On Today’s Show

➢ Ontario Finance Minister Rod Phillips is apologizing for a trip outside of the country.

“I deeply regret travelling over the holidays. It was a mistake and I apologize,” Phillips said in a statement.

The minister said he is making arrangements to return to the province immediately and will begin a 14-day quarantine when he returns.

In his statement, Phillips confirmed he and his wife departed on trip to St. Barts on Dec. 13.

His apology comes after Premier Doug Ford said he is disappointed in Phillips’ decision to travel abroad, especially at a time when Ontarians have been asked to make sacrifices.

“I have let the minister know that his decision to travel is completely unacceptable and that it will not be tolerated again — by him or any member of our cabinet and caucus” Ford said.

At a news conference on Tuesday afternoon, Ontario’s associate chief medical officer of health, said the public health advice has been and continues to be not to travel outside of the country unless it’s absolutely essential.

➢ A thief stole a rare 18th century violin said to be worth more than $700,000 in California — and he may not even know it. The 1710 violin — built by one of the most famous violin makers in history — was inside art dealer Rowland Weinstein’s car, which was stolen from his LA residence. The art dealer said he was moving the violin from a previous location that he felt was not secure enough when he accidentally left his white Tesla unlocked momentarily while he went into his house. When he returned from inside, the car and the prized possession were gone. A spokesperson for the FBI says they have no leads in the case.

➢ This is never how you should exit a flight. Two passengers aboard a Delta flight December 21st forced open the cabin door and exited the plane via emergency slide at New York’s LaGuardia Airport. The passengers were an unidentified man and woman bound for Atlanta when they decided to exit the plane as it was taxiing. There are also reports that they took a service dog down the slide with them, and that the man may have said “If I sit down, I’ll freak out” just before exiting. The incident forced the plane to return to the gate, and passengers got off and were put on other flights. It’s not clear if the passengers were arrested.

➢ Animals are just attracted to Christmas trees, it seems. Police in Scotland recently responded to a home after reports that a hawk flew in through an open window and perched on the family’s Christmas tree. Police said the hawk was not injured, and released the bird outside. They posted about the incident on Facebook, noting, “Definitely a change from a partridge on a pear tree…”

➢ An Idaho man broke yet another Guinness World Record by catching 52 nuts in a can taped to his head in just one minute. David Rush has broken more than 150 Guinness World Records, all with the goal of promoting STEM education. For his latest title, Rush secured a can to his head using tape, tossed nuts in the air, and successfully caught 52 of the falling nuts in the can. His achievement obliterated the previous record of just 38 nut catches.

TODAY IS………………. 

• “Bacon Day”, the day that we are encouraged to eat a variety of bacon while watching Kevin Bacon movies, or movies with ‘bacon’ in the title.

1981 Wayne Gretzky scores 5 goals and an assist in Edmonton’s 7-5 win over Philadelphia, giving him 50 goals in 39 games, the fastest 50 in 50 games in a season in NHL history, also sets a record for a 15-game assist streak

1936    In one of the first sit-down strikes in the United States, autoworkers occupy the General Motors Plant Number One in Flint, Michigan.

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COUNTRY MUSIC NOTE

The number one song on this date in 2005 –

BILLY CURRIINGTON “MUST BE DOING SOMETHING RIGHT”

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Five Stats to Help You Hydrate

Staying hydrated isn’t just something you have to worry about in summer.  Especially if you tend to drink more alcohol this time of year, which tends to dehydrate you.  So here are five stats that might encourage you to drink an extra glass of water today . . .

1. According to a recent poll, people who drink enough water are more likely to strongly agree they’re “very happy” with their life.  41% compared to just 12% of people who drink less than one glass of water a day.

2. 4 in 10 people who drink enough water described themselves as “optimistic” compared to just 10% who don’t drink enough.

3. When you’re well-hydrated, you tend to have more energy.  People who average less than one glass of water a day wake up feeling exhausted an average of 3.1 days a week.  For people who do hydrate, it’s 2.6 times a week.

4. People who drink plenty of water were less likely to say they’re late to work on a regular basis.

5. How much ice you have on hand might affect how much you drink.  53% of people said they drink less water if they don’t have ice.

FOUR RANDOM FACTS

1. The guy who did the “You’ve got mail” recording for America Online is now working as an Uber driver.

2. Sharks can have up to 3,000 teeth . . . and when they lose one, it grows back.  That’s because their teeth aren’t like ours . . . their teeth are actually like scales on a fish, so they can regenerate.

3. There’s only one country in the world where McDonald’s serves the McRib all year long . . . GERMANY.

4. “Margaritaville”was originally written for Elvis Presley, but he was nearing the end, so Jimmy Buffett recorded the song.

GOOD NEWS

Like many restaurant employees Arianna Gutierrez of New Hampshire says 2020 has brought a series of struggles as she’s done her best to provide for her 5-year-old daughter Ryleigh.

So, when a kind group of strangers left her a $953 tip with their breakfast bill as a Christmas surprise, the 22-year-old single mother says she was shaking because she was so overjoyed and overwhelmed at the “very beautiful” and “generous” gesture. The group of people who left the tip would like to remain completely anonymous according to a rep for the group.

She said the tip helped turn around a recent run of challenges and bad luck.

Gutierrez has been slightly behind on rent and utilities in her apartment because she has bounced between being laid off and working reduced hours due to COVID-19 shutdowns and orders. “I honestly never thought it would happen to me.”

Gutierrez said she’ll save the bulk of the tip — something she hasn’t been able to do much of this year because of COVID-19.

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BIRTHDAYS

Anthony Hopkins (actor) (84)

Charlie Major (Canadian Country singer) (66)

Val Kilmer (actor) (62)

Actor/Comedian         Gerry Dee        53

Heartwarming and Uplifting Country Music-Related Moments from 2020

The Boot doesn’t want us thinking 2020 was a total dumpster fire.  Just mostly.  They looked back at all the stuff that happened in country music this year and found “12 heartwarming, fun, and uplifting moments.”  Here are a few . . .

Dolly Parton Helps Save the World.  Dolly’s $1 million donation to coronavirus research helped Moderna develop a vaccine.

Carrie Underwood Sings With Her Son.  It was super sweet to hear Isaiah join his mom on “Little Drummer Boy”.   (From Carrie’s first Christmas album, “My Gift”.)

Women Return to the Country Music Charts.  Record-setting weeks at #1 for Gabby Barrett and Maren Morris, plus chart-toppers from Ingrid Andress and Carly Pearce.

Dwight Yoakam Welcomes First Child at Age 63.  Thanks to his younger wife Emily.

The Return of Blake Shelton’s Mullet.  With props to Gwen Stefani for the upkeep.

Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman’s Rescue Cat.  Nicole introduced Louis, the newest member of their family, with a post on Instagram.  The video is adorable.

(Hit up TheBoot.com for the full list, and their own write-up for each one.)

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COOKING MEALS AT HOME
A food survey reveals the following:

73% say they currently make dinner at home at least four nights a week

31% are planning to cook dinner at home more often this year

Top reasons people have for wanting to cook more meals at home:

72% to save money

52% to eat healthier

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 30^TH  

1. Another flood watch has been issued for the Lake Erie shoreline and Erie Shore Drive.

The Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority (LTVCA) said strong south or southwest winds and high waves predicted for Wednesday could damage and erode the shore along Lake Erie, including the high bluffs and flood Erie Shore Drive and other low-lying areas along the shoreline in Chatham-Kent.

2. It might be hard to imagine a world of working in an office 9-to-5 again once the pandemic is over. Harvard professor Ashley Whillans is predicting that, “Companies may let employees work from home two or more days per week, with some opting for three days in office, two days remote, and then two days off—a 3-2-2 workweek.” It’s thought this will give employees guidelines to follow, but also empowers them to choose the schedule that works best for their lives.
3. Anthony Hopkins(actor) (84)

Charlie Major (Canadian Country singer) (66)

Val Kilmer (actor) (62)

Actor/Comedian         Gerry Dee        53

4. Dennis Quaid is totally immersing himself into the role of Ronald Reagan for the upcoming movie bearing the name of the 40th President of the United States, and now he’s got a piece of memorabilia that actually belonged to the Reagan, after hatching a deal with Rick Harrison from “Pawn Stars.” but what exactly it is won’t be revealed until the Pawn Stars episode airs next year. “Reagan,” starring Dennis Quaid and Penelope Ann Miller as Nancy Reagan, will premiere in 2021.

GARTH BROOKS COMPARES NEW ALBUM TO OLDER ONES

Garth Brooks is excited to have new music out. He says, his album, Fun, gets “really personal” at times and says it also gets “really, really loud.” He compares it to a couple of his earlier albums. Garth tells us more: [“If this album would have been released in the ’90s, I think it would’ve set right up there – it could sit right up there with [No] Fences and Ropin’ [the Wind]. I am so fired up about this album because it has the same kind of feel and rollercoaster ride that Ropin’ [the Wind], Sevens [had]. I’d probably give it an In Pieces kind of feel on some things.”] SOUNDCUE :22 (OC: kind of feel on some things.)

FAST FACTS

This is Garth’s 12^th studio album. Trisha Yearwood and Blake Shelton are both on this album.

ALABAMA PRESENTS FREE NEW YEAR’S EVE LIVESTREAM CONCERT

On New Year’s Eve, Alabama will livestream a Free concert worldwide. They’ve teamed with Camping World to present the free online show. Check Alabama’s social media pages for more info. It starts Thursday, December 31 at 9pm ET.

FAST FACTS

Livestream info here: Ultimate RV Show Registration (campingworld.com)

Alabama has been together for more than 50 years. Alabama has sold more than 80 million albums. Alabama has charted 43 #1 singles, including 21 #1 singles in a row,

BRANTLEY GILBERT TO OFFER FAN SUBSCRIPTION BOXES

Brantley Gilbert has announced a new product called Brantley Gilbert’s Selects. A quarterly subscription box, featuring items that he has hand-picked. In the meantime, Brantley has jumped into the holidays. He says Christmas was never a big deal to him… until he had kids. [“You know, Christmas has never really been my deal.  I like Christmas cause its Jesus’ birthday.  But outside of that, I’m all about it for the kids.  My wife is huge on Christmas.  My son loves The Grinch, man, just fell in love with The Grinch, and we watch that movie even when it’s not Christmastime.  So yeah, Christmas is big at my house.  Amber starts decorating really early.  I’m not as big of a scrooge as I used to be but I think I still got a little ways to go”]

MORGAN WALLEN TO LIVESTREAM CONCERT IN CELEBRATION OF NEW ALBUM RELEASE

Morgan Wallen will celebrate the Jan. 8th release of his sophomore project, Dangerous: The Double Album, with a live performance of his new songs from the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on Jan. 12th. The one night only, full-band Nashville concert will be livestreamed for free worldwide on Morgan’s YouTube and Facebook pages at 9 p.m. ET.

Morgan notches a second consecutive week atop Apple Music’s all genre pre-add chart with Dangerous. Meanwhile, his current single, “7 Summers,” climbs at Country radio, and adds mentions as one of the best songs of 2020 from multiple publications.

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LADY A’S HILLARY SCOTT YEARS TO MAKE MEMORIES AGAIN POST COVID

Like so many of us, members of Lady A say they really miss the large family gatherings they had before the pandemic. As they look forward to 2021 Charles Kelley and Hillary Scott told us this: [“That’s probably the one positive take I can say, is that it’s made me really cherish these moments. Hillary Scott – And relationships.  I mean, I feel like whether you’re family lives far away, whether it’s just because you’re trying to be as safe as possible through this time with Covid and social distancing and all of that, my heart is just yearning for connection and memories being made with people I love, friends and family. And so, I just keep praying that it’s possible and safe at that time and that we can cherish each other and being together.”]

Currently scheduled to perform again beginning July 10^th in Prior Lake, Minnesota, for the Lakefront Music Fest.

Categorised in: Mornings

This post was written by Dave Palmer