Musings, observations, and written works from the publisher of Eckhartz Press, the media critic for the Illinois Entertainer, co-host of Minutia Men, Minutia Men Celebrity Interview and Free Kicks, and the author of "The Loop Files", "Back in the D.D.R", "EveryCubEver", "The Living Wills", "$everance," "Father Knows Nothing," "The Radio Producer's Handbook," "Records Truly Is My Middle Name", and "Gruen Weiss Vor".
Friday, April 07, 2017
Timing is Everything
Timing is everything...
Remembering Rickles
He was the love of my life . Don Rickles is funnier right now in death than most comics are in life. pic.twitter.com/jcWIhdJsgX
— Chris Rock (@chrisrock) April 6, 2017
My daughter took this photo and just texted me, "Look how much he loved you." I can almost hear Don saying, "Take it easy, I tolerated you." pic.twitter.com/nCHHgdgKrD
— bob saget (@bobsaget) April 6, 2017
I was honored to be Don's pal and work with him. My xx to his family. For sheer laughs and fearlessness, he's king. pic.twitter.com/OlmKBY7QoE
— Richard Lewis (@TheRichardLewis) April 6, 2017
Those were the days, my friend Don. We thought they'd never end. We loved you so. Love, Dick and Arlene
— Dick Van Dyke (@iammrvandy) April 6, 2017
Lisagor Award Finalists
Congrats to all the finalists for this year's Lisagor awards, including Eckhartz Press author Bob Herguth (photo). Impressive list of Chicago journalism achievements.
Believe it or not, my Father Knows Nothing column/blog was actually a finalist twice back in the day. Lost to some no-name from the Sun Times (Roger Ebert). Still not sure how we ended up in the same category.
O'Reilly Cuts Commercial Load
TV Newser has the details.
Trump Sued By Twitter
President Donald Trump wants to know who’s behind the rogue federal employee Twitter accounts slamming his administration’s policies. Twitter Inc.’s suing to keep him from finding out. Twitter alleges that the Trump administration’s subpoena for information to identify the users behind accounts critical of the president would violate their Constitutional rights to free-speech. The social media giant contends users are entitled to their anonymity unless they’ve violated a law that would warrant unmasking and the government has failed to make such a case.
If the government pushes it, this would be an interesting case to take to the Supreme Court. Honestly not sure which way they would go.
Radio Jobs
Number of radio jobs is down 25% since 2001...The really heavy damage began with the Great Recession, and the number of positions has kept falling since then. An industry that employed about 113,533 people in January 2001 is now down to about 86,800 (in September 2016). The number even sank to 84,717 last April before recovering somewhat. The BLS stats about the newspaper industry earn the headlines, as they should. But radio employment in this century shows the toll of the recession. Radio’s topline revenue fell 9% in 2008 and an even more painful 18% in 2009, per the RAB. Check the effect on payrolls – the Bureau of Labor Statistics says January 2008 employment was 108,566. Just a year later, it stood at 100,914, and in February 2009 it fell below 100,000. The January 2010 number was about 92,500. Four years later, it was south of 90,000, and last September, 86,800. What happened? Take your pick of a combination of factors like ownership consolidation, technology, public companies trying to make their quarters and service the debt, private companies trying to maintain their own profit margins.
RIP Paul O'Neill
Many of our radio colleagues are mourning the passing of Paul O'Neill, the producer, songwriter, recording artist and the founder of Trans-Siberian Orchestra, who died this week at the age of 61. The news was initially posted on TSO's website in a message that stated, "The entire Trans-Siberian Orchestra family, past and present, is heartbroken to share the devastating news that Paul O'Neill has passed away from chronic illness. He was our friend and our leader -- a truly creative spirit and an altruistic soul. This is a profound and indescribable loss for us all. We ask that you respect Paul’s family’s privacy now. We will make additional announcements shortly." The Tampa Bay Times says O'Neill was found dead Wednesday afternoon in a Tampa hotel. There were no signs of foul play. As Entertainment Weekly reports, "O'Neill got his start co-producing Aerosmith's two Classics live albums in the late '80s and went on to form a relationship with metal band Savatage. He later recruited members from that group, Jon Oliva and Al Pitrelli, to help form Trans-Siberian Orchestra in 1996. That year, they released Christmas Eve and Other Stories, a holiday-themed rock record and the first in their Christmas trilogy, which included the seminal classic "Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24."
A New Way to Win a Game
File this under things you’ve never seen before … pic.twitter.com/zgr3eT8HP8
— MLB GIFS (@MLBGIFs) April 6, 2017
Thursday, April 06, 2017
Minutia Men, Episode 45
EP45 – Rick and Dave discuss bad Trip Advisor reviews, potholes, the worst movies ever, Tony Larussa on the Cubs, and Rick’s very brief brush with Kevin Costner.
Listen to it here.
RIP Don Rickles
The meanest comic ever...and oh so funny.
Trump and Xi
"Melania, have you met the Chinese president? Xi loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah. Get it?"
"How will we describe our meeting to the press? How about...He said, Xi said? Get it?"
"Can you autograph this for me? Thanks. That's all Xi wrote. Get it?"
I don't need credit, Mr. President. Feel free to use them. People will marvel at your creativity and wit.
Brothers from another Mother
I'll just leave this here. pic.twitter.com/dN0E5yheoW
— Chris Cillizza (@CillizzaCNN) April 5, 2017
Interesting Idea
“PROMOTE” bill would let musicians “opt out of airplay.” It’s a fresh take on the performance royalty stalemate, says House Intellectual Property Subcommittee Darrell Issa – The PROMOTE Act (for “Performance Royalty Owners of Music Opportunity to Earn Act of 2017”) “calls the bluff on both sides in the debate over performance rights.” Artists who “feel they’re not being appropriately compensated” could “opt out of allowing broadcasters to play their music.” As it is now, stations have basically everything available for airplay. They pay music publishers and song owners through not-for-profit ASCAP and BMI, and through for-profit SESAC and Global Music Rights. But not performers, as such. The new H.R. 1914, introduced by California Republican Issa and fellow subcommittee member Ted Deutsch (D-FL) would give performers more control. The Tennessean’s Nate Rau says “Hits by Taylor Swift, Drake, Adele or Miranda Lambert would be taken down, if their record labels choose to do so.” Here’s co-sponsor Ted Deutsch - “We have been told for years that AM/FM radio provides valuable promotion to recording artists, but those artists have never been given the opportunity to decide for themselves.” As you can imagine, this isn’t the NAB’s favorite new piece of legislation.
Dahl Out of the Hospital
An upbeat and energetic Steve Dahl returned to his afternoon show on Cumulus Media news/talk WLS AM 890 Wednesday more than a week after he landed in the hospital for treatment of a perforated colon. Broadcasting from his home, the Chicago radio legend said he was diagnosed with diverticulitis. “I’m on some kind of weird diet right now,” Dahl, 62, told listeners. “I really honestly am just so glad to not be in the hospital and not in pain. They can take away whatever they want from me in terms of eating. I can live with it.”
USWNT Agrees to a New Contract
The New York Times has the story.
Wednesday, April 05, 2017
Uh oh, Bill-O
LATEST: At least 31 companies have stopped advertising on Bill O'Reilly's Fox program. https://t.co/thedzei571 pic.twitter.com/iB63sLHAIs
— CNBC (@CNBC) April 5, 2017
Wainright Pulls A Kaempfer
Can't stop watching this. 😳 pic.twitter.com/vvzO21ZMVm
— Marcus Leshock (@marcusleshock) April 5, 2017
Proud Irishman Joel Daly
(Photo: Joel is the one on the right. The other isn't Irish. His name is Matt Forte. Maybe French?)
Why Isn't Fox News Disciplining Bill O'Reilly?
This was Fox News’s 13th straight week at No. 1 in total day. The four episodes that Bill O’Reilly hosted were the top 4 cable news shows last week. (He doesn’t host on Fridays.)
If advertisers keep fleeing, those ratings might not matter, but I doubt it. The numbers keep the shows around him up too, which also effects the advertising dollars. Let's see. The bottom line for Rupert Murdoch is always the bottom line. He literally cares about nothing else.
Charity Donates $100 Million To Boost Journalism and Fight Hate Speech
At a time when real journalism is more needed than ever, and the monetary realities of running news organizations are forcing cutbacks, this money is greatly appreciated.
Note that it was awarded to journalists, not Fox News (which suggested last night that there should no more investigation of Russia...despite the news that the FBI said they were creating a special unit to further investigate) or Breitbart (which I won't honor by putting the word "news" after their name). If those are your news sources, you are not consuming actual news.
The Dictionary is Trolling
It's all about the Merriam Webster Twitter account, which points out words being looked up on their site that coincide with whatever the lastest Trump scandal is spiking in the news. For instance, just in the last few days...
📈'Complicit' is our #1 lookup after Ivanka Trump told CBS "I don’t know what it means to be complicit." https://t.co/HEqWBltPUc
— Merriam-Webster (@MerriamWebster) April 5, 2017
📈 We're seeing a 2657% increase in lookups for 'filibuster'. https://t.co/HFRSvVjUEl
— Merriam-Webster (@MerriamWebster) April 3, 2017
📈Lookups for 'witch hunt' are up 2453% after Trump used it to describe the inquiry into his campaign's ties to 🇷🇺. https://t.co/GsYeOZTlpt
— Merriam-Webster (@MerriamWebster) March 31, 2017
📈Lookups for 'immunity' are still high after the @WSJ reported that Flynn offered to testify. https://t.co/9G4V41vjGH
— Merriam-Webster (@MerriamWebster) March 31, 2017
Bryant and Arrieta on the Radio
MVP Kris Bryant and former Cy Young award winner Jake Arrieta join The Score's current roster of Cubs players and team personnel who each add their take on the action on and off the field including Cubs Manager Joe Maddon who joins "Speigel & Parkins" each Tuesday at noon, Pitching Coach Chris Bosio heard on "Mully & Hanley" every Wednesday at 8am and an ongoing rotation of other Cubs players and baseball contributors.
"It's an extreme honor to welcome a league MVP and a recent Cy Young award winner to the Score team, and it's beyond a grand slam for the Score brand," said WSCR Program Director, Mitch Rosen. "The content Kris and Jake will add to the Bernstein and Goff show will bring the audience into the clubhouse, on the field, and other places the average fan can't experience."
Bryant and Arrieta will rotate weekly on "Bernstein and Goff" with days and times varying due to game schedule and Arrieta's pitching schedule. Beginning April 10, Kris Bryant will join the show bi-weekly with Jake Arrieta scheduled to join the show on the alternating weeks. During the MLB All-Star Break, both player appearances will be on hiatus. Arrieta will host back-to-back weeks on August 28 and September 4.
P.S. In case Kris or Jake are reading this, that's a photo of a transistor radio. Ask you parents.
Tuesday, April 04, 2017
Love is Strange
In today's shocking news, @TheNormanLear says Jimmie Walker dates Ann Coulter: https://t.co/h1WSZTdEwS #GoodTimes pic.twitter.com/qss6Dos5dJ
— Entertainment Weekly (@EW) April 4, 2017
Brown Noser
'It got Grandma!' Chimp throws poop at zoo, hits elderly woman in the nose... WATCH: https://t.co/8A6NKuqCdN pic.twitter.com/ynvaqvEbWW
— ABC 7 Chicago (@ABC7Chicago) April 4, 2017
Embarrassing
It's good for one group though...ISIS.
They are now recruiting based on his ineptitude. I wish I was kidding.
Jordan Klepper Gets His Own Show
USA Today has the details, although admittedly, I've given you the highlight. The article notes there isn't yet a name for the show.
The Future of Mike & Mike
Another O'Reilly Accuser
Julie Roginsky, another Fox News contributor, has followed up with a harrassment lawsuit against Fox News.
Sponsors are starting to pull out of the show, including Mercedes, BMW and Hyundai.
UPDATE: There are now nine companies that have pulled their ads.
Jeff Kapugi
Jeff Kapugi has generally been a lifer at iHeart and its predecessors, having joined Jacor in 1989 (the Randy Michaels days). He’s been a programming executive in Tampa, St. Louis and Washington-Baltimore (hold onto that thought for a moment). Jeff followed Randy Michaels to Chicago and Tribune, as Senior VP/COO of Tribune Interactive, and until last December he was VP/Programming for CBS Radio’s country “US 99.5” WUSN Chicago. Now after being a “free agent at large” (as he says on LinkedIn), he’s coming back to iHeart and the D.C. market. He’ll be the direct PD at country WMZQ and also the “Region Senior VP of Programming” for Washington and Baltimore. Michael Preacher carries the unusual title of iHeart’s President for the Washington Region and also “Government Initiatives.” Meg Stevens is iHeart’s EVP/Programming for the Northeast.
David Ross on DWTS
I love Anthony Rizzo's reaction...
Speechless... and a bit horrified. @DancingABC @D_Ross3
— Anthony Rizzo (@ARizzo44) April 4, 2017
Monday, April 03, 2017
Bill O'Reilly
That's what happened to Angry Bill over the weekend. It's a pretty thorough take down of his very checkered history with sexual harrassment.
RIP Lonnie Brooks
In a news statement Sunday, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel praised Brooks as “a Chicago blues legend with a towering talent and soulful style that won him legions of fans across the country and around the world. His celebrated career inspired generations of music lovers, garnered numerous awards, and brought him from the clubs of Chicago’s West Side to the concert halls of Europe and beyond.”
He was most famous for his version of the classic "Sweet Home Chicago"...
16-year-old on the National Team
Welcome to the #USWNT, Sophia Smith! After losing 3 to injury, Jill Ellis has called in the 16-year-old.
— U.S. Soccer WNT (@ussoccer_wnt) March 31, 2017
Details: https://t.co/OMoXauZYpD pic.twitter.com/t5f05UtiSL
Good Year for the Music Biz
It looks like happy days are here again: U.S. recorded music sales were up 11.4 percent in 2016. The industry brought in $7.65 billion in revenue, according to the RIAA, up from $6.87 million in 2015. Although the music business showed signs of a recovery at the half-year mark, the 2016 year-end results show more significant growth, led by streaming revenue.
This is the first time since 1998 that the U.S. industry has experienced a double digit increase in overall revenue. Back then, the industry enjoyed revenue of $13.7 billion.
The increase is thanks to streaming increases. The more traditional means of revenues (CDs, Downloads, Vinyl) are all either down or flat. Still, it's good to see the music business has found a way to recoup some of that market share.
They're Baaaack
Charlie Meyerson
This month's Illinois Entertainer has hit the street. It features my interview with Chicago Public Square's Charlie Meyerson.
You can read it here.