Studio Walls--9-18-24

 

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.

Here are a few from the archives...

September 15, 1949—The Lone Ranger debuts on TV

=We created our own tribute to that show. We call it the Lone Rogainger. Will we play the audio this week?

September 15—Oliver Stone birthday 

=We interviewed Billy Hayes, author of Midnight Express. He worked closely with Oliver Stone on the screenplay to his book, and told us all about it. 

 

September 16, 1857—"Jingle Bells" is published. 

=We have audio of two-year old Johnny Kaempfer singing it.

September 16, 1993—Frasier debuts on NBC

=Dan Butler, who played Bulldog on the show, talked to us about what it was like being on that show.  

September 16—Richard Marx birthday. 

=Believe it or not, Marx is good pals with Tubes lead singer Fee Waybill. Fee told us about it in this interview.  

 

September 17--Bobby Skafish birthday

=The great WXRT and WLUP jock phoned in to this episode.  

September 17--Anne Bancroft birthday

=I told my story about Anne in this episode. 

 

September 18--June Foray birthday

=My story about June, the voice of Rocky the Squirrel and many other cartoon characters, is in this episode. 

September 18, 1965—I Dream of Jeannie debuts. 

=We have Ron Santo audio talking about Jeannie

September 19—Adam West birthday

=Comedian Mike Toomey shared his excellent Adam West impersonation in this episode.  

September 19, 1985—Jim McMahon comes in and throw 3 TDs vs. Minnesota

=One of the greatest games in Bears history. We were thrilled to talk to Jim about it in this interview.  

September 19, 2010—Boardwalk Empire debuts. 

=Actor Paul Calderone was in that series, playing a killer. We talked to him about that, and his scene in Pulp Fiction in this episode.

September 20, 1976--AC/DC releases Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap

=Nearly 50 years later we had jazz singer Kurt Elling on the show, and he unveiled his jazz version of that song. 

September 20, 1980--Erehwon founded

=Erehwon was our first client ever for AMISH Chicago Advertising. Would you like to hear the radio ad?

September 20, 2009--Rick interviewed on WGN 

=This was about the Waitle Nex Yeare ad I mentioned on the blog last week. We still have the audio.

September 20, 2022—Suspect by Scott Turow is released

=We talked to him about the book that week. 

September 20--Tim Clue birthday

=Tim's a great comedian and we were excited to have him on the show a few years ago. He later helped me out by being a last second fill-in as keynote speaker for the Chicago Writers Association. That's Tim in the middle with the CWA board.

September 21--Bill Murray birthday

=My Bill Murray story is in this episode.  

September 21--Chuck Jones birthday

=My Chuck Jones story is in this episode.  

September 21--Bill Kurtis birthday

=This entire episode is an interview with the legendary newsman.  

Publishing Portal: September 17, 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.

Rest in Peace

=Eckhartz Press author Alex Burkholder passed away this weekend at the age of 84. Alex wrote the incredibly well researched book Death of the Angels, which was about the famous Our Lady of the Angels fire in 1958. At our first meeting, Alex arrived with a box of cassettes filled with interviews of dozens of people who were there the day of the fire. It was really a life-long passion of his to get to the bottom of that tragedy. He finally did it with the publication of his book in 2018, on the 60th anniversary of the fire.

=Alex Burkholder was born and raised in Chicago. He received a Master Degree in Journalism from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. During his younger years Alex rode on Chicago Fire Department apparatus and helped fight fires. Alex began his forty-six-year career in journalism with Chicago’s Lerner Newspapers in 1962. Next he moved to WGN Radio and Television News for twenty-one years. That experience was followed by twenty-four years at ABC7 Chicago mainly as an investigative producer and recipient of an Emmy Award. He was a founding member of the Fire Museum of Greater Chicago. He was also a heck of a guy. Alex will be missed.

Happy Birthday!

=Four Eckhartz Press authors are celebrating birthdays this week. Happy birthday to We Have Company author Bobby Skafish (September 17), Life Behind The Camera author Chuck Quinzio (September 17), Behind the Glass author Randy Merkin (September 17) and Patty & The Stump co-author Tim Clue (September 20).

 

 

=This week in 2014, Chuck was on with Rick Kogan talking about his book.

=This week in 2016, Bobby was on with Roe Conn & Anna Devlantas on WGN Radio

To Nudge the World

=The book launch party for our latest book (To Nudge the World by Jim Slusher) is coming soon. Mark it on your calendar. Jim will be there signing books, schmoozing with the fans, and doing a reading from the book. If you are a Daily Herald reader, you know Jim's name. If you are a Daily Herald fan, you just might run into a Who's Who from the newspaper. Plus, they have great food and drinks at Mrs. P & Me. Worth your while if you have the time...

Last Comiskey

=The Chicago Tribune had a nice mention of Ken Smoller's book this past weekend.

 The Loop Files

=Hard to believe that The Loop Files went on pre-sale this week last year. It's still selling quite well. On September 17, author Rick Kaempfer was on stage at the Illinois Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony. The Loop was inducted as a radio station, and Rick was one of the Loopers on hand to accept the award presented by fellow former Looper Mitch Michaels. Also pictured Jimmy Mac McInerney, Wendy Snyder, Bridget Kaempfer.

 

=A few of the contributors to the book are celebrating birthdays this week as well. We've already mentioned Bobby Skafish (September 17). Bobby is also a key figure in WLUP history, and there are several photos of Bobby and stories provided by Bobby in The Loop Files, including this one...

=Mark McEwen also has a birthday this week (September 16). McEwen went on to become a nationally recognized television personality as a weatherman at CBS, but in the early 1980s, he was spinning tunes and jamming on the air at the Loop. That's him on the left in the studio with Sky Daniels. (Photo by Mike Bucek)

Cubsessions

=Co-author Randy Richardson keeping abreast of Cubbie World...

Back in the Game

=This week in 2014 (September 15), Rich King staged a launch party for his second book, Back in the Game. It was a star-studded party at Volare in Chicago. The book is no longer in print (because Rich has a newer one out now--Ike & Me), but it had a good run. Do you recognize any of the attendees below? (Mark Suppelsa, Jackie Bange, Jerry Reinsdorf, Johnny Morris are a few of them)

 

 

Records Truly Is My Middle Name

=This week in 2013, legendary WLS morning man Don Wade passed away. Don was a kind contributor to Records Truly Is My Middle Name. He told some stories about John Landecker, and Landecker in turn, told some stories about Don. Those are presented here as a free excerpt from the book. Below is a photo of Don (on the right) during his days at WIBG-Philadelphia.

 The Daly News

=When Joel Daly turned in the first draft of his book The Daly News, he had a single line in there about hanging out with the Beatles for a day. We said..."Joel, you have to tell us more about that story!" So happy he did. You can read it here as a free excerpt. It happened exactly 60 years ago this week (September 15, 1964). 

Behind the Glass

=Five different people who rate a full chapter in Randy Merkin's book Behind the Glass are celebrating birthdays this week. Former Bulls coach Phil Jackson (September 17), college baskeball coach Rick Pitino (September 18), movie star/television star Bill Murray (September 21), former Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville (September 15, photo below), and baseball Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg (September 18, photo below). 

 

=Of course Ryno also appears in EveryCubEver, and even makes an appearance in Chuck Swirsky's Book Always A Pleasure

Nose Over Toes

=This week in 2019 (September 15), Eckhartz Press was out in force for the Brain Aneurysm 5K. It's a yearly event to support brain aneurysm research. Considering that a portion of the proceeds from Janet Sutherland's book went to the same cause, and that Janet was deeply involved in the organization, and that Janet's book was about her own recovery from a ruptured brain aneurysm, it seemed like a no-brainer.

Gruen Weiss Vor!

=Helmut Schoen was the coach of the West German men's national team that won the World Cup in 1974. The following year he visited a touring group of Green White Soccer Club players barnstorming through West Germany. The photo of that meeting is part of the great history of the club, and is obviously included in the book...and below. Helmut was born this week (September 15) in 1915.

Transatlantic Passage

=As long as we're talking about soccer, America's best soccer player Christian Pulisic is featured in Paul Banks' book Transatlantic Passage. Paul even got close enough to snap this picture of this week's birthday boy (September 18)

 Your Dime My Dance Floor

=Two of the people who contributed to Chet Coppock's book Your Dime My Dance Floor have birthdays this week as well. Former Bears linebacker Otis Wilson (September 15) contributed this testimonial...

I have known Chet for nearly forty years going back to my rookie season with the Bears in 1980. He is truly a great guy, whose sports knowledge is just amazing. You will love this book! Chet Coppock is a great friend and one heck of a great person.

• Otis Wilson, legendary Chicago Bears linebacker

 =Former Bears lineman and Hall of Famer Dan Hampton (September 19) contributed this photo...

=And this week in 2018, Chet appeared on Steve Dahl's show on WLS to celebrate the release of his book. Steve & Chet worked together at the Loop in the late 80s/early 90s. (Photo below, L-R: Steve Dahl, Chet Coppock, Rick Kaempfer, Dag Juhlin, and Brendan Greeley)

Ken Korber

=This is a photo of Eckhartz Press author Ken Korber (center) along with Eckhartz Press publishers Rick Kaempfer (left) and David Stern (right). Each are holding a cover of one of Ken's seasonal books. Notice the one they aren't holding. Kind of ironic considering the first day of Fall is this week (September 21)

Chili Dog MVP

=The book is primarily about White Sox great Dick Allen, but because the book chronicles the entire 1972 White Sox season, it also includes at least a passing mention of every single player who played for the Sox that year. Including these two...Lee "Bebe" Richard (born September 18) and Rich Morales (born September 20). Richard sadly passed away a few weeks ago (August 6, 2024).

 

Close Encounters of a Chicago Kind

 =Vicki Quade was pretty excited when Chicago Bon Vivant Don Rose decided to blurb her Eckhartz Press book. Here's what he had to say...

• “Call Vicki Quade the anti-quotidian. There is nothing ‘everyday’ about her experiences, her interactions and especially her keen, well reported observations. She is an oddity magnet. More odd things unfurl before her on almost every outing than happen to most of us in a season–funny things, sad things, sometimes even dangerous things, or just plain odd things. That’s in part because she is a hyper-curious buttinsky, often launching conversations with strangers our mothers warned us against, emerging with priceless stories and anecdotes. You will find yourself amazed, amused or just drop your jaw but it’s all true. I swear it is.”

  Don Rose, veteran political consultant, Chicago journalist, food writer, jazz aficionado.

Publishing Portal--7-23-24

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!

=Another Eckhartz Press author is celebrating a birthday this week (July 21). Happy birthday to one half of the Patty & The Stump team, Spike Manton. He co-wrote (with Tim Clue) a children's book for us during 2016 that remains timely today. It's about dealing with political bullies. (Photo of Spike below with Eckhartz Press publisher Rick Kaempfer at Zanies in Chicago)

To Nudge the World

=This is always a great way to get to know the author and the book he has just written. It's a Q&A with author Jim Slusher about his great new book To Nudge the World.

Surviving Sue

=Mark your calendars, Vicki Atkinson has an event a week from today (July 30th) in Woodstock.

Last Comiskey

=Yes, that's Eckhartz Press author (Last Comiskey) Ken Smoller with the ultimate White Sox spokesperson, the one and only Ozzie Guillen. We thank Ozzie for his support of this project!

1001 Train Rides in Chicago

=This week in 2018, Eckhartz Press author Richard Reeder debuted his promotional video for his book 1001 Train Rides in Chicago. 

Best Seat in the House

=This week in 2014, author Bruce Bohrer was making the TV rounds promoting his book about being a Wrigley Field usher. Among his stops, WGN TV...

=And CBS-2.

=And he also released his promotional video...

The Loop Files

=One of the biggest stars in WLUP (The Loop) history was Sky Daniels. Sky is a big contributor to The Loop Files, and this week he's also celebrating his birthday (July 24). (PHOTO: by Mike Bucek)

=Another key Loop contributor back in the day was Albert Brooks. (Albert's birthday is July 22). He was a frequent guest on Steve & Garry's show in both Steve & Garry Loop eras. Here he is with Steve Dahl in the early days...(PHOTO: Paul Natkin)

=There were a few years that Bears kicker Kevin Butler was on Kevin Matthews show on AM 1000 so often that he might as well have been Kevin's co-host. This classic pic of the two Kevs (by Paul Natkin) appears in the book. Butler's birthday is July 24.

Chili Dog MVP

=Because the book Chili Dog MVP looks back at Dick Allen's unforgettable 1972 season with the White Sox, all of Allen's teammates from that team are also featured in the book. Here are three of them who have birthdays this week, including Dick's brother Hank Allen (July 23), former Cub Moe Drabowsky (July 21), and Buddy Bradford (July 25). Only Buddy is still around. Hank died in 2023 and Moe died in 2006. (Photos from Topps)

We Have Company

=This week in 2017, Bobby Skafish was making the rounds promoting his rock and roll interview book We Have Company. Among the stops, WGN Radio. He appeared on the Roe Conn show, which featured Anna Davlantes at the time. Anna's birthday is this week too (July 25).

=Isn't there a rock star birthday this week that ties into Bobby's book? Well, now that you mention it, there is one. Emily Saliers (from the Indigo Girls) is also in the book. 

Walter Payton

=Considering that Walter Payton is the either the greatest or second greatest athlete in Chicago history, and our press is a Chicago press, it shouldn't surprise you to discover that three different books in our catalog have great stories about Walter, The Loop Files, Records Truly Is My Middle Name (by John Landecker) and Your Dime My Dance Floor (by Chet Coppock). We still miss Walter (who would have been celebrating a birthday this week--July 25), but he lives on in the pages of these Eckhartz Press books.

The Unplanned Life

=WGN radio's Steve King is celebrating a birthday this week (July 26). Steve was a long-time colleague of Roger Badesch on WGN, and plays a crucial role in the most exciting story in Roger's book. He also provided this testimonial (along with co-host and wife Johnnie) for the back cover of the book...

• “This book’s cover photo was taken on a night we’ll never forget. Trust us, we never had a night like that on the radio before or since and, along with our WGN radio listeners, were praying that Roger would survive. Spoiler alert: He did! In this book Roger shares the details of that night and other adventures, including his time with Chicago’s first black mayor, Harold Washington, and first woman mayor, Jane Byrne. “The Unplanned Life” of this man we’re so proud to call a friend was obviously part of a bigger plan. Thankfully, he listened to the universe and went along for the ride. Buckle up, it’s a good one!”

  Steve King & Johnnie Putman, award-winning Chicago broadcasters and authors

EveryCubEver
=This week in 2019, EveryCubEver author Rick Kaempfer appeared on the Club 400 Podcast to talk about his book. The hosts of the show were blown away by the details. You can still hear it here.

Gruen Weiss Vor!

=This week would have been the birthday (July 21) of the recently departed German soccer superstar Uwe Seeler, who helped the West German team win the World Cup in 1954. He also appears in an Eckhartz Press book. In the 1970s he came to Chicago and attended a Green White soccer game. That story is told in the pages of Gruen Weiss Vor!

Eckhartz Everyday

*Today is Eckhartz Press author Tim Clue's birthday (Patty & the Stump). Happy birthday Tim!

 *On this day in 2014, Chuck Quinzio appeared on Rick Kogan's show on WGN radio to discuss his Eckhartz Press book Life Behind the Camera. You can listen to the interview here.

*On this day in 2016, Bobby Skafish (We Have Company) appeared on WGN Radio with Roe Conn and Anna Devlantas. That interview is here.