EP22 – Rick and Dave discuss a debate faux pas worthy of Jenkins, Stiff Bull coffee, a perfect example of Dave’s black-hearted Cubs hate, and Rick’s brush with Larry King.
Listen to it here.
Thursday, September 29, 2016
Minutia Men, Episode 22
EP22 – Rick and Dave discuss a debate faux pas worthy of Jenkins, Stiff Bull coffee, a perfect example of Dave’s black-hearted Cubs hate, and Rick’s brush with Larry King.
Listen to it here.
Wednesday, September 28, 2016
Arizona Republic Endorses Clinton
Why is this a big deal? The newspaper was founded in 1890 and has NEVER endorsed a Democrat before.
They write...
They write...
The 2016 Republican candidate is not conservative and he is not qualified. That’s why, for the first time in our history, The Arizona Republic will support a Democrat for president...
In a nation with an increasingly diverse population, Trump offers a recipe for permanent civil discord. In a global economy, he offers protectionism and a false promise to bring back jobs that no longer exist.
Top Tweeted Moments During Debate
Top 3 Tweeted Moments of the first US presidential debate: pic.twitter.com/35l5PhEw4y
— Twitter Government (@gov) September 27, 2016
That "I have a good temperament" line is the single most ridiculous moment in debate history. He had just screeched an incoherent defense of a provable lie (his support of the Iraq War) with his temples throbbing and his arms waving. He was screaming into the microphone. Then he pivoted to "I have a good temperament."
Classic.
Tuesday, September 27, 2016
Around the Publishing World (September 27)
1. Six Tips for Writing a Science Fiction Novel
The tips are courtesy of science fiction author K. Eason via Writer's Digest.
2. The Nook is on Life Support
There are many reasons this is true, but here are a few you might not have heard. From the blog, The Passive Voice
3. 65 Authors Share their tips for new writers
Some great stuff here.
4. No, the printed book is not dead!
It's important to keep this in mind, despite the hype. From the New York Times.
5. Writing errors even published authors make
You'd be shocked. It'll make you feel better.
6. New genre: Adult Children's Book?
This is just the latest example, and it comes from our publishing company Eckhartz Press. It also comes with a video...
7. Bobby Skafish's "We Have Company" now available via Eckhartz Press
Our latest book is a great read for anyone who loves rock and roll...
Last Night's Truly Special Moment
It had absolutely nothing to do with the debate...
.@FlashGJr was mentioned more than 340K times on Twitter after his emotional home run.https://t.co/n8HsRniRxD
— MLB Social (@MLBsocial) September 27, 2016
Who Won Debate?
CNN had a focus group of undecideds in Florida. Clinton won big.
Politico did a poll of insider experts in all the swing states. 80% of them thought Hillary won big.
But at the Chicago Tribune, John Kass has clearly lost his mind. He thinks it was a great night for Trump.
He was clearly watching something else.
100!
While Hillary and Donald were debatin', the Cubs were rakin'.
Kyle Hendricks' ERA is now below 2 (1.99), Kris Bryant got his 100th RBI, Javier Baez hit a grand slam, and the Cubs won their 100th game of the season.
Kyle Hendricks' ERA is now below 2 (1.99), Kris Bryant got his 100th RBI, Javier Baez hit a grand slam, and the Cubs won their 100th game of the season.
Chicago Radio Ratings
From this morning's NOW Newsletter...
Chicago shows you Cubs power – the power of having this special season on CBS-owned sports “Score” WSCR. The station jumps to fifth place overall, 4.0-3.7-4.5, and it’s second at night. Chris Huff digs way back for a higher share on the 670 frequency, and it was in the far-off diary days of Winter 1991, when 670 was WMAQ. There’s a tie at the #1 spot between CBS news WBBM (5.8-6.1-6.0) and iHeart’s urban AC “V103” WVAZ (5.6-6.0-6.0). ’BBM is #1 mornings and middays, while V103 is #1 afternoons, nights and weekends. Third total-week is Hubbard hot AC “Mix” WTMX (4.9-5.5-5.2, and second in mornings with Eric & Kathy). Fourth is iHeart’s top 40 “Kiss 103.5” WKSC (4.6-4.5-4.8). That’s its best topline since March 2012, and it’s second in afternoon drive. Hubbard’s classic rock “Drive” WDRV rises to its best number in exactly two years (3.6-3.6-3.8) – and it’s third, middays. Nice performance by Cumulus classic hits WLS-FM (3.2-3.0-3.6, and fourth in middays). The country competitors are within a tenth of a share – CBS’s recently-revamped “US 99” WUSN (3.0-2.9-3.8) versus iHeart’s “Big” WEBG (2.4-2.5-2.7). An off-book for Cumulus-managed/Emmis-owned alternative WKQX (2.8-2.6-2.3), and an up-book for easy oldies WRME. It’s up 1.8-2.0-2.3, heard on the audio of a low power Channel 6 TV station leased by Weigel. WRME beats CBS classic hits WJMK in middays. For the full week, WJMK has a nearly 2-to-1 lead over WRME in cume (about 1.325 million compared to about 705,000). Not-for-profit Window to the World operates classical WFMT as a commercial operation (it’s even got a “.com” website). WFMT’s up to its largest share since March 2012 (1.5-1.4-1.6). CHR “Kiss” holds the cume lead at about 2.6 million.
Monday, September 26, 2016
Bobby Skafish on WGN-TV
Bobby Skafish went over to the WGN-TV studios this morning on the day his book is officially released, and had a great conversation with Larry & Robin about some of the stories in "We Have Company: Four Decades of Rock and Roll Encounters".
Most people are a little nervous about doing a television interview like this, but Bobby was cool as a cucumber. He rolled with the discussion, and laid a few rock and roll stories on the morning crew.
Waiting in the wings...
Just before the interview began...
Watch the entire segment here.
After the interview, Bobby was asked to stay for another segment. Felt a little bit like the old days when Johnny Carson called the comedian over to the couch after his routine. Bobby played a part in a game to match rock and roll tattoos with mugshots.
If you want an autographed copy of Bobby's book, he'll be making his first appearance at the book launch/open house this Friday night at Toons Bar & Grill, 3857 N. Southport in Chicago, from 5-9pm. Everyone is welcome. It's sure to be a star-studded affair. See you there!
Most people are a little nervous about doing a television interview like this, but Bobby was cool as a cucumber. He rolled with the discussion, and laid a few rock and roll stories on the morning crew.
Waiting in the wings...
Just before the interview began...
Watch the entire segment here.
After the interview, Bobby was asked to stay for another segment. Felt a little bit like the old days when Johnny Carson called the comedian over to the couch after his routine. Bobby played a part in a game to match rock and roll tattoos with mugshots.
If you want an autographed copy of Bobby's book, he'll be making his first appearance at the book launch/open house this Friday night at Toons Bar & Grill, 3857 N. Southport in Chicago, from 5-9pm. Everyone is welcome. It's sure to be a star-studded affair. See you there!
WGN-TV Morning News
Tune in to the WGN-TV Morning News this morning during the 9am hour TODAY and see Eckhartz Press author (and radio legend) Bobby Skafish bantering with the morning crew about Bobby's great new book "We Have Company: Four Decades of Rock and Roll Encounters" on it's official release date! It's sure to be a good time.
Amy Landecker
Another interview with John's youngest daughter Amy, one of the stars of the megahit "Transparent".
She really does a great job in these interviews. Her secret is her honesty. There's nothing fake about Amy.
Trump and the Germans
I get a big kick out of this Twitter user (below). He (or she) translates Donald Trump's quotes into the original German. (Get it?)
Speaking of the Donald and the Germans.
His actual German relatives want nothing to do with him.
Trump quotations google-translated into German, a continuing series. pic.twitter.com/7EBnW6DgTg
— southpaw (@nycsouthpaw) September 24, 2016
Speaking of the Donald and the Germans.
His actual German relatives want nothing to do with him.
Friday, September 23, 2016
Steve Clevenger
Until yesterday I only thought of Steve Clevenger as part of the great trade that brought Jake Arietta to Chicago. (It was Scott Feldman and Clevenger for Arietta and Pedro Strop). Turns out there was much more to him than met the eye.
For instance, he's a stone-cold racist. These are his tweets from yesterday...
For instance, he's a stone-cold racist. These are his tweets from yesterday...
Debate Fact Check Cheat Sheet
Wouldn't it be nice if Lester Holt kept it by his side during the debate too?
Letter to the Editor
The Sun Times published this letter to the editor this week...
Look, Tony, I'm a big Cubs fan, and I'm clearly not a Trump fan, but c'mon. The dude's entitled to throw away his money supporting the losing candidate. Now, if it affects our pursuit of a left-handed hitter off the bench, I'm with you.
I’m a Cubs fan. Born and bred. Hardwired into my DNA at conception. But I will not spend another penny of my money on anything remotely associated with the Cubs if the Ricketts family is going to spend that money supporting Donald Trump. How arrogant of the Ricketts family to disrespect the fans and assume that they will flock to the altar like docile sheep regardless of their political views. How blind of the family to not see the ramifications of their action, the repercussions that are sure to follow, the anti Trump rallies outside Wrigley Field during the playoffs when the whole country is watching. Sell the team, Ricketts. Cubs fans deserve better.
Tony Galati, Lemont
Look, Tony, I'm a big Cubs fan, and I'm clearly not a Trump fan, but c'mon. The dude's entitled to throw away his money supporting the losing candidate. Now, if it affects our pursuit of a left-handed hitter off the bench, I'm with you.
Thursday, September 22, 2016
Minutia Men, Episode 21
Listen to it here.
We also discuss the promo picture below. Ah, 1988...
Skunk Free
Today is the first full day of autumn, which makes it official. My dog Ivy just successfully completed her first skunk-free summer ever. And they say you can't teach an old dog new tricks. (Knocking on wood as I write this)...
Cy Young?
Is that the Cy Young Award his son sees?
Now this is philanthropy
They are donating $3 billion over the next ten years to work toward that goal.
That's Billion with a B.
I was going to say something snarky and/or point out how inadequate this makes me feel about my own charitable giving, but you know what? I'm not gonna do that. I'm just gonna tip my cap to this incredible gesture and be thankful.
Say what you want about the business practices of people like Zuckerberg and Bill Gates. No one can ever say to them, "put your money where your mouth is".
Hannity in Trouble at Fox News
Even at Fox News.
Said their spokesperson..."We had no knowledge that Sean Hannity was participating in this, and he will not be doing anything along these lines for the remainder of the election.”
Inside Radio has the full story.
Wednesday, September 21, 2016
Country Medley
I have to say this about the country music industry. They are team players. The biggest stars work with each other, they work with radio, they work with the record companies. They work together to promote their entire genre. Rock and Roll has never had that kind of community spirit. If it did, there's a very good chance it wouldn't be an endangered species today.
Just watch this video. It's amazing...
Just watch this video. It's amazing...
How Big of a Mistake Did WGN Make Getting Rid of Cubs?
The radio station that is currently airing Cubs games is having a record-setting year. From this morning's Inside Radio...
Their long-suffering fans are tuning into WSCR broadcasts in droves and it’s a boon for the station’s coffers. WSCR will earn an estimated $10 million in revenue from Cubs’ broadcasts this year, compared to WGN’s $5.5 million two years ago, according to a report in The Chicago Tribune. The station now ranks in the top 10 in the Chicago market, averaging a 3.8 share Apr.-Sept., according to Nielsen and the Tribune. That’s up from a 2.1 share during the same period a year ago.
Theo's Temper
ESPN Magazine has a whole issue devoted to the Cubs. Among the stories is this one about Theo Epstein. It goes back to his days in Boston...
When Theo is mad, he likes to break stuff. Back in Boston, they all remember one night after a tough loss when he waved around a driver in the office. He set up a ball with the intention of crushing it down a narrow corridor, either into an empty office door or, better yet, shattering a window. With folks crowded around, he gave it a go, and the ball hit a concrete pole, then caromed at an impossible angle ... straight into the forehead of Ben Cherington, the VP of player personnel. They heard the moans first. Blood gushed from the wound. Minutes later, Theo went outside to meet Ben's irate wife, who'd planned on picking her husband up that evening to move stuff to their new house. "Don't be mad" is how Theo opened the conversation. Later, he signed the golf ball and gave it to Ben as a joke.
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