Friday, December 10, 2021

RIP Mike Nesmith

Sorry to hear about Mike's passing. That leaves only one Monkee (Mickey). I met Mike in the late 80s and he signed one of my old Monkees albums. I don't think it's a stretch to say that he was the most musically gifted of the Monkees. For one thing, he wrote this song, which was a HUGE hit for Linda Ronstadt. I personally prefer this version...
Posted by at

Thursday, December 09, 2021

Randy Merkin Event

Posted by at

Wednesday, December 08, 2021

John Lennon

This is how I heard the news that John had been shot. Never forgave Howard Cosell...
Posted by at

Monday, December 06, 2021

Minutia Men

Posted by at

When Harry Met Rehab

Posted by at

Chris Cuomo Fired

 I'm not suprised at all that he was fired. I am surprised it took this long.

But he gone.

Posted by at

Friday, December 03, 2021

Illinois Entertainer


The latest issue of Illinois Entertainer is out and includes my tribute to the Chicago media figures we lost this year. Thanks to Rich King, Joan Esposito, and Kipper McGee for helping me memorialize a few of their former colleagues.

Read it here.

Posted by at

Thursday, December 02, 2021

An Off-White Christmas

Posted by at

The CBA

 This arrived in my e-mail box this morning. Perhaps it was in yours too. I'm not optimistic this is going to be settled anytime soon...

Cubs Fans,

Thank you again for being the best fans in baseball and providing remarkable support and love to our team. We are constantly reminded of the power of our sport to unite people, restore hope and provide joy. We hope you know you are central to making that happen.

As a valued member of our Cubs family, we would like to share an update with you on the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

Despite Major League Baseball's best efforts to reach an agreement with the Players Association, the current CBA has expired. As a result, MLB has been forced to commence a defensive lockout of Major League players. While we share your disappointment in the situation our game finds itself in today, we can assure you MLB negotiated in good faith and exhausted every reasonable avenue to try to avoid the first work stoppage in nearly 30 years.

Today’s announcement does not necessarily mean games will be canceled. The purpose of MLB taking this step is to create urgency to reach an agreement as quickly as possible with the goal of avoiding impact to the 2022 season.

MLB is working around the clock to reach an agreement by offering solutions aimed at addressing the Players Association's stated concerns in a manner that is fair to both sides, improves competitive balance on the field so every team has a chance to compete and improves and preserves the game of baseball for all fans.

Until an agreement is reached, we are not permitted to sign free agents, offer contract extensions, waive/option/release players or conduct trades. We have prepared for this undesired outcome. Once a new agreement is reached, we will be well positioned and ready to continue our work to build the next great Cubs team.

We are confident there is a path to an agreement and both sides will work together to protect, grow and strengthen the game we all love. In cooperation with MLB, we are committed to keeping you informed throughout this process. For the most up-to-date information from the League, please visit mlb.com/update.

We appreciate your patience and support as we await a new agreement. We know how important our team and sport are to you and your family. We can't wait to share the magic of Wrigley Field and enjoy competitive baseball with you in 2022.

Sincerely,
The Chicago Cubs

Posted by at

Chicago Radio Ratings

 For the full break down of the dayparts, click here on today's Robert Feder column. These are the overall numbers...

1. (tie) WBBM 780-AM/WCFS 105.9-FM all news, 5.7 (6.7); WLIT 93.9-FM adult contemporary, 5.7 (4.6)
3. WVAZ 102.7-FM R&B, 5.0 (5.8)
4. WDRV 97.1-FM classic rock, 4.8 (4.3)
5. WBEZ 91.5-FM public radio news talk, 4.7 (4.9)
6. WTMX 101.9-FM hot adult contemporary, 4.4 (3.5)
7. WOJO 105.1-FM Mexican regional, 4.3 (4.5)
8. WLS 94.7-FM classic hits, 4.1 (3.8)
9. (tie) WXRT 93.1-FM adult album alternative, 3.7 (4.0); WGN 720-AM news talk, 3.7 (3.5)
11. WPPN 106.7-FM Spanish adult contemporary, 2.9 (2.9)
12. WKSC 103.5-FM Top 40, 2.8 (2.8)
13. WRME 87.7-FM soft rock oldies, 2.7 (2.7)
14. (tie) WBMX 104.3-FM classic hip-hop, 2.6 (2.5); WGCI 107.5-FM hip-hop, 2.6 (2.5)
16. (tie) WBBM 96.3-FM Top 40, 2.4 (2.3); WLEY 107.9-FM Mexican regional, 2.4 (2.4); WUSN 99.5-FM country, 2.4 (2.4)
19. WSCR 670-AM sports talk, 2.1 (2.5)
20. WKQX 101.1-FM alternative rock, 2.0 (2.0)
21. WFMT 98.7-FM classical, 1.9 (2.3)
22. (tie) WCHI 95.5-FM rock, 1.8 (1.7); WSHE 100.3-FM adult contemporary, 1.8 (1.8)
24. WMVP 1000-AM sports talk, 1.6 (2.0)
25. (tie) WPWX 92.3-FM hip-hop, 1.2 (1.3); WZSR 105.5-FM hot adult contemporary, 1.2 (1.1)
27. WGRB 1390-AM gospel, 1.0 (0.6)
28. WVIV 93.5-FM Spanish contemporary, 0.9 (1.1)
29. (tie) WLS 890-AM news talk, 0.8 (1.1); WSRB 106.3-FM R&B, 0.8 (0.7)

Posted by at

Tuesday, November 30, 2021

Dick Allen book

Posted by at

Monday, November 29, 2021

Get Back

 What did I do over Thanksgiving break? I watched all seven hours. Loved every minute of it. An absolute delight for Beatles fans.



Posted by at

Wednesday, November 24, 2021

EveryCubEver '22

 It's here! The brand new 2022 edition of my book "EveryCubEver" is now available at Eckhartz Press. There are over 100 new and/or updated entries (geez, the Cubs had a lot of new players this year). It's the perfect Christmas gift for the Cub fan in your family. We have a few new endorsements too...


“From the immortals to the footnotes, they’re all here. Every player has a story. An enduring fascination for any baseball fan with the curiosity to ask, hey, who were those guys?”
--Lin Brehmer, WXRT Radio

“Amazing. That’s the only word for EVERY CUB EVER. Amazing. For bar bets, crazy stories, pull-out lists (every Cub born in Hawaii
or every Cub to serve in the military) and playing “Six Degrees of Fergie Jenkins”, it’s a die-hard’s must-have. Its immersive Cubness bound to please both the casual fan and the red-eyed obsessive, not to mention the ghosts of all the Colts, Orphans and White Stockings who can be found whizzing around the warning track, rustling the ivy.”
---James Finn Garner, NY Times Best Selling Author, Politically Correct Bedtime Stories

Posted by at

Tuesday, November 23, 2021

Grammy's


Here's the full list of nominees from the big 4 categories...

• Record Of The Year: "I Still Have Faith In You, ABBA; "Freedom," Jon Batiste; "I Get A Kick Out Of You," Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga; "Peaches," Justin Bieber f/Daniel Caesar & GivÄ“on; "Right On Time," Brandi Carlile; "Kiss Me More," Doja Cat f/SZA; "Happier Than Ever," Billie Eilish; "MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name," Lil Nas X; "Drivers License," Olivia Rodrigo; "Leave The Door Open, "Silk Sonic.
• Album Of The Year: We Are, Jon Batiste; Love For Sale, Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga; Justice (Triple Chucks Deluxe), Justin Bieber; Planet Her (Deluxe), Doja Cat; Happier Than Ever, Billie Eilish; Back Of My Mind, H.E.R.; MONTERO, Lil Nas X; Sour, Olivia Rodrigo; Evermore, Taylor Swift; Donda, Kanye West.
• Song Of The Year: "Bad Habits," Ed Sheeran; "A Beautiful Noise," Alicia Keys & Brandi Carlile; "Drivers License," Olivia Rodrigo; "Fight For You," H.E.R.; "Happier Than Ever," Billie Eilish; "Kiss Me More," Doja Cat Feat. SZA; "Leave The Door Open," Silk Sonic; "MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)," Lil Nas X;  "Peaches," Justin Bieber f/Daniel Caesar & GivÄ“on; Right On Time," Brandi Carlile.

• Best New Artist: Arooj Aftab, Jimmie Allen, Baby Keem, FINNEAS, Glass Animals, Japanese Breakfast, The Kid LAROI, Arlo Parks, Olivia Rodrigo, Saweetie. 

Posted by at

Monday, November 22, 2021

RIP Doug Jones

Posted by at

Time to Become a Basketball Fan Again

Posted by at

Fox News Contributors Quit

Jonah Goldberg and Stephen Hayes used to be widely respected conservative pundits. They quit over the weekend because of the network's dangerous "documentary" about January 6th.. In the special Tucker Carlson says the violence of January 6th was a false flag operation, which is obviously untrue, and was reported as it were on one of America's top cable networks. It's the lowest point ever for a network that has had many low points. I applaud Goldberg and Hayes for their principled stance.
Posted by at

Friday, November 19, 2021

RIP Mick Rock

Posted by at

Randy's Book Launch

 A few photos from last night's Randy Merkin book signing. Thanks to everyone who came out. Randy had a great time and was very humbled by the huge turnout...











Posted by at

Thursday, November 18, 2021

Les Mann

Posted by at
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)