Thursday, August 06, 2020

Free Kicks--Champions League Preview

Does Adam Howarth take off his Chelsea-blue goggles during our Champions League preview? What do you think?

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The Who during COVID

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Which guy is *actually* losing it?


This guy.
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More info about Landecker

This is exciting news for John. According to Robert Feder's column today...

When Radio Hall of Famer John Records Landecker fills in next week for morning host Bob Sirott on WGN 720-AM, there may be a lot riding on it for both Landecker and the Nexstar Media Group news/talk station. If all goes well, insiders said, Landecker could be in line to host Monday through Friday evenings and serve as Sirott’s regular substitute in mornings, starting this fall. The two Chicago radio legends have been friends since they worked together at WLS 890-AM during its Top 40 heyday in the 1970s. “Listeners are going to discover that John’s middle name truly is ‘talk,’” Sirott joked. Meanwhile, one familiar voice we won’t be hearing on WGN is Garry Meier. Management sources confirmed there were talks with Meier about replacing afternoon host Roe Conn (whose contract is up at year’s end). But serious negotiations never got off the ground, and WGN bosses quietly dropped the idea.
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Wednesday, August 05, 2020

Minutia Men Celebrity Interview--Glenn Slater

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Yo-Semite!


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Landecker on WGN

From Radio Ink...

John “Records” Landecker is returning to the airwaves for a short stint on WGN Radio AM 720. The Chicago radio legend will host the morning show the week of August 10.

Landecker will fill in for morning drive host Bob Sirott. Landecker, who is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and The National Radio Hall of Fame; was inducted into the NAB Broadcasting Hall of Fame this Spring.

“Listeners are going to discover that John’s middle name truly is ‘talk,” said Sirott.

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Tuesday, August 04, 2020

One Basil Fawlty


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RIP Michael Smith

Chicago songwriter, folk singer, and musician has passed away. This is a great tribute.

This is my favorite song of his. Steve Goodman's version.


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Meet the New Boss

Same as the old boss. Read this tidbit from Robert Feder's column today and understand everything that is wrong with consolidated media... 

With Nexstar Media Group’s “News Nation” primetime newscast set to debut September 1 on WGN America, anchors and correspondents from competing networks may no longer be welcome as guests on WGN 720-AM, the company’s news/talk station. Sean Compton, the Nexstar executive vice president who oversees WGN, told staffers in a memo Monday: “Now, with News Nation launching, that will be our go-to for national news talent needs. No more CNN or Fox News personalities — let’s promote and encourage our own product.” Also declared persona non grata on WGN Radio: Svengoolie, the iconic horror-movie host played for more than 40 years by Rich Koz. “As part of Nexstar Media, it’s frustrating to see our own talent promoting and encouraging competitive podcasts and media,” Compton wrote. “This past weekend we had a talent promoting Svengoolie who works at Me-TV. Remember that we own Antenna TV, and Me-TV is a primary competitor.”

Remember this--doing a radio show is not about entertaining and informing the audience. The only thing that matters is promoting the brand and keeping the advertisers happy. This is why I don't miss being in radio. I got fed up having these arguments in meetings. The listeners are merely an afterthought.
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Yikes

If you've ever wondered what would happen if reporters/interviewers stopped President Trump during his crazy-town diatribes and corrected each falsehood, wonder no more....


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Monday, August 03, 2020

Chicago Radio Ratings

Thanks to Robert Feder for publishing these today. Check the article for full daypart breakdowns...

Here are Chicago’s top 30 radio stations from 6 a.m. to midnight Monday through Sunday, as measured by Nielsen Audio from June 18 to July 15, 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, 7.0 (6.9)

2. WDRV 97.1-FM classic rock, 6.0 (6.4)

3. WVAZ 102.7-FM R&B, 5.7 (5.6)

4. WTMX 101.9-FM hot adult contemporary, 5.2 (4.8)

5. WLIT 93.9-FM adult contemporary, 5.0 (5.5)

6. WLS 94.7-FM classic hits, 4.6 (5.2)

7. WXRT 93.1-FM adult album alternative, 4.5 (3.9)

8. WKSC 103.5-FM Top 40, 3.7 (3.3)

9. WGN 720-AM news talk, 3.3 (4.5)

10. WBEZ 91.5-FM public radio news talk, 3.2 (3.8)

11. WOJO 105.1-FM Mexican regional, 3.1 (3.8)

12. (tie) WGCI 107.5-FM hip-hop, 2.9 (2.8); WKQX 101.1-FM alternative rock, 2.9 (2.8)

14.(tie) WUSN 99.5-FM country, 2.7 (2.5); WBBM 96.3-FM Top 40, 2.7 (2.0); WRME 87.7-FM soft rock oldies, 2.7 (3.0); WSHE 100.3-FM adult contemporary, 2.7 (2.3)

18. WBMX 104.3-FM classic hip hop, 2.6 (2.2)

19. WPPN 106.7-FM Spanish adult contemporary, 2.4 (2.0)

20. WEBG 95.5-FM country, 2.1 (1.7)

21. (tie) WLEY 107.9-FM Mexican regional, 2.0 (2.5); WLS 890-AM news talk, 2.0 (2.0)

23. WSCR 670-AM sports talk, 1.5 (1.5)

24. WPWX 92.3-FM hip-hop, 1.4 (1.6)

25. WVIV 93.5-FM Spanish contemporary, 1.2 (1.2)

26. WCKL 97.9-FM contemporary Christian music, 1.1 (1.3)

27. WMVP 1000-AM sports talk, 1.0 (0.8)

28. (tie) WFMT 98.7-FM classical 0.8 (0.6); WSRB 106.3-FM R&B, 0.8 (0.7)

30. WERV 95.9-FM classic hits, 0.6 (0.5)

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Yup


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Republican National Convention Says Press Not Welcome

This is not an Onion headline. It's real. The Republicans are banning the press from their convention. Trump will be renominated behind closed doors. America 2020. Four more years?
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Fox Loses a Murdoch

The on-going soap opera that is Rupert Murdoch's family has taken a new turn. Youngest son James Murdoch has resigned from News Corp over disagreements regarding editorial content. Variety has the details.

Sounds like James can't stomach what News Corp is doing to America. I understand that. If Fox News disappeared tomorrow, America would be a better place immediately. They pour gasoline on the fire every night. They inject toxic ooze into our bloodstream. Even the son of the founder doesn't want to be associated with it anymore.
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Sunday, August 02, 2020

Minutia Men


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The San Diego Chicken

In today's Washington Post, the San Diego Chicken (Ted Giannoulus) argues that the show must go on in baseball, depite the illnesses.

Last year we had Ted on Minutia Men, and he told us a great story about Elvis.

These two stories have only one connection--the San Diego Chicken. Do you need more?
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RIP Wilford Brimley

Loved him in The Natural. If my math is correct, he was only 49 years old when he filmed this. I suddenly feel like a million bucks.
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Friday, July 31, 2020

RIP Alan Parker

He directed some classic films, including "Bugsy Malone", "Midnight Express", "Evita", "Mississippi Burning", "The Commitments", "Fame", "Pink Floyd The Wall" and more. Alan Parker has died at age 76. He was nominated for the Academy Award for this one. I had nightmares for years.
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What if you had been in a coma the last 3 1/2 years and you just woke up?

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Get well soon Nicholas Tremulis

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Last Night's Sunset

I know, I know. I get your mocking notes. But I'm still going to post my sunset pictures. It's my blog.




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Jared

This piece in Vanity Fair is shocking. For those who feel that maybe Trump should be given a pass for the complete failure of this country's virus response, you might want to check it out. This paragraph is going to stick with me...

Most troubling of all, perhaps, was a sentiment the expert said a member of Kushner’s team expressed: that because the virus had hit blue states hardest, a national plan was unnecessary and would not make sense politically. “The political folks believed that because it was going to be relegated to Democratic states, that they could blame those governors, and that would be an effective political strategy,” said the expert.
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Perfect Coverage of Yesterday's John Lewis Funeral


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Ellen's Letter to Her Staff

Variety printed the entire e-mail that Ellen sent to her staff after hearing that she runs a toxic workplace. You'll note she pretends like she had no idea this was happening. From my experience, that's rather difficult to believe. Here's the e-mail...

Hey everybody – it’s Ellen. On day one of our show, I told everyone in our first meeting that The Ellen DeGeneres Show would be a place of happiness – no one would ever raise their voice, and everyone would be treated with respect. Obviously, something changed, and I am disappointed to learn that this has not been the case. And for that, I am sorry. Anyone who knows me knows it’s the opposite of what I believe and what I hoped for our show.

I could not have the success I’ve had without all of your contributions. My name is on the show and everything we do and I take responsibility for that. Alongside Warner Bros, we immediately began an internal investigation and we are taking steps, together, to correct the issues. As we’ve grown exponentially, I’ve not been able to stay on top of everything and relied on others to do their jobs as they knew I’d want them done. Clearly some didn’t. That will now change and I’m committed to ensuring this does not happen again.

I’m also learning that people who work with me and for me are speaking on my behalf and misrepresenting who I am and that has to stop. As someone who was judged and nearly lost everything for just being who I am, I truly understand and have deep compassion for those being looked at differently, or treated unfairly, not equal, or – worse – disregarded. To think that any one of you felt that way is awful to me.

It’s been way too long, but we’re finally having conversations about fairness and justice. We all have to be more mindful about the way our words and actions affect others, and I’m glad the issues at our show were brought to my attention. I promise to do my part in continuing to push myself and everyone around me to learn and grow. It’s important to me and to Warner Bros. that everyone who has something to say can speak up and feels safe doing so.

I am so proud of the work we do and the fun and joy we all help put out in the world. I want everyone at home to love our show and I want everyone who makes it to love working on it. Again, I’m so sorry to anyone who didn’t have that experience. If not for COVID, I’d have done this in person, and I can’t wait to be back on our stage and see you all then.

Stay safe and healthy.

Love,

Ellen

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Coronavirus hits Chicago Radio

From today's Robert Feder column...

Studios and offices of iHeartMedia Chicago at 233 North Michigan Avenue have been locked down this week after an unidentified employee tested positive for COVID-19, according to insiders. Only three engineers, an engineering vice president and housekeeping personnel are being allowed in, sources said. Matt Scarano, president of iHeartMedia Chicago, declined to comment. The iHeartMedia group here includes hip-hop WGCI 107.5-FM, R&B WVAZ 102.7-FM, Top 40 WKSC 103.5-FM, adult contemporary WLIT 93.9-FM, country WEBG 95.5-FM, and gospel WGRB 1390-AM.

As a sidebar note--because of consolidation there are six stations in the same hallway. One case may have just taken down a fifth of Chicago's radio stations.
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Thursday, July 30, 2020

Now *that's* living


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Free Kicks--Premier League Wrap Up

This week's episode looks back at a truly memorable Premier League 2019-2020 season.

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Wednesday, July 29, 2020

Rick at 57

Spent my birthday evening (yesterday) with my family at mom's house. I have a great mom. She calls me every year at exactly 12:57pm on my birthday, the exact moment I was born. And she puts out a heck of a food spread...


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Worst President Ever

Watch this video and tell me that you're more worried about Joe Biden losing it. Dear God. This man is the president. We are so f'ed.
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What I secretly think happens every time I shank a golf ball

Pretty darn funny.
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RIP Lou Henson

He was the Illini coach for more than 20 years, during a time when Illinois basketball was a powerhouse. Lou was known for his orange sport coats and his ridiculous swirled-combover. RIP Lou. RIP the Lou Doo. 

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Reconcile the Aisle


After Dave and I appeared on her podcast Reconcile the Aisle, we recommended her to the Radio Misfits Network, and they agreed she was a good addition. Congrats to Eckhartz Press author Lauren LoGiudice (Inside Melania)!
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Tuesday, July 28, 2020

Cubs through history

#Cubs through history: July 28, 1929. Future first lady Jaqueline Bouvier (Kennedy) is born in New York. The Cubs are in the midst of a pennant winning season, and beat the Phillies 7-2 at Wrigley Field. Riggs Stephenson hits a three run homer for the Cubs, and Guy Bush gets W.



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Animal House

It came out on my 15th birthday. I convinced my mom to take me to see it (I was a huge National Lampoon fan) by telling her it was a movie about animals...which was technically true. Luckily for me, the theater was packed and we had to sit apart. After the Bluto scene at the sorority I saw her walking up and down the aisles looking for me. She couldn't find me. :)
My favorite scene...
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Ellen Show Investigated

If you've been around showbiz people, it's only a matter of time before you hear legendary stories about the workplace conditions on the Ellen Show. She comes off on the air as the nicest person around (Be Kind), but people who work on the show are allegedly treated terribly.

Well, the folks at corporate have apparently finally heard this news as well.

According to Variety, the workplace conditions are officially being investigated.
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Monday, July 27, 2020

Cubs Through History

#Cubs through history: July 27, 1974. President Richard Nixon is charged with first of three articles of impeachment. The Cubs are at home against the Cardinals. The Cards win the game on an error during an attempted Lou Brock steal. Cubs 2B Grabarkewitz makes 3 errors in game.
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Happy Birthday Bugs!

80 years old today.
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Not a Wallflower

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English Coaches

I had no idea that good English coaches were this rare...


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Minutia Men--In Love with Alexa

After reading a news story saying that men are falling in love with their Alexa devices during the pandemic, Dave has his Alexa and Siri try to woo him with phrases that will turn him on at this stage of his life.

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Kass Loses Page 2

John Kass, long-time page 2 columnist for the Chicago Tribune, has lost his coveted spot in the paper after a controversial column blaming George Soros for the protesting in America.

The paper is moving all of their opinion columns to the same section. 

As you might expect, conservatives are in an uproar over this. I have a different view. I think having all the opinion pieces together is a good idea. People are having a more and more difficult time distinguishing between real news and opinion.

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Sunday, July 26, 2020

Bad weekend for celebs

Lost a few greats this weekend.  



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Friday, July 24, 2020

Daft Punk Trump


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Inside Melania

Don't look now, but the Eckhartz Press book "Inside Melania" has shot up to the top ten in it's category on Amazon.


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RIP Jerry Taft

Sad news. I used to run into Jerry all the time when he was at Channel 7 and I was at WJMK. Our buildings were only a block apart. A very nice guy. So sad to hear this...

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Free Kicks--The Final Premier League Weekend


The final week of the Premier League season is always filled with intrigue. Even more so this year. Adam and I break it down, go over the possibilities, and preview the drama.

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Larry Wert

Chicago Magazine has a piece on my old boss Larry Wert. It's worth a read. Check it out here.
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Thursday, July 23, 2020

Genius


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Minutia Men Celebrity Interview--Janene Carleton


This week's Minutia Men Celebrity Interview is with one of the most esteemed stuntwomen in Hollywood, Janene Carleton.

She has some great stories about her days working on the sets of the biggest grossing films of all time.

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Trump ‘Chaos & Violence’ Scare Ad Is Actually Just An Old Picture Of Ukraine

The funny thing is, he could have easily used a real picture from one of the American protests, but no. Even in this situation, he has to lie. Details here.

And the irony of it being Ukraine is not lost on me, either.

And the fact that Chaos truly is Trump's middle name. Who caused the chaos here, jackass? The guy who is NOT president?

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Wednesday, July 22, 2020

In defense of Dr. Fauci


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Another sex harrassment lawsuit at Fox News

This time it involves Ed Henry mainly, but also accuses Tucker Carlson, Sean Hannity, and Howard Kurtz. Details are here.
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Tuesday, July 21, 2020

Tom Weinberg

The latest news about Eckhartz Press author Tom Weinberg, via Robert Feder's column today...

Tom Weinberg, the revered Chicago video pioneer, documentary producer, and founder of the nonprofit Media Burn Independent Video Archive, will headline a virtual talk about his work at 6 p.m. Thursday on Zoom. (Here is the link to register.) The free hourlong event is the third in a series of screenings and discussions with “impactful videomakers.” Weinberg earlier founded the Fund for Innovative TV and created the landmark public-television series “Image Union” and “The 90’s.” He also taught video and documentary courses at Columbia College and Loyola University.

Tom also wrote the book "Chasing the Lost City" which is still available at Eckhartz Press.
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Monday, July 20, 2020

Cubs Through History


#Cubs through history: July 20, 1969. Neil Armstrong becomes the first man to step foot on the moon. He says “One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” The Cubs are in Philadelphia, sweeping a double header against the Phillies.

Ferguson Jenkins wins first game 1-0.
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Cubs History



#Cubs history: July 20,1933, Babe Herman has biggest day ever as a Cub, clubbing three home runs in a 10-1 win over the Phillies. Herman personally accounts for eight of the ten runs
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Minutia Men--Hot Dogs, Hot Words, and Hot Plagues

This week's episode includes a grammar section about words vs. nonwords (and nonword is a word--see what I did there?)

Listen to it here.
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Sinclair Broadcasting

It's even worse than you think...

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RIP Hans

Sad news to report. Hans Metzinger Sr., one of the most influential members in Green White history, passed away today. We can't really put into words what Hans meant to the Green White family. He was there from the very beginning, served as our president for decades, and had a strong say in everything we did as a club up until his last day. Hans Metzinger is a member of the Illinois Soccer Hall of Fame, and was an important member of the soccer community at large, but to us at Green White he was the face and heart of the organization. Rest in Peace, Hans. We will do our best to carry on without you.

Here is the latest update: Because of the COVID virus, the family will be having a private service and funeral. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for people to make donations to Green White Soccer Club.

The family also hopes to have a public memorial or celebration of life for Hans when everything settles down (probably in the spring). We will keep you informed about the details as they develop. We hope to give Hans a proper send off as a thank you for his lifetime dedication to the club.
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Eagle Project

Long weekend for the Kaempfers, but a productive one.

Completed Eagle Scout project! Congrats to Sean, and heartfelt thanks to the dozens of fellow scouts, family, and neighbors who helped build this butterfly garden in honor of my nephew Caleb, who passed away last year. This garden now bears his name.

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Friday, July 17, 2020

Roleplaying?

Unless I'm playing the part of the doughy middle aged guy, I'm not role playing...

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Thursday, July 16, 2020

Minutia Men Celebrity Interview--Bill Kurtis

Rick and Dave interview CBS Newsman Bill Kurtis about his journalism career, his days in Top-40 Radio, and of course, his role in the movie “Anchorman”.

Listen to it here.
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Free Kicks--Battle for the Top 4

Adam and Rick discuss the battle for the Top 4 Champions League spots in the Premier League. With the lifting of Man City’s ban, the race has suddenly gotten very interesting. [Ep76]

Listen to it here.
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Wednesday, July 15, 2020

No need for further comment



AND...

George Will perfectly sums up the state of the union.
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Chip Off The Block

Meet my oldest son, Tommy. He's a music critic. EDM is his passion. His YouTube channel has about 10,000 followers...

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For a Good Cause

Tame those flames of summer today, July 15th at the Chase Bank parking lot in Mt. Prospect (111 E. Busse Ave.) from 4-6 pm. Kona Ice - frosty, funky fun to cool you down and cheer you up.

A portion of the proceeds goes to the BTB Foundation - Beat Tom and Bill Beat Cancer! Helping local Chicagoland families in their battle against cancer. (One of the recipients this year is the wife of my Free Kicks podcast co-host Adam, Laura Howarth)

Stop by -- have a treat and do some good :)
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Flat Out Looney Tunes

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WBBM Cuts

From Robert Feder's column this morning. More radio cuts...

Even the No. 1 radio station in town isn’t exempt from cutbacks sweeping the media industry. WBBM 780-AM/WCFS 105.9-FM, the top-rated and top-billing Entercom all-news powerhouse, just laid off two station stalwarts known for their dedication and consistently excellent work — longtime sports anchor George Ofman and “Mobile 780” radio traffic and spot news helicopter reporter Kris Habermehl.

It's a tough time for every business, and radio is no exception, but one wonders how much this really helps the bottom line at the top rated radio station in town.
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Tuesday, July 14, 2020

Piano Legs


#Cubs through history: July 14, 1881. Billy the Kid is shot dead by Sheriff Pat Garrett in New Mexico. The first place Cubs (known then as the White Stockings) are en route from Worcester to Buffalo to play the second place Bisons. Piano Legs Gore (photo) is their starting CF.
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The World's Laughing Stock



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The Unplanned Life on the radio

Check out this interview with Eckhartz Press author Roger Badesch...

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Of Course!

2020 is a massive Candid Camera bit...

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The Write City Review, Volume 3

The 3rd volume of The Write City Review is available now. It features this excellent cover shot by Eckhartz Press author Randy Richardson. He's thrilled to be the cover boy. Here's what he posted today on Facebook...

So this is pretty cool...I've never really thought of myself as a photographer, I just enjoy looking for beautiful things and capturing them on my iPhone camera. Well, one of those many sunrise-by-the-lake pictures that I've been taking is on the cover of the Write City Review, Vol. 3, available for preorder now through the Chicago Writers Association (link below). Many thanks to Kristin Oakley and her team of editors at the WCR, and to Eckhartz Press publishers Rick Kaempfer and David Stern, for putting together this beautiful collection of writing and art.
https://www.chicagowrites.org/write_city_review?fbclid=IwAR3wVx_TzeqiDdXzB6J__teAgN-F5kfEe0XXYGlnaoPVdDdcm5kGNlR9S8k

Get your copy now. One of my photographs (Wrigley at Sunset) is also included in the book, as is a painting done by my cousin Derek Roth. Oh, and there are some great stories in there too, written by members of the Chicago Writers Association.

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Monday, July 13, 2020

It should be true

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This one made me laugh out loud

From the mouths of babes...the youngsters will save us.

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Happy Anniversary Deutschland!

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Cubs Through History

July 13, 1985. Live Aid, the biggest concert event since Woodstock, takes place simultaneously in Philadelphia and London. Meanwhile at Wrigley Field, Dodgers infielder Dave Anderson leads off the game with a homer off Larry Gura (in his second stint with the Cubs) and Fernando Valenzuela throws a 5-hitter in a Dodgers rout of the Cubs. Davey Lopes homers in the 4th to provide the only run in 9-1 rout.
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Tucker Carlson's Writer

If you watch Tucker Carlson for even a few minutes, you will hear racist comments. If you don't live inside the Fox bubble, the comments are jarring. But it turns out his head writer is even worse. He was fired over the weekend for posting racist comments on-line under a pseudonym.

Folks, this isn't cancel culture at work here. A man has the right to be as racist as he wants to be. His company also has the right to fire him for holding those racist views. Even Fox News recognizes that some things are just beyond the pale.
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Minutia Men--Catholics, Coronavirus & Kurtis

Second season begins with Rick and Dave discussing ironic PPP, Catholics and Balds during COVID, Rick’s brush with a recently departed comedy legend, and a Minutia Men Minute with legendary newsman Bill Kurtis. [Ep186]

Listen to it here.
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James Finn Garner

My pal James Finn Garner, the brainiac behind the Inside for Indies fundraiser, was on WGN Radio last night with Rick Kogan discussing it.

You can listen to it here.
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RIP Seth Mason

Charlie Meyerson sent me this e-mail this morning. Charlie worked with Seth many years at WXRT...

Hi, Rick. Thought you'd want to know about this sad news.

Seth Mason, who was one of the visionary founders of two iconic Chicago radio stations—WXRT and WSCR The Score—and who launched the careers of dozens of Chicago’s most acclaimed broadcasters (and me) has died at 71—losing an 11-month battle against pancreatic cancer early Saturday evening.

Seth was one of Chicago broadcasting’s mostly-unsung giants.

Seth’s wife, Susan Mason, says the family will eventually hold a celebration of his life at Glencoe Union Church—date to be determined later. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial gifts be made in his honor to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) online at PanCan.org/donate, or through the mail at 1500 Rosecrans Ave., Suite 200, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266.

For more information, contact Seth’s longtime colleague and friend, Vance Harrison, at harrison@oabok.org.

Footnotes:

Radio&Records in 1978.
The Tribune in 1997.
In his post-broadcasting years, Seth also served as an assistant women’s soccer coach with Dominican University. (Here’s a link to a cached page on the Dominican website.)


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RIP Kelly Preston

This is sad news. I didn't even realize she was sick. Way too young...my age. She was 57.

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Friday, July 10, 2020

Inside for Indies

Note: this was before I got my pandemic haircut. :) Also, listen to Mr. Garner on Sunday night on WGN Radio. He'll be on with Rick Kogan (7:30) to discuss our campaign for Indies. Jim is a great spokesperson for this cause.

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Amen

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Free Kicks--The Relegation Zone

Adam and Rick discuss the teams in danger of dropping down to the lower league, and pick who they think will survive to play another Premier League season.

Listen to it here.
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Carl Reiner by Steve Martin

I've read all the obits of my comedy writing hero Carl Reiner, but this one actually made me cry. It's written by Steve Martin.

Read it here.
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Thursday, July 09, 2020

All you need to know about Tucker Carlson

This is a real quote...

"President Trump! You have one last chance to turn the tables, win this election and save America -- and yourself ! Nominate Tucker Carlson for Vice President. This would energize your campaign beyond belief."
--Former KKK Leader David Duke, July 8, 2020

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Bob Stroud

Congrats to my old pal Bob Stroud, who is on the list of possible Radio Hall of Famers. He deserves it. From Robert Feder's column today...

Bob Stroud, one of Chicago radio’s most knowledgable and respected authorities on rock music for 40 years, has been nominated for induction in the Radio Hall of Fame. The top-rated midday star and host of the long-running “Rock ’n Roll Roots” on Hubbard Radio classic WDRV 97.1-FM is one of 24 nominees in six categories announced today. Chicago’s only other nominee is “Wait Wait . . . Don’t Tell Me!,” the NPR comedy-quiz show produced by Chicago Public Media WBEZ 91.5-FM. Winners will be announced August 17. In lieu of an awards dinner this year, the 2020 induction ceremony will be a live radio broadcast from multiple locations in October. The Radio Hall of Fame is based at Chicago’s Museum of Broadcast Communications.
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Minutia Men Celebrity Interview--Jack McDowell

This week's Minutia Men Celebrity Interview is with former Cy Young Award winner Jack McDowell. He tells a great story about how Carlton Fisk reacts when it appears the team plane is going to crash.

You can listen to it here.
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Wednesday, July 08, 2020

Best Day Ever

My favorite day ever as a soccer fan occured six years ago today...

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Chicago Radio Ratings

Courtesy of Robert Feder. To see the day-part breakdowns, click here.

1. WBBM 780-AM/WCFS 105.9-FM all news, 6.9 (7.0)
2. WDRV 97.1-FM classic rock, 6.4 (6.4)
3. WVAZ 102.7-FM R&B, 5.6 (5.2)
4. WLIT 93.9-FM adult contemporary, 5.5 (5.2)
5. WLS 94.7-FM classic hits, 5.2 (4.6)
6. WTMX 101.9-FM hot adult contemporary, 4.8 (4.9)
7. WGN 720-AM news talk, 4.5 (5.2)
8. WXRT 93.1-FM adult album alternative, 3.9 (3.9)
9. (tie) WBEZ 91.5-FM public radio news talk, 3.8 (4.7); WOJO 105.1-FM Mexican regional, 3.8 (3.2)
11. WKSC 103.5-FM Top 40, 3.3 (2.7)
12. WRME 87.7-FM soft rock oldies, 3.0 (2.5)
13. (tie) WGCI 107.5-FM hip-hop, 2.8 (2.6); WKQX 101.1-FM alternative rock, 2.8 (2.5)
15. (tie) WUSN 99.5-FM country, 2.5 (2.4); WLEY 107.9-FM Mexican regional, 2.5 (2.8)
17. WSHE 100.3-FM adult contemporary, 2.3 (2.3)
18. WBMX 104.3-FM classic hip hop, 2.2 (2.2)
19. (tie) WBBM 96.3-FM Top 40, 2.0 (2.1); WLS 890-AM news talk, 2.0 (2.1); WPPN 106.7-FM Spanish adult contemporary, 2.0 (1.8)
22. WEBG 95.5-FM country, 1.7 (1.5)
23. WPWX 92.3-FM urban contemporary, 1.6 (1.6)
24. WSCR 670-AM sports talk, 1.5 (2.1)
25. WCKL 97.9-FM contemporary Christian music, 1.3 (1.3)
26. WVIV 93.5-FM Spanish contemporary, 1.2 (1.0)
27. WMVP 1000-AM sports talk, 0.8 (1.2)
28. WSRB 106.3-FM urban adult contemporary, 0.7 (0.6)
29. WFMT 98.7-FM classical 0.6 (1.2)
30. (tie) WDCB 90.9-FM jazz, blues 0.5 (0.5); WERV 95.9-FM classic hits, 0.5 (0.4); WZSR 105.5-FM hot adult-contemporary, 0.5 (0.4)
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Tuesday, July 07, 2020

Ringo is 80

Happy birthday Ringo! He turns 80 years old today.



This autograph is a collector's item because he doesn't sign them anymore. Yes, it's an album from the Loop album library. I needed something for him to sign when he came to the station to record a national call-in show. Don't worry, former Loop management. I replaced the album with a brand new Blast From Your Past.

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Baseball Schedule

Looks like there really will be a baseball season. The schedule was released yesterday.

Best part for the Cubs? Seven of the 10 games versus the Cardinals will be held at Wrigley. Same with the Brewers.

Not that homefield matters that much when there aren't any fans.
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Monday, July 06, 2020

Not a dog whistle

It's an air raid siren.

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RIP Charlie Daniels

He passed away today at the age of 83. Never met him. Saw him in concert twice. First heard him on American Top 40 while driving through Italy on AFN Radio in the late 70s. This song was unlike anything I had ever heard before, and it made a big impression on me...

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Barry Butler

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Billy Jurges

July 6, 1932

Cubs shortstop Billy Jurges had a day he would have loved to forget. He was known as a fiery, ill-tempered, good fielding, weak-hitting shortstop for the Cubs, but he was also one of the team leaders during the best decade of the Cubs bad century (they were in the World Series in ’32, ’35, and ’38).

But for all of his on-the-field hijinks, Billy Jurges will always be remembered for what happened off-the-field on July 6, 1932.

He was living at the Hotel Carlos at 3834 N. Sheffield Ave (now known as the Sheffield House Hotel), and so was a girl he had “seen” a few times–Violet Valli. She called Jurges on the telephone, and asked if she could see him. Before leaving her room, she wrote a suicide note saying that she was sorry for killing Billy Jurges and herself, but she had no choice because their “beautiful love had been broken up” by his teammates Kiki Cuyler and Lew Steadman. Jurges later said he had no idea what she meant by that.

Jurges let Violet into his room, but when he saw she had a gun, he grabbed at it and took a bullet in the hand and another through the ribs. Despite the injuries, he managed to get the gun away from her, and prevented her from killing herself. Then, after he recovered from the shooting, he refused to testify against her in court. The case was dismissed.

Valli used her notoriety as part of her act (she was a dancer), and signed a twenty-two week contract to sing in local nightclubs and theatres. She was billed as “Violet (What I did for love) Valli, the Most Talked About Girl In Chicago.”

Amazingly, Jurges wasn’t hurt too seriously. He returned to the Cubs before the end of the season, and hit .364 in the World Series against the Yankees.
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Minutia Men--The Lost Episode

Dave and I took the weekend off from Minutia Men, but we did do an interview late last year that never saw the light of day. Our producer Tony Lossano unearthed it, and posted it this weekend. It features an interview with Field of Dreams star Dwyer Brown.

Listen to it here.
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Rick on WGN

This is the interview I did with Phil Manicki on WGN Radio Friday night.

Thanks so much to Phil for having me on.
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Back to You

I know the guests on this show quite well...

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