Minutia Men, Episode 113

EP113: Rick and Dave discuss fattening up bridesmaids, a flatulent crook, Vatican Pokemon, Rick’s brush with June Foray, and they interview former Cy Young pitcher Jack McDowell.

Listen to it here.

Suburban Radio Financial Drama

I'm not quite sure I can connect all the dots in this story, but maybe you can. It concerns two of the more popular suburban radio stations in Chicagoland. From Tom Taylor's NOW column...

Things are getting tense between Alpha Media and suburban-Chicago owner Matrix. In a new court action, Matrix alleges “misappropriating several hundred thousand dollars in advertising revenue” and piling up “millions of dollars in service-fee obligations.” Matrix filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in March and wants the federal court to let it “reject” both the $50,000-per-month shared services deal with Alpha, and Alpha’s option to purchase its two stations. (AC “Star 105.5” WZSR Woodstock and Dundee-licensed classic rock “103.9 the Fox” WFXF.) Now Matrix files a new separate legal action against both Alpha and Digity, the stations’ previous owner. We learn that in 2014, when Digity was acquiring NextMedia but couldn’t take Star and Fox due to FCC limits, Peter Handy-run Matrix was set up to take the FMs – but only temporarily. The idea was to “facilitate the ultimate acquisition of the stations by Digity or designee within six to 12 months.” But that never happened, and Matrix says it’s been burdened by unrealistic fees and costs, and diversions of its cash. It claims that “Digity and Alpha have refused to permit Matrix to sell the stations to a third-party buyer.” In late 2014, veteran broker/operator Handy talked with “K-Love” parent EMF about selling Star for about $3 million. Then Handy would buy the Fox himself, for $1.5 million. The suit says Digity offered some conditions to agree, then backed out. No response in court yet from Alpha.

Bohemian Rhapsody

From this morning's RAMP Newsletter...

iHeartMedia will celebrate the upcoming release of the Twentieth Century Fox/Regency Enterprises Queen biopic, Bohemian Rhapsody, with what is being touted as "the largest song roadblock in history" -- on Thursday, Nov. 1, all 650+ iHeartMedia music stations and websites will stop whatever they are doing and temporarily join forces to play the entire six-minute version of Queen's iconic "Bohemian Rhapsody" at 9am local time, providing unprecedented instant awareness for the film's November 2 release.\

iHeartMedia has also enlisted some of the biggest names in music to share special tributes about how Queen impacted their music careers and lives on iHeartRadio.com/BohemianRhapsody. Local iHeartMedia stations across the country will also air promos and brand spots to count down the days until Bohemian Rhapsody is in theaters and remind fans about the roadblock. The promotion will also include an all-day digital takeover across the iHeartRadio network, including iHeart.com and station websites, featuring streaming audio and banners.

The article does say ALL iHeart stations, right? That's going to sound very strange here in Chicago. iHeart stations in Chicago are Kiss-FM (top 40), Lite-FM (which will be all-Christmas), WGCI (hip hop), V-103 (hip hop), Big 95.5 (country), and Inspiration 1390 (Christian).

The Van

Should also make it easy to track down the remaining bombs (if there are any). Just look at the pictures on the van with bullseyes on them...

This was an easy one for the FBI. pic.twitter.com/33udmpf50G

— Malcolm Nance (@MalcolmNance) October 26, 2018

RIP Tony Jo White

He passed away yesterday at the age of 75. He will always be remembered for this classic tune...



You know who really loved that song? The King...

People Love Minutia Men

There are now over 200 5-star reviews of Minutia Men on iTunes. Thanks so much to everyone who chimed in with their kind words. Dave and I just taped another episode featuring former Sox pitcher Jack McDowell. It will drop in a few days. In the meantime, here are some recent reviews...

I’m Jealous
★★★★★ in Apple Podcasts by WeArePoliticked from USA on September 20, 2018
I want a radio voice like this. Give these guys a listen.

Useless information, it is not.
★★★★★ in Apple Podcasts by U&ur friends r dead, GAMEOVER from USA on September 19, 2018
While maybe useless to some (possibly most), The podcast is so fun that you get wrapped up in anything they are talking about. A wonderful time.

40 minutes of laughter
★★★★★ in Apple Podcasts by mdawgyoitsmatt from USA on September 19, 2018
Rick and Dave are two seriously funny guys. You’ll be laughing through each and every story and tangent these guys talk about on the podcast just like I did.

Great!
★★★★★ in Apple Podcasts by thepianocian from USA on August 25, 2018
Great show! Love the interactions!

Great podcast, well recommended
★★★★★ in Apple Podcasts by Marc Stelfox from UK on August 25, 2018
Great podcast and good fun. The audio is clear and slick production. More than recommended! Give it a go, you won’t regret it 👍🏼.

Seriously Entertaining
★★★★★ in Apple Podcasts by BobThang from USA on August 13, 2018
If you like to laugh, this is the podcast for you. If you don't like to laugh, you're broken inside and no podcast will ever make you happy. I enjoy this podcast enough to ignore the blatant Chicago Cubs bias demonstrated. That means I clearly enjoy it quite a bit. Five stars.

Thoroughly entertaining in the minutia
★★★★★ in Apple Podcasts by Heather845 from USA on August 12, 2018
Great voices, banter and content. This podcast is funny and very entertaining. Love that they are all over the map and laugh at each other’s humor!

Excellent show!
★★★★★ in Apple Podcasts by Jewelsocool from USA on August 12, 2018
My fiends and I listened to a couple episode while having a girls night and we had a fantastic time listening to these guys! Their great and have amazing voices! And are super funny! We high recommend them! - The girls from Grave Girls Podcast!

Love the topics that switch very fast...
★★★★★ in Apple Podcasts by murderific from USA on August 11, 2018
Rick and Dave have great chemistry as hosts. The topics are fast and furious and fun to listen to. The snore lab episode made me laugh so much. Def recommend.

Solid show all around
★★★★★ in Apple Podcasts by Simpleguy13 from USA on July 31, 2018
Top notch production, cool concept for a show, informative, the hosts have senses of humor and sexy radio voices! Keep up the great work!

Another one for you
★★★★★ in Apple Podcasts by DungeonCoolGuy from USA on July 22, 2018
Y'all deserve more 5 starts from everyone! Here's another one from the Dungeon Junkies / Monsters Under the Bed knew!

Funny & Informative!
★★★★★ in Apple Podcasts by Dungeon Junkies / MUTB Podcast from USA on July 22, 2018
Definitely one of the better podcasts I have listened to! I am super happy that yall introduced yourselves to us, happy to be able to listen to this gem. Thanks for the support as well! - Dungeon Junkies / Monsters Under the Bed Podcast

Brilliant
★★★★★ in Apple Podcasts by Macapella____ from UK on July 17, 2018
Fun, engaging and the hosts compliment each other perfectly. The Mr. Thick N Cheesy scene was brilliant. Great stuff, guys.

Listen Now
★★★★★ in Apple Podcasts by THMSRGRS from USA on July 16, 2018
Great podcast really great chemistry. Intelligent “minutia” doled out with great comedy. Give these guys a listen!

Cocktail Party Saviors
★★★★★ in Apple Podcasts by Tedit from USA on July 13, 2018
Every time I go to a cocktail party I make the faux pas of asking new people where they work or god forbid what they do for a living. The wife rolls her eyes & too often people say, “I’m not defined by my job.” So I usually end up bailing on the conversation. Now that I listen to Minutia Men I can replace this awkwardness with a story about a grandma killing a bobcat like Viggo Mortensen in a sauna. Thanks Rick & Dave! Ted - TJP

Highly suggested!
★★★★★ in Apple Podcasts by Ohio Valley True Crime from USA on July 4, 2018
I highly suggest this podcast. Everyone i've had listen ot it has loved it, and I greatly enjoy listening to this on my commute to and from work. -OVTC

Funteresting!
★★★★★ in Apple Podcasts by Crystal7174 from USA on July 3, 2018
Minutia Men: It's like Pinterest, but fun and actually interesting! Listening just now, I learned there's a giant vagina in Sweden or maybe it was Germany. Either way, the hosts have great chemistry and it's a really funny, yet informative podcast. Glad I found this one! Subscribed!

Super!
★★★★★ in Apple Podcasts by Yass👌🏻👌🏻 from USA on July 2, 2018
As a fellow podcaster, we tend to be picky about the shows we listen too, and these guys have got a good one! They talk about relatable subjects while making you laugh at the same time, and who doesn’t like a good laugh! -V.A.G.

Great chemistry and humor
★★★★★ in Apple Podcasts by Soul Forge Podcast from Canada on July 1, 2018
Love this podcast, the co-hosts have a terrific chemistry and play off of each other extremely well. A fun variety of topics which are eminently enjoyable to listen to. Highly recommend listening to every episode!

Trump's Phone is Tapped

Nothing to worry about here. Hillary's use of a private unsecured server still causes chants of "Lock Her Up" by his fans, but the president uses an unsecured cell phone every day...and China & Russia have hacked into it. The story is here: Trump’s tapped phone may be the largest White House breach ever: former official

Audio Troubles

I used to have nightmares about audio troubles like this, but now that's it been close to 15 years since I was fully employed in radio, they have drifted away. But I feel Larry & Robin's pain...

.@WGNMorningNews ' @LarryPotash, @WGNRobin, @PaulKonrad Keep it real. Again. And again. And again. Oh, and again. #MustWatch pic.twitter.com/3tmfu62GqX

— Groovyhoovy (@Groovyhoovy) October 25, 2018

Bombs

Yesterday there was an assassination attempt of two former presidents. All of the people the president routinely rips at his Nuremburg rallies got bombs mailed to them. At first, he said the right things about trying to unify the country. By last night at another Nuremburg rally (this time in Wisconsin), he blamed it on the media. From the Washington Post...

Trump appeared to make a show of behaving civil throughout his remarks to supporters in this town of about 4,000 people in central Wisconsin. He was relatively subdued as he spoke, interrupted himself several times to point out that he was “trying to be nice” and took no responsibility for his own role in contributing to the country’s civic discourse.

“No nation can succeed that tolerates violence or the threat of violence as a method of political intimidation, coercion or control,” Trump said as he opened his remarks. “We want all sides to come together in peace and harmony.”

Moments later, he took aim at one of his favorite targets, the news media.

“The media also has a responsibility to set a civil tone and to stop the endless hostility and constant negative — and oftentimes, false — attacks and stories,” Trump said.

In an apparent swipe at Democrats, Trump denounced those who “carelessly compare political opponents to historical villains” and who “mob people in public places or destroy public property.”

The crowd still did the "lock her up" chant, even though Hillary was one of the targets of assassination yesterday. My twitter feed was full of conservatives blaming the attacks on left wingers trying to make the Republicans and the president look bad.

We live in dark times. This man is incapable of leading us out of these times for one main reason. He doesn't want to. He loves it.

Father Knows Nothing

My day yesterday...

Free Kicks, Episode 20

EP20: Adam and Rick discuss week 9 of the Premier League, Adam explains a Liverpool song tradition, and takes a quiz about Bournemouth. He also gives this weekend’s TV soccer viewing tip.

Listen to it here.

Eckhartz Press is All Over Chicagoland

It's hard to miss the Eckhartz Press authors all over the Chicagoland area these days.

Whether it's Chet Coppock (Your Dime, My Dance Floor) on WCIU-TV (watch here), on WGN Radio (listen here), getting praise from national celebrities like Skip Bayless ("I bought a copy of your book and I read it...and it's sensational. Great stories and off-camera, off-mike insights. You truly are a legend.") or making appearances in Northfield at Stormy's...















Or Donald G. Evans, who has been getting terrific reviews for An Off-White Christmas (here and here), getting interviewed left and right (here, here and here) and greeting fans and friends at Cliff Dwellers...



















Or Richard Reeder (1001 Train Rides in Chicago), who has been in Evanston, and Northbrook, and Skokie, and will soon be appearing in Rogers Park (November 4th)...




















Or Becky Sarwate and Randy Richardson, who have been basking in great reviews, rockin podcasts (like this one) and traveling all over Cubland promoting Cubsessions, which they will be doing again on Saturday November 4th at El Jardin's in Chicago...













Eckhartz Press is everywhere.

Beth Jacobellis (Cameo) and Book of the Year Finalist Lee Kingsmill (Safe Inside) were at WGN Radio (on Patti Vasquez and Rick Kogan, respectively), fellow book of the year finalist (Doin the Cruise) Mitch Michaels was in Hobart Indiana, Russ Fahrner and Bruce Bohrer (Embrace Retirement) were on WCGO in Evanston, Judge Michael Bender (Protecting Children) has been killing it in Chicago's legal community, and The Scar Dance is coming out now!. Just wait until Christmas season. We're just getting started.

Dahl's Last Show

This news comes from today's Robert Feder column. I recommend you read the whole column, because Feder also publishes an e-mail from Steve explaining his departure. Here are the nuts and bolts of the news...

The end is near for Steve Dahl on WLS 890-AM. After four years as afternoon host on the Cumulus Media news/talk station, the Chicago radio legend and Radio Hall of Famer has confirmed his final show will air December 21. His announcement followed a report here Tuesday that WLS is planning a major overhaul of its weekday lineup early next year. In the latest Nielsen Audio survey, Dahl’s show ranked 25th with a 1.4 percent share. “I would have liked to finish with some better radio ratings, but that didn’t happen,” he wrote in an email. “WLS-AM was always going to be an uphill battle, and circumstances just didn’t lend themselves to us being able to breakout like we hoped we would.” Dahl, 63, will continue to produce his daily podcast with co-hosts Dag Juhlin and Brendan Greeley at dahl.com.

(Photo is of me and Steve on stage together at Steve & Garry's 10th anniversary show at the Chicago Theater. Yes, he made me wear a bra and grass skirt and deliver him a tropical drink.)

Nationalism

I heard the president's speech yesterday and he was wondering why nobody uses the word Nationalism anymore. He wants to bring it back.

I know the answer if he's really curious.

The reason no one uses it anymore is the same reason tiny little mustaches went out of style. It's the same reason people stopped naming their children Adolf. It's the same reason nobody wears red arm bands.

It's the "Na" in "Nazi".

Pretty good reason it went out of style.

SkyRise

Jack Breitenstein started playing for Green White on our U8 team, and played with us until September 18, 2017, six days after his 15th birthday. On that day Jack suffered a massive stroke. He was in coma for almost three weeks. After surgery and care in ICU for a few weeks, he went to Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in downtown Chicago. When he arrived there, he couldn’t walk or talk. Today, largely because of the incredible work of the pros at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, he is now able to walk again, and is progressing daily in recovering his speech. He was doing so well this fall that he participated in our inaugural season of TopSoccer.

This year, Jack, his brother Joey, and his mom Laurie are participating in SkyRise Chicago, tackling the planet’s highest indoor tower climb of the Willis Tower to raise funds for the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab. The three are raising $160 each ($480 total) to help pass this tremendous resourse on to others. We hope you will consider partnering with them and contributing just a few dollars toward their goal. A simple $5 or $10 goes a long way towards helping. The funds raised through SkyRise Chicago will directly support advances in patient care and cutting-edge research.

This is the link to their personal page

Thanks in advance for your support!

RIP Kevin Yon

Kevin Yon was a regular guest on Kevin Matthews show back in the day. He appeared as the character "Chef Andre". A gentle man. A real nice guy. Sad to hear the news.

Here is his obituary...

Kevin Denno Yon of Rockford, Michigan, age 67, passed away on Sunday, October 21, 2018. He was born to Carl and Anne (Denno) Yon on March 23, 1951, in Pittsfield, MA. Kevin’s acting and voice-over talent earned him spots among celebrities in movies and commercials. Known as “the voice of Chrysler” and the NFL, Kevin’s deep vocal timbre helped put Detroit back on the map, shape mega brands like Jim Beam and gave a voice to nonprofits. Wherever Kevin was, so was his humor, laughter and wit. Esteemed friend among many, Kevin loved to entertain and cook, spending hours in the kitchen prepping delectable dishes. He brought people together and cooking was a way he showed his love and appreciation. Although a man of many talents, he was revered most for his generous spirit and big heart. His love of family and friends made Kevin the center – the heart – of us all. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother and the list goes on. Kevin gave a piece of himself to everyone he knew. Stories will continue to be told and laughter will carry on because of who he was and what he gave. Kevin is survived by his beloved wife of 45 years, Deborah Yon; loving children, Trillium (Michael) Hibbeln, Seth (Jessica Holland) Yon, Courtney (Jessica) Yon; adored grandchildren, Lucas, Sofina, Halle, Nathan, Ryan, Tav, Wesley, and Cali; brother, Kirk (Judy) Yon; nephew, Christian; and special family friends, the Chapman’s. Kevin was preceded in death by both parents. There will be a time of visitation from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. and from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, October 26, 2018, at Pederson Funeral Home, 127 N. Monroe Street NE, Rockford, MI 49341. Additional service information and extended obituary will be added soon. Join us in celebration of Kevin’s life on Sunday, October 28, 2018, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Eve at The Bob in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Entercom Fued with MSG

This is one of those silly arguments that people look back on and say, "Can we all just be adults here, please?" The broadcasting company Entercom, one of the biggest in the country, has been banned by Madison Square Garden, which also owns the Chicago Theater here. Tom Taylor's NOW column has the explanation...

Entercom’s at war with James Dolan and Madison Square Garden. Hasn’t Entercom had enough controversies around its sports stations? There’ve been blowups in Boston (several times), San Diego (with the MLB Padres) and now a nationwide feud with New York-based James Dolan. Last Summer, Maggie Gray of Entercom’s sports “Fan” WFAN-AM/FM New York (660/101.9) called Dolan “a vile piece of trash.” She reacted to a song released by Dolan’s side-project, a rock band named “JD and the Straight Shot.” The song was “I Should’ve Known,” and the New York Post’s Andrew Marchand says it was “perceived to be about Harvey Weinstein, Dolan’s longtime friend.” Marchand says Maggie Gray “thought it was hypocritical, in light of the Garden having been found liable for a hostile work environment” in 2007. Last week she apologized, but the damage was done. MSG says “Entercom aired a hate-filled rant…They chose to take no action to remedy this until the start of this season.” MSG reportedly was disappointed that Entercom didn’t reach out after Gray’s rant in August. (She wouldn’t be the first New York-market radio personality or sports-writer to criticize Dolan or the Garden.)

Entercom is frozen out of Madison Square Garden properties – and players. So in New York, no interviews with players or staff of the MSG-owned NBA Knicks or NHL Rangers. Same (says the NY Post) with anything connected with the company’s Radio City Music Hall, or New York Beacon Theatre. And MSG’s “refusing to do business with the radio company in any of its markets, including Chicago and Los Angeles.” MSG has The Chicago Theater, The Forum in Los Angeles (Inglewood) and the Wang Theatre in Boston. The MSG P.R. person says “Only after learning that they would not receive special access to players and coaches did [Entercom] elect to offer an insincere, half-hearted apology.” Then this – “We wish them no ill will. However, we decline to carry on a business relationship” with Entercom and “will continue to afford it league-mandated access only.” The Knicks and the Rangers air their games on WFAN’s format rival, ESPN-operated/Emmis-owned WEPN-FM/98.7. Maggie Gary’s apology included this line “I really didn’t want to cause the pain that I did cause...Name-calling isn’t okay.” In August, she addressed Dolan, saying “You let Isiah Thomas call [Anucha Browne Sanders] the b-word so many times she sued your ass, and she won. And then what did you do? In 2015, you brought Isiah Thomas back into the building to run the Liberty of the WNBA. You are a human embodiment of an online troll.” At the time, she predicted “I might never get back into The Garden...and I don’t give a crap.” Now Entercom itself may not “get back into The Garden” – over a beef that perhaps could’ve been quelled at the market or corporate level.

Amazing Goal

Soccer, but make it art pic.twitter.com/GYBBhcReVi

— Zito (@_Zeets) October 22, 2018

Russ & Bruce on the Radio

Eckhartz Press authors Bruce Bohrer and Russ Fahrner did a great job on the radio yesterday.

If you'd like to listen to it, listen here.

Joe Girardi

According to this piece in Yahoo! News, Joe Girardi is turning down job offers these days because he has a certain job in mind.

He wants to manage in Chicago.

Hmmmm.

Radio Stalking Case

From this morning's Tom Taylor NOW column...

Chicago radio executive Melody Spann-Cooper hopes a stalking case is finally over. A year ago, the head of WVON/1690 was granted an emergency no-contact order against a former ad-seller who believed she’d been shorted on commissions. But then Spann-Cooper went back to court seeking a more permanent order, after she and her husband were the targets of “threatening correspondence, false and profane social media postings, and trespassing.” Now Robert Feder reports that Spann-Cooper got the stalking no-contact order. Former ad executive Deanna Burrell believed she was due additional sales commissions, after she resigned as a contract seller in 2015. The EEOC ruled against her. A statement from African-American-targeted talker WVON – owned by iHeart, operated by Midway Broadcasting – quotes Midway Chair Spann-Cooper saying “History has shown that you cannot take threats and intimidation lightly, especially in the workplace.”

And I thought *I* worked in some high-drama radio stations.

Sean Spicer Radio Show

This is a disturbing new entry into the radio/podcast landscape...

Entercom has announced a partnership with former White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer and political commentator Katie Pavlich, produced by Entercom Program Director Joe Zarbano. As part of the agreement, RADIO.com will launch "Everything's Going to be All Right" on October 22. The 12-episode weekly podcast is a continuation of the pilot episodes launched by Spicer and Pavlich in June. The midterm season of the podcast will feature the duo discussing the latest political news and issues.

Based on his truth telling record as White House press secretary, if Spicer says everything is going to be all right, bet the ranch it won't be.

Don Evans at Cliff Dwellers

A photos from the launch party of "An Off White Christmas" at Cliff Dwellers...