Got to Be There

According to Bob Dearborn's The Olde Disc Jockey's Almanac this morning, Michael Jackson released his first solo record on this day exactly forty years ago.

I have to admit, I don't remember this one at all. Do you?

Branding Genius

OK, it's going to look like I'm publishing expletives on my blog for the first time, but I'm not. There really is an Austrian town called "Fucking". And the name for light beer in German really is "Hell".

So, the fact that there's a beer called "Fucking Hell" shouldn't be controversial. Right?

The European Union agreed. They approved the name this week.

As the Rupert Turns

On this morning's episode, Rupert gets the following news: "Rupert Murdoch and his son James should be forced out of the News Corporation board, and replaced with former British Airways chief executive Rod Eddington, according to a group representing £100bn of UK council pension funds."

Look in the sky, Rupert. The money guys are circling.

You know them better than I do. Will they consider the fact that you built this company, that it's your baby, and it wouldn't exist without you, or will they only consider one thing?

A Beer Crisis In Germany

I almost choked on my morning beer when I read this: German brewers worry about future.

It appears that Germans are drinking less beer, and German brewers are starting to think that sticking so forcefully to the beer purity laws of 1517 may be holding them back.

What has happened to the Fatherland since I left? Have they lost their collective minds?

Madonna at the Super Bowl?

Is Madonna performing at the Super Bowl this year or not?

This website says yes. The NFL says they have no announcement to make because nobody has been signed.

If she really hasn't been signed yet, NFL, there's still time to pick someone else. The Super Bowl is in Indiana this year...how about John Cougar Mellencamp?

Just a thought.

Country Radio Blames It On The Dixie Chicks

I was interested in reading how country music radio was reacting to the Hank Williams controversy, and I discovered something surprising in this article.

They aren't upset with Hank at all. That's not surprising. The surprising part is that they're really upset at the Dixie Chicks again. This time because Natalie Maines tweeted about Hank.

I'm not kidding. Read her tweets (which are totally innocuous again), and read the reaction from the country music hosts.

Unbelievable.

You know, I interviewed US-99's Ray Stevens for Chicago Radio Spotlight a few years ago and I asked him about the original Dixie Chicks reaction. This is what he said: "We had just come through this tumultuous time as a country, we had just gotten kicked in the balls, and then the Dixie Chicks said what they said, and it felt like we were getting kicked in the balls again."

I suppose that makes sense. Not burning their records and banning them forever sense, but okay, I'll extend the benefit of the doubt.

What's the explanation this time?

Should Epstein Come To Chicago?

Two ESPN.com writers debate the pros and cons.

Also, ESPN Radio's Marc Silverman begs him to come, via video.

Meet the Press Comes To Chicago

David Gregory is hosting Meet the Press live from Chicago this weekend to coincide with Ideas Week here. It's the first live Meet the Press from Chicago since the 1996 Democratic Convention.

But it won't be live in Chicago.

The Chicago marathon is on that morning, so the show will be tape delayed and shown at 11am instead.

A Fifth of Beethoven

Beethoven meets disco. Believe it or not, this was the #1 song in the country exactly 35 years ago today...

ESPN's The Body Issue (Part 3)

For the third year in a row, ESPN is coming out with a "Body Issue" featuring the naked or near naked bodies of several star athletes.

A sneak preview is here.

This year's bodies include gymnast Alicia Sacramone, Olympic snowboarder Gretchen Bleiler, soccer star Hope Solo, WNBA’s Sylvia Fowles, LPGA rookie Belen Mozo, track and field star Natasha Hastings, hockey player Julie Chu, tennis player Vera Zvonareva, surfer Steph Gilmore, and way too many guys.

As the Rupert Turns

On this morning's episode, Rupert's arch rival newspaper in England (The Guardian) has a nice summary column listing all of his failed attempts at minimizing the damage from the phone-hacking scandal. I wonder how that tastes with a Vegemite sandwich.

RIP Bear Tracks

His nickname was Bear Tracks, but his actual name was Johnny Schmitz.

He was a member of the Cubs during some of their darkest days, but Schmitz was also one of their best players. He actually won 18 games (and appeared in the All-Star game) for one of their worst teams of all-time, the 1948 Cubs. So of course, they traded him.

Bear Tracks passed away this weekend in Wisconsin at the age of 90.

Bartman Night is Cancelled

The Dayton Gems minor league hockey team announced and planned a Steve Bartman night at their pre-season game October 14th. The idea was to leave a ticket at the box office for Bartman, and to allow anyone dressed as Bartman to come in for free.

It sounds like Bartman's people were less than thrilled with the idea.

It will no longer be a Steve Bartman night.

The 1910 Cubs

A bonus tale from a bad century this week at JOBC. It's about the last gasp of the Cubs one and only "championship era": The 1910 Cubs.

Steve Jobs

R.I.P. Steve Jobs.

I never quite joined the Apple cult. I don't have an iPhone and I've never used one. I don't have an iPad and I've never used one.

But I do have an iPod, and I can't even remember what life was like before I got it.

Steve Jobs was probably one of the five or six most important men of his generation. His death is not only a big loss for his company, it's a big loss for our country.

Eddie Money

From this morning's Tom Taylor column at Radio-Info.com...

"Eddie Money – yes, the rocker who sang “Baby Hold On” and “Take Me Home Tonight” – is the latest musician to do radio. He’ll do mornings (from L.A.) for Cox Media Group’s classic hits “River” WSRV, Atlanta (97.1). You have to figure that Cox is thinking beyond a single top-10 market station, if the show clicks. Cox Director of Radio Programming Steve Smith says "His personality and unique first hand perspective on rock & roll will make for a fun morning show.” To list just a few rockers who’ve tried weekday radio – Alice Cooper, Nikki Sixx, Greg Kihn, Dee Snider and (let’s say it quickly) David Lee Roth."

I've been on shows that have interviewed Eddie. He's actually pretty relaxed and witty, at least as a guest.

Hit the Road Jack

This was the #1 song in America exactly 50 years ago today. It stands the test of time, don't you think?

Hank Jr. & The Dixie Chicks

My weekly Suburban Dad contribution to the City Mom blog at ChicagoNow has been posted. This week's is about the Hank Williams Jr. controversy, and how much it reminds me of the Dixie Chicks story from several years ago. That story had a direct impact on my life.

Read it here.

Why Men Are In Trouble

William Bennett has an editorial today on CNN.com about the dangers facing men.*

I'm going to read it, but not until I finish this next level of Soldier of Fortune Playback.



*If there's a more sanctimonious blowhard in this country than William Bennett, I'd love to meet him.

Warren Buffett vs. Rupert Murdoch

When the Wall Street Journal editorial page demanded that Warren Buffett disclose his tax returns to prove that he really does pay a lower tax rate than his secretary, Buffett said he'd be happy to do so...If Rupert Murdoch (owner of the Wall Street Journal) does the same.

That sound you hear from Rupert's office is the sound of crickets chirping.

NBC Axes "The Playboy Club"

It just started a few weeks ago, and it's already gone.

Was it really that bad? I didn't see it, so I can't say for certain. I was thinking of tuning in just to see how they portrayed Chicago in the 60s, but it looks like I was too slow.

The details of the axing are here.

Speed Martin

We featured Speed as one of our Great Nicknames at Just One Bad Century this year.

This article has a few more details about a guy that was born in a town that no longer even exists.

Cubs Ask Permission To Speak To Espstein

So says the Boston Globe's Dan Shaughnessy, who is about as clued in as anyone.

This is beginning to get very interesting.

Whatever Gets You Through The Night

From Bob Dearborn's "The Olde Disc Jockey's Almanac" this morning...

"October 4, 1974…John Lennon released the single "Whatever Gets You Thru The Night," a duet with Elton John and Lennon's only #1 single as a solo artist during his lifetime."

Still love this one...

The Simpsons Are In Peril

The longest running prime time comedy in television history is in danger of being cancelled. According to the Daily Beast, the network is demanding the cast of The Simpsons take a 45% pay cut, and the cast is not too happy about it.

“Fox is taking the position that unless they can cut the production costs really drastically, they’ll pull the plug on new shows,” said a Simpsons insider with knowledge of the negotiations. “The show has made billions in profits over the years and will continue to do so as far as the eye can see down the road. The actors are willing to take a pay cut of roughly a third, but that’s not good enough for Fox.”

It's hard to believe Fox would let this cash cow get away, but if they do, I'm sure some other network will happily take The Simpsons off their hands.

The Five

The show that replaced Glenn Beck on Fox News on a temporary basis has been given the time slot permanently. "The Five" is the name of the show, and according to Fox News, its more profitable than Beck's show because the advertisers that left the network in droves have come back.

Hank Jr. & Hitler

Hank Williams Jr. was appearing on the Obama-hating show Fox & Friends when he said something that was so over the top, even three people that spend hours every morning ripping every conceivable thing the president says or does stopped Hank Jr. and said: "Whoa."

After the segment Gretchen Carlson even said: "I just want to say that we disavow any of those comments or analogies that he’s made, at least I’m going to say that, disavow the analogy between Hitler and the president."

(Full details are here)

I'm sure country music radio will treat him exactly the way they treated the Dixie Chicks for saying they were embarrassed to be from the same state as President Bush. I realize that was far more outrageous than comparing Obama to Hitler, I mean using an outrageously loaded term like "embarrassed" still makes me blush, but I'm confident we should be seeing the same sort of reaction this time: record burning parties, nationwide banning of his music on the radio, and threats of firing anyone that dares play anything he ever recorded, no matter how benign.*

Right?


*For those of you that don't understand my sarcasm, I'm not actually hoping that Hank Williams gets treated that way. I think it's sufficient to point out he's an idiot, and move on. I'm merely pointing out again how incredibly stupid the reaction was to the Dixie Chicks situation. I'll never, ever, ever understand it.

Bleeding Cubbie Blue

A song that attempts to explain the self torture of being a Cubs fan...

Chicago's #1 Station

What's the #1 radio station in Chicago for listeners between the ages of 25-54?

The station I usually punch in as my first FM choice: The Drive. It's really the only station that all five of us can agree on in the car, and even the quick-triggered button-pushing Bridget can hang in there more than a minute or two.

I think I've interviewed everyone on that station for Chicago Radio Spotlight. Click on their names to read the interviews...

Steve Downes, Kathy Voltmer, Bob Stroud, Bobby Skafish, Phil Manicki, Greg Easterling, Program Director Patty Martin, and the father of the format, Greg Solk.

By the way, I've been getting a lot of questions about Chicago Radio Spotlight. When will it return? At this point I'm thinking of bringing it back after the first of the year.

I've been hard at work getting my new book ready for publication (it will be out before the new year), and forming a brand new company (details coming soon), and I just haven't had the time to conduct any more interviews.

Free $everance?

Until Nov. 15, my $everance publisher ENC Press is offering a free download of $everance as an e-book (PDF). For details, visit their page - www.facebook.com/ENCPress - and click on the Welcome tab under their profile pic.

As the Rupert Turns

On this morning's episode, Rupert gulps when he reads the following New York Times headline: British Reporter Says He'll Name Names in Phone Hacking Scandal

I suspect that Rupert was smart enough not to have his fingerprints on this story anywhere, but I also think his sons did not exercise the same caution.

I guess we'll find out soon enough.

Andy Rooney's Farewell

I thought it was a nice moment, and surprisingly sweet.

Although I love the crack about leaving him alone if you happen to see him out and about: "Please just let me eat my dinner."

Steve Bartman Night?

Looks like the "Catching Hell" special on ESPN is having repercussions in the hockey world too. A minor league hockey team in Fort Wayne is having a Steve Bartman night. They're leaving a ticket for him at the gate, and anyone who dresses like Bartman (from that infamous night) will get in free.

Somehow, I don't think Bartman would approve.

Details are here.

Theo Is "Very Interested"

That's Theo Epstein, the general manager that brought the Boston Red Sox two World Series championships in the past seven years after they had ZERO for the previous 86 years. And the thing he's allegedly "very interested" in is the Cubs general manager job.

Sign him up now. I'm serious.

I have friends that live in the Boston area and they've soured on Theo, and blame him for the demise of the team this past year, but it seems to me that they've got a ridiculously short memory in Boston. They've already fired the manager of those two championship teams, and now they're ready for the GM to leave too.

We'll take them both off your hands.

We already know what Francona would look like wearing a Cubs hat...

JB on TV

I missed this on Friday night, but my old Loop colleague Johnny B has a brand new television show, and it debuted late Friday night after Carson Daly. Robert Feder has the details...

"Brandmeier, is a lively (and decidedly low-budget) local talk show on NBC 5 — following Last Call With Carson Daly. Also airing on the station’s Chicago NonStop digital subchannel, the fast-paced weekly half-hour serves as a showcase for Brandmeier to play off the news and draw out assorted eccentrics as only he can. Guests on the premiere included a Wisconsin man who was ticketed for flipping the bird at Governor Scott Walker, a champion air guitarist, a California taxidermist who advertises on YouTube, and the Constitutionalist Party candidate for president. Somehow Johnny B. also managed to mine laughs from the manslaughter trial of Michael Jackson’s doctor, Conrad Murray. "It’s a work in progress for all involved, but I’m thrilled to have the opportunity," he said on his website. Brandmeier is set for a 10-week run."

Ian Punnett

From Tom Taylor's column this morning at Radio-Info.com, a blurb about former Chicago Radio Spotlight interviewee Ian Punnett...

"Ian Punnett publishes his second book for children just in time for Halloween – “Jackula the Vampire Dog.” As he did the first time around with “Dizzy, the Mutt with the Propeller Butt”, the profits go to charity. Punnett’s both a local and national radio host, familiar to Saturday night listeners of Premiere’s “Coast to Coast AM” and to fans of Hubbard’s Minneapolis-market “MyTalk 107.1” KTMY. (He does the Twin Cities morning show with his wife Margery.) Punnett’s camp says “Jackula” was inspired by Ian’s own Boston Terrier named Jack, a rescue dog."

I'm happy for Ian. I've known him ever since our days at the University of Illinois.

Father Knows Nothing

I just posted my latest Father Knows Nothing column at NWI Parent. This week's column is called "Hand-Me-Downs".

You can read it here.

The Cubs Win The Pennant!

The Cubs win the pennant! The Cubs win the pennant!

This week in 1908

The Cubs Win The Pennant!

The Cubs win the pennant! The Cubs win the pennant!

This week in 1945.