Former @ChicagoBears President Michael McCaskey has died at 76. https://t.co/xwRuMp8Si5
— CBS Chicago (@cbschicago) May 17, 2020
Saturday, May 16, 2020
RIP Mike McCaskey
This is getting ridiculous
Lost another one. Phylis George is gone at age 70.
Phyllis George, former Kentucky first lady and Miss America, dies at 70 https://t.co/9IC5dBwLZg
— Courier Journal (@courierjournal) May 16, 2020
He's Mad as Hell
I suspect he's not the only one who feels this way...
Any thoughts on what @RepTimRyan had to say? pic.twitter.com/4ROOQ5IIUf
— Brandon Darby (@brandondarby) May 16, 2020
RIP Fred Willard
Lost another one. Comedy great Fred Willard passed away at the age of 86. I loved him in just about everything, but my favorite has to be his performance in "Best in Show". Here's a little taste...
Friday, May 15, 2020
Hey, that's me!
My contribution to the Inside for Indies program, helping to raise money for independent book stores trying to survive this crisis...
We're raising $$ for indie bookstores by bringing you into writers' workspaces. INSIDE FOR INDIES is the name of the campaign. Today, @RickKaempfer is your host! https://t.co/oYai9kbyJT via @YouTube
— James Finn Garner (@jamesfinngarner) May 15, 2020
RIP Astrid
And yet another one. Sheesh.
Danke schön, Astrid Kirchherr. Intelligent, inspirational, innovative, daring, artistic, awake, aware, beautiful, smart, loving and uplifting friend to many. Her gift to the Beatles was immeasurable. She died in Hamburg on Wednesday, a few days before turning 82. RIP. pic.twitter.com/c8UHNK1tj4
— Mark Lewisohn (@marklewisohn) May 15, 2020
RIP Bob Watson
Lost another one...
I have a bunch of Bob's cards including these...
Tonight my dad and hero Bob Watson has passed away after a long fight with kidney disease.. #Astros #Yankees #RedSox #Braves #Athletics #USABAseball #MLB #1stBlackGM pic.twitter.com/obKe1mwJYc
— K Dubb (@TheReal_KDubb) May 15, 2020
I have a bunch of Bob's cards including these...
KIng of *arts
I wrote this song with Hall of Famer John Records Landecker back in our WJMK days. The video was created this week by my son Tommy. It's his favorite of the Landecker & the Legends songs. It's one of the two songs the station banned us from playing on the air. (The other was about Jeffrey Dahmer).
Hall of Famer
So yesterday John Landecker was officially inducted into the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame. (Read the full All Access article here)
The second day of sessions streaming at the NAB SHOW EXPRESS included an opening event celebrating "Achievement in Broadcasting," with a highlight being the induction of legendary radio personality JOHN RECORDS LANDECKER into the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BROADCASTERS Hall of Fame.
LANDECKER's career took him to ANN ARBOR, GRAND RAPIDS, LANSING, and a stint at WIBG-A (WIBBAGE)/PHILADELPHIA before his long stint at WLS-A/CHICAGO, where he became a dominant talent in the market for many years; he later hosted at CFTR-A/TORONTO, WLUP, WAGO/WCKG, WLS again, WJMK, and WZZN/WLS-F in CHICAGO, and WIMS-A/MICHIGAN CITY, IN. His induction was preceded by a tribute video including his daughter, actress AMY LANDECKER, her husband actor BRADLEY WHITFORD, his WLS PD JOHN GEHRON, comedian GREG ECKLER, and iHEARTMEDIA AC KOST/LOS ANGELES morning host ELLEN K, and clips from his WLS days, including his "Boogie Check" bit. In accepting the award, LANDECKER said he would say something no other award recipient would say -- "I'm not wearing any pants" -- before closing with his signature line, "RECORDS truly is my middle name."
The Lisagor Awards
This year's Peter Lisagor Awards were handed out virtually, depriving the winners the joy of picking it up on stage in front of their peers. Nevertheless, it's a great honor. I was honored twice during my "Father Knows Nothing" days, which I consider the highlight of "journalism" career.
This year's winners are listed here.
Among the winners is my old pal Charlie Meyerson for his excellent blog Chicago Public Square.
This year's winners are listed here.
Among the winners is my old pal Charlie Meyerson for his excellent blog Chicago Public Square.
A needed change of pace
If you’ve had a rough week check out these brothers sharing an orange soda.
— Rex Chapman🏇🏼 (@RexChapman) May 14, 2020
Dare you to not smile.🌎❤️😂😉pic.twitter.com/2GlI8rRDxz
Thursday, May 14, 2020
Free Kicks--Soccer is Back-ish
Listen to it here.
Donald G. Evans
Listen to it here.
Mitch Michaels
Got this e-mail today from Bob Zak, a former colleague of Eckhartz Press author Mitch Michaels. We support this movement...
To Fellow Broadcasters and Radio Fans,
Please take a moment to nominate radio legend Mitch Michaels to the Radio Hall of Fame. His time has come to be recognized for his countless contributions to our industry.
Click this link: http://www.radiohalloffame.com/nominate
COPY THIS BIO:
Mitch Michaels has a long record as a personality, innovator & communicator, with more than 45 years in Chicago radio at WGLD, WXRT, WDAI, WKQX, WLUP, WBBM-FM, WCKG, WLS, WXCD, 9FM and WRXQ. Mitch currently hosts afternoon drive on 95.9 The River.
Thank you!
Bob Zak
Wednesday, May 13, 2020
Liz Cheney
I'm fairly sure I've never agreed with anything this woman has said since she entered public life...until now.
Dr. Fauci is one of the finest public servants we have ever had. He is not a partisan. His only interest is saving lives. We need his expertise and his judgment to defeat this virus. All Americans should be thanking him. Every day.
— Liz Cheney (@Liz_Cheney) May 13, 2020
Lindsay Eanet
Congrats to Eckhartz Press author Lindsay Eanet (co-author of Rich King's "Back in the Game") for being named the PA announcer of the Chicago Red Stars! https://t.co/Xq1msknPpb
— Rick Kaempfer (@RickKaempfer) May 13, 2020
Felicia Signs Off
A day after the morning drive ratings in Chicago cemented her WBBM show (co-hosted with Pat Cassidy) in first place, Felicia Middlebrooks has announced she's leaving the station. Her last day will be May 29th. She's leaving radio like Michael Jordan left the Bulls...right after hitting the game-winning shot.
Robert Feder has the details about Felicia's next project.
Robert Feder has the details about Felicia's next project.
Happy Birthday Stevie!
Lately it seems I'm writing an RIP post every day. This is not one of those. It's a happy birthday post. Stevie Wonder is 70 years old today. One of the all-time greats. In my book, one of the five best songwriters of my lifetime.
Tuesday, May 12, 2020
Chicago Radio Ratings
Robert Feder posted these figures today. Click here if you want the daypart breakdown...
1. WBBM 780-AM/WCFS 105.9-FM all news, 8.4 (7.7)
2. WDRV 97.1-FM classic rock, 6.4 (5.1)
3. WGN 720-AM news talk, 5.6 (4.5)
4. WBEZ 91.5-FM public radio news talk, 5.4 (4.3)
5. WVAZ 102.7-FM urban adult contemporary, 5.0 (5.3)
6. WTMX 101.9-FM hot adult contemporary, 4.4 (5.2)
7. WLS 94.7-FM classic hits, 4.0 (4.3)
8. WXRT 93.1-FM adult album alternative, 3.9 (3.8)
9. WLIT 93.9-FM adult contemporary, 3.7 (4.3)
10. WLEY 107.9-FM Mexican regional, 3.1 (2.4)
11. WKSC 103.5-FM Top 40, 3.0 (3.3)
12. (tie) WGCI 107.5-FM urban contemporary, 2.8 (2.3); WOJO 105.1-FM Mexican regional, 2.8 (3.1)
14. WSHE 100.3-FM adult contemporary, 2.6 (3.1)
15. (tie) WLS 890-AM news talk, 2.4 (2.1); WRME 87.7-FM soft rock oldies, 2.4 (2.4)
17. WSCR 670-AM sports talk, 2.2 (2.5)
18. (tie) WUSN 99.5-FM country, 2.1 (2.7); WBBM 96.3-FM Top 40, 2.1 (2.8)
20. (tie) WBMX 104.3-FM classic hip hop, 2.0 (2.4); WKQX 101.1-FM alternative rock, 2.0 (2.4)
22. WPPN 106.7-FM Spanish adult contemporary, 1.8 (1.8)
23. (tie) WEBG 95.5-FM country, 1.5 (1.2); WFMT 98.7-FM classical 1.5 (1.1); WPWX 92.3-FM urban contemporary, 1.5 (1.4); WVIV 93.5-FM Spanish contemporary, 1.5 (1.3)
27. WCKL 97.9-FM contemporary Christian, 1.3 (1.3)
28. (tie) WMBI 90.1-FM Christian ministry, 1.2 (1.0); WMVP 1000-AM sports talk, 1.2 (1.2)
30. WIIL 95.1-FM album-oriented rock, 0.8 (no previous share)
1. WBBM 780-AM/WCFS 105.9-FM all news, 8.4 (7.7)
2. WDRV 97.1-FM classic rock, 6.4 (5.1)
3. WGN 720-AM news talk, 5.6 (4.5)
4. WBEZ 91.5-FM public radio news talk, 5.4 (4.3)
5. WVAZ 102.7-FM urban adult contemporary, 5.0 (5.3)
6. WTMX 101.9-FM hot adult contemporary, 4.4 (5.2)
7. WLS 94.7-FM classic hits, 4.0 (4.3)
8. WXRT 93.1-FM adult album alternative, 3.9 (3.8)
9. WLIT 93.9-FM adult contemporary, 3.7 (4.3)
10. WLEY 107.9-FM Mexican regional, 3.1 (2.4)
11. WKSC 103.5-FM Top 40, 3.0 (3.3)
12. (tie) WGCI 107.5-FM urban contemporary, 2.8 (2.3); WOJO 105.1-FM Mexican regional, 2.8 (3.1)
14. WSHE 100.3-FM adult contemporary, 2.6 (3.1)
15. (tie) WLS 890-AM news talk, 2.4 (2.1); WRME 87.7-FM soft rock oldies, 2.4 (2.4)
17. WSCR 670-AM sports talk, 2.2 (2.5)
18. (tie) WUSN 99.5-FM country, 2.1 (2.7); WBBM 96.3-FM Top 40, 2.1 (2.8)
20. (tie) WBMX 104.3-FM classic hip hop, 2.0 (2.4); WKQX 101.1-FM alternative rock, 2.0 (2.4)
22. WPPN 106.7-FM Spanish adult contemporary, 1.8 (1.8)
23. (tie) WEBG 95.5-FM country, 1.5 (1.2); WFMT 98.7-FM classical 1.5 (1.1); WPWX 92.3-FM urban contemporary, 1.5 (1.4); WVIV 93.5-FM Spanish contemporary, 1.5 (1.3)
27. WCKL 97.9-FM contemporary Christian, 1.3 (1.3)
28. (tie) WMBI 90.1-FM Christian ministry, 1.2 (1.0); WMVP 1000-AM sports talk, 1.2 (1.2)
30. WIIL 95.1-FM album-oriented rock, 0.8 (no previous share)
RIP Zay Smith
So sorry to hear this news. I followed him in the Sun Times. He followed me on social media and we engaged in spirited banter.
RIP Zay N. Smith. https://t.co/fEuxJxyu8w
— Andrew Huff (@me3dia) May 12, 2020
Monday, May 11, 2020
Longest Home Run I've Ever Seen
Exactly 20 years ago today...
He hit it on the roof!
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) May 11, 2020
On this day in 2000, Glenallen Hill hit a monster home run 🤯 pic.twitter.com/WEH5hYmSHQ
Misinformation really can kill
This is stunning to watch: 60 Minutes details a "political disinformation campaign" that went from Matt Gaetz to Tucker Carlson to OAN to Trump and killed one of the most important virology programs in the world. No "both sides" here. https://t.co/imy2GYl1YN
— Justin Miller (@justinjm1) May 10, 2020
Not Exactly a Partisan
The US is becoming an embarrassment. This is the guy who killed Bin Laden. Listen to his point of view on the subject...
The guy who helped kill Bin Laden says we are under attack by Donald Trump. If you aren’t paying attention at this point you can go fuck yourself. pic.twitter.com/EUC8iDFt2e
— Adam Parkhomenko (@AdamParkhomenko) May 10, 2020
RIP Jerry Stiller
Another great is gone. He will always be Frank Costanza to me.
This is a hilarious blooper from the DVD collection. RIP Frank.
This is a hilarious blooper from the DVD collection. RIP Frank.
What is the latest science on this virus?
The Washington Post has a great piece explaining all the unexpected ways COVID-19 damages and attacks the body. It's not just a respiratory virus, it's a cardiological virus--and that's the part that is killing so many people. (It also may be why finding a vaccine will be very difficult)
John Hopkins Corona Virus Resource Center felt it was necessary to release this paper, explaining why it's a bad idea to shoot for herd immunity. Bottom line: We still haven't seen any evidence that people become immune to this virus. That seems like a pretty important point.
Look, I understand why you want to get back out there. I do too. I saw my mom over the weekend for the first time in almost two months. But we wore masks and kept our distance. This is just too friggin dangerous.
John Hopkins Corona Virus Resource Center felt it was necessary to release this paper, explaining why it's a bad idea to shoot for herd immunity. Bottom line: We still haven't seen any evidence that people become immune to this virus. That seems like a pretty important point.
Look, I understand why you want to get back out there. I do too. I saw my mom over the weekend for the first time in almost two months. But we wore masks and kept our distance. This is just too friggin dangerous.
Sunday, May 10, 2020
RIP Betty Wright
Lost another one. R&B singer Betty Wright has passed away at the age of 66. Wow has this been a bad year...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)