Old Friends Week

Went downtown to interview Eric Ferguson this morning (from the Mix), and forgot that the Drive is now in the same hallway. Got to see a bunch of my old friends. Great catching up with Matt Bisbee, Bob Stroud, Steve Seaver, Fina Rodriguez, Swany, Dave Karwowski, and Kent Lewin. The Eric interview will be my November media column for the Illinois Entertainer.

South Africa By Train

Eckhartz Press author Brent Petersen is the mastermind behind a great new website called Destinationeatdrink.com. It's a blog/website for foodies who love to travel. (Hey, that's me!)

I contributed a few pieces to the site, and here's the first one. It's called: "South Africa By Train"

Cara Carriveau

This month's Illinois Entertainer is out and features my interview with long-time Chicago radio jock Cara Carriveau.

You can read it here.

Kavanaugh on SNL

Nice work by Matt Damon, who wasn't even the host of the show...



By the way, if you haven't read this piece yet, you should: How We Know Kavanaugh is Lying. It's a meticulous look at his testimony (and Ford's testimony) and offers compelling evidence that Kavanaugh is full of shit.

He was so obviously full of shit I was offended. I wasn't offended as a Democrat or a Republican. I was offended as a drinker. His portrayal of his drinking exploits sounds like the line of crap I tell my kids (and even they know better) about my drinking. Not credible even in the slightest. He only studied and went to church. The King of the Beach Week Ralphers. The Treasurer of the 100-keg club. Right. That's a punchline, not an alibi.

If he lies about that, what else is he lying about?

RIP Marty Balin

He died over the weekend. From Tom Taylor's NOW column...

Marty Balin, co-founder of the San Francisco psychedelic rock band Jefferson Airplane, and whose tenor voice became a key component of their signature sound, died Thursday, Sept. 27 at the age of 76. Balin's rep confirmed the musician's death to Rolling Stone, though the cause of death is currently unknown.

Born Martyn Jerel Buchwald, Balin was a struggling folk guitarist in San Francisco when he met Paul Kantner at a hootenanny. They formed a band and later met up with guitarist Jorma Kaukonen, bassist Jack Casady, drummer Skip Spence and singer Signe Toly Anderson and cut their 1966 debut LP, Jefferson Airplane Takes Off. They developed a strong following around the budding San Francisco rock scene, but became nationwide superstars in 1967 when Anderson left the group and was replaced by Grace Slick. Balin played with the Airplane at their most famous gigs, including the Monterey Pop Festival, Woodstock and Altamont. At the latter gig, Balin was brutally beaten up by Hells Angels after he dove into the audience to help an audience member in distress. "I woke up with all these boot marks all over my body," Balin told Relix in 1993. "I just walked out there. I remember Jorma saying, 'Hey, you're a crazy son of a bitch.'"

A year later, Balin quit the group and spent a few years managing rock bands in San Francisco, but was pulled back into the group's orbit by Kantner in 1974 in the offshoot Jefferson Starship, which went on to have more hits than the original Airplane, including the Balin-penned "Miracles," which reached No. 3 in 1975. By 1978, Balin left the group for a solo career. In 1989, he participated in a short-lived Jefferson Airplane reunion tour and returned four years later to Jefferson Starship, finally leaving for good in 2008.

This is probably Marty's best known song. He co-wrote it with Paul Kantner...

Minutia Men, Episode 109

EP109 – Rick and Dave discuss bad bar promotions, whoopsie doopsie e-mails, thou shalt not steal, the 1876 Cubs, Rick’s brush with Chevy Chase, and they interview Chicago comedian and author Dobie Maxwell.

Listen to it here.

Game 163

I can't pull it off today, but if you can, here's a note for school or boss...

Cubs Magic Number is 3

Keeping it classy

From this morning's Hollywood Reporter...

Radio host and Fox News contributor Kevin Jackson referred to Brett Kavanaugh's female accusers as "lying skanks" in a series of tweets on Thursday that led to his termination.

"#ChristineBlaseyFord academic problems came from her PROMISCUITY!" he wrote on Twitter during Ford's Senate testimony. "Dang girl, stop opening your legs and OPEN A BOOK!"

On Thursday morning, he tweeted, "TO HELL with the notion that women must be believed no matter what. Lying skanks is what these 3 women are, and we ALL know more."

Jackson also said on Twitter that Ford "looks rode hard and put up wet, as we say in the country."

On Thursday evening, Fox News said it has cut ties with Jackson. "Kevin Jackson has been terminated as a contributor," a spokesperson said. "His comments on today’s hearings were reprehensible and do not reflect the values of FOX News.”

You know how much of an asshole you have to be to get fired by Fox News?

Devil's Triangle, Boofing, Lying

During his screaming testimony yesterday, prospective Supreme Court justice Brett Cavanaugh talked about a yearbook entry called "Devil's Triangle". He claimed it was a drinking game like quarters. I'd like to think I know a little something about drinking games and that was a new one to me.

I looked it up in the Urban Dictionary and it said the following:

Devils Triangle
A threesome with 1 woman and 2 men. It is important to remember that straight men do not make eye contact while in the act. Doing so will question their sexuality.

Never heard of that one, but I have heard of Boofing, which is something else he talked about. He claimed it was a joke about flatulence. It's not. I'm around the same age as Brett. Boofing is what we called anal sex. He knows it. We all know it.

By the way, these days it means something else...

boofing
The act of inserting drugs into the anus for a longer trip. Most often occurs at Disco Biscuits shows by spun-out kids on ketamine.

I don't know if he did what he is accused of doing (the sexual assault), but I do know he was absolutely full of shit when he was discussing his drinking, and not just the Devil's Triangle nonsense.

There's no way there weren't at least a few times that he didn't remember some things the next day. He was a binge drinker, a guy who vomited a lot. He said so himself. That's part of the deal. You don't remember some things the next day.

He was also absolutely full of shit when he was talking about sex. We all know what that Renata Alumni club means. Renate figured it out immediately when she saw it. I'm not saying they all had sex with her, but I am saying they all claimed they did (to at each other at least).

He may be telling the truth about some things, but he's totally lying about those yearbook entries. If he lies about that, what else is he lying about?

Magic Number is 4

The Cubs are in the playoffs for the 4th straight year! That's the first time that has ever happened tothis franchise founded in 1871. We are living in the golden age of Cubs baseball.

However...That was a painful one last night. I turned it off after the Pirates tied it in the 9th. I know it had a happy ending, but sheesh. Are there any Cub fans that aren't a bit nervous right now?

W. pic.twitter.com/CpGkaAugux

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) September 27, 2018

Jared's Reaction

I think 70% of the country had the same reaction as Jared after that crazy-town press conference yesterday...

"shit" pic.twitter.com/Xku4BztjvL

— withdraw nom by Thursday (bet me) (@MeThatYouKnow) September 26, 2018

Brennaman May Retire

He's considered one of the best baseball announcers, but ever since he called Cubs fans the worst in baseball, he's been on my list. According to Tom Taylor's NOW column today, this could be his last week on the air...

Marty’s called 45 straight seasons for the MLB Reds, and WVXU’s John Kiesewetter says “if Brennaman, 76, chooses to retire, he won’t announce it until after the season ends.” And Marty sends this text to Kiesewetter – “No decision yet. Haven’t made up my mind.” But when that day comes, he doesn’t want an extended farewell, a la Vin Scully leaving the L.A. Dodgers. Three years ago, Brennaman told Kiesewetter that “I don’t need a ‘night’…I’m just not interested in all that stuff.” The Reds have been Brennaman’s first and only MLB team, amazingly enough. He’d been toiling in the minor leagues with the Tidewater Tides (a Mets farm team) and the ABA pro basketball Virginia Squires before the call-up. And what an era Brennaman had to work with in his first years behind the mic – the fabled “Big Red Machine.”

His son is Thom Brennaman, who was once a Cubs announcer, and who cannot correctly spell Tom.

New Song by Flight of the Conchords

Always liked these guys...

The New White Album

A White Album boxed set is being released for the White Album's 50th anniversary, and once again I will be spending my money.

Rolling Stone has the details.

Janet Sutherland-Madden

Eckhartz Press is proud to announce that we have signed another author, Janet Sutherland-Madden. Her book "Nose over Toes" chronicles her struggle and recovery after she suffered a brain aneurysm. It will be coming out next spring via Eckhartz Press. Welcome aboard Janet! (Shown here with Eckhartz Press co-publisher David Stern)

Richard Reeder at Max & Benny's

Some photos from Richard Reeder's successful appearance at Max & Benny's on Monday night. Thanks to Max & Benny's for being such a great host, and thanks to all of you who came out to support Richard and his book "1001 Train Rides in Chicago"

Free Kicks, Episode 18

This week's episode includes a quiz about FC Southampton, and a full recap of Premier League week 6. Also, Adam explains a few British announcer idioms.

Listen to it here.

Minutia Men, Episode 108

EP108: Rick and Dave discuss the reason for low voter turnout, Trump’s connection to video games, stoned lobsters, the shortest game in Cubs history, Rick’s brush with Guns & Roses guitarist Slash, and they interview the world-famous San Diego Chicken.

The San Diego Chicken's Elvis story is reason enough to listen to this week's episode. There are a few NSFW moments in the show, but if you're a NSFW kind of guy/gal, you may really like it.

Listen to it here.

Bleacher Fight

I was in the grandstands. No fights.

Fall baseball at the Friendly Confines feel the magic in the airpic.twitter.com/p94wWxM6uD

— Red Line Radio (@RedLineRadio) September 25, 2018

Caption Contest

This is Minutia Men co-host and Eckhartz Press co-publisher David Stern at the courthouse in downtown Chicago.

What is he saying to the microphones?

Who is laughing now?

Trump is obsessed with the idea that the world was laughing at the U.S. before he became president. Here he is, speaking to the world's leaders — and literally being laughed at. "I didn't expect that reaction," he says with a chuckle. https://t.co/KS8BmMmjE1

— Robert Loerzel (@robertloerzel) September 25, 2018

John Bonham

I was a senior in high school when this news broke on this date in 1980. John Bonham died at the age of 32 (at Jimmy Page's house). Zeppelin tickets were already on sale for their concert in Chicago, and almost everyone I knew was planning on going.

This is probably his most famous drum solo...

Magic Number is still 5

I went to the game last night and ran into my old college buddy Rick Dykhuis. Haven't seen him in 20+ years. (Photo)

But the Cubs lost, the Brewers won, and the Rockies won.

Magic number to win division remains 5. Magic number to clinch playoff spot remains 1.

We had our playoff ticket draft (I share my season tickets with 8 others) and I got the 8th pick. Looks like I'm not going to the World Series again this time if they go.

Brian Peck

From this morning's RAMP newsletter...

Cumulus Classic Hits 94.7 WLS-FM/Chicago has formally named market pro Brian Peck as the permanent 7-midnight show host, starting Monday, September 24. Peck (pictured) has been rotating night jock duties along with fellow WLS personalities Tom O'Toole and Danny Lake, who will continue to do weekends on the station, along with Erin Carmen and Abby Ryan.

A Chicago radio fixture since 1992, Peck made his Windy City radio debut as morning co-host on WKQX (Q101), alongside former MTV Veejay, Mark Goodman. In August 1996, Peck segued to WTMX (101.9 The Mix) and later worked at WSHE (SHE 100.3). Peck most recently did middays on CBS Radio's former WJMK (K-Hits 104.3) until last November, when the sale to Entercom closed and the station flipped to Classic Hip Hop as WBMX (104.3 JAMS).

Tiger

I've been watching golf on television again, and I know the reason is Tiger Woods. I couldn't even explain why it is that I find watching him so compelling, until I read this perfect explanation from Thomas Boswell in today's Washington Post...

Who ever imagined that we would see ourselves in Tiger’s struggles, in his humiliations and often futile comebacks, or that he, fighting back tears as he walked up an 18th fairway, listening to the crowd roar, would finally see himself in us, too? The man whose yacht is named “Privacy” let down the gangplank.

Whoops

From Buzzfeed this morning, a student makes an embarrassing mistake...

On Tuesday, Oxley was working on a paper when she realized she couldn't remember the teacher's name.

So, she put a temporary nickname in the heading.

"I have always been really bad with names," Oxley told BuzzFeed News. "So, when I was writing the paper, I blanked on the professor's name and filled it in with 'Professor whats his nuts,' just as a placeholder."

After joking to her friend about how bad it would be if she sent in the paper with the joke still in it, she looked over the essay and sent it in.

I just thought this was funny. Professor What's His Nuts didn't mind. He thought it was funny too.

SiriusXM is Buying Pandora

Just to make sure your latest favorite thing is also owned by a giant faceless conglomerate, SiriusXM is buying Pandora. The price tag is $3.5 Billion.

Time to buy Spotify.

Monopolies apparently no longer exist.

Chet in Blue Island

A few photos from yesterday's Chet Coppock signing at Blue Island Beer Company. What a fun event! Chet talked to everyone before, during, and after the Bears game. Thanks to the guys in Blue Island for their hospitality.

Talk about Sibling Rivalry

Check out this ad. Six of the Congressman's own siblings do an ad for his opponent...

Chet in Blue Island

What are you doing for the Bears-Cardinals game on Sunday? I'll be at the Blue Island Beer Company (13357 Olde Western Ave, Blue Island, IL) with Chet Coppock. Chet will do a pre-game chat with everyone there, and will stay for the game--signing and selling copies of his book "Your Dime, My Dance Floor: Chet Coppock in Pursuit of Chet Coppock". Should be a great time. We'll be there from about 2:30--6:30. Come on by and enjoy the afternoon. As an aside, the beer is really good there. They brew their own. Last time I was there I took home a growler or two.

Chet out their beers here.

Happy Birthday Bill Murray

He's got this going for him, which is nice.

Chevy Chase

The Washington Post took a deep dive into the career of Chevy Chase, and tried to figure out why he is basically persona-non-grata these days.

It's a long piece, but it's really good.

I only had one encounter with Chevy in my life. I was given his home phone number during his days hosting a late night talk show on Fox, and I called him up to ask if he would be on our show (Landecker's show).

He told me to fuck off and lose the number.

Octypuses on Ecstacy

I think they've officially run out of things to study.

In this current study, scientists have discovered that octypuses get cuddly on the mood drug ecstacy.

I wish I was in the meeting when they pitched this study? "My wife says I get a little grabby on X, and who has more arms than me? An Octypus. It's a natural."

Jim Croce

He died on this day in 1973--a plane crash in Louisiana. He was only 30 years old.

Richard Reeder in Northbrook

On Monday night Eckhartz Press author Richard Reeder will be appearing at Max & Benny's in Northbrook (461 Waukegan Rd) at 7pm to read from and sign his great new book "1001 Train Rides in Chicago". See you there?

Sunday Afternoon

I will be there too. Looking forward to an afternoon of beer and football. If you're in the neighborhood, stop by! Should be a great time.

Sunday at Blue Island Brewing Company on Old S. Western Avenue I'll be speaking and signing my new book, a book heavy with stories about my life and the games and people I've covered that you have never heard before. @MarkPotash @BruceWolfChi @jwasports 2:30 to 6:30 #oneofakind pic.twitter.com/4W7jkI90s8

— Chet Coppock (@ChetCoppock) September 20, 2018

Sean Kaempfer

My youngest son Sean turns 16 years old today.

In honor of his birthday I'm posting a few old Father Knows Nothing columns from his youth. These two columns didn't make the final version of the book, but they remain very good insights into the boy...

The first one was written in 2009, when he was 7 years old.

The other morning when I woke up my youngest son Sean, it was immediately clear he was waking up on the right side of the bed.

“You know, Dad,” he said, as he rubbed his eyes. “Life is good.”

I laughed, and agreed.

“I really mean it,” he continued as he climbed down the stairs of his bunk bed. “Think about it. I’ve got it pretty good here. I mean, this is a nice house.”

I nodded. “Nice enough, I suppose.”

“And look at all my stuff. I’ve got a lot of pretty cool stuff.”

“Yes, that’s true,” I concurred.

Our dog Ivy came up to lick his hand. He let her lick his left hand, while he patted her head with his right.

“And this dog. We’ve got a beautiful dog. Look at how awesome this dog is.”

“Are you sure you’re not sleepwalking?” I asked.

“I’m awake, Dad,” he said. “It’s just that sometimes you have to remind yourself how good you have it. I’ve got everything I ever needed.”

“OK,” I said suspiciously, “Now I know you’re up to something. What is it?”

“Nothing,” he said. “Honestly. Nothing. Everything is great.”

He walked into the kitchen and began to make himself some breakfast. I followed him.

“Don’t forget, you have great parents too,” I reminded him.

He put his cereal box down, and looked up at me. “You know what,” he said. “That’s true. You and mom are awesome parents.”

“And you have great brothers too,” I added.

“Dad,” he said, showing me his palm. “Don’t push it.”

I should have quit while I was ahead.

The second one was written in 2010, when he was 8. His brother Johnny was 12 at the time, and his oldest brother Tommy was 15.

Sean calmly told me that the fighting that used to consume every waking moment in our house would never happen again. He seemed pretty confident about it.

“And how are you going to manage that?” I asked.

“I figured out a way to protect myself and make Tommy and Johnny laugh at the same time,” he said. “Want to see it?”

So he ran into the basement, fiddled around with a few things, and then called me downstairs to unveil his incredible new invention. His voice was a little muffled, and I soon discovered why.

“How does this work?” I asked.

“Well, when Johnny gets mad, I just put on these rolled up sleeping pads. If he stays mad I can block his punches and it won’t hurt. If he pushes me over, I’ll land on pads, and it won’t hurt. But mostly he just laughs at how stupid I look, and the fight just ends.”

You may mock this device, but I should tell you that we’ve now gone two full months without a fight in my house. That’s nearly Guinness World Records worthy.

Tune in Tomorrow Night

Chet and I will be on WONC in Naperville...

Music Modernization Act

The Senate passed a bill yesterday about music rights, and the RAMP Newsletter has the details...

The three-part legislation would accomplish the following: 1) For Songwriters: Create a new and transparent collection entity to ensure that songwriters always get paid for mechanical licenses when digital services use their work while helping ASCAP and BMI secure fairer rates for their songwriters. Establish fair compensation for songwriters when the government sets rates. 2) For Artists: Closes the "pre-1972 loophole" so that digital services will pay legacy artists the compensation they deserve and establish fair compensation for artists when the government sets rates. 3) For Studio Pros: Gives copyright protection to producers and engineers for the first time in history.

Good news for musical artists who have really been taken advantage of since the beginning of time.

Bert & Ernie

For years there were rumors that Sesame Street's Bert & Ernie were more than just roommates...if you know what I mean. Well, after a writer from the program intimated the same, Sesame Street producers were asked if it was true or not.

“As we have always said, Bert and Ernie are best friends,” said the nonprofit education organization behind the PBS series. “They were created to teach preschoolers that people can be good friends with those who are very different from themselves. Even though they are identified as male characters and possess many human traits and characteristics … they remain puppets, and do not have a sexual orientation.”

Magic Number is 8

Jimi Hendrix

Gone since this day in 1970. Had he lived, he would be 75 years old now.

Toad from Mario

Just read this in the Daily Beast. Can't unread it. Now you can't either...

Ever since Stormy Daniels said she was writing a tell-all book, there has been feverish anticipation about what dirt she’d reveal about Donald Trump—but it’s safe to say no one predicted this. According to a copy obtained by The Guardian, the book gives excruciating detail of her alleged affair with Trump, including one nightmarish image in which she compares the president’s penis to Toad—the incredibly annoying mushroom character from Mario. “He knows he has an unusual penis,” Daniels writes in a book fittingly titled Full Disclosure. “It has a huge mushroom head. Like a toadstool… I lay there, annoyed that I was getting fucked by a guy with Yeti pubes and a dick like the mushroom character in Mario Kart... It may have been the least impressive sex I’d ever had, but clearly, he didn’t share that opinion.” So, now you know.

One final question. Is there a Yeti combover?

Nice Moment Last Night

WELCOME BACK, #54! pic.twitter.com/5oEC3lH1UN

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) September 18, 2018

Jealous

This is an unheard of sales number...

Woodward’s "Fear" becomes a million-seller within first week of release https://t.co/vgkuIB9Til pic.twitter.com/PJE1DnLAdQ

— Talking Points Memo (@TPM) September 18, 2018

Solution to Supreme Court Mess

Let's face it, the hyper-partisanship in this country is turning the government into a dysfunctional body, incapable of even the simplest of tasks...like confirming a Supreme Court justice.

The Republicans are crying foul about this Cavanagh situation, which is particularly galling because they literally stole a Supreme Court seat from Obama.

How can we get past this? I have a solution that will bring this country together, or at the very least, end the inevitable payback loop we are now engaged in.

Trump should withdraw Cavanagh. Nominate the rightful Justice Merrick Garland. Consider Neil Gorsuch your newest Supreme Court justice. This is his rightful seat now. He would no longer have an asterisk next to his name, would no longer be considered an illegitate justice installed unconstitutionally. Democrats could no longer bring up the stolen seat. Republicans could reclaim a moral high ground--something they haven't been able to do in more than a decade.

Done.

4 Different Personality Types

A brand new Northwestern study has found that there are basically four different personality types in the world, and you almost certainly fall into one of the categories.

They are...

Average: Average people are high in neuroticism and extraversion, while low in openness. This is the most common personality type.

Reserved: The Reserved type is emotionally stable but not open or neurotic. They are not particularly extraverted but are somewhat agreeable and conscientious.

Role Models: Role models score low in neuroticism and high in all the other traits. They are good leaders, dependable and open to new ideas.

Self Centered: Self-Centered people score very high in extraversion and below average in openness, agreeableness, and conscientiousness.

I can't figure out which one I am.

Vine Line Signing Off

From this morning's Robert Feder column...

It’s the end of the line for Vine Line after 32 years as the official magazine of the Chicago Cubs. The December issue will be its last. “As we explore and invest in new and existing content delivery platforms to meet the evolving ways our fans consume Cubs news and features, we’ve made the decision to discontinue Vine Line at the end of the year,” the club wrote in a message to season ticket holders. Former Cubs public relations director Bob Ibach recalled that he launched the slick magazine in 1986 as a way to monetize the Die-Hard Cubs newsletter.

The Emmy Awards

I admit I didn't watch it (Cmon, both Bears & Cubs were on), but here's the list of all the winners.

Among the winners, John Oliver, SNL, Game of Thrones, and a bunch of Emmys went to a show I've never seen or heard of (but now must seek out)...The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.

Behind the Scenes with Chet Coppock at the Steve Dahl Show

A few behind the scenes shots of Chet Coppock's appearance yesterday on the Steve Dahl show. It was fun hearing the two old friends reminisce and chat about Chet's new Eckhartz Press book "Your Dime, My Dance Floor: Chet Coppock in Pursuit of Chet Coppock". Also ran into my former producing partner Vince Argento, another old Loop alum.

Chet & Steve

Heading down to the WLS Radio studios this afternoon with Eckhartz Press author @ChetCoppock . Chet will be a guest on the Steve Dahl show beginning at 4pm. Tune in to 890 AM if you get the chance. These two have lots of stories about each other from their years at the Loop.

Whoops

Watch the guys walking behind the Weather Channel reporter...

So dramatic! Dude from the weather channel bracing for his life, as 2 dudes just stroll past. #HurricaneFlorence pic.twitter.com/8FRyM4NLbL

— Tony scar. (@gourdnibler) September 14, 2018

The High School Incident

I know this incident between the young girl and the young Brett Kavanaugh happened over thirty years ago. You can decide for yourself whether or not it should derail his attempt at joining the Supreme Court.

But I read her account, and it sure sounds believable to me.

The question is, in this #metoo moment are we just going to Anita Hill her? I sure hope the answer is no, but I'm not optimistic.

Minutia Men, Episode 107

EP107: Rick and Dave discuss Amazon caging workers, 246 Nicoles, cleaning up New Orleans, Cubs that share a birthday with Dave, celebs that Rick has met on airplanes, and they interview Cousin Oliver from the Brady Bunch–Robbie Rist.

Listen to it here.