Minutia Men, Episode 125

This week's episode includes original poetry about Abraham Lincoln and an interview with the bully in A Christmas Story. I challenge you to find another podcast that has both.

Listen to it here.

Back in the Office

Took a little breather from the grind and went out to Colorado with my brother, sister, and nephews. Back in the office today. The scenery isn't quite as exciting...

Another Creep Revealed

This time it's singer/songwriter Ryan Adams.

The New York Times has the details. Pretty creepy.

The use of the gavel as a graphic is slightly unfair, because he hasn't been charged with anything...yet.

The Bayerns

This arrived in my e-mail box this morning. I see the folks at Bayern Munich have figured out a way to combine my love of soccer and the Beatles. It's a good start. Need to now incorporate my diet (coffee, salami, beer) and a Cubs hat, and they will have me for life.

Get it?

Cubs Network

Not sure how I feel about this. Not a fan of Sinclair broadcasting. Hope they are smart enough not to mess with the content regarding the Cubs.

My Kind of Town

Wednesday Winter Reflection. This morning in Chicago. pic.twitter.com/IAFi2njApJ

— Barry Butler (@barrybutler9) February 13, 2019

Coming to America...Again

I thought this was a joke, but it appears to be true. Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall are making a sequel to the movie "Coming to America"

CNN has the details. Basically all we know right now is that Murphy's character comes to America to get his son. And that it comes out in 2020.

No word on whether or not there will be a barber shop scene (my favorite scene in the original)...

Hoover Hilarity

This was pretty darn funny this morning on WGN-TV...

Do you remember Bill "BJ" Jackson from Cartoon Town, Dirty Dragon and Gigglesnort Hotel? He's one of Chicago's legendary Children's television hosts. I like to pay tribute to him on @WGNTV's @WGNMorningNews. Sometimes it becomes more adult... pic.twitter.com/0CZJGBU5Jq

— Groovyhoovy (@Groovyhoovy) February 12, 2019

Abe Lincoln Poem

It's February 12th, Abraham Lincoln's birthday.

Every year I trot out the audio of David Stern reciting the poem he wrote about Abe in sixth grade.

Listen to it here.

Q&A with Janet Sutherland-Madden

In 2004, Janet Sutherland left work early to walk her dog Bogie after a grueling day knocking door to door selling radio ads. She was suddenly struck with the worst headache of her life. Sutherland had suffered a ruptured brain aneurysm. On March 22, 2004, as friends and family sat at Janet’s bedside, she was given a three percent chance to live. For weeks her co-workers raised money for her family, joined her battle, and prayed she would survive. 15 years later, Sutherland has miraculously recovered. NOSE OVER TOES tells the story of her recovery and includes research from The Brain Aneurysm Foundation.

The trade paperback of Nose Over Toes is being released on the 15th anniversary of Janet’s aneurysm, March 22, 2019. It can pre-ordered at www.eckhartzpress.com.

We recently sat down with Janet to talk to her about her book...

EP: I'm sure you've heard this question before, but what is the significance of the title Nose Over Toes?

Janet: Nose over toes is how my physical therapist would direct me to stand up to get out of my chair. It was also how my figure skating teacher told me to stand up straight. It's really for any people who have trouble walking or standing up. Nose over toes is the key phrase.

EP: The thing that really grabbed at my heartstrings while I was reading the book was the role your parents played in your recovery. I know it's hard to sum up, but how would you describe their roles?

Janet: My parents never left my side. They were my rock during recovering. My Dad was my drill sergeant when I got home, making sure I continued my exercise. My mom made sure I stayed on a healthy diet and got back into a normal life routine so I could live on my own. Both parents pledged to make sure I was well enough so I could be the independent woman I was before the rupture. In honor of my Dad who died June 25, 2018 and who’s journal is part of the book, I created a Research Chair in his honor after he died with the foundation and will be continuing it with some of the proceeds of the sale of the book. Before my Dad died he wanted to make sure he donated money to the BAF because he knew how important research funding for brain aneurysms is right now. He wanted to make sure survivors and caregivers are given hope and support. (Photo: Janet as a girl with her dad)

EP: You somehow have the tape of the 911 call you made that day. First of all, do you remember making the call, and secondly, what made you think of going back and getting it?

Janet: I do not remember making the 911 call. But it’s funny, when I was a reporter in Joliet, my JPD and JFD friends trained me about 911 and how important it was. I asked a friend how to get the tape, and my friend reminded me of a talking to the watch commander, I thought 'Yes the watch commander!' So I called the fire department and told the watch commander my situation that I needed the tape “to heal and piece things together.” He left the tape at the fire station. My Dad and I picked up the tape popped it in the car’s cassette deck, heard the screaming and we both started to cry. I started to piece the story together. The tape helped me understand what happened. It was traumatizing but I also knew it was going to help tell my story and promote awareness.

EP: You don't seem to have any lingering effects to your speech, which is obviously helpful in your role as a spokesperson. After going through this for 15 years, I'm guessing you understand exactly why and how it is that you were so lucky. Is that true?

Yes I am lucky. First, my speech would be affected medically if the aneurysm had ruptured on my left side. I would not be able to accomplish as much as I have done or have spoken. When I heard there was an aneurysm on the left side and it would impact my speech and cognitive, I said fix it immediately!!! I have work to do! I’m lucky, but having a big mouth and a journalism background makes me the perfect person to write my story and promote awareness. I do have a limp but that doesn’t seem like a big deal considering what could have been.

EP: If you could go back in time and talk to the 2004 version of you, what has this whole experience taught you that would have given comfort and/or hope to that woman lying in the hospital bed?

Janet: The 2004 person should have told my doctor about the headaches and flicker in my eyes, not sure if that would have raised big concern. But I would have told myself lying in bed, give yourself time to heal, it takes time. I mean I am still healing but who knew what I have accomplished. Whew!

EP: There is so much great information from the Brain Aneurysm Foundation in this book. How do you envision people using this book as a resource?

Janet; I hope people will read the book and feel hopeful. When I was laying in the hospital my mom would run into the room and tell me about a survivor she met and how well they were doing. My response would be “bring them in here I don’t believe it”. So if someone would read my book and know I went from “death’s door” to writing a book. That would give them hope. Also the information should help a family member and provide useful information, there is nothing worse than trying to recover from an illness you don’t’ know much about or what to expect. I hope my book will be comforting to survivors.

EP: You are going to Washington in March to testify before Congress. Tell us about that.

Janet: For 6 years I have traveled to DC with my husband to meet with Congress and about 100 other brain aneurysm survivors and their family members with The Brain Aneurysm Foundation. We meet with members of Congress. We are asking for passage of Ellie’s law, calling for further brain aneurysm research funding as well as promoting awareness. The federal government only spends approximately $0.83 per year on brain aneurysm research for each person afflicted. Women, more than men, suffer from brain aneurysms at a ratio of 3:2. African-Americans suffer at twice the rate of rupture of whites (a 2.1:1 ratio). Hispanics suffer at nearly twice the rate of rupture of whites (a 1.67:1 ratio). An estimated 6 million people in the United States have an unruptured brain aneurysm, or 1 in 50 people.

A year as a graduate

On this day last year, Eckhartz Press author John Landecke wasr surprised with a college diploma by Grand Valley State University (2018), 50 years after he began college.John does a great job of telling that story in the updated Hall of Fame version of "Records Truly Is My Middle Name", now availalbe as an e-book on amazon.

Pick up your copy here.

"New" Morning show on B-96

From this morning's RAMP Newsletter...

The DreX & Nina morning show on Entercom Top 40 WBBM (B96)/Chicago is now minus the "DreX" portion of the equation as host Kevin "DreX" Buchar exits after ten months. His co-hosts Nina Hajian and Gabe Ramirez will remain in place as the station's permanent morning duo, Gabe & Nina. That news was confirmed in a staff memo from VP of Programming Todd Cavanah, which read, "Today was the last day for DreX on the B96 Morning Show. He will remain a friend to many of us and I want to thank him for being a great teammate and true professional in every sense of the word." Cavanah continued, "During the past 10 months, Gabe and Nina have developed not only a friendship off the air but a great deal of chemistry with each other and the audience on air, at our Bashes, their appearances and their social media platforms. We see enormous potential with both of these rising stars to achieve our goals on B96 for mornings. Gabe and Nina will take over mornings immediately and we are confident that their engagement with each other and the listeners will be a huge success."

WLS PD Retires

According to Robert Feder's column today, WLS PD Peter Bolger is retiring. He gave Dave and I a chance at filling in on his station, so I will always be grateful for that. But this paragraph in Feder's column does explain the situation pretty well...

Programming the once-mighty 50,000-watt powerhouse may have been the pinnacle of Bolger’s career, but he leaves the station in a deeper hole than when he arrived in November 2013. At that time, WLS was in 27th place among adult listeners with a 1.4 percent share. Today it’s tied for 30th with a 0.6 share.

The Tax Cut

Remember the hoopla about the "middle class" tax cut when it was passed last year. Well, people are doing their taxes now for the first time since the cut went into effect, and guess what?

On average, tax refunds are *down* eight percent.

25% fewer people are receiving refunds at all.

Minutia Men, Episode 124

EP124: Rick and Dave discuss cops arresting cops, runners killing mountain lions, an inappropriate place for a sausage museum, and Rick’s brush with Dr. Demento, and they interview a mystery celebrity that you have seen before.

Listen to it here.

RIP Frank Robinson

RIP Frank Robinson, one of the all-time greats. https://t.co/ktgugUTlF4

— Rick Kaempfer (@RickKaempfer) February 7, 2019

Racist Cubs Owners?

I always knew that Joe Ricketts was one of those nutball Republicans (like his son Todd) because he hasn't made any secret of it. But, until this week, I had no idea he was more than that. He's one of those Republican nutjobs who believes and forwards those crazy racist e-mails.

CNN has the details.

The Cubs pretended like Joe isn't involved in the team. That may be true, technically, but where do you think the kiddies got the dough to buy the team?

Motown 60

The last few years the Grammys have been going the extra mile and paying tribute to certain acts and/or labels with a whole different show. This year it's Motown. From the RAMP Newsletter...

Just two days after the 61st Annual Grammy Awards®, the Recording Academy™, AEG Ehrlich Ventures, and CBS will celebrate historic American record label Motown Records by presenting Motown 60: A Grammy ® Celebration. Hosted by Cedric the Entertainer and the legendary Smokey Robinson, the tribute to the iconic sound that changed America will feature (in alphabetical order): Boyz II Men, Chloe X Halle, Ciara, Lamont Dozier, Fantasia, Brian & Eddie Holland, Thelma Houston, Tori Kelly, John Legend, Little Big Town, Ne-Yo, Pentatonix, Martha Reeves, Diana Ross, Valerie Simpson, Mickey Stevenson, Meghan Trainor and Stevie Wonder. The live concert taping will be held next Tuesday, Feb. 12 at 7:30pm PT at Microsoft Theater in downtown Los Angeles. The special will be broadcast on April 21 on CBS.

Like every other scene has been cool

"That cat over there better stop it, man." A black cat crosses the path of 22 soccer players in this week's episode.

Listen to it here.

Glass Onion video

Always loved this song. I approve of the new video too...

The Country Shuffle

From today's RAMP Newsletter...

iHeartMedia Country WEBG (BIG 95.5)/Chicago made two big announcements -- 1) Afternoon personality Brooke Taylor has been awarded Assistant Program Director stripes, and 2) Trace Hamilton has been elevated from part-time/fill-in to fulltime evening entertainer, weeknights from 7pm-1am.

Taylor and Hamilton both report to BIG 95.5 PD Lance Houston, who said of Taylor, "During my first eight months on the job in Chicago, it became more and more clear that Brooke's passion for both BIG 95.5 and iHeartCountry brands made her the obvious choice for this role. Brooke's drive, creativity and leadership will help us take our station to new heights in 2019.

Kim Gordon

From Radio-Online...

WGN-AM/Chicago taps Kim Gordon to anchor the weekday afternoon news. She'll assume the role on "The Roe Conn Show with Anna Davlantes," heard weekdays from 3-7pm. Gordon started her career at WHAS in Louisville and has been an anchor and reporter at WGN Radio for 12 years. Most recently she was heard anchoring mid-afternoon newscasts on WGN, Amazon's Alexa Flash Briefings and MeTV FM News Minutes.

It's Getting Harder and Harder to Remain Catholic

I still love Pope Francis, but man oh man, just when you think this sex scandal can't get any worse, you see a headline like this: Pope Publicly Acknowledges Clergy Sexual Abuse of Nuns

I have two suggestions that don't go against anything in the Bible. Ready? Let priests marry. Let women be priests.

I'm telling you--this will solve 90% of the problems.

Robert Falls

Nice article about theater maestro Robert Falls.

Surprised he didn't mention the choreography he did for us when the Cliff Dancers performed on stage for Steve & Garry, but I guess he's done some other stuff too.

One More Year of Modern Family

The ABC Sitcom "Modern Family" has been renewed for one last season. It will be it's 11th.

Right now it's literally the only sitcom I still DVR weekly.

Joan Esposito

There's a new afternoon talent at WCPT (820 AM) in Chicago. Former Chicago news anchor Joan Esposito has the gig. Robert Feder reports...

It’s official: Joan Esposito has been named afternoon personality on Newsweb Radio progressive talk WCPT 820-AM. The former Chicago television news anchor will host from 2 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, starting next week. “Joan brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and professionalism to our weekday lineup,” said Mark Pinski, general manager of WCPT. “We look forward to her connecting with our listeners, especially now, when America needs our voices heard.” Esposito, who’s been a fill-in host on the station since 2016, replaces Ben Joravsky, who was cut at the end of December.

Super Bowl Ratings

The game certainly didn't live up to the hype, and as it turns out, neither did the ratings.

Less than 100 million tuned in, which is the lowest since 2009.

Bill Turck

The February issue of Illinois Entertainer is out and includes my interview with WGCO's Bill Turck. He's a great supporter of the arts in Chicago.

Read it here.

Nose Over Toes

Available for pre-order, beginning today! Nose Over Toes by Janet Sutherland-Madden.

This book is about former Chicago radio reporter, Janet Sutherland who had been taking four aspirin four months straight in 2004, while working at a Columbus, Ohio radio station as an advertising sales rep. Sutherland left work early to walk her dog Bogie after a grueling day knocking door to door selling radio ads and was struck with the worst headache of her life. Sutherland suffered a ruptured brain aneurysm. One in 50 people currently have a brain aneurysm and do not know it. Sutherland miraculously recovered and felt her story would save lives and provide hope to survivors. NOSE OVER TOES tells the story her recovery and includes research from The Brain Aneurysm Foundation.

That day, March 22, 2004, friends and family sat at Janet’s bedside, she was given 3 percent chance to live. For weeks her co-workers raised money for her family, joined her battle, and prayed she would survive. After spending years in rehabilitation, Sutherland wrote two bills to promote the disease around the Midwest, she now speaks regularly on Chicago radio stations and on TV about her brain aneurysm experience.

I was truly captivated by Janet’s story…from front to finish! I laughed out loud and even welled up with tears as I read page by page of her journey. Janet is a survivor in every sense of the word. When anyone else (including myself!) would have given up, Janet persevered. Whether it was through the help of her parents, her beloved dogs, her friends or her co-workers, Janet’s journey is one everyone should know about. She makes me “stop and smell the roses” at the end of every chapter! As a friend and former co-worker, I have always looked up to Janet, but now I truly admire her courage, her strength and her humor.
–Andrea Darlas, WGN-Radio

It’s a truly inspiring story. The book is officially being released on March 22 (the 15th anniversary of her aneurysm), but we are taking pre-orders beginning today. Click here to reserve your copy.

Colbert's Tips for Chicago During Cold

Lord of the Ringos

From this morning's RAMP Newsletter. This sounds exciting to me...

Lord of the Rings filmmaker Peter Jackson is working on a Beatles documentary that will chronicle the making of the band's 1970 Let It Be album. Jackson will have full access to the 55 hours of in-studio footage shot by Michael Lindsay-Hogg in early 1969 for his 1970 feature film, Let It Be.

Fittingly, the announcement about the project was made on Jan. 30 -- the 50th anniversary of The Beatles' final live performance -- their now legendary January 30, 1969 set (accompanied by Billy Preston on keyboards) on the roof of the Apple Corps building at 3 Savile Row in London. "The 55 hours of never-before-seen footage and 140 hours of audio made available to us ensure this movie will be the ultimate 'fly on the wall' experience that Beatles fans have long dreamt about," Jackson said. "It's like a time machine transports us back to 1969, and we get to sit in the studio watching these four friends make great music together."

As Variety reports, the original Let It Be film has long been out of circulation, having only been released only on VHS and laserdisc. The film was restored for a planned DVD release in the early 2000s, but that was scuttled amid reports that Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr were unhappy with the movie's emphasis on the tension between bandmembers in the studio.

However, according to NPR, Jackson said, "I was relieved to discover the reality is very different to the myth. After reviewing all the footage and audio that Michael Lindsay-Hogg shot 18 months before they broke up, it's simply an amazing historical treasure-trove. Sure, there are moments of drama -- but none of the discord this project has long been associated with. Watching John, Paul, George, and Ringo work together, creating now-classic songs from scratch, is not only fascinating -- it's funny, uplifting and surprisingly intimate."

Jackson plans to enhance the film's original 16mm footage using the same amazing technology he employed to restore the World War I footage used in his highly acclaimed documentary, They Shall Not Grow Old. Sources believe the still-untitled film will be released in 2020 to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Let It Be album and movie.

The Cubs Way

Found this little article interesting.

Remember the book "The Cubs Way" about the way Theo Epstein rebuilt the Cubs, and the culture he created within the organization? Well, one of the candidates running for president has taken that book to heart and is incorporating the lessons learned. Can you guess which one?

Would you believe Elizabeth Warren?

Richard Reeder with Rabbi Doug

Eckhartz Press author Richard Reeder with local TV star Rabbi Doug...

How Cold Is It?

It's so cold in Chicago right now, that...

Antartica is warmer.

And so is...

Mars.

Not leaving the house, thank you very much.

Everyone Loves Minutia Men

We have well over 200 five-star reviews on iTunes. Thanks so much for all the kind words. Here are a few recent ones...

More Useful Than Wikipedia
5 stars in iTunes by S Master Flex from Canada on January 22, 2019
These boys know their stuff and have also had brief encounters with nearly every important person in the history of the world. (example episode 57 Rick encounters Bob Feldman) Seriously, an entertaining podcast about anything and everything! You will not be disappointed checking them out and adding them to your weekly podcast cycle!

A Great Morning Show For Any Time
5 stars in iTunes by Sknapp09 from USA on January 14, 2019
Very professionally done and the hosts have great chemistry! You get all the benefits of a great morning talk radio show with none of the trouble of listening to the radio.

Check It Out!
5 stars in iTunes by Home Video Hustle from USA on January 10, 2019
Right off the bat i was engaged with this podcast becuase the hosts have great chemistry and the episodes are quick bursts of comedy that make you want to binge multiple episodes. Topics are varied and never monotonous and i guarantee you will enjoy every bit of minutia.

Love Rick and Dave's Sense of Humor
5 stars in iTunes by Tim O'B from USA on January 7, 2019
I really like their sense of humor and glad I discovered this podcast. You can tell they've got this thing down and know how to entertain and keep you company between the ear buds. So glad I discovered it this week. Where have I been?

What a blast!
5 stars in iTunes by Pod Addict T from USA on January 4, 2019
Super fun show, great chemistry, lots of laugh, and tons of fun guests!

Let's Just Write

I will be there this year as a presenter. Can't wait to participate. Here are the details...

We listened to your suggestions from last year and 2019 is going to be even bigger and better!

Two days
Twelve amazing presenters
Author interviews
Book signings
Live lit event, open to attendees
Swag bag
...and much more.

Your registration fee includes breakfast both days, one lunch, and dinner on Saturday night at the hotel (cash bar).
NOTE: The dinner on Saturday evening is FREE TO ATTENDEES, but you must reserve a free ticket below. You may purchase an additional ticket if you'd like to bring a guest.

The conference will take place at the Warwick Allerton, 701 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611.

Visit our website for more information and to meet our speakers.

Non-members: join CWA for only $25/year and register as a member.

Registration will close on March 8th, 2019. There will be no same day registration.

Minutia Men, Episode 123

EP123 – Rick and Dave discuss porn for wall legislation, an Ozzy Osbourne plush toy, pre-Germed Kleenex, Rick’s brush with SNL star Mike Myers, and they interview former Chicago Cub Adam Greenberg.

Listen to it here.

Baby Porcupine

Have you ever seen a Baby Porcupine eating a banana? 🍌 pic.twitter.com/VU5s8VZNRF

— Erin Mooney 🌎 (@erinmooney72) January 27, 2019

Smells like Pre-Teen Spirit

Instrumental ukelele version of the Nirvana song. This kid is talented...

Dave Mosele

Happy birthday to Eckhartz Press' talented illustrator Dave Mosele. He did the illustrations for "Father Knows Nothing", "Rantings of a Bitter Childless Woman", "Hugh Hefner's First Funeral" and more...

Juke Box Hero

I never knew the inspiration behind the Foreigner song "Juke Box Hero". Mick Jones says it was about a fan who stood out in the pouring rain in Cincinnati to see them. They are trying to track this fan down now, 38 years later. Cool story.

I still like the song too.

Roger Stone

The entire Roger Stone indictment is here. Don't let yourself be swayed by pundits. Read it yourself. Lots of damanging info in there. Those guys in the Trump campaign totally knew what was going on.

Oh, and you have to let John Podesta have his little moment of Shadenfreude...

Rogers’s time in the barrel—and it’s headed over Niagara Falls. Roger Stone, Adviser to Trump, Is Indicted in Mueller Investigation via @NYTimes https://t.co/DuoT2FuF0B

— John Podesta (@johnpodesta) January 25, 2019

Writers Scholarships

Just a reminder that the scholarship application deadline for Let's Just Write! An Uncommon Writers Conference is January 25th at midnight (that's tonight). Don't lose out on this opportunity.
CLICK HERE (https://www.chicagowrites.org/conference/scholarships) to apply. There is no application fee. Scholarship winners will be announced by February 20.

Pat Colander

From Robert Feder's column this morning, another farewell to Pat Colander...

Pat Colander is being remembered as a fearless writer and editor with an infectious laugh and an endless stream of stories. The longtime journalist and author died of cancer Monday in Hobart, Indiana. She was 66. Colander, who grew up on Chicago’s South Side, worked for the Chicago Tribune, the Chicago Reader, the Northwest Indiana Times, Lake magazine and Shore magazine. In 2016 she won the Chicago Writer’s Association Book of the Year Award for Hugh Hefner’s First Funeral and Other True Tales of Love and Death in Chicago, a collection of her articles. Services for Colander will be at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Mary of the Lake, 6060 Miller Avenue in Gary, Indiana.

Weezer Covers

From Slate Magazine. Does it make me lame if this sounds really good to me?

Weezer’s upcoming album Weezer, scheduled to be released in March, will be Weezer’s sixth Weezer. The albums are informally known by the color of their artwork, so the newest Weezer is the Teal Album. Their latest outing finds the band leaning into the success of their cover of Toto’s “Africa” with a lineup of cover songs that’s heavy on the early 1980s. Here’s the tracklist:

• “Africa” (Toto, 1982)
• “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” (Tears For Fears, 1985)
• “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” (Eurythmics, 1983)
• “Take On Me” (A-ha, 1984)
• “Happy Together” (The Turtles, 1967)
• “Paranoid” (Black Sabbath, 1970)
• “Mr. Blue Sky” (Electric Light Orchestra, 1977)
• “No Scrubs” (TLC, 1999)
• “Billie Jean” (Michael Jackson, 1982)
• “Stand By Me” (Ben E. King, 1961)

John Belushi

Today would have been John Belushi's 70th birthday. Hard to believe. This photo comes from the pages of John Landecker's book "Records Truly Is My Middle Name". Landecker & Belushi (and Ackroyd) hung out on a number of occasions during the filming of the Blues Brothers movie. That's just one of the great stories in the pages of Landecker's great memoir, still available at Eckhartz Press.

Jimmy Steal

There's a new PD at WTMX. His name is Jimmy Steal, and he comes from LA. From Radio Online...

Steal said, "After my extended successful run at Power 106 LA I'm thrilled to be taking on the roll of VP of Brand and Content for WTMX in Chicago. I would like to thank Meruelo Media COO Otto Padron and my entire Power 106/KDAY team for the many years of amazing record-breaking radio! I'm so looking forward to being at Hubbard Radio, working in their biggest market, for Jeff England, Drew Horowitz, Greg Strassell, Mega-star Eric Ferguson and the entire WTMX staff."

Vice President Market Manager Jeff England added, "We are thrilled to have Jimmy Steal join our outstanding Programming team at Hubbard Radio Chicago as Vice President of Brand and Content WTMX. Jimmy is a tested and proven winner in one of the most competitive markets in the country. His talent and leadership will further enhance our market leading performance at 101.9 The MIX home of the Eric in the Morning Show."

Robin Zander

Today is Cheap Trick lead singer Robin Zander's birthday. Robin and the rest of the guys in Cheap Trick are featured in the Eckhartz Press book "We Have Company" by Bobby Skafish. The band rates an entire chapter in Bobby's incredible rock and roll book (still available at Eckhartz Press). The band talks about working on John Lennon's final album, and of course their own work. Zander even swears.

(What? A Rock and Roller swearing?)

New Hall of Famers

Congrats to the four new Hall of Famers who will join Lee Smith and Harold Baines in this year's HOF class. No complaints here from the inclusion of Mariano Rivera, Roy Halladay, Edgar Martinez, and Mike Mussina.

I knew Rivera was a lock, but whoa, 100% of the vote. Very impressive. First one ever.

Oscar Nominations

These are the nominees for Best Picture this year...

Black Panther (Kevin Feige, Producer)
BlacKkKlansman (Sean McKittrick, Jason Blum, Raymond Mansfield, Jordan Peele and Spike Lee, Producers)
Bohemian Rhapsody (Graham King, Producer)
The Favourite (Ceci Dempsey, Ed Guiney, Lee Magiday and Yorgos Lanthimos, Producers)
Green Book (Jim Burke, Charles B. Wessler, Brian Currie, Peter Farrelly and Nick Vallelonga, Producers)
Roma (Gabriela Rodriguez and Alfonso Cuaron, Producers)
A Star Is Born (Bill Gerber, Bradley Cooper and Lynette Howell Taylor, Producers)
Vice (Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Adam McKay and Kevin Messick, Producers)

Best Director nominees...

Alfonso Cuaron (Roma)
Yorgos Lanthimos (The Favourite)
Spike Lee (BlacKkKlansman)
Adam McKay (Vice)
Pawel Pawlikowski (Cold War)

Best Actress nominees...

Yalitza Aparicio (Roma)
Glenn Close (The Wife)
Olivia Colman (The Favourite)
Lady Gaga (A Star Is Born)
Melissa McCarthy (Can You Ever Forgive Me?)

Best Actor nominees...

Christian Bale (Vice)
Bradley Cooper (A Star Is Born)
Willem Dafoe (At Eternity's Gate)
Rami Malek (Bohemian Rhapsody)
Viggo Mortensen (Green Book)

Supporting Actress nominees...

Amy Adams (Vice)
Marina de Tavira (Roma)
Regina King (If Beale Street Could Talk)
Emma Stone (The Favourite)
Rachel Weisz (The Favourite)

Supporting Actor nominees

Mahershala Ali (Green Book)
Adam Driver (BlacKkKlansman)
Sam Elliott (A Star Is Born)
Richard E. Grant (Can You Ever Forgive Me?)
Sam Rockwell (Vice)

Chicago Radio Ratings

This Christmas book is always a little skewed because of the all-Christmas format (WLIT), but nevertheless here are the ratings, courtesy of Robert Feder's column today. Feder also has the ratings broken down by daypart, if you are interested...

1. WLIT 93.9-FM adult contemporary, 13.3 (8.3)
2. WBBM 780-AM/WCFS 105.9-FM all news, 5.3 (5.7)
3. WVAZ 102.7-FM urban adult contemporary, 4.9 (5.3)
4. WOJO 105.1-FM Mexican regional, 4.6 (4.8)
5. WTMX 101.9-FM hot adult contemporary, 4.4 (4.2)
6. WDRV 97.1-FM classic rock, 3.9 (4.3)
7. WLS 94.7-FM classic hits, 3.6 (4.0)
8. WXRT 93.1-FM adult album alternative, 3.2 (3.4)
9. (tie) WBMX 104.3-FM classic hip hop, 3.0 (3.5); WGCI 107.5-FM urban contemporary, 3.0 (3.3); WSCR 670-AM sports talk, 3.0 (2.9)
12. WKSC 103.5-FM Top 40, 2.9 (2.9)
13. WUSN 99.5-FM country, 2.8 (3.5)
14. (tie) WBEZ 91.5-FM public radio news talk, 2.6 (2.9); WLEY 107.9-FM Mexican regional, 2.6 (2.7)
16. (tie) WPPN 106.7-FM Spanish adult contemporary, 2.5 (2.3); WSHE 100.3-FM adult contemporary, 2.5 (2.8)
18. WBBM 96.3-FM Top 40, 2.4 (2.1)
19. (tie) WKQX 101.1-FM alternative rock, 2.3 (2.2); WRME 87.7-FM soft rock oldies, 2.3 (2.7)
21. WGN 720-AM news talk, 2.2 (2.6)
22. WPWX 92.3-FM urban contemporary, 1.9 (1.9)
23. WEBG 95.5-FM country, 1.5 (1.4)
24. WCKL 97.9-FM contemporary Christian, 1.3 (1.1)
25. (tie) WFMT 98.7-FM classical, 1.2 (1.0); WMVP 1000-AM sports talk, 1.2 (1.5)
27. (tie) WLS 890-AM news talk, 1.1 (1.4); WMBI 90.1-FM Christian ministry, 1.1 (1.1)
29. WVIV 93.5-FM Spanish contemporary, 1.0 (1.1)
30. WERV 95.9-FM classic hits, 0.6 (0.7)

Free Kicks, Episode 28

EP28: On this week’s Free Kicks, Adam & Rick recap the London Derbies, explore the nuances of the January transfer window, and take a quiz about Manchester City FC.

Listen to it here.

R.I.P. Pat Colander

Just got some very shocking news--my good friend Pat Colander passed away.

I knew she had cancer, and I knew she had been undergoing treatment for a while, but I had no idea this day was near. I'm in shock.

I met Pat almost twenty years ago when I was working with John Landecker. She was the editor of Lake Magazine at the time, and they were doing a story about John. In our first conversation I mentioned that I was a writer too, and she asked me to write an article for her magazine on the spot. I did. She liked it, and I wrote many more.

When Landecker's show ended, she encouraged me to write full-time. And I did.

My first two books "The Radio Producer's Handbook" and "$everance" were both championed by Pat in the pages of her magazine. She sent her friend Andy Shaw to write about the first one. Our mutual friend John Landecker to write about the second.

When she moved over to Shore Magazine to be the editor there, I moved with her. I wrote even more for her there, including the column that came to be my pride and joy--Father Knows Nothing.

When it came out in book form, Pat gave me an enthusiastic endorsement on the back cover.

Pat was always encouraging, always supportive. She was a great cheerleader for me and all the writers she employed. It was thanks to Pat that I was nominated several times for Lisagor Awards. I had no idea what that even was until I was nominated for Father Knows Nothing.

When Dave & I started up Eckhartz Press, Pat came to us with a book idea. She wanted to print some of the great articles from her writing days (from The Reader, The Tribune, etc). She was an absolutely gifted writer, and those articles make "Hugh Hefner's First Funeral and Other Tales of Love & Death in Chicago" a must read. We weren't surprised at all when it won the Book of the Year award in 2016. It's that good.

As long as we are in business at Eckhartz Press, it will remain in print. It deserves to be.

I'm a little taken aback by this news. You only encounter so many truly special people in your life, and when one of them is suddenly gone, it's a bit overwhelming.

I'm happy I got to know her. I'm happy to have seen the tremendous example she set for how to treat people, how to be generous in spirit, and how to be giving to others.

Rest in peace, Pat. We miss you already.

CWA Board

This photo was taken on Saturday night at the CWA Book of the Year Awards. This is the board for the Chicago Writers Association. L-R: Charlie Monteverde, Randy Richardson, George Rawlinson, Samantha Hoffman, Christina Rodriguez, Becky Sarwate-Maxwell, Me, and Dan Burns.

Great night and great turnout in the middle of a snowstorm, somehow.

Bowling for Veterans

This is where we will be this Saturday with Chet Coppock. What a worthy cause--we're happy to support it. Details below...

The Skokie Men's Bowling Inc. in conjunction with Leadoff Bowler 'Big Daddy' will be having their 1st Annual Winter Bowling Benefit on Sunday, January 27, 2019, at the Niles Brunswick Zone - Bowlero, located at 7333 Milwaukee Avenue, in Niles, Illinois; registration begins at 9:30 AM; with a special and unique kickoff not-to-be-missed for the benefit at 10:00 AM.

Over 150 bowlers have signed up and nearly 50 sponsors are in support of this event including local dignitaries such as Illinois State Representative John D'Amico (15th District), Mayor Dan DiMaria of the Village of Morton Grove, Trustee George 'Kappy's' Alpogianis of the Village of Niles and more! Chicagoland radio broadcasting legend and hall-of-famer and Chet Coppock 'The Godfather of Sports Talk Radio,' will be on-hand for the book signing of his newly-released book: 'Your Dime, My Dance Floor: Chet Coppock in Pursuit of Chet Coppock' (https://eckhartzpress.com/shop/your-dime-my-dance-floor-chet-coppock-in-pursuit-of-chet-coppock).

A silent auction will be conducted by Hobb's Hobby Hut and raffles and prizes will be on-going throughout the event. All proceeds will benefit The Bowlers to Veterans Link (BVL) (www.BowlForVeterans.org), a 501(c)3 not-for-profit with high distinction as one of "America's Best Charities" due to their low costs in running their organization (6%). This means that 94% of funds donated to this organization are spent on programs and services to aid our veterans directly for rehabilitation and recreation.

Minutia Men, Episode 122

EP122: Rick and Dave discuss ash sniffing, Trump TV show from the 50s, an injection that won’t help your back, Rick’s brush with comedian Tom Dreesen, and they interview former Olympian track star Dwight Stones

Listen to it here.

What the World Needs Now

I share this song every year on MLK day. It was produced and recorded by DJ Tom Clay in 1970. Captures the spirit of MLK about as well as anything...

Len Kasper

Happy birthday to Len Kasper, the TV voice of the Cubs. Len was kind enough to contribute to the book "Cubsessions" last year. Spoke to the authors of that book the other night (Becky & Randy) and they are working on an updated version to be released this year with even more Cubs and celebrity Cub fans talking about their love of the team. All proceeds go to charity.

New at B-96

From this morning's RAMP Newsletter...

Entercom Top 40 WBBM-FM (B96)/Chicago has filled its prime evening vacancy with Julia Lepidi, who will take over the 7-midnight show on Monday, January 28. Lepidi spent the past three years at Entercom's former Top 40 sister WDZH (98.7 AMP Radio)/Detroit -- she started there in nights in 2015, added Promotions Coordinator duties, and last June was elevated to morning co-host, alongside Chris Cruise. However, that wake-up dream came to a screeching halt in November when the station flipped to Soft AC as 98.7 The Breeze. Earlier in her career Lepidi was on the air at WBTI/Port Huron, MI. "Julia's energetic, vibrant personality coupled with her high engagement on social media will make for a tremendous addition to our team," said Jimmy de Castro, SVP/Market Manager, Entercom Chicago. "We are confident that Julia will connect with nighttime listeners and help further extend the station’s reach." Lepidi commented, "When the opportunity came to become a part of the legendary B96 staff, it was a no-brainer. Thanks to Jimmy de Castro, [PD] Todd Cavanah and [APD/MD] Erik Bradley for this opportunity. I'm genuinely humbled and beyond ecstatic to join the team in the great city of Chicago."

Just One Bad Century

On the eve of the #Cubs convention in 2008, we launched our website and company Just One Bad Century (http://ow.ly/CeYI50kf5Ne). That led to the creation of our publishing company Eckhartz Press (http://ow.ly/ZmIU50kf5Ni). We're combining the two on Opening Day this year with the release of our book "Every Cub Ever". More details about that book in the coming weeks.

Richard Reeder with Rabbi Doug

When I first met Eckhartz Press author Richard Reeder ("1001 Train Rides in Chicago"), he immediately reminded me of my old friend Rabbi Doug. Doug is the host of a local television show, so I connected the two of them yesterday for an interview. They hit it off as much as I predicted they would. In a weird twist of fate, Doug's office is now in the same building Richard's grandmother once lived...and Richard has a painting of that building up in his living room.

The interview will air in four or five weeks.

Chet on Mancow

Digging the scene on #wls with the legendary ⁦@MancowMuller⁩ pic.twitter.com/P5DE7nxbsy

— Chet Coppock (@ChetCoppock) January 17, 2019

The SNL Experience

Good marketing move by the Museum of Broadcasting. Robert Feder has the details...

Chicago’s Museum of Broadcast Communications is offering free admission to “Saturday Night Live: The Experience” to all federal employees during the government shutdown. (Employment IDs or business cards must be shown to gain complimentary admission.) Held over through the end of March, the immersive multimedia exhibition takes visitors behind the scenes of the comedy series. Among the displays are Alec Baldwin’s President Trump costume and the hand-crafted wig worn on an episode of “SNL.” The exhibit has been drawing crowds to the museum at 360 North State Street since October 2017. (Photo: Dave and I on the set the day Landecker got inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame)