Friday, August 09, 2013

Pool Hijinks

And you thought your kids had too much spare time this summer...



Although, gotta admit, pretty impressive.

Thursday, August 08, 2013

Powerball Winner!



I finally won the Powerball. I matched one number and the powerball number, which means I won $4.

I can buy almost one full gallon of gas with my winnings.

Morning Show Boot Camp

John Landecker is appearing at the Morning Show Boot Camp tomorrow at 11am, and again in the evening when he will be given an award as one of the 25 Most Influential Radio Personalities in history.

Full details about the boot camp at Chicagoland Radio & Media.

I'll be on hand selling copies of "Records Truly Is My Middle Name" along with my co-publisher David Stern. Stop by and say hello if you're in the neighborhood.

Put Another Cheesland on the Barbie

If you're going to Australia, and you're looking for a book to read in one of their libraries, look up the last name Richardson. As in, Eckhartz Press author Randy Richardson. The Australian Library system just ordered a bunch of copies of his novel "Cheeseland".

It ships out today. Should arrive there by 2014. :)

cheeseland-cover

E- Book Sales Are Leveling Off



Ezra Klein of the Washington Post (which, ironically, is now owned by amazon's Jeff Bezos) analyzes why he thinks this is the case.

Jackie Robinson Statue Defaced



This is sickening. Somebody wrote racial epithets and drew swastikas on the Jackie Robinson statue in Brooklyn.

I know that this country isn't as racist as it used to be, but anyone who thinks racism is a thing of the past (ahem, Supreme Court) doesn't have a clue.

Hallelujah

The best news I've seen all year...from Inside Radio this morning...

Mel Karmazin: I’m done with radio. Been there, done that. That’s the short answer for why longtime radio executive Mel Karmazin says he won’t be returning to broadcasting. In a wide-ranging interview with Fox Business host Neil Cavuto last night, the former CBS Radio and Sirius XM Radio chief said he’s not seen anything to lure him out of his second retirement.

I've been lighting candles at cathedrals all over the country. Looks like prayers really can be answered.

8/8/88



25 years ago today, the Cubs turned on the lights for the first time.

I was there, producing a live radio show for Steve and Garry. We were broadcasting from the parking lot across the street from Murphy's. I remember it well: the party atmosphere, the long list of luminaries in attendance, and that it doesn't even officially count as the first night game because it was rained out.

I only made it to a few games a year when I was with Steve & Garry (the show was on from 2:30pm to 7pm), so I remember all of those games pretty well, but this one was special.

Even if it doesn't count.

He's Baaaaack

I've never met a Jay Mariotti fan, but there must be a few because someone is paying him to come back to radio. From today's Tom Taylor column...



Jay Mariotti is living proof that F. Scott Fitzgerald was wrong about there being no second acts in American lives. Chicago-based sports talker/blogger Mariotti is launching a new three-hour afternoon show at his own Mariotti Show site, which will be cleared in Florida on stations owned by Genesis Communications. Those include WHBO Tampa (1040) and WHOO Orlando (1080). Genesis will also run his new website.

Wednesday, August 07, 2013

Today's Best Tweets



Here are some tweets that caught my eye today...




CBS Chicago ‏@cbschicago 29m
Four of the biggest U.S. lottery jackpots in history have all happened in past year. Powerball jackpot ranks No. 4 http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2013/08/07/powerball-jackpot-most-common-numbers-drawn/ …

ESPN ‏@espn 23m
Today’s Plan
1) Buy Powerball Ticket
2) Win Powerball
3) Buy Sports Franchise

WBEZ ‏@WBEZ 9m
Video: Bueller? Your buddy’s house is for sale. Ferrari not included. Read the story here. http://tmblr.co/ZrYMByrgOQ3b

Richard Lewis ‏@TheRichardLewis 10m
Marriage is a downhill battle.

Pee-wee Herman ‏@peeweeherman 14m
Sleep inside a sandwich. Or a watermelon... http://foodbeast.com/content/2012/03/05/food-tents-now-you-can-sleep-in-a-sandwich-if-you-want/#.UgJtghbx8uJ …

ChicagoNow ‏@ChicagoNow 17m
Half naked, neon wearing, festival people everywhere http://www.chicagonow.com/another-look-chicago/2013/08/the-half-naked-neon-wearing-festival-people-and-others-you-meet-at-lollapalooza/ …

Steve Martin ‏@SteveMartinToGo 20m
Here's a link our performance of "Asheville" on Conan last night: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9DXemGUGhU&feature=youtu.be …

Brad Biggs ‏@BradBiggs 3m
#Bears CB Kelvin Hayden tore left hamstring and will miss entire 2013 season. Needs surgery.

Chicago Bears ‏@ChicagoBears 23m
LM: Former #Bears Bobby Douglass and Allan Ellis attending practice.

Huffington Post ‏@HuffingtonPost 28m
This 150-gigapixel photo of Tokyo will blow your mind http://huff.to/1crzpDI



Worst Throw From the Outfield of All-Time

Deadspin posted this gem of outfielder Raul Ibanez. His arm is positively Kaempfer-esque on this throw.

Stan Freberg

He's 87 years old today. Why do I love Stan? Because of things like this...

D.L. Hughley

From this morning's RAMP Newsletter...



No one at Reach Media is commenting as of yet, but all indicators are... well... indicating that actor/stand-up comedian D.L. Hughley is in the final stages of preparation for the launch of a syndicated afternoon radio show, reportedly replacing Skip Murphy. As we previously reported, Murphy and co-host Jasmine Sanders replaced Michael Baisden earlier this year. It's important to note that Hughley does have previous radio experience, thanks to an earlier stint doing mornings at former Emmis Urban AC WKRS/New York. As far as Hughley's new show being some big secret, all we can say is that he was openly sharing details about the project during a recent appearance on the syndicated Artie Lange Show, telling Lange he was still shopping for a female co-host. Rumors are also swirling that Hughley, accompanied by sidekick/comedian Steve Wilson will "soft-launch" the new show next Monday, August 12. We anxiously await the official confirmation from Reach Media.

Hughley is not only hilarious, he's quite intelligent. I'd love to listen to that show.

Tom Langmyer



The man who presided over perhaps the most tumultuous time in WGN Radio history has landed on his feet in Milwaukee.

Tom Langmyer has been named Vice President of News/Talk Programming for Journal Broadcasting Group. Details at Radio Online.

The First All-Female Network News Anchor Team



There have been local newscasts anchored by two females, and there have been occasional one-time network events co-anchored by females, but PBS is making history.

They have named two women as the nightly co-anchors of their newscast. Congratulations to Gwen Ifill and Judy Woodruff.

Tuesday, August 06, 2013

Chicago Botanic Garden

I took my sons and nephews to the Chicago Botanic Garden today. I've lived here most of my life and had never been to it before. Shame on me. What a beautiful place...












Party School Rankings



My Alma Mater (University of Illinois) comes in at #3 on the list of top party schools in the country this year. Of course, when I was there I just went from the classroom to the library to the church, with occasional diversions to help the homeless, so I can't vouch for what it was like in the early 80s.

Father Knows Nothing



My latest Father Knows Nothing column is called "Headphones"

You can read it here.

Billy's Debut



On this day in 1959 future Cubs Hall of Famer Billy Williams made his debut.

Details at Cubs 365.

Amazon Founder Buys The Washington Post



I was just thinking to myself..."I sure hope Amazon finds a way to get stronger and more powerful"

They have. Amazon's founder Jeff Bezos just bought one of the most iconic newspapers in the country, the Washington Post.

Soccer on the Radio



From this morning's Tom Taylor column...

Soccer gets bigger on U.S. radio, with Dial Global signing up Barclays Premier League. The deal uses the assets of UK-based talkSPORT radio, and it’s no coincidence that cable’s NBC Sports Network has a new carriage deal with Barclays Premier League. Dial Global works with NBC on the NBC Sports Radio Network, though this offering of live coverage of some of soccer’s biggest team names is through Dial Global. It will offer live coverage of league games, the FA Cup and the Capital One Cup – almost 400 matches per year, in both English and Spanish.

Records on the Mend

He has two new knees after knee replacement surgery, and his wife has to drive him to work for a little while, but John Records Landecker was back on the air last night at WLS-FM.

Starting this Friday, he's back in the saddle promoting "Records Truly Is My Middle Name" too. He'll be appearing at the Morning Show Boot Camp, presented by Don Anthony. In the morning John will be part of a panel discussion about his days in WLS, and then will also receive an award as one of the top 25 air personalities of the past 25 years in the evening.

Thanks to Tony Lossano for the photograph...

Monday, August 05, 2013

Randy Richardson on the Radio

cheeseland-cover

Eckhartz Press author Randy Richardson has been making the radio rounds talking about his book "Cheeseland". Randy appeared on Cyrus Webb's show on blogtalkradio and it was a huge hit. This is how Webb reported the news on his facebook page...

Look at YOU! On Wed. July 31st 2 of my interviews on Conversations LIVE received overwhelming support, making them Staff Picks TODAY on Blogtalkradio's main page. My interview with Cheeseland author Randy Richardson had over 18k listeners!

Randy was such a big hit, he has been asked to be part of an online discussion Tues. August 20, 2013 @ 8p.m. et (7p.m. ct/5p.m. pt). Blogtalkradio reported the news this way...

Cyrus Webb talks with author Randy Richardson about his book CHEESELAND and how it's message of friendship and knowing oneself have resonated with readers. Listen and participate in the show online at www.blogtalkradio.com/conversationslive or call in at 347.426.3645.

The Cyrus Webb interview got the interest of another show, and Randy made an appearance last week on The Tony Gill Show.

If you're interested in booking Randy on your show, you can always contact us at rick@eckhartzpress.com.

Today's Best Tweets



Here are some tweets that caught my eye today...





The Onion ‏@TheOnion 40s
Area Man Too Poor To Afford Movers, Too Old To Get Help From His Friends http://onion.com/17tNucw

David Waldstein ‏@DavidWaldstein 38m
With huge suspension looming, A-Rod planning to make 2013 debut tonight. An already weird season going off the rails. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/05/sports/baseball/rodriguez-is-expected-to-play-while-appealing-suspension.html?ref=sports&_r=0 …

Keith Olbermann ‏@KeithOlbermann 7m
BREAKING: #Yankees to play soon-to-be-suspended Alex Rodriguez at 3B because team can't bear having him on bench with them

Bob Nightengale ‏@BNightengale 26m
Former #MLB commissioner Fay Vincent on #Yankees A-Rod: "Ban him for life.'' http://usat.ly/1eltxZm

Jeff Garlin ‏@jeffgarlin 30m
“@Adam_Duke: @jeffgarlin The upcoming MLB suspensions going to ruin your fantasy team, too?” Oh yeah.

CollegeHumor ‏@CollegeHumor 13m
It's National Underwear Day! So what does yours say about you? http://ow.ly/nDNUx

David Stassen ‏@davidstassen 3 Aug
Oh you'd like to have that poster framed? That'll be eight thousad dollars.

Greg Sargent ‏@ThePlumLineGS 19m
GOP pollster: Our research shows only 1/3 of GOP primary voters actually opposes immigration reform: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2013/08/05/gop-pollster-yes-republican-primary-voters-do-support-immigration-reform/ …

Dave Wischnowsky ‏@wischlist 28m
The truth about Illinois football is that it needs a leader who's as smart as the student body.

Rolling Stone ‏@RollingStone 45m
Hear Microsoft cofounder Paul Allen and Eagles guitarist Joe Walsh rip through "Six Strings From Hell": http://rol.st/1852DU6

Cable News Parody

It's rare when cable news parodies itself. Although, to be fair, this is really MSNBC parodying Fox News, so I'm not sure that counts (even if it is done well)

Ellen To Host The Oscars

An excellent choice. Variety has the details.

Red Sox Owner Buys Boston Globe



The New York Times has the full story. As you might imagine, the sportwriters on staff are a little bit worried about this development.

Mick Lee

A new voice is arriving on the Chicago radio dial. His name is Mick Lee and he'll be the afternoon host and program director of the former Lite FM (Now known as "My FM"). From this morning's Radio Online...

Clear Channel/Chicago names Mick Lee as Program Director and PM Drive Host (3-7pm) for Hot AC WLIT-FM (93.9 MyFM), effective August 19. Lee is inbound from the company's co-owned group in Baltimore, where he most recently served as Program Director for CHR WZFT-FM since 2010. Previously, he was Assistant Program Director both in Albany and Portland.

Radio Listening & Getting Tickets

From this morning's Tom Taylor NOW Newsletter...



Canadian online study of about 1,000 adults by Kanetix finds that 49% of drivers who listen to talk radio have been ticketed one, two or three times. That compares to about 40% of the general population. Fans of metal music are right behind, at 48%. But if you choose the subset of those with more than four speeding tickets, that’s led by listeners to what Canadian Underwriter calls “R&B” (16%), then classic rock (12%) and country (11%). When it comes to the more serious infraction of careless driving, 6% of hip-hop listeners and 4% of metal listeners say they’ve been charged. How about drinking and driving? Country and classic rock are the leaders.

I was feeling pretty good about myself as a classic rock fan until that last sentence.