20 Years: The birth of Tommy Kaempfer

 

This year marks my 20th year as a professional writer. Over the course of 2024, I'll be sharing a few of those offerings you may have missed along the way.

29 years ago this week (October 19), my first son Tommy was born. At the time I was the executive producer of the John Landecker morning show on WJMK. The show followed my wife Bridget's pregnancy, and I called into the show from the delivery room.

The transcript of that call appears in my book "Father Knows Nothing". Now it also appears here...

The participants are John Landecker, sidekick Vicki Truax, and proud papa Rick.

John: Oldies 104.3 WJMK, It's 12 minutes after 6:00 with John Records Landecker and Vicki Truax. The hotline...the private line...is ringing. Hello.

Rick: Hello.

John: Well?

Rick: I'm a papa.

(Loud cheering and whooping in the studio)

Vicki: A girl or a boy?

Rick: A boy.

Vicki: I KNEW IT!!! What's his name?

Rick: Thomas Peter.

Vicki: What time?

Rick: 4:06 a.m.

John: Wow. How's everybody doing?

Rick: Everyone is fine.

Vicki: Bridget is fine too? Is she exhausted?

Rick: Yup, she's holding Thomas right now.

John & Vicki: Awwwww.

Rick: 7 pounds, 3 ounces.

John & Vicki: Awwwww.

Rick: And I recorded the entire thing on Digital audio tape.

Vicki: You're kidding? She didn't make you turn it off?

Rick: No. I had it put in a nice place where it didn't get in anyone's way.

John: We've got Thomas' birth on tape.

Rick: Yup. And we got his first bath on tape too, and his first cry.

John: Something tells me we better get more tape. OK, here's his first eyelid opening. Better get that on tape. We're going through his first toll...let's get that on tape. Hey Rick, don't you just want to...

John, Vicki & Rick: Hug and kiss them all the time?

(That was something Vicki said so often about her daughter it was a running joke on the show)

Rick: He is so damn cute.

John & Vicki: Awwwwww.

Rick: Wait a second...is he crying? Hold on.

Sound: A tiny baby cry can be heard.

John: Is that him?

Rick: Yup. His on-air debut.

John: Wow!

Rick: He's got some lungs on him.

John: That kid sounds like he's two years old.

Rick: Yeah, he's got good pipes.

John: Does he want to come in and do a few record talkovers?

Vicki: How long is he?

Rick: 21 inches.

John: So what was it like?

Rick: It was so cool. It was just like the movie "Alien." The baby kind of popped out and looked around. Then he jumped up and sucked my eyes out...

John & Vicki: (Laughing)

John: Then Siguorney Weaver came in with some sort of a mechanical device. It was unbelievable.

Vicki: You guys. Is he all wrinkly. Does he have hair?

Rick: Yeah, he does have hair. That was the first thing we saw. I asked the nurse...ewww...what is that? That's his hair. Oh.

John: Did you get it on tape?

Rick: Of course. Uh, oh. I have to go. We need to take Bridget up to the recovery room.

Vicki: You're still in the delivery room?

Rick: Yeah.

Vicki: That's dedication.

John: How many calls have you made so far?

Rick: This is my second call. I called my mom first.

John: Wow. Well take care of everyone.

Rick: Thanks.

John & Vicki: Bye.

John: There they go. Dad Rick, Mom Bridget and now Thomas Kaempfer.

Vicki: I kind of liked the other name Rick was talking about before.

John: I don't think Bridget was ever going to agree to Ringo.

Studio Walls--October 16, 2024

 

A weekly update/preview of my latest podcasts, and a look back at some of my previous audio work from this week in history over the past 40+ years.

October 13, 1985—Rick and Dave run for homecoming king and queen

=We were told that we received hundreds of votes. Not sure if that's true or not, but this ad in the Daily Illini did get lots of attention...

October 14--Natalie Maynes birthday

=My story of how the Dixie Chicks nearly cost me my job is told in this episode.

October 14, 2003—Game 6 of NLCS 

=This was the infamous Steve Bartman game, not exactly a highlight for Cub fan behavior. We asked our friend Dane Placko to tell that story for our website JustOneBadCentury because he was there that night, covering the game for WFLD-TV. This video got the attention of the documentarians at ESPN, and they included Dane in the ESPN documentary "Catching Hell" in 2011.  

October 14, 1994—Pulp Fiction debuts. 

=Our interview with one of the stars of that film, Paul Calderone, is here. 

October 14, 1994—First ever Chicago Wolves game

=We had one of the executives from the Wolves, Wayne Messmer, on the John Landecker show, and I re-wrote the National Anthem for him to sing live in the studio. We still have the audio. Hard to believe that's 30 years ago this week.

October 15--Sarah Ferguson birthday

=I met the former Duchess of York while she was still married to Prince Andrew. I told that story in this episode of Minutia Men. 

October 15—Harry Teinowitz birthday

=We talked to the comedian/actor/playwright/radio guy on this episode of Minutia Men Celebrity Interview. 

October 15--Jim Palmer birthday

=Would you believe that I interviewed the former Cy Young award winner in German? It's true. I told that story in this episode (in English)

October 15, 2010—The book “The Comic Torah” is released 

=The author, Aaron Freeman told us about in this episode. 

 

October 16—Abi Sanchez birthday

=Abi is a Chicago-based comedian. He talked to us a few years ago. 

 

October 17—Steve McMichael birthday 

=Kevin Matthews told us a truly memorable story about Mongo in this episode of Minutia Men Celebrity Interview.  

October 17, 1966—Cryan Shames release “Sugar & Spice” LP. 

Bob Stroud was once the lead singer of the Cryan Shames. He told us all about those days in our 100th episode of Minutia Men Celebrity Interview. : 

 October 17, 1919—Leeds United founded 

=Just another reminder to listen to Free Kicks with Adam and Rick

October 18--Mike Ditka birthday

=We've had a few really great Ditka stories told to us. This one from former Channel 2 sportscaster Howard Sudberry, this one from former Channel 9 sportscaster Rich King.

October 18--Dawn Wells birthday

=My story about meeting Mary Ann from Gilligan's Island is in this episode of Minutia Men. 

 

October 19--Peter Max birthday

=I told my story about meeting the famous artist in this episode.:

October 19--Tommy Kaempfer birthday

=Little Tommy Kaempfer sings on one of the Landecker and the Legends CDS. We may play the audio this week. 

Publishing Portal--October 15, 2024

The latest news from Eckhartz Press, and a chance to peek into some of the great previous offerings from our humble little publishing company.

Happy Birthday!

=Two Eckhartz Press authors are celebrating birthdays this week. Happy birthday to Media consultant Kipper McGee (October 15), author of Brandwidth, and retired Judge Michael Bender (October 18), author of Protecting Children.

    

Award Season!

=Congrats to two Eckhartz Press books, Hospital Heal Thyself and Last Comiskey for being named finalists for the CWA Book of the Year (in the non fiction category)! That makes 14 EP books that have been finalists in our 13 years of publishing. Hospital Heal Thyself has since gone on to be purchased by an international publisher, and Last Comiskey is still available now at Eckhartz Press. Great work by authors Mark Taylor and Ken Smoller.

=This week in 2013 (October 17), Records Truly Is My Middle Name (by John Landecker) became our first book ever named as a finalist for Chicago Writers Association Book of the Year. It was only the fourth book we ever published. John and his daughter (movie/TV star) Amy made the media rounds promoting the book.

=This week in 2021 (October 15), Mob Adjacent became our tenth book to be named a finalist for CWA Book of the Year.

  

Little Steven

=This week in 2020 (October 15), Steve Van Zandt announced his partnership with Eckhartz Press to publish a rock and roll book for kids. Written by Eckhartz Press author Ken Korber, and endorsed by the E-Street Band member himself. It's a story about a girl who goes to see Steve in concert, called Grace's Rockin' Roll Adventure.

Righteous Might

=This week in 1775 (October 13), the US Navy was formed. Only one book in the Eckhartz Press catalog is about the Navy, and that's a great novel by Keith Conrad. It's entitled Righteous Might. Pick up your copy this week. It's on sale.

Talking Bout My Generation

=Will Wagner's novel is about what happened to Pete Townshend's guitar after he tossed it into the audience at Woodstock. So, it's only natural that when the Who came town this week in 2022 (October 13), Will held a book signing down the street from the United Center before the show.

 

An Off-White Christmas

=This week in 2018 (October 18), Don Evans had his book launch party at the very swanky Cliff Dwellers on South Michigan Avenue. It was a star-studded event.

Signature Shoes

=John Wooden was born this week in 1910 (October 14). The legendary coach lived to a ripe old age of 99. Not only does he have the record for most NCAA Championships, he also had his own signature shoe. Ryan Trembath tells the story of the Wooden Shoes in his book Signature Shoes.

 

The Balding Handbook

=This week is Be Bald and Be Free Day (October 14). It's a day that Balding Handbook author David Stern celebrates every year. Even though his book is no longer in print, his head is adorned with the exact same amount of hair.

Father Knows Nothing

=This week in 2015 (October 14), Rick Kaempfer appeared on Rabbi Doug's television show to talk about his latest book, Father Knows Nothing.

We Have Company

=This week in 2016, Bobby Skafish was making the rounds promoting his book We Have Company. He appeared on WBEZ (photo) and also on the Kevin Matthews podcast.

=The reviews also started coming in for Bobby's book, and they were incredible. Here's a small sampling...

• “Make sure your schedule is clear when you begin to read this book because you won’t be able to put it down. You’re there as Skafish speaks face to face with the architects of the music that made radio hip, here and happening.”

  --Bob Stroud/WDRV Radio

• “Close encounters of the rock radio kind from the coolest cat to ever drop a needle on vinyl”

  --John Records Landecker/Radio Legend

• “With over four decades as a silver-tongued D.J., Bobby Skafish turns his numerous interview moments into a can’t-stop reading adventure. Partly his thoughts on the interview process but mainly a memoir about his lifelong passion for music and those that make it. Highly recommended!”

  --Johnny Mars/WXRT Radio

• “Bobby Skafish delves into an interview with knowledge, finesse and the ability to get a conversation started. He once told me that listening is just as important as asking the questions. This book is proof that his approach is right on!”

  --Wendy Snyder/WGN Radio

=Also this week, two of the interview subjects in Bobby's book are celebrating birthdays, Sammy Hagar (October 13), and John Mayer (October 16)

Chasing the Lost City

=This week in 2017, Tom Weinberg was riding high while promoting his book Chasing the Lost City. Rick Kogan wrote about it in the Chicago Tribune (October 15), and Tom's book launch party (October 17) at the Billy Goat was a big success.

 Doin the Cruise

=This week in 2017 (October 17), Doin 'The Cruise was tearing it up on GoodReads. Here's an example of the reviews from readers...

Bob rated it AMAZING!
A must-read for fans of radio and rock & roll music. Radio legend Mitch Michaels takes you behind the scenes of some of Chicago's most popular radio stations that were part of his remarkable career. An honest, in-depth, revealing look at the radio stations, DJ's, management, and rock stars that created the soundtrack to our lives. The memoir is very enlightening, and at times extremely funny, but also with moments that are heartbreaking. Mitch Michaels along with Ken Churilla have perhaps written the best book to date that captures the life of one of Chicago's most beloved radio personalities. A great read from start to finish.

Cubsessions

=This week in 2018 (October 16) the original version of Cubsessions was also garnering some serious buzz at GoodReads. Here's an example...

Evan rated it "AMAZING"
While reading Cubsessions: Famous Fans of Chicago’s North Side Baseball Team & Their Stories of Pain, Loyalty, Hope, and (Finally) Joy by Becky Sarwate and Randy Richardson, I realized that my experience at the conclusion of Game 7 of the 2016 World Series closely mirrored the experiences of those interviewed for the book. While we all wanted to be with the Cubs in Cleveland, many were nowhere near Progressive Field that night (I was watching on TV on the West Coast). Many watched the game with their families (I watched with my parents). Many shed tears of joy (I did, and I still get choked up every time I watch a video of the final out). Many were inundated with congratulatory phone calls immediately following the game (Call after call. I heard from friends I hadn’t spoken with in years). It was interesting to read the 31 interviews in Cubsessions. They feature a diverse group of people, from various walks of life, experiencing a similar feeling at the same moment. Famous Cub fans: Bob Newhart (who is a national treasure), Tom Dreesen, Joe Mantegna, and Nick Offerman. Cub fans whom other Cub fans will recognize, but might not know by name: the guy who invented the Shawon-O-Meter, the Bleacher Preacher, the owner of Murphy’s Bleachers, and Ronnie Woo Woo. Cub fans famous enough to be interviewed, who I honestly never heard of, but Cub fans nonetheless. All remained loyal while suffering as our beloved team wandered for 108 years through the bottom half of the National League standings until finally reaching The Promised Land in 2016! Hallelujah! Holy Cow! Where’s the Tylenol? This book is a must read for any Cub fan. Reliving the night of Game 7, the greatest game ever played, will put a smile on your face. Also, 100 percent of the proceeds from book sales go to cancer and baseball charities. Go buy this book, and GO CUBS GO!

Chili Dog MVP

=Chili Dog MVP isn't just a book about 1972 Chicago, it's not just a book about the great Dick Allen, it's also about the entire White Sox team from that year. Two of the lesser known members of that team, Hugh Yancy (October 16) and Rudy Hernandez (October 18) are celebrating birthdays this week. Yancy only played in three games for the team (at second base). Hernandez was a 20-year-old rookie shortstop and appeared in only 8 games. 

The Loop Files

=Two of the people featured in the book The Loop Files are celebrating birthdays this week. Happy birthday to Mitch Rosen (October 17) and Catherine Beckman (October 18). That's Catherine in the photo below on the far right (with Carol Harmon and Jimmy "Bud" Wiser).

The Unplanned Life

=This week in 1974 (October 17), the show Austin City Limits debuted. The creator of that show is Roger Badesch's long-time friend. He provided this blurb for The Unplanned Life...

• “Roger and I go back over 50 years to when he was a high school student and I was the TV Director for Evanston Township High School. Then again when I was TV Producer-Director for Southern Illinois University and Roger was an enthusiastic RTV Major. He worked on several of my shows including one with Billy Joel and one with the rock band Brownsville Station. I went on to co-create and direct PBS’ Austin City Limits, and Roger went on to become an anchor for WGN Radio News. His story is bound to be a good one!”

  Bruce Scafe, co-creator, Austin City Limits

Behind the Glass

=Evander Holyfield is celebrating a birthday this week (October 19). Evander rates his own chapter in Randy Merkin's book Behind the Glass...

 

Your Dime My Dance Floor

=Former Bears coach Mike Ditka has a birthday this week as well (October 18). He's featured in Chet Coppock's book Your Dime My Dance Floor. (He will also be featured prominently in Dan McNeil's upcoming Bears book I Bear Witness)

=This week in 2018 (October 18), Chet had a book signing at his favorite local joint, Stormy's in Northbrook...

Cameo

=One of the endorsers of Beth Jacobellis' novel Cameo was WGN Radio's John Williams (born October 19). Here's what he said...

• Mythical but modern, Cameo shows us how to listen to the past to find love in the present.

  John Williams, WGN Radio host

 

Media Notebook--10-11-24

MEDIA NOTEBOOK

A curation of news items about the media from this past week, with a particular emphasis on Chicago.

RADIO/PODCASTS

 

*Cutbacks at Hubbard

=In Chicago, Hubbard owns The Mix, The Drive, and Throwback 100

=Violetta Podrumedic made the announcement of her departure on Facebook. Violetta had been a part of the Mix Morning Show for the past six years. Before that she worked at WGN Radio.

=Lisa Kosty of Throwback 100 announced her departure as well. She had been with the station for ten years.

=Also let go, one of the beloved behind-the-scenes staffers, Fina Rodriguez. Fina came aboard with Greg Solk at the beginning of the Drive. She previously worked with Greg at the Loop.

 

*Hurricane Coverage

=Got an e-mail from Bart Shore with a little more information about what is happening in his area (North Carolina), and the importance of radio…

We are just south of Asheville which was hit so hard- several towns destroyed near there, our town just had no access in or out, no internet or phone service for several days- but amazing enough, our little radio station, WSQL stayed on the air. So if you had battery powered radio or got in your car, you could hear updates on conditions in the area- Our Mayor, would come on almost hourly at one point with updates- Local radio was the only source for information.   It was kind of like being on an airplane, you’re up in the air- no access in most cases to anything, when you land, you’re back and it's ok...in this case- we were all left in the dark.  We were lucky at my home, we had power, so I could hear the updates-  others, not so lucky.  In fact, there are still many without power...There were lines at the gas stations that had gas- 100 cars at times.  I have no idea, why, there was nowhere to go- but it was something to see...and of course most stations ran out of gas.   Bottled water is hard to come by, toilet paper and so many other things we taken as a given....It is getting back to normal-

=In Florida, radio once again is playing an essential role during Hurricane Milton. It’s at times like this that we remember how important radio can be.

 

*20 Years of Koz

=Congrats to Kevin “Koz” Koske for his 20^th anniversary with WTMX. In this business, that’s a lifetime. (Photo: Koz Facebook page)

 

*Ex-Chicago Radio Update

=Former B-96 jock Julian Nieh is looking for a new gig and has a unique way of looking for it. He produced a film about himself.

 

*Podcast Corner

=Kamala Harris appears on the Call Her Daddy podcast, one of the top five rated podcasts in the world.

=The New York Times does a feature story on the Smartless podcast starring Will Arnett, Sean Hayes, and Jason Bateman. Tim Walz is appearing on that podcast this week.

 

*Rest in Peace

=J.J.Jeffrey

WLS Radio legend. It was nice to hear his old colleagues and friends John Landecker and Bob Sirott talk so kindly about J.J. on the air last night and this morning on WGN Radio. Chuck Knapp is another former colleague...

=Cissy Houston

Backup singer, Gospel singer, Whitney’s mom. She was 91.

 

 

MEDIA BIRTHDAYS/MILESTONES

 

*October 6—Jay Goeppner birthday

=Former Beatle Brother and frequent radio guest

 

*October 7--Melissa McGurren birthday. 

=I previously interviewed her for Shore Magazine (2008), when she was still part of the morning show at the Mix. She is now morning co-host at US-99.

*October 7--John Owens birthday

=Chicago/Midwest chapter President of the National Academy of Arts and Sciences until last year. Owens currently works at ABC-7 in Chicago and is the co-author of the book Chili Dog MVP.

*October 10--Jeff Hoover birthday.

=I’ve interviewed the WGN Morning News producer a number of times over the years. This one from 2007 was the first time. Yes, he is also featured in my book, The Loop Files.

 

*October 10--Carol Marin birthday.

=You surely know that Carol has won countless awards (including Emmys, a Polk, a Peabody, and more), but did you know she is an Illini?

 

*October 11, 1975 

=SNL debuts. 50^th season is underway.

*October 12--Marv Nyren birthday

=WLS Radio executive, VP/Market Manager 

 

*October 12--Stephanie Tichenor birthday

=Another WLS Radio executive, Program director

*October 12--Ryan Chiaverini birthday.

=Former Windy City Live host and current ABC-7 sportscaster 

 

*October 12-- Tom Teuber birthday.

=Tom recently passed away but is remembered fondly in this town for his time at WMET and WBEZ.

 

 

TV/STREAMING

 

*An Evening with Mike Myers

=Look who will be here for the 60^th Chicago Film Festival. An Evening with Mike Myers will be on October 19^th from 7-8:30pm. The Career Achievement Award will be presented and Dave Foley will be here to lead the conversation. More information here.

 *Pop Culture and the Presidential Campaign

=VP Kamala Harris tried to reach voters through pop culture this week, by appearing on The View, the Howard Stern Show, and Late Night with Stephen Colbert. Her running mate Tim Walz appeared on the Jimmy Kimmel show.

 

*NFL Players Association Asks Reporters to Leave Locker Rooms

=I don’t think this is an unreasonable request, as long as the players are still made available for interviews in another location. Everyone is entitled to a little privacy while getting dressed, undressed, and showered.

 

*CBS Rebukes Reporter over Ta-Nehisi Coates interview

=It was definitely a tough interview, but was it unfair? That’s what CBS News brass decided. The full controversy is discussed here.

=The chairman of the company, Shari Redstone, defended the reporter.

 

*Cable News Corner

=Coming soon: Spanish Language Fox News

=CNN Fact Checks Misinformation about Hurricane Response.

=Important CNN executive, Ken Jautz, steps down

 

*Rest in Peace

=Nicholas Pryor

Actor in Risky Business, General Hospital, Beverly Hills 90210. He was 89.

 

 

DIGITAL/PRINT

 

*Nobel Prize in Literature

=It goes to Han Kang, author of "The Vegetarian"

*The Atlantic Endorses Harris

=It’s only the fifth time in the magazine’s long history that it has endorsed a candidate for president.

 

*Hearst and OpenAI Make a Deal

=One of the largest newspaper (and magazine) groups in the country is teaming up with OpenAI. This whole AI revolution is not a future thing. It’s a now thing.

 

*Rest In Peace

=Steven Hurst

Reporter for AP, NBC, and others. He was 77.

 

SOCIAL MEDIA/TECH

 

*Facebook Removing Posts from Chicago Public Square

=Charlie Meyerson’s Chicago Public Square newsletter seems to rub the content moderating folks at Facebook the wrong way. Charlie expounds on that in his Thursday edition.

 

*Google has been ruled a monopoly. Now what?

=The Justice Department is trying to figure out exactly what to do with the search engine giant. The Washington Post has been covering the story.

 

*Democrats outspending Republicans on Social Media

=The notable exception is on X, where Elon Musk is using his platform to promote Republicans.

*New gig for FTX executive

=The crypto-criminal Ryan Salame posted his new position on LinkedIn: prisoner.

 As always, if you have any media story you’d like to share or think that I might be interested in sharing, drop me a line at rick@eckhartzpress.com or amishrick@yahoo.com. If you're in Chicago media and wondering why I didn't mention your birthday, it's probably because I don't know it. Drop me a line and let me know and I'll put you on my calendar.