The latest news from Eckhartz Press, and a chance to peek into some of the great previous offerings from our humble little publishing company.
=Our latest book is flying off the shelves (metaphorically--it's still a pre-sale at this point). If you want to know why people are so excited, read this Q&A with author Mark Wukas. Or, check out these blurbs from some of the most respected journalists in America.
=Mark your calendars, The Flip Side authors Ken Churilla and Larry Rosenbaum will be appearing at the record show in Countryside on March 23rd. Larry will also be appearing at the Illinois Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on April 19th along with fellow Eckhartz Press authors Rick Kaempfer and Mitch Michaels, plus rock stars like Jim Peterik and Scott May, and rock photographers/authors Jim Summaria and Mark Plotnick. More details to come.
=Also, Larry will be featured in the March issue of Illinois Entertainer, which comes out on March 1. Fitting that the former record store owner will once again be in every record store in the state.
=Here's one from the archives. This week in 1977 (February 16), Genesis performed at the Auditorium in Chicago. That show was presented by The Flip Side's concert arm. The Rosenbaum brothers Carl and Larry pose backstage with the band.
=This week in 2011 (February 17), Dave Duerson tragically took his own life. Dan McNeil knew Duerson well and wrote a touching tribute to him in his book I Bear Witness.
=Daily Herald writer Jim Slusher's book To Nudge the World is a collection of his excellent essays from the newspaper over the past 25 years. The one he wrote this week in 2000 (February 17) seems to really have resonance today. It's about something that has slowly eroded in the years since it was written, objective reporting. That piece alone is worth the price of admission.
=Also Eckhartz Press extends our deepest condolences to Jim on the death of his mother. Just last summer she got to hold a copy of the book in her hands, and it's hard not to see the pride she felt...
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=Rick Kaempfer is working hard on the updated 7th edition. We're hoping to have it out for opening day. In the meantime, you should follow him at Just One Bad Century on Facebook (or on Blue Sky rickkaempfer.bsky.social). Every day he posts something from EveryCubEver. For instance, this was the entry for Lincoln's birthday last week...
=Vicki Atkinson's memoir about growing up with a very difficult mother has been out for a few years now, but is still getting incredible reviews. Check out this one from military officer Edward Ortiz.
Happy birthday Michael Jordan!
=The greatest player in basketball history appears in three different Eckhartz Press books. As he turns 62 today (February 17), we imagine him perusing the pages of Behind The Glass by Randy Merkin, Signature Shoes by Ryan Trembath and Your Dime, My Dance Floor by Chet Coppock. This photo is in Chet's book...
=This was the week in 2014 when Joel Daly began making the rounds to promote his book The Daly News. The book got a great review from Robert Feder (Feb 19). And then Joel appeared on the WGN-TV Morning News. (Feb 20)
Records Truly is My Middle Name
=Two of the most memorable stories in John Landecker's memoir Records Truly Is My Middle Name involve two men who are both celebrating a birthday this week (Feb 18), Dennis DeYoung (Styx) and John Travolta. Dennis tells the tale about the first time he heard his song "Lady" on the radio. It was played by John Landecker on WLS. Dennis really paints a picture of the excitement of the moment. But probably the best story in the book revolves around a John Landecker/John Travolta appearance at Woodfield Mall. It's captured here on tape. It's captured below in a photograph.
=This week in 2016 (February 19), Rich King joined the Chicago Blackhawks at the White House as they visited President Obama. This photo from that day (with fellow sportscaster Jim Rose) appears in the pages of Rich's 2022 memoir Ike & Me.
=This week in 2022, with the pandemic still not fully contained, Bob Boone made an appearance at The Book Stall in Winnetka. Masks were still required.
=This week in 2022 (Feb 19), Randy Merkin also made an appearance in Homewood, Illinois to promote his book. A few photos are here. Former Bears receiver Tom Waddle, who is celebrating a birthday this week (Feb 20), had this to say about Randy...“Randy is an incredible radio talent. His vast knowledge of the business and bottomless pool of contacts are unmatched. I’ve learned a lot about the business from Randy. His talent is only exceeded by his loyalty and integrity. Randy is the best!!!”
=You know who else loves Randy? Another person celebrating a birthday this week (February 20). A man who rates his own chapter in Behind the Glass, Charles Barkley (shown below with Randy).
=This week in 2022 was a busy one, because Ryan Trembath also released the audiobook version of his book Signature Shoes (February 20). You can find it here.
=Randy Richardson and Becky Sarwate interviewed comedian/actor Ike Barinholtz for their Eckhartz Press book Cubsessions. Ike tells the story of his love for his hometown Cubs. Happy birthday Ike! (Feb 18)
=This week in 2012, Rick and Brendan did a presentation about using improv techniques to write. You can see a little bit of that here. One big fan of the book, CSI star William Petersen is celebrating a birthday this week (Feb 21). This is what he had to say about Eckhartz Press's debut release...…a hell of an old-fashioned read. It brings to life ‘the city of broad shoulders’ and makes me homesick. I want a Billy Goat cheesborger and a shot of whiskey.
