Wednesday, April 13, 2016
Turns Out Steve Miller is Also Kind of a Jag
I applauded Steve Miller's comments about being forced to pay big bucks for his band at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ceremony. That is BS--inductees should be treated better. But it also turns out that Steve Miller treated the band who inducted him badly, and they had nothing to do with that surcharge. They were there as his fans.
Now realize that this was printed in Rolling Stone Magazine, and the magazine's founder is a also a founder of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but it's clear the Black Keys weren't being coerced to say what they said. This is part of Rolling Stone's interview with Black Keys leader Dan Auerbach, and I think you can get a true feel for Steve Miller's character...
Now realize that this was printed in Rolling Stone Magazine, and the magazine's founder is a also a founder of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but it's clear the Black Keys weren't being coerced to say what they said. This is part of Rolling Stone's interview with Black Keys leader Dan Auerbach, and I think you can get a true feel for Steve Miller's character...
What do you think about what's happened the past four days?
Um, well, I guess Pat and I definitely... [Pauses] I guess we felt, I don't know, we read a lot of things and we got a really uncomfortable feeling when we first met Steve. He had no idea who we were. No idea. The first thing he told us was, "I can't wait to get out of here." He knew that we signed up to do this speech for him. And he made no effort to even [laughs uncomfortably] — he didn't even figure out who we were. I don't live in New York City. This is like three days out of my life flying from Nashville and leaving my kids at home. It was just a real eye-opener for us. Because as we get older, I hope that when I'm in my twilight years, I can look back and be grateful to the people who have appreciated me and to be able to give back. Because music is about sharing and passing on inspiration and that was his opportunity to do that; not just lashing out in a way that was just completely unfocused.
What was your initial reaction when you realized that he didn't know or care who you were?
Pat and I were both definitely disappointed, to say the least. But you never really know what to expect when you meet quote unquote "superstars." Rock & roll superstars, it used to be different for them. Playing stadiums and selling millions and millions of albums. It's almost like he doesn't have respect for the younger generations and how hard it is in the business today. When he made his first record, he did it at Olympic Studios with Glyn Johns. Pat and I made our first record in a basement with broken gear. But we were there for the same reasons. Because we love music and because I felt like we had a connection just because I come from a place where I love blues music and so does he. And at least we had that connection, but that ended up not mattering in the end.
‘The People v. O.J. Simpson’ Finishes as Cable’s Most-Watched New Show of 2016
Turns out, O.J. still has the juice.
Variety has the details...
Variety has the details...
It was Tuesday’s No. 1 program on television during its run among adults 18-34 and No. 2 behind only NBC’s “The Voice” in 18-49. Among all scripted dramas to have aired multiple times this spring, the FX series ranks second in adults 18-49 on cable (behind only AMC’s “The Walking Dead”) and seventh overall, according to Nielsen’s “live plus-3” estimates. Inclusive of linear and non-linear viewing through the first eight episodes, the limited series was averaging 12.7 million total viewers each week. It is anticipated that this average will hold and likely increase with the final two episodes and the accumulation of non-linear viewing in the weeks and months to follow.
$8.8 Billion for March Madness
The TV deal for March Madness has been secured through 2032. The price tag: $8.8 billion.
Can't you understand why players may see a story like this and think..."Why don't we get paid again?"
As the Sumner Turns
Don't look now, but it appears the Redstone soap opera is not over yet. In true soap opera fashion, there's been a last second twist. From Tom Taylor's column this morning...
“Settlement talks between Sumner Redstone and ex-girlfriend Manuela Herzer hit a roadblock.” Uh-oh. That’s Meg James at the L.A. Times, and that could mean more lurid headlines about the controlling shareholder of CBS and Viacom, if they don’t patch things up before the trial on Herzer’s lawsuit about Sumner’s mental competency. Of course what we really want to know (gossip-wise) is how much money is on the table. The Times hears that “Herzer would have received $25 million to $30 million to end her claim.” Apparently that (plus whatever else was in the incentive package) wasn’t sufficient. The next events we know about are the depositions of Sumner’s daughter Shari Redstone (the new guardian of Sumner’s health care) and Viacom Executive Chair/CEO Philippe Dauman. Philippe took health-care guardianship when Herzer was asked to leave Sumner’s house last October. This week there’s a new flap in Hollywood, over whether Sumner agreed to sell part of Viacom’s Paramount movie division (per Dauman) or not (as Paramount Chair Brad Grey maintains). The judge in the Herzer case continues to be baffled by the lack of a statement from the man this is all about – Sumner.
Pardon me, but there's nothing baffling about the lack of a statement from Sumner. The man is now a vegetable, and everyone in this case knows it but the judge. If he still had his faculties he would shouting from the rooftops. That's the way he was for the first 90 years of his life.
Pardon me, but there's nothing baffling about the lack of a statement from Sumner. The man is now a vegetable, and everyone in this case knows it but the judge. If he still had his faculties he would shouting from the rooftops. That's the way he was for the first 90 years of his life.
Tuesday, April 12, 2016
Chicago is Catching Cubs Fever
It's an illness that lays dormant for years at a time, but when it comes out, it infects a huge portion of the Chicago population. That is apparently the case right now...
Last night's thrilling #Cubs win on WGN was our highest-rated game in 8 years. Details: https://t.co/5WE2daF7kT pic.twitter.com/J4cMd4KzgR
— WGNTV (@WGNTV) April 12, 2016
Top 100 Talkers
For 2016, Cochran moves up to #50, making him the highest ranked Chicago host.
With his return to terrestrial radio in 2014, heard weekday afternoons on WLS-AM, Steve Dahl also made his return to the Talkers "Heavy Hundred" list for the first time in many years in 2015, ranked at #57. This year, the National Radio Hall of Fame host Dahl was once again ranked at #57.
WGN-AM's new afternoon host Roe Conn returns to the list, ranked at #74 -- the same ranking he held in 2015. In 2014, Conn and former radio partner Richard Roeper, then with WLS-AM, were ranked #54 (down from #52 in 2013 and #49 in 2012).
WGN-AM's midday hosts Bill Leff and Wendy Snyder make their first-ever appearance in the "Heavy Hundred" list this year. The funny radio duo came in at #81.
No other Chicago-only talk show hosts made this list.
Why do old stereos sound better than new ones?
This Week in 1945
This week during the last year the Cubs went to the World Series...
World War II Rages On
*But it rages on without the American president. On the afternoon of April 12, Franklin Delano Roosevelt is in Warm Springs Georgia. He says, "I have a terrific pain in the back of my head." He then slumps forward in his chair, unconscious, and is carried into his bedroom. The president's attending cardiologist, Dr. Howard Bruenn, diagnoses a massive cerebral hemorrhage (stroke). At 3:35 p.m., Roosevelt dies.
*Vice President Harry S. Truman becomes the 33rd President.
*Franklin D. Roosevelt is buried on the grounds of his Hyde Park home in New York.
*Meanwhile, in the Pacific, America suffers another devastating loss. Ernie Pyle (photo), the American journalist chronicling the war, is killed by Japanese machine gun fire on the island of Ie Shima off Okinawa.
*And in Germany, the Red Army begins the Battle of Berlin, and U.S. troops enter Nuremberg. They are closing in on Hitler from every direction.
In Chicago
*The city is mourning the loss of their President, although not everyone is so shaken up. Colonel Robert R. McCormick, the publisher of the Chicago Tribune, hated Roosevelt's guts. His paper had called The New Deal "Communism." It was opposed to the war--a leader of the "America First" movement. They also kept a countdown of the number of days until Roosevelt's term was over. Despite this, the Tribune did manage to be respectful the day FDR died. Only one headline hinted at the Colonel's true feelings. Here are the headlines in his Chicago Tribune...
*As the headlines in the Tribune indicate, the Cubs and White Sox are in the midst of a crosstown exhibition series. Just like clockwork, the unseasonably warm weather left town as soon as our baseball teams arrived. It is frigid on April 12th when they play the first game of the series at Comiskey Park. Only 2200 or so fans showed up to watch the Cubs crush the White Sox 15-3. The rest of the series is canceled because of President Roosevelt's death.
*Opening day for the Cubs arrives on April 17th. They face their strongest rival, the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cubs win 3-2 at Wrigley Field in front of 11,785 fans at Wrigley, thanks to a walk-off single by second baseman Don Johnson in the bottom of the ninth. Bill Nicholson homers too. The game is played in honor of Franklin D. Roosevelt, who had thrown out the first pitch at Wrigley Field during the 1932 World Series.
*The Cubs are surprised by an arrival in the clubhouse before the game: holdout outfielder Peanuts Lowrey. Charlie Grimm, still angry about the holdout, tells Lowrey that he won't just be given his starting job back-- but his anger doesn't last long. Lowrey will start for most of the 1945 season.
*In St. Louis, one armed outfielder Pete Gray plays his first game for the St. Louis Browns. He goes 1 for 4.
In Pop Culture
*“A medal for Benny” starring Dorothy Lamour is released April 16. John Steinbeck wrote the screenplay and will be nominated for an Academy Award.
*Richard Strauss completes his "Metamorphosis"
Birthdays
*Joseph Ratzinger—later known as Pope Benedict XVI—turns 18 in war-torn Germany. (Photo)
*William Holden turns 27. He is serving in the Army making training films
*Harold Washington celebrates his 23rd birthday while serving in a segregated unit of the Air Force in the Phillipines. He and his unit are building runways.
*Rod Steiger's 20th birthday finds him serving as a torpedoman in the US Navy in the Pacific.
*Herbie Hancock turns 5. He is already considered a child prodigy, and lives in Chicago.
*Two future celebrities are born: Tony Dow in Hollywood, and Ritchie Blackmore in Weston-super-Mare, England.
Cub of the week
Bill Nicholson is the most feared slugger in the National League. He is coming off an MVP-caliber season in 1944, in which he led the league in HR and RBI, and came only one vote short of winning the MVP Award. He was so feared in 1944, that one game against the Giants, after he had hit home runs in his previous four at-bats, he was intentionally walked with the bases loaded.
He doesn't know it yet, but 1945 will be the beginning of the end for him. His eyesight is going because he has diabetes, and it won't be diagnosed for awhile. It also affects his swing. He can no longer hit the high heat. Leo Durocher, manager of the Dodgers, tells his team that anyone who pitches him waist down will be fined.
Nicholson is the starting right fielder for the Cubs in 1945, and hits a homer opening day, but he will finish the year with only 13 home runs and 88 RBI, a far cry from his glory days (1940-1944). He will remain a Cub, however, for another three seasons after this. They eventually ship him out to Philadelphia, who converts him into a pinch hitter. He retires after the 1952 season.
World War II Rages On
*But it rages on without the American president. On the afternoon of April 12, Franklin Delano Roosevelt is in Warm Springs Georgia. He says, "I have a terrific pain in the back of my head." He then slumps forward in his chair, unconscious, and is carried into his bedroom. The president's attending cardiologist, Dr. Howard Bruenn, diagnoses a massive cerebral hemorrhage (stroke). At 3:35 p.m., Roosevelt dies.
*Vice President Harry S. Truman becomes the 33rd President.
*Franklin D. Roosevelt is buried on the grounds of his Hyde Park home in New York.
*Meanwhile, in the Pacific, America suffers another devastating loss. Ernie Pyle (photo), the American journalist chronicling the war, is killed by Japanese machine gun fire on the island of Ie Shima off Okinawa.
*And in Germany, the Red Army begins the Battle of Berlin, and U.S. troops enter Nuremberg. They are closing in on Hitler from every direction.
In Chicago
*The city is mourning the loss of their President, although not everyone is so shaken up. Colonel Robert R. McCormick, the publisher of the Chicago Tribune, hated Roosevelt's guts. His paper had called The New Deal "Communism." It was opposed to the war--a leader of the "America First" movement. They also kept a countdown of the number of days until Roosevelt's term was over. Despite this, the Tribune did manage to be respectful the day FDR died. Only one headline hinted at the Colonel's true feelings. Here are the headlines in his Chicago Tribune...
ROOSEVELT IS DEAD!In Baseball
(Mayor) Kelly Voice(s) Shock and Sorrow
PUBLIC SCHOOLS OPEN TODAY; HOLD SERVICES
Roosevelt Funeral Set for 4 Tomorrow
President's Body Is Borne from Southern Home
WASHINGTON AWAITS FUNERAL TRAIN
TRUMAN FACING WAR, PEACE AND DOMESTIC TESTS
EXPECT TRUMAN HELP IN OUSTING RED BUREAUCRATS
Cubs and White Sox Cancel Games Today and Tomorrow
Major Opener to Be Played in F. D. R.'s Memory
*As the headlines in the Tribune indicate, the Cubs and White Sox are in the midst of a crosstown exhibition series. Just like clockwork, the unseasonably warm weather left town as soon as our baseball teams arrived. It is frigid on April 12th when they play the first game of the series at Comiskey Park. Only 2200 or so fans showed up to watch the Cubs crush the White Sox 15-3. The rest of the series is canceled because of President Roosevelt's death.
*Opening day for the Cubs arrives on April 17th. They face their strongest rival, the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cubs win 3-2 at Wrigley Field in front of 11,785 fans at Wrigley, thanks to a walk-off single by second baseman Don Johnson in the bottom of the ninth. Bill Nicholson homers too. The game is played in honor of Franklin D. Roosevelt, who had thrown out the first pitch at Wrigley Field during the 1932 World Series.
*The Cubs are surprised by an arrival in the clubhouse before the game: holdout outfielder Peanuts Lowrey. Charlie Grimm, still angry about the holdout, tells Lowrey that he won't just be given his starting job back-- but his anger doesn't last long. Lowrey will start for most of the 1945 season.
*In St. Louis, one armed outfielder Pete Gray plays his first game for the St. Louis Browns. He goes 1 for 4.
In Pop Culture
*“A medal for Benny” starring Dorothy Lamour is released April 16. John Steinbeck wrote the screenplay and will be nominated for an Academy Award.
*Richard Strauss completes his "Metamorphosis"
Birthdays
*Joseph Ratzinger—later known as Pope Benedict XVI—turns 18 in war-torn Germany. (Photo)
*William Holden turns 27. He is serving in the Army making training films
*Harold Washington celebrates his 23rd birthday while serving in a segregated unit of the Air Force in the Phillipines. He and his unit are building runways.
*Rod Steiger's 20th birthday finds him serving as a torpedoman in the US Navy in the Pacific.
*Herbie Hancock turns 5. He is already considered a child prodigy, and lives in Chicago.
*Two future celebrities are born: Tony Dow in Hollywood, and Ritchie Blackmore in Weston-super-Mare, England.
Cub of the week
Bill Nicholson is the most feared slugger in the National League. He is coming off an MVP-caliber season in 1944, in which he led the league in HR and RBI, and came only one vote short of winning the MVP Award. He was so feared in 1944, that one game against the Giants, after he had hit home runs in his previous four at-bats, he was intentionally walked with the bases loaded.
He doesn't know it yet, but 1945 will be the beginning of the end for him. His eyesight is going because he has diabetes, and it won't be diagnosed for awhile. It also affects his swing. He can no longer hit the high heat. Leo Durocher, manager of the Dodgers, tells his team that anyone who pitches him waist down will be fined.
Nicholson is the starting right fielder for the Cubs in 1945, and hits a homer opening day, but he will finish the year with only 13 home runs and 88 RBI, a far cry from his glory days (1940-1944). He will remain a Cub, however, for another three seasons after this. They eventually ship him out to Philadelphia, who converts him into a pinch hitter. He retires after the 1952 season.
Chicago Radio Ratings
From this morning's Tom Taylor column...
Chicago – Another solid book for CBS Radio’s all-news WBBM/WCFS, winning or tying for first in every daypart between 6am and 7pm, and placing second nights and weekends. Total-week, it’s holding 6.9-6.8-6.6. Note that it just passed the Cubs baseball franchise over to all-sports clustermate “Score” WSCR. The Score is flat, early in the season, 2.6-2.4-2.5. Going back to the top of the March-book standings, iHeart’s urban AC “V103” WVAZ is second (6.0-5.5-5.6) and Hubbard’s hot AC “Mix 101.9” WTMX is third (5.2-5.5-4.9). (Its Eric & Kathy morning team is second in their daypart.) Fourth place is a tie between two iHeart stations, top 40 “Kiss” WKSC (3.7-3.7-4.0) and hot AC “93.9 My FM” WLIT (4.7-4.5-4.0). Sixth place is also a two-way tie, between iHeart’s urban WGCI (3.5-3.8-3.8 total week, but #1 at night) and Tribune’s talk WGN (4.2-3.6-3.8). ’GN’s Steve Cochran is third in mornings. Disney-owned/ESPN-run all-sports WMVP (2.3-2.5-2.6) owns a slight edge over the Score (at a 2.5, remember). Cumulus talk WLS (1.8-1.8-2.2) will be the new flagship for the White Sox. The 2.2 is its highest point since February 2014. There’s a country contest between CBS’ “US99.5” WUSN (2.8-2.7-2.4) and iHeart’s “Big” WEBG (a third straight 1.8 share). New PPM record for Chicago Public Media’s non-com news/talk WBEZ (2.4-2.7-2.8). You’d have to call the weekly cume title a dead heat between hot AC “Mix” (2,166,800) and top 40 “Kiss” (1,265,900). Although its AQH share is down (2.2-2.4-1.9), the cume for Weigel-LMA’d easy oldies WRME, on the audio of a low power Channel 6 TV signal, is roughly equal to that of the Score – and higher than WLS.
Monday, April 11, 2016
Wrigley 2016
The old girl is looking better than ever. #Cubs #OpeningNight pic.twitter.com/32v7qJus3n
— CubsVineLine (@cubsvineline) April 11, 2016
Wrigley Field 2016 pic.twitter.com/FhuEdbej5S
— CubsVineLine (@cubsvineline) April 11, 2016
RIP Doug Banks
Sad news. A giant in the radio business has died. All Access has the news...
Banks first became famous here in Chicago before taking his show down to Dallas (though it still aired here in Chicago). I've met him several times over the years. A truly nice man.
ALL ACCESS has confirmed that longtime radio veteran and syndicated morning host DOUG BANKS has passed.
BANKS was diagnosed with diabetes in the '80s. His condition worsened last year and he took some time off, but he returned to his syndicated THE DOUG BANKS RADIO SHOW early this year.
More details to come.
Banks first became famous here in Chicago before taking his show down to Dallas (though it still aired here in Chicago). I've met him several times over the years. A truly nice man.
Opening Night
Taking my bride to Opening Night at Wrigley tonight. I'll be in section 206 if you're in the house--stop on by.
Pray for Caleb
My cousin's son Caleb's life has been a roller coaster ride since he was diagnosed with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma (cancer). The three year old had a successful stem cell transplant, but this morning I awakened to this distressing news...
With our gains, there are also setbacks. Although Bubba's numbers have gone up so have his fevers. And they are way up! Unfortunately, Caleb's fevers and elevated heart rate have gained the attention of the doctors from the ICU. He's being evaluated now to see what is going on but it's been a long 24 hours! Please keep us in your prayers that this too passes...and quickly. Please let these stem cells cure everything, uneventfully.
I'm praying for the little guy. In his honor, here's the poem I wrote for him...
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.
With our gains, there are also setbacks. Although Bubba's numbers have gone up so have his fevers. And they are way up! Unfortunately, Caleb's fevers and elevated heart rate have gained the attention of the doctors from the ICU. He's being evaluated now to see what is going on but it's been a long 24 hours! Please keep us in your prayers that this too passes...and quickly. Please let these stem cells cure everything, uneventfully.
I'm praying for the little guy. In his honor, here's the poem I wrote for him...
SUPER CALEB
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.
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.
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.
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.
Satirical Boston Globe Front Page Imagines President Trump
The details are here, but here are some of the headlines...
*Deportations To Begin
*Markets Sink as Trade War Looms
*US Soldiers Refuse to Kill ISIS Families
I'm not sure exactly why they did this, but if you take Trump at his word, those would be likely headlines after he is inaugurated.
*Deportations To Begin
*Markets Sink as Trade War Looms
*US Soldiers Refuse to Kill ISIS Families
I'm not sure exactly why they did this, but if you take Trump at his word, those would be likely headlines after he is inaugurated.
The dreaded radio dream
I used to have this dream all the time, but it's been a while. I don't miss it.
Curtiss Johnson Lands in Sacramento
Radio Ink has the details.
The Bulls Are Out
Hoping for a full house cleaning.
Steve Miller Rips Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
After he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Steve Miller went off on his hosts in the press room. From this morning's New York Times...
Sheesh. Ten grand for tickets for your band members? Although, I must say that the Radio Hall of Fame does it in a similar fashion. When my old bosses Steve & Garry were inducted, I wanted to go to the ceremony to see them recieve their honor. I was told "That will be $3500 for a table, please."
I was happy for them. Just not $3500 happy for them.
Asked to expand on his criticisms of the organization, which was founded by industry heavyweights like Jann S. Wenner of Rolling Stone and has its museum in Cleveland, Mr. Miller said, “The whole process is unpleasant,” suggesting that it be “changed from the top to the bottom.”
“They need to respect the artists they say they’re honoring, which they don’t,” the singer continued, making references to issues like licensing agreements between the show and its honorees. (Friday’s ceremony will be broadcast by HBO on April 30.)
Mr. Miller, 72, then turned to the ceremony itself. “When they told me I was inducted they said, ‘You have two tickets — one for your wife and one for yourself. Want another one? It’s $10,000. Sorry, that’s the way it goes,’ ” he said, adding, “What about my band? What about their wives?”
When a publicist for the Rock Hall tried to interrupt him, Mr. Miller persisted. “No, we’re not going to wrap this up — I’m going to wrap you up,” he said. “You go sit down over there and learn something.”
Sheesh. Ten grand for tickets for your band members? Although, I must say that the Radio Hall of Fame does it in a similar fashion. When my old bosses Steve & Garry were inducted, I wanted to go to the ceremony to see them recieve their honor. I was told "That will be $3500 for a table, please."
I was happy for them. Just not $3500 happy for them.
Friday, April 08, 2016
I Resemble That Remark
I happen to think he's just being prudent.
Terri Hemmert: Rock and Soul
The WXRT great is also a teacher at Columbia College teaching a class about the history of rock and soul.
The Chicago Tribune has a great piece about her today.
Around the Publishing World (April 8)
1. 50 Great Resources for Writers
Everything from research to grammar to character prompts. Really valuable. Bookmark this article.
2. How to Beat Creativity Block with 7 Tips
Every now and then a writer faces the blank page and it doesn't speak to them. A few tips to restart that conversation.
3. 6 Ways to overcome writer's block
More tips. Don't tell me we aren't helping you here.
4. Science Can Help You Beat Writer's Block
You can't deny our help. It's scientific.
5. 8 tips to writing an unreliable narrator
Advice from Deb Caletti. Caletti is an award-winning author of 12 books for teens and adults.
6. Ten tips for writing the book inside of you
Regina Brett wrote this piece for the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
7. 12 Tips for being a productive stay-at-home freelancer
If you want to write for a living, you need to get income while you work on major writing projects. Although, ironically, this is written for the Huffington Post, which famously doesn't pay.
As the Sumner Turns
Looks like the very strange and sordid Sumner Redstone case is coming to an end. The parties involved have agreed to a settlement. From this morning's Hollywood Reporter...
The full terms are still being held tightly, but the deal includes a payout to Herzer, allows Viacom to remain in the hands of chief executive Philippe Dauman and will eventually designate Redstone's care to his daughter Shari, who is set to take on a larger role at Redstone's companies after her father passes. For now, Redstone will still be in charge of his own healthcare. Attorneys for the sides haven't yet commented on the settlement, but a source close to the talks adds that the payout to Herzer will be substantial, but less than $70 million and remove her permanently from Redstone's life. Shari is said to be instrumental in engineering the deal, which will be taken to a judge soon for approval.
To translate for you...the gold-digger gets a boatload of cash, the creepy CEO gives up "medical supervision" in exchange for getting to stay on after Redstone's death, and the daughter agrees to step in to help the father she doesn't even like, in exchange for getting more control of his companies after he dies.
It's really a touching, beautiful story.
To translate for you...the gold-digger gets a boatload of cash, the creepy CEO gives up "medical supervision" in exchange for getting to stay on after Redstone's death, and the daughter agrees to step in to help the father she doesn't even like, in exchange for getting more control of his companies after he dies.
It's really a touching, beautiful story.
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.
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