Media Notebook--7-12-24

MEDIA NOTEBOOK

A curation of news items about the media from this past week, with a particular emphasis on Chicago.

RADIO/PODCASTS

 

*Chicago Radio Ratings

=The June ratings are out, and the top ten stations in Chicago (6+, M-Sun, 6a-Mid) are as follows…

WLIT (6.6)

WVAZ (6.2)

WDRV (6.1)

WBBM-AM (5.4)

WUSN (5.1)

WXRT (4.7)

WLS (4.2)

WOJO (3.7)

WBMX (3.2)

WTMX (3.2)

=The Lite reclaims the top spot from the Drive, which had the biggest drop of the month (-1.0).  Some of the biggest moves this month came just below the top ten. La-Ley moved up +0.6, Throwback 100.3 also went up 0.6. You may have noticed one standard bearer missing from the top ten. That’s WGN, which dropped 0.5 (now in 15^th place), as did the Score. 

 

*45^th Anniversary

=The July issue of Illinois Entertainer came out while I was gone and includes my interview with Tom Hoyt. Today is the 45th anniversary of Disco Demolition and Tom was in charge of the radio station (The Loop) that created the most famous radio promotion of all time. His perspective is a little different than the many others I've spoken to about that day. You can read it here. (Next month: Brian Sherman from Sherman & Tingle)

 

*Jimmy Steal to Step Down

=He has been with Hubbard (WTMX the Mix, Throwback 100.3) as their Brand Manager for the past six tumultuous years but is stepping down at the end of this year and moving into a talent coaching role with the company. In the just released ratings for June, the Mix is 10^th overall and Throwback is 19^th (6+, M-Sun, 6a-Mid). Radio Insight has more on this story.

 

*Danny Parkins

=The Score afternoon host got additional exposure this week when he filled in for the Colin Cowherd show on FS1.

*Local Radio Lineup Shuffles

=The Other Side of Midnight with Frank Morano is replacing the Rich Valdes show overnights on WGN, beginning July 15. Morano is also a syndicated show. It originates from WABC in New York. But at least it’s live, and it’s not as relentlessly political.

=Lyndsey Marie has taken over the night show at Q-101. She had been voice tracking on WLS-FM at nights.

=The show she replaces, the Greg Beharrall Show, is now on the new alternative River. 

*Former Chicago Bear on the Radio in Columbus

=Remember Dane Sanzenbacher? He played for the Bears about ten years ago but has since gone into broadcasting. He recently joined The Fan in Columbus (97.1FM) as a co-host and football analyst. The program director of the Fan is another former Chicagoan, Matt Fishman.

 

*Podcast Corner

=Steve Cochran was on the Crisis Cast with Thom Serafin and Lissa Druss talking about his career (among other things). 

=Dax Sheppard signs $80 million podcast deal with Amazon. You read that right.

=The most consistently funny podcast of all-time remains Conan O’Brien’s (Conan Needs a Friend). The New York Times did a great piece on him last week about his life after late-night television.

=If you want to hear Steve Bannon’s podcast the next four months, it’s gonna be tough. He’s in prison. But there will be guest hosts.

=How about another Alice Cooper offering? This time he’s pairing up with golfer Rocco Mediate for a monthly show about golf. 

=If it feels like everyone has a podcast, you aren’t far off. This year alone 100,000 new podcasts have debuted.

 

*Rest in Peace

=Mike Doyle

Former WMAQ reporter. This message from his old colleague Mike Krauser…

=Jack Daly

Longtime general manager of WJTW, WJOL, and WJDK. He was 77.

=Tom Kent

The former WLS night jock and nationally syndicated radio host passed away June 24. He was 69.

=Trella Hart

One of the classic jingle singers from PAMS/JAM. Here’s a sample.

=Joe Bonsall

The tenor voice of the Oak Ridge Boys. Gone at 76.

 

MEDIA BIRTHDAYS/MILESTONES

 

*July 6--Nick Digilio birthday

=The long-time WGN radio broadcaster is currently doing two podcasts on the Radio Misfits Podcast Network and launched his own website this week. 

 

*July 6—Robert Loerzel birthday

=Frequent contributor to WBEZ, writer for Chicago Magazine, and highly regarded Chicago historian.

 

*July 6—Steve Touhy birthday

=Steve has been on the radio in the Chicago area (mostly in the suburbs) for nearly 30 years. I interviewed him for Chicago Radio Spotlight in 2008.

*July 7—John Gehron birthday

=One of the most legendary radio programmers in history. I interviewed him for Chicago Radio Spotlight in 2009.

*July 8—Peter Bolger birthday

=Among his programming credits over a long career, WLS-AM.

 

*July 9—Dick Orkin birthday

=Probably the most famous voice over artist in radio history. The incredibly talented voice of Chicken Man. It really was an honor chatting with him shortly before his death. That interview is here.

*July 9—Will Clinger birthday

=Will is an actor/writer/performer best known for his days at Wild Chicago at WTTW.

 

*July 10, 1925—Scopes Monkey Trial begins

=A teacher, John Scopes, was on trial for teaching evolution, and it was the biggest story in the nation. Former presidential candidate William Jennings Bryan was the prosecutor. Clarence Darrow was Scopes’ defense attorney. Scopes lost the trial (it was in Tennessee) but it was overturned on a technicality. WGN Radio in Chicago broadcast the trial.

*July 10—Kevin Wells birthday

=Kevin is a newscaster at WGN Radio.

 

*July 10—Fred Mitchell birthday

=Fred wrote for the Chicago Tribune for over 40 years and has written several books, including bios of Billy Williams and Gale Sayers. I interviewed him on my podcast a few years ago.

*July 12—Connor McKnight birthday

=Connor is part of the Chicago White Sox radio team.

 

*July 12—Barry James birthday

=For over 20 years Barry was the program director at Chicago radio stations, including a very successful run at WTMX. I interviewed him about that in 2009. BJ is currently retired and living in Florida.

TV/STREAMING

 

*CBS-2 Chicago Reveals New Street-level Studio

=Looks pretty swanky. 3500 square feet. They debuted it this week. You can check it out here.

*Back at the Sports Desk

=Have you noticed the new sports anchor at CBS-2? He made the announcement last week…

*All-Female Cubs Broadcast

=The Marquee Network made history on Sunday with an all-female announcing crew. Beth Mowins handled the play-by-play, Elsie Menaker was the analyst, and Taylor McGregor was the on-field reporter. This is the first all-female crew to ever broadcast a Cubs game.

=It’s not the first-ever all-Female broadcasting team for MLB. That honor goes to the crew who broadcast the Orioles-Rays game in July of 2021. Heidi Watney and Lauren Gardner served as co-hosts for the pre- and post-game shows, with Sarah Langs (analyst), Melanie Newman (play-by-play) and Alanna Rizzo (reporter) handling game broadcast duties.

 

*WGN-TV anniversaries

=WGN-TV’s Marcus Leshock hit a milestone this week…

Just hit my 15 YEAR ANNIVERSARY at @WGNNews!

That photo on the right was my first work ID. The picture on the left is sitting on the anchor desk today. That’s something I never imagined happening when I first walked in here!

Thanks for watching over the years! 📺🙌 pic.twitter.com/gkEqu2up7i

— Marcus Leshock (@marcusleshock) July 8, 2024

=WGN-TV’s Robin Baumgarten did too…

 

*Me-TV Toons

=It’s been on the air now for a little while. How is it going? Here’s a pretty stellar review of the channel and its offerings.

*Windy City Weekend

=Yes, that was WLS-AM 890 morning host Ray Stevens appearing on Windy City Weekend on ABC-7 with Val Warner and Ryan Chiaverini. He is part of a segment called “host chat”.

 

*Cable News Corner

=Big cuts coming at CNN. Over 100 jobs.

*Head of CBS News to Step Down

=She’s only been in the job about a year, but Ingrid-Ciprian Matthews sees the writing on the wall. It has to do with the story below. Paramount owns CBS.

*Paramount Merges with SkyDance

=This time Shari Redstone and the Paramount board agreed to the terms of the merger. Redstone will largely cash out, and the new man in charge will be Daniel Ellison, son of Oracle’s Larry Ellison. But beware; there’s also a 45-day “shop clause” where Paramount can shop for a better deal.

 

*Paramount Removes The Daily Show Archives from Internet

=And former Daily Show members and fans are not happy about it. The Hollywood Reporter has the story. 

 

Rest in Peace

=Shelley Duvall

Actress from "The Shining" and "Popeye"

=Martin Mull

I loved everything he ever did, but most of all, this…

=Robert Towne

Oscar winning screenwriter of “Chinatown”

=Judy Belushi Pisano

Judy Belushi Pisano, widow of 'SNL' icon John Belushi, dies at 73 https://t.co/oPUn6m9cxN

— USA TODAY Life (@usatodaylife) July 7, 2024

=Doug Sheehan

Actor from General Hospital, Dallas, Clueless, Sabrina the Teenage Witch and so many others. He was 75.

DIGITAL/PRINT

 

*USA Today’s Editor Steps Down Abruptly

=It happened last week. His resignation was effective immediately. 

 

SOCIAL MEDIA

 

*YouTube Now Allows Removal of AI-Generated Usage of Your Likeness

=Seems reasonable.

*TikTok Propels Billy Joel

=Would you believe the song “Vienna” by Billy Joel is now a sensation with women of Generation Z? So says The Guardian.  Not sure why I love this story, but I do.

As always, if you have any media story you’d like to share or think that I might be interested in sharing, drop me a line at rick@eckhartzpress.com or amishrick@yahoo.com. If you're in Chicago media and wondering why I didn't mention your birthday, it's probably because I don't know it. Drop me a line and let me know and I'll put you on my calendar.

20 Years: Why I Write

 

This year marks my 20th year as a professional writer. Over the course of 2024, I'll be sharing a few of those offerings you may have missed along the way.

Two days ago marked the 35th anniversary of my father's death. It was the single most impactful moment of my young life. I grew up overnight. My whole world view changed. I began to live every day like it could be my last. 

These two stories about my dad may explain it. The first one appeared as the final essay in my book Father Knows Nothing.

Why do I write?

By Rick Kaempfer

My Dad: Eckhard Kaempfer (1935-1989)


Losing a parent has a tendency to change your outlook on life. I know it happened to me. When my father died seventeen years ago, I was 25. That’s a pretty young age to become fatalistic, but I’ve chosen to look on the bright side of being fatalistic. For one thing, I no longer take things for granted because I know that my time on this earth is limited.

I know this is going to sound bad, but I wish my father had been a little more fatalistic. Of course, it’s totally unfair to say that about a man who walked into a hospital emergency room one day at the age of 54, and never came out again. His mindset was understandable. Both of his parents were still alive when he died. He had no reason to ever think about death. And even if he had, all three of his children were already adults (25, 24, and 19), and he had done a pretty good job of raising relatively normal functional members of society. Why would he bother thinking about what life would be like without him?

I know I’m being greedy here. I realize that. He gave me all he could give...and then some. But now that I’m a father myself, I find myself wanting something I never wanted before. His advice. I always considered Dad to be a source of wisdom, even when I strongly fought against it. He was a reasonable man, a thinker, someone who gave quite a bit of thought to his words before they came out. He wasn’t always right, but he was never rash or emotional. In short, he was the perfect kind of person to ask for advice.

And I never did.

And now that I’m a father myself, I have a million questions.

That’s probably one of the reasons I have so overcompensated with my own boys. I’ve tried to use my father as a model—his steady temperament and his guiding hand, while trying to give them what he couldn’t give me. It’s one of the reasons I’ve decided to stay home and raise them. I’m part of virtually every phase of their lives, and I’m constantly giving them unsolicited advice about every subject under the sun just in case they ever need it someday.

Unfortunately, I don’t quite have the fountain of wisdom my father had. He had knowledge that came from a difficult childhood of emigration and language barriers and hardship that I couldn’t even imagine. You learn things when you experience difficulty—and he must have learned so much. Most of those lessons learned, however, died with him. I didn’t have the foresight to ask about them, and he didn’t have the foresight to commit them to paper.

So I write.

That way, what I know will not go away when I go away. Even if my boys choose to ignore it for most of their lives, I’m fairly confident there will come a time when curiosity will get the best of them, and they will seek out wisdom from their father. When that time comes, there’s a possibility I won’t be around to deliver it in person.

The son spends his life trying to distance himself from his father, trying to make his own way in the world, trying to become a man. There’s nothing wrong with that—it’s part of growing up. I certainly don’t take it personally when my boys ignore my advice and insist on making the same mistakes I made. Some kids just learn better that way. I know I did. But there will come a day when they need me. And I just can’t bear to think that I won’t be there when they do.

So I write.

When they do seek me out, even if I’m not around, my words will still be here, to bring me back to life. They won’t have to wonder what was going through my mind when I was in their shoes--because they can read it. And if they end up having boys just like themselves—and my experience tells me they just might—they can see how and why I did what I did.

Why do I write? I know that part of the audience for every word I write includes three grown men I’ve never met. Three men who may one day want to ask Dad for advice. I only have my time, my love, and my words. I give those with all of my heart.

That’s why I write.

***

This was the piece I wrote about him on Father's Day in 2006...

Thank you Mary Ann Childers

I would like to take this opportunity to thank someone who often comes to mind when I think of my own father, especially on Father's Day: Mary Ann Childers.





Why do I think of the local Chicago news anchor when I think of my Dad?


It's a very odd story. I was the producer of the Steve and Garry show on WLUP, and we did a very special Christmas show one year--a full reading of the stage version of "A Christmas Carol" starring many local celebrities.

Among the celebrities present that day: Mary Ann Childers.

I don't remember what part Mary Ann played, but I remember that I cornered her backstage and asked her to do me a big favor. I told her that my father had a thing for her. He didn't say it was time to watch the news--he said it was time to watch Mary Ann. I asked if she would mind sending me an autographed picture of herself for Dad.

She seemed very flattered, but I really didn't expect her to do it. I figured she was a busy person and this was such a low priority that she probably wouldn't get around to it. That's probably why I was blown away when she sent me her promo picture with a personal note to my Dad saying... "It was a pleasure working with your son, Rick." The picture itself says "To Eckhard--Warmest Wishes for Christmas 1988. Mary Ann Childers."

I'll never forget how excited Dad was when he opened my present to him on Christmas Eve that year. I captured it on film...




















Dad died six months later at the age of 54.

After he died I went to his office to clean out his things, and there she was, right in the middle of his desk: Mary Ann Childers. His co-workers told me that he joked with them about this picture all the time, saying that Mary Ann was his secret girlfriend.


Next Sunday is Father's Day. It's always a rough weekend for me. For the first twenty five years of my life, Father's Day weekend was a tribute to Dad. (And not just because it was Father's Day--it was his birthday too.) So, even now--seventeen years later, I struggle to enjoy Father's Day. I can't help thinking of Dad--and how much I miss him.

That's where Mary Ann Childers helps out.

When I don't want my sadness to ruin Father's Day for my kids, all I have to do is think of Mary Ann Childers. I remember how excited Dad was to get this picture from his "girlfriend," and it never fails to bring a smile to my face.

I've seen Mary Ann Childers a few times since Dad died--and I re-thanked her each time. Somehow I still don't think that's enough, so I'll say it again.

Thank You, Mary Ann.

One small gesture from you gave my Dad six months of enjoyment...and gave me seventeen years of comfort.

I'll never be able to repay you for that.

***

A few more Cubs stories for you from this week in history...

July 7—Birthday of Billy Herman, Cub traded over drinks

July 8, 1947—All Star Game at Wrigley Field

July 8, 1890—Birthday of Rowdy Elliot, Unlucky Cub 

July 9, 1885—Birthday of Buck Herzog, Cheating Cub

July 13, 1977—The NYC Blackout. Where were the Cubs?  

July 13, 1995—The hottest day ever at Wrigley. 

Studio Walls--July 10, 2024

 

A weekly update/preview of my latest podcasts, and a look back at some of my previous audio work from this week in history over the past 40+ years.

Here are a few from the archives...

July 7, 1974—West Germany wins the World Cup, beating Netherlands 2-1. 

=This was the tournament that spurred my love of soccer, and eventually inspired the Free Kicks podcast

July 7, 1899—Adolph Luetgert dies

=Chicago historian Robert Loerzel wrote a book about that crazed killer. He told us all about it in this episode.

July 7—Ringo Starr birthday 

=Felix Cavaliere tells the story of playing in Ringo's All star band in this episode.  

=Bill Schnee tells the story of recording Ringo's album sessions, when all three of the other Beatles showed up.  

***

July 8, 1990—Germany wins the World Cup, beating Argentina 1-0. 

=This was the tournament that restored my love of soccer, and eventually inspired the Free Kicks podcast.

***

July 9, 2005—Adam Greenberg’s only Cub at bat

=One of the all-time great baseball stories.  

July 9, 2006—Men in Blazers stars Roger Bennett and Michael Davies meet at a wedding reception in New York.

=Roger Bennett told us that story in this episode.

July 9, 2019—Chance the Snapper found. 

=Block Club Chicago Editor-in-Chief Shamus Toomey told us the story of the alligator that put his Chicago website on the map.  

July 9, 1971—Grand Funk at Shea Stadium. 

=They sold more tickets in a shorter amount of time than the Beatles did six years earlier. Mark Farner told us more. 

 

***

July 10--Fred Mitchell birthday

=The legendary sportswriter appeared on this episode of Minutia Men Celebrity Interview.

 

***

July 11, 1996—5:30 Club

=This is a video of the John Landecker show's opening segment every morning on WJMK--The 5:30 Club. My age and shape are mentioned. 

July 11, 1960—To Kill a Mockingbird is published. 

=And now it's banned in Florida. Scott Turow talked to us about his thoughts regarding its banning. 

***

July 12, 1979--Disco Demoilition

=This video from that night does a pretty good of explaining the hype.

***

July 13, 2014—Germany wins the World Cup, beating Argentina 1-0. 

=Pretty good week in history for Germany, eh?

July 13—Cheech Marin birthday 

=We interviewed Tommy Chong, who told us all about his ex-comedy partner Cheech.  

Publishing Portal--July 9, 2024

The latest news from Eckhartz Press, and a chance to peek into some of the great previous offerings from our humble little publishing company.

Happy Birthday!

=2 birthdays this week!  Patricia Motto's birthday is July 9. Pat is the author of To the Men I've Loved. This photo of her from back in the day (with White Sox players Wilbur Wood and Jay Johnstone) is in the book.

=Eckhartz Press author Scott Redman (Illinois Adult Use Cannabis) is celebrating on July 9.  Scott is a Chicago corporate attorney with over thirty years of experience in various highly regulated industries such as banking, gaming and food manufacturing. Happy birthday to Pat & Scott!

 

To the Men I've Loved

=Our latest book is funny, heartwarming, and provocative. It's called To the Men I've Loved, and here's a great primer Q&A with the author Patricia Motto about her book.

 The Loop Files

=This week is the anniversary of the most famous event in WLUP (The Loop) history: Disco Demolition. It happened 45 years ago this week (July 12). Obviously it's a subject that gets an in-depth look in the pages of The Loop Files. There are also some great pictures taken  by Paul Natkin, like these...

=Author Rick Kaempfer even circled back last week for the Illinois Entertainer and interviewed someone else from that day who wasn't included in the book. This interview with former Loop boss Tom Hoyt adds additional context to the famous event.

Surviving Sue

=Vicki Atkinson's book was reviewed this week by a distinguished author (Diana D. Wallace Peach), and this is just some of what she wrote about it...

    This is a riveting memoir by Vicki Atkinson chronicling life with her mother Sue, who suffered from alcoholism, depression, Munchausen by Proxy, dementia, and Alzheimer’s. It covers the author’s life from childhood through adulthood and it’s a heartbreaking, courageous, and frequently compassionate account of Sue’s life as told through her daughter’s eyes.

Nose Over Toes

=Eckhartz Press authors have achieved some pretty impressive things over the years, but we'd be hard-pressed to name a more impressive feat than Janet Sutherland achieved this week in 2019. Here is how she described it at the time...

    We spent part of the day meeting with Illinois Congressman Sean Casten thanking him for signing Ellie’s law. I called Congressman Casten right after my mom died at the request of the Brain Aneurysm Foundation and asked him to sign HR 1648. This is an important bill especially for those who traveled to DC lobbied, worked really hard asking Congress for research and awareness were seeking for passage of Ellie’s Law. Ellie’s Law is a bill that seeks federal funding for brain aneurysm research. It is named in honor of Ellie Helton, a 14-year-old Apex, NC teenager, who died on July 16, 2014 as a result of a brain aneurysm. The bill, HR 1648, provides $5 million each fiscal year, for five years, to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) to conduct or support further comprehensive research on brain aneurysms, studying a broader patient population diversified by age, sex, and race.Congressman Casten did sign the bill!!! We met with him this morning to thank him for supporting the bill and asked him to support another awareness resolution. We are quite honored to be able to meet with Congressman Casten and hit him with a lot of items on our brain aneurysm “list” which he was open to. I also gave him a copy of my book (“Nose Over Toes”) 🙂 (photograph copyright 2019, Lee Balgemann)

The Scar Dance

 =This week in 2018 (July 9), Eckhartz Press announced that The Scar Dance was available for pre-order. It's one of those memorable books that stays with you many years after you read it. This Q&A with author William Mansfield is a pretty good primer. 

Ringo Starr

=Ringo Starr is celebrating a birthday this week (July 7). Ringo is part of at least four different Eckhartz Press books. There's a great story about him in The Loop Files, he's mentioned several times in Bobby Skafish's We Have Company, he is interviewed in Bill Paige's book Everything I Know I Learned from Rock Stars, and this photo is in Mitch Michael's book Doin The Cruise...

 The Unplanned Life 

=This week in 2020, Roger Badesch appeared on the radio (The Hannah & Fred show) promoting his book. 

=Don't forget that Roger will be appearing on stage Sunday...

The Daly News

=This week in 2001, Joel Daly appeared with Steve & Johnnie on WGN Radio. That interview is still available on the WGN website.

Chili Dog MVP 

=Two members of the 1972 White Sox are celebrating birthdays this week. Slugging third baseman Bill Melton (July 7) and second baseman Mike Andrews (July 9). Naturally, both are featured in the pages of Chili Dog MVP.

Everything I Know I Learned from Rock Stars

=This week in 2017, Bill Paige was making the rounds promoting his book. One of his stops was to the Bill & Wendy show on WGN Radio.

Mob Adjacent

=Mob Adjacent is a book by two brothers (Jeffrey & Michael Gentile) who grew up around the Outfit in Chicago. Some of the most famous gangsters in Chicago history casually stroll in and out of this book, including one of the bosses of the Outfit, Jackie Cerone, who was born this week (July 7) in 1914. 

 Always a Pleasure

The owner of the Toronto Raptors, Larry Tanenbaum, is celebrating a birthday this week (July 8). Larry is a huge fan of Chuck Swirsky and provided this endorsement for the book...

• Night in and night out there was no one who brought more heart and passion to the game of basketball than Chuck Swirsky. For ten years Chuck was the very soul of building fans who loved his unique style and upbeat personality. Nothing tasted better than his call to “bring out the salami and cheese Mamma”.. his special winning call. Chuck will always be a hero in Toronto.

  Larry Tanenbaum, Chairman of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment Chairman of the NBA Board of Governors

Close Encounters of a Chicago Kind

=Vicki Quade's book is about her hilarious everyday encounters with ordinary Chicagoans. One of those Chicagoans is Will Clinger, who is celebrating a birthday this week (July 9). Here's what he had to say about Vicki's book...

• “Vicki Quade is a Chicago treasure with an abiding curiosity about the world around her, and sprinkled among these fly-on-the-wall stories are some valuable tips on things to see and experiences to have in our great city.”

  Will Clinger, Producer and Host of WILD TRAVELS, a TV show that airs nationally on PBS.

 

Cubsessions

=Fred Mitchell (July 10 birthday) is one of Chicago's top sportswriters, and this is what he had to say about the Eckhartz Press book Cubsessions...

• “During my 41-plus years as a sportswriter with the Chicago Tribune, I learned that Cubs fans are indeed a super-energized, passionate and yet often complicated breed. To capture the essence of their obsession and undying loyalty is a remarkable accomplishment. Yet Randy Richardson and Becky Sarwate manage to do just that through this rare collection of stories from the team’s legion of celebrity fans.”

  Fred Mitchell, retired columnist/writer, Chicago Tribune

 

EveryCubEver

=Connor McKnight is not only a birthday boy this week (July 12), he's also a White Sox announcer seen here pointing to a Cubs book. Must be a pretty incredible book. (Mark Grote is also in the picture, holding the book)

Your Dime My Dance Floor

=This week in 2019 (July 10), friends and colleagues of Chet Coppock met to memorialize their recently deceased friend at Eddie's in Arlington Heights. Jim O'Donnell was the emcee, but Chet's former producer Cheryl Raye Stout, former Bear Dan Jiggetts and former Bull Dave Corzine were also there. So was Eckhartz Press publisher Rick Kaempfer

 

 We Have Company

=Two more rock star birthdays this week, and two more photos with Eckhartz Press author Bobby Skafish from his rock and roll interview book We Have Company. Suzanne Vega (July 11) and Roger McGuinn of the Byrds (July 13)

 Grun Weiss Vor!

 =This week in 2018 (July 13), Green White Soccer Club won a national championship (The President's Cup). That came a little too late to be included in the Eckhartz Press book about the club, but not too late to be highlighted here...

Records Truly Is My Middle Name

=John Gehron was the program director of WLS AM 890 when John Records Landecker worked there in the 1970s. He's celebrating a birthday this week (July 7). On this memo below, which appears in Landecker's book, see if you can see a phrase that made John Landecker read this on the air.