Musings, observations, and written works from the publisher of Eckhartz Press, the media critic for the Illinois Entertainer, co-host of Minutia Men, Minutia Men Celebrity Interview and Free Kicks, and the author of "The Loop Files", "Back in the D.D.R", "EveryCubEver", "The Living Wills", "$everance," "Father Knows Nothing," "The Radio Producer's Handbook," "Records Truly Is My Middle Name", and "Gruen Weiss Vor".
Monday, June 17, 2019
OJ is on Twitter
The saddest thing about this story is that he got a half million followers in one day.
I'm starting to wonder if America is the greatest country in the world or not. The evidence seems to be mounting in the wrong direction these past few years.
No More Gender Stereotypes?
Hmmm. On the one hand, that sounds like a very forward thinking way of approaching things. On the other hand, I wrote a book called "Father Knows Nothing."
I'm torn.
Friday, June 14, 2019
Fox News Actually Reporting Accurately
But still, I recommend you watch this video. They are openly saying that Trump is willing to commit a felony to be re-elected.
Tribute to Chet Coppock
The GameChangers Foundation will be hosting a screening of the sports documentary film, GameChangers, at 7pm on Friday evening, June 14th, at New Trier (Cornog auditorium on the West Campus in Northfield).
The screening is a tribute to Chet Coppock, a Northfield native and New Trier graduate, Class of 1966. Chet pursued this particular project for years, and the Marshall New Trier story from the mid-Sixties brought him back full circle to where his broadcasting career began at WNTH, the school's student radio station. One of his last film projects, Chet narrated and conducted the interviews for GameChangers, and served as our Master of Ceremonies at multiple events. In addition to the film screening, this Friday night tribute will also show a few unreleased outtakes that are ... classic Chet.
Chet's daughter, son and their mother will be the guests of honor and 100% of the proceeds from this fundraiser will go to establish the Chet Coppock GameChanger Grant for Sports Journalism. Instigated by several of Chet's New Trier High School classmates, this annual grant will be awarded to a graduating high school senior, starting with the Class of 2020.
GameChangers is a 77 minute film that has played at festivals, premiered in theaters around the Midwest, and aired multiple times on both local and national television networks. To see the film's trailer and learn more about the foundation, please visit:
www.gamechangers.film
EVENT
A GameChangers screening and tribute to Chet Coppock
DATE
Friday, June 14th
TIME
7pm
LOCATION
Cornog Auditorium at the New Trier West Campus, 7 North Happ Road in Northfield
DONATION
$25
Thursday, June 13, 2019
Wednesday, June 12, 2019
Disco Demolition Backlash
On Thursday, the Chicago White Sox will commemorate the 40th anniversary of Disco Demolition by distributing 10,000 free T-shirts and welcoming radio legend Steve Dahl to throw out the first pitch. But not everyone thinks it’s cause for celebration. In response to vociferous complaints here and on social media, the White Sox released the following statement: “This year’s Disco Demolition T-shirt giveaway was intended to recognize the anniversary of a historic off-the-field moment that has been connected to the organization over the past 40 years. It is a recognizable part of Chicago baseball history. We recently were made aware of comments criticizing the T-shirt giveaway and are in the process of reviewing feedback. We have been communicating with our community partners who have raised concerns to make it clear that the intent of this giveaway was only meant to mark the historical nature of the night 40 years later. We have reinforced that the White Sox organization is dedicated to advocating for a safe, welcoming ballpark experience for all people and communities, and will continue to engage in important, informative discussions with our fans and partners to build toward positive change through sports. We remain proud of our franchise’s longstanding record on advocating for inclusion and diversity.”
FYI--I spoke to Steve about this, and it will be next month's column in the Illinois Entertainer.
Tuesday, June 11, 2019
Love this
Have you seen that meme where people add new captions to an old Mexican talk-show clip? This one, about Apple’s new $1000 monitor stand, is freaking hilarious… https://t.co/dvJu6tTPZn
— David Pogue (@Pogue) June 9, 2019
Chicago Radio Ratings
1. WTMX 101.9-FM hot adult contemporary, 5.6 (5.9)
2. WBBM 780-AM/WCFS 105.9-FM all news, 5.3 (5.3)
3. WVAZ 102.7-FM urban adult contemporary, 5.2 (5.6)
4. WDRV 97.1-FM classic rock, 4.7 (5.4)
5. WLS 94.7-FM classic hits, 4.5 (3.9)
6. WSCR 670-AM sports talk, 4.2 (3.7)
7. WLIT 93.9-FM adult contemporary, 3.9 (3.9)
8. WXRT 93.1-FM adult album alternative, 3.7 (3.3)
9. WKSC 103.5-FM Top 40, 3.6 (3.2)
10. WBMX 104.3-FM classic hip hop, 3.5 (3.3)
11. WOJO 105.1-FM Mexican regional, 3.1 (3.9)
12. (tie) WUSN 99.5-FM country, 3.0 (2.7); WKQX 101.1-FM alternative rock, 3.0 (2.8)
14. (tie) WGN 720-AM news talk, 2.9 (2.9); WRME 87.7-FM soft rock oldies, 2.9 (2.5)
16. (tie) WBEZ 91.5-FM public radio news talk, 2.8 (2.8); WSHE 100.3-FM adult contemporary, 2.8 (3.3)
18. (tie) WBBM 96.3-FM Top 40, 2.7 (3.1); WGCI 107.5-FM urban contemporary,2.7 (2.8)
20. WPPN 106.7-FM Spanish adult contemporary, 1.8 (1.9)
21. WLEY 107.9-FM Mexican regional, 1.9 (2.2)
22. (tie) WEBG 95.5-FM country, 1.8 (1.7); WLS 890-AM news talk, 1.8 (1.8); WPWX 92.3-FM urban contemporary, 1.8 (1.8)
25. WVIV 93.5-FM Spanish contemporary, 1.6 (1.2)
26. WERV 95.9-FM classic hits, 1.5 (1.1)
27. WMVP 1000-AM sports talk, 1.4 (1.3)
28. WFMT 98.7-FM classical, 1.1 (1.2)
29. WCKL 97.9-FM contemporary Christian, 1.0 (1.2)
30. WMBI 90.1-FM Christian ministry, 0.9 (1.0)
Monday, June 10, 2019
Minutia Men, Episode 138
Listen to it here.
Radio Hall of Fame
Longstanding Local/Regional (20 years or more)
Bob Rivers, Seattle
Charles Laquidara, Boston
Harry Harrison, New York
Jack Harris, Tampa Bay
Active Local/Regional (10 years or more)
Angie Martinez, New York
Kevin and Bean (Kevin Ryder, Gene "Bean" Baxter), Los Angeles
Preston and Steve (Preston Elliot, Steve Morrison), Philadelphia
Sarah and Vinnie (Sarah Clark, Vinnie Hasson), San Francisco
Longstanding Network/Syndication (20 years or more)
Jim Rome, The Jim Rome Show
Robert Siegel, All Things Considered
Sid Mark, The Sounds of Sinatra
Wait, Wait Don't Tell Me!
Active Network/Syndication (10 years or more)
George Noory, Coast to Coast AM
Glenn Beck, The Glenn Beck Program
John Tesh, Intelligence for your Life
Kim Komando, The Kim Komando Show
Nominees To Be Voted On By Listeners/Radio Hall Of Fame Nominating Committee:
Music Format On-Air Personality
Hollywood Hamilton
Lon Helton
Mark & Brian Show (Mark Thompson, Brian Phelps)
Ryan Seacrest
Spoken Word On-Air Personality
Joe Madison
Scott Slade
Stephanie Miller
Suzyn Waldman
Someone shot Big Poppy
The Washington Post has the story.
He's in stable condition right now.
Friday, June 07, 2019
Everyone Loves Minutia Men
We taped our latest episode yesterday and it will drop this weekend. Meanwhile, here are some of the more recent reviews on iTunes. There are now more than 200 5-star reviews...
Great interviews
in iTunes by braceletbain from USA on April 11, 2019
Love the wide range of guests. What other podcast can you hear interviews with Mark Cuban, Cousin Oliver and the hooker from Fargo?
Not bad
in iTunes by travissmall from USA on April 11, 2019
Pretty good podcast for a mainstream show.
Fun stuff
in iTunes by treftyh from USA on April 8, 2019
Love that these guys interview guests. Totally different than the typical shows. Lots of laughs.
What a hoot. Dave and Rick rock
in iTunes by AforAmi from USA on April 8, 2019
Love this podcast. I’ve been listening for a year or so and they never disappoint. I’m glad it is catching on.
Fun Show
in iTunes by Jacob and Olivia from USA on March 29, 2019
Fun show with great banter. Very entertaining. Keep up the great work.
Not bad
in iTunes by shello1969 from USA on March 29, 2019
A good show that’s a perfect length for a commute
Thursday, June 06, 2019
Cara Carriveau on WLS-FM
Cara Carriveau, a longtime favorite of Chicago radio listeners, is the latest familiar personality to sign on at WLS 94.7-FM, the Cumulus Media classic hits station.
She’ll officially debut July 4 as a part-time and fill-in host, according to program director Wade Linder, who confirmed her hiring Wednesday.
Cara and I worked together at the Loop years ago. She's good people. This picture is from last year when she bought Mitch Michaels' book.
The Final Piece?
Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy, oh boy.
It's the one thing they need to go up against the Dodgers in the playoffs.
Wednesday, June 05, 2019
Printer's Row Litfest
I have something in my eye
You maybe already saw this.
— Tancredi Palmeri (@tancredipalmeri) June 4, 2019
Tennis player Mahut losing at Roland Garros in front of his family, breaks down in tears.
His kid runs on court to hug him.
His opponent Mayer getting emotional.
Father and son walk away hand in hand.
Losing, winning, living.pic.twitter.com/YOE3ohKVGJ
Garry Meier filling in for Mancow
Radio Hall of Famer Garry Meier will soon be heard again on WLS 890-AM, the Cumulus Media news/talk station. This time Meier will appear as a guest on Mancow Muller’s morning show June 21 and then fill in for Muller the full week of June 24, according to Stephanie Tichenor, program director of WLS. Quoth Mancow: “Radio’s greatest second-banana lands the greatest honor of his career — filling in for me. . . . This is very big for him!” Meier, who worked with Steve Dahl at WLS in the ’80s, spent eight years as Roe Conn’s afternoon co-host there before he quit in a bitter salary dispute in 2004. He’s been gone from terrestrial radio since 2014 when his five-year run ended at Tribune Broadcasting news/talk WGN 720-AM. In 2016 Meier launched a subscription podcast.
Tuesday, June 04, 2019
Rick with Bill & Wendy
Had a great time with Bill and Wendy today. Thanks so much for having me on. Listen to it here if you missed it: https://wgnradio.com/2019/06/04/rick-kaempfer-can-name-more-chicago-cubs-players-than-you-can/
Rick on the Radio
Janet Sutherland Madden in Ohio
Here are a few more photos from her book signing...




Janet also wrote about her Columbus trip on Linked In.
Monday, June 03, 2019
Night and Day
British Humor
Trump faces giant penis mowed into field near airport where he lands for UK state visit, in climate change protest https://t.co/LPbfXVOt48
— Jon Cooper (@joncoopertweets) June 3, 2019
Rick Kogan
The June issue of Illinois Entertainer is out and features my interview with Tribune/WGN icon Rick Kogan.
You can read it here.
WGN Walk of Fame
Andrea Darlas, whose career as a news anchor, reporter and show host at WGN Radio spans more than 21 years; WGN marketing and sales pro Marlene Wells, who celebrates her 52nd anniversary with the station this October; "King John" Williams, who started at WGN as an intern, took over middays in September 1997 and moved to afternoons in 2000, and the late "Tenpin Tattler" Sam Weinstein, who hosted the longest-running radio program with one host. The show debuted on WCFL on August 24, 1935 as a 15-minute bowling program. In 1966, the show moved over to WGN Radio as a five-minute program on Saturday nights, where it ran until August 26, 1995. "There's unforgettable wisdom in each of this year's inductees," said Todd Manley, WGN Station Manager and VP of Content. "They are among the greatest WGN ambassadors and inventive entertainers." The Walk of Fame induction ceremony will be broadcast live from the Chicago Architecture Center on Friday, September 13 at 10am.
I will actually be on WGN Radio tomorrow morning at 11:35 discussing my book. I can pass on my congratulations in person.
Back in the Blogging Chair
Friday, May 31, 2019
Thanks Lin!
Hey @RickKaempfer Thanks for the rabbit hole. @Cubs pic.twitter.com/TxdL5cSaJw
— Lin Brehmer (@LinBrehmer) May 23, 2019
Friday, May 17, 2019
Taking some time off
Unfortunately, I have another adventure I'm embarking on beginning tomorrow, and I'll have limited time and access to this blog, so I've decided to take a two-week blogging vacation.
During my time off, there will still be some episodes of Minutia Men (including a brand new one tomorrow.) If you haven't subscribed to that podcast yet, please do. This week's episode features a chat with radio legend Fred Winston.
I will return in June with some hopefully cool stories of what I've been up to. Talk to you then!
Bright moon in Mt. Prospect... pic.twitter.com/8s6Ncj0pb4
— Rick Kaempfer (@RickKaempfer) May 17, 2019
George Will

Thursday, May 16, 2019
A Cubs Birthday
A college friend of mine asked me to do her a favor yesterday. It was her sister's birthday, and she's a big Cubs fan. Would I mind signing a copy of my new Cubs book (EveryCubEver) for her and surprising her at her house with it? I did, and she was very excited. Gave me a tour of their great Cubs basement, and we swapped Cubs stories. Happy birthday Marcia. Hope it was a good one!
Wednesday, May 15, 2019
Zo-No!
UPDATED: Cubs' Ben Zobrist cites 'inappropriate marital conduct' by wife in court filing https://t.co/NhRnJLSzTE via @suntimes
— Gordon Wittenmyer (@GDubCub) May 15, 2019
Please oh please at least let this mean the end of that terrible "Benny & the Jets" walkup music...
Chicago is not Trump Country
One of those is in Chicago. Trump Tower is hurting big-time. Nobody wants to be associated with it.
If you ever want to entertain yourself in Chicago, have a seat anywhere near Trump Tower and watch people walk by. Hundreds of them flip off the building every day. Every day. People are flipping off a building...just because his name is on it.
He claims numbers are down because Chicago's gun violence is scaring people away. That's pretty funny. Go to Trump tower and check out the neighborhood. It's packed every second. And it's completely safe.
Most Chicagoans just hate Trump.
So does most of the world.
That's just a fact. Sorry.
Every Cub Ever
Sunset in Mt. Prospect
One of my simple life pleasures is going out to my garage, putting on the Cubs game, having a cigar and looking out at the view of the sunset.
Everyone needs a little solitary thinking time.
This works for me.
Tuesday, May 14, 2019
RIP Tim Conway
With him, goes another important part of my generation's childhood...
Dave LaRoche
~Dave LaRoche 1947– (Cubs 1973-1974)
He was supposed to be the closer for the Cubs when they acquired him from the Twins before the 1973 season (for Bill Hands and Joe Decker), but LaRoche couldn’t do the job. His ERAs were 5.80 and 4.79 in his two seasons with the Cubs. Of course he managed to rediscover his touch after leaving Chicago. In the next five years he saved 90 games, pitched in the All-Star game for Cleveland in 1976 and 1977, and the playoffs in 1979 for the Angels. His sons Adam and Andy both played major league ball. (Photo: Topps 1974 Baseball Card)
Chicago Radio Ratings
1. WTMX 101.9-FM hot adult contemporary, 5.9 (5.4)
2. WVAZ 102.7-FM urban adult contemporary, 5.6 (5.3)
3. WDRV 97.1-FM classic rock, 5.4 (5.3)
4. WBBM 780-AM/WCFS 105.9-FM all news, 5.3 (5.8)
5. (tie) WLIT 93.9-FM adult contemporary, 3.9 (3.9); WLS 94.7-FM classic hits, 3.9 (4.5); WOJO 105.1-FM Mexican regional, 3.9 (4.2)
8. WSCR 670-AM sports talk, 3.7 (2.8)
9. (tie) WXRT 93.1-FM adult album alternative, 3.3 (3.1); WBMX 104.3-FM classic hip hop, 3.3 (3.6); WSHE 100.3-FM adult contemporary, 3.3 (3.2)
12. WKSC 103.5-FM Top 40, 3.2 (2.9)
13. WBBM 96.3-FM Top 40, 3.1 (3.0)
14. WGN 720-AM news talk, 2.9 (3.1)
15. (tie) WBEZ 91.5-FM public radio news talk, 2.8 (3.4); WGCI 107.5-FM urban contemporary, 2.8 (2.9); WKQX 101.1-FM alternative rock, 2.8 (2.6)
18. WUSN 99.5-FM country, 2.7 (2.6)
19. WRME 87.7-FM soft rock oldies, 2.5 (2.6)
20. WLEY 107.9-FM Mexican regional, 2.2 (2.2)
21. (tie) WLS 890-AM news talk, 1.8 (1.7); WPPN 106.7-FM Spanish adult contemporary, 1.8 (1.9); WPWX 92.3-FM urban contemporary, 1.8 (2.1)
24. WEBG 95.5-FM country, 1.7 (1.6)
25. (tie) WCKL 97.9-FM contemporary Christian, 1.2 (1.2); WFMT 98.7-FM classical, 1.2 (1.3); WMVP 1000-AM sports talk, 1.2 (1.1); WVIV 93.5-FM Spanish contemporary, 1.2 (1.2)
29. WERV 95.9-FM classic hits, 1.1 (0.9)
30. WMBI 90.1-FM Christian ministry, 1.0 (0.9)
Monday, May 13, 2019
RIP Doris Day
My mom has been known to hum and sing this song while she cleans. I think it's her all-time favorite (non-German) song. I've heard it all of my life...
How about this for minutia...
With Doris Day passing, Chubby Checker, Bob Dylan, Brigitte Bardot, Bernard Goetz and 2 of the 4 Beatles are the only people mentioned by name in We Didn't Start the Fire that are still alive.
— Jason Diamond (@imjasondiamond) May 13, 2019
Here's a great scene...
RIP Doris Day - Classic scene from "That Touch of Mink" featuring Doris Day and Cary Grant sitting on the bench with New York #Yankees legends Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris and Yogi Berra! (1962) #MLB #History pic.twitter.com/H7Okw0uiPB
— Baseball by BSmile (@BSmile) May 13, 2019
Liverpool
On the other hand, Liverpool can win the Champions League with a victory over Tottenham. And they definitely won the cutest moment award with this...
Mo Salah's daughter scores in front of the Kop ❤️ pic.twitter.com/VjTgDmETj2
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) May 12, 2019
Minutia Men, Episode 134
Listen to it here.
Charlie Meyerson
Among other notable winners at the Peter Lisagor Awards was Charlie Meyerson, who picked up best radio newscast honors for The Chicago Public Square Newscast, a 60-episode online pilot series produced as an adjunct to his Chicago Public Square daily email newsletter. The other finalist in the category was WBBM Newsradio. Meyerson also had a hand in the winner for best podcast, Rivet Radio, where the veteran Chicago newsman works part-time as vice president/editorial and development.
If you don't subscribe to his Chicago Public Square newsletter, you really should. It's excellent.
RIP Peggy Lipton
I'll never forget Peggy. She was one of the first people who made me realize I was straight. I had a serious crush on her during her days on Mod Squad. I was no older than ten at the time...
Thursday, May 09, 2019
Daily Herald Part 2
LAST WEEK THE COLUMN QUESTION WAS: What was the walk-up song of Cubs catcher Tom Lundstedt during his one full season (1974) with the Cubs?
That inquiry stemmed from the release of Rick Kaempfer's excellent new book "EveryCubEver" (Eckhartz Press, $25), which lists the 2,186 who have played for the ballclub since 1871 along with select minutiae about each.
The clue was: "Not the most energizing song in the solar system."
The most-popular wrong answer was "Space Oddity" by David Bowie. ("Ground Control to Major Tom.")
Among the more esoteric answers was "The Original Theme From Monday Night Football." "Lazy Moon" by Harry Nilsson completed that exacta.
Key jumpoff juncture was deducing whether "solar system" referred to "sun," "space and universe" or something even more cosmic.
"Sun" was correct. From there, exactly three winners went on to correctly adduce "Sunshine On My Shoulders" by John Denver.
The trio -- all of whom will receive a copy of "EveryCubEver" courtesy of Kaempfer -- are Cindy Menelle of Mount Prospect, Brian DeValk of Palatine and Kevin Kelley of Arlington Heights.
As for Kaempfer, he received his own singular award:
Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts called and had the energizing author and Eckhartz co-publisher Dave Stern sit with him at Monday night's Cubs-Marlins game.
Josh Reilly
~Josh Reilly 1868–1938 (Colts 1896)
When he arrived in Chicago in 1896 from San Francisco, the Sporting News provided a little background information about the 27-year-old rookie, saying he had been “traded for a horse when he played in California some years ago.” Then, he created a new legend for himself right out of the box. In his first big league game he started a triple play. Though he started with a bang, he was more of a shooting star than anything. After eight games, Reilly contracted typhoid fever, and just like that, his big league career was over. He lived another forty-plus years, but he never played baseball again.
Wednesday, May 08, 2019
Free Kicks, Episode 38
Listen to it here.
New music chart
Well, beginning next week, there will be a competitor. This one already has a brand name. It's the Rolling Stone Music Chart.
Details are here.
I think KB is back
Kris Bryant walks it off with a two out three run home run in the 9th inning. Oh baby! pic.twitter.com/McGc6S4dcw
— Cubs Live (@Cubs_Live) May 8, 2019
Janet on the Radio
Feeling grateful to be featured in part of the national Jim Bohannon top rated radio show which featured my book! For more info https://t.co/VmwNwkrgCL https://t.co/RZ1x3i7GOH
— Sutherland Media (@Sutherlandmedia) May 8, 2019
Rick on the Radio
Went down to Lagrange last night to do an interview with Brandon Herman about my book "EveryCubEver". When it's posted on his midwestern network, I will post it here.
Thanks Brandon for having me on.
Tuesday, May 07, 2019
Clearly Not A Hoax
Now Trump is blocking anyone from testifying to Congress about anything, and is refusing to turn over his tax returns.
Still think this is a hoax? Is that how an innocent person acts? No.
He's still obstructing justice right before our very eyes.
What a night at Wrigley!
Unforgettable night at Wrigley Field for me--even if the end result of the game could have been better.

Monday, May 06, 2019
Whoops
my favorite show in the entire world forgot a STARBUCKS COFFEE CUP ON THE TABLE WHILE FILMING pic.twitter.com/60z3pOCfg9
— zane (@zane) May 6, 2019
Kid K
I was there! Freezing, rainy, yucky day...but what a performance! https://t.co/xKeMGYKCFB
— Rick Kaempfer (@RickKaempfer) May 6, 2019



































