I've interviewed two of those WGN pros in the past, if you'd like to read more about Max Armstrong and Dean Richards.
Friday, April 08, 2016
WGN Walk of Fame
Robert Feder reported the news this morning regarding the latest inductees...
They are: Max Armstrong, agriculture and business reporter; Floyd Brown, retired announcer and program host; Jim Carollo, retired director of engineering; Dan Fabian, onetime college intern who rose to vice president and general manager; Marilyn Miller, longtime producer of Wally Phillips’s morning show; Tom Petersen, former news director and morning news anchor; and Dean Richards, program host, entertainment reporter and critic.
I've interviewed two of those WGN pros in the past, if you'd like to read more about Max Armstrong and Dean Richards.
I've interviewed two of those WGN pros in the past, if you'd like to read more about Max Armstrong and Dean Richards.
I Wonder Why They're Switching
From this morning's Tom Taylor NOW column...
The average user of AM/FM in the car switches the station at least 22 times per commute.” So says a new Edison Research study titled “Hacking the Commuter Code.” That’s compared to much less switching – about 9.3 times per commute – for those entertaining themselves with non-AM/FM audio sources. Edison’s based in commute-prone central New Jersey, which may’ve helped inspire this national study of 1,117 adults employed full-time or part-time, who commute to work at least 20 minutes in vehicles they drive themselves, and who “listen to any type of audio.” Edison identifies “three discrete groups – The Restless (the 21% who constantly switch). The Seekers (the 52% who switch occasionally). And The Keepers (the 27% who mostly stick with one choice).” Why do people punch around? One reason, certainly, is commercials. Others factors are “age, the type of content being consumed, and access to streaming or satellite radio, or integrated multi-media systems.”
Let's face it, radio. It's the commercials, not the integrated multi-media systems.
The average user of AM/FM in the car switches the station at least 22 times per commute.” So says a new Edison Research study titled “Hacking the Commuter Code.” That’s compared to much less switching – about 9.3 times per commute – for those entertaining themselves with non-AM/FM audio sources. Edison’s based in commute-prone central New Jersey, which may’ve helped inspire this national study of 1,117 adults employed full-time or part-time, who commute to work at least 20 minutes in vehicles they drive themselves, and who “listen to any type of audio.” Edison identifies “three discrete groups – The Restless (the 21% who constantly switch). The Seekers (the 52% who switch occasionally). And The Keepers (the 27% who mostly stick with one choice).” Why do people punch around? One reason, certainly, is commercials. Others factors are “age, the type of content being consumed, and access to streaming or satellite radio, or integrated multi-media systems.”
Let's face it, radio. It's the commercials, not the integrated multi-media systems.
New Afternoon Host at US-99
From this morning's RAMP Newsletter...
Kongrats to Mike Kasper, who is packing up the Family Truckster for a major move to Chicago to assume the weighty mantle of afternoon drive personality at CBS Radio Country WUSN (US99.5), with a start date of Wednesday, April 20. Kasper will segue from his current three-year run as APD/MD/afternoon dude at iHeartMedia Top 40 WRVQ (Q94)/Richmond... and his bonus pm drive shift at sister WKDD/Akron, OH. "I've been a fan of Kasper's for many years, and I'm very excited to have him join the air staff at US99.5," said Jeff Kapugi, who doubles as CBS Radio VP of Country Programming and PD of US99.5. He added, "Kasper joins a talented on-air team featuring Lisa and Ray in the morning, midday host Drew Walker and 'Jax' at night."
Thursday, April 07, 2016
The People Vs. OJ Simpson
I admit it. I watched every single episode. I loved all the twists and turns, many of which I had forgotten (despite the fact that I covered this trial every single day for our radio show).
I thought it was incredibly well done (other than John Travolta's really really really weird portrayal of Robert Shapiro). My favorite part of the show was the way it focused on the behind-the-scenes stuff involving the attorneys. I thought it really humanized Marcia Clark and Chris Darden.
The subject of race was also handled deftly, I thought. There really were racists cops in the LAPD, and that Fuhrman tape proved it. When OJ was declared "not guilty", the people weren't cheering that OJ was free...they were cheering that a black man had exposed the brutality and racism of the LAPD. It felt like vindication.
OJ found out how the rest of society felt about the trial in the closing scene when he attended a party at his estate, only to discover that none of his friends were there. His friends, nearly all of whom were white, had watched the trial differently. They had no interest in celebrating a verdict that had let a guilty man free. It was a really compelling way to end the series.
Good job, FX.
Sounds of Silence
The song "Sounds of Silence" by Simon & Garfunkel is a top ten rock hit again for two big reasons. One is the cover of the song by Disturbed.
Another reason is this incredibly funny video called "Sad Ben Affleck". As a huge fan of The Graduate, I laughed out loud. This video has been viewed over 21 million times...
Another reason is this incredibly funny video called "Sad Ben Affleck". As a huge fan of The Graduate, I laughed out loud. This video has been viewed over 21 million times...
RizzOs
Guess who has a cereal? Anthony Rizzo. Crain's Chicago has the details.
I tweeted last night that I would try it (and was retweeted by Jewel--which I thought was funny), and my old pal ("The Sweetest Words in the English Language" author) Bill Holub tweeted this back to me...
I tweeted last night that I would try it (and was retweeted by Jewel--which I thought was funny), and my old pal ("The Sweetest Words in the English Language" author) Bill Holub tweeted this back to me...
@RickKaempfer That's great, I still have a box of Slamming Sammy's Frosted Flakes if you want those too. pic.twitter.com/zrVAIV8cNY
— William Holub (@holub1) April 6, 2016
Ryan Manno
The former Chicago radio man has landed in Los Angeles. From this morning's RAMP newsletter...
KOST/Los Angeles has augmented its already killer crew with the appointment of Ryan Manno as the new Senior Producer and on-air contributor for The Ellen K Morning Show. In his vitally important new position Manno (pictured here with the talented Ms. Ellen K) will be responsible for morning show guests, on-air and digital content and audio production.
Señor Manno is already a known quantity in the hallways of the company's Burbank HQ, having previously done weekends for clustermate KYSR (ALT 98.7)/Los Angeles. He also did middays for sister KFOO (ALT 102.9)/Seattle. Manno began his radio career in his hometown of Chicago as a morning show producer/on-air personality at Emmis Alternative WKQX (Q101) and also hosted NBC Chicago's Emmy-nominated JBTV. Ellen K remarked, "Ryan's morning show experience and warm personality make a great addition to the morning family we are building at KOST 103.5. I'm thrilled that he's with us!" KOST PD Michael La Crosse added, "Ryan's skill as a great producer and his engaging on-air perspective is a perfect complement to The Ellen K Morning Show."
Note that the program director Michael La Crosse is also a former Chicago radio vet (WLS-FM).
Señor Manno is already a known quantity in the hallways of the company's Burbank HQ, having previously done weekends for clustermate KYSR (ALT 98.7)/Los Angeles. He also did middays for sister KFOO (ALT 102.9)/Seattle. Manno began his radio career in his hometown of Chicago as a morning show producer/on-air personality at Emmis Alternative WKQX (Q101) and also hosted NBC Chicago's Emmy-nominated JBTV. Ellen K remarked, "Ryan's morning show experience and warm personality make a great addition to the morning family we are building at KOST 103.5. I'm thrilled that he's with us!" KOST PD Michael La Crosse added, "Ryan's skill as a great producer and his engaging on-air perspective is a perfect complement to The Ellen K Morning Show."
Note that the program director Michael La Crosse is also a former Chicago radio vet (WLS-FM).
My New Favorite Story: The Panama Papers
The incredible story of the shady law firm in Panama that helped gazillionaires around the world hide their money has officially become my new favorite story. The Washington Post this morning tells the story of how this massive data dump fell into the hands of two German reporters, who in turn, have shared it with hundreds of other reporters around the world.
Doubt the significance of this data dump? Here's a small sample of what has already been made public...
Sorry Sumner Redstone and Rupert Murdoch. We can still be friends, but I'm moving on to someone new.
Doubt the significance of this data dump? Here's a small sample of what has already been made public...
The first wave of stories — the disclosures could go on for years — has already led Iceland’s prime minister to tender his resignation over revelations of his offshore holdings. Among the thousands of people named in the documents are Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, King Salman of Saudi Arabia, Chinese President Xi Jinping’s family members, close associates of Russian President Vladimir Putin, British Prime Minister David Cameron’s late father, Ian, and soccer superstar Lionel Messi. The news reports prompted President Obama, among others, to call for international tax reform.
Sorry Sumner Redstone and Rupert Murdoch. We can still be friends, but I'm moving on to someone new.
For the Kevheads
Hey Kevheads,
Kevin Matthews and I started at the Loop the same week. They broke him in slowly, first letting him fill in on the Loop FM overnight show. I was a peon—working as an unpaid intern in the Loop promotion department. I met Kevin when Greg Solk brought him to a concert at the Hard Rock Café to see a group I can’t recall for the life of me. Suffice it to say, Kevin ended up being a bigger star than the group.
I worked pretty closely with Kevin for the next few years; initially as a worker in his manager’s office (he shared a manager with Steve & Garry for a few years). In that role, I attended virtually all of Kevin’s Comedy Jams—working backstage, procuring props (like the bladeless chainsaw Kevin liked to ram up his crotch during his set), shuffling comedians to and from the gigs, or whatever else was needed. Kevin also had me record a few voices for production bits he was creating during his stint in the 7-Midnight slot on the Loop AM.
By the next year Kevin was doing middays, and I was Steve & Garry’s producer. Every day as I prepped for Steve & Garry’s show, I had to make periodic visits to the air studio to get something during Kevin’s show, and he often asked me to go to the microphone and participate in whatever was going on at that moment.
The only proviso was that I wasn’t allowed to speak English. Seriously.
Kevin knew that I grew up in Germany, so he asked me to conduct every on-air segment with him in German. Of course, Kevin didn’t speak German, but Jimmy Shorts spoke it “fluently”. Jimmy would say some German-sounding gibberish, and I responded as if we were conducting a completely normal German conversation. This is when Kevin started referring to me as “Rick the German Boy”, a moniker that would follow me for the next fifteen years (including my years with John Landecker at a different radio station).
When I was given my own show (with Stan Lawrence called “Ebony & Ivory”), Kevin tried to convince me to do the whole show in German. I didn’t, of course, but we always did at least one German bit as an homage to Kevin. When the Loop started up a magazine called “Loop Scoop” and I was named one of the primary writers, one of my first interview subjects was Jimmy Shorts.
We did the interview in German.
People used to ask me what it was like talking to Jimmy face to face on the air: Was it weird seeing Kevin do the voice? I always gave the same answer to that question.
“I didn’t speak to Kevin. I spoke to Jim.”
And that’s a totally true statement.
If you like to see how Jim Shorts responded to this, click on the Kevhead blog and see for yourself. At least it's in English.
Wednesday, April 06, 2016
RIP Merle Haggard
He died today on his 79th birthday. TMZ has the details.
RIP Merle. In 1981 he wrote a song called "I Think I'm Gonna Live Forever"...
This Esquire piece came out the same year. Good reading.
RIP Merle. In 1981 he wrote a song called "I Think I'm Gonna Live Forever"...
This Esquire piece came out the same year. Good reading.
2-0
The Cubs are 2-0 for the first time since 1995. (I know. It's been a rough 21 years.)
I'd like to apologize in advance to my business, my writing projects, and my family because I'll be busy at least 160 more times between now and the end of the season.
Garage Sale Sign
Thanks to "JC" for finding this. We're doing a garage sale in May, but I don't think Bridget would approve. It would bring in the customers though...
Gracious in Defeat
Donald Trump's reaction to losing Wisconsin last night to Ted Cruz...
No Trump speech, but campaign issues statement on "Lyin' Ted's" WI victory pic.twitter.com/PkXmWpgNhA
— Benjy Sarlin (@BenjySarlin) April 6, 2016
As the Sumner Turns
The judge also raised concerns about who — if anyone — was looking after Mr. Redstone. He questioned whether the relationship between Mr. Redstone and his daughter was as smooth as she had described in a court filing. He also said that it was perplexing that Mr. Redstone had named Mr. Dauman as his health care agent rather than his own daughter.
Mr. Dauman is Viacom's CEO, and Sumner is the chairman of the board. Shari Redstone (his daughter) is also on the board. Very weird indeed.
It was all due to come out in court on May 6th...a day I had actually marked on my calendar. But alas, the Redstone estate finally got wise. Even if they consider the former "companion" a gold digger, it's better to pay her off than publicly explain the incredibly weird arrangement. From this morning's New York Times...
Lawyers for the ailing media mogul Sumner M. Redstone have entered settlement talks over a lawsuit brought by a former companion who has challenged his mental capacity, according to three people with knowledge of the discussions. A settlement would prevent the salacious dispute from going to trial, which had been scheduled for May 6 in Los Angeles Superior Court. It also would prevent a judge from deciding on the competency of Mr. Redstone, which could have set off succession plans for his controlling stakes in Viacom and CBS.
How much do you want, honey? How does a hundred million sound?
Tuesday, April 05, 2016
Ohio Getting Overrun by Cicadas
This is not your ordinary Cicada infestation...it's the one that happens every 17 years. Here's my favorite part of the article from the Columbus Dispatch...
50 hours of mating. Who do these cicadas think they are; Sting?
I ate a cicada once, when I was Steve & Garry's producer. (They made me). Even though it was chocolate covered, it still tasted like crunchy vomit.
That hum you hear the cicadas singing? It’s the males trying to attract a mate.The female reply is a wing flick that sounds a little like a muted finger-snap. Once the male cicada gets the go-ahead, he flits over to the female. Copulation can last from 30 minutes to 50 hours, depending on the weather, Cooley said. The longest recorded cicada mating session lasted three full days.
50 hours of mating. Who do these cicadas think they are; Sting?
I ate a cicada once, when I was Steve & Garry's producer. (They made me). Even though it was chocolate covered, it still tasted like crunchy vomit.
The Generation Gap
Great piece by Tim Clue today on his blog. Tim is an old friend (and a great writer and comedian) who cleans up on the corporate speaking circuit.
In this piece he demonstrates the generation gap by doing a game show with his audience. Easy questions for the 50+ crowd and easy questions for the 25 and under crowd...but questions that are impossible for each other to get correct.
Fascinating.
As a 50+ dad with three 25-and-unders living in the house, I can relate.
In this piece he demonstrates the generation gap by doing a game show with his audience. Easy questions for the 50+ crowd and easy questions for the 25 and under crowd...but questions that are impossible for each other to get correct.
Fascinating.
As a 50+ dad with three 25-and-unders living in the house, I can relate.
Full Year of Full Frontal
Time to set the DVR. It airs on Monday nights at 9:30 Central.
In this crazy election year, I'm missing Jon Stewart (and the old version of Stephen Colbert) tremendously. John Oliver and Sam Bee do the best job of filling those holes...even if it's just once a week each.
Cubs
At this pace (if my math is correct), the Cubs will be outscoring their opponents 1458-0.
Truth
As someone who grew up in Europe and traveled extensively in my youth, I endorse the wisdom of Mark Twain. There's something about meeting people from all over the world that makes it impossible to be prejudiced.
When we lived in Heidelberg, we even lived in a community called "Mark Twain Village". It's true.
When we lived in Heidelberg, we even lived in a community called "Mark Twain Village". It's true.
Monday, April 04, 2016
Free Excerpt from Records Truly is My Middle Name (Stevie Wonder & MLK)
April 4th, 1968 is a momentous day in American history. John Landecker remembers it well, and tells the story in his book. From "Records Truly Is My Middle Name", page 68...
I can tell you the exact date of my most memorable experience at WILS-Lansing. It was April 4, 1968. We had a very special guest in the studio that day; Stevie Wonder. Stevie was a big star at the time for Motown Records in Detroit, but he also supported a local school for the blind in Lansing, so he came to town semi-regularly. The music director at WILS (Craig Dudley) knew Stevie, and knew that he loved playing disc jockey, so he invited him to come to our station, sit at the control board, play records, and talk on the air.
I was there that day, and was lucky enough to watch him in action. It was just an amazing sight. He cued up the records, turned the knobs, turned the microphones on and off; you name it. Even though he couldn’t see a thing, he knew exactly what he was doing. There were a few Motown Records employees with him, but he was doing it all by himself. I was standing in the back of the studio watching the whole thing, in awe of his abilities.
That’s when the news came across the wire that Martin Luther King Jr. had been shot.
At first it wasn’t clear if King was dead or not, but we all suspected he was. An instant tension filled the room. The Motown executives didn’t say a thing. None of the radio station employees (including me) responded, and neither did Stevie. But we all knew we were experiencing a significant moment.
Even though this clearly affected him, Stevie was a total pro. He finished the show.
I can tell you the exact date of my most memorable experience at WILS-Lansing. It was April 4, 1968. We had a very special guest in the studio that day; Stevie Wonder. Stevie was a big star at the time for Motown Records in Detroit, but he also supported a local school for the blind in Lansing, so he came to town semi-regularly. The music director at WILS (Craig Dudley) knew Stevie, and knew that he loved playing disc jockey, so he invited him to come to our station, sit at the control board, play records, and talk on the air.
I was there that day, and was lucky enough to watch him in action. It was just an amazing sight. He cued up the records, turned the knobs, turned the microphones on and off; you name it. Even though he couldn’t see a thing, he knew exactly what he was doing. There were a few Motown Records employees with him, but he was doing it all by himself. I was standing in the back of the studio watching the whole thing, in awe of his abilities.
That’s when the news came across the wire that Martin Luther King Jr. had been shot.
At first it wasn’t clear if King was dead or not, but we all suspected he was. An instant tension filled the room. The Motown executives didn’t say a thing. None of the radio station employees (including me) responded, and neither did Stevie. But we all knew we were experiencing a significant moment.
Even though this clearly affected him, Stevie was a total pro. He finished the show.
Radio is Going to Hal
Dick Taylor is a radio vet who writes a blog. This post is really good. It's all about how radio has become like the HAL computer in the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey.
Really it's about the pros and cons of the computer-run radio world; an inside-baseball sort of piece for people in the industry.
Most Popular Decade?
Actually, I thought all three of them were very well done.
Pioneering Blogger is Back
He's not returning to blog, however. He's returning as a long-form writer at New York Magazine.
The New York Times has the details.
RIP Dave Mitchell
Sad news. Longtime WBBM News Radio anchor Dave Mitchell passed away yesterday in a car accident. He was only 60 years old.
CBS Chicago has the details.
Sunday, April 03, 2016
The BTB Golf Outing
The BTB Golf outing this year is helping to raise money for my cousin Derek's family among others. Derek's 3-year-old son Caleb is in the hospital right now, slowly recovering from a stem cell transplant he received to help treat Neuroblastoma (a cancer of the adrenal gland).
But the BTB Golf Outing is much more than just a fundraiser, and it's completely different from any golf outing you've ever attended. It's a fun time for everyone who wants to participate. This video does a great job of explaining what it is...
There are four different ways to help.
1) You can just golf ($150)
2) You can just go to the dinner ($75 a head...or $750 a table)
3) You can golf and go to dinner ($200)
4) Or you can simply donate
Go to the BTB Foundation website (http://www.btbfoundation.org/) and help us out today. Anything you can do to help would be greatly appreciated.
But the BTB Golf Outing is much more than just a fundraiser, and it's completely different from any golf outing you've ever attended. It's a fun time for everyone who wants to participate. This video does a great job of explaining what it is...
There are four different ways to help.
1) You can just golf ($150)
2) You can just go to the dinner ($75 a head...or $750 a table)
3) You can golf and go to dinner ($200)
4) Or you can simply donate
Go to the BTB Foundation website (http://www.btbfoundation.org/) and help us out today. Anything you can do to help would be greatly appreciated.
Friday, April 01, 2016
These Guys Are Having Too Much Fun
The #Bryzzo Souvenir Company is open for business! https://t.co/s8TGWcoINB #THIShttps://t.co/wcETatTMyH
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) April 1, 2016
Fool Songs
Ron Smith, the author of several books about Chicago music charts, posted this on his facebook page this morning...
My two favorites never charted...
Here are all the "Fool" songs to chart in Chicago from 1956 to 1990..
The Fools Hall Of Fame-Paul Anka
I’m A Fool To Care-Joe Barry
Fools Rush In (Where Angels Fear To Tread)-Brook Benton
Fooled Around And Fell In Love-Elvin Bishop
A Fool Am I-Cilla Black
I Pity The Fool-Bobby Bland
Fools Hall Of fame-Pat Boone
Foolish Heart-Sharon Bryant
Nobody’s Fool-Cinderella
The Fool-Sanford Clark
Love’s Made A Fool Of You-Cochise
Take A Fool’s Advice-Nat “King” Cole
Don't Ever Be Lonely (A Poor Little Fool Like Me)-Cornelius Bros. & Sister Rose
You Were Only Fooling (While I Was Falling In Love)-Vic Damone
What Kind Of Fool Am I-Sammy Davis, Jr.
What Kind Of Fool Do You Think I Am-Bill Deal & the Rhondels
Foolin’-Def Leppard
I’m A Fool-Dino, Desi & Billy
What A Fool Believes-Doobie Brothers
Hello Fool-Ralph Emery
I Was Such A Fool (To Fall In Love With You)-Flamingos
I’m No Fool Anymore-Flamingos
Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool-Connie Francis
I Was Such A Fool (To Fall In Love With You)-Connie Francis
Chain Of Fools-Aretha Franklin
Love’s Made A Fool Of You-Bobby Fuller Four
Foolish Beat-Debbie Gibson
She’s A Fool-Lesley Gore
Dancin’ Fool-Guess Who
Foolish Pride-Daryl Hall
Fool For You-Impressions
Seven Day Fool-Etta James
Fool #1-Brenda Lee
Nobody’s Fool-Kenny Loggins
Oh Me Oh My I'm A Fool For You Baby-Lulu
Everybody Plays The Fool-Main Ingredient
The Fool On The Hill-Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66
Another Fool Like Me-Ned Miller
Fools Rush In-Rick Nelson
Poor Little Fool-Rick Nelson
They Call Me The Fool-Nick Noble
Foolish Heart-Steve Perry
Don't Let The Green Grass Fool You-Wilson Pickett
(Now And Then There's) A Fool Such As I-Elvis Presley
Fool-Elvis Presley
Find Another Fool-Quarterflash
If You Gotta Make A Fool Of Somebody-James Ray
Fool (If You Think It’s Over)-Chris Rea
Who Will The Next Fool Be-Charlie Rich
Don’t Fool With Fu Manchu-Rockin' Ramrods
Fool To Cry-Rolling Stones
Why Do Fools Fall In Love-Diana Ross
Foolish Little Girl-Shirelles
Fool Me-Joe South
What Kind Of Fool Am I-Rick Springfield
Foolin’ Around-Kay Starr
One More Fool And One More Broken Heart-Gene Stridel
What Kind Of Fool (Do You Think I Am)-Tams
A Fool For A Fool-Ike & Tina Turner
A Fool In Love-Ike & Tina Turner
Poor Fool-Ike & Tina Turner
Portrait Of A Fool-Conway Twitty
I Make A Fool Of Myself-Frankie Valli
The April Fools-Dionne Warwick
Won’t Get Fooled Again-Who
A Fool Never Learns-Andy Williams
My Foolish Heart-Nancy Wilson
Fools Paradise-Bobby Wood
If I’m A Fool For Loving You-Bobby Wood
Ship Of Fools (Save Me From Tomorrow)-World Party
Who’s Fooling Who-Gordon Young
My two favorites never charted...
April Fools
BREAKING: National Geographic will immediately stop publishing nude animal pictures. https://t.co/mFz5WzL0Mc pic.twitter.com/0voR1PMUuj
— Nat Geo Photography (@NatGeoPhotos) April 1, 2016
Brilliant Cartoon
Today's @BillBramhall... #AprilFools https://t.co/OmHhGXyIpo pic.twitter.com/PSSc6MqNsf
— New York Daily News (@NYDailyNews) April 1, 2016
Lauren O'Neil
You can read it here.
Why Does Donald Get So Much TV Airtime?
MSNBC, the third rated all-news station, won the night.
He may be destroying our democracy, but he sure is bringing in big ratings for the television networks. As long as he does that, he will get all the airtime he wants.
Killing Radio in San Francisco
My condolences to the many people at those two stations who were fired yesterday. Here's what the boss told the staff.
Radio Hall of Fame Nominations
From this morning's Radio Online...
The 28th Annual National Radio Hall of Fame Induction ceremony and celebration will take place on Thursday evening, November 17 at the Museum of Broadcast Communications in Chicago. Today, industry members are encouraged to submit nominations for the Class of 2016 inductees via email to nominations@radiohof.org. The last day to submit suggestions to the Nominating Committee is Friday, May 6 at midnight ET.
National Radio Hall of Fame Chairman Kraig T. Kitchin comments, "This is one of the best times in preparing for the induction ceremony because we get to see firsthand the tremendous amount of talented people who deserve recognition. It's a proud moment for everyone involved."
Nominations should be made for individuals in the following categories: Longstanding Local/Regional (20 years or more), Active Local/Regional (10 years or more), Networks/Syndication (10 years or more), Longstanding Network/Syndication (20 years or more), Music Format On-Air Personality, and/or Spoken Word On-Air Personality.
National Radio Hall of Fame Chairman Kraig T. Kitchin comments, "This is one of the best times in preparing for the induction ceremony because we get to see firsthand the tremendous amount of talented people who deserve recognition. It's a proud moment for everyone involved."
Nominations should be made for individuals in the following categories: Longstanding Local/Regional (20 years or more), Active Local/Regional (10 years or more), Networks/Syndication (10 years or more), Longstanding Network/Syndication (20 years or more), Music Format On-Air Personality, and/or Spoken Word On-Air Personality.
Thursday, March 31, 2016
Around the Publishing World (March 31)
Today we share tips from published authors...
1. Writing Tips from James Lee Burke
Edgar-winner James Lee Burke is the bestselling author of more than 30 books, most recently House of the Rising.
2. Dr. Who Writer Gives Novel Writing Tips
Sci-fi writers take note. This comes from the Birmingham Mail in England.
3. Top Ten Tips for Writers by Author Carol Goodman
Carol Goodman is the award winning author of "The Lake of Dead Languages" and "River Road"
4. Self publishing tips from indie author Jessica Loury
A self-published author is also published. Don't be a snob. Jessica has some very valuable advice.
5. Author Kevin Kruse: 50 Writing Tips from 15 Years as an Author
This treasure trove of advice comes from the pages of Forbes Magazine.
6. Emmy Award-winning comedy writer Cheri Steinkellner explains "How to Write Funnier"
CNN’s Town Hall Sets Cable News Ratings Record
It was the highest rated cable news show of all time, peaking, of course, when Donald Trump was on.
Deadline Hollywood has the ratings details.
Anthony Headed to Rehab
I'm not a fan, but I always support those who take this step. From this morning's Tom Taylor column...
Anthony Cumia is “headed to rehab,” says TheBlaze.com. After being fired by SiriusXM from the “Opie & Anthony Channel” in 2014 following an angry incident and some tweets, Anthony launched his own subscription audio business. But TheBlaze reports yesterday’s quote from “The Anthony Cumia Show” – “I’m gonna be away. I will not see the month of April here...Saturday, I am taking a plane out of here. Let’s just say relaxing, learning, ‘rehabilitating’ is a word that could be used.” He recently got in trouble following what appeared to be a violent encounter with a girlfriend who Periscoped the thing live.
Wednesday, March 30, 2016
Ten Years of Blogging: A Bonus Father Knows Nothing
Sean had been harboring some suspicions about whether or not the tooth fairy really existed.
“Dad,” he said, totally seriously, “I noticed that your pile of gold dollars is gone. What happened to it?”
“We spent them all,” I said, truthfully.
“So, we have ZERO gold dollars in this house right now?”
“That’s right.”
“And the banks are closed, right?”
“Right.”
“Well,” he said, exposing his smile, and pointing to the new hole where a tooth had just come out, “I guess we’re finally going to find out the truth tonight.”
“The truth about what?” I asked.
“The tooth fairy.”
“How?”
“Well,” he reasoned, “Every other time the tooth fairy has come, there was a pile of gold dollars in the kitchen. How could I know for sure if it was really the tooth fairy leaving me a gold dollar, or if it was YOU!”
He pointed as he accused.
“Me? What am I going to do with a used tooth?”
“I don’t know,” he said, his finger still pointing. “But I’ve got my eye on you. Now that I know you don’t have any gold dollars in the house, and that the bank is closed so you can’t get any more, I’ll know. If I wake up in the morning and a gold dollar is there, the tooth fairy is real. I’ll let my friends know. We’ve been talking about it at school.”
“Sounds like a plan,” I said.
The next morning he came to the breakfast table with his toothless grin. “Dad,” he said. “I want you to swear on the Bible that you didn’t go to the bank last night and get some more gold dollars.”
“I swear,” I answered truthfully. “The bank was closed.”
“Then we have our answer,” he said. “The tooth fairy is real.”
When his big brothers rolled their eyes, he pounced. “It’s true! There’s no way Mom or Dad could have gotten a gold coin under my pillow because they don’t even have gold coins in the house right now. There’s no question about it. The tooth fairy is real. Right, Dad?”
“Sounds like you’ve got some pretty airtight evidence there,” I said.
Sean looked me right in the eye. “You know, Dad, I’m going to tell my friends that this is true now. Is there anything else you’d like to say to me before I go to school? One last chance?”
It took all of my earthly restraint not to smile. He was letting me know in no uncertain terms that his credibility was at stake here, and he’d never forgive me if I led him astray.
What would you have done?
I just smiled, patted him on the head, and walked away.
The kind of thing that would keep me up at night
From deadspin.com...
Of the more than three million NCAA Tournament brackets entered on Yahoo, no one’s has more points than James Kiki’s. He nailed some early upsets. He had seven of the Elite Eight teams correct. He has a perfect Final Four. He is tied with two other people for first overall, just three games away from a $50,000 grand prize. James Kiki will not win. Here is his bracket. He forgot to pick a national champion.
“I don’t even want to think about it,” Kiki told Syracuse.com.
Duncan Keith
An obvious no-no. He deserves a suspension. But it's not like he did it for no reason. How did he end up on his back on the ice in the first place?
We'll Be Right Back After These Messages
Even the powers that be in radio are starting to realize that may be a little too long.
Of course, radio is only worried about it now because advertisers are complaining that their messages are being lost in the clutter. Believe me, they aren't worried about you, the listener.
I'm just one guy who isn't even in the business anymore, but I've long advocated that everything would change for the better if radio started caring about the listeners again.
I recognize that this is a radical position in the radio business.
But here's some tough love, radio. Nobody will sit through a long commercial break anymore. Ever.
The fact that this is only now dawning on you is shocking.
We all tune out. All of us. I'm not just talking about those young folks you complain about with their short attention spans. It's all of us. I'm 52, and I've loved radio my whole life. I also have to listen because I write a monthly column about radio. But even I am listening less and less.
I understand the pressures radio faces. Most stations are in deep debt. They are struggling to stay afloat financially--so all of their energy goes into bringing in money. It takes twice as much effort to make half as much money these days. But I'd love to see what would happen if a little more time was spent working on the listening experience, and what effect that would have on bringing in money.
I wrote a novel called "$everance" a decade ago. It was a satire about the business, and it was kind of ridiculous at the time...on purpose. In the book (once again--a satire) the CEOs took what I was already seeing in the business to the logical extreme. At that time they thought of their employees as "money makers" or "money takers", so I had a character suggest that all "money takers" be taken out of the equation completely. I was kidding. It was supposed to be ridiculous.
Now it's virtually true. Money takers have slowly but surely been marginalized further and further. The air personalities, program directors, music directors, producers, production directors, and promotion departments have become mere after-thoughts.
Unfortunately for you, radio station owners, it turns out those people weren't just there to spend your money. They were there to attract your audience, and to keep them there. They are the reason we listened in the first place. They are your product. When you don't care about your listeners, AND you don't care about your product, what do you think is going to happen?
I keep reading these industry newsletters that mention numbers proving that radio is not losing listeners, and that the medium is as relevant as it ever was. Okey doke. But I live in a non-radio world now, and you know who talks to me about radio in that world?
Nobody.
I'm sorry to be so blunt about it, but as Cher said in Moonstruck...
Tuesday, March 29, 2016
RIP Patty Duke
Dead at 69.
She won an Academy Award for "The Miracle Worker", but to me, she'll always be identical twin cousins...
She won an Academy Award for "The Miracle Worker", but to me, she'll always be identical twin cousins...
Free Excerpt: The Daly News (Commentary March 29, 1977)
One of the gems contained in "The Daly News" by Joel Daly is his treasure trove of nightly commentaries. He delivered them every night on ABC-7 in Chicago. This is the one he delivered on March 29, 1977, about the DC-3 airplane. Joel was also a pilot...
Commentary - March 29, 1977
It wasn’t much of an incident, really: An old cargo plane veered off a runway at O’Hare and was destroyed. The two crewmen escaped with burns.
In the wake of the Canary Island tragedy, the story barely rated a mention, except in connection with the weather.
“A twin-engine plane,” said most experts, “propeller-driven.” Only parenthetically was it identified as a DC-3.
A DC-3. It’s not that I’m ancient. But, I suddenly realized an entire generation has grown up on big, silver airplanes that push their way through the air instead of grabbing for it with powerful propellers.
The airplane destroyed last night at O’Hare was more than a “twin-engine, propeller-driven relic.” It was one of the greatest airplanes ever built!
The DC-3 literally rescued our floundering airline industry, back in the ‘30’s. By the time production ended in 1945, the DC-3 probably represented nearly half the planes in the sky. It was still toting guns during Viet Nam.
Military pilots lovingly called it the gooney bird. One of them wrote: “It rattled, it protested, it leaked oil, it ran hot, it ran cold, and it ran rough. It staggered along on hot days, and scared you half to death. Its wings flexed and twisted in a horrifying manner. It sank back to earth with a great sigh of relief. But, it flew and flew and flew. Honest faithful and magnificent machine that it was.”
Forty years later, some 3,000 are still in the air. The DC-3 is half as old as aviation itself. And, more than any other airplane, responsible for its growth.
That’s why I felt the old gooney that burned last night deserved a better obituary. After all those years and all those hours, in all that weather, fate had to sneak up on her—on the ground—when she wasn’t looking.
Truth
Thanks to "SC" for this one. It doesn't apply to me, of course, because I spent the 70s and 80s in the library and church (when I wasn't feeding elderly shut-ins), but I know a few people this applies to...
The collapse of Radio’s iHeartMedia
I've been following this story for nearly a decade now. The chickens are coming home to roost. Medialife Magazine takes a deeper look at the inevitable collapse, coming soon to a radio dial near you.
Easter Candy
Just wondering. How many jelly beans do you have to eat before your teeth fall out? Asking for a friend.
Who are the biggest liars?
Whenever you start a conversation about politicians, it's only a matter of time before someone says "They're all liars". And yet, even among the "liars", Hillary is regarded as the biggest liar. Therefore, you may be a little surprised to discover this. From this morning's Guardian...
I'd recommend this article written by former New York Times editor-in-chief Jill Abramson, who has investigated Hillary pretty much continuously for the past twenty five years. The title of the article is "This May Shock You: Hillary Clinton is Fundamentally Honest".
Of course, there is a caveat--she is way too secretive and protective of her privacy--which often leads to the appearance of being dishonest. But when the actual substance is investigated...turns out she is the most honest of all the remaining candidates.
I realize that may not be a high bar, but these are the choices we have left.
As for her statements on issues, Politifact, a Pulitzer prize-winning fact-checking organization, gives Clinton the best truth-telling record of any of the 2016 presidential candidates. She beats Sanders and Kasich and crushes Cruz and Trump, who has the biggest “pants on fire” rating and has told whoppers about basic economics that are embarrassing for anyone aiming to be president.
I'd recommend this article written by former New York Times editor-in-chief Jill Abramson, who has investigated Hillary pretty much continuously for the past twenty five years. The title of the article is "This May Shock You: Hillary Clinton is Fundamentally Honest".
Of course, there is a caveat--she is way too secretive and protective of her privacy--which often leads to the appearance of being dishonest. But when the actual substance is investigated...turns out she is the most honest of all the remaining candidates.
I realize that may not be a high bar, but these are the choices we have left.
When you go after a nationality
It happened here in Chicago during World War I, and Chicago was fundamentally changed by it. Before World War I, one in every four citizens was of German descent.
Then signs like this starting popping up...
Yes, there was a war going on, but after these signs do you think the Germans in America were more or less likely to support America?
DNAinfo has more pictures and more of the story.
Then signs like this starting popping up...
Yes, there was a war going on, but after these signs do you think the Germans in America were more or less likely to support America?
DNAinfo has more pictures and more of the story.
A WBEZ/WTTW Partnership
From this morning's Tom Taylor NOW column...
“An unprecedented collaboration” begins between Chicago’s pubradio WBEZ/91.5 and the newsroom at public TV’s WTTW/Channel 11. Ben Calhoun’s the VP of Content and programming for Chicago Public Media’s news/talk WBEZ, and he says “there’s so much shared genetics.” Window to the World-owned WTTW has put a robotic camera in the second-story Navy Pier newsroom of WBEZ, so its talent can go live on Channel 11’s “Chicago Tonight.” While they’ve put a high-speed fiber line in at the TV studio, so people there can participate on WBEZ’s news and talk shows.
Monday, March 28, 2016
Free Excerpt: Records Truly Is My Middle Name (John's Birthday)
Three years ago today, Eckhartz Press released our best selling book "Records Truly Is My Middle Name" by John Records Landecker (and Rick Kaempfer). It was released on John's 66th birthday, which means that John turns 69 years old today. It seems like a good day to feature an excerpt from the book describing John's actual birth day. Enjoy this free excerpt, and happy birthday John!
There’s an old expression about the month of March; in like a lion and out like a lamb. Not necessarily. At 5:14 pm on March 28, 1947 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the lion was roaring.
Outside their small apartment on Washington Heights in Ann Arbor there was a white-out blizzard accompanied by sub-zero temperatures. Inside, Werner & Marjorie contemplated their situation. Marjorie’s water had broken.
After clearing a path and walking very cautiously, Werner got Marjorie safely into the front seat and then prayed to the ignition gods that the car would start. It did. Since the weather was so bad, traffic was extremely light. That gave Werner the luxury of using the entire road to travel the relatively short distance to St. Joseph Hospital. With his right hand on the wheel, he used his left to open the window and reach out to help the overburdened windshield wipers keep the snow off the windshield so he could see where he was going.
Even though the temperature was below zero and the wind was howling, a small line of perspiration formed on Werner’s forehead. As was her way, Marjorie was calm and reassured her husband that he was doing a great job getting them to the hospital and all would be well. When the car finally came to a stop at the entrance to the hospital, things began to move rather quickly. At approximately 7:40 pm on the evening of March 28, 1947, Werner Sigmund Landecker and Marjorie Victoria Landecker had a son.
That son was me.
I came out face first; a metaphor for how I would live the rest of my life. My face was covered with deep bruises, and my neck was grotesquely out of alignment. The bruises would fade, but the neck treatment required me to be placed between two sandbags until the neck and head assumed the proper position.
When they were sure I was healthy, they realized I needed a name. John was their choice for the first name and obviously Landecker for the last. In a nod to my mother’s upbringing, they chose her maiden name, Records, as my middle name.
They had no way of knowing that their son would become a radio disc jockey, or that this name they had chosen would become my unlikely calling card.
But it is an absolutely true story. One that I have had to tell many, many times. One that my mother and father had to tell many, many times.
Even though nobody believes it: Records Truly is My Middle Name.
(Records Truly Is My Middle Name is still available via Eckhartz Press)
Serbian War Criminal Sentenced
One of the main characters of Brent Petersen's excellent Eckhartz Press novel "Truffle Hunt" is an on-the-lam Serbian war criminal. Brent writes on his blog today about a real life story that mirrors the story told in Truffle Hunt.
You can read it here.
Smashing Pumpkins Reunion
Last night they played together for the first time in 16 years.
Story and videos at this link.
12 Year Old Soccer Player
As a father of a soccer player the same age, all I can say is WOW.
You will never be as good at anything as Barcelona's 12-year-olds are at soccer https://t.co/9vjX93Nj64 pic.twitter.com/6mYyEsbUFE
— Deadspin (@Deadspin) March 28, 2016
Obama "optics" versus Reagan "optics"
One intrepid reporter took that premise and looked at similar events during the presidency of Ronald Reagan; a saint to all of those screaming for Obama's head. Turns out there are photos that co-incide with significant dates in his presidency as well.
Check them out here.
Make your own conclusions.
Trump Vs. Matthews
Donald Trump has agreed to appear in a townhall hosted by Matthews. It will air on March 30th.
I had vowed to stop watching Trump's appearances, but this one might be worth watching.
The Larry Sanders Show
The Hollywood Reporter has the details.
I'll watch every episode again.
Bees Swarm Cubs
Yesterday's Cubs game had to be stopped temporarily because the field was swarmed with bees...
Jason Heyward of the Cubs was stung ten times...
He wasn't seriously impacted by it, however. He later hit a homer.
Jason Heyward of the Cubs was stung ten times...
He wasn't seriously impacted by it, however. He later hit a homer.
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