Wednesday, March 20, 2019
Nose Over Toes Book Launch
We had a great time last night at Ditka's restaurant for the launch of Janet Sutherland Madden's book "Nose Over Toes". A few celebs stopped by including WSHE's Susan Wiencek, radio legend and fellow Eckhartz Press author Chet Coppock, fellow Eckhartz Press author Ken Korber, WLS production guru Vince Argento, and even a former professional wrestler the Russian Brute...
Tuesday, March 19, 2019
Nose Over Toes
Nothing to See Here
In a first, Germany is requesting the removal of the Trump appointed ambassador to Germany, #RichardGrenell.
— Andrew James Gregor (@andrewjgregor) March 19, 2019
They consider him to stoke racism and fascism on the country.
That's where we're at, folks.
The Germans want the American gone, because he's a Nazi.
Landecker & Kogan
On this day in 2013, Rick Kogan interviewed John Landecker about his great Eckhartz Press book "Records Truly Is My Middle Name" (one of the best interviews of our long book tour)
Richie Ashburn
My book "everycubever" comes out in April, and will include a mini-bio about every Cub who ever played. Some are really obscure. Others are Hall of Famers like today's birthday boy...
~Richie Ashburn 1927–1997 (Cubs 1960-1961)
While it was great to have the Hall of Famer Ashburn covering centerfield for the 1960 and 1961 Cubs, the lifetime .308 hitter was long past his prime. He put up those Hall of Fame numbers mostly for the Philadelphia Phillies. The stories about Ashburn from his early days are legendary. He loved hitting so much he slept with his Louisville Slugger when he was in slump. He was a speedy singles hitter who won two batting titles, finished second three times, and hit over .300 nine times. By the time he came to the Cubs, unfortunately, his career was declining and he no longer had the speed he exhibited early in his career. Ashburn was a five time All-Star, but none of those appearances came with the Cubs. The Cubs let him go in the expansion draft of 1962, and he finished his career as the only All-Star on the worst team of all-time, the 1962 Mets. After his playing career ended, he became a beloved announcer for the Philadelphia Phillies. He died in 1997, two years after he was elected into Baseball’s Hall of Fame. (Photo: 1961 Topps Baseball Card)
While it was great to have the Hall of Famer Ashburn covering centerfield for the 1960 and 1961 Cubs, the lifetime .308 hitter was long past his prime. He put up those Hall of Fame numbers mostly for the Philadelphia Phillies. The stories about Ashburn from his early days are legendary. He loved hitting so much he slept with his Louisville Slugger when he was in slump. He was a speedy singles hitter who won two batting titles, finished second three times, and hit over .300 nine times. By the time he came to the Cubs, unfortunately, his career was declining and he no longer had the speed he exhibited early in his career. Ashburn was a five time All-Star, but none of those appearances came with the Cubs. The Cubs let him go in the expansion draft of 1962, and he finished his career as the only All-Star on the worst team of all-time, the 1962 Mets. After his playing career ended, he became a beloved announcer for the Philadelphia Phillies. He died in 1997, two years after he was elected into Baseball’s Hall of Fame. (Photo: 1961 Topps Baseball Card)
Chicago Radio Ratings
Thanks so much to Robert Feder for posting these. He has the full daypart breakdowns too.
Here are Chicago’s top 30 radio stations from 6 a.m. to midnight Monday through Sunday, as measured by Nielsen Audio from January 31 to February 27, followed by format and average quarter-hour share of listeners age 6 and older (with previous month’s share in parentheses):
1. WBBM 780-AM/WCFS 105.9-FM all news, 6.1 (6.2)
2. WTMX 101.9-FM hot adult contemporary, 5.5 (5.4)
3. WDRV 97.1-FM classic rock, 5.1 (4.5)
4. WOJO 105.1-FM Mexican regional, 5.0 (5.5)
5. WVAZ 102.7-FM urban adult contemporary, 4.7 (4.8)
6. WLIT 93.9-FM adult contemporary, 4.4 (5.0)
7. WLS 94.7-FM classic hits, 3.9 (3.7)
8. WGN 720-AM news talk, 3.5 (3.0)
9. (tie) WXRT 93.1-FM adult album alternative, 3.3 (3.2); WBEZ 91.5-FM public radio news talk, 3.3 (3.0)
11. WSHE 100.3-FM adult contemporary, 3.2 (3.1)
12. WBMX 104.3-FM classic hip hop, 3.1 (3.1)
13. (tie) WUSN 99.5-FM country, 3.0 (2.8); WSCR 670-AM sports talk, 3.0 (3.3)
15. WKSC 103.5-FM Top 40, 2.9 (2.9)
16. WKQX 101.1-FM alternative rock, 2.8 (2.6)
17. WGCI 107.5-FM urban contemporary, 2.7 (2.9)
18. (tie) WLEY 107.9-FM Mexican regional, 2.6 (2.2); WRME 87.7-FM soft rock oldies, 2.6 (2.8)
20. WBBM 96.3-FM Top 40, 2.2 (2.3)
21. WPWX 92.3-FM urban contemporary, 2.1 (2.0)
22. WLS 890-AM news talk, 1.7 (1.7)
23. (tie) WEBG 95.5-FM country, 1.6 (1.5); WPPN 106.7-FM Spanish adult contemporary, 1.6 (2.3)
25. WCKL 97.9-FM contemporary Christian, 1.5 (1.3)
26. WFMT 98.7-FM classical, 1.2 (1.1)
27. (tie) WMBI 90.1-FM Christian ministry, 1.0 (1.3); WMVP 1000-AM sports talk, 1.0 (1.2); WVIV 93.5-FM Spanish contemporary, 1.0 (0.9)
30. WERV 95.9-FM classic hits, 0.7 (1.0)
The CWA Board
Monday, March 18, 2019
Minutia Men, Episode 128
Listen to it here.
Hiram Bithorn
My book "everycubever" comes out in April, and yes it will feature a mini-bio of every single player who ever played for the Cubs, including today's birthday boy...
~Hiram Bithorn 1916–1951 (Cubs 1942-1946)
Bithorn was from Puerto Rico, the first Puerto Rican to ever play Major League baseball. Known for his high leg kick, he had one great season with the Cubs in 1943, winning 18 games with seven shutouts, and an ERA of 2.60. Unfortunately, he was drafted into the military during World War II, and after he returned from the Navy he had gained 45 pounds. Bithorn tried to pitch for the Cubs in 1946, but didn’t have anything left in the tank. The two-year layoff was too much to overcome. His life took a tragic turn while he was trying to make a comeback in the Mexican League. On New Year’s Day in 1952, he was shot to death by a policeman in Mexico, in what is still considered a mysterious case. Bithorn is still a hero in Puerto Rico. The baseball stadium in San Juan is named Hiram Bithorn Stadium.
Bithorn was from Puerto Rico, the first Puerto Rican to ever play Major League baseball. Known for his high leg kick, he had one great season with the Cubs in 1943, winning 18 games with seven shutouts, and an ERA of 2.60. Unfortunately, he was drafted into the military during World War II, and after he returned from the Navy he had gained 45 pounds. Bithorn tried to pitch for the Cubs in 1946, but didn’t have anything left in the tank. The two-year layoff was too much to overcome. His life took a tragic turn while he was trying to make a comeback in the Mexican League. On New Year’s Day in 1952, he was shot to death by a policeman in Mexico, in what is still considered a mysterious case. Bithorn is still a hero in Puerto Rico. The baseball stadium in San Juan is named Hiram Bithorn Stadium.
Rich King
Happy birthday to Eckhartz Press author Rich King. He's in Arizona with the White Sox these days, enjoying the sun and fun. Have a great birthday Rich!
RIP Andre Williams
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of legendary artist Andre Williams. He died this afternoon in Chicago at the age of 82. He touched our lives and the lives of countless others. We love you Dre. pic.twitter.com/EpSdcKuxbB
— Pravda Records (@pravdarecords) March 18, 2019
Who was Andre Williams? The man who co-wrote this song we all know and love...
RIP Dick Dale
From this morning's RAMP newsletter...
This is the song that introduced him to a new generation of fans, when Quintin Tarantino used it to kick off his classic film Pulp Fiction...
Born Richard Anthony Monsour in Boston on May 1937, Dale developed his distinctive sound by adding to instrumental rock influences from his Middle Eastern heritage, along with a "wet" reverb sound and his rapid alternative picking style. In a 2011 interview with the Miami New Times, Dale said that the hectic drumming of Gene Krupa, along with the "screams" of wild animals and the sound and sensation of being in the ocean inspired his sound. At the turn of the '60s, Dale was pivotal in the development of the Fender Stratocaster guitar. "Everything that came out of Leo Fender's head, I was his test pilot," Dale told the Miami New Times in that same 2011 article. "He used to say, 'When it can withstand the barrage of punishment from Dick Dale, then it's fit for human consumption.' So I blew up over 50 amplifiers. And that's why they call me the 'Father of Heavy Metal.'"
Dale is survived by his second wife Lana, who served as his manager, and his son James, who worked with him as a drummer.
This is the song that introduced him to a new generation of fans, when Quintin Tarantino used it to kick off his classic film Pulp Fiction...
Writers Conference
This photo is from the Publishers panel I participated in. That's me on the far left, Emily Victorson (Allium Press), moderater (and author/Columbia College professor) Shawn Shiflett, Jerry Brennan (Tortoise Books), and Dennis Foley (Sidestreet press).
I attended at least four other sessions (introduced a few), got a ton of great ideas about writing techniques, and hung out with some great people. If you are a writer, you should do whatever you can to get to next year's session.
Friday, March 15, 2019
Big Day for Chet
tonight Lyndsey, my baby girl will be married...in about 10 hours I'll be a father in law, maybe, in a couple of years I'll be a grandfather. damn right it's emotional. anxious to pay tribute to my daughter and her man.. @BruceWolfChi @MLBBruceLevine @MDGonzales pic.twitter.com/kY8BPTRgok
— Chet Coppock (@ChetCoppock) March 15, 2019
Sam Spade
Last night I attended the Senior SAG/AFTRA players performance of a radio play--Sam Spade--starring my old friend John Records Landecker. He did a great job in the lead role.
Radio Health Journal
Thanks so much to executive producer Reed Pence for doing the interview.
R&R Hall of Fame Presenters Announced
From this morning's RAMP newsletter...
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has revealed the names of the presenters who will introduce and induct Stevie Nicks, Def Leppard, Janet Jackson, The Cure, Radiohead, Roxy Music and The Zombies into the Rock Hall on March 29 during the 34th Annual Induction Ceremony at Brooklyn's Barclays Center, presented by Klipsch Audio.
Harry Styles will be presenting for Stevie Nicks; Brian May of Queen presenting for Def Leppard; Janelle Monáe presenting for Janet Jackson; Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails presenting for The Cure; David Byrne presenting for Radiohead; John Taylor & Simon Le Bon of Duran Duran presenting for Roxy Music and Susanna Hoffs of The Bangles presenting for The Zombies.
The ceremony will once again exclusively premiere on HBO on Saturday, April 27 at 8pm ET. SiriusXM will also broadcast the ceremony in April and will feature special broadcasts throughout the year devoted to the Rock Hall's inductees, past and present -- on Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Radio (Ch. 310) and VOLUME (Ch. 106). A special exhibit dedicated to this year's inductees will open at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland on Friday, March 22.
Thursday, March 14, 2019
Congrats Ken Churilla
Ken Churilla is the co-author of the Mitch Michaels book "Doin the Cruise" and we're happy for his recognition in his hometown. He posted this on Facebook today...
This may come across as a little self serving but hell with it, I think it's pretty cool. The library in my hometown of Highland is spotlighting Indiana authors and they reached out to feature me! Why it means so much to me is I can't even begin to tell you how many afternoons, evenings and weekends I spent there in HS and Jr High working on book reports, multiple encyclopedias open and spread out all over the table. If you would have told teenage Ken this would happen one day, never in a million years would he have believed you...
Felix Pie
My book "everycubever" is coming out in April and will feature mini-bios of every Cub who ever played, including the most appropriate Cub to post on Pi Day (3/14). Felix Pie...
~Felix Pie 1985-- (Cubs 2007-2008)
Felix was supposed to be the next big star in Chicago, a five-tool outfielder with dazzling talent. Like Corey Patterson before him, Pie never quite put it together. The Cubs handed him in the starting center field job in 2008, but he lost it by May. Chicago signed Jim Edmonds and sent Felix back to the minors. One thing many male Cubs fans will never forget about Pie is an injury he suffered during his time with the Cubs. It was called “testicular torsion” or twisted testicle. Some of us still have nightmares. The Cubs traded Felix to the Orioles in 2009.
Felix was supposed to be the next big star in Chicago, a five-tool outfielder with dazzling talent. Like Corey Patterson before him, Pie never quite put it together. The Cubs handed him in the starting center field job in 2008, but he lost it by May. Chicago signed Jim Edmonds and sent Felix back to the minors. One thing many male Cubs fans will never forget about Pie is an injury he suffered during his time with the Cubs. It was called “testicular torsion” or twisted testicle. Some of us still have nightmares. The Cubs traded Felix to the Orioles in 2009.
Dobie Maxwell
Happy birthday to Eckhartz Press author Dobie Maxwell! His book "Monkey in the Middle" was released on this date in 2016--and became one of our best selling books. It's an amazing story, and Dobie is an amazing guy.
Behind the Scenes at WGN
A few more photos behind the scenes at WGN-Radio with Eckhartz Press author Janet Sutherland-Madden...
Wednesday, March 13, 2019
Free Kicks, Episode 33
Listen to it here.
Chippy Gaw
My book "everycubever" is coming out in April and will feature mini-bios of every Cub who ever played, including today's birthday boy....
~Chippy Gaw 1892–1968 (Cubs 1920)
One of the greatest names in baseball history–Chippy Gaw–pitched only briefly for the Cubs. After logging nearly ten years in the minors, he got into six big league games in 1920, mainly as a reliever. In his last Major League appearance on July 4, 1920, he came in to relieve Cubs great Hippo Vaughn. He pitched a third of an inning and didn’t allow a run. He pitched a few more years in the minors before hanging up his spikes for good in 1922. After his playing career was over, Chippy went into coaching…hockey. He was the head hockey coach at both Princeton and Dartmouth, and later also coached Boston University’s baseball team. His real first name, by the way, was George.
One of the greatest names in baseball history–Chippy Gaw–pitched only briefly for the Cubs. After logging nearly ten years in the minors, he got into six big league games in 1920, mainly as a reliever. In his last Major League appearance on July 4, 1920, he came in to relieve Cubs great Hippo Vaughn. He pitched a third of an inning and didn’t allow a run. He pitched a few more years in the minors before hanging up his spikes for good in 1922. After his playing career was over, Chippy went into coaching…hockey. He was the head hockey coach at both Princeton and Dartmouth, and later also coached Boston University’s baseball team. His real first name, by the way, was George.
Howard Stern
From this morning's Robert Feder column...
Author! Author! King of All Media Howard Stern is about to release his first book in 24 years. Howard Stern Comes Again is set to be published May 14 by Simon & Schuster. “For the last two years of my life, I’ve been involved in a project that has taken up almost every weekend, every vacation that we’ve been on,” Stern said on his Sirius XM Radio show Tuesday. “This is about my evolution and this is about my interviews. I started talking about the process and I started talking about my life and some of the things that have happened.” Stern’s previous books were the bestsellers Miss America in 1995 and Private Parts in 1993.
I just found out that my book The Radio Producer's Handbook is considered a Simon & Schuster book. They bought Allworth Press, which released it originally. Hope they don't read my novel $everance, which openly mocks another Simon & Schuster author (and the chairman of the board) Sumner Redstone.
Author! Author! King of All Media Howard Stern is about to release his first book in 24 years. Howard Stern Comes Again is set to be published May 14 by Simon & Schuster. “For the last two years of my life, I’ve been involved in a project that has taken up almost every weekend, every vacation that we’ve been on,” Stern said on his Sirius XM Radio show Tuesday. “This is about my evolution and this is about my interviews. I started talking about the process and I started talking about my life and some of the things that have happened.” Stern’s previous books were the bestsellers Miss America in 1995 and Private Parts in 1993.
I just found out that my book The Radio Producer's Handbook is considered a Simon & Schuster book. They bought Allworth Press, which released it originally. Hope they don't read my novel $everance, which openly mocks another Simon & Schuster author (and the chairman of the board) Sumner Redstone.
Tucker Carlson
*These comments weren't from his youth. Tucker was not a kid. He was 40.
*Anyone else on any legitimate network would have been fired. Period. That's just a fact.
*He's not a victim. He said all of these things on a RADIO show. This is not a gotcha.
*Next time one of those whining snowflakes on Fox News calls someone else a snowflake, the screen should go black and a still shot of that host crying should come on for the rest of the show.
If you don't know what I'm talking about, here's the most recent example.
Tuesday, March 12, 2019
George Moolic
My book "everycubever" is coming out in April and will feature mini bios of everyone who ever played for the Cubs between 1871-2018. Among them, today's birthday boy...
~George Moolic 1867--1915 (White Stockings 1886)
George had one of the greatest nicknames in Cubs history. His teammates called him Prunes. He was a 19-year-old backup catcher and outfielder for the 1886 National League champs, but he didn’t make much of a contribution to the team. He hit only .143 in 56 at-bats. That was the full extent of his big league career. Prunes may not have lasted long, but he could always say that he played on one of the most star-studded teams in Major League history. Among his teammates: Hall of Famers Cap Anson, King Kelly, and John Clarkson, plus stars in their day like Ned Williamson, George Gore, Jimmy Ryan, and Silver Flint. Oh, and the most famous of them all, future evangelist Billy Sunday. Prunes got a bloody nose in 1915 at the age of 47. Doctors couldn’t stop the bleeding, and after three weeks, he passed away. Official cause of death: nasal hemorrhage.
George had one of the greatest nicknames in Cubs history. His teammates called him Prunes. He was a 19-year-old backup catcher and outfielder for the 1886 National League champs, but he didn’t make much of a contribution to the team. He hit only .143 in 56 at-bats. That was the full extent of his big league career. Prunes may not have lasted long, but he could always say that he played on one of the most star-studded teams in Major League history. Among his teammates: Hall of Famers Cap Anson, King Kelly, and John Clarkson, plus stars in their day like Ned Williamson, George Gore, Jimmy Ryan, and Silver Flint. Oh, and the most famous of them all, future evangelist Billy Sunday. Prunes got a bloody nose in 1915 at the age of 47. Doctors couldn’t stop the bleeding, and after three weeks, he passed away. Official cause of death: nasal hemorrhage.
Happy Birthday Johnny!
Son #2 became an official grown up today. He's 21 years old. Happy birthday Johnny!
Monday, March 11, 2019
The Mooch Retweeted Us
He has 875,000 followers...
Great stuff! Thanks guys! https://t.co/edIfdrCRZs
— Anthony Scaramucci (@Scaramucci) March 9, 2019
National Women's Month
March is National Women's Month, and we salute the many female authors who have written Eckhartz Press books, including our newest author Janet Sutherland-Madden. We still miss the late Pat Colander, Felizitas Sudendorf and Dena Mendes, and we'll always appreciate Becky Sarwate-Maxwell, Beth Jacobellis, ML Collins, Ann Wilson, Jeanne Bellezzo, Lori Oster, and Kim Strickland. Also, Kristin Oakley who edited "The Write City Review", Lindsey Eanet who co-wrote "Back in the Game" with Rich King, and Jessica Hagy who provided illustrations for Kipper McGee's "Brandwidth"
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