Meet our latest author

My favorite part of being a publisher is the day we meet with the authors to give them the very first copy of their books. Yesterday we met with our latest author Beth Jacobellis who is holding the first copy of her upcoming Eckhartz Press book "Cameo".

It will be available for pre-order beginning tomorrow. Congrats to Beth!

Another war against PBS/NPR

From this morning's NOW newsletter...

President Trump again proposes to zero out funding for public radio and TV. The White House will likely run into the same phalanx of defenders that have guarded the Corporation for Public Broadcasting since the Newt Gingrich attacks of the 1990s. (Gingrich used to say that “public broadcasting” meant what the public likes. Therefore “Rush Limbaugh is public broadcasting.”) The Trump budget argues that “Services such as PBS and NPR, which receive funding from CPB, could make up the shortfall by increasing revenues from corporate sponsors, foundations and members.” It estimates that CPB funding makes up “about 15% of the total amount spent on public broadcasting” – but for many smaller pubradio stations, that percentage is much higher. They’d be threatened by a pullback of federal funds with which to create their own programming or buy “Morning Edition” from NPR, the “Classical 24” service from APM, etc. Variety reports the White House budget plan, which would eliminate the $445 million that’s flowed to CPB each of the last several years.

Not the way to start spring training

This probably wasn't the headline the Cubs wanted to see on the day that pitchers and catchers report: Iowa Cubs pitcher arrested after accidental shooting kills a coach

I guess the Cubs really did sign Darvish

This is the way you know. The jersey is now available...

Best Pope Ever

A girl with Down syndrome, got up during a regular papal service & went toward @Pontifex
Security men quickly moved in 2 take her back to her mom. The Pope stopped them & said to her "come sit next to me.” She then sat down near him and he continued his homily, holding her hands pic.twitter.com/2QziweDRPX

— TradCatFem🌹🙏🌹 (@TradCatFem) February 11, 2018

Chicago Writer's Association Conference

Attention fellow writers! The conference is less than a month away and only a limited number of seats are still available. There have been a few changes so check out the final conference schedule here, and read more about our presenters - it's a terrific line-up packed with professionals from Chicago, New York and beyond.

And, watch for an email with a special opportunity from best-selling author David Fisher who has generously agreed to mentor an attendee and get a manuscript in front of an agent. Really!

At the Saturday evening dinner you'll have a chance to network with fellow writers, conference presenters and CWA board members, and we will hear from Fred Mitchell, award-winning sportswriter (the first African-American sportswriter hired by the Chicago Tribune), author of 11 books, journalist and Hall of Famer, who will talk about his 41-year writing career and the people he has met along the way. (Please note that the dinner is an additional fee.)

As a member of the Chicago Writer's Association board, I will be there too. Looking forward to it!

Register soon.

Russian Bots & Fake News

You probably saw the story about how many fake news stories were shared by Russian bots during the election of 2016. The vast majority of those became part of the conservative news bloodstream.

According to Snopes, the Russian bots were largely responsible for pushing the Release the Memo hashtag, and are currently pushing anti-FBI and anti-Adam Schiff memes.

That's right, they are doing it RIGHT NOW. The Russians are still messing with our democracy.

Now Devin Nunes is creating his own "alternative news" site. He's already proven what kind of "news" he believes is true. Just wait and see how many Russian bots share those stories.

This is not a "both sides do it" phenomenon. Only one side is doing it, and they are doing it with the help of the Russians.

Yet the President still doesn't believe (or won't admit) the Russians intervened in 2016. He also claims anyone in the media that doesn't support him (which is most media--because he is a terrible president) is Fake News. And he's pushing that with the help of the Russians. RIGHT NOW.

If you believe the polls, 40% of the country is now on the same side of the Russians.

I'm sure Ronald Reagan would be very proud.

Dennis Miller

The former SNL cast member and radio host is coming back to radio...for one minute at a time. From the RAMP Newsletter...

Proving the old adage that yes, really can go home again, Westwood One proudly announces today's debut of The Miller Minute, two daily one-minute programs featuring Emmy Award-winning comic, writer, author and talk show host Dennis Miller. The Miller Minute launches today on more than 60 stations across this great land, including WMAL/Washington, WLS-AM/Chicago and KLFE-AM/Seattle. This new venture marks Miller's return to radio -- he previously hosted a highly successful weekday talk show on Westwood One for eight years.

Will FCC Fine NBC?

With a Republican in charge of FCC, there are no rules for media businesses in terms of anti-trust or buying/selling/making money. They do not regulate what the FCC was created to regulate in the slightest. However, they DO regulate speech, especially bad words. And there might be a big network in trouble in that regard. From this morning's NOW column...

Does NBC have a fleeting-expletive problem from the Olympics? The first U.S. competitor to win gold was also the first to unleash both the F-word and the S-word, while being interviewed as his scores were flashing on the screen. Gold medal-winning Red Gerard dropped both a “WTF” reaction and an unholy S-word, says Vanity Fair. Probably not an unusual reaction for 17-year-old on the world stage, but no doubt NBC producers and interviewers will be cautioning athletes for the next two weeks. And no doubt FCC Chair Ajit Pai will have some filed comments to look at, this morning. The Parents Television Council not only makes it easy for offended audience members to file complaints at the FCC, it also tells you what the organization itself has complained about. And mostly, over the last couple of years, it’s the Fox TV “Family Guy” show. Though the site does run this lead item – “Thanks, Justin! Overall, the Super Bowl was pretty safe for families.” We’ll see what they think about the Olympics. Knock on wood – the FCC’s hasn’t issued an actual indecency fine against a radio station since 2004. It’s held up a couple of station sales until a settlement was made. But it hasn’t laid down an outright fine. (Of course the FCC doesn’t regulate cable channels, so no enforcement action possible on NBC Sports Net or USA.)

Cowboy Sammy

Glad to see you’ve finally ridden off into the sunset, Sammy. #VayaConDios pic.twitter.com/sxvS9EhOtu

— Dave Wischnowsky (@wischlist) February 11, 2018

Minutia Men, Episode 83

EP83 – Rick and Dave discuss McDonald’s fries curing baldness, the biggest dick on the Eagles, a Goodwill gift for the ages, a Cubs gangster, and Rick’s brush with comedian Tim Allen.

Listen to it here.

6 inches

Get your mind out of the gutter. That's how much snow we got last night. The boys are out there shoveling right now. We're expecting two more waves of snow over the weekend--up to another foot.

Photos from yesterday's John Landecker Graduation

The whole thing was a secret. John Landecker thought he was going to Grand Valley State University (the college he attended in the mid-60s) to do a Q&A session about his book "Records Truly Is My Middle Name". That happened...but when it was winding down, the Dean of the university came in and gave John his surprise. They had accumulated his college credits from all the schools he attended, and awarded him his last few hours because of an independent writing assignment (his book), and it turned out he had enough credits to finally graduate...53 years after he took his first class.

I will have the full report in next month's Illinois Entertainer, but in the meantime here are a few photos...

Lee Kingsmill on WGN

In many ways, the Nick Digilio show was the perfect place for Lee Kingsmill to talk about his memoir "Safe Inside". The two men share a love of movies and the old movie palaces as you can hear in this podcast taken from DiGilio's Thursday's morning show.

Listen to it here.

On Assignment

I'm on assignment the next two days working on my March column for the Illinois Entertainer. It's an exciting story, and I'll share the details when I finish it.

In the meantime, I'll be taking a two-day break on the blog. Back on Friday.

The latest episode of Minutia Men will drop tomorrow at it's usual time.

Insight into the Hairdo

It's a miracle of modern science, but you can get a glimpse into how Trump does it after watching the wind take it in this video...

imagine what those locks look like soaking wet pic.twitter.com/mIz0oetAYd

— Ashley Feinberg (@ashleyfeinberg) February 7, 2018

Homering on first MLB pitch

There have been 30 players in history to hit a homer on their very first pitch in the big leagues. Two of them are Cubs, including the most recent one to do it, Willson Contreras in 2016. (I was there for that game--it was Father's Day)

Of the 30, 15 did it last century, 15 have done it since the turn of this century.

The full list and their stories are here.

Radio Hall of Fame

From this morning's RAMP Newsletter...

The 30th Annual National Radio Hall of Fame Induction ceremony and celebration is moving to New York City in mid-November. From now through March 30, the NRHOF Nominating Committee is accepting suggestions for 2018 nominees. Kraig Kitchin, Chairman of the National Radio Hall of Fame, commented, "We're looking forward to celebrating this milestone anniversary in New York City. As we prepare for the special evening, it's our priority to provide everyone the opportunity to be a part of it, starting with suggestions for our 2018 nominees."

Suggestions 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. Leading radio imaging and production company The Mix Group is the presenting sponsor of the National Radio Hall of Fame Induction ceremony.

To submit your chosen candidates for consideration, visit radiohof.org and click on the NOMINATE tab.

Last year I nominated John Landecker, and it actually worked! (I suspect, however, that I wasn't the only one who did so).

Safe Inside

Eckhartz Press author Lee Kingsmill taped an interview last night with WGN Radio's Nick Digilio. It will air either tonight or tomorrow night on Nick's overnight show.

When I get the podcast link, I'll post it.

Lee's book is incredible, and it appears that Nick was quite taken with it. I understand why. I was quite taken by it too.

I blame Fox News

Seriously, I do. They have conspiracy theory nonsense on in prime time and do not differentiate it from their two or three actual journalists. Right wing fans (even smart ones) start believing crap that if they thought about it for a few moments, would realize is completely insane. The result is this...

Fake news sharing in US is a rightwing thing, says study https://t.co/QJY447XFXS

— Charlie Sykes (@SykesCharlie) February 7, 2018

SpaceX Launch

This was one of the coolest things I've ever seen. It reminded me of the excitement I felt as a youngster during the Apollo days. The most incredible part to me was the landing of booster rockets back on earth. Incredible...

A Rumor You Wouldn't Deny

According to Deadspin, word from the Eagles locker room is that quarterback Nick Foles has a giant pecker.

His nickname in college, again according to Deadspin, was "Big Dick Nick" and "Footlong Foles"

Needless to say, Foles has not denied this report.

Heinie Zimmermann

A great Cubs player, but a notorious one. He was run out of baseball for cheating, and he ended up working for New York gangster Dutch Schultz.

A beautiful #oldschool #Cubs uniform worn by the relatively forgotten INF Heinie Zimmerman. In 1912 he became the 1st unofficial Triple Crown winner in the NL (RBIs were not yet an official stat). See his @sabr bio https://t.co/gX8D1GD0NS @Cubs pic.twitter.com/So8wK8CFca

— SABR BioProject (@SABRbioproject) February 6, 2018

RIP John Mahoney

John Mahoney passed away yesterday at the age of 77. His friends at the Steppenwolf Theater in Chicago were so upset yesterday they cancelled the night's performance and hung out at the bar in the lobby, toasting their good friend.

I met John several times over the years. The Chicago-area native was a down-to-earth nice guy--exactly like you'd expect if you've him on television and films.

I know most of the tributes to him over the past 24 hours have been about his great role on Frasier (including this touching one by Frasier writer/director Ken Levine), but to me, I will always remember him as the manager of the Chicago Black Sox in the movie "Eight Men Out"...

JRL on WGN

In case you missed it last night, John Landecker was on WGN Radio with Justin Kaufmann. Great interview. You can listen to it here.

Art Imitates Life

Donald Trump's favorite show was skewered on Saturday Night...

And this morning, Trump proved the point of the skit.

Thank you to @foxandfriends for exposing the truth. Perhaps that’s why your ratings are soooo much better than your untruthful competition!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 5, 2018

It's impossible to be a satirist these days.

Fred Winston

Thanks so much to Robert Feder who mentioned my latest interview with Fred Winston in his column this morning...

Illinois Entertainer’s February issue checks in with Chicago radio legend Fred Winston. “I guess I am retired,” he told Rick Kaempfer, “although I don’t feel like it’s done. I’m always reticent to say that I’m done now because I do feel like I could drop back behind the mic and with a little DW40 in the mouth, I could pick up where I left off.” Winston, 71, who first joined WLS AM 890 in 1971 when it was a Top 40 powerhouse, last worked full-time in 2013 at classic hits WLS FM 94.7. He’s busier than ever on his Berrien County farm in Southwest Michigan. “The frustrating thing about being a gentleman farmer . . . are the many tiny engines that need spark plugs and oil changes. Rather than flap my mouth, I now bang my knuckles.”

You can read the entire Fred interview here.

Uma Thurman

Maureen Dowd wrote the story about Uma in yesterday's New York Times, and if you haven't seen it yet, it's pretty damning to both Harvey Weinstein (who sexually assaulted her) and Quintin Tarantino (who treated her cruelly).

Holocaust Denier Running for Congress in Illinois

Another proud moment for Illinois politics. The man's name is Arthur Jones, and he's already secured the GOP nomination in the upcoming primary because he is running unopposed. From this morning's Washington Post...

Arthur Jones has a campaign website.

It outlines the Republican candidate’s education background, his stance on issues and how to donate to his campaign to represent the Illinois’s 3rd Congressional District.

It also lays out Jones’s unapologetically racist and anti-Semitic views.

In a section called “Holocaust?” Jones describes the atrocities as a “racket” and “the biggest, blackest, lie in history.” Under another tab titled “Flags of Conflict,” he lists the Confederate flag first and describes it as “a symbol of White pride and White resistance” and “the flag of a White counter revolution.”

And in his most recent blog post — dated Aug. 24, 2017 — Jones railed against “Radical Leftists” and blamed them for starting racial violence in Charlottesville about two weeks before.

He's running against Congressman Bill Lipinski. Probably won't beat the Congressman, but sheesh. This is a scary country we're living in these days.

Earworm

Last night's episode of "Divorce" on HBO featured the song "Magnet & Steel" by Walter Egan. I haven't heard that song in many years.

I remember the first time I heard it. I lived in Germany at the time, and I was listening to Casey Kasem's American Top 40 on Armed Forces Radio. This song immediately got my attention. Even though I was no more than 15 years old at the time, and was far from sophisticated, I thought "Wow, these are the worst lyrics I've ever heard."

You are the magnet. And I am the steel.

Now thanks to HBO's Divorce, I can't get the stupid song out of my head.

Big Weekend for Chicago Bears

But will his hair go with him?

Brian Urlacher elected to Pro Football Hall of Fame on first ballot: https://t.co/GiFa5gLHSc pic.twitter.com/Meyp0AZOXd

— NBC Sports Chicago (@NBCSChicago) February 3, 2018

This is worth at least 1/2 a Super Bowl share, wouldn't you say?

#Eagles OC Frank Reich said they got the 4th and 1 trick play thrown to Nick Foles from #Bears and Dowell Loggains. Cam Meredith threw a 2-yard TD to Matt Barkley vs #Vikings last year here. Same end zone at US Bank Stadium too.

— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) February 5, 2018

Berlin Wall Milestone

This is hard to believe. For a kid who grew up in West Germany, the wall seemed like it had been there forever. I remember the day it came down like it was yesterday.

It wasn't yesterday.

Berlin wall stood for 10316 days, and tomorrow is 10316 days since it is gone. pic.twitter.com/9HdDrnXILx

— Milos Vojinovic (@infinite_milos) February 4, 2018

Oh boy!

Here we go...

Cubs loading truck for spring training. It's happening. pic.twitter.com/8Vqmtpb0Kw

— Paul Sullivan (@PWSullivan) February 2, 2018

Hitchhiking to the Edge of Sanity

Filmmaker Scott Petersen came to town a few months ago to unveil his latest documentary; "Hitchhiking to the Edge of Sanity". I was lucky enough to be in the audience to view it. Here's my one word review: "Tremendous"

The film is about two young Americans in 1970 who think it will make for a good story if they hitchhike across the Sahara Desert. One was an idealistic writer, and the other was a photographer. They got a great story and some great pictures alright, but the journey was about as difficult and tumultuous as you would imagine.

I only mention this because it's now out on amazon! I highly recommend it. You can rent it for $3.99 and buy it for only $9.99.

Here's the link!

After you watch it, let me know what you think.

RIP Dennis Edwards

One of the main singers of the Temptations has passed away just before his 75th birthday. Dennis Edwards was the lead singer on the following Temptation classics...

Three Floyds

One of the more underappreciated features of living in the world's #1 city (Chicago) is our close proximity to one of the best breweries in the world. Just over the Indiana border, I give you Three Floyds Brewery.

It's the top-ranked in the area, and in the top 100 in the world (which inludes Germany, by the way)

Chicago's Goose Island and Half Acre also made the top 100.

Two More Creeps Revealed

This time they are in the print media business, two editors at the NY Daily News.

Axios has the details.

Cumulus Hangs On to the Loop & WKQX

Turns out that Randy Michaels and his old Merlin buddies don't want to run these two radio stations again after all. They are allowing Cumulus to keep them...without buying them.

Robert Feder has the details.

What is football, Alex?

Turns out that Jeopardy contestants and football fans run in different crowds. I knew all five answers. :)

Nothing makes me smile more than watching these poor Jeopardy contestants flop while trying to answer sports questions — specifically football questions for the Super Bowl #SuperBowl52 pic.twitter.com/YJmBfanfbn

— Igor Mello (@SuperIgor) February 1, 2018

Minutia Men, Episode 82

EP82 – Rick and Dave discuss the most annoying word, sitcom revivals, Florida’s ranking, Republican Cubs, and Rick’s brush with Grandpa Munster Al Lewis.

Listen to it here.

Rise and Shine Woodchuck-chuckers

Happy Groundhogs Day!

A Case for Hart to Hart

Robert Wagner a ‘person of interest’ in Natalie Wood’s death, investigators say https://t.co/9av2NLvhdM

— WGN TV News (@WGNNews) February 1, 2018

How Boring is Living in Springfield?

Legislators use something called "the handkerchief trick" to amuse themselves.

Wacky.

Fred Winston

The February issue of Illinois Entertainer is out and features my interview with the legendary Fred Winston!

You can read it here.

Another Creep Revealed

This time its in the record business.

Charlie Walk, president of Republic Records, and a judge on the Fox television show The Four: Battle for Stardom.

Capetown

Capetown, South Africa is on the verge of becoming the first big city in the world to run out of water. They are going through such a terrible drought that their main reservoir is almost dry. That has to feel weird in this beautiful city along the ocean.

I was there in 2010 for the World Cup. Whenever I hear someone say "I'd like to go to Africa," I always reply "Make sure you go to Capetown". It's that beautiful.

I took a few pictures when we there. I don't think these do it justice, but it gives you an idea...

CWA Writer's Conference

Just picked up my tickets for the CWA Writer's Conference. Can't wait to attend. Should be a great learning experience. The keynote speaker will be former Chicago Tribune columnist Fred Mitchell.

It's the weekend of March 10-12 if you'd like to attend. There are still some spaces available.

Click here to sign up.

RIP Oscar Gamble

RIP Oscar Gamble. He passed away yesterday at the age of 68. Here is his Every Cub listing from Just One Bad Century...

~Oscar Gamble 1949 (Cubs 1969)
In November of 1969, the Cubs made a trade that they hoped would put them over the top. They traded pitcher Dick Selma and a young prospect, to the Phillies for former all-star outfielder Johnny Callison. Unfortunately for the Cubs, that young prospect turned out to be Oscar Gamble. Gamble was only 19 years old at the time, but he had already gotten a taste of the majors with the Cubs. How did that trade turn out? Gamble played in the majors until 1985, and hit 200 home runs. Of those 200 home runs, only one of them came for the Cubs. He went on to play in the World Series for the Yankees, and hit .358 for them in 1979. Most horribly, his best season was with the Southside Hitmen 1977 Chicago White Sox. Callison had one semi-decent year, then was done. Needless to say, he wasn’t the final piece to take them over the top. The biggest tragedy, however, was what could have been on the north side if they had never traded Gamble. After Jose Cardenal joined the Cubs in the early 70s, the Cubs could have had the greatest “fro” outfield of all-time.

The Bulls move to the Score

This had to happen fast because the basketball season is still underway, and it did. After Cumulus announced they were dropping the Bulls and White Sox last week, the Score swooped in and made it official today.

The Bulls will now air on the Score. Same announcers (Chuck Swirsky & Bill Wennington).

No word yet on the White Sox, but they do have some time. Spring training doesn't start for another few weeks.

How Creepy was Roger Ailes?

Andrea Tantaros, a former Fox News anchor, claims in a new lawsuit that Roger Ailes had a closed circuit TV in every room--including the one that Fox News women disrobed. From The Hollywood Reporter...

"There was also a bi-annual trunk show in the Spring and Fall conducted by Fox’s wardrobe department," states the amended complaint. "The trunk show was held in empty Fox offices and female talent was expected to disrobe down to their undergarments to try on new on-air dresses for the next season, without even the benefit of a curtain. The dresses were pre-selected for the women by the wardrobe department before their arrival; pants were not an option. Upon information and belief, Ailes was recording female employees disrobe without their consent in their offices and during the bi-annual trunk show."

The GOP Cubs

The Cubs have been affiliated in one way or another with the Republican Party since the days President Taft's brother owned the team. Later, William Wrigley was a big Republican donor. Minority owner Albert Lasker helped get Warren Harding elected (he was literally in that smokey room when the decision was made), and fellow minority owner Harry Sinclair was in the middle of Harding's notorious Teapot Dome scandal. The Chicago Tribune was founded by one of the most outspoken Republicans of all-time--Colonel McCormick--and the Tribune owned the Cubs for nearly 30 years. Ronald Reagan wasn't just a Cubs fan, he was a former Cubs announcer.

So, it probably shouldn't come as a big shock that Todd Ricketts was just named the chief fundraiser for the Republican party, replacing the disgraced alleged sexual harasser Steve Wynn.

As a die-hard Cubs fan and a die-hard non-Republican, I'm hoping that he keeps it to himself as much as possible.

A Bus-Sized Dinosaur Fossil Discovered in Africa

They are calling it the Holy Grail of dinosaur fossil discoveries because it's notoriously hard to find fossils in Africa (because of the terrain) and because it was in such good shape.

Reuters has the details.

Sorry, I'm a bit of a dinosaur nerd.

Chicago is #1!

From the Daily Mail...

Chicago has topped a list of the world's best cities beating London, New York and Melbourne.

For the second time in a row, the windy city was named the number one place for having fun and enjoying city life in a study by Time Out.

Each year it releases its annual City Life Index, which scores places on categories such as food, drink, culture, friendliness, affordability and happiness.

And Chicago came out on top thanks to high scores for its food and drink scene, culture, affordability and city pride. The only area where it fell short was safety.

I have been around the world, and I agree. Also love New York and London, which are in the top 5. Must check out Melbourne and Porto now (the other two in the top 5).

Emmis selling St. Louis stations

KSHE is an institution in St. Louis. From the RAMP Newsletter...

Emmis Communications Corporation just announced it's selling its St. Louis cluster of stations to Hubbard Radio and Entercom. Emmis says it has reached agreements in principle to sell KSHE and KPNT (105.7 The Point) to Hubbard Radio, and KFTK (FM News Talk 97.1) and KNOU (NOW 96.3) to Entercom Communications Corp.