Eckhartz Synergy

See if you can't find the Eckhartz Press synergy in this item in Robert Feder's column this morning...

Chicago radio veteran Katherine Kelly Murphy has signed on as executive producer of “Brandwidth on Demand,” the weekly radio insiders’ podcast hosted by eminent programmers and consultants David Martin and Kipper McGee. Murphy, former operations manager at Harpo Radio and news anchor for “FM News 101.1,” most recently was morning show exec producer at CBS Radio country WUSN FM 99.5. Special guest this week on “Brandwidth on Demand” is Chicago rock radio legend Bobby Skafish, author of We Have Company: Four Decades of Rock and Roll Encounters.

See it? Kipper McGee (co-host of the Brandwidth podcast) is also the author of the book "Brandwidth", which spawned the podcast. And Bobby Skafish's new book is an Eckhartz Press product too.

Minutia Men, Episode 25

EP25 – Rick and Dave discuss medical mishaps, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame snubs, bad airplane stories, the 1908 Cubs, and Rick’s brush with White Sox legend Minnie Minoso.

Listen to it here.

Bruce Bohrer on WCIU

A few photos from Eckhartz Press author Bruce Bohrer's appearance on WCIU-TV this morning...

Rizzo Apologizes to Ump

Love this...

Kevin Matthews Interviews Bobby Skafish

Two Chicago radio legends (Kevin Matthews and Bobby Skafish) talk about the business and Bobby's great new book.

Listen to it here.

Rick On WCIU

Told a little Cubs trivia, revealed one of our JOBC shirts...

Megyn Kelly Will Dish About Ailes in Her Upcoming Book

From Vanity Fair...

Kelly has yet to address the allegations publicly. But as Ellison revealed onstage at the third-annual Vanity Fair New Establishment Summit on Tuesday morning, all of that is about to change. Ellison told the audience that Kelly has added a chapter to her forthcoming book about the Ailes fiasco. “Nobody knew if she was really going to address this,“ Ellison said, “but she’s added a chapter to her book.”

And now Ailes doesn't have access to a network that he can order to smear her. So sad.

Rick on TV

This morning during the 6am hour, I'll be on WCIU-TV live from Wrigleyville to discuss the Cubs and Just One Bad Century. Tune in if you get a chance.

A $1.5 Billion Lawsuit

That has to be a record of some kind. Relativity Media is suing Netflix for damages of $1.5 billion. That's billion with a b.

Variety has the details.

I read the article a few times, and I have to admit I don't quite understand it exactly. One of the things they are suing for is that Neflix wanted Relativity to release their films on Netflix before they went into theaters. Not sure how this desire caused Relativity to lose over a billion. Maybe if you read the article you'll understand and you can fill me in.

Ali Velshi

The former CNN anchor is moving to MSNBC.

TV Newser has the details.

2017 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Nominees

The list was released today, and this is who is on the ballot...

Pearl Jam and Tupac Shakur as well as the previously nominated Janet Jackson, Chaka Khan, Kraftwerk, Yes, Chic, The Cars, The Zombies, Joe Tex, J. Geils Band, MC5, and previously eligible artists (on ballot for the first time) Bad Brains, Depeche Mode, Electric Light Orchestra, Jane’s Addiction, Joan Baez, Journey, and Steppenwolf.

Janet Jackson? Really?

There are some great bands that still haven't even been nominated including the Doobie Brothers, Bad Company, The Replacements, Roxy Music, Dire Straits, and Three Dog Night.

Canadians Giving America a Pep Talk

The whole world is freaking out about the things that Donald Trump is saying. These Canadians took some time out of their busy lives to give us a pep talk...

Trump TV

If you've wondered about the questionable strategy of Donald Trump over the past few weeks--going hard right, scorched earth, conspiracy-theory-nuts--wonder no more. People have been speculating that he was going to create a Trump TV network to go up against Fox News if he didn't win. That appears to be true. His son-in-law already had a meeting with potential financial backers.

Coffee Magic

About once a week I spill the coffee grinds all over the counter. This morning I was extra careful and got them into the filter without incident...then, I turned around quickly and knocked the entire coffee canister on the floor--spilling about a pound of coffee. (Sigh) Once the coffee kicks in I'm fine. Before then...not so much.

That's why I got a kick out of this. Thanks "MC" for sharing it...

Sox Fans

White Sox fans have been quiet for the most part during the playoffs, but you will hear from them on days the Cubs lose. It's usually disguised in a passive aggressive (incredibly insincere), "Ooh, that's a bummer."

But I can see right through y'all. I get it. The media coverage in Chicago is a bit over the top for the Cubs, especially compared to the coverage the White Sox received when they went to the World Series. (And the Cubs aren't even in the series yet). The jealousy is there, bubbling just below the surface. In some cases, it's not very far below the surface.

Exhibit A: NBA player (and White Sox fan) Frank Kaminsky. Take a look at the jersey he was wearing when his Charlotte Hornets came to town this week.

Hornets' Frank Kaminsky trolls Cubs with Bartman jersey https://t.co/GKB42r2oVL pic.twitter.com/i8KqfggW7j

— FOX 32 News (@fox32news) October 18, 2016

New night jock for B-96

From this morning's RAMP newsletter...

CBS Radio Top 40 WBBM-FM (B96)/Chicago has filled its night vacancy with the hire Corey B. as its new 7-midnight personality. Corey is an eight-year radio pro who spent the past four years doing nights at Entercom Top 40 WEZB (B97)/New Orleans. Prior to joining B97, Corey worked on-air at WFLZ in his hometown of Tampa, FL. "We believe we've uncovered a true diamond in the rough with Corey B.," said Todd Cavanah, VP of Programming CBS Radio Chicago. "In addition to driving the station over the air at night, Corey's skill and creativity on social media is off the charts. We can't wait to introduce him to Chicagoland later this month." Corey succeeds Eric Tyler, who was recently upped to afternoons.

Note to the youngsters out ther youngsters out there. Corey is young, and has only been in the biz for eight years, but he's already hit the bigtime in Chicago. Read the quote from the man who hired him. It was his social media expertise that put him over the top.

Watching Debates with an Arrested Development Voiceover

Shep Smith Casually Comes Out

It was probably the worst kept secret in the news business, but Shephard Smith made it official in an interview posted by the Huffington Post today.

He is gay.

I love that the article only mentions it in passing in the middle of the piece. There are two big reasons for that. One, everyone sort of knew it already. Two, nobody cares.

The stigma is still there for some parts of American society, but the majority of Americans no longer consider it a big deal or strange if someone they know is gay. That's a great thing.

By the way, all three all-news cable outlets now feature openly gay anchors. CNN has Anderson Cooper and Don Lemon. MSNBC has Rachel Maddow and Thomas Roberts. And Fox News has Shep.

Guess Who Tweeted Again?

Watched Saturday Night Live hit job on me.Time to retire the boring and unfunny show. Alec Baldwin portrayal stinks. Media rigging election!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 16, 2016

It's called comedy, big guy. Grow a spine.

Billy Bush Learns Valuable Lesson

This will teach Billy Bush not to demean women with a man like Donald Trump. He's nearing a settlement to leave NBC.

He'll only get about ten million dollars.

Lesson Learned.

Green White Soccer Club

I spent the evening on Saturday night emceeing the 60th anniversary banquet for Green White Soccer Club. You may not realize it, but Saturday was officially Green White Soccer Club day in Illinois (per the governor). Fun night. The Cubs game was on in the hall...but of course I was on stage when the grand slam was hit.

Bob Dylan Wins the Nobel Prize

I know a lot of authors are grumbling that Bob Dylan won the Nobel Prize for literature, but please. If this man's lyrics weren't among the most important words of his era, then I'm a lumberjack. (PS--I do own one flannel shirt, but I have baby soft hands).

The New York Times has a great piece about Dylan and why he so richly deserved this honor.

His songs from the 1960s will always be a great representation of that time. This probably isn't one of his more popular songs (it's from his gospel era), but it's always spoken to me. I like this version of "Gotta Serve Somebody"

Bobby Skafish at WBEZ

Bobby got there a little early yesterday morning, but that gave him time to meet Tony Sarabia and get the lay of the land. Snazzy facilities there at WBEZ.

The interview was top notch. Tony Sarabia clearly did his homework, and he was a genuine fan of Bobby's work. The two men discussed Todd Rundgren, John Lennon, Rat Scabies, Guster, and the newest Nobel Prize winner Bob Dylan.

You can listen to it here.

Thanks so much to the professional crew over at WBEZ including Tony Sarabia and producer Jason Marck.

Trump's Accusers

I found this article in People Magazine to be the most damning, even though his actions here aren't as overtly predatory (he was interrupted mid grope) as the story of the woman in the New York Times. It's written in first person, and it's written well. Trump's response was to imply that she wasn't good looking enough to attack. Nice.

Seriously...people are actually voting for this man to be the president of the United States.

Michelle Obama did a wonderful job of putting it in perspective yesterday. It really touched me...

Minutia Men, Episode 24

EP24 – Rick and Dave discuss confession/atonement, fun with vasectomies, Be Bald & Be Free Day, bad things that happen with open mics,body parts NOT to get tattooed, the 1907 Cubs, and Rick’s brush with Mitch Albom.

A few programming notes

*Tomorrow morning (Thursday) during the 9am hour be sure to tune in to WBEZ (NPR) for a live interview with Bobby Skafish. Tony Sarabia will be interviewing him, and the two music fans will dig deep into the rock and roll stories Bobby tells in "We Have Company". I'll be tagging along to take pictures.

*Also tomorrow morning (Thursday) during the 6am hour, tune in to the WGN-TV Morning news because they will be spinning the great new Cubs tune by Tom Latourette! I've been featuring it on Just One Bad Century, and Tom is a good friend who runs the Beat Tom & Bill Foundation--the golf outing that raised funds for my nephew Caleb last May. Good things happen to good people!

Trump Says Media is Unfair

The man that has benefitted more from free media than any candidate in the history of the world, is now saying that the media is unfairly causing his downfall.

Um, Donny-baby, you might want to take a look in the mirror. It's your own words that are undoing you, and nothing else. You. You are the problem. Only you.

It cannot be libelous or slanderous or biased if it quotes you directly. Stop saying stupid shit.

Billy Bush Negotiating Exit

Bush is going to be more hurt by this tape than Trump, at least in the short term.

The Hollywood Reporter has the details about Bush's impending exit.

It makes you wonder where he will go next, but scandals don't appear to permanently damage people in Hollywood.

What Would it Take to Unendorse Trump?

Remember when Trump said he could go on 5th avenue with a gun and shoot someone, and his fans would still support him? I'm beginning to think that's true. Exhibit A...

A Muted Celebration

What a game last night. I'm still coming to grips with how special that was.

I'm guessing the police were happy that the game on Monday night went so late...it ended around 1:45am...because last night was not so bad in Wrigleyville after the Cubs clinched. From DNAinfo...

A couple hours into the game Tuesday evening, bars were half-full or entirely empty, with Monday's game leaving fans tired and more likely to stay home. Except for people gathered at the ever-popular John Barleycorn and Old Crow, crowds were small even at some Wrigleyville mainstays.

The quiet left little for Chicago police to do, despite having almost as large a presence as the weekend home games that started the series.

This is the way it should be, boys. Gotta get used to winning series. Save the big celebrations for the World Series. Right?

A Duet

WHO MADE THIS 😭 pic.twitter.com/niLkjQ6O8d

— Best Vines (@TheFunnyVines) October 11, 2016

Billy Bush

Isn't it ironic that a Bush is wrecking the campaign for Trump after all. Unfortunately it's not Jeb, it's Billy, and he's wrecking his own career too.

This piece in TV Newser describes a major revolt at NBC.

The Star of the Last Debate

It wasn't Trump or Hillary. It was Ken Bone...

Death Cab for Cutie

A musical take on the election...

Cubs

I'm guessing there will be a lot of head-bobbing at desks around Chicagoland today. 8:38 first pitch is ridiculous. It was 2am when that game ended.

I listened to a big portion of the game on the radio because I wasn't a fan of the FS1 team. Pete Rose, in particular, appears to hate the Cubs. Nice hair, Pete.

Tough loss in the bottom of the 13th inning, but even in defeat the Cubs did some pretty incredible things including Kris Bryant's homer to tie the game in the ninth. Very nervous about John Lackey tonight, but let's see what happens.

Go Cubs!

Book of the Year Finalist!

Congratulations to Eckhartz Press author Pat Colander! Her book "Hugh Hefner's First Funeral" is a finalist for the Chicago Writer's Association Book of the Year awards!

The full list of finalists are mentioned here.

Columbus Music

My annual posting of the only Columbus Day song I know..."Like Columbus Did" by the Reflections.

Local Press

Thanks to Mike Kessler for this piece in the NW Side newspaper The Sounds...

The Access Hollywood Tape

I'm not going to bother posting the video here. You've all seen it by now. I just have one comment about that tape. Trump said it was typical locker room banter, and there is an element of it that was, particularly when talking about the woman in the purple dress. However, the other part of the discussion, about what celebrities can get away with it, was not typical at all. Nobody talks about forcing themselves on women like that. They just don't.

That's probably why Billy Bush got suspended from the Today Show.

Donald didn't get suspended, of course, but his declaration last night that he never actually did it is going to blow up in his face. You know he did it (that's why he keeps Tic Tacs in his pocket), and you know those stories are going to start coming out now. He should have just thrown himself at the mercy of the country and shown even the tiniest bit of remorse for his words and actions. He didn't. He couldn't. It's not part of his DNA.

And it will be his undoing.

LATE UPDATE: It appears there will be more tapes coming out. It's just a matter of time.

Bobby Skafish at WLS

I spent Friday afternoon with Bobby Skafish at the brand new WLS studios in the NBC Tower. Talk about swanky...

Saw a few friends and former colleagues there, including Steve Dahl. Steve started the interview by noting that Bobby's book was published by former Steve & Garry producer Rick Kaempfer. After taking a little swipe at me ("He can do a whole book?"), he said maybe he should have gone with me as his publisher.

The Bobby interview was also a rekindling of a past relationship. The two men once worked just down the hall from each other (about twenty feet or so away), and a lot of the interviews mentioned in the book "We Have Company" were shared interviews. I often stood outside Bobby's studio when he had rock stars in there to corral them to appear on Steve & Garry's show immediately afterwards.

I thought Dag Juhlin in particular did a great job of interview prep for this. He read and enjoyed the book and had some great questions. Thanks again to the whole Steve Dahl crew for having Bobby on the show.

Appearing on WLS

A programming note. Be sure to tune in to the Steve Dahl show this afternoon (Friday) at 4pm on WLS-AM 890. Bobby Skafish will be on with Steve to discuss his book "We Have Company: Four Decades of Rock and Roll Encounters".

Steve and Bobby worked just down the hall from each other back in the day (when Steve & Garry were on the Loop AM and Bobby was on the Loop FM) doing the same time slot. My producer's booth was literally between them. Should be a fun interview. I'm tagging along to take photos. Haven't seen Steve in years. Looking forward to it.

The 25 Man Roster

Matt Szczur didn't make the final roster and he could have been a valuable bat off the bench, but Almora is a better defender...

Here is your #Cubs 25-man roster for the #NLDS! #FlyTheW pic.twitter.com/wxMrxmTMgc

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) October 7, 2016

The Night We Stole Christmas

Alternative rock WKQX has a very strong lineup for their Christmas concert this year. I love the headliner (Weezer). From this morning's RAMP newsletter...

Cumulus Alternative WKQX/Chicago is going all out to present a killer line-up for its annual The Nights We Stole Christmas show, which runs for three straight nights in December at The Aragon. Night One on Dec. 1 stars Weezer, Phantogram and Andrew McMahon In The Wilderness; Night Two on Dec. 2 features Cage The Elephant, Catfish and the Bottlemen and Weathers; and Night Three on Dec. 3 stars Fitz and the Tantrums, Grouplove and special guest Switchfoot. General on-sale is now underway.

Mocking Asians

The contemptible Jesse Waters (Bill O'Reilly's 'man on the street') contributed one of the most racist segments I've ever seen on Fox News. It contained every Asian stereotype you can imagine, and did it with the trademark humor (meaning "wouldn't know humor if it bit him on the tucchus") of Waters.

Last night the Daily Show responded. The tweet is unbleeped, so fair warning. NSFW.

Tonight at 11/10c, correspondent Ronny Chieng reports on the Fox News/Jesse Watters racist Chinatown segment. pic.twitter.com/FTq8HyJ0KD

— The Daily Show (@TheDailyShow) October 7, 2016

Hannity & Kelly Make Up

The day before Sean Hannity and Megyn Kelly were snapping and sniping at each other. I suspect someone pulled them in and made them hug.

Kelly posted a photo of the two of them smiling together, with the caption: "We're Irish. It's complicated."

Hannity posted this "What argument?" tweet...

Actually that's just not true. 2 friends just worked out a MINOR disagreement https://t.co/JduyLi949p

— Sean Hannity (@seanhannity) October 7, 2016

Minutia Men, Episode 23

EP23 – Rick and Dave discuss a clown crime spree, take a Love Boat quiz, reveal the worst Halloween treat ever, plus the 1945 World Series and Rick’s brush with Gennifer Flowers.

Listen to it here.

Reviews for "We Have Company"

The reviews are starting to come in for Bobby Skafish's book, "We Have Company". Here's a sampling...

"Holy crap! Wendy Snyder brought home "We Have Company" by Bobby Skafish. I picked it up and started flipping through it and...I may be up all night reading! Amazing and down-to-earth stories about encounters with the hugest rock legends to ever walk the planet. They all came through Chicago and a radio sit-down with Skafish was mandatory. An amazing journal. Find it. Read it. #BabyDollPolkaClub"
--Jimmy Mac McInerny

"The warning by Bob Stroud is correct: “Make sure your schedule is clear when you begin to read this book because you won’t be able to put it down.”
--Mike Kessler

"Even better and more entertaining than I knew it could be! Loved the Pretenders chapter, but we all know that Ms. Hynde is the coolest woman on the planet."
--Donna Ward

Springsteen

This is a great interview of Bruce Springsteen.

Done by Terry Gross of NPR fame. Highly recommended.

Amy Landecker

The Daily Beast has a great interview with Amy, filled with lots of praise. For instance...

We don’t mean to cause a rift in that fictional Transparent family, but for our money the most captivating performance on the phenomenally acted series belongs to Landecker, who plays oldest Pfefferman sister Sarah: a mother of two whose father’s coming out as transgender detonates explosives that had, for years, been popping up all over Sarah’s own life.

Make Me Smile

This eight year old is smiling all the way through this, which makes me smile. He's also unbelievably great at drumming...

The VP Debate

I was at a board meeting for a local charity, so I missed the VP debate on Tuesday night. Turns out, so did about fifty million other people who watched the presidential debate. From TV Newser...

Tuesday night’s debate drew 37.16 million total viewers across nine networks, per early Nielsen data. 13.77 million watched on cable (Fox News, CNN, MSNBC, Fox Business), while 23.32 million watched on the English language broadcast nets (ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC and PBS). This is the lowest total for a VP debate since the 29 million who tuned into Cheney–Lieberman in 2000.

Nancy Reagan Would Vote for Hillary

That, according to Ron Reagan's son.

Not Ron Reagan, Jr. That statement from him (an avowed liberal) would not be news.

The statement came from Michael Reagan, Ron's son from his first marriage--a die-hard conservative. Michael had previously endorsed Trump, but de-endorsed him on Monday because of the ridiculous charge that Hillary is not faithful to her husband.

Jane Wyman was my mother but I can tell u that Nancy would vote for Hillary and was appalled to hear people say he reminds them of RR. https://t.co/DKsikyfuWs

— Michael Reagan (@ReaganWorld) October 3, 2016

I am embarrassed by Trump and the applause he receives when infering she cheats on Bill..Not the Party of Reagan..Someone has to stand up https://t.co/ATYzc9HPj5

— Michael Reagan (@ReaganWorld) October 3, 2016

Hannity and Megyn Kelly Exchange Barbs

Sounds like all isn't honky dory in Fox News world. Megyn Kelly has been taking a few thinly veiled shots at Sean Hannity's puppy-dog like interviews of Donald Trump, and yesterday Hannity responded with a whiny little tweet.

The Washington Post has the story.

Please pass the popcorn.

Eric and Kathy parody

Robert Feder posted this Sherman and Tingle bit from about five years ago when they were on Q-101. Pretty funny (and pretty mean) parody of "Eric and Kathy". Now they're working for the same company, as the morning team on the Drive...

JOBC E-mail box

This just came in across the JOBC e-mail wire...

Good evening/early morning, Rick - Cliff from San Francisco - been 3 years I think since I asked you a question which you put on your blog as to why/how the Chicago Cubs and St Louis Cardinals became arch rivals compared to the Giants-Dodgers which started in New York and the animosity stayed when both teams went West to the same state. Anyway, congrats to Cubs (a few weeks late) and to my win-the-World-Series-every-even-numbered-year SF Giants who just made New York's Citi Field as quiet as a library in the 9th. Sorry if you Cubbies would have wanted the Mets for a revenge rematch from 2015. At the beginning of the season, everyone was talking about a Giants-Cubs showdown for the NL pennant - and it looked that way until after the All-Star Game - my SF never really got its mojo back - so, though it won't be a sweep by any side, I think my Giants will not have enough energy to beat your Cubs in the upcoming week (we only have ONE Madison Bumgarner!) - so, more congratulations to Chicago (but I'll be VERY happy if I'm wrong!!) - Just make sure you also "beat LA" - saw your video "My Cubs - I'm not betting against" - loved pausing the video to read the editorial cartoons - and you gave me a preview of a tune when HAMILTON comes to San Francisco next year - my mother came back to SF after visiting our "White-Sox" cousins in Naperville (mom's the only Cub fan - she was about 10 at her first baseball game at Wrigley during World War II), and she tells me that the SUN-TIMES leans to the Cubs in coverage, but I saw that your TRIBUNE had a great article on "108 things a Cub's fan should know" - loved reason 99: George Will says Cubs fans are 99.44% scar-tissue - that's all I wanted to say - good job on the website, this recent video, the Cubs having the fortitude to get to the post-season in consecutive years, and no hard feelings if MAYBE the Giants pull it out - :)

Sounds like it's time for another spin of this one...

From Fort Wayne to Chicago

There's a new afternoon jock in Chicago, and she's making the jump here from Ft. Wayne, Indiana. The RAMP newsletter has the details...

Ms. Brooke Taylor is this week's leading candidate for Leap O' The Week™ honors, as she's been recruited from the APD/midday post at Adams Media Country WBTU (US93.3)/Ft. Wayne, IN and propelled upward into afternoon drive at iHeartMedia Country WEBG (Big 95.5)/Chicago, starting next Monday, October 17. Big 95.5 PD Steve Stewart commented, "Brooke Taylor will bring great energy to the team and will make an authentic connection to the audience. We're so excited to see the impact she will have on the Chicagoland community." Taylor had only been back in Ft. Wayne since July, returning to the market after a two-year stint doing nights for Radio Disney in Los Angeles. She had previously worked for US93.3 and sister WJFX (Hot 107.9) from 2012 until April of 2014, when she joined Radio Disney in Burbank. "Words can't express how excited I am to join the Big 95.5 team," said Taylor.

Charlie Sykes Leaving Radio

The long-time conservative morning host of the biggest station in Milwaukee, WTMJ, is stepping down. Sykes has gotten famous nationally in the past year as a leader of the Never Trump movement. From Tom Taylor's column...

Charlie Sykes has recently wondered whether conservative talk radio “went from being the counterweight to creating our own alternative reality.” From his late-morning perch at Milwaukee’s news/talk WTMJ/620, he’s been one of the leading gatekeepers at talk radio, and now Charlie and employer Scripps announce he’ll leave at year-end. He says the decision “was not driven by this year’s political season.” He’s near the age that his father died at (63) and he says “I want to write more, travel more, and pursue new opportunities.” (He’s spent 23 years at ’TMJ.) Scripps Radio VP/Steve Wexler has “enjoyed working with Charlie since the early ’90s, and have always respected his smart, authentic approach to his show.” In the long Republican nominating campaign, Sykes has been a critic of Donald Trump, and he predicted on a recent NPR Morning Edition show that “there’s going to be a reckoning in conservative talk radio...The illusion that conservative media was about ideas has been shattered.” WTMJ’s sliding noon-3pm personality Jeff Wagner into Charlie’s 8:30am-noon slot, while searching for a new early-afternoon host. Jeff spent 18 years at WTMJ and says he’s looking forward to getting a first bite of the day’s news.

Uh oh

Cover of Sports Illustrated...

Jimmy deCastro Leaving WGN

Another day, another radio exodus. This time it's the general manager of WGN, Jimmy deCastro.

Robert Feder has the details.

I must say, I'm not surprised at all by this news. Jimmy never needed this job--he was a multi-millionaire. It was just a matter of time before he got bored.

Johnny B's Contract Not Renewed

Jonathon Brandmeier announced via his website that after his contract runs out early next year, it will not be renewed, ending his run with Westwood One.

Read the details here.

Not a good day for Chicago radio.

Blowing up the joint?

Woah. This is truly shocking Chicago radio news via Radio Insight...

Hubbard Classic Rock "97.1 The Drive" WDRV Chicago/96.9 WWDV Zion is bringing in Brian Sherman and Steve Tingle for mornings starting Monday, October 21.

Sherman & Tingle previously co-hosted afternoons and then mornings at Emmis' "Q101" WKQX until the station's sale to Merlin Media and flip to "FM News" in 2011. Sherman joins WDRV from mornings at Matrix Broadcasting Classic Rock "103.9 The Fox" WFXF Dundee IL, while Tingle was most recently at Entercom Hot AC "Star 94.1" WSTR Atlanta.

Sherman & Tingle will replace "The Morning Drive" hosted by Pete McMurray, Scott Miller, and Kathy Voltmer. Dan McNeil co-hosted with McMurray from March 2015 through June 2016.

Larz at Chicagoland Radio & Media has more information. According to Larz, Miller is out completely, Kathy will continue but only as the public affairs director, and McMurray remains under contract in an undisclosed role.

The Apple Doesn't Fall Far...

Via @EricTrump @AmericaNewsroom on @mike_pence "his track record in his home state, in Illinois is exactly why we picked him..." #Indiana

— Major Garrett (@MajorCBS) October 4, 2016

OCD Germans

This blog post by a Mexican living in Germany is pretty funny to me. I grew up around this, yet I was somehow not afflicted with the need to have my life be tidy and orderly in every way.

I'm a German freak, I suppose.

In more ways than one.

I'll be the MC for a German soccer banquet in a few weeks. It's the 60th anniversary of Green White Soccer Club--a club co-founded by my father. I asked a few of the old-timers what they wanted me to talk about as the MC, and they all said, "Keep it short. Nobody wants to hear you talk." Also..."No funny stuff."

Doesn't that sound like fun?

I'm thinking of explaining the club history through interpretive dance. I'm sure they'll love it.

Terry Jones

The Monty Python great was given an award last night in England for his lifetime of achievement. Sadly, Jones is now suffering from dementia, so he couldn't speak on stage. His son did it for him. Details are here.

It's hard to watch your heroes slowly fade away, but luckily for us he will live on forever on video and film. For instance this one. Terry plays the mom...

A Closer Look at Trump's Taxes

Courtesy of Seth Meyers...

Janis Joplin

46 years ago today, Janis died at the ridiculously young age of 27. She died in a motor lodge, in the wee hours of the morning after shooting heroin and buying a pack of Marlboros in the hotel lobby. Her body was found between the bed and the nightstand.

There's nothing glamorous about it. Don't do drugs, kids.

Earlier in the day she was working on the album Pearl. It was released after her death. This song was on that album. It was written by Kris Kristofferson...