FCC Reform

I'm hesitant to support this FCC Reform because it was passed by the House of Representatives, who famously likes to use opposite language to describe their bills (The Pure Water act? Mmmm hmmm.)

Inside Radio has some of the details. What they report sounds reasonable enough, but I'd still like to see the full bill, because there is always something buried in the there.

The Cubs Network

The Cubs confirmed yesterday that they will be starting up their own network in 2020.

I have just one question for them: What if cable television doesn't matter any more in 2020? At the rate that everyone is unplugging, they better have a plan in place for this new reality.

Happy Anniversary

To my lovely bride. We were married 24 years ago today.

Super Caleb!

My little nephew Caleb is just 2 years old and he's been diagnosed with cancer. The little guy is in the midst of his fifth stage of chemotherapy, and it's been so hard on him. But he's a tough little fighter, and he still smiles when he gets his strength--and he returns to the same little boy he used to be.

My cousin Derek and his wife Stacy are going through a very tough time--and so is the rest of the family. Of course, everyone offers to help in whatever way they can, but there's very little that can be done, and the whole situation just makes everyone feel so helpless. They are doing a GoFundMe campaign to help raise funds to pay for Caleb's bills, and they'd appreciate your help.

This is my contribution to the cause. I dreamt this story the other night, a little children's Super Hero tale. I call it Super Caleb.

SUPER CALEB

Our hero Super Caleb, awakens in a haze,
Trapped on planet Mayo-naise,
Where the bad Sea monster stays,
And makes people sad all day

Super Caleb knows that he just has to get away,
Remove the tubes and tape,
So he can reach his super cape,
And make his brave escape

He is Super Caleb,
You should see our hero fly,
He turns the Mayo people’s, sad faces into smiles,
He is Super Caleb,
And he’ll show you in a while.

The bad sea monster doesn’t know, that Caleb has some friends,
Who can give him strength again,
And he better look out when,
Super Caleb flies again.

As Super Caleb sleeps, his friend in the white coat,
Sails through the sea monster’s moat,
In a very quiet boat,
And he’s bringing Caleb hope.

He is Super Caleb!
And he makes sad people smile,
The sea monster can’t keep the people sad when Caleb flies,
He is Super Caleb!
And he’ll be here in a while.

Super Caleb opens up his eyes after a rest,
Looks down upon his chest,
Tubes are gone and he is dressed,
He knows how to do the rest.

He is Super Caleb!
And it’s time to watch him fly,
When they see him all sad people, cannot help but smile,
He is Super Caleb!
And he’s gonna win this time.

Weird, but True

Dylan and Lennon in a Cab

I think this is actually authentic...very odd.

RIP Andy White

Who was Andy White, you ask?

He was the studio drummer that George Martin forced the Beatles to use instead of Ringo on "Love Me Do".

Andy was 85 years old.

This Happened in Canada

It happened last year, but I missed it. Actually quite heartwarming. This was a Canadian crowd in Toronto, mind you...

Naked Wrigley

#WrigleyField #HoleInTheWall pic.twitter.com/HzsE9vyfLb

— Wrigley Field (@WrigleyBlog) November 13, 2015

I don't have daughters, but I still know this is true...

Thanks to "EG" for this one...

McCartney Explains the Stories Behind Eight #1 Hits

I've heard most of these stories before, but they're still interesting. The only new one to me is the story of what happened when "Hey Jude" came out in London. Also, didn't realize there was a mystery about some of the lyrics. Apparently it's not all about Julian.

You can read the stories here.

Kevin Robinson

Sorry to read this news in Tom Taylor's NOW column about my old PD Kevin Robinson...

Charlie Quinn replaces Kevin Robinson as PD at Hubbard’s variety hits “106.5 the Arch” WARH in St. Louis. They’re both major-market pros of vast experience. Kevin tells NOW that “Historically, there are times that a great team needs a different voice, a different perspective, to grow. It was an honor to be the leader at 106-5 The Arch.” Hubbard market manager John Kijowski says “I’m appreciative of Kevin’s fine work over the past seven years and wish him well in his future endeavors.”

I worked with Kevin for nearly a decade and found him to be a fair and honest guy. Here's hoping he bounces back quickly.

What if Trump or Carson Actually Win?

According to this piece in the Washington Post, that's the question that is starting to panic the Republican donor base and the insiders in Washington. I love this anonymous quote...

“We’re potentially careening down this road of nominating somebody who frankly isn’t fit to be president in terms of the basic ability and temperament to do the job,” this strategist said. “It’s not just that it could be somebody Hillary could destroy electorally, but what if Hillary hits a banana peel and this person becomes president?”

That's a fascinating quote, isn't it? That's a Republican saying, in so many words, that he fears a Republican presidency more than a Hillary presidency.

Of course, when it gets out to Trump and Carson supporters, they'll just take it as proof that they need to stick with their guy.

Germany Mourns the Hassel

David Hasselhoff has decided to change his name. For real. He dropped the Hassel and is now officially and legally known as David Hoff.



I have no idea why he did this, but I wonder if he is planning on fathering a son and naming him Jack.

David actually was extremly popular in Germany with the old name. Wonder how his German fans will react to this news. His American fans don't seem to care.

Hoff is from the Chicago area originally, by the way. He's a graduate of Lyons Township High School.

Amy Landecker

Yesterday the Tribune reported that Amy is dating West Wing's Bradley Whitford.

Then today, I saw this tweet...

Amy Landecker joins the cast of Doctor Strange https://t.co/D2lN912y0h pic.twitter.com/2nSX734jCo

— The AV Club (@TheAVClub) November 12, 2015

So happy for her. She's on fire. Amy's good people.

Pat Colander Book Signing

Looking forward to this book signing for Pat Colander's book "Hugh Hefner's First Funeral and other True Tales of Love and Death in Chicago." It will be held at the place Roger Ebert famously dubbed "The best bar in the world that I know about", the Olde Town Ale House. The Ale House also happens to play an important part of one of Pat's True Tales of Love and Death, the notorious Tylenol murders. Come on out and join us!

Sunday afternoon November 22nd, 219 W. North Avenue, at Noon. The Bears game will be on the TV, if you are still paying attention to them.

The Who's Best Post-Keith Moon Concert Ever

Rolling Stone has just declared the Who show on 11/12/1999 at Chicago's House of Blues as their best ever concert in the post-Keith Moon era.

I was there, and I agree. I'd rank it as one of the best shows I've ever seen. (I still can't believe Bridget agreed to let me pay $300 to see the show. I've never paid that much before or since)

Check out the article. It has the bootleg audio of the entire show. If you don't want to listen, you can still check out the full set list.

Should There Be More Consolidation in Radio?

That's a question that Radio Ink poses to Jeff Marcus, the Chairman of the board at Cumulus. You can read his response here if you like, but let me just answer the question for him and save a little time.

The answer is no. I will also accept the answer, "Duh. No." Or..."What you talkin' 'bout Willis?"

If the individual money grab begins again, radio employees and listeners, you can put that stake right into the heart of the dying beast.

What on Earth is Going on at College Campuses?

I've been watching this mess at University of Missouri closely. I'm not going to delve into the racial aspect of this. To me, that's a pretty obvious open and shut case. The idiots who make racial (and deadly) threats cannot be defended...ever. That's not free speech, that's screaming fire in a crowded movie theater. That's illegal. They should be arrested and charged.

To me the distressing response is the immediate demand that other people (who didn't make any threats at all) be fired. That's a first reaction now. The University president? OK, I suppose he didn't act fast enough or take it seriously enough. But fired? The professors who stood their ground with protesting students--keeping away reporters? OK, they obviously missed the whole concept of the free press. But fired?

And the professor who told his class to stand up to bullies--Forced to resign? That's just wrong. Read this account of his saga in the Washington Post. Luckily that story has a happy ending.

I know one thing. I wouldn't want to be a college professor in this climate.

Colbert Gets Post Super Bowl Slot

This is a huge deal for Stephen Colbert. Normally the networks show a new primetime show that they are trying to hype, but this year that post Super Bowl slot goes to Colbert.

I'll have to check it out after the big Bears Super Bowl victory. (Rimshot)

I've been watching Colbert semi-regularly lately and he's finding his groove. The band is great, his second segment (at the desk) is always top notch, and he's probably the best interviewer on Late Night. The monologue is still pretty weak, but let's not forget that Letterman never did a good monologue in 30 years of Late Night.

The Official Start of X-mas Season

For me, Christmas season does NOT begin with Black Friday. It begins the first day that WLIT goes all Christmas music.

That's today, folks. At 4:35pm.

Happy holidays.

New PD at WSHE

Robert Feder has the details about the new program director hired by WSHE (100.3 FM) in Chicago.

I have two questions about this hire.

#1: Why wouldn't WSHE, a station that explicitly targets women, hire a woman?

#2: He goes by Cat Thomas, although his real name is Bill Drake. That's kind of a fascinating aside as far as I'm concerned. One of the most famous program directors in radio history was named Bill Drake. Any relation?

Why is November 11 Veterans Day?

The date of this holiday goes back to the end of World War I. In 1918 the hostilities ended on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.

President Wilson declared it Armistice Day the following year, and it later became Veterans Day after subsequent wars.

I found this video on YouTube with the following description..."This is the oldest known radio aircheck or linecheck of an American president. The recording was made by Washington DC electronics engineer Frank L. Capps, using a homemade electrical recording system, two years before the first electrically recorded commercial disk was released by Victor. The original disk is believed lost, but a copy is in the FDR presidential library. The newsreel footage comes from archive.org. Both are in the public domain. Listen carefully and you will hear the former president knock the microphone. Mr. Wilson made this address over an ad hoc radio network and was heard by thousands of early radio listeners."

Beware the Hatchet

From Tom Taylor's NOW column, this ominous note for radio folks...

One NOW reader says “I’ve been told by several people in my [top-25] market that the programmers at iHeart are going through multiple ‘deep dives’ on all talent. There’s an emphasis on the big-name talent making the big bucks, to see if they’re following through on corporate mandates and the programming ‘suggestions’ they’ve been given.” The truth is, every company is examining year-end cost savings, not just iHeart.

Have I mentioned lately that I don't miss the business?

Cubs Moving to the Score

It's official. The Cubs are going to air on the Score next year.

Lets see if they manage to scale back some of their Cubs-bashing. The majority of the hosts on that radio station are not fans. Should be interesting.

Green White

Meeting with the book interior designer to discuss the final touches on the Green White history book, which will be out in early December. There's a mockup of the cover below. What is the book about?

In 1956 a few German-speaking immigrants founded a soccer club on the north side of Chicago. They called it S.C. Grün Weiss. This humble group of eighteen young men had no way of knowing that the club would eventually serve thousands of members, field hundreds of teams, win scores of division, city and state titles, send numerous players into the professional ranks, and enshrine more than a dozen members into the Illinois Soccer Hall of Fame. This book tells the tale of that proud 60-year journey, and features more than 170 classic photographs of the Green White family throughout the years.

The authors (Todd Schneider and I) are donating the proceeds from Grün Weiss Vor! 60 Years of Green White Soccer to the club, a not-for-profit organization currently serving the soccer community in the Mt. Prospect area.

WGN Novella Parody

I understand they also do news at WGN-TV, but this is a very funny parody of the Spanish-language soap operas. Congrats to the gang over there...

RIP Allen Toussaint

One of the all-time greats has passed away. The city of New Orleans was deep in his heart, and it came out so beautifully in his music...

Weirdest Song Ever

How weird is this song? Let me just describe it for you. It features John Malkovich reading Plato over a musical soundtrack created by Yoko Ono and Sean Lennon.

I'd compare it to fingernails on a chalkboard. Or being stabbed in the ear.

Oh, and it's over seven minutes long.

Listen to it here.

Trump on SNL

Here's the monologue. Not very funny, let's face it. The whole show fell flat. Although, I'm guessing Larry David really enjoyed the chance to call Trump a racist to his face.

Stuttering John

Remember former Howard Stern show member Stuttering John Melendez? After he left Howard, he worked with Jay Leno on the Tonight Show. Now he's back into radio. From Tom Taylor's NOW column...

The Stephanie Miller Show adds former Jay Leno “Tonight Show” announcer and longtime Howard Stern cast member John Melendez as executive producer and co-host of Miller’s Westwood-syndicated daily show. That comes as current exec producer Chris Lavoie leaves the show for new horizons. Also joining Miller’s crew as a co-host is impressionist and funny-guy Jim Ward.

The Stephanie Miller show airs locally in Chicago on WCPT.

Alex Quigley

The former WGN/Q-101 man has a new radio home. From this morning's RAMP newsletter...

Chicago radio pro Alex Quigley took to Facebook to announce he's the new PD/midday talent at Matrix Broadcasting's suburban Chicago Classic Hits outlet WFXF (103.9 the Fox). His first day in the building is today. Quigley was most OM of Tribune Talk WGN/Chicago until December of 2014. He previously did two tours of duty across the street at the former Emmis Alternative WKQX (Q101), with a PD stint at the former KRFR/Bakersfield sandwiched in between. "It'll be great to get back on-air five days a week, and it'll be fun growing The Fox's footprint throughout Chicagoland," Quigley said. "We've already got two great talents -- Brian Sherman and Pat Capone -- in morning and afternoon drive, so I'll have to keep my A-game going from 10am-3pm."

100 years at Wrigley

The ballpark turned 100 in 2014, but next season marks the 100th anniversary of the Cubs playing there...

Just released: #Cubs will commemorate a century of playing at Wrigley Field in 2016. https://t.co/vFoRkjRuVx pic.twitter.com/Xkej0WLflr

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) November 5, 2015

Bob Quits Bob & Tom

They've been a radio duo for more than 25 years, but Bob chose his induction speech into the Radio Hall of Fame to drop the bombshell that he was leaving. I guess that's as an appropriate time as any. After the ceremony, the duo released a statement to the press...

Tonight at Bob and Tom’s induction into the National Radio Hall of Fame, Bob Kevoian announced that he will retire at the end of this year. “When I was a teenager, I was a real smart ass,” Bob Kevoian said in his remarks to the National Radio Hall of Fame. “I didn’t get along with my Dad. And he said “if you continue this behavior, you’ll amount to nothing. But you will make it to the big mouth hall of fame.” I made it, Dad. I always thought you had to die or be retired for five years to be considered for any hall of fame. Thank god I’m not dead, but I am going to retire at the end of this year and walk away from the mic. Thank you for this great honor.” “It was a huge thrill to be inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame with my partner Bob,” said Tom Griswold. “He will always be a part of the BOB & TOM Show, and his presence will continue to be felt as we broadcast the show for many years to come”.

I know lots of people who have appeared on the Bob & Tom show over the years, and they report that the relationship between these two was a little odd, to say the least. They didn't exactly hang out together. But they were a very successful duo for many years and definitely deserve their induction into the Hall of Fame.

I guess it's just going to be the Tom show now.

A Call I Never Received

The one glaring hole in my radio producer resume is that I was never able to book a sitting President of the United States. I spent seven years trying to book Bill Clinton to no avail, and spoke to his press secretary a number of times, but that's as close as I got.

The listeners in Kansas City this morning, however, are hearing an exclusive radio interview with President Obama. How did that happen? The explanation comes from Radio Online...

Becker was invited to the White House by Josh Earnest, a fellow Kansas City native. The focus of the President's interview was on open enrollment of the Affordable Care Act, and also included questions on the economy, as well as the World Series Champion Kansas City Royals.

"It's not every day that you get a call from the White House, asking if you can be in Washington the next day," said Becker. "With the current political landscape, the importance of so many issues affecting Kansas Citians, along with the honor of interviewing a sitting President, who could say no!"

Now that's a call I never received. Doggone it.

RIP George Barris

George Barris passed away this week. You may not know his name, but the custom car designer created the coolest car in history (in my opinion). He created the batmobile.

Barris received a call about the most momentous gig of his career. The producers of the “Batman” television show needed a heroic ride for the superhero’s battles with the Joker.

“I saw the script and it said, ‘Bang,’ ‘Pow,’ ‘Boom,'” Barris told the Los Angeles Times in 2012. “That’s exactly what I wanted the car to be able to do. I wanted it to be as big a character as the actors’ themselves.”

Over 15 days and with $15,000, Barris transformed a 1955 Ford Lincoln Futura into the go-to method of transportation for crime-fighting in Gotham City. Black with fluorescent red pinstripes, the sleek Batmobile was outfitted with “bulletproof” plexiglass bubble windshields and 450-watt “Bat Ray” laser beams.

In 2013, it was sold at an auction for $4.6-million.

I had a batmobile car (I think it was Matchbox) that was one of my prized possessions as a kid.

Climate Change Scandal

I have a few friends who are climate change deniers, and when I ask them what possible motivation the scientists would have to launch this worldwide conspiracy, they always tell me it's about money. Scientists are doing it because they get paid more money if it's real. (Because the kind of people that are inspired to go into science are so famously greedy?)

When I argue that the people who benefit from climate change denial are the huge oil companies, and that they are the ones spending billions to make you doubt the scientists, they scoff as if that's somehow a crazy conspiracy theory. They probably won't want to read this news in this morning's Washington Post...

New York is investigating Exxon Mobil for allegedly misleading the public about climate change

Do it on Spec

Love the way this shows just how ridiculous the advertising business really is. This is how it's done...

James Bond at the Rental Counter

I thought this bit was incredibly funny and well done last night by Colbert & Craig...

Justin Timberlake and Chris Stapleton

Is there anything Timberlake can't do? Seriously. The man is an amazing talent. He killed it at the CMAs last night.

Theater Hall of Famer--Robert Falls

The Chicago Tribune has a great piece about Robert Falls, the former Goodman Theater director who is being inducted into the Theater Hall of Fame next week. Tribune Theater writer Chris Jones picked out 12 of his top moments.

One thing that didn't make the list, was this one. In 1989 for Steve & Garry's 10th anniversary concert at the Chicago Theater, Robert Falls choreographed this dance number featuring Garry as Cliff, along with the Cliff Dancers (comprised of me and my friends--Dave Stern, Mike Bramel, Jim Defillipi, Mike Davis, and Shemp DeYoung). Sorry Bob for bringing it up, but it is a true story!

No Charges for Kane

Looks like Patrick Kane is not going to be charged after all. From Fox 32 in Chicago...

The Erie County District Attorney announced Thursday he will not pursue rape or sexual assault charges against Chicago Blackhawks star Patrick Kane.

Erie County District Attorney Frank A. Sedita, III released a statement Thursday morning saying there are significant inconsistencies between the complainant's accounts and those of other eye witnesses. The statement went on to say that the DNA test results leant no corroboration whatsoever to the complainant's claim of penetration, a required element for proof of rape.

I read the statement, and there were a few weird portions of it (for instance, the whole thing about Kane sticking to his story the whole time and not incriminating himself...that's an odd thing to include), but I really think this case ended the day the alleged victim's mother fabricated a story about the evidence bag.

I wouldn't be honest, however, if I didn't admit that this whole thing still gives me an icky feeling when I see Kane and the Blackhawks. I wish it didn't, but it does. My gut is telling me that something really did happen here, even if it didn't technically meet the legal definition required to charge him.

Mel on Howard

Mel Karmazin was Howard Stern's champion for many years, first at Infinity/CBS, then at Sirius/XM. He's the one that signed Howard to those record-breaking contracts. Yesterday the retired billionaire was on CNBC and had this to say about Howard's current contract negotiations. (From the RAMP newsletter this morning)

One possibly lucrative option, said Karmazin, could involve Howard's valuable 30-year treasure trove of radio shows and other material. "He owns it all. He could syndicate it," Karmazin said. "He doesn't have to work anymore. He could either sell his company or he could do a Law and Order, a Friends, a Seinfeld, and make a whole bunch of money because everyone is in need of content." Karmazin continued, "Howard could also do something, arguably a la Netflix-type. It's original content. He does the video... [and] it could be a TV show that could be available worldwide." Karmazin also thinks Apple would be a good fit for Stern. Going a step further, he said he didn't see any reason why Apple wouldn't want to just buy SiriusXM -- a titillating observation.

All this being said, however, Karmazin says he hopes The Howard Stern Show stays on SiriusXM, where it's been since 2005. "I think Sirius would be in a position of paying him whatever it takes to keep him," he continued. "My bet would be he would stay, but I have really don't have an idea." Analysts estimate that Stern's current SiriusXM contract is worth $80 million a year. "I think Howard loves money. I don't say that in any pejorative way," Karmazin said. "He's working. He knows how much money other people are making off of that [radio] show. And I think he wants his fair share or unfair share."

Gee Thanks Dad

A new biography of George H.W. Bush is being released, and the Washington Post had a preview of some of the juicier nuggets. Among them--some criticism of his own son...

“The big mistake that was made was letting Cheney bring in kind of his own State Department,” Bush told Meacham. “… But it’s not Cheney’s fault. It’s the president’s fault.” He added: “The buck stops there.”

In the biography, Bush Sr. also took a dim view of some of his son’s talking points.

“I do worry about some of the rhetoric that was out there — some of it his, maybe, and some of it the people around him,” Bush said. “Hot rhetoric is pretty easy to get headlines, but it doesn’t necessarily solve the diplomatic problem.”

He took quite a few shots at Cheney (called him "iron ass") and Rumsfeld ("an arrogant fellow"), but I think the thing that will get under the skin of those guys the most is Bush Sr's characterization of why Cheney got so much more conservative and hardline than he had been as Secretary of Defense. He said it was because Cheney's wife and daughter made him that way. Ouch. Cheney laughed it off, but you know that one stung.

Good advice

Thanks "PO" for this one...

Ivy Renovation

Just dropped off our dog Ivy for knee surgery. The neighborhood rabbits and squirrels are going to have to join a gym if they want to stay in shape for the next few days.

Gus Savage

I missed this story over the weekend. Former US Congressman (from Chicago) Gus Savage died over the weekend. He was 90 years old. I covered Gus during my radio days, and he was always good for a controversial quote. His career ended because of a scandal (he had several of those), but he was ironically beaten by Mel Reynolds...who himself had to leave office because of a scandal. (My Kind of Town, Chicago is)

This is the only clip I could find of Gus on Youtube. I don't think it will take you too long to see exactly why he was considered so controversial...

Abbey Road Bystander

Greatest Photobomb EVER pic.twitter.com/e8Wg3UwNdF

— ClassicPics (@History_Pics) November 3, 2015

Sir David Attenborough Talks Up Adele's "Hello"

Casey Kasem's kids can collect insurance money

The sad story of Casey Kasem is getting resolved at least in one respect. From today's Tom Taylor column...

TMZ has been following the sad/bizarre story about Casey’s widow Jean, and the suspicions of Casey’s three children from his first marriage. They think that Jean (at the least) wasn’t a good guardian for their dad during his last months. Jean allegedly thinks the same thing about them and tried to keep insurer MetLife from paying off on Casey’s $2 million life insurance benefiting them, pending an investigation. But a California judge clears the payoff to be disbursed to a trust for his children (which include a daughter he had with Jean). “Countdown King” Casey Kasem died June 15, 2014 after he was moved multiple times while sick. He was buried last December (and this was definitely bizarre) in the snows of Oslo, Norway, from his beloved Los Angeles.

Trump Negotiating New Debate Rules

Trump is handling the debate negotiations himself, according to this morning's Washington Post. The story doesn't say exactly what Trump is asking for, but I did a little investigative work, and found Trump's sample list of questions for future debate moderators.

#1: Why would you give up your HUGE business to take a pay cut? Is it because you love the American people so much?

#2: We've spoken to women you've known over the years and they insist your bank account isn't the only thing that's HUGE about you. Smile if it's true.

#3: My God, you're good looking. I don't have a question. Just had to say that.

#4: I know you're not Catholic, but if Pope Francis said he'd like to declare you a Saint, would you accept that new title?

#5: We know how humble you are, but would you say that you're the greatest ever at humility?

Shouldn't be a problem if they get the right moderators.

There's Certainly Plenty of Material

Coming soon to FX1: TMZ Sports.

The National Enquirer of television will tackle (no pun intented) the sports world, and as I think we all know too well, will find more than enough material.

Book Launch Party

Spent the afternoon yesterday in Beverly Shores, Indiana for the launch of Pat Colander's book "Hugh Hefner's First Funeral and other True Tales of Love and Death in Chicago". It was a great time. Thanks to everyone who came out to the event!

Sinatra at 100

From the RAMP Newsletter. Gonna set the DVR for this one...

The Recording Academy®, AEG Ehrlich Ventures and CBS will honor the remarkable legacy of nine-time Grammy® winner Frank Sinatra by presenting Sinatra 100 -- An All-Star Grammy Concert, a primetime entertainment special celebrating the icon's 100th birthday. Initial performers announced for the tribute include a slate of multiple Grammy winners -- Tony Bennett, Garth Brooks, Alicia Keys, John Legend, Adam Levine, Carrie Underwood and Usher. The live concert taping will be held Wednesday, Dec. 2 at the Encore Theatre at Wynn Las Vegas. The finished special will be broadcast on CBS on Sunday, Dec. 6, from 9-11pm ET/PT.

Hope they do this song...

Mitch Michaels

My latest media column has been posted at the Illinois Entertainer. This month I interviewed the River's Mitch Michaels.

You can read it here.

Gerri Wells

This morning's Robert Feder column delivers the news that Gerri Wells is stepping down at WGN Radio. Here's the report...

Gerri Wells, a much-loved behind-scenes dynamo in Chicago radio for more than 30 years, is leaving WGN AM 720, where she’s been the right hand to Jimmy deCastro, the station’s president and general manager. “I am at that stage in my life and career where I want to stop and smell the roses more, and work on a different schedule,” she told colleagues. Effective next month, Wells said, she’ll continue to work as deCastro’s personal assistant at his Evanston office but on a more flexible schedule.

To know Gerri is to love her. I worked with her for about seven years at the Loop, and she is one of the kindest, sweetest ladies around. I wish her the best.

Green White News

Super proud of this news about Green White Soccer Club. As a lifelong member, and current board member and coach, I've always known Green White was a 5-star program, but it's nice to see official Illinois and US soccer authorities agree. My book about Green White's history ("Gruen Weiss Vor! 60 Years of Green White Soccer") will be out in about a month. All proceeds from the sales of that book will go to the club.

Green White has been named a 5-star competitive program (one of only 5 clubs so honored). The Illinois 5-Star Competitive Club Recognition recognizes the top Illinois Youth Soccer member league clubs for promoting coaching education, referee development, goal safety, kid safety, and positive sideline behavior.

Green White Girls Rec League has been named a 5-star program (one of only five in the Midwest region). The 5-Star US Youth Soccer Region II Recreational Program Recognition is awarded to a US Youth Soccer member recreational organization from the 14 states in the Midwest Region that promotes coaching education, referee development, goal safety, kid safety, and positive sideline behavior.

I've always wondered this

From PaulMcCartney.com, Paul answers a question I've always wanted to ask him about the song "Here Today" which he wrote right after he heard John died...

“In the song ‘Here Today’ you say, ‘What about the night we cried’. Can you tell us anymore about that story?”

“Thanks for your question, Kate. Well we were in Key West with The Beatles and we had been diverted there because there was a hurricane at Jacksonville, where we were supposed to play. So we had to take a couple of days off while the hurricane passed. We ended up in Key West, which at that time was sort of like the ends of the earth! I understand now it’s all very built up and it’s a bit like Miami. But back then, there were just a couple of huts there – and we were in one of them! We had a drunken night where we sang and talked and cried, at one point. All four of us.”

He recently played it for Jimmy Fallon...

Halloween in Old Chicago

Great stuff in Chicago Magazine. They went through old news files from the turn of last century to see what sort of Halloween stories made the news.

Here's one example...

Happy Halloween

My co-publisher Dave has a potential second career impersonating Uncle Fester...

War of the Worlds Didn't Actually Lead to Panic

It's such a well-known story that everyone believes it's true. The story is that Orson Welles' broadcast of "War of the Worlds" led to widespread panic in America in 1938.

According to this guy, that's a myth. Didn't happen.

Spoilsport.

Radio Hall of Fame

About a month ago I was asked to produce the Radio Hall of Fame program this year, but I had to decline because of previous commitments. Looks like whoever is producing it has lined up some great presenters. From the RAMP Newsletter...

Next week's 2015 National Radio Hall of Fame Induction ceremony is nearly sold out! The distinguished Class of 2015 will be inducted by an equally impressive line-up of radio pros, and let's meet them now -- Neal Boortz, a National Radio Hall-of-Famer himself, will present to Clark Howard, host of the Clark Howard Show on WSB/Atlanta; Blair Garner, host of America's Morning Show presents to a fellow Nashville resident, Dave Ramsey, host of The Dave Ramsey Show; Mickey Luckoff, former President/GM of KGO/San Francisco will present to KGO's Ronn Owens; Tom Poleman, President of National Programming Platforms, iHeartMedia will present to Elvis Duran, host of Elvis Duran and the Morning Show, based at Z100/New York.

Hang on, there's more -- Dan Mason Jr., most recently OM of Cox Media Group Tampa will present to his father, Dan Mason, Sr., recently retired President/CEO of CBS Radio; Kurt "Big Boy" Alexander of KRRL (Real 92.3)/Los Angeles will be honored by two of his longtime producers, William "Fuzzy" West and Jason Ryan; Chris Wheat, former GM of WFBQ/Indianapolis and Rick Green, current iHeartMedia Indianapolis Market President will present to Bob Kevoian & Tom Griswold, hosts of The Bob & Tom Show, and Norm Winer, PD of WXRT/Chicago will acknowledge Scott Muni, the late legendary air personality of WABC and WNEW/New York.

As the Taylor Turns

A few weeks ago I wrote about a lawsuit featuring a former disc jockey in Denver who was fired after he allegedly groped Taylor Swift at a radio station meet-and-greet. He said the he was misidentified, and sued, blaming his former boss for being the groper. Yesterday Taylor Swift responded by filing a countersuit. From Radio Online...

The countersuit claims that "Ms. Swift knows exactly who committed the assault -- it was Mueller -- and she is not confused in the slightest about whether her long-term business acquaintance, Mr. Haskell, was the culprit."

"Resolution of this Counterclaim will demonstrate that Mueller alone was the perpetrator of the humiliating and wrongful conduct targeted against Ms. Swift," the countersuit alleges, "and will serve as an example to other women who may resist publicly reliving similar outrageous and humiliating acts."

The papers allege that "Mueller did not merely brush his hand against Ms. Swift while posing for the photograph, he lifted her skirt and groped her." After the alleged incident, Swift was "surprised, upset, offended and alarmed," and informed her photographer, tour manager and security team.

Jared Really Is a Sicko

Yesterday, the informant who tipped the feds about Jared being a pedophile made an appearance on Dr. Phil's show. She played tape recordings of phone conversations she had with Jared, which really leaves no doubt at all about Jared's guilt. In fact, it's really disturbing. He describes how he lures them.

Gawker has the Dr. Phil video and further details of the recordings if you are so inclined. Warning: It's incredibly graphic.

I can tell you one thing. I've made my last Jared joke.