Jonathan Wier: How The Shooting In Kansas City Impacted Me As A Chiefs Fan And Father

A million people from my former home, Kansas City. They were just trying to celebrate their team. They gathered together with one goal. To praise the team that they have been cheering on through a (relatively) rough regular season and miraculous post-season. They brought their voices, they brought their jerseys and coolers, they brought their kids.

I almost did too. Seeing parents with kids the same age as my 7-year-old on their shoulders cheering for Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce filled me with so much regret. I was thinking Finn - my seven-year-old - should be there.  Finn, who wore a Mahomes t-shirt to school after The Chiefs won the Super Bowl and got heckled by a classmate because “Mahomes isn’t as good as Tom Brady”. Finn, who insisted on wearing ANOTHER Chiefs shirt the next day. Finn, who still holds my hand to cross the street. Finn, who I promised last year “if the Chiefs win the Super Bowl next year, we’re going to the parade.” 

When the Chiefs won the Super Bowl on Sunday night, Finn said, "WE'RE GOING TO KANSAS CITY RIGHT DAD!?" I looked alarmed. I had no idea that he would remember that. I told him "No sorry buddy, when I told you that I didn't know I would be working the next day. So we can't go." He was disappointed, but because he's his mother's son, he took it in stride.

I now thank God that I broke my promise.

Nine children.

Nine were shot at the parade in a senseless act of violence. They went to Children's Mercy in Kansas City with bullet wounds that medical staff were able to treat successfully and remarkably all the children will make a full recovery, physically. Mentally, the shock and horror of the day will never leave them. Nor will it leave the other thousands of kids who were having a great time interrupted by the sound of gunshots and the feeling of a parent swooping them into their arms and running to safety.

I'm not despondent at the idea of Finn being one of the children who was shot. My brain won't allow me to think that dark of a thought and still function in everyday life, so I refuse to go down that path. What I can't handle at this moment is even the thought of Finn being one of the kids at the rally. Playing, singing, seeing his heroes drunk and silly on stage, then seconds later running for his life. Fast enough hopefully to save his life, but not fast enough to save his innocence.

That's the battle that we as parents fight. And it's a futile battle. Eventually a moment comes when children learn that the world isn't safe, it isn't fair, it isn't even sane. The challenge for every parent is delaying that moment for as long as possible. So when Finn came home and wanted to watch the parade, I told him it wasn't on YouTube. When he asked to see pictures, I showed him those, checking first to make sure that there was no mention of the shooting in the captions. I feel a pang of guilt for lying to my son, but that guilt is the debt I'll gladly accrue to shield him from the horrors of the day.

When I put him to bed, I hugged him a little tighter than usual. He asked me why I was hugging him so tight. I told him, "Because you're the best kid in the world!"

I didn't tell him the truth. I was hugging a little tighter because there were parents in Kansas City who had to say goodnight to their kids while they laid in hospital beds. Their lives preserved, but their innocence lost forever.

The tradition continues, as Country 102.5 counted down the biggest songs of the year on New Year's Day with the Top 50 of 2023!

2023 has been an incredible year of new music from both our biggest superstars like Morgan Wallen, Carrie Underwood, and Luke Combs to rising stars like Nate Smith, Hailey Whitters, and so many others! This year's countdown is filled with a powerful mix of huge chart toppers, breakthrough moments, and powerful storytelling songs!! You will see many familiar names below, all of which helped shape the country music scene this year as well as new artists that have burst onto the scene with such talent and presence.

This year's countdown is once again a reflection not only of airplay but also of what you have loved and requested! It's a celebration of Country music and all the forms it takes daily. Country music isn't just one thing and the Top 50 Songs of 2023 highlights all the bright spots of Country music!

So, buckle in and check out what songs made the list of Country 102.5's Top 50 Songs of 2023! We are starting at 50 and working our way down to the number one song of the year! Will your favorite song make it on the list, scroll through to find out!

The first song to make the Top 50 of 2023 is Jason Aldean's That's What Tequila Does.

Hailey Whitters brought her country roots to the radio with the release of her single "Everything She Ain't". 2023 was a big year for Hailey, as she won the ACM for New Female Artist of the Year and was nominated for the CMA new Artist of the Year. We can't wait to see what 2024 brings for Hailey!

Conner Smith is giving us that country and rock combo that we all love with his hit song Creek Will Rise. He has been touring like crazy building up a huge following around the US and we can't wait for him to come back to New England!

Hard to believe a few years ago Bailey had never sung a note, never mind record and entire song. There were many new artists looking to make a splash in 2023 and Bailey for sure made a big one!

This guy is quiet but boy is his voice powerful! Shane Profit brought a lot of soul and relatability with his debut song How it Oughta Be.

Ashley McBryde has the power and grit in her vocals that you can't help but love. She crushed it out on tour with Luke Combs and we wowed us with her solo tour that came to the Orpheum in Decemeber. Taking the number 45 slot on the countdown, Light On In The Kitchen!
https://twitter.com/AshleyMcBryde/status/1733982748782571730

Newcomer Megan Moroney is making a name for herself in country music with her debut single Tennessee Orange going all the way to #1 on the Country music charts.

So can we!! Kane Brown is one of the many superstars to have multiple hits this year. I Can Feel It is his most recent release and is making it's way up the charts, sure to be another #1 for for KB!

when you think of soulful sounds in country music this guys comes right to mind. His powerful voice and incredible storytelling is one of the many reason he has won award after award. Taking the 42 slot on the countdown is Chris Stapleton with White Horse.

And who can forget the time we got Chris to trade in his cowboy hat for a Red Sox cap at our show!! Amazing!

Another newcomer is making his mark, with a gritty vocal and powerful lyrics Jackson Dean is coming in at #41 on the Top 50 Songs Of 2023! We know the new year is going to be a good one for him!

Luke Bryan is no stranger to our Top 50 countdown, and this year is giving us get another hit on the list with "But I Got A Beer In My Hand".

All we need is this song!! Coming in at #39 is Chris Janson with All I Need is You.

All we can say is WHAT. A. YEAR. it has been for Jelly Roll. This is the first appearance for Jelly Roll on the County 102.5 Top 50 Countdown and we know it will not be his last!

We love seeing new artists like George Birge making their way onto the Top 50 Countdown and congratulations to George for his first #1 song on the country charts with his single Mind On You!.

Taking the number 36 spot on the countdown is Scotty McCreery with his hit song It Matters To Her.

We love a good duet and boy did Justin Moore and Priscilla Block deliver! Coming in at #35 is You, Me, and Whiskey.

Hardy had one heck of a 2023, that is for sure! With an incredible solo tour, opening for Morgan Wallen in stadiums around the US including Fenway Park and giving us the album The Mockingbird and The Crow which features the number 34 song on the countdown, we know even greater things are ahead for him in 2024!

Lainey Wilson was on a roll in 2023 with hit song after hit song and taking home award after award including the most covenanted award in country music, Entertainer of the Year! Coming in at #33 Heart Like A Truck.

We will never forget the day Lainey came to the station to play for the staff, long before her first number 1 and award! We loved her then and we love her now!

Coming in at #31 is Riley Green with Different Round Here.

Remember when Riley played the Country 102.5 Country Music Festival?! We sure do!

A lot happened in 2023 for Carly Pearce, and this single was just one of those things. Going all the way to #1 on the country music charts, Carly once again makes her way onto the Top 50 Countdown.

One of our favorite memories with Carly was when she did this very special acoustic songs and stories event with us at Loretta's Last Call.

Making his way into the #30 slot is none other than Tim McGraw. He has given us many hits over the years and this time making the countdown is Standing Room Only.

She's back!! Lainey Wilson makes her third appearance on the Top 50 Countdown with his smash single Watermelon Moonshine!

Newcomer Corey Kent takes the number 28 position in the countdown. His gritty vocals have won over fans in a big way and we know 2024 will be an even bigger year for this rising star!

Making yet another appearance on the Top 50 of 2023 is none other than Luke Combs! Song after song from Luke has been a hit and Love You Anyways is no exception.

Wouldn't be a countdown without these two on the list! Coming in at #26 is the perfect duo Dan + Shay with hit song Save Me The Trouble! Their harmonies have been wowing us for year and this song is no different!

Now, let's flashback to the first time we meet Dan + Shay when the came by to perform in Studio 102.5! Their harmonies were perfect then too!

Parker McCollum had an incredible 2023, with two hit songs, touring the us, including a stop in Boston opening for Morgan Wallen at Fenway Park. We can't wait to have him back in town so we can hear this song again, Handle On You takes the #25 spot on the countdown!

Making is second appearance on the countdown is KB himself with the anthem Bury Me In Georgia! You can't help but sing this one at the top of your lungs while driving in the car!

Cole Swindell is coming in at #23 with his hit single Drinkaby. Cole had appeared consistently on the Top 50 Countdown the past several years and we love having him back with this one!

Back again, of course, is Morgan Wallen. He gave us so much incredible music in 2023, we can only imagine what he has in store for all of us in 2024! Can't wait to find out.

For fun, let's take a look back when a brand new artist come by the Country 102.5 studio to play for staff. Who would have known that a few years later we would be here! Just WOW!

The anthem for all girls out there, because we girls stick together, right!! Coming in at #21 is Kelsea Ballerini with If You Go Down I'm Going Down Too!!

Remember when Kelsea was our surprise guest at Country 102.5's Acoustic Live?! What a night!

Making his 3rd appearance on the countdown is the one and only Kane Brown but this time he is bringing a special guest with him, his beautiful wife Kaitlyn. Coming in at #20 on the Top 50 of 2023 is Thank God! This beautiful duet was the first time Kaitlyn joined Kane on a single and boy did the crowd go absolutely wild when the performed this together at Fenway Park!

He's BACK!!! We are sure this is not a shocker but Morgan Wallen has yet another song on the Top 50 of 2023! Morgan gave us so many unbelievable songs in 2023, that you had to know he would be on the list a couple of times...wink wink!!

From the House of Blues to Fenway Park....it has been quite a journey for Morgan!

When talking about a country music countdown, you have to have a song from one of the hottest bands in the format! Taking the #18 slot is Old Dominion with Memory Lane.

Let's take a trip down Memory Lane to when Old Dominion played the Country 102.5 Street Party!! Lansdowne Street was never the same!

Russell Dickerson sure does now how to give us a love song! We all know their ain't no party like an RD party but he also knows how to slow it down and give us a ballad that makes you smile!

Morgan Wallen ended 2023 with a #1 song, Everything I Love and we love everything about this song. Taking the #16 slot on the countdown, with his 3rd appearance so far, Morgan Wallen ladies and gentleman!

With his second appearance on the countdown, Bailey Zimmerman is back with Rock And A Hard Place. Talk about an insane year for a brand new artist, multiple number 1's and touring with one of the biggest country stars, Morgan Wallen and playing stadiums all around the US including our beloved Fenway Park!

Jelly Roll took command of the country charts with his debut country single Need A Favor and all we can say is we need more Jelly Roll! We can't wait to see what he has in store for all of us in 2024!

Making their second appearance on the countdown is fan favorite Dan + Shay. Their #1 single YOU lands at #13 on our Top 50 of 2023~

Jordan Davis is coming in at #12 with his hit song Next Thing You Know. A song that is hugely relatable about how quickly life can go and our worlds change!

We love having newcomers coming in high on the countdown and Nate Smith locked in the #11 position with his second release to country radio, World On Fire! Nate is definitely doing just that, setting the world on fire with his music and we think nothing but great things are ahead for this superstar in the making!

And we have made it to the top songs of the year. Coming in at #10 is Dylan Scott with Can't Have Mine!

Luke Combs is back with Going, Going, Gone. Another big old smash from the superstar!

Jon Pardi comes in #8 with Your Heart Or Mine. We really want to hear this one live again, so hopefully Jon will make his way back to Boston in 2024!

We love us some Dierks Bentley and boy did he deliver with the song Gold. It just made you feel good! We hope that Dierks has another big old hit for us in the new year!

This one had you dancing and singing along right from the get go! Tyler Hubbard made his debut as a solo artist with this single and we are lovin' what he is giving us.

Coming in at #5 on the Top 50 of 2023 is Dustin Lynch with Stars Like Confetti. This feel good, make you smile song is one you turn up the volume on every time!

This song was definitely one of the unexpected hits of 2023. You typically don't see covers make such in impact but Luke Combs' cover of Fast Car was one of the most played songs of 2023 and we think Luke crushed the cover of this incredible song!

Parmalee had an incredible 2023 and it taking the #3 slot on our countdown.   Parmalee came to the Boston area twice in 2023, playing a show for Country 102.5 at Six String Grill & Stage and then returning again to open for Russell Dickerson at the MGM Music Hall in September.  Just more proof how much Boston loves this band!

Morgan Wallen had the year of all years with hit song after hit song after hit song!   Many songs made the Top 50 of 2023 but taking the #2 slot is Last Night!

And with the #1 song of 2023 it is newcomer Nate Smith with Whiskey On You".  Nate burst onto the music scene with this debut song Whiskey On You and made it's way to the top of all the charts, including our Top 50 of 2023!