Publishing Portal--August 4, 2025

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

The Best of Words on Birds

=There's a great Q&A with Jeff Reiter on the Eckhartz Press website right now. Click here to read all of it. Here's a short excerpt...

Jeff: Birders are the best people. I find them to be incredibly friendly and helpful. They love the hobby and want to share it. My book would not have been possible without them. The pandemic helped to grow the community — birding, like gardening and golf, was an activity that drew people outside when they needed it most. I know that membership in the DuPage Birding Club almost doubled and the club’s bird walks were filled to capacity. Participation all across the country took off, which was great to see.

 

Data show that about 96 million Americans now enjoy watching birds on some level–double from 20 years ago. Part of the growth is due to technology, with people discovering apps such as Merlin, which is like Shazam for bird songs. It’s wildly popular. But accessibility helps, too. This is an easy hobby to enter, with many ways to enjoy it.

 

When you ask about what makes a birder tick, it’s all over the board. I think we all approach the hobby a little differently. For some it’s all about the thrill of the chase, travel to new places, or finding the latest gear and tech. For others it might be a very simple, like just enjoying the beauty of birds, common or rare, and connecting with nature. You might say there are birders and birdwatchers, and both are good! We’re all in it together at whatever level we choose. I hope my book brings some fun context to the hobby and, ideally, inspires people to think and care more about our wild birds.

Chili Dog MVP

=You know you are making a mark when Variety talks about your film. Read the whole article here (second item). A short excerpt...

    “Dick Allen was a simple man from the coal town of Wampum, Pennsylvania, who faced relentless adversity during the heat of the Civil Rights era — all while becoming a legend on the baseball field,” says Billman in the film’s press release. “This film will show why Dick Allen is deserving of a place in the Hall of Fame, and how many — including his own son — considered him a hero.”

    “My Father, Dick Allen” is narrated by actor Jocko Sims (“New Amsterdam,” “High Potential”) and is produced by Dr. David J. Fletcher, John Owens, Sharon Pannozzo, Willa Allen, and Richard Allen Jr., and is set to be released in 2026.

=We sold a ton of Chili Dog MVP books in Cooperstown during the Hall of Fame induction weekend. Thanks so much to Willis Monie books for hosting us multiple times over the weekend. We kept getting visits from White Sox royalty. Former Sox pitcher Tom Bradley (shown below with Doc Fletcher), former White Sox manager Chuck Tanner's son (shown below with John Owens), and the grandson of former White Sox owner John Allyn, Brian (shown below with Doc Fletcher)

Celtic Knot

=Bob Conlon continues making the rounds. This week he tells his story to the Chicago Writes podcast.

The Kiss of Night

=Author Mark Wukas (photo) will be appearing at Max & Benny's on August 11 (Northbrook) to tape a podcast and do a book signing. You can register here. That's a week from tonight. Be sure to reserve your seat. It's filling up fast.

Mob Adjacent

=Another Mob Adjacent video dropped this week.

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A post shared by Mob Adjacent (@mobadjacent)

=One of the joys of the Gentile brothers (Jeff & Michael) book Mob Adjacent is the way it intersperses Hollywood and the Mob in Chicago. Eddie Fisher was born this week in 1928 (August 10). One of the funnier sections in the book involves mob wives arguing about the merits of allowing Eddie Fisher to perform in mob nightclubs after Eddie was so cruel to his first wife Debbie Reynolds. Mob Adjacent was a finalist for Chicago Writer's Association Book of the Year in 2020.

EveryCubEver

=Sad week for the EveryCubEver team. Losing Ryne Sandberg was a tough blow. EveryCubEver author Rick Kaempfer tells his Ryne Sandberg story in this video...

=This week's birthday boy, former Cubs pitcher Rich Nye (August 4) is one of only a handful of Cubs featured in EveryCubEver who have also had their photograph taken with the author of the book Rick Kaempfer.

Cubsessions 

=Eckhartz Press author Becky Sarwate is celebrating a birthday this week (August 8). In 2018 and 2019 she co-wrote two different editions of the book Cubsessions for us. Still one of our favorites. Have a great birthday, Becky!

Bob Sirott

=The WGN Radio morning host has been a big supporter of Eckhartz Press over the years.  He endorsed the book Life Behind the Camera by Chuck Quinzio with these words...

• Anyone in broadcasting will be fascinated by Chuck Quinzio’s TV and radio adventures. I thought I heard Chuck’s best stories during my time working with him in the TV news business, but he saved the best for this book! His writing talent makes it a great read for everybody.

  Bob Sirott, WGN Radio

=Bob also contributed several stories to John Landecker's book Records Truly is My Middle Name, and was interviewed by Randy Richardson & Becky Sarwate for Cubsessions. Bob also interviewed Rick Kaempfer about EveryCubEver. Sirott is celebrating a birthday this week (August 9). Happy birthday Bob!

Doin' the Cruise and The Loop Files and The Flip Side

=One of the most memorable passages of Mitch Michaels' book is about the crazy times he experienced at ChicagoFest. That music festival debuted this week (August 8) in 1978. The cover photo for Mitch's book was taken there, on Navy Pier. That incredible event is also described, of course, in The Loop Files and The Flip Side. Three different angles on an amazing event in Chicago history.

=This week in 1979 (August 5), just a few weeks after Disco Demolition, the Loop was back at Comiskey Park. This time it was a mega-concert called A Day at the Park. Among the acts on the bill that night, Journey. Sky Daniels and Mitch Michaels were on hand to introduce the bands. (Photos: Paul Natkin). 

 

 

=Whitney Houston was born this week in 1963 (August 9). She also appears in two Eckhartz Press books, The Loop Files and The Flip Side.

=So this was a nice surprise. Kelly Duff is a blogger who posted a list of her five favorite books of 2024. #1 on the list was The Loop Files. Thanks Kelly!

Your Dime My Dance Floor

=This week in 2018 (August 9), Chet Coppock officially released his Eckhartz Press book Your Dime My Dance Floor. (Q&A with Chet). We had a book launch party in Arlington Heights, and it was like a trip down memory lane for Chet as his former co-workers came out to cheer him on. That's Mike Davis, Jim Modelski, and Tom Serritella.

=A few people featured in Chet's book have birthdays this week. Lee Corso (August 7) and George McGinnis (August 10). That's George in picture with Chet below...

In Small Boxes

=This week in 2016 (August 10), Eckhartz Press released the memoir In Small Boxes written by Ann R. Wilson. Ann had a great launch party in her hometown...

1001 Train Rides in Chicago

=This week in 2018 (August 5), Eckhartz Press author Richard Reeder appeared on WCGO radio (Playtime with Bill Turck)...

 Noes Over Toes

=When Janet Sutherland-Madden's mother passed away in 2019, one of her final wishes was to donate a hundred of Janet's books (Nose Over Toes) to the UIC Department of Neurosurgery. That wish was fulfilled this week in 2019 (August 5). The book is now being given out to patients who are afflicted with brain aneurysms. That's Janet with Dr. Konstantin Slavin. 

Surviving Sue

=Another wonderful review of Surviving Sue. This one comes from author Deborah Brasket ("When Things Go Missing"). She wrote...

Surviving Sue is a tender, heart-breaking and meticulously detailed memoir about surviving the trauma of growing up with an abusive and mentally unstable mother.  Most of all, we learn how the author grows strong and wise and compassionate despite all she suffers. She is evidence of the old truism: what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.

=Surviving Sue author Vicki Atkinson did a presentation at the Woodstock Public Library this week in 2024. It was a nice turnout at a beautiful library.

Signature Shoes

=One of the very first signature shoes was worn by tennis star Rod Laver (born August 9). A decade later, basketball star Patrick Ewing (born August 5) debuted his own signature shoe. Both are featured in Ryan Trembath's book.

 

Records Truly Is My Middle Name

=This week in 1997, this famous video of the great movie trailer voice over artists debuted at the Hollywood Reporter Key Art Awards

=One of those five men, John Leader, is also featured in John Landecker's book Records Truly Is My Middle Name. The two Johns went to college together and worked in radio together in Michigan during their formative radio years. This photo of the two Johns is in the book.

Back in the DDR

=This week in 2013 (August 6), the Heidelberg American Middle School closed it's doors for the final time. That school plays a critical role in Rick Kaempfer's novel Back in the DDR. One of the scenes at that school is featured here.

The Daly News

=Legendary Chicago newscaster Fahey Flynn was born (August 6, 1916) and died (August 8, 1983) this week in history. His longtime co-anchor Joel Daly delivered Fahey's eulogy. That entire moving eulogy is in the pages of Joel's Eckhartz Press book, The Daly News.

We Have Company

=This week in 2004 (August 8), the Dave Matthews band made headlines when their tour bus dumped a load of human waste into the Chicago River. Unfortunately, there was a boat tour going on at the time. Bobby Skafish got the first interview with Dave Matthews after that unfortunate incident. It rates a full chapter in Bobby's book We Have Company.

Behind the Glass

=Yes, Randy Merkin was a sports-radio producer, and yes most of the stories in his book Behind the Glass are about sports figures. However, he also has at least one story about booking a guest who would become the president of the United States. That former president, Barack Obama, is celebrating a birthday this week (August 4)

Media Notebook--8-5-22

MEDIA NOTEBOOK

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

RADIO/PODCASTS

*Bob Stroud Profile

=The latest issue of Illinois Entertainer is out and features my interview with the recently-semi-retired rock and roll jock Bob Stroud. (Read the full interview here) We discussed his entire career, including what led him into this business in the first place…

            “The DJ that sent me on the course to where I am is Dick Biondi,” he says. “It was so important in my life – sixth grade, living in Kalamazoo, a friend of mine said, ‘Have you heard this disc jockey named Dick Biondi on WLS in Chicago? He’s crazy.’ I went home that night and listened, and it changed my life. The other guy who I always mention because I thought he was so brilliant was Ron Britain from WCFL. When I met him the first time, it was like meeting a Beatle for me.”

=Coming up next month (September 1^st), Garry Meier.

 

*Update on the WTMX lawsuits

=Inside Radio has the full story with the latest updates. You can read that here.   Bottom line, according to the article is that Melissa McGurren, former Eric Ferguson sidekick and current morning co-host at US-99, is appealing the dismissal of her lawsuit. The case brought by former producer Cynthia DiNicola is still in the midst of litigation in U.S. District Court in Chicago.

*Legendary broadcaster Vin Scully passes away

=How much of a part of the American broadcast world was Scully? 67 years behind the microphone calling games for the Dodgers. The youngest person to broadcast a World Series game (age 25). 3 perfect games. 18 no-hitters. Hank Aaron’s 715^th home run. Inducted into Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982. He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. A presidential medal of freedom from Barack Obama. The street leading to Dodger Stadium is named after him, and so is the press box. Vin Scully was simply the best there ever was. Read the AP obit of Scully here.

=To me, this is a great example of Scully’s greatness. It’s his radio play-by-play of the 9^th inning of Sandy Koufax’s perfect game against the Cubs in 1965.

 

*WGN Radio News

=There was a big announcement this week about the WGN radio archives being donated to Northwestern. This includes everything from 1941-2011. 70 years of audio is now in the hands of Northwestern University Libraries in the Charles Deering McCormick Library of Special Collections and University Archives. Some truly historic material has been donated by WGN and their corporate bosses Nexstar. More details here.

=Editor & Publisher also reports that Nexstar CEO Perry Sook has been extended through 2026. 

*Maybe radio jobs aren’t extinct after all

=This announcement came from EP of WBEZ’s Reset…

Great positions open on WBEZ's daily talk show @WBEZ: Senior Producer, Digital Engagement Producer and Reset Production Fellow (1-year position, pays 55K). We'll also be posting a Producer position soon. Please spread the word and reach out with questions. https://t.co/JfObSYK9Ae

— danielptucker (@danielptucker) August 1, 2022

 

*Audacy Stock Price

=Audacy owns quite a few radio stations in Chicago, including WBBM-AM, B-96, The Score, WXRT, US99 and 104.3 Jamz, but the company is facing a serious financial crisis. The stock price hasn’t been over $1.00 since the beginning of July (it closed at 70 cents a share yesterday), and now they are in danger of being de-listed by the New York Stock Exchange. (Details are here) How that will impact Chicago’s Audacy stations remains to be seen. Cumulus faced a similar financial emergency a few years ago and managed to recover.

 

*Podcast Roundup

=The film industry is jumping into the podcasting world. Lionsgate is the latest major player to announce they are joining the crowd. Podcast Business Journal has the details. 

= The New York Times recommends six new political scandal podcasts. They are about (pick your topic): Hurricane Katrina, Putin’s obsession about Ukraine, Chappaquiddick, British scandals, a BBC look at Bush & Blair, and a little-known Australian coup from the 1970s. Something for everybody here.

=Bloomberg has a story this week about some podcast guests paying a fortune to appear on popular shows. I’ve clearly been doing this all wrong.

 

*Chicago radio anniversary

=The late great WNUA signed on with their smooth jazz format exactly 35 years ago this week. If you’re feeling nostalgic, here are a few places to read or listen to some highlights.

=My interview with WNUA star RickO’Dell (2010) 

=Former Ramsey Lewis producer BobKessler reminisces (2012) 

=Charlie Meyerson’s WNUA interviews with Richard M. Daley and Jane Byrne 

 

*WXRT Hall of Fame

=This tweet by Johnny Mars has a photo from 25 years ago that features nearly every one of the all-time WXRT greats. See if you can identify all of them.

The WXRT air staff 1997 pic.twitter.com/fYfZ9I57MM

— Johnny Mars (@JohnnyMarsDJ) July 30, 2022

 

MEDIA BIRTHDAYS/MILESTONES

 

*Jerry G. Bishop

=The anniversary of Chicago broadcasting icon Jerry G. Bishop’s birth was this week. His protégé (as both Svengoolie and in radio) Rich Koz mentioned Bishop on his Facebook page this week: “An amazing talent, a good man, and a good friend- his generosity to me could never be paid back.” 

=When I interviewed Koz in 2009, he went into a little more detail about what Jerry G. meant to him…

“The job with Jerry actually came about when he was leaving WFLD after they cancelled his Svengoolie show he was in talks with NBC for both radio and TV, and he thought enough of me to try and get me involved as part of his team for the radio side. He did some fill in at WMAQ, with me filling the afore-mentioned sidekick/producer/goofball role- and, when they brought him in full time- first, in afternoon drive, then in morning drive- I went along for the ride.

It was a great gig, other than having to get up so early for the morning show- we’d ride in, going over the papers, and he’d read something about Dean Martin, and say-“let’s do a bit on this- you be Dean!” I’d write stuff and be about 85% of the characters and “celebrities” that called in- I’d write song parodies for him, invent new bits, and we’d do sponsored commercials as bits- for example, I played the president of a lumber/home improvement chain, playing him as a sort of dopey guy, in a running series of live read commercials, and they went over really well.

Plus, on Monday mornings, when the show started an hour earlier than usual, for a while, Jerry had me do that first hour by myself! Jerry was the best--very generous, and, as I’ve always said, the guy who’s responsible for me getting into the broadcasting business…so blame him!”

 

*Former Loop/Drive jock (and current WGN fill-in) Phil Manicki celebrated a birthday August 4th. My 2019 Illinois Entertainer interview with Phil is here. 

*Former WIND/WCKG talker Geoff Pinkus celebrated a birthday on August 5^th. My 2008 Chicago Radio Spotlight interview with Geoff is here. 

*Chicago sports broadcasting pioneer Chet Coppock released his final (and most critically acclaimed) book Your Dime, My Dance Floor this week in 2018. Less than a year after this book came out, Chet died tragically in a car crash. My final Q&A with Chet is here. 

*Former Chicago traffic reporter Joe Collins passed away five years ago this week. It would be difficult to find someone more universally loved than Joe. I had the chance to interview him for Illinois Entertainer just a few months before he passed away. 

*One of the biggest names in Chicago television news history, Fahey Flynn, was born this week in 1916. He also passed away this week in 1983. His Eyewitness News (Channel 7) co-anchor Joel Daly delivered the eulogy, which he published in his book The Daly News.  The following is a short excerpt from Joel’s speech…

            “Fahey had very strong feelings, deeply held political and philosophical convictions. But he never let them show on the air. During this time of great change and great debate, Fahey was steadfast…his eyebrows as straight as his familiar bow tie. Fahey was the original, quintessential anchorman. Unmoved, unemotional, a man whom people trusted to tell them the truth… without endorsement or embellishment. Fahey Flynn fought the odds of time in a very tough business in a very tough town. And his tenure, all that time as a broadcaster and newsman belie the unfortunate myths which cloud our profession: that it is cosmetic…that it is shallow… that it is ‘slick and superficial.’ For Fahey, the most successful of all, was none of these.

On the contrary, what you saw was what you got…what he was—a decent, caring human being, so obvious and so visible every night at 6:00 and 10:00. For many years, at the beginning and end of our news programs, the camera would show the two of us talking. You couldn’t tell what we were saying to each other. That, naturally, aroused a lot of curiosity. People would invariably ask me; “What do you and Fahey talk about every night?”

Usually, I’d just smile and remain noncommittal, as if it were some kind of secret. We were two men bound in time—victims of the unrelenting clock. And we talked about living and dying…of where we had been…and where we were going…if we only had time. And those conversations would often last long after the studio lights went out. We would sit there in the darkness, as if unwilling to let go. Those were the moments I will most remember.

That rich voice rolling out of the darkness, spinning a tale from the past…or posing a question of the future—often funny, sometimes sad—intimate words that could be said and shared without the presence of the clock…without the witness of the world. But now time has run out! No more deadlines, my dear friend…no more rush. No more stories to send…no more fuss. So rest in peace, dear friend…and be to heaven bound. We’ll follow, for time must end…Just pray the bridge is down”

 

TELEVISION/STREAMING

 

*Devil in White City to film in Chicago

=One of the most famous books ever written about Chicago, The Devil in White City, is about to become a television series. Some big-time names are attached. Keanu Reaves to star. Leonardo DiCaprio and Martin Scorsese to produce. And most importantly, it will actually be filmed here in Chicago. Reel Chicago has the details. 

 

*I want my MTV

=It’s hard to believe it’s already 41 years, but one of the original VJs Martha Quinn tweeted about the anniversary this week. Do you remember where you were? I was in college at the University of Illinois, and it was a groundbreaking moment.

Happy 41st birthday to the pop culture meteor that enrolled us all in the greatest school of rock ever-#MTV High! Can you remember the first video you saw? Where were you?? pic.twitter.com/40c3Agc3HU

— Martha Quinn Ⓥ (@MarthaQuinn) August 1, 2022

 

*Whoopsie-Doopsie moment for Alex Jones

=The InfoWars host/founder had a very bad week. He discovered live on the stand that his lawyer had accidentally given all of Jones’ phone records (all of them) to the lawyers representing the Sandy Hook families. He lost in court and was ordered to pay a $4 million settlement. The January 6^th committee then asked for the files too, which may have further implications for him in future legal matters.

=NBCNews has the details on the whoopsie moment. 

=NPR has the story about the Jan 6 angle of this story. 

=US News & World Report has the story about the settlement. 

 

*Batgirl must be really, really, bad

The movie Batgirl is not coming out at all…anywhere. I get why they don’t want to spend money marketing it, or they don’t think it’s big enough for nationwide theater release, but I don’t get why they won’t just release it on HBO Max. Supposedly they are taking it as tax write off, but even that doesn’t quite smell right. They’ve already spent $90 million (see below). Rumors have been trickling out that it tested very badly, despite their initial quotes to Variety this week. Here’s a short excerpt…

            Studio insiders insist the decision to axe “Batgirl” was not driven by the quality of the film or the commitment of the filmmakers, but by the desire for the studio’s slate of DC features to be at a blockbuster scale. “Batgirl” was budgeted to screen in homes on HBO Max, and not for a major global release in theaters. The initial $75 million production budget for the project, which finished principal photography earlier this year and was in post-production, reached $90 million, due in part to COVID-related delays and protocols.

 

*RIP Nichelle Nicols

=The actress who brought Star Trek’s Lt. Uhura to life passed away this week. The Washington Post has a great obit of this amazing woman.  What a fascinating life. I didn’t realize that she was from Chicago, or that she was discovered by Duke Ellington, or that she dated Gene Rodenberry and Sammy Davis Jr. it’s worth a read. RIP Nichelle.

 

If you have any media stories (Chicago or national) that you think I might like to share in future columns, feel free to drop me a line at rick@eckhartzpress.com or amishrick@yahoo.com