Just when you thought... pic.twitter.com/SbtYChwiEj
— Julia Louis-Dreyfus (@OfficialJLD) September 28, 2017
Musings, observations, and written works from the publisher of Eckhartz Press, the media critic for the Illinois Entertainer, co-host of Minutia Men, Minutia Men Celebrity Interview and Free Kicks, and the author of "The Loop Files", "Back in the D.D.R", "EveryCubEver", "The Living Wills", "$everance," "Father Knows Nothing," "The Radio Producer's Handbook," "Records Truly Is My Middle Name", and "Gruen Weiss Vor".
Friday, September 29, 2017
Sorry to hear the news
It was a Lutheran Seminary
What Wrigley Field looked like the last time the Cubs made the playoffs 3 years in a row. pic.twitter.com/RXtC8CjicJ
— Wrigley Field (@WrigleyBlog) September 28, 2017
Hugh Hefner Excerpt
Eckhartz Press author Pat Colander wrote a book called "Hugh Hefner's First Funeral" (which won the Chicago Writers Association Book of the Year award last year).
When the news of Hefner's death was announced yesterday, Pat was kind enough to publish an excerpt on her blog.
You can read it here.
Everyone Loves Minutia Men
When people find out I co-host a podcast, they always ask me to compare it to something else they may know. That one stumps me, because it's really not like any radio show out there. It's more like the TV show "Men in Blazers" if you've ever seen that. This month's reviews are in, and they may give you a better idea of what we do...
As a father
in iTunes by DoomerT from USA on September 22, 2017
I can feel their pain deep within the marrow. It seeps into the bloodstream and the vapor of their verse. A great listen. Especially if you’re a dad...even though this isn’t really about fatherhood.
A Great Listen
in iTunes by reservation for Jerry from USA on September 19, 2017
A very funny show that will keep you in stitches the whole time. Not long enough to overstay its welcome it defintely will put a smile to your face.
Very smart and witty!
in iTunes by @chasingthemind from USA on September 19, 2017
Great quality but also great content. Wacky, funny, somewhat sad in a sardonic self-depreciating way...very fun!
This podcast is real.
in iTunes by Opokuisland from USA on September 19, 2017
I really like how raw and humorous this podcast is. The energy you guys bring and the stories are super entertaining and I love how you guys don't take yourselves too seriously.
Great show out of Chicago!
in iTunes by Arkannos from Canada on September 19, 2017
I really really really really like this show. This pod has recently been added to my daily commute! Great job! The episodes seemingly fly by.
A little bit of this and that
in iTunes by neddonovan13 from USA on September 19, 2017
This is a super fun podcast for people not necessarily looking for a specific topic, but interesting people discussing interesting things. I come out of each episode having learned a tidbit of some kind, and having enjoyed the experience of listening thanks to the awesome host.
Ha! Funny anecdotes.
in iTunes by PodcastPlayl.ist from USA on September 18, 2017
Just random odd and intriguing stories. Good rapport and banter between the hosts. I’m going to keep listening to this one. Give it a listen.
Great Podcast
in iTunes by Perificus25 from USA on September 17, 2017
I highly recommend giving this a listen/and subscribe. Great talk smooth as silk voices and great chemistry. Would love to give this 6 stars.
Witty
in iTunes by The Woodswoman from USA on September 17, 2017
Great banter, funny hosts still informative!
Adorable dads.
in iTunes by Steph Young from USA on September 12, 2017
These two are interesting and adorable. They've got a good vibe for easy and entertaining listening. Definetly recommend.
Professional, classic sound
in iTunes by The Weirdness Pod from USA on September 7, 2017
Great podcast with interesting, personal & intricate conversations.
Hey Donuts
in iTunes by Druel from USA on September 3, 2017
I very much enjoy this podcast. I look forward to it every week. Who else can make nazis funny besides Rick and Dave. Highly recommended.
Great!
in iTunes by WWTT Podcast from Canada on September 3, 2017
This is a funny show simply based on the premise of two people 'shooting the sh--' and it works very well! I recommend it to anyone looking for a fun listen - it's like hanging out with a couple of friends!
Addictive!
in iTunes by FartyJannetty from Australia on September 3, 2017
Highly enjoyable and relatable observations keeps me coming back to these guys!! Hot stuff
A Good Time
in iTunes by Jacobsnyder20 from USA on September 2, 2017
These guys are a really fun time, it's something actually really interesting to listen to while at work.
Funny and Relaxed
in iTunes by Tiberius World from UK on August 28, 2017
Minutia Men is slick, funny and engaging. The conversations are natural and relaxed. A great listen.
Clever, funny and original
in iTunes by Ned Z from UK on August 28, 2017
Every episode of this innovative show brings something different. The two presenters complement each other brilliantly, highly recommended!
The show has really been catching on. These reviews are from all over the English-speaking world. We got the download figures this week, and we couldn't believe it. Thanks for checking us out. We really appreciate it. This week's episode is RIGHT HERE.
Giancarlo Stanton
MIAMI -- The season may be winding down for the Marlins, but Giancarlo Stanton is showing no signs of slowing down his pursuit to break through the 60-homer barrier.
Stanton slugged two home runs and drove in three on Thursday in the Marlins' 7-1 win over the Braves at Marlins Park, and the All-Star right fielder now has 59 homers with three games remaining.
"They're loud and quick, and they're fun to watch," Marlins manager Don Mattingly said. "They're amazing when you see those. It's been fun watching them. It's pretty amazing to me that somebody hits that many. It's just a lot of homers."
Art Vuolo's birthday bash
An elite group of industry icons will be winging their way to the Detroit suburb of Novi, Michigan this weekend to celebrate another significant birthday of "Radio's Best Friend," Art Vuolo.
After holding major Radio Reunions in 1988, 1998, 2005 and 2010, folks just didn't want them to end, so Art invited them all over to his house for a marathon gathering. Running for 12 hours this Sunday, some of the radio icons expected to show up include Shotgun Tom Kelly, Joey Reynolds, John Records Landecker, Gary Burbank, Dick Purtan, Lee Alan, Mike McVay, Big Jim Davis, Bill Hennes and some other surprise guests.
Can't be there in person to mingle and raid Art's refrigerator? No problem! You will be able to enjoy the party vicariously from the relative luxury of your own home (or someone else's) courtesy of Cleveland-based online radio station wixy1260online.com, which will be broadcasting LIVE from the big event!
My brother lives in Novi. I wonder if he will also be attending this event.
Landecker/Hef
John: Hugh Hefner RIP .. game room of the Playboy mansion in Chicago l-r Elton John Bernie Taupin John Landecker Connie Szerzen.... Hef and Barbi Benton
Cardinals eliminated
Thursday, September 28, 2017
Minutia Men, Episode 67
Listen to it here.
This doesn't happen in our podcast office
Norm Pattiz is accused in a wrongful termination suit of waving around a gun in the office and bullying a former employee at his PodcastOne – an employee who alleges that he’d been “instructed to inflate download numbers,” says Variety. Raymond Hernandez claims he was fired last year in retaliation for complaining about the owner’s behavior. For his part, Pattiz says in a statement “I’ve never meet alone with him. I didn’t hire him or fire him. I barely know who he is.” He says he’s authorized to carry a gun because he’s a reserve sheriff’s deputy. Pattiz’ attorney Marvin Putnam says Hernandez “was fired for stealing intellectual property from PodcastOne, a theft he has admitted to committing.” Pattiz views PodcastOne as the kind of early mover in its industry that his Westwood One once was, for radio syndication.
The Gist of the Russia Investigation
Da Cubs!
RIP Hef
The inscription on a brass plate above the door said: 'If You Don't Swing, Don't Ring.'
The bunny costume started up this way...
The original Playboy Club in Chicago was patterned after the city's exclusive Gaslight Club, an elegant key club for Second City powerbrokers and VIPs. When Playboy Magazine ran an article about Gaslight in 1959, reader response was overwhelming. Playboy Promotions Director Victor Lownes pitched an idea to Hef: Why not bring the magazine's bachelor pad image to life in Playboy's own urban hangout?
Hef loved the concept -- but a key element was still missing. The "Gaslight Girls" served their male patrons in Gay Nineties-style corsets and fishnet tights, and the Playboy Club needed a sexy costume of its own. Hef's first thought was to have scantily-clad "Playmates" in nighties serving drinks, but a better idea soon came strolling in the door.
Ilsa Taurins, who was dating Lownes at the time, looked at the magazine's logo and suggested, "Why not dress them as rabbits?" Even though Hef had initially rejected the idea, Taurins tinkered with a costume design and had her mother sew one together. A few days later she entered the half-finished Chicago Club in a satin bodice, fluffy tail and headband with ears, and a new sex symbol was born.
Famous men who married Playboy Bunnies: Bob Dylan, Jimmy Connors, Mort Sahl, Dick Martin, Larry King, Victor Lownes, Bruce Forsyth.
Famous children whose mothers were Playboy Bunnies: Jon Bon Jovi, Dean Cain, Corey Feldman, Janel Moloney, Melissa Auf der Maur.
For people under 40 years old, it's hard to explain what a cultural phenomenon, Playboy was. Hef was one of the most famous people in America. Here he is getting roasted by Dean Martin back in 1973.
I met Hef three times during my radio career. Believe it or not, he was a lousy radio guest, despite having some pretty good stories. He just didn't tell them well.
But for any man who grew up in the 1950s and 1960s, he was living a dream life. It didn't matter if reality matched up with our fantasy of it.
Wednesday, September 27, 2017
The Faces Behind the Charlie Brown Voices
A Daily Show Retraction
The Daily Show is issuing a retraction for a story we ran earlier this week. We apologize for not getting our facts straight. pic.twitter.com/u15QJoY1W5
— The Daily Show (@TheDailyShow) September 27, 2017
1984
Ryne Sandberg & Rick Sutcliffe celebrate clinching the NL East on Sept. 24, 1984. #Cubs #ChicagoHistory pic.twitter.com/e9beZjWgC5
— Chicago History (@Chicago_History) September 27, 2017
Double Tweet
A certain orange-hued, wild-eyebrowed, verbal sniper in Washington was seen rubbing his hands together like a Bond villain.
NCAA Basketball Scandal
This involves big schools (including Arizona, Auburn, Oklahoma State and Southern California), agents and financial advisors, and even a sportswear company (Adidas). One of the coaches is former NBA star Chuck Person.
It sounds like this is just the beginning, too...
FBI assistant director Bill Sweeney had a warning Tuesday for other coaches who might be involved in similar schemes, saying: "We have your playbook. Our investigation is ongoing. We are conducting additional interviews as we speak." The FBI and U.S. Attorney's office said they have established a hotline for information related to the investigation.
You can be sure at the very least that they are investigating every NCAA program sponsored by Adidas. They were paying player families according to the charges. What other schools are sponsored by Adidas?
Arizona State, Louisville, Kansas, Indiana, Mississippi State, Nebraska, North Carolina State, Northern Illinois, Texas A&M, and University of Miami, just to name a few.
Oh, and as for my Illini, they recently hired the coach from one of the four schools busted yesterday, Oklahoma State.
Tuesday, September 26, 2017
Trevor Noah on Black Protests
It’s wrong to do it in the streets,
It’s wrong to do it in the tweets.
You cannot do it on the field,
You cannot do it if you’ve kneeled.
And don’t do it if you’re rich,
You ungrateful son of a bitch,
Because there’s one thing that’s a fact:
You cannot protest if you’re black.
Made me laugh
Some people just need to control everything. Beware the Backseat Googler! pic.twitter.com/4QWHaGYH1W
— Funny Or Die (@funnyordie) September 26, 2017
Another Mitch Endorsement
Loved listening to Mitch. Used to try to imitate his tag line. #TheLoop https://t.co/j5uvsEmpqe
— MarkSuppelsa (@MarkSuppelsa) September 26, 2017
Great Review of "Everything I Know I Learned From Rock Stars"
How much are we shaped by the music we hear in our youth? How much is our perspective affected by certain songs? And what do we learn from that music and those musicians? I remember reading interviews with certain artists even in my pre-teens, and perhaps weighing their words a bit more heavily than they deserved. But what about those folks who were doing the interviewing? Were their lives and perspectives changed as a result of the words and thoughts of the musicians they interviewed?
Bill Paige, in his new book, Everything I Know I Learned From Rock Stars: Conversations 1975 – 1995, seems to answer Yes. He has worked as a music journalist, as well as in public relations and promotion, and has interviewed many famous musicians over the years. The book contains a collection of published pieces, but also functions as personal memoir, always with the focus on music. At the beginning, he gives a bit of background on his childhood and early adulthood as it relates to music. (He, like I, was a radio DJ in college.) The pieces are arranged chronologically, with the name of the artist in question used as the chapter title, so that’s it easy to find pieces on whichever artists you’re most interested in.
There are snippets of interviews, including Burton Cummings of The Guess Who, and both Peter Wolf and Magic Dick of The J. Geils Band. It’s great that Peter Wolf and Magic Dick are interviewed together, because they riff off each other, and that’s part of what makes it such an enjoyable interview. There is also an interview with the members of Shoes, a band I knew basically nothing about. I like that the server’s lines are included. I also really like the Grace Slick piece, and the ones on Steve Goodman and Lindsey Buckingham. The book contains some interesting information about Genesis, and details of Electric Light Orchestra’s stage design. Some of the information is surprising. Roy Orbison didn’t perform in New York until 1972? That’s insane! And Boy George wanted to be in Bow Wow Wow? There are some humorous anecdotes, like that about a missing contact lens which was found by Joe Jackson, and about Roy Orbison’s “Claudette.”
Bill Paige provides introductions to each section, in which he shares some of the things he’s learned. For example, he writes: “Conversations with industry veterans Grace Slick of Jefferson Airplane and Starship, ex-Fleetwood Mac guitarist Bob Welch, and Jay Ferguson, a founding member of the band Spirit who sang on the 1968 hit ‘I Got A Line On You,’ revealed that musicians are subject to a variety of mid-life crises” (p. 68). There are lots of interesting anecdotes and tidbits, though not really any big life lessons. As you might guess, as a result of reading this book, the list of albums I want to purchase has grown. I’m particularly interested in Mick Fleetwood’s The Visitor. It sounds like a fascinating and fantastic album, and I’m wondering how no one has turned me onto it before. I’m also wondering if that backing track Mick Fleetwood recorded for “Street Fighting Man” has been released yet.
This book is an enjoyable and fairly quick read, and it’s set up such that you can, if you so choose, pick certain sections to read and bounce around as your interests dictate. There are several pages of photos in the middle of the book, including one of a letter written by Kurt Vonnegut, one of my two favorite writers (the other being Shakespeare). The information on who is in each photo is contained at the back of the book rather than on the pages with the photos.
Great Review of "Doin the Cruise"
DJ Mitch Michaels was at the center of the Chicago radio scene during what many consider “the magical years” from the mid-'70s to the late-'80s, logging air time on most every major Windy City radio signal.
During his nearly 50 years behind the microphone, Michaels helped to launch two top local stations, WXRT-FM and WKQX-FM, and he was part of the WLUP-FM (The Loop) "dream team" during the station's late-'70s/early-'80s heyday.
Earlier this month, Chicago-based Eckhartz Press released a well-written memoir of Michaels' journey across the dial, aptly titled "Doin' The Cruise: Memories Of A Lifetime in Radio and Rock & Roll."
"I fell in love with rock and roll, more specifically rock and roll radio, at a very young age and that love has lasted my entire lifetime," said Michaels, who just celebrated his sixth anniversary hosting the weekday afternoon drive on WERC-FM 95.9 The River in Aurora.
Michaels is old-school and defines the term "radio personality" as he tells stories and becomes your surrogate friend on the other side of the dial, the voice you turn to when you need company and want to share a memory or two. Michaels does more than say — "That was ..." and "This is ..."
"I live the music. I tell listeners about the bands, the ins and outs of the music, share a story about the song or something about a concert by that artist I attended years ago. I don’t just talk at my listeners, I talk to them," Michaels said. "I hang out with them and rock right along with everyone who’s listening, because what it all comes down to really is we're all the same. We’re all just fans."
Magic Number is 1
Stars & Strings
CBS Radio Chicago will present its third annual Stars and Strings show to honor our nation's veterans and their families, Wednesday, November 15 at The Chicago Theatre in downtown Chicago. The all-star lineup features Brad Paisley, Chris Young, Darius Rucker, Kelsea Ballerini, Lady Antebellum and Sam Hunt with a special appearance by Lindsay Ell. The announcement was made on Monday morning by WUSN (US99)/Chicago morning dudes Stylz & Roman. "Stars and Strings is CBS Radio's annual tribute to our nation's military veterans who do so much to protect our freedoms and our very way of life," said Chris Oliviero, EVP of Programming, CBS Radio. "We've assembled an amazing roster of artists to help us celebrate this special group at the landmark Chicago Theatre."
When I worked in rock radio I was always jealous of the masterful way country radio and country music stars worked together on events like this. Rock stars rarely do the same for rock radio.
The Return of Kathy?
In her first broadcast appearance in five months, Kathy Hart will turn up Wednesday as guest host of “Good Day Chicago,” the morning show on Fox-owned WFLD-Channel 32. It’s not likely she’ll talk about her breakup with 21-year morning partner Eric Ferguson (she’s been under a “no comment” order from her former bosses), but it will be the first time fans will see or hear from Hart since she went on leave from “The Eric & Kathy Show” in late April. Earlier this month Hubbard Radio hot adult-contemporary WTMX FM 101.9 officially dropped her from the show and retitled it “Eric in the Morning with Melissa & Whip.” Hart won’t be a free agent until her contract with The Mix expires in December.
WBBM Keeps the Bears
As part of the newly inked extension, Bears preseason, regular season and pregame and postgame shows will continue on WBBM/WCFS-FM. Additionally, “The Bears Coaches Show” will also air on the signals every Monday night during the regular season. The show is hosted by the voice of the Bears, Jeff Joniak.
“Bears All Access” will air weekly on sports sister “The Score” WSCR (670), featuring color analyst Tom Thayer, and Zach Zaidman of “The Score.” The “Bears Noon Update” will air on all six CBS Radio Chicago outlets during the season.
“All of us at CBS Radio Chicago are thrilled to continue our 17-year partnership with the NFL’s most preeminent franchise,” senior VP/market manager Tim Pohlman said. “We thank the McCaskey family, Ted Phillips and everyone at the Chicago Bears for their commitment to keeping WBBM Newsradio 780 and 105.9 FM as part of this first-class organization for years to come.”
“We are excited to extend our partnership with such a long-established and renowned organization as WBBM,” Bears president Ted Phillips added. “It’s an honor to be a part of their broadcast family and we look forward to further growing our relationship.”
Monday, September 25, 2017
Clooney on "Hollywood Elites"
So this quote from George Clooney on Trump is quite something https://t.co/2C1NfBynkF pic.twitter.com/w5JLvcC3p4
— Colin Jones (@colinjones) September 25, 2017
Goaltender Clinic
Rhetoric Matters
BREAKING: NKorea foreign minister asserts Pres. Trump has declared war with his comments; says NKorea has right to shoot down US bombers.
— NBC Nightly News (@NBCNightlyNews) September 25, 2017
Beatles Anniversary
Magic Number is 2
The Bears Won?
Great team win today, gotta give all the glory to God. #BearDown pic.twitter.com/sLYXRwtdnn
— Jordan Howard (@JHowardx24) September 24, 2017
Trump Vs. the NFL
The NFL didn't respond well to that, and athletes from all sports rallied to their side.
My twitter feed was full of Trump supporters comparing the freedom of speech issue with the cause of bakers who didn't want to sell wedding cakes to gay couples. Again, one is a protest against discrimination and the other is a protest FOR discrimination, but whatever--you can pick your side and stay there I suppose.
I personally wouldn't kneel. But is this really a bad way of protesting? It's quiet. It's non-violent. It's brief. It harms no-one. I wish more protests would be done this way. Or as my good buddy Dale Earnhardt Jr. said...
All Americans R granted rights 2 peaceful protests
— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) September 25, 2017
Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable-JFK
Or as my comrade-in-arms Tom Brady said...
Brady breaks w/Trump's anthem protest remarks: "I certainly disagree w/what he said. I thought it was just divisive" https://t.co/yLP0nERd22
— Catherine Thompson (@KT_thomps) September 25, 2017
When you've lost Earnhardt and Brady, you might want to reconsider, Mr. Trump.
And my man Bob Costas sums this whole thing up beautifully...
"Do you want a President who is so tone deaf to the racial implications of this?" asks Sports broadcaster Bob Costas https://t.co/D2AuoOehGJ
— New Day (@NewDay) September 25, 2017
Mini-Review
Dahl Signs for Three More Years
Chicago broadcast legend Steve Dahl has signed on for three more years with WLS AM 890. The Radio Hall of Famer will continue to hold forth weekday afternoons with Dag Juhlin and Brendan Greeley. “When I signed with Cumulus in 2014, my dad was passing away in Los Angeles,” Dahl said. “Three years later, Janet and I are expecting our ninth grandchild. Life is a roller coaster, and so is a career in radio. I’m proud of the work Dag, Brendan and I are doing every afternoon for WLS AM 890, and gratified that they like it too. The show is funny, informative and apolitical. We could still use a little marketing, however, so I am currently in negotiations to buy the ‘Kathy’ half of the Eric and Kathy billboards.”
Bowen Out at Cumulus
Cumulus cuts Chicago market manager Peter Bowen. Peter was “the man who brought White Sox baseball and Bulls basketball” to talk WLS/890, says Robert Feder. Turns out the subject of an all-hands morning staff meeting last week was Peter’s surprise departure. He began his radio career in Chicago as an AE at then-WCKG/105.9 and joined CBS Radio in 1996 for what stretched into a 16-year run. In March 2015, he came back from CBS-L.A. to Chicago, succeeding Donna Baker at WLS, classic hits WLS-FM/94.7, and two stations LMA’d from Merlin Media. (Those are alternative WKQX/101.1 and classic rock WLUP/97.9.) Cumulus tells Robert Feder that “The open market manager role in Chicago is a priority for us and we are working to find the right leader for this important market as soon as possible.” For now, Cumulus EVP/Operations Dave Milner takes the reins in Chicago.