Friday, March 13, 2015
Even in Spanish You Can't Say That
I'll grant you that there is a one in a million chance he didn't understand it was offensive (for cultural reasons), but let's be honest here. He must have known. I've been on the air many times and said some things that were borderline, but even I know better than to step over the ape line.
That's a duh. Even in Spanish.
Full story is here.
Every Cub Ever (Q)
What will you find there? Two classic baseball cards, a manager, a broadcaster, a 1969 Cub, two players who were old enough to remember the Civil War, two classic audio clips, a player who broke up a Tom Seaver no-hitter in the 9th inning, a great mustache, and of course, Wimpy.
Check it out here.
The 47 Senators
But I'm commenting today, because I want to share this op-ed in the Washington Post. It's written by former George W. Bush speechwriter Michael Gershon. He presents the conservative case for being upset about the letter. It's thoughtful, well-reasoned, and not pro-Obama at all.
It's not a partisan response to be disturbed by 47 senators sending a letter like this.
It's just common sense.
Will Ferrell on the Cubs
I was following along with the Will Ferrell saga yesterday on Twitter. It looked pretty funny. Will played for ten different teams as part of an HBO special, including the Cubs (who acquired him for a couple of burritos from the Angels during their game). He played first base very briefly and also coached third base. Here are some of the tweets I saw...
It sounds like his third base coach stint was pretty funny. He had a "home run" sign that he flashed (and Jorge Soler hit one), but he also flashed actual signs. This is my favorite part, from the Sun Times article about the spectacle...
Has there been a bigger downgrade in the history of baseball than Will Ferrell subbing for Mike Trout?
— John Arguello (@CubsDen) March 12, 2015Will Ferrell, taking his job seriously as the @Cubs' third-base coach. #FerrellTakesTheField pic.twitter.com/Da5OlKzMg1
— MLB (@MLB) March 12, 2015The Cubs bench Will Ferrell at 1B. He's no Anthony Rizzo. #WillFerrellTakesTheField pic.twitter.com/I7jKkplH0L
— Chuck Garfien (@ChuckGarfien) March 12, 2015Will Ferrell gives Joe Maddon a hug as he exits the field. #FerrellTakesTheField pic.twitter.com/BffahqnqdS
— John Antonoff (@baseballinfocus) March 12, 2015It sounds like his third base coach stint was pretty funny. He had a "home run" sign that he flashed (and Jorge Soler hit one), but he also flashed actual signs. This is my favorite part, from the Sun Times article about the spectacle...
The best exchange between third-base coach Ferrell and a hitter might have been when he held up a card to Welington Castillo that said, “You are sooooo handsome.”
Castillo gave him a thumbs up, and Ferrell switched to another sign: “I’m not just saying it.”
“He’s nuts,” said Kris Bryant, who hit one of his two home runs over Ferrell’s head in center (while he was with the Angels). “It’s kind of cool, though. … It’s never going to happen again. We had fun.”
RIP Jimmy Greenspoon
He wasn't one of three most famous members of Three Dog Night (those were Chuck Negron, Danny Hutton, and Cory Wells), but he was in the band from the outset. Jimmy Greenspoon was their keyboardist. From this morning's RAMP newsletter...
Greenspoon's keyboard work with Three Dog Night can be heard on their many hits, including "One," "Mama Told Me (Not to Come)," "Eli's Coming," "Joy to the World," "Black and White" and "Shambala," among many others that propelled Three Dog Night to the top of the charts in the late '60s and early '70s when they sold more records and concert tickets than any other band in America. Greenspoon is survived by his wife, Susie, daughter Heather Miller and two granddaughters. Services are pending.
If you didn't live through the late 60s/early 70s you probably don't appreciate the impact of Three Dog Night. They were superstars at the time as they churned out hit after hit. (And yet, they aren't in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for some reason). I chose the song below because of the keyboard opening by Greenspoon...
Greenspoon's keyboard work with Three Dog Night can be heard on their many hits, including "One," "Mama Told Me (Not to Come)," "Eli's Coming," "Joy to the World," "Black and White" and "Shambala," among many others that propelled Three Dog Night to the top of the charts in the late '60s and early '70s when they sold more records and concert tickets than any other band in America. Greenspoon is survived by his wife, Susie, daughter Heather Miller and two granddaughters. Services are pending.
If you didn't live through the late 60s/early 70s you probably don't appreciate the impact of Three Dog Night. They were superstars at the time as they churned out hit after hit. (And yet, they aren't in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for some reason). I chose the song below because of the keyboard opening by Greenspoon...
Thursday, March 12, 2015
Johnny Kaempfer
Happy birthday Johnny! Hope you have a great day.
Every Cub Ever (P)
What will you find there? 16 classic baseball cards, 11 videos, two celebrity fans, a manager and a coach, two classic audio clips, the most famous P.A. man in Chicago history, two sets of brothers, 5 Cubs named Patterson, a 1908 Cub and two 1945 Cubs, a classic no-hitter, a tongue twister, the catcher on the hottest day in Chicago history, plus Tot, Dode, Pinky and the Panamanian Flash.
Check it out here.
Justin Kaufmann
*When I say "just a producer" remember that's coming from someone who also used to be thought of the same way. I mean no offense to other producers at all. I'm the guy who wrote The Radio Producer's Handbook, remember? Head producer cheerleader, here. There's a whole chapter about people like Justin who have used the position as a springboard for bigger and better things.
Truffle Hunt is on GoodReads
By the way, Truffle Hunt was named one of the best foodie novels of all-time by The Gourmet Today. I wasn't kidding when I said it makes your mouth water while you're reading it.
You can order it here at Eckhartz Press.
The PR machine begins today. It's everywhere. Congrats to author Brent Petersen. Enjoy the ride, buddy!
Mitch Michaels
When I saw this note on his facebook page yesterday, I knew something was terribly wrong: ".....I have lost part of my heart and part of my soul.....and I know I will never be the same again....."
I kept checking back all day to find out what happened, and it was even worse than I feared. His son Spencer, only 21 years old, passed away suddenly yesterday. That's about as gut-wrenching as it gets.
The family has set up a GoFundme page to help offset the funeral costs.
I contributed to it yesterday evening. If you can find it in your hearts to contribute as well, it might help a little bit.
This is one of those staggering things that is so unspeakably sad, it's hard to wrap your head around it. I just hope that Mitch and his family can find some peace and comfort.
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Julie Andrews
Julie Andrews talks to Time Magazine about it.
For a little insight into my own Sound Of Music story, click here (Julie Andrews), and here (Charmian Carr).
There's also a story in Father Knows Nothing that directly explains my connection to the movie.
The photo associated with that story (of my sister and I) is below...
Truffle Hunt now available as an e-book
The latest Eckhartz press novel, Truffle Hunt, is now available as an e-book on amazon.
Buy it here.
Or, if you prefer the trade paperback, that's available right here at Eckhartz Press.
What is Truffle Hunt? According to Vesna Plakanis, Owner, A Walk in the Woods, Nature Guide Service: "Truffle Hunt serves up a five-star gourmet feast of murder, hidden historical gems, deep family pride, a dash of humor and romance, topped with delicate slices of heavenly, golden truffles and a glass of nectar from the deepest Eastern European wine cellars."
It's a novel that will make you hungry.
Back to Back to Back Jacks
The Cubs may still be winless (cut it out, boys), but there was this yesterday during a spring training game against Cleveland. Back-to-Back-to-Back-Jacks. Soler, Baez and Bryant.
All three videos can be seen here. None of them were cheapies.
Every Cub Ever (O)
What will you find there? A Hall of Famer, three classic baseball cards, a classic audio clip, a broadcaster, a manager, a song, Michael Jordan’s baseball teacher, plus a 1908 Cub, a 1945 Cub, and a 1969 Cub.
Check it out here.
The My Sweet Lord of this generation
I really didn't think they were going to lose this case, but they did. From this morning's RAMP Newsletter...
It's a verdict that could have long-reaching ramifications for future recording artists -- after digesting a week of testimony, a Los Angeles jury yesterday awarded the children of the late Marvin Gaye $7.3 million after determining Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams copied their father's music to create "Blurred Lines," the biggest song of 2013. As Variety reports, Gaye’s family had alleged that "Blurred Lines” copied their father’s 1977 song, "Got to Give Up," and sued Thicke, Williams and rapper T.I., all three of whom have repeatedly denied stealing Gaye's music. Gaye's children -- Nona, Frankie and Marvin Gaye III -- were present in the courtroom when the verdict was read. Since it was released in 2013, "Blurred Lines" has made nearly $16.5 million; the Gaye family had been seeking more than $25 million. Both Thicke and Williams appeared in court to defend their case, with much of the trial featuring comparisons to both songs. Listening to the juxtaposed bass lines of the two songs in question, Williams even admitted the similarities, saying, "It sounds like you're playing the same thing." Still, while testifying last week, Williams said the two songs share "feel -- not infringement." According to The Associated Press, an attorney for Thicke and Williams said a decision in favor of Gaye's heirs could have a chilling effect on musicians who try to emulate an era or another artist's sound.
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