Cougars vs. Hawks

Chicago sports fans of a certain age remember a time when Chicago had two professional hockey teams. The Chicago Cougars were the WHA team for a few seasons. The star of that team was former Blackhawks defenseman Pat Stapleton (photo).

Well last night, I was at a Cougars game during the Blackhawks game. Unfortunately, it wasn't the Chicago Cougars hockey team--it was the Kane County Cougars minor league baseball team. My son Sean was part of the band that performed the National Anthem before the game.

It was a bummer to miss Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final (though I DVRed it, and listened to the third period on the way home after the game), but I thought it was somehow fitting to be at a Cougars game instead.

The Cougars lost 3-1, by the way, but that middle school band was excellent.

Not a Good Day for Afternoon Radio Talent

At WBEZ, "The Afternoon Shift" was cut from lineup, and the host Niala Boodhoo was fired. The rest of the staff was moved over to the "The Morning Shift", which now must have a staff of ten or so for a one hour show. (Slight exaggeration on the number of producers, but I bet it's not far off)

At Kiss-FM, afternoon host Jordan was let go after five years in that slot. It wasn't because of the ratings. He was rated 3rd in the whole market, and 2nd in the 18-34 demo.

Both of these scoops come courtesy of Robert Feder.

Cubs Bummer

#Cubs placed OF Jorge Soler on the 15-day DL with a left ankle sprain and recalled INF/OF Mike Baxter from @IowaCubs. pic.twitter.com/ucAitmGchT

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) June 3, 2015

Father Knows Nothing Review

Jeepers, this sure is a nice review courtesy of fellow author K.P. Lynne. We're not related, I swear...

Book Review: Father Knows Nothing By Rick Kaempfer Is The Perfect Father's Day Gift

Father's Day is coming soon! In fact, it is just around the corner. You will need to find the perfect gift for your Dad. Let’s be honest, your dad will love whatever you give him, because the gift is from YOU, but your dad is a really special guy. Doesn't your dad deserve a Father’s Day gift as awesome as the man himself?
Let’s face it! Dad does NOT need another flashing, light-up, battery-operated neck tie, with a small sticker that says "Press Here For (Tacky) Music." Unless you were raised by a family of wolves or grizzly bears, I have a hunch your father is more than likely evolved enough to shower with soap from a soap dish, so Dad really could do without Wild Cinnamon Man Musk Scented Soap On A Rope.

You've already given your Dad 8 or 9 fishing poles that are nicely rusted together in a clump in the back of the pickup truck, enough golf clubs to open his own shop, and a box load of various bottles of after-shave that put skunks to shame. Then there are all of those boxes of discount power tools piled up and there’s that shiny new treadmill Dad asked for last year that now serves as a beautiful coat and hat rack.

If you are seeking the perfect, quintessential "Father's Day Gift," please buy your dad what he really wants and needs! Every Dad MUST HAVE a copy of "Father Knows Nothing" by Rick Kaempfer! Some Dads just don’t know they want it yet, but trust me, they do! In fact, buy two copies, one for your dad, and one for you!

Once you open the book and start skimming through it (and you know that you will) you will never put it down again, and that will defeat the purpose, because you'll be back to square one, and still need a gift for your Dad! Better yet, buy a whole case full of books, and give a copy to your Grandpa, your Godfather, your favorite Uncle, and that great guy that coaches your kid’s soccer team! It is really THAT good!

“Father Knows Nothing” is one of the most fascinating, humorous, heartfelt and insightful books ever written about fatherhood, penned by an exceptional author, stay-at-home-dad and father of 3 wonderful, energetic and adventurous boys. In his own inimitable style, Rick Kaempfer, a highly versatile story weaver, casts his heartfelt, yet humor-filled net over his readers, and holds them captive from cover to cover!

With a style all his own, he has mastered something that most authors only dream of doing – he effectively and successfully blends the smile with the tear. During his serious moments, he pens profound and meaningful reflections of the unconditional love he holds deep within his heart for his children. This is a sentiment every dad wishes he could fully express, yet few are blest with the gift for words that Kaempfer possesses or the artistic ability to put the pen to the paper, and share these emotions in such a warm, open, thought-provoking and genuine manner.

At the other end of the spectrum, Rick Kaempfer leaves the reader rolling on the floor with waves of uproarious, uncontrollable laughter, with lighthearted anecdotes, and hilarious realistic portrayals of the hysterically funny things that his real-life kids say and do each day! There are comedic moments in this book that put every stand-up comic and night time talk show host to shame.

Hmmm....Maybe the author should develop his own stand-up routine based upon this book!

Through the laughter, love and tears, Rick Kaempfer paints a colorful portrait of his parenting experiences and gently offers advice, without being preachy about his methods. In fact, his methods are so carefully woven into the tapestry of the story that the reader may not even realize the lessons that were learned until much later. That is a sign of truly good writing!

Rick Kaempfer has effectively blended and balanced laughter and tears to create what is quite possibly one of the most honest and realistic portrayals of family life in contemporary America! “Father Knows Nothing” is a celebration of fatherhood and family, along with all of its trials and tribulations, and most importantly, the unconditional love that a father feels for his children. My only issue is with the book's title. The author called it “Father Knows Nothing.” By the end of the book, it becomes quite clear that Father does indeed know “something” after all and everything he knows was taught to him by his children. “Father Knows Nothing” is the must-have book for Father’s Day. Put it right at the top of your gift-giving list!

- K.P. Lynne

Media Memoirs: John Records Landecker & Joel Daly in Conversation with Rick Kaempfer

I'm really getting excited about my appearance this weekend at the Printer's Row Lit Fest. I'll be at the Center Stage at 4:15pm this Saturday along with two of my heroes (and friends), the incomparable Joel Daly and John Landecker. The Lit Fest is calling the event: "Media Memoirs: John Records Landecker, Joel Daly, and Rich King in conversation with Rick Kaempfer." Unfortunately Rich can't be there now because he'll be covering the Blackhawks in Tampa, but the rest of us will be. And it's FREE. I'll be asking those guys questions to get some of their incredible stories out of them, but we'll also have a Q&A session with the audience. All of our books will be available there, including the perfect Father's Day gift--"Father Knows Nothing".

Come on out and meet some legends. They don't like me saying this, but between the two of them, John and Joel have over 100 years of broadcasting experience.

Bobbie Gentry

Used to play this on the radio once a year...on the 3rd of June. See if you can figure out why...

Bob Ley

He has been with ESPN since 1979, and now the longest serving on-air personality at the network has signed a long-term deal to remain there.

I watched his coverage of the Sepp Blatter resignation yesterday--basically 90 minutes of filling time without many details--and I was marveling at how well he can handle any situation. His "Outside the Lines" show is routinely one of the best on sports television.

Good move, ESPN.

Tom Hanks' Son & the N-Word

Did you know that Tom Hanks' son is a rapper? His stage name is Chet Haze.

He posted something on social media yesterday talking about the N-word and why he feels he should have the right to use it. You can read that here.

The gist of his argument is that he identifies with this culture and it's an important word in that culture. I have one big question, and I'm not trying to be snarky about this. How can a white billionaire's son possibly relate to that culture? I'm serious. I can see a poor white guy relating, or one that has faced struggle or hardship, but Tom Hanks' son? I can even see liking the music, the beats, the words and the rhythym, but relating to the culture? Am I missing something here?

I probably am. Please disregard the unfiltered thoughts of a clearly aging man.

Tony Sculfield

Glad to see Tony is back on the air. Thought he got a raw deal at his last gig. From this morning's RAMP Newsletter...

Crawford Broadcasting Urban AC WSRB (106.3 Chicago's R&B) announces the hire of market vet Tony Sculfield to do nights, effective June 15. Sculfield (left) is an experienced stand-up comic who is best known for his run across the street on iHeartMedia Urban WGCI, first in middays and later, as host of The Morning Riot until December of 2014, when he was among several staffers released due to a personnel restructuring. Since then he's remained busy hosting local events, performing his stand-up act and making featured appearances on local ABC 7 daytime talk show, Windy City Live. Sculfield joins a staff that includes Tom Joyner in mornings, Sundance in middays and Mike Love in afternoons. He will succeed another Chicago radio fave, Ramonski Luv, who exited last week.

I miss this guy

His show starts up in September...

If I was on a desert island and could only have one book, I'd choose "Atlas Shrugged." Because that's 1,088 pieces of toilet paper. #LSSC

— Stephen Colbert (@StephenAtHome) June 2, 2015

FIFA President Sepp Blatter Resigns

It's about time. Makes me wonder if the Feds have photos of Sepp being handed cash and a sign that says "BRIBE FROM QATAR". I figured that was the only way he would voluntarily resign.

Time Magazine has the announcement.

Father Knows Nothing via Skype

I really enjoyed talking to Dr. Marcie Beigel​ about my book "Father Knows Nothing". You can watch and listen to the Skype interview at her blog.

It's nice hearing an expert essentially endorsing my "by the seat of my pants" parenting techniques.

Truffle Hunting in Rhode Island

Tampa Bay Policy

Have you heard the ridiculous policy the Tampa Bay Lightning is enforcing to keep Blackhawks fans out of the stands for Games 1 & 2 in Tampa Bay?

Here's something you won't see me write very often: I agree with Dan Berstein about this. The headline for his piece is: Tampa Bay Lightning Ticket Policy Is Pathetic.

Women's World Cup

It starts on June 6th, and the Americans are sporting a very strong team. It will be airing on Fox Sports. Here are the first round details from their website...

Dellacamera, Whitehill and DiCicco have been assigned to the three U.S. games in the group stage: Monday, June 8 vs. Australia (7:30 p.m. ET/FOX Sports 1), Friday, June 12 vs. Sweden (8 p.m. ET/FOX) and Tuesday, June 16 vs. Nigeria (8 p.m. ET/FOX).

The good news is that since the games are in Canada, they air at normal times. The bummer is that all the games will be on turf.

RIP Steve Nelson

Steve was a radio sales and marketing guy in Chicago for a variety of radio stations. I met with him while he worked and WLS, and I owned my advertising agency (AMISH Chicago Advertising). I thought he was one of the good guys in the business. The last time I saw him was when John Landecker and I appeared on WBEZ just after "Records Truly Is My Middle Name" came out. (WBEZ was Steve's last gig). He told me that "The Living Wills" was sitting on his desk at that very moment--a gift from my co-author Brendan Sullivan. I never got the chance to ask him what he thought of it.

Steve passed away over the weekend at the age of 67.

His son Jon posted a few stories about his dad. If you have any Steve Nelson stories, he's collecting them at jon@alt42.net.

His son Christopher writes for Automobile magazine. This is his tribute to his dad.

Jay Marvin

The former WLS talk show host has been living through some pretty serious health issues these past few years. He recently re-emerged for a public appearance in Colorado.

This article tells all about Jay and what he's gone through.

Least Trusted News Sources

The Pew Research Center did a survey of over 3000 people, covering three generations (Boomers, Millennials, & Gen Xers) and the results were pretty refreshing if you ask me.

From Variety this morning...

According to a study conducted by the Pew Research Center, the trio of age groups distrust the same four political news sources: the digital outlet BuzzFeed and radio shows the “Glenn Beck Program,” “The Rush Limbaugh Show” and “The Sean Hannity Show.”



Nailed it.

Apparently Americans are smarter than we've been led to believe.

John Oliver Takes Down FIFA...again

I laughed so hard in this last minute or so of this, I was wiping the tears from my eyes.

Stanley Cup Final Schedule

The Blackhawks are in the Stanley Cup Final, and the league announced the schedule for the games...




Game 1: Chicago vs. Tampa Bay, Wednesday, 7 p.m. NBC
Game 2: Chicago vs. Tampa Bay, Saturday, June 6, 6:15 p.m. NBC
Game 3: Tampa Bay vs. Chicago, Monday, June 8, 7 p.m. NBCSN
Game 4: Tampa Bay vs. Chicago, Wednesday, June 10, 7 p.m. NBCSN
Game 5: Chicago vs. Tampa Bay, Saturday, June 13*, 7 p.m. NBC
Game 6: Tampa Bay vs. Chicago, Monday, June 15*, 7 p.m. NBC
Game 7: Chicago vs. Tampa Bay, Wednesday, June 17*, 7 p.m. NBC
* = if necessary

Ex-FIFA official cites Onion article to defend himself

Oh, FIFA, will you never fail to entertain me?

Using The Onion to defend yourself is another high moment.

Tracy Morgan's First Interview since the crash

Truffle Hunt at the Farmer's Market

Eckhartz Press author Brent Petersen russles up some truffle grub at the Farmer's Market...



If you're in Rhode Island, Brent is making two appearances this week, including one tonight at the Newport Athletic Club, 66 Valley Road in Middletown.

Mark Zander

My latest Illinois Entertainer media column was posted today. It features an interview with Me-TV FM's Mark Zander.

You can read it here.

RIP Lennie Merullo

Sad story over the weekend. The last surviving member of the 1945 Cubs team passed away. RIP Lennie Merullo...

This is Lennie's entry in Every Cub Ever at Just One bad Century...

Lennie was the starting shortstop for the Cubs in the 1940s, including the pennant winning season of 1945. He wasn't known as a great fielder or hitter. Merullo averaged an error every three and half games or so (172 errors in 602 games), a home run every 345 at-bats (6 in 2071), and had a lifetime average of .240. But he was one of the team leaders. One time he fought former Cub Eddie Stanky, leading to a benches clearing brawl. While Stanky and Merullo punched each other repeatedly, Cubs pitcher Claude Passeau attacked the most hated man in baseball, Leo Durocher—-tearing off his shirt in the process. (Leo would become the manager of the Cubs in the 1960s.) The day after the Stanky/Durocher beating, Lenny and Phil Cavarretta were attacked by Dixie Walker before the game, and had to be pulled off by the police. Walker lost a tooth and chipped another. Merullo got an eight game suspension. Lenny Merullo retired after the 1947 season. When Lenny passed away at the age of 98 in 2015, he was the last surviving member of the last Chicago Cubs World Series team.

Weekend at Wrigley

After a particlurly taxing last few weeks at the office, I decided to take a few days off this weekend, and went to one of my favorite places in the world.

On Friday evening I went to Wrigley with my bride. It was a beautiful evening, but the Cubs lost. On Sunday I took my youngest son. It was a cold and windy day, but the Cubs won an incredibly dramatic game in the bottom of the 11th inning. After the game, the boy got to run the bases.

Thoroughly enjoyed both experiences.

Going to the Cubs Game

It's been a crazy few weeks in the office. Taking the day off and going to the shrine today.

Gonna wear shades.

Go Cubs.

Green White Tryouts

I've been on the Green White Youth board of directors for a few years now, and this is our busy season. We had a fantastic turnout for the first two nights of Green White Travel Tryouts at Metro Majewski Park! It's not too late to join this historic soccer club. One more night of tryouts tonight for all age groups!

Walk-ups welcome, or pre-register here

U8, U9, U10 Girls--5pm-6:15
U8, U9, U10 Boys--5pm-6:15
U11, U12 Girls--6:15pm--7:30
U11, U12 Boys--6:15pm--7:30
U13, U14 Girls--7:30pm-8:45
U13, U14 Boys--7:30pm--8:45

Bono v Bono Impersonator On Stage with U2

I think you can see the guy wetting his pants...

Bulls Fire Tom Thibodeux

A great regular season coach.

A not-so-great playoffs coach.

Details are here.

Printer's Row Lit Fest

What is it like spending an afternoon hanging out with all four Beatles? I don't know because I've never done it, but Joel Daly has! You can hear him tell that story on June 6th just after 4pm on the center stage at the Printer's Row Lit Fest. I will be there too, along with John Landecker, and Rich King. Come out and join us!

Eckhartz Press in Rhode Island

Rory vs. Tiger

Chelsea Dagger Chicago Style

Summer Style TIps for Overweight Middle-Aged Men Men

Judging by the pictures they've chosen to use in this article, that's most of us, sadly. Even those that fit in the "hey I'm over 50--sue me if I'm a tiny bit doughy" category.

The Telegraph has tips to minimize the "ew" factor this summer. I disagree with the first two (Get in the gym three times a week? How do you think I turned out this way? And tanning? I no longer tan, I lobster.) I also disagree with the last one, the "no baseball caps" rule. Sorry pal, until there's an easier way to put sunscreen on my bald spot, the baseball cap stays.

Biggest Spending Sports Franchises

A list of the biggest spending clubs in all of sports was released yesterday. 8 of the top 10 are soccer clubs, with Paris Saint Germain surprisingly coming in first place overall. The only two non-soccer teams in the top ten are the Dodgers (5th) and the Yankees (9th).

The Chicago Bulls are in 29th. The White Sox are in 56th. The Cubs are in 68th. The Blackhawks are 76th. The Chicago Bears are in 144th.

Maybe people should start being a little nicer to Jerry Reinsdorf. He has the top two payrolls in town.

Could Rush Limbaugh Retire?

That's the speculation in this morning's Tom Taylor column...

It’s not as crazy as it sounds – Presumably Premiere won’t offer the same kind of $400 million eight-year deal it did in 2008, just before the economy rattled and rolled. Limbaugh recently turned 64, and he might not want an eight-year deal, anyhow. One talk-radio pro says “I’m betting that when the big renewals come up, Howard Stern will renew with SiriusXM, because it’s the easiest thing to do. But Rush may just decide to retire.”

If that happens, look for the sun to be a little brighter, the air to be a little cleaner, little birdies to be a little chirpier, and Americans to hold hands from coast to coast singing "Oh Happy Day" by the Edwin Hawkins singers. A great song, by the way.

RIP Dennis Sheehan

U2 has lost a family member. From the RAMP Newsletter...

Just hours after U2's finished the first show of their five-night "Innocence + Experience" stand at L.A.'s Forum, we received the tragic news that Dennis Sheehan, the band's tour manager for the past 33 years, died early Wednesday morning of an apparent heart attack. The news was originally broken by TMZ, which reports paramedics were summoned to Sheehan's room at the Sunset Marquis Hotel around 5:30am yesterday, responding to a call for a reported cardiac arrest. Sheehan was pronounced dead at the scene. The news was later confirmed by Live Nation's Arthur Fogel, Chairman of Global Music & President of Global Touring, who said, "With profound sadness we confirm that Dennis Sheehan, U2's longstanding tour manager and dear friend to us all, has passed away overnight. Our heartfelt sympathy is with his wonderful family." U2 has posted a tribute to Sheehan on its website. In a statement, Bono said, "We've lost a family member, we're still taking it in. He wasn't just a legend in the music business; he was a legend in our band. He is irreplaceable."

Portillo's, the next chapter

The boys and I love to go to Portillo's, but when we heard that Dick Portillo was selling it, we got worried.

This article about the new owners makes me feel a little bit better.

Everyone talks about how good the beef sandwiches are, or how incredible the chocolate cake tastes, but for me the crown jewel of the Portillo's menu has to be the french fries.

Best...fries...ever.

FIFA

14 FIFA (the world's soccer governing body) and media officials were arrested or indicted this morning in Switzerland on charges of corruption and/or bribery. And yet, FIFA still held a press conference to announce they are going ahead with the World Cups in question (inexplicably given to Russian and Qatar) even if bribery or corruption was involved.

I love soccer, but boy do I hate FIFA.

More info on today's news is here.

The whole world is working together on this case. Here's the US Attorney General, specifically calling out the president of CONCACAF.

Dick Broadcasting

This news arrived in my e-mail box yesterday...

Dick Broadcasting has become the first broadcaster in a PPM market to make the move from Nielsen to Eastlan. Under the terms of a new multi-year agreement, Eastlan Ratings will field its initial audience measurement study in the Greensboro/High Point/Winston-Salem market in Summer 2015.

If you think I'm only reporting this Dick Broadcasting news because I find the name Dick Broadcasting funny, that's hurtful. I'm a professional, not an adolescent. Dick Broadcasting is hard...to write about without getting titters from the less mature of my readers. I'm not so stiff or rigid that I don't understand why some people laugh, but not every small Dick Broadcasting or gigantic Dick Broadcasting story needs to be a punchline. It's not the size of the Dick Broadcasting story, it's what you do with it.

Was BB King Poisoned?

It sounds crazy, and it probably is, but that's the charge being made by BB's daughters. From this morning's RAMP Newsletter...

Two of B.B. King's daughters are accusing two of their late father's closest aides of poisoning him. Not kidding. That's the word from Business Insider, which reports King's daughters Karen Williams and Patty King allege in documents that King's business manager, LaVerne Toney, and his personal assistant, Myron Johnson, raided his wealth and hastened his death by poisoning him. King died on May 14 at the age of 89 while receiving hospice care at his Las Vegas home. Both Williams and King have been very outspoken about the treatment their father received during his final days.
Clark County Coroner John Fudenberg did confirm that an autopsy was performed Sunday on King's embalmed body, and test results will take up to eight weeks to process. However, Fudenberg said Monday that there was no evidence "that these allegations of foul play will be substantiated." Las Vegas police Lt. Ray Steiber confirmed that homicide detectives are investigating.

Meet Landecker, Daly, King and Kaempfer

Mark your calendars for the Printer's Row Litfest. On June 6th at 4pm, I'll be moderating a discussion with Eckhartz Press authors (and media stars) John Landecker​, Joel Daly​, and Rich King​ at the center stage of the Litfest. Be ready for a very entertaining and lively discussion with lots of great stories about Chicago broadcasting history from the guys who made that history.

They're calling the event: "Media Memoirs: John Records Landecker, Joel Daly, and Rich King in conversation with Rick Kaempfer"- See more at: http://printersrowlitfest.org/schedule.html#sthash.QjsUND8U.dpuf. All of our books will also be for sale there, and we'll happily autograph them for you.

No Charges for Casey Kasem's Widow

I've been following the really bizarre story of Casey Kasem's death and burial. The twists and turns were enough to give me whiplash, and ended with the truly strange decision to bury him in Norway (almost six months after his death). Kasem's daughter was very vocal about accusing her father's widow of elder abuse, and I must say, that didn't sound like an outrageous claim after the weird way she handled things after Casey died.

Well, the Los Angeles D.A. apparently disagreed. From this morning's RADIO INK...

Elder abuse charges will not be filed against Jean Kasem, famed DJ Casey Kasem's widow. Casey Kasem's three children from his previous marriage were urging Los Angeles officials to have their stepmother prosecuted. The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office found there was not enough evidence against Jean Kasem and that "this case cannot be proven beyond a reasonable doubt to a jury."

Casey Kasem's daughter and syndicated radio host Kerri Kasem issued a statement which read: "My family is very sad to learn the Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey has decided not to file charges against Jean Kasem. We did everything we could to save my Dad at the end of his life, including getting an emergency court order for conservatorship. But we were too late. My father's second wife Jean had done everything she could to keep our father from us while not providing the quality care that he -- and every other senior in our society -- deserves."

This story isn't over. The kids are now pushing for the D.A. in Washington (state) to file charges against Casey's widow. Washington was one of the places she took the ailing Kasem to keep him away from his kids.

Media CEOs

I just don't understand why this is the case, but 6 of the top ten highest paid CEOs come from media companies.

Ask anyone who works in a media company how great things are going there. Oh well, at least their bosses are making more money per year than most employees make in a lifetime.

A reunion 41 years in the making

There's a story in Father Knows Nothing about my childhood trip to Austria. When I was 10 or 11, my parents put my sister Cindy and I on an airplane and sent us to a farm in Austria to spend the summer there. It was a pretty traumatic experience for me--but it made for a good story. The part of the story I didn't tell was that after we spent the month in Austria, two of the Austrian girls (about the same age as us) spent a month with us in Chicago.

Well this past Friday I was surprised to receive an e-mail from one of those Austrian girls. She was going to be in Chicago with her husband, and wanted to meet. I don't know why I was really nervous about this meeting (probably because my German has gotten a little rusty), but we scheduled the meeting at my mother's house--the same house she stayed in 41 years ago.

It turned out to be a lovely afternoon visit. This is a photo below. My sister and I are on the outside, and Ulli and her husband Richard are in the middle. I gave her a copy of Father Knows Nothing, which contains that story. I feel a little guilty that I laid it on a little thick in that story. Please note that some (but not much) dramatic license was taken in the writing of it. :)



Here's Cindy and I in Austria in the summer of 1974...

Champs!

Spent the weekend out at the soccer fields. My son Sean's team had a soccer tournament in Schaumburg. They played four games and won all four of them, including a dramatic 1-0 win in the championship game.

So proud of all the boys. We've come a long way. (There's a story about the bad-news-bears quality of this team a few years ago in my book "Father Knows Nothing")