video on demand platforms.
Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield in We Live in Time. (Courtesy of A24/Everett Collection)
Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh star in A24’s romance We Live in Time, which you may want to watch with a box of tissues nearby. It’s all about the inventive structure here, as it’s a story you’ve otherwise likely seen before. The movie is told nonlinearly, turning it into a sort of puzzle you solve as it goes.
It’s a neat trick to keep you engaged in what could be overly familiar, weepy material, and both Pugh and Garfield are great in it as a couple that we see go through many ups and downs over a decade. It’s refreshing that the movie isn’t afraid to present the hardships as equally as it depicts the good times.
How to watch: We Live in Time is now streaming on Max.
John Magaro in September 5. (Courtesy of Paramount Pictures/Everett Collection)
September 5 has to be one of the most overlooked and underseen movies of 2024. It earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Motion Picture — Drama, and was nominated for Best Original Screenplay at the Oscars, but still, it feels like few people have seen or heard of this movie.
Maybe some of that has to do with the fact that it is about events that were already famously depicted in the capital-G Great Munich, which Steven Spielberg directed. Still, that shouldn’t affect your interest in September 5, which tells a separate story.
It’s a journalism process movie that takes place during the 1972 Munich Olympics, when an American sports broadcasting crew found itself thrust into covering the hostage crisis involving Israeli athletes. It may be a journalism movie, and a great one at that, but it’s also a gripping thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat, as the sports journalists and the news junkies jockey to cover it effectively.
It’s about big ethical questions and moral quandaries that are as relevant today as they were in 1972, and you get the sense this moment in time was important in establishing broadcast journalism as we know it. A terrific nuts-and-bolts “how tough decisions get made in real time” movie!
How to watch:September 5 is now available to rent or purchase on Prime Video and other video on demand platforms.
Jay-Z and Pharrell Williams in Lego form in Piece by Piece. (Courtesy of Focus Features/Everett Collection)
Piece by Piece isn’t the first animated movie to use the Lego aesthetic, but it’s certainly the first biopic about a real person to be depicted in Lego.
It’s not as strange as it sounds, and the movie actually does a good job of setting up why exactly you’re watching a movie about legendary music producer and musician Pharrell Williams in Lego form. Pharrell has synesthesia, which allows him to essentially see music, which alone is a clever justification for the colorful world in the movie.
There’s an infectious and inspiring creative energy that’s hard to ignore, and if the story of Williams’s rise from rags to riches wasn’t compelling enough, the soundtrack of wall-to-wall bangers that he either produced or sang on himself is undeniable.
How to watch:Piece by Piece is now streaming on Peacock.
Amrit Rathod in Kill. (Roadside Attractions/Courtesy of Everett Collection)
If you love a good revenge movie and you don’t mind a lot of blood and nonstop violence, the aptly titled Kill is for you. The plot is high-concept, yet simple: A guy is out for revenge, killing those who have wronged him, except it’s set entirely on a moving train.
Kill doesn’t pull a bait-and-switch exactly, but the degree to which the tenor of the violence changes after a certain death at the midpoint of the movie is unexpected and harrowing. A movie that revels in violent deaths suddenly starts showing you that every death means the world to someone — what was once just bombastic entertainment has been rendered upsetting and hard to shake.
Kill does a great job of building emotional stakes so the audience cares about what’s going on, and thankfully, the action is also shot well and choreographed so there’s rarely a dull moment.
Exciting news for movie lovers! Two highly anticipated films are now available to watch from the comfort of your own home.
First up, “Wolf Man” is a thrilling new horror film that will have you on the edge of your seat. Starring a talented cast and boasting impressive special effects, this is a must-watch for fans of the genre.
Next, “September 5” is a heartwarming drama that will tug at your heartstrings. With a moving storyline and powerful performances, this film is sure to leave a lasting impression.
But that’s not all – for those looking for a romantic escape, “We Live in Time” starring Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield is now streaming on Max. This beautiful love story is perfect for a cozy night in with your special someone.
So grab some popcorn, dim the lights, and settle in for a movie night to remember with these fantastic new releases.
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Wolf Man, September 5, Florence Pugh, Andrew Garfield, romance, We Live in Time, Max, movie, streaming, new release
OGDENSBURG– A new round of phone scams is circulating in St. Lawrence County.
Sherman Inn owner Donna Reagen says her business in Ogdensburg received a scam call from someone claiming to be from National Grid and attempting to collect an overdue bill.
“I knew it was false,” she said, but wanted to make the public aware to prevent others from becoming subject to fraud.
She said she was given a case number to provide with a payment, adding that these types of calls try to intimidate the answerer into complying with their demands.
“You get into a panic” she said, saying that scammers use fear to urge their victims into compliance.
State Police Public Information officer Brandi Ashley said that Troopers had not been alerted of the National Grid scam as of Thursday morning, but warned against providing any personal information over the phone.
Trooper Ashley also warned against ever using gift cards as a form of payment.
Do not send gift cards for a type payment if people are requesting it, is the main thing we need to focus on. Do not provide personal information over the phone.
National Grid is aware of these scams and provides information to help consumers know when a scammer is calling.
The utility says that your Caller ID may even say “National Grid” when a scammer is calling, but does not call consumers to collect payments in this fashion.
If you are dealing with someone over the phone, note that National Grid representatives will know your account number; never offer that information to a caller.
Consumers can also ask the caller to provide the last five digits of their National Grid account number.
If the caller doesn’t know your account number and you have any doubt the caller is a National Grid representative, or if they have any questions about your account balance, hang up immediately.
Be warned! A National Grid phone scam is currently targeting residents in St. Lawrence County. Scammers are posing as National Grid representatives and threatening to shut off power unless immediate payment is made over the phone.
It’s important to remember that National Grid does not conduct business in this manner. If you receive a call like this, do not provide any personal or payment information. Hang up immediately and report the scam to National Grid.
Protect yourself and your loved ones by staying informed and vigilant against these fraudulent activities. Share this warning with your friends and family to ensure they are aware of the scam as well. Stay safe and stay aware!
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National Grid phone scam, St. Lawrence County, utility scam, phone fraud, scam alert, National Grid scam, St. Lawrence County scam, phone scam warning, utility phone scam
Abhishek Sharma smashed the second-fastest hundred for India on Sunday, reaching the mark in only 37 balls against England in the fifth T20I at the Wankhede Stadium.
After sent into bat, Abhishek unleashed carnage after losing his partner Sanju Samson as he smoked Jofra Archer for a four and two sixes in the third over before taking on Mark Wood and Jamie Overton. The southpaw was particularly brutal in his approach against Overton whom he smashed for two consecutive sixes in the fifth over to reach his half-century.
The hundred was Abhishek’s second for India in only 16 innings, with his aggregate crossing 500 at a jaw-dropping 190-plus strike rate. Former India T20I captain Rohit Sharma continues to hold the record for the quickest century, having smashed a 35-ball century against Sri Lanka in 2017.
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In late 2024, Abhishek had also set the T20 record for the joint-fastest hundred by an Indian, having smashed a 28-ball century for Punjab in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
India also recorded their highest Powerplay score in T20Is as they finished on 95/1 in six overs, going past the previous-best of 82 that the team had achieved twice in 2021 and 2024.
Fastest T20I hundreds by Indians
35 balls – Rohit Sharma vs Sri Lanka, 2017 37 balls – Abhishek Sharma vs England, 2025 40 balls – Sanju Samson vs Bangladesh, 2024 41 balls – Tilak Varma vs South Africa, 2024
Highest Powerplay scores for India in T20Is
95/1 vs England, Mumbai, 2025 82/1 vs Bangladesh, Hyderabad, 2024 82/2 vs Scotland, Dubai, 2021 78/2 vs South Africa, Johannesburg, 2018 77/1 vs Australia, Thiruvananthapuram, 2023 77/1 vs Sri Lanka, Nagpur, 2009
Fastest T20I fifties for India
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12 balls – Yuvraj Singh vs England, 2007 17 balls – Abhishek Sharma vs England, 2025 18 balls – Suryakumar Yadav vs South Africa, 2022 18 balls – KL Rahul vs Scotland, 2021
In a thrilling match between India and England, Abhishek Sharma made headlines by smashing the second-fastest T20I century for India in just 37 balls. The young cricketer showcased his explosive batting skills as he powered India to a commanding victory over the English team.
Abhishek Sharma’s aggressive innings left the opposition bowlers clueless as he sent the ball flying to all corners of the ground. His remarkable knock included a flurry of boundaries and sixes, with his strike rate soaring through the roof.
The 21-year-old’s performance has certainly caught the attention of cricket enthusiasts and pundits alike, with many hailing him as a rising star in Indian cricket. Abhishek Sharma’s incredible feat is a testament to his talent and potential as a top-order batsman for the national team.
As India continues its T20I campaign against England, all eyes will be on Abhishek Sharma to see if he can replicate his stunning performance and lead his team to further victories. With his explosive batting prowess on full display, the young cricketer has undoubtedly made a strong statement on the international stage.
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IND vs ENG, Abhishek Sharma, T20I, hundred, India, cricket news, fastest hundred, Abhishek Sharma T20I hundred, record-breaking innings, Indian cricket, England, T20 cricket, Abhishek Sharma batting, 37 balls, cricket updates
Another big Oscar hopeful – and former Number 1 – Wicked keeps at Number 2 this week. The blockbuster musical adaption scored a magnificent 10 Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Actress for Cynthia Erivo and Best Supporting Actress for Ariana Grande.
Other Academy Award hopefuls present in the Official Film Chart this week include Conclave (5) up for Best Picture and Best Actor for Ralph Fiennes, Alien: Romulus (7) which has a nod for Best Visual Effects and Best Picture nominee Dune: Part Two (8).
Despite its lead actress Naomi Scott being shut out of awards contention, horror sequel delight Smile 2 re-enters the Top 10 at a brand-new peak (7). It previously reached Number 10 earlier this month.
Finally, Small Things Like These is this week’s highest new entry (10). The historical drama stars Cillian Murphy, and is based on the Irish Magdalene Laundries, which were run to house ‘fallen women’ from 18th to the late 20th centuries.
“I learned a lot from both fights,” she told Sherdog.com. “I came to understand some things about myself. No one wants to learn from a loss, but it was important to learn those lessons. Now I’m moving forward. I have another tough fight in front of me.”
A onetime title challenger at women’s bantamweight, Bueno Silva caught many observers off-guard with her decision to move back to the 125-pound weight class.
“I’m dropping back down because I want to challenge myself again,” she said. “I want to climb my way up again. My goal is the flyweight belt. I’ll be facing Jasmine, who’s super tough. I’m going to have fun restarting my climb towards the belt.”
Jasudavicius steps back into view on the strength of a three-fight winning streak. The Niagara Top Team product has compiled an impressive 6-2 record across her eight appearances inside the Octagon, losing only to Natalia Silva and Tracy Cortez . Jasudavicius, 35, last competed at UFC Fight Night 246, where she put away former Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki champion Ariane Lipski with a brabo choke in the third round of their Nov. 2 encounter. The Canadian has Bueno Silva’s undivided attention.
“I like her style a lot,” she said. “She goes for finishes. It’s also how I fight. We both look to finish our opponents. I believe we will have a war. I will honor Brazil this time. She’s had good results against Brazilians in the past, but I’ll stop her. I like her a lot, but business is business.”
Bueno Silva, who repped American Top Team in the past, spent her training camp with the Fighting Nerds in Sao Paulo, Brazil, where her preparation was overseen by coaches Pablo Sucupira and Flavio Alvaro . Longtime girlfriend Gloria de Paula provided additional support ahead of the forthcoming showdown with Jasudavicius.
“She’s always by my side,” Bueno Silva said. “Without her, my fight camps don’t work. We brought in a few more training partners. I’m very ready.”
As she approaches her latest test, Bueno Silva continues to lean into her ambition.
“I will have a war against Jasmine,” she said. “My plan is to have my hand raised at the end. Then I want to fight someone who’s ranked even higher. I’m chasing after the flyweight belt.”
After a tough loss in her last fight, UFC flyweight Mayra Bueno Silva is ready to hit the reset button and come back stronger than ever. Despite the setback, Bueno Silva remains determined and focused on bouncing back in her next bout.
With a record of 7 wins and 2 losses, Bueno Silva has proven herself to be a tough and resilient fighter in the octagon. Known for her aggressive fighting style and strong ground game, she has the skills to compete with the best in her division.
As she prepares for her next fight, Bueno Silva is putting in the hard work and dedication to improve her skills and come back even better than before. Fans can expect to see a rejuvenated and motivated fighter when she steps back into the cage.
Stay tuned for updates on Mayra Bueno Silva’s next fight as she looks to make a statement and show the world what she is truly capable of. #MayraBuenoSilva #UFC #Flyweight #ResetButton #Fighter
Rory McIlroy hit just the second hole-in-one of his PGA Tour career on Thursday, a remarkable slam dunk ace on Hole 15 of the Pebble Beach Pro-Am at Spyglass Hill.
The four-time major champion, playing in his first PGA Tour event of the year, took a wedge and drilled his shot 119 yards directly into the hole without bouncing, before celebrating with his caddie and playing partners, including Ryder Cup teammate Ludvig Åberg. His only other hole-in-one on the Tour came at the Travelers Championship in 2023.
“It’s such an elevated tee that the ball’s in the air and you know it’s online, but you don’t know whether to say ‘Go’ or ‘Sit’ or ‘Spin’ or ‘Release’ or whatever,” he said afterwards. “You’re looking at it and you’re watching where it might land on the green and the thing just disappears.
“It was a good swing, good wedge shot. It was obviously a nice little moment.”
Another of McIlroy’s Ryder Cup teammates, Shane Lowry, emulated the 26-time PGA Tour winner with his own ace at Pebble Beach’s iconic Hole 7, which he celebrated no less fervently despite the ball taking the more traditional route of landing on the green and rolling in.
It was the third of Lowry’s PGA Tour career, following holes-in-one at the Masters in 2016 and the Players Championship in 2022, and it marked the first time since 2009 that the Pebble Beach tournament has seen more than one ace in a single round, according to Sky Sports.
Both McIlroy and Lowry finished on six-under-par, two shots behind the leader, American Russell Henley. Jake Knapp, Justin Rose, Cam Davis, Sepp Straka, Rasmus Højgaard and Viktor Hovland each finished one shot behind Henley.
The tournament also saw the return of Scottie Scheffler, who was playing in his first competitive tournament of the year after sustaining what he called a “stupid” injury to his hand while rolling out ravioli dough with a wine glass on Christmas Day.
The world No. 1, who missed two tournaments to start the year, opened with a bogey but quickly settled in and made sure it was his only one of the day.
According to golf analyst Justin Ray, it was the 100th PGA Tour round since the beginning of 2022 in which Scheffler has played and made one or fewer bogeys. The American finished five-under-par.
“I like what I saw today,” he said afterwards, per The Associated Press. “I hit a few errant shots out there, but overall kept the course in front of me for the most part, so I was able to make a decent amount of birdies.”
The second round of the tournament begins on Friday.
Rory McIlroy hits remarkable slam dunk hole-in-one at Pebble Beach Pro-Am as Scottie Scheffler returns from ‘stupid’ injury
In a stunning display of skill and precision, Rory McIlroy wowed spectators at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am with a jaw-dropping hole-in-one that was nothing short of remarkable. The Northern Irish golfer hit a perfect shot that sailed through the air, bounced on the green, and then rolled straight into the cup for an unforgettable slam dunk ace.
But McIlroy wasn’t the only player making headlines at the prestigious tournament. Scottie Scheffler also made a triumphant return to the course after recovering from what he called a “stupid” injury. The American golfer had been sidelined for weeks due to a freak accident off the course, but he showed no signs of rust as he made his comeback with impressive play.
As the Pebble Beach Pro-Am continues, golf fans around the world are eagerly anticipating more thrilling moments and unforgettable shots from some of the sport’s biggest stars. Stay tuned for more updates and highlights from this exciting event.
The Faster Horses festival, an annual staple on the summer concert schedule for more than a decade, is taking a “pause” this year, organizers said in a statement released Friday afternoon.
“Dear Fans, we have made the decision to pause Faster Horses Festival in 2025. We are taking the year to make plans for a bigger and better Faster Horses for our fans who deserve the absolute best,” organizers said in statement posted to the festival’s website.
The three-day country music festival at Brooklyn’s Michigan International Speedway launched in 2013 and has hosted many of country music’s top acts, including Jason Aldean, Miranda Lambert, Luke Bryan, Dierks Bentley, Brooks & Dunn, Blake Shelton, Zac Brown Band, Keith Urban and more.
Organizers referred to it as a “three-day hillbilly sleepover,” and the Live Nation-produced festival annually drew around 40,000 hard-partying fans who camped out on the MIS grounds and dotted the landscape in 10-gallon hats, cowboy boots and American flags.
“We love our friends at Michigan International Speedway, the community, and all of those behind the scenes,” the statement read. “While we hope to bring you something in the future, for now we encourage you to keep the community strong and support live music in Michigan!”
The note was signed “BOC” — short for Faster Horses head Brian O’Connell — and “Team Faster Horses.”
The “pause” comes amid a general downturn in music festivals across the board, in the U.S. and beyond. In 2024, Indio, California’s Coachella festival — a bellwether for the festival landscape, and the annual kickoff to summer festival season — struggled to sell out for the first time in more than a decade, and the 2024 edition of San Francisco’s Outside Lands didn’t sell out.
The rising cost of ticket prices and the stretched pocketbooks of fans, plus a potential generational shift away from festivals, has hindered the festival business model.
In addition, a lack of fresh headline acts — lineups for this year’s Coachella, New York’s Governor’s Ball and regional fests across the U.S. are seen as softer than years past — has contributed to a general feeling of malaise in concertgoers.
The 2024 Faster Horses festival featured Jelly Roll, Lainey Wilson and Hardy.
Since its launch, Faster Horses was held at MIS on the third weekend in July, save for 2020, when it was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
It’s official – Faster Horses country music festival is hitting pause for the year 2025. The popular music festival, known for its star-studded lineup and lively atmosphere, has announced that they will not be hosting an event next year.
In a statement released by festival organizers, they cited various reasons for the decision to take a break, including concerns about the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and logistical challenges. While fans may be disappointed, the safety and well-being of attendees, artists, and staff remain a top priority.
Despite the hiatus for 2025, organizers reassured fans that they are already planning for the festival’s return in 2026, promising an even bigger and better experience for country music lovers. In the meantime, fans can look forward to updates and announcements about the festival’s comeback in the coming months.
So mark your calendars and stay tuned for more information on Faster Horses country music festival’s return in 2026. In the meantime, let’s keep the country music spirit alive and look forward to an unforgettable experience when the festival makes its triumphant comeback.
If we’ve said it once, we’ve said it a million times, but it’s worth saying again… country music is in a better place right now than it’s been in a long, long time. Just for a specific example, in January of 2014 (right before Whiskey Riff was founded) these were the Top 10 songs on country radio: 10. Keith Urban (Feat. Miranda Lambert) “We Were Us” 9. Brantley Gilbert “Bottoms Up” 8. Jason Aldean “When She Says Baby” 7. Zac Brown Band “Sweet Annie” 6. Cassadee Pope “Wasting All These Tears” 5. Cole Swindell “Chillin’ It” 4. Eli Young Band “Drunk Last Night” 3. David Nail “Whatever She’s Got” 2. Florida Georgia Line “Stay” 1. Luke Bryan “Drink a Beer” Not exactly a grouping that will stand the test of time… Throw in most of the other Top 40 singles (e.g. Hunter Hayes (ft. Jason Mraz) “Everybody’s Got Somebody But Me”, Tyler Farr “Whiskey in My Water”, Dustin Lynch “Wild in Your Smile”, Dan + Shay “19 You + Me”, and Thomas Rhett “Get Me Some of That”) and it becomes abundantly clear the bulk of mainstream country music being made and promoted at the time was less than stellar, to say the least. Now, I will say that “Wasting All These Tears” was my jam back in the day (just imagine it’s an Avril Lavigne song and you’ll get it) and for some reason or another I’m still partial to Eli Young Band all these years later, but the entire crop as a whole was sub-par, if not downright bad… https://twitter.com/lukebryan/status/779462992866009088
Today’s Mainstream Country Music
Without question, many of today’s mainstream stars are a giant improvement over the mid-2010’s A-listers. As I write this, Lainey Wilson, Cody Johnson, Luke Combs, Chris Stapleton, Megan Moroney, and Zach Top are all up there on the Top 40 chart, which is a clear step up from the bro-country and boyfriend-country days. To add onto the good news, some artists who never would have gotten a chance at radio are putting up numbers and having an opportunity to showcase their art to a vast audience. Muscadine Bloodline had the most added song on radio with “10-90” just last week, Koe Wetzel (yes, not traditional country but still a unique and authentic style, and certainly someone outside the industry) had a number one with “High Road”, and Parker McCollum carved out a nice niche on radio, which is very exciting considering his wife claims the Limestone Kid is fully back . I know I mentioned him already but I’d be remiss not to give Zach Top another huge shoutout. No one, and I mean no one, has been able to see the commercial success he has while sticking to his guns with a 90’s country sound. That’s no small feat in an industry not long ago captured by snap tracks, hip-hop bass lines, and sugary, unfulfilling lyrics. But… there’s still work to be done. https://twitter.com/WhiskeyRiff/status/1857894013824589994
Dylan Scott’s Top 10 Singles
Before we move on, let me clear the air here… I don’t have anything personal against Dylan Scott. In fact, his song “Makin’ This Boy Go Crazy” helped me woo over my now wife back in the day (yes, I was that kid in college with a guitar but hey, the ring on my finger proves it worked). I’m sure Dylan is a fine guy to hang out with and I will not make any assumptions about his character or any facets of his life other than the music he makes. With that being said, I opened my inbox this morning to a Dylan Scott press release. The subject line got my attention because truth be told I hadn’t listened to a Dylan Scott song in years… “Multi-Platinum Artist Dylan Scott Remains A Force At Country Radio With Two Singles In Top 10” The press release went on to say he’s the fourth most played artist at country radio so far this year and that his 2024 album Livin’ My Best Life (Still) was his highest charting project on Billboard’s Top 200 , containing six gold or platinum singles and 4 number ones. Let me get this straight… Dylan Scott, 11 years removed from “Makin’ This Boy Go Crazy” and 8 years removed from his self-titled debut album featuring “My Girl”, “Hooked”, and “Crazy Over Me”, is still dominating country radio? Okay, maybe he pulled a Chase Rice and decided to forgo the advice of his label and make some quality music with deep lyrics. It’s possible, right? Let’s take a look at his current Top 10 songs and see for ourselves:
“This Town’s Been Too Good To Us”
Gave us that hilltop place to park Gave us them girls that stole our hearts Gave us them bucks up on the wall The way we live, and the way we talk Gave us state that senior year Them country stores to buy that beer A place to go nobody knows When you take it in and you take it
Slow like that river rolls Where that green grass grows I can’t explain Ah, it’s something ain’t it
Not a great start… Lots of cliches, mentions beer and a random spot in the country where you can park and get naked, of course says he won a football state championship (which I can neither confirm or deny with a few quick Google searches), and obviously has a line about talking with an accent.
Throw in the fact that this was written by 5 (yes, five) fully grown adults who make their living as professional songwriters and it’s pretty clear to see this is yet another example of generic, vanilla, radio filler-noise that’s so universally applicable no one actually relates to it. What about the other song? It’s not exactly his, he’s a feature, but if his PR team counts it than so do I:
“Boys Back Home” w/ Dylan Marlowe
Yeah, here’s to the boys back home Drinking dirt road beers on a Friday night Yeah, I’m wishing I was with y’all Singing them old songs Trucks circled up ’round a farm fire (let’s go) Those are literally the opening lines and you don’t need me to break down why I hate it… Trucks, dirt roads, beer, singing old songs (even though they’d never be caught dead “Crankin’ Hank”), a bonfire at a farm… Is this a Florida Georgia Line parody? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ggP9L89qlk
Country Radio Has Much Better Options
Typically, I wouldn’t be upset by this. We know the Nashville machine’s core competency is churning out bland but hyper-palatable songs that background listeners don’t mind hearing but the industry itself has shown a willingness, heck even an excitement, to begin playing real country artists that make emotional, specific, and moving music. The Red Clay Strays were nominated for CMA Vocal Group of the Year. Flatland Cavalry was nominated for ACM Group of the Year. Sierra Ferrell is opening for Post Malone, Stephen Wilson Jr. has independent and mainstream fans alike obsessed with his sound, Tyler Childers cracked the Top 40 for the first time (somehow) with “In Your Love” and has an entire catalogue of songs that people need to hear. Hailey Whitters unfairly disappeared from radio after “Everything She Ain’t” ran its course, heck even Zach Bryan has a bunch of great songs past “Something In The Orange” and “Pink Skies”, and those are just some of the artists that Nashville has flirted with in the past. Throw in the slew of artists that clearly would fit on radio if given the chance and the fact that Dylan Scott remains a chart-topping fixature turns into a cruel joke. Are we really going to pretend that 49 Winchester, Colby Acuff, Maggie Antone, Randall King, Wyatt Flores, Silverada, Kaitlin Butts, Charles Wesley Godwin, or Sam Barber wouldn’t explode (even more) if the masses were given a chance to hear their music? You could forget all about the cheesy, cookie-cutter songs that have long been synonymous with country music if anyone of those artists (or tons I didn’t mention) had a real chance. I get it takes awhile for large ships to alter course, but it seems like if the country music industry really wanted to go back to the days where the radio actually played good music, they would prioritize playing good music on the radio. Availability isn’t the issue because if there’s one thing I’m certain of in today’s country landscape, it’s the existence of an overwhelming amount of incredible music. https://twitter.com/WhiskeyRiff/status/1869791166721601628
Do Better, Country Radio
Honestly, good for Dylan Scott. The man has earned generational wealth for his family, is married to his high school sweetheart, and looks to be an incredible father to his three children. It’s not his fault the industry tries to standardize every artist into a radio-friendly bucket… he simply played the game and won. And if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it… hard to blame him. It’s honestly almost impressive that he’s been able to maintain such great radio relevancy with a sound that still sounds straight out of 2014. My gripe is not with Dylan Scott but the industry that promotes him. Music, and all art, is supposed to reveal the most human parts of us all, dig deep into the unspeakable, and help us realize truths that were there all along but we couldn’t see. That’s not to say there’s no room for fun, happy songs; there certainly is. But when seemingly everything is a cliche about getting drunk in a truck bed, it’s easy to follow the logic which leads us to a land of nothing beyond the surface, and a population of frustrated, uninspired people. Dylan Scott remains a force at country radio… it’s way past time we give more complex artists a chance to be a force for good. https://www.instagram.com/p/DFLe718yXyr/ If you haven’t watched yet, check out The Red Clay Strays NPR Tiny Desk Concert . Hands down, it’s one of the best that’s ever been released. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJ3Pusp6R_s
With 10 years of bro country hits under his belt, Dylan Scott continues to dominate the country radio airwaves. But what is it about his music that keeps fans coming back for more?
From his debut single “Makin’ This Boy Go Crazy” to his latest chart-topping hit “Nobody,” Scott has consistently delivered catchy tunes with relatable lyrics that resonate with listeners. His smooth vocals and infectious melodies have garnered him a loyal fanbase that just can’t get enough of his signature sound.
But it’s not just his music that sets Scott apart from the rest. His authenticity and down-to-earth personality have endeared him to fans and industry insiders alike. Whether he’s performing on stage or interacting with fans on social media, Scott always comes across as genuine and approachable, making fans feel like they’re part of his journey.
With his latest album “Nothing To Do Town” receiving rave reviews and his upcoming tour selling out venues across the country, it’s clear that Dylan Scott is still at the top of his game. And with his winning combination of talent, relatability, and authenticity, it’s no wonder he continues to be a force to be reckoned with in the world of country music.
