Back from the Left Coast

Sorry I haven't been blogging for the past week, but I've been in LA & San Diego with my wife. We visited old friends and basked in some sorely needed sunshine. Here are a few photographic highlights...(Newport Beach, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, President Nixon's favorite restaurant, the USS Midway, Coronado Island, the Beverly Hills Hotel, and Warner Brothers Studios)

The President

Jason Thomas

News from WXRT Radio (via Robert Feder)...

It’s over and out for Jason Thomas after more than 13 years at WXRT 93.1-FM. Monday marked his last night at the Entercom adult album alternative station as host of “The Big Beat.” He resigned his part-time position to accept a new job outside of the market. “Thank you for making my time at XRT so memorable,” he said. “I’ll always have a huge spot in my heart for the station, the city, and the people.” Thomas, who signed on as afternoon host in 2006, was cut back to weekends and fill-in in 2018. Starting next week, Ryan Arnold will host “The Big Beat,” which loses an hour and moves to a new time — from 11 p.m. to midnight Mondays.

Fox 32 Fires Rafer Weigel

Sorry to hear about this. Channel 32 has decided that Rafer couldn't continue at Fox despite being cleared of charges. I understand the decision, but I still feel bad for Rafer.

Robert Feder has the details.

Good News

It won't be the same without Neil Peart, but it will still be awesome.

Monday Morning Prediction. There will be a LEE/LIFESON PROJECT announcement this year. They will release a studio recording WITH guest drummers on the songs, UNTIL they decide who to tour with. These guys ARE NOT done yet.... @RushFamTourneys #RushFamily #LeeLifesonProject pic.twitter.com/VvTfldA8Ht

— Steven A Banass (@StevenABanass) January 27, 2020

Minutia Men--The Royals & The Cubs

A few stories about the Royal family, and an in-depth interview with Cubs TV play-by-play man @LenKasper

Listen to it here.

Pure Genius

Ladies and Gentlemen, the President of the United States

Our case against lyin’, cheatin’, liddle’ Adam “Shifty” Schiff, Cryin’ Chuck Schumer, Nervous Nancy Pelosi, their leader, dumb as a rock AOC, & the entire Radical Left, Do Nothing Democrat Party, starts today at 10:00 A.M. on @FoxNews, @OANN or Fake News @CNN or Fake News MSDNC!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 25, 2020

What an embarrassment this man is. Seriously. He's a third grader.

Pedro Strop

Looks like Pedro Strop is moving on from the Cubs. He will always remain in the pages of EveryCubEver, and I know for a fact he has a copy of the book, because I gave it to him. Best of luck, Pedro!

Free Kicks--Final Across the Pond Special

Adam and Rick talk about the greatest team in the world (Liverpool), and file their final “Across the Pond” report from Chelsea in London. [Ep57]

Listen to it here.

You will surprised where this goes

I know I sure was...

Well that escalated pic.twitter.com/u30ow5e6vV

— WOTAPLONKER (@wotaplonker) January 23, 2020

Chicago Radio Ratings

These are the numbers for Chicago radio in December. Note that December is usually abnormal because of the holiday music played at WLIT...

1. WLIT 93.9-FM adult contemporary, 13.7 (9.5)
2. WVAZ 102.7-FM urban adult contemporary, 5.7 (5.4)
3. WBBM 780-AM/WCFS 105.9-FM all news, 4.9 (5.0)
4. WDRV 97.1-FM classic rock, 4.6 (4.7)
5. WLS 94.7-FM classic hits, 4.3 (4.8)
6. WSCR 670-AM sports talk, 3.5 (3.1)
7. WTMX 101.9-FM hot adult contemporary, 3.3 (3.4)
8. (tie) WXRT 93.1-FM adult album alternative, 3.1 (3.8); WBEZ 91.5-FM public radio news talk, 3.1 (3.5); WOJO 105.1-FM Mexican regional, 3.1 (3.5)
11. (tie) WGN 720-AM news talk, 3.0 (3.5); WRME 87.7-FM soft rock oldies, 3.0 (3.3); WSHE 100.3-FM adult contemporary, 3.0 (3.4)
14. WBBM 96.3-FM Top 40, 2.9 (2.7)
15. WKSC 103.5-FM Top 40, 2.8 (3.2)
16. (tie) WBMX 104.3-FM classic hip hop, 2.5 (2.9); WGCI 107.5-FM urban contemporary, 2.5 (2.2)
18. WKQX 101.1-FM alternative rock, 2.4 (2.9)
19. WLS 890-AM news talk, 2.3 (2.3)
20. WLEY 107.9-FM Mexican regional, 1.9 (2.1)
21. (tie) WUSN 99.5-FM country, 1.6 (1.9); WCKL 97.9-FM contemporary Christian, 1.6 (1.5); WPPN 106.7-FM Spanish adult contemporary, 1.6 (1.9)
24. (tie) WMVP 1000-AM sports talk, 1.4 (1.6); WPWX 92.3-FM urban contemporary, 1.4 (1.0)
26. WEBG 95.5-FM country, 1.2 (1.5)
27. WVIV 93.5-FM Spanish contemporary, 1.1 (1.2)
28. WMBI 90.1-FM Christian ministry, 1.0 (1.0)
29. WSRB 106.3-FM urban adult contemporary, 0.9 (1.1)
30. WFMT 98.7-FM classical 0.8 (0.8)

Rich Koz

This week's Minutia Men Celebrity Interview is with the alter ego of Svegoolie--Rich Koz.

Listen to it here.

RIP Terry Jones

So sorry to hear about the passing of Terry Jones from Monty Python. He was 77 years old.

Just heard about Terry J

It feels strange that a man of so many talents and such endless enthusiasm, should have faded so gently away...

Of his many achievements, for me the greatest gift he gave us all was his direction of 'Life of Brian'. Perfection

Two down, four to go

— John Cleese (@JohnCleese) January 22, 2020

He's a Baby Boomer

Hey John Landecker, Bridget and I were cleaning out closets over the weekend and look what we found...your "Baby Boomer Diaper"! Where should it go? The Smithsonian, the Museum of Broadcasting, or the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?

Eckhartz Press Author Flashback: Joel Daly

This year I'm going to be going into the archives to highlight some of the great authors featured in the Eckhartz Press catalogue. First one up is our favorite local anchorman: Joel Daly.

Read his tribute and relive his media tour here.

MLK Day

Minutia Men--Escaping Court, McDonald's and Berlin

Rick and Dave discuss a unique court case, annoying homeless people at McDonald’s, Gwenyth’s candle, Rick’s brush with Mayor Richard Daley, and they interview author Lou Macaluso about his Berlin Wall book.

Listen to it here.

Free Kicks--Across the Pond episode 4

Adam and Rick discuss the star strikers of the Premier League (one injured, one red-carded, one setting records), and do their fourth installment of “Across the Pond”–a report from their visit to Chelsea. [Ep56]

Listen to it here.

Ted Giannoulas

One of our favorite interviews. This week we talk to the San Diego Chicken. His Elvis story alone is worth the listen.

Listen to it here.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

They just announced this year's inductees. They are...

*Depeche Mode
*The Doobie Brothers
*Whitney Houston
*Nine Inch Nails
*The Notorious B.I.G.
*T-Rex

Imagine facing this team

5 of the players are from Liverpool...

Finally

With his recent election to the #PFHOF20 class, we celebrate the career of Jim Covert!@ChicagoBears pic.twitter.com/WAKFKEil5q

— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) January 15, 2020

Who do you agree with the most?

Interesting quiz in the Washington Post. They ask you 20 questions, and let you know which of the candidates agree with you. Then they tell you which one you agree with the most. For me, shockingly, it was Michael Bloomberg (followed by Biden/Klobuchar). Last place was Bernie.

Click here to do the quiz yourself.

Ron Smith obit

Robert Feder eulogized him today in his column...

No one knew more about oldies music in Chicago than Ron Smith. An on-air personality, program director and music director at four radio stations in the Chicago area, and author of five books on Top 40 music charts, he died Monday at 66. Smith, who graduated from Harold L. Richards High School in Oak Lawn and North Central College, also was a pioneering Internet radio programmer and consultant. “A brilliant and kind man who loved radio and radio people,” said longtime friend and colleague Tommy Edwards, who worked with Smith at the former Magic 104 WJMK and Real Oldies 1690. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Peter & Paul Orthodox Church, 6980 South County Line Road in Burr Ridge.

Grammy Lineup

Pretty strong lineup of performers this year for the Grammy's. The show airs on January 26. Here's the scoop from the RAMP newsletter...

Demi Lovato took to Instagram to announce her involvement in the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards. Much to the delight of her millions of fans, she posted, "I told you the next time you'd hear from me I'd be singing at #Grammys." Lovato joins previously announced performers Ariana Grande, Aerosmith, Billie Eilish, Lizzo, Blake Shelton & Gwen Stefani, plus host Alicia Keys, who will be returning for her second straight year as master of ceremonies for Music's Biggest Night. Hey, and speaking of Aerosmith, Variety reports that the two surviving members of Run-DMC -- The Rev. Joseph Simmons and Darryl McDaniels -- will perform with Aerosmith during that band's advertised medley of hits -- no doubt referring to their hugely successful 1986 collaboration on Aerosmith's classic, "Walk This Way." The group's third original member, DJ Jason "Jam Master Jay" Mizell died in 2002.

RIP Ron Smith

I got word over the weekend that Chicago radio programmer (and author) Ron Smith passed away. Sorry to hear it. Ron and I corresponded frequently, although we never met face to face.

In 2011 I interviewed him for Chicago Radio Spotlight. It's a great overview of his career, and reveals his passion for radio.

RIP Ron. You will be missed.

Congrats to LSU

We have a lot of family in Louisiana (on Bridget's side), and lots of LSU grads. Happy for them...

King shit. pic.twitter.com/6wQvzLDCiA

— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) January 14, 2020

Not budging on press briefings

In moments like last week's attack on Iran, it's glaring that there are no press briefings held anymore. I know when Sarah Sanders was in there, it was a lie-apalooza, but at least the White House had to answer for their behavior.

The White House received a letter yesterday from former press aides urging them to return to the old practice.

They refused. Amazingly, Fox News, which is supposed to be part of the press, is cheering on the decision.

Top 25!

Would you believe that the Illini are back in the top 25? It's been years.

Granted, they are #24, but baby steps.

Jimmy Johnson

I don't think I've ever rooted for Jimmy Johnson before, but this was a nice moment...

Jimmy Johnson finding out he’s going to the Hall of Fame on live television is tremendous pic.twitter.com/hTC05ibRFx

— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) January 13, 2020

The Oscar Nominations

Check out the names in this category! Actor in a Supporting Role

Tom Hanks (A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood)
Anthony Hopkins (The Two Popes)
Al Pacino (The Irishman)
Joe Pesci (The Irishman)
Brad Pitt (Once Upon a Time in Hollywood)

The rest of the nominations are here.

Amy Louise Williams

From Robert Feder's column this morning. The driver of the car from Chet Coppock's accident last April has also passed away...

Amy Louise Williams, the former Chicago TV producer who was driving the car in which sportscaster Chet Coppock was fatally injured last year, died January 5 in South Carolina, according to her family. She was 50. The cause of death was not reported, but Williams underwent numerous surgeries after the accident near Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, on April 6, 2019. The car she was driving veered across a highway median and struck another vehicle traveling in the opposite direction. Her injuries included two broken legs, two broken femurs, four broken ribs and a broken arm. “After a lifetime of brilliant triumphs and crippling struggles, Amy is finally at peace,” her sister, Erin Clark, wrote on Facebook. In 2001 Williams won a regional Emmy Award for a documentary on elder abuse in Chicago produced for PBS station WYCC-Channel 20.

Minutia Men--Reefer & Rutles

A timely interview in this week's Minutia Men episode. With marijuana's legalization in Illinois, we reached out to Billy Hayes, the man who wrote (and lived) "Midnight Express". We also played back an interview with the recently departed Neil Innes (of Monty Python fame).

Listen to it here.

Neil Peart

Rush drummer Neil Peart dead at 67. I always thought he was underrated as a lyricist. I spent many hours in my youth poring over his words. They inspired me to think, and later, to write. RIP Neil. Thank you. https://t.co/NXMJxQb0Uu

— Rick Kaempfer (@RickKaempfer) January 10, 2020

Minutia Men Celebrity Interview--John Records Landecker

This week's Minutia Men interview is with my old pal (and boss) John Records Landecker.

Listen to it here.

Pat Colander auction

For fans of the late Eckhartz Press author Pat Colander, her estate is having a sale of some of her artwork. Here's an excerpt from the piece in yesterday's Tribune...

The event sale is at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23 at Rivich Auction House and Gallery, 1828 Indianapolis Blvd. in Whiting. Wine will be served at a preview reception at 6 p.m., one hour before the auction, which will include curated selections from Colander’s personal art and literary collections, paintings, books, glassware and personal items. There will also be an online auction for bidding from afar, with many of the lots already posted, by searching “Rivich Auction” at www.liveauctioneers.com. Smaller items will be sold with a silent auction during the event.

A number of autographed books, including some from her late film critic friend Roger Ebert, are included in sale.

In 2017, Pat published her last book that detailed her life in journalism and many great behind-the-scenes newsroom stories. She grew up on the south side of Chicago and graduated from the University of Illinois and Purdue University Calumet. Her final book was "Hugh Hefner's First Funeral and Other True Tales of Love and Death in Chicago" (2015, Eckhartz Press, $15.95). The book title is taken from her details of the shocking death of Bobbie Arnstein, the executive secretary to Hugh Hefner and hailed as the woman behind the man who created the men's magazine empire. Other tales in the book range from a tour of the old Cook County morgue and the investigation that led to the capture of the Tylenol tampering killer.

Colander was also fascinated by the death of candy heiress Helen Brach, who was the subject on one of her earlier books, "Thin Air: The Life and Mysterious Disappearance of Helen Brach," published in 1982.

Artist Scott Covert used a stretched canvas and oil and wax-based crayons to create large works which depicts “rubbings” of the façade of tombstones and crypts of notable strange famous deaths, including those of comedians Phil Silvers, Oliver Hardy, Stringbean, Jackie Gleason, Marty Feldman, Lenny Bruce, Andy Kaufman and others. A matching piece by artist Covert does the same final resting place treatment for great writers including John Steinbeck, Louis L’Amour, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Sinclair Lewis, William Faulkner and Bob Kane.

Mike Murphy

I was bummed to read this morning that Mike Murphy has hung up his headphones and retired from ESPN AM 1000. He wasn't everyone's cup of tea, but I always enjoyed listening to his show. He and I shared a love/hate relationship with our favorite team (the Cubs). I even appeared on his show when EveryCubEver came out, and put him in the updated version of the book when he told me that he caught the only homer of Jose Arcia's career.

(Check out this fascinating Mediaburn video of Murphy in action back in the 1990s.)

I hope he changes his mind. He had a unique voice on Chicago sports radio.

Old Aches and Pains

Former White Sox great Luke Appling...at the age of 75.

75-year-old Luke Appling hits a HR vs. Warren Spahn at the "First Annual Cracker Jack Old Timers Baseball Classic" in Washington, D.C.! (July 1982) #Inspiration #MLB #History pic.twitter.com/tKGDnw4b34

— Baseball by BSmile (@BSmile) January 7, 2020

Robert Feder

Always appreciate it when Robert Feder mentions me in his column. He didn't have to do it. Here's today's tidbit...

The January edition of Illinois Entertainer features an interview with Brad Edwards, the investigative reporter who moved up to main news anchor at CBS-owned WBBM-Channel 2 last spring. (Here is the link.) “It’s a remarkable thing we’re trying to do at CBS 2. We are actually doing some accountability journalism,” Edwards tells media columnist Rick Kaempfer. “It’s going to take some time to change a generation of viewing habits, in combination with a dwindling market share for local news in general.”

Kyle Long

Classy departure...

Some chicagoans are probably happy to hear I’m finally stepping away and getting my body right. Some Chicagoans may be sad to hear this. Either way ufeel about it, I want u to know how lucky I am to have spent time in your city. I became a man while playing in Chicago.Thank you❤️

— Kyle Long (@Ky1eLong) January 6, 2020

Ricky Gervais

One of his better jokes from last night's Golden Globes...

All Time Top Flight Winners

(I'm not just posting this because my favorite team ends up #1.)

This graph shows the all-time top flight table for English football... 📊️⚽️

📹 https://t.co/VBU8Grmlwh pic.twitter.com/z0rx4U4vcn

— SPORTbible (@sportbible) January 3, 2020

Brad Edwards

The January issue of Illinois Entertainer is out and features my interview with CBS-2 anchorman Brad Edwards.

Read it here.

Q&A with Bob Sirott

Robert Feder interviews the new WGN Morning man in his column today.

You can read it here.

Bob starts on Monday.

A Letter to David Stern

Those of you who read this blog regularly realize that my Minutia Men co-host is named David Stern. He used to constantly be asked "You mean the NBA Commissioner?" because the NBA Commissioner shared his name. Well, with the news of his passing yesterday (RIP former NBA Commissioner Stern), I thought it would be a good time to bring back this letter Minutia Men co-host David Stern sent him in 2006.

Needless to say, he never got a reply...


National Basketball Association
Attn: Commissioner David Stern
645 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10022

July 15, 2006

Dear Commissioner Stern:

I’m worried about you. Here it is, July, basketball’s off season—and you still show up to work every day.

Yes, of course, you have a full plate. Everyone wants a piece of David Stern. But shouldn’t David Stern be allowed to go to the Hamptons for the weekend without constantly checking his voicemail and e-mail? Shouldn’t David Stern be allowed stop and smell the roses without being bombarded with work?

What if I told you that I could make that happen?

You see, my name is also David Stern. If you hired me to sit in your office for the summer, you could have the entire summer off, and nobody would be deprived of spending some quality time with David Stern.

If someone called to speak to David Stern, they could still do so…without inconveniencing you.

If someone stopped by to have a meeting with David Stern, they could still do so…without inconveniencing you.

If someone booked David Stern to deliver a speech at the National Press Club…David Stern could still do so, without interrupting your trip to Cape Cod.

Think about the possibilities. How much would your wife love it if David Stern actually picked out her gift? How honored would NBA players be if David Stern showed up at their weddings? I don’t like to brag, but have you considered how nice it would be to have everyone talking about what an incredible dancer David Stern was at Dwayne Wade’s wedding?

While I don’t look like you, I am also a relatively short Jewish guy. Nobody would be the wiser. Please give it some thought.

Sincerely,



David Stern

Free Kicks

On this last day of the "festive fixtures", the latest Free Kicks episode drops.

It includes our third episode of "Across the Pond".

Listen to it here.

Mary Dixon returns!

Great news!

SUPER EXCITING NEWS: the amazing @MaryLDixon joining @WBEZ as your new host of Morning Edition!!!!

— Lisa Labuz (@LLabuz) January 2, 2020

From inside the house

The man who ran Mitt Romney's campaign in 2012 (and many other Republican campaigns) and has been a life-long Republican, Stuart Stevens, wrote one of the most scathing op-eds I've ever read yesterday. Here's the meat of it...

Republicans are now officially the character doesn’t count party, the personal responsibility just proves you have failed to blame the other guy party, the deficit doesn’t matter party, the Russia is our ally party, and the I’m-right-and-you-are-human-scum party. Yes, it’s President Trump’s party now, but it stands only for what he has just tweeted.

A party without a governing theory, a higher purpose or a clear moral direction is nothing more than a cartel, a syndicate that exists only to advance itself. There is no organized, coherent purpose other than the acquisition and maintenance of power.

Read the whole thing here. It doesn't pull any punches.

RIP Don Larsen

Sad news to start the year. Another former Cub has passed away. RIP Don Larsen. Here's his write-up from EveryCubEver...

~Don Larsen 1929--2019 (Cubs 1967)
When the MLB channel debuted, the first full game they showed was the only perfect game in World Series history. Everyone remembers that game, pitched by the immortal Don Larsen. Not many Cubs fans realize that the same Don Larsen also pitched for the Cubs. Even though the two-time World Series champ hadn’t pitched in the majors at all in 1966, the Cubs signed him for the 1967 season. Larsen pitched a total of four innings for the Cubs, the last four innings of his major league career. His ERA was 9.00. The MLB channel won’t be showing those four innings any time soon.

Minutia Men Celebrity Interview

#MinutiaMenCelebrityInterview EP6 - Rick & Dave slip into darkness with Stan Lawrence @stanLawrenceZX https://t.co/UBe9plWs4a

— Radio Misfits (@RadiosMisfits) January 2, 2020

One last post for 2019

I'll be back in 2020. Just one last thought before I go. RIP Neil Innis, former Rutles member, and a musical advisor to Monty Python. He was on the show the day Dave & I hosted at WLS. Great guy. Great stories. And in this video from our interview, he's playing guitar...

Merry Steve Christmas Eve!

Minutia Men--Take it to the Banks

Rick and Dave discuss sketch artist hijinks, maximum efficiency toilets, Rick’s brush with Bob Newhart, and they interview sportswriter/blogger/podcaster/bon vivant, Paul Banks.

Listen to it here.

An early Christmas present

I update my website Justonebadcentury.com every single day, and though I see the number of people who read it remains pretty high, it sometimes feels like I'm doing it for no reason. This morning I got this comment in my e-mail box...

Robert C Skelly says:
12/23/2019 at 9:36 am
Rick, I read your TODAYS CUBS BIRTHDAY column daily. December 23rd’s edition moved me like no other date. Maybe it was the contrasting stories of tragedy, victory & what never was…or the prose of an inspired fan.
Whatever it was, I just voted it the Best Column of the Year!!!

Thanks Robert. I greatly appreciate that. That made my day.

Lossano & Friends

Our producer Tony Lossano gets a shout out in today's Robert Feder column...

Tony Lossano, host and producer of “Lossano and Friends” and “Nude Hippo: The Podcast,” will celebrate Christmas morning with a one-hour spectacular gathering a dozen hosts of shows produced by the Radio Misfits Podcast Network for OppihShows.com. Joining him at the Museum of Broadcast Communications will be: Steve Baskerville and Howard Sudberry of “Back 2 You”; Rick Kaempfer and Dave Stern of “Minutia Men/Minutia Men Celebrity Interview”; Marc Vernon of “The Car Guys Report”; Ed Silha of Radio Misfits Podcast Network; Tommy Mallie, Kimmy Spoons, Samuel Greenberg, Chris Cwiak and Michael Garay of “Lossano and Friends”; and Evie Olson of “Grape Insights.” Added Lossano: “I will be the Fahey Flynn holding the bow-tie shaped holiday cookies.”

Chicago Fire

The Chicago Fire have a new sporting director. His name is Georg Heitz, and he comes from Switzerland with a pretty strong pedigree.

Maybe now that they are back in Soldier Field, and have a new director, the Fire can re-emerge. This past decade has been a complete waste.