Radio's Top Advertisers

This is one of the more unusual top 5 lists I've seen. It's the list of the top five advertisers on radio (across the country) in 2016...

1. Geico, 46,884 commercials
2. FRIGO, 40,617 commercials
3. Macy's, 36,782 commercials
4. Mastercard, 35,402 commercials
5. Ford, 29,521 commercials

If you don't know FRIGO, it's the revolutionary form-fitting underwear from Sweden.

Megyn Kelly is Said to Be Leaving Fox News

This is a big story in the conservative media world. According to this piece in the New York Times, she's not only leaving Fox News. She's leaving to go to NBC--considered to be the devil by many conservatives.

I'm sure she's prepared for a nasty backlash led by the president elect, who already hates her.

Excerpts of Genuflections

Over the weekend, the Chicago Sun Times ran excerpts of Robert Herguth's brand new Eckhartz Press book "Genuflections: Famous Folks Talk About Growing Up Catholic".

You can read that here.

David Stern in Dubai

Not literally, mind you, but he was featured in the Khaleej Times in Dubai over the weekend. Here's the interview...

Chatting with the (bald) author of a book on - ooh! guess what?

There are a few good men out there, who are willing to speak about hair fall, loss, and even balding. Of course,

David Stern is an exception. He has gone and penned a book called The Balding Handbook: The 5 Stages of Grieving for Your Hair Loss. The book is exactly as its name implies, "I go through all the five stages of grief: denial, anger and rage, bargaining, depression and acceptance, and how it applies to baldness. Excerpts from the interview...

The book is cheeky and irreverent.

"It's a parody of those self-help handbooks. I thought it would be funny to apply the "five stages of grieving" to male pattern baldness. The vast majority of readers have shared the fun and realised its humour. However, I've had a few readers (not many) complain that I'm making fun of something that some people have a hard time dealing with. I think, on some level, the book does help balding people realise that going bald isn't so bad. At least, I hope so." He insists that the book is not great literature.

What are the craziest hair loss myths you've heard?

"The best one I heard was that if you did a lot of hallucinogenic drugs when you were younger, you would lose your hair. Have you seen Paul McCartney lately? The man is in his 70s and has a hell of a head of hair. Also, the stressful job myth is bogus. Former presidents Bill Clinton and George Bush still have great hairlines... although Barack Obama seems to have a few issues!"

Any outrageous hair loss solutions?

"There have been many, but I have a couple of favourites. Dead Sea Mud - rumour has it that if you slather your bald pate with the mud, you'll get your beautiful head of hair back. That's 'hair back', not 'back hair'! A couple of problems with this remedy: first, it's been proven that it doesn't work, and second, haven't they noticed how many bald people there are in the Middle East? Plus, it's pretty ironic that something that has "Dead" in its name will have restorative powers. There's also a ridiculous thought that Emu oil can help with male pattern baldness. Didn't the inventors of this remedy realise that emus are bald?"

Would you ever consider wearing a wig, or opting for a hair transplant?

"I would but I'd have to relocate. If, all of a sudden, I show up to work or family gatherings with a healthy quaff, I would be ridiculed to no end. Do guys that have hair transplants think no one will notice? There should be a bald guy witness protection programme for guys that get transplants and toupees."

The balding Handbook (e-book) can be purchased on Amazon. The paperback is available at eckhartzpress.com.

Obviously we don't *really* hate our kids, but...

OK, this one made me laugh out loud. I feel her pain. It was like she overheard conversations at our house this weekend. https://t.co/v0HmJrsb96

— Rick Kaempfer (@RickKaempfer) January 3, 2017

The Top 500 Songs of All-Time

No one will ever agree on these lists because music is so subjective, but I admire Rolling Stone magazine's attempt at naming the top 500 songs of all-time.

As a rock and roll fan, I'm on board with the general feel of the top 500.

Their all-time top fifty are...



50. Smokey Robinson--Tracks of my Tears
49. The Eagles--Hotel California
48. Simon & Garfunkel--Bridge Over Troubled Waters
47. Jimi Hendrix--All Along the Watchtower
46. David Bowie--Heroes
45. Elvis--Heartbreak Hotel
44. Ray Charles--Georgia on my Mind
43. Little Richard--Tutti Frutti
42. The Kinks--Waterloo Sunset
41. The Band--The Weight
40. Martha & the Vandellas--Dancing in the Streets
39. Buddy Holly--That'll be the Day
38. The Rolling Stones--Gimme Shelter
37. Bob Marley--No Woman No Cry
36. U2--One
35. The Doors--Light My Fire
34. The Righteous Brothers--You've Lost That Loving Feeling
33. Ike & Tina Turner--River Deep, Mountain High
32. The Rolling Stones--Sympathy for the Devil
31. Led Zeppelin--Stairway to Heaven
30. Johnny Cash--I Walk the Line
29. The Beatles--Help
28. The Beatles--A Day in the Life
27. Derek & the Dominoes--Layla
26. Otis Redding--Sitting on the Dock of the Bay
25. The Beach Boys--God Only Knows
24. The Impressions--People Get Ready
23. The Beatles--In My Life
22. The Ronettes--Be My Baby
21. Bruce Springsteen--Born to Run
20. The Beatles--Let it Be
19. Elvis--Hound Dog
18. Chuck Berry--Maybellene
17. Jimi Hendrix--Purple Haze
16. The Beatles--I Want to Hold Your Hand
15. The Clash--London Calling
14. Bob Dylan--Blowing in the Wind
13. The Beatles--Yesterday
12. Sam Cooke--A Change is Gonna Come
11. The Who--My Generation
10. Ray Charles--What'd I Say
9. Nirvana--Smells Like Teen Spirit
8. The Beatles--Hey Jude
7. Chuck Berry--Johnny B Goode
6. The Beach Boys--Good Vibrations
5. Aretha Franklin--RESPECT
4. Marvin Gaye--What's Goin' On
3. John Lennon--Imagine
2. The Rolling Stones--(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction
1. Bob Dylan--Like a Rolling Stone

I would probably have a different #1, and I think Hendrix gets a little too much respect for his songs, but for the most part this is a pretty darn good list. If you don't see a song you think should be in the top 50, it's probably just a bit lower in the top 500.

Check out the full list here.

Not Exactly Draining the Swamp

The first thing the new Congress passed is almost poetic--they took away the independence of the Office of Congressional ethics. From this morning's Washington Post...

Under the proposed new rules, the office could not employ a spokesperson, investigate anonymous tips or refer criminal wrongdoing to prosecutors without the express consent of the Ethics Committee, which would gain the power to summarily end any OCE probe.

Here it's spelled out in detail by Buzzfeed...

Here are 6 things House Republicans want ethics investigators to stop doing https://t.co/4WnKOf5mIZ pic.twitter.com/xYSbR1kz7i

— BuzzFeed News (@BuzzFeedNews) January 3, 2017

Got that? Pfew. Got rid of those pesky ethics. Full speed ahead.

LATE UPDATE: They pulled this measure today after their offices were swamped with phone calls. Don't believe what you hear about them dropping this because of Trump. His only criticism was about the timing of it, not the merits.

Mariah Carey

How bad did Mariah Carey's New Years Eve performance go?

After it was over, she blamed the producers for trying to sabotage her.

Take a look at it, if you can...


ABC Breaking News | Latest News Videos

99 Reasons 2016 was a good year for humanity

This list comes via medium.com and features some great things that happened in the world of conservation, global health, political and economic progress, climate change, and more.

Add in the Cubs World Series and you get 100.

A tribute to those we lost in 2016

This month's Illinois Entertainer is out and features my tribute to some of the broadcasting pros we lost in 2016.

You can read it here.

More Reviews for Gel Strong

They have been coming in over the holiday season, posted on the Gel Strong page on Facebook...

Mark Gelinas, Congratulations on your great book about perseverance, staying positive, and rolling with the punches. It was a great read. I’m sorry that you and Donna have had to endure such shit, but to come through it as you have is incredible. You are both are an inspiration to me and I’m on your team forever. Stay strong and love to you both.
--Bill Fasth

I finished the book, I loved every sentence. I feel like I knew all of it from seeing Donna but I read your version. You are s pillar of strength. Love what you wrote to me when you signed it. You guys are an inspiration. Love you both!!❤️❤️
--Mandy Jackson Gispert

What a wonderful, honest rendition of what you have been through, Mark Gelinas. Your book - and you - are nothing short of amazing. I am so proud and honored to know you and Donna Frederick Gelinas. Thank you for sharing your story. ❤️💚💙
--Chelsie Butler

Hey Mark Gelinas, your book made me laugh and cry all the way through. It was touching and heartfelt and funny and honest, and as hard as I'm sure it was to write, thank you for sharing your journey. I'm a fan!! 💖
--Kimberle Swaak

It really is an inspiring tale. If anyone you know is going through the struggle with chemo and/or radiation or worse, they may find some real comfort in Mark's tale. Find it here at Eckhartz Press.

Happy Holidays!

Hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas and a happy New Year!

I'll be back at the blogging desk in January.

Enjoy this classic from "Father Knows Nothing"...

Minutia Men, Episode 33

EP33 – Rick and Dave discuss the whipped cream shortage, sitcom doctors and dentists, a truly boozy flight, a 37-year-old rookie, and Rick’s brush with John Mahoney.

Listen to it here.

Penny Stock

How much financial trouble is Cumulus Broadcasting (owners locally of WLS-AM, WLS-FM, WLUP & WKQX) experiencing these days? Tom Taylor's NOW column explains...

It happened – Cumulus stock closed below $1 a share, less than three months after the one-for-eight reverse stock split that should’ve repaired the share-price problem. If “CMLS” continues to close below a buck a share, the NASDAQ exchange will shoot off another de-listing warning letter, and give it 180 days to work out the issue. Yesterday’s trading volume was much lighter than usual, during this holiday week. But even so, it was down two pennies to 98 cents. A couple of times it touched 95 cents a share.

That's very bad.

Simply Having a Wonderful Christmastime

This is Everything that's Wrong with America

I think the headline speaks for itself: Suit: McDonald’s ‘Value Meal’ Costs More Than Buying Items Separately

From the CBS reporting: "James Gertie of Des Plaines tells The (Arlington Heights) Daily Herald that bundling two cheeseburgers, medium french fries and a drink at $5.90 is 41 cents more than when individual items are purchased."

Seriously. What lawyer took this case? Why in the world is this being allowed to proceed?

Here's a tip, James Gertie. Buy the items seperately and save yourself 41 cents.

For cryin' out loud.

Robert Murphy out at WLS-FM

Another great is shown the door. Here's the saddest quote from the Robert Feder article about Robert Murphy's departure. It comes from Murphy himself...

“A lot went right, not sure what went wrong,” he said of his three-year run. “I did have some difficulty adjusting to what management wanted, and at times I was not really aware what indeed they did want. So I just tried to do good radio and hope for the best.”

I've been there before. Sounds like they had already made up their minds to go with a cheaper option, so they let him twist in the wind until his contract ran out.

I hate to see that. Especially with a talent like Robert Murphy.

2017's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Class

From Rolling Stone magazine...

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has officially announced next year's inductees: Pearl Jam, Tupac Shakur, Journey, Yes, Electric Light Orchestra and Joan Baez will all join the class of 2017. Chic's Nile Rodgers will be given the Award For Musical Excellence.

Should be interesting to see if Steve Perry plays with Journey, or if Jon Anderson plays with Yes. Neither have been in the band now for many years, but both are undoubtedly remembered as the "voice" of those bands.

Cubs are #1

Not just in the standings. From the Chicago Tribune...

The Lovable Winners are ranked No. 1 in FanSided's inaugural Fandom 250, which ranks the 250 most rabid fan bases in sports, movies, music and even politics. Cubdom got the nod over "Star Wars," the science fiction movie franchise legendary for its fan devotion.

Around the Publishing World (December 20)

At Chicago Author Solutions (a division of Eckhartz Press), we stay on top of happenings/trends in the publishing world to help out busy writers who are spending their time doing what they should be doing: writing.

1. Tips for Poets
Writer's Digest talked to a handful of published poets and got some good advice. My favorite is: "Don’t love everything. Hating certain types of poetry helps define your own aesthetic."

2. Tips for New Writers
These tips are provided from a PR perspective (PR Daily), but they are actually quite useful to all writers.

3. Tips for writing short stories
TIf you're a short story writer these are important things to consider before you send out your short stories to publishers. My favorite writing tip: "You need to know way more about your story than you tell to your readers." My favorite marketing tip: "Accept semi-pro payments as you build your name and career."

4. Tips for New Bloggers
As someone who has written a blog now for ten-plus years, I agree with all of the tips in this article.

Chicago Radio Ratings

From Tom Taylor's NOW column...

Chicago stories include the inevitable rise of iHeart’s hot AC/Christmas WLIT and the expect post-World Series hangover of CBS Radio’s sports “Score” WSCR. Just like last year, WLIT can’t quite catch CBS Radio’s news WBBM/WCFS for first place. The ’BBM combo’s steady (6.8-6.5-6.4) and stays #1, despite not being #1 in any discrete daypart. Second is WLIT (3.1-2.9-6.3), and it’s #1 from 10am through 3pm. Third is iHeart’s urban AC “V103” WVAZ (5.8-5.7-6.2, and #1 at nights and on weekends). Fourth is Hubbard’s hot AC “Mix” WTMX (4.9-5.3-5.4, and #1 mornings with Eric & Kathy). Fifth is Tribune’s talk WGN (4.3-4.0-4.2, and third in mornings). Further down, Hubbard began using the Seattle-based Brooke & Jubal morning show on AC WSHE as of November 14, and mornings were unchanged. Total-week WSHE is steady (2.4-2.6-2.7). Country radio’s closely watching the cage-match between CBS Radio’s revamped “US 99” WUSN (2.5-2.2-2.3) and iHeart’s “Big” WEBG (2.2-2.0-2.1). Cumulus talker WLS is basically flat during this election season (2.2-2.2-2.1). Top-cume station is iHeart’s top 40 “Kiss 103.5” WKSC at 2,218,200. In AQH share, it’s #6 (4.4-4.0-3.9).

2016 Wasn't a Bad Year for Everyone

It was great for the Cubs and Donald Trump.

Turns out, it was also great for Disney. They pulled in $7 Billion in movie box office sales alone, thanks to Rogue One, Captain America: Civil War, Doctor Strange, Finding Dory, Moana, Zootopia, The Jungle Book, and Star Wars: The Force Awakens, which made its debut in December 2015.

SNL Says Bye to Obama

With a Run-DMC-style rap song with Chance the Rapper...

RIP Bob Coburn

He was a very famous disc jockey in Los Angeles (KLOS), but he was also known nationwide as the host of the rock and roll interview show "Rockline". Bob Coburn passed away yesterday at the age of 68.

SNL Skewers Trump

Vanity Fair Subscriptions Rise

Remember this tweet from last week?

Trump threatens magazine editor who published a critical review of Trump Grill https://t.co/SOVV61Z96E pic.twitter.com/KhJMM7IZew

— Judd Legum (@JuddLegum) December 15, 2016

Well, after that tweet, something really great happened. Vanity Fair got 13,000 new subscribers in one day!

That really makes me happy for some reason.

As the Sumner Turns

Sumner Redstone is stepping down from the Viacom board after their upcoming February meeting. This will mark the first time since 1987 (when he bought Viacom) that he will not have a say in the company.

Of course, he's essentially been medically unable to have a say for a while now, so this is more or less an acknowledgement of the obvious.

Sumner is 93 years old now.

Variety has the further details.

Bob & Marianne are back on the air

Bob Sirott returns to the call letters and frequency that made him famous, WLS-AM 890. He and his wife Marianne Murciano will be filling the 10-noon shift there every day--which moves Rush Limbaugh to Noon-3pm and Steve Dahl to 3-7pm.

Full details at Chicagoland Radio & Media.

Best News Bloopers 2016

Some great stuff here...

Ukrainian Chicago

You may noticed that the band Chicago is making a bit of a resurgence. They made the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this year. CNN is doing an hour long special about them. And their reach goes all the way to Ukraine. Check out this incredible cover of "25 or 6 to 4" by a Ukrainian band. It just reminds us how great Chicago was before Terry Kath died. This guitarist seems to be channeling him from beyond the grave.

Got an Hour to Kill?

Wanna watch every homer the Cubs hit in 2016? Me too.

The Return of Legitimate News

Facebook has enlisted real news organizations (like ABC News) to help them get rid of fake news.

It's a little late, but it's a good first step at reclaiming truth.

Another Sign FCC Chairman Will Be Missed

Radio group owners hated him.

Among the reasons given in this linked interview of radio group owners...

"He failed to take any action on multiple ownership, especially the newspaper cross-ownership rule or the radio market sub-caps."

"I don’t think that Chairman Wheeler has been proactive on behalf of broadcasters."

"Regulatory radio rules remain stagnant and out of date while new media industries around us continue to grow and thrive."

If I can translate for you, these guys believe the only way to improve their business is to buy more radio stations. The Chairman realized that isn't true. I'm with the chairman on this one. I also love the cracks in the article about how he played politics with the internet...by not allowing the telecom giants to gouge and create different internet lanes for the big boys. I'm with the chairman on that too.

They have it back now. The Wild Wild West will be returning soon. Innovation will be coming...in the form of consolidation and internet gouging...you know, to *improve* the public airwaves.

Black is white. Up is down.

More Sad News

We saw this coming for a while now, but it's still a bummer...

According to this Turner Sports press release, Craig Sager has passed away. Rest In Peace. pic.twitter.com/MT0GPqSFgx

— Rich MacLeod (@richmacleod) December 15, 2016

Sager was originally from this area, and he was a Cubs fan. So at least he got to see that glorious championship before he passed.

We send our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Craig Sager. #SagerStrong pic.twitter.com/0xzctYw2Uz

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) December 15, 2016

RIP Dr. Bombay

In the 60s, he still made housecalls. Bernard Fox, best known to my generation as Dr. Bombay in the show "Bewitched", has passed away at 89.

Minutia Men, Episode 32

EP32 – Rick and Dave discuss a butt-dialing criminal moron, headlines on Cosmo, Rent-A-Jews, a record that will never be broken, and Rick’s brush with William Shatner.

You can listen to it here.

It's not gonna stop when he becomes president

Trump threatens magazine editor who published a critical review of Trump Grill https://t.co/SOVV61Z96E pic.twitter.com/KhJMM7IZew

— Judd Legum (@JuddLegum) December 15, 2016

FCC Chairman to Step Down on Inauguration Day

This may not seem like a big deal, but it is. The FCC Chairman is stepping down. The media giants hated outgoing FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler for two reasons. One--he wouldn't allow the rules to be changed to permit further consolidation. Two--he championed the cause of Net Neutrality. Both of those things are likely to change when a new Republican chairman is named.

Under the guise of being more pro-business, many businesses will be damaged (Black is white, up is down). The internet will cease to be an equal opportunity job creating force for businesses like mine, and will instead favor the huge corporations who will have to pony up big bucks to get an internet advantage.

And once the ownership limits are erased (this will happen almost immediately), there will be another debt-leveraged buying spree which will increase stock prices and short term gains for media investors (namely the bosses themselves) at the cost of constricting and constraining future budgets because of the inevitable debt. This will cost media jobs, decrease media quality, and drastically alter the media landscape.

Not trying to be a Debbie Downer. Just telling it like it is.

Wrigley Renovations

They are building a club under the grandstands. Kind of strange to view at this stage...

Another Friday view of the future American Airlines 1914 Club. pic.twitter.com/aZKzEJlCKp

— Wrigley Aerials (@WrigleyAerials) December 14, 2016

Trump's Plans for the Press

Trump has no plans to have press conferences anytime soon, and as soon as he is sworn in, he plans on drastically changing the daily White House press briefings.

From Politico...

Speaking to radio host Hugh Hewitt, Priebus said "many things have to change" in the White House's relationship and daily traditions with the media, including the daily briefing with the White House Press Secretary and the seating chart.

"I think that it’s important that we look at all of those traditions that are great, but quite frankly, as you know, don’t really make news and they're just sort of mundane, boring episodes," Priebus said.

Uh huh. Boring to keep the American people informed through professionals who can ask questions. Instead, just announce things on Twitter, and hope that nobody scratches beneath the surface.

This is gut-check time for the press in this country. This president thinks he can get by without scrutiny. It's your job to hold his feet to the fire and make him answer questions. Don't give up. Don't ever give up.

RIP Alan Thicke

He was 69 years old.

I'll always remember him from Growing Pains, his hit show in the 1980s...

Another Sexual Harassment Lawsuit Against Fox News

There does seem to be a modus operandi for Roger Ailes.

I've worked with and for some pigs before, but none of them are in the same league as Roger. It's hard to believe this actually happened in the workplace, and that it happened (allegedly) for such a long time.

I have a face too, you know

I'm getting a little sick of finding photos of my body in underwear ads. I guess it's my own fault for parading around like this at home with all the windows open, and signing the waivers of every passing photographer, but I have a face too. Must you always cut it off?

The World's Highest Paid Musicians

Care to guess who made the most money in 2016?
The top ten are...
10. Diddy
9. Calvin Harris (a DJ)
8. The Rolling Stones (and they only played 27 gigs)
7. AC/DC
6. Garth Brooks
5. Rihanna
4. Madonna
3. Adele
2. One Direction
1. Taylor Swift

Just out of the top ten...McCartney's in 12th. At 74 years old. Not bad. Springsteen is in 11th at 67. Gotta love the old dudes.

Gel Strong

His evening began last night with a massive stash of books (photo), but Eckhartz Press author Mark Gelinas sold them all at his Atlanta book launch party. The valet parking was full by 7pm, and the books were flying out the door. Congrats to Mark on a huge night! (More photos to come). This inspiring book makes a perfect Christmas gift for anyone going through a struggle with that horrible C-word, cancer. A portion of the proceeds go to Pancreatic Cancer research.

Trevor Noah Interviews President Obama

Bill and Barack

Don’t putter around. Head to https://t.co/GNfbft9Ewv by December 15th to #GetCovered starting January 1st, 2017. https://t.co/X4R4hhC5Fe

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) December 12, 2016

Johnny B Signs Off

And he did it with guns blazing, God bless him. His sign off was also, apparently, a surprise to his bosses. From Robert Feder's column...

Brandmeier was critical of Westwood One for trying to influence the content of his program.

“They want to go political across the line,” he said of his bosses. “All political. And we certainly handle all of that, but all political. It’s very simple. So each show sounds exactly like the next show. That’s the way radio thinks today.

“That’s what you do: You make sure that every show sounds exactly the same. So you can’t tell. There’s an angry white guy. There’s an angry white guy. There’s an angry white guy. I heard ‘Obama.’ I heard the word ‘Obama.’ I heard ‘Trump.’ And then it just goes on and on and on.”

I love this. Amen, Johnny. Tell it like it is.

The Golden Globes

The full list of Golden Globe nominees is here.

Looks like a pretty respectable list this year.

Trial Date Set for Radio Engineer

The trial date for the radio engineer from College of Dupage who is accused of overbilling the school radio station more than $100,000 has been set. It begins on February 28th.

The Chicago Tribune has the details.

P.S. I'm not 100% sure it's the same guy, but I believe I worked with him back in the day.

Angela Merkel on SNL

I think she nails the whole German thing...laughed out loud a few times. In Germany we shout our problems into our stomachs.

Patti Smith Accepts Bob Dylan's Nobel Prize

She chokes up in the middle of this moving performance and admits how nervous she is.

The Russians

Great piece by David Frum in the Atlantic: Five Questions About Russia's Election Hacking.

If the House or Senate chooses not to investigate this, they will have a very hard time explaining that to the public.

Even the Trump voters.

Genuflections Book Launch

Had a great time at the Harp & Fiddle in Park Ridge on Sunday for the book launch party of Genuflections by Bob Herguth. Thanks to everyone who came out and joined in. Part of the experience was a Facebook live chat that was viewed by over 700 people.

Lossano and Friends

Thanks so much to Tony Lossano for inviting me to appear on Lossano and Friends on Saturday. The other guests on the show were Charlie Meyerson from Rivet Radio (my old WPGU pal), and Danielle Tufano from the River (a one-time subject of my IE column).

We had a lively discussion. You can listen to it here.

Team MVP

My son Sean was named player of the season by his soccer team and I almost missed it because I was at a work event. Still wearing my coat in the photo. Phew. Love all the kids in this picture. I've been coaching/managing them for many years.