Saturday, March 06, 2010

Chicago Radio Spotlight: Dan Sorkin


I just posted another Chicago Radio Spotlight interview. This week I go way back, and talk to the former WCFL morning man Dan Sorkin (late 50s, early 60s). Among his claims to fame: discovering Bob Newhart.

Read the interview here.

Friday, March 05, 2010

Greg Solk

My old boss (multiple times) Greg Solk is featured in Robert Feder's column this morning.

You can read that here.

He just got a big promotion. He's now senior vice president of programming for Bonneville International.

Greg always stuck up for me during the Steve & Garry days because he knew what it was like to be their producer (that's how he got his start in the business). I remember three different times when he came out to the elevators and convinced me not to quit during the show. He also gave me my big break to be a music jock on the Loop FM, although he used to scare the bejesus out of me when he called me on the hotline at like 3 AM just to let me know that he was always listening. Always.

Congrats to Greg on the promotion.

More Belushi

This is one of Belushi's last interviews. Kind of eerie last few seconds...

John Belushi

He died on this day in 1982. This is the Nightline report from that day...

50 years ago today...

 Elvis leaves the United States Army...

Another great mustache

This great Cubs mustache is 60 years old today.

Read all about Doug Bird here.

Thursday, March 04, 2010

A little late, but still funny...

"DM" sent me this last night. It's a Christmas bit, but it's still funny...

The Presidents Unite

A well done bit by Funny or Die...


Spring Training 1955

Listen to how young and green Ernie Banks is in this interview.

It was conducted during spring training in 1955. The interviewer is Cubs radio announcer Bert Wilson. Ernie is about to enter his second full season in the big leagues.

Wednesday, March 03, 2010

Baseball writing workshop

 Attention aspiring baseball writers!

My friend Don Evans (editor of the book "Cubbie Blues") is teaching a baseball writing workshop at Loyola's Continuum. They need at least three more students to sign up. Don't miss out on this opportunity. Don is a great writer and editor. I highly recommend this class.


Baseball Literature

The Bird Cage, the Book Shelf, and Everything in Between

Donald G. Evans, MFA • Six Thursdays, March 18-April 29

(no class April 1) • 6:30 pm–8:30 pm • Water Tower Campus

Tuition: $275

In this course, students will critique a range of sports writing, including works by Ring Lardner, James T. Farrell, August Wilson, and Nancy Willard. Students will also examine technique and process to create their own pieces.
 Register today.  Visit www.LUC.edu/continuum

25 years ago today

I loved this show. Moonlighting debuted on this day in 1985. Bruce Willis has never looked back...

Spring Training 1939

The Cubs are in Mesa Arizona right now, conducting Spring Training, but from the 1920s until the 1940s they had spring training at the island owned by Cubs owner William (and then his son P.K.) Wrigley.

Watch this video to see the defending NL champion Cubs in the spring of 1939.

(Photo: The Cubbies arrive on the steamer! From left to right: Hall of Fame Catcher Gabby Hartnett, W.L. White (mayor of Avalon), E.R. Pollok (city manager), and Dizzy Dean)

Tuesday, March 02, 2010

The Hills are Alive

I've previously confessed my love of "The Sound of Music." You might remember my glee in meeting Julie Andrews and Charmian Carr; two of the most embarrassing yet exhilarating moments of my radio career.

Well the movie came out on this day in 1965, and you had to know I wouldn't let this anniversary go by without noting it.

A birthday mustache

This great Cubs mustache is celebrating his 60th birthday today.

Read all about Pete Broberg here.

Monday, March 01, 2010

Sunday, February 28, 2010

Father Knows Nothing

I just posted my latest Father Knows Nothing column at NWI Parent. This one is called "Do you hear what I hear" and it's about the moment that prompted my son Sean to think I needed a hearing aid.

You can read it here.