Friday, October 13, 2023
Bed Bug Love
The hidden talents of our authors. This song is doing well in France, which is currently undergoing a small bedbug issue, The genius and singer of the song is Duane Scott Cerny, author of Selling Dead People's Things and Vintage Confidential (both of which are available at Eckhartz Press). Enjoy his subversive vision
Media Notebook--10-13-23
MEDIA NOTEBOOK
A curation of news items about the media from this past week, with a particular emphasis on Chicago
(By Rick Kaempfer)
TV/Streaming
*Tom Skilling's Big Announcement
*75th anniversary for Channel 5
=If you’ve been watching Channel 5 News this week, you’ve seen some of the segments celebrating the station’s 75th anniversary. Great features from the wayback machine. They’re going to keep on doing it through December. New interviews with Channel 5 alums like Ron Magers, Carol Marin, Mark Giangreco, Bob Sirott, Rob Stafford, Lisa Parker, Phil Rogers, Rich Samuels and more will be part of the celebration. I’m thoroughly enjoying it.
*Um, so close
=Whoops…
I don’t think that’s alderman Brendan Reilly @fox32news pic.twitter.com/wQxCTl5LJH
— AudubonAndrew (@AudubonAndrew) October 9, 2023
*Blackhawks Broadcasting Plans for 2023
=The season started this week. The broadcasting crew has some new names, some old.
*SAG/AFTRA strike talks break down
=If you assumed the SAG/AFTRA strike talks would be resolved quickly after the WGA strike was settled (like I did), you were mistaken. This piece in the Hollywood Reporter explains the contentiousness of the negotiations.
*How big will it be?
=Taylor Swift’s concert movie comes out today. Experts are predicting box office records.
*A Conversation with Brian Williams
=My alma mater (U of I) scored Brian Williams for a chat. He’ll be down in Urbana, but it is possible to join via zoom. October 23rd, 7-8pm.
*Cable News Corner
=CNN Boss Assesses His Network
The big one, from his recorded message: “TV is also too dominant at CNN and digital, too marginal.” He added: "Despite some recent encouraging developments like the launch of CNN Max, this company is still nowhere near ready for the future.”
— Ben Mullin (@BenMullin) October 9, 2023
*Rest in Peace
Media birthdays/milestones
*October 10--Jeff Hoover
birthday.
=I’ve interviewed the WGN
Morning News producer a number of times over the years. This one from 2007 was
the first time. Yes, he will also be featured in my upcoming book, The Loop Files.
*October 10--Carol Marin
birthday.
=You surely know that Carol
has won countless awards (including Emmys, a Polk, a Peabody, and more), but
did you know she was the sister-in-law of the late news great Garrick
Utley? She is also an Illini. Just sayin.
*October 11, 1975, SNL debuted. By my math, that’s 48 years ago. Laraine
Newman says 49.
Can’t believe it. 49 years ago today. pic.twitter.com/XDEtfd4BNC
— Laraine Newman (@larainenewman) October 11, 2023
*October 12--Marv Nyren birthday
=WLS Radio executive, VP/Market
Manager
*October 12--Stephanie
Tichenor birthday
=Another WLS Radio executive, Program director
*October 12--Ryan
Chiaverini birthday.
=Former Windy City Live
host and current ABC-7 sportscaster
*October 12-- Tom Teuber birthday.
=Tom recently passed away
but is remembered fondly in this town for his time at WMET and WBEZ.
*October 13--Roseanne
Tellez birthday.
=Roseanne has been on
television in Chicago since the mid-90s. She previously worked for Channel 9
and Channel 2, and currently works at Fox-32.
*October 13—Ty Bentli
birthday
=The former Kiss-FM
host is now out in Los Angeles.
*October 14—Lisa Wolf
birthday
=The former WGNer and
current AM 560 air personality also happens to be the cover girl of this month’s
Highland Park Neighbors
Radio/Podcasts
*Delilah to be Awarded Inaugural Gracie’s Icon Award
=Consider it to be a lifetime achievement award, if you will. Delilah can be heard locally in Chicago at WLIT.
*WGN Spooktacular
= WGN Chicago (720) will air “WGN Radio Theatre Spooktacular with Carl Amari” on Tuesday, Oct. 31 from 8pm-1am. The five-hour special will include old-time radio episodes of “Lights Out,” “Suspense,” “Inner Sanctum Mystery,” “The Whistler,” and “The Sealed Book.” That last one originally aired on April 14, 1945, on WGN. That’s two days after the death of FDR, and two weeks before Hitler’s suicide in the bunker.
*Spotify’s Supremium
=Word is leaking about the latest plans at Spotify. They are working on a new category of listening that will go for $19.99/month. Read more about it here to see if it’s worth it for you.
*The bots have come for podcasts
*Podcast Corner
=Surprised it took this long. Chip and Joanna Gaines announce their own podcast network.
=One for the youngsters: NPR’s college podcast scholarship opportunity
*Rest in Peace
Writer of the classic tunes "Shout", "It's Your Thang" and "That Lady" among others. He was 84.
*The Loop Files
=The Loop Files book has gone to the printer. In the meantime, I appeared on Matt Kissane’s podcast this week to talk about the book.
=Many thanks also to the RAMP newsletter for their nice write-up about the book.
=Here are a few more teases of what you’ll find in the book, including stories by Bobby Skafish, Dorothy Humphrey, and Buzz Kilman
=I’m getting the galleys in my hands (for interviewers) in the next week or two.
Digital/Print
*Washington Post Cutting 240 Jobs
=The paper has been having financial difficulties. The
Hill has details of how these cuts will occur.
*Getting Evan Released
=From the Wall Street Journal…
In an email today, WSJ editor @emmatuckerWSJ says DC bureau chief Paul Beckett will shift to a job working full-time to secure the release of Evan Gershkovich, and WSJ will search for a new DC chief https://t.co/wtjPmIvIlJ pic.twitter.com/peVi4Q6NpW
— Katie Robertson (@katie_robertson) October 11, 2023
Social Media
*X (Twitter) Under Pressure for Lack of Content
Moderation
=The European Union is demanding that X do a better job
of moderating content from Hamas. NBC News has the details.
*Utah Sues TikTok
=They claim that it harms the mental health of Utah’s youth.
As always, if you have any media story you’d like to share or think that I might be interested in sharing, drop me a line at rick@eckhartzpress.com or amishrick@yahoo.com. If you're in Chicago media and wondering why I didn't mention your birthday, it's probably because I don't know it. Drop me a line and let me know and I'll put you on my calendar.
If you're interested in some of my other projects...
Minutia Men Podcast: The Animal Kingdom
Minutia Men Celebrity Interview Podcast: Apple Co-Founder Ronald Wayne
Free Kicks with Adam & Rick: Premier League Predictions
The Fifth Edition (2023) of EveryCubEver is out now! Buy your copy today
The Fifth Edition (2023) of EveryCubEver is also on amazon. Buy your copy today.
Windy City Reviews Back in the D.D.R.
Wednesday, October 11, 2023
Ronald Wayne
My first podcast since the accident. An interview with one of the three founders of Apple (along with the two Steves). Ronald drew up the first contract when the company was founded. At the time, he owned 10%. You don't want to know how much he sold it for https://t.co/f2XbKE2Bqv
— Rick Kaempfer (@RickKaempfer) October 11, 2023
In today's RAMP newsletter
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Countdown to The Loop Files--Buzz Kilman
Our professional Eckhartz Press team is currently putting the bells and whistles on my upcoming book The Loop Files: An Oral History of the Most Outrageous Radio Station Ever, and the printing presses will begin rolling very soon to fill the many pre-orders (pre-order yours today) and future orders (and books for our upcoming book signings). The book ships in mid-to-late November.
While we eagerly await holding it in our hands, here's a little preview of what you'll find inside. The book is called an oral history because I interviewed over 100 different people who worked there, and the story of this radio station's amazing history is told in their own words, in a narrative style.
Among the Loopers featured in this book: Buzz Kilman
Buzz worked at the Loop during both of the heydays, anchoring news for Steve and Garry and Johnny B. He tells the stories about what it was like working both of those legendary shows, plus the difficulties of combining a Blues music career, with doing a morning show.
Buzz is just one of the people telling the Loop story. In the coming days I'll feature a few more. In the meantime, pre-order your copy today
Tuesday, October 10, 2023
Countdown to The Loop Files: Dorothy Humphrey
Our professional Eckhartz Press team is currently putting the bells and whistles on my upcoming book The Loop Files: An Oral History of the Most Outrageous Radio Station Ever, and the printing presses will begin rolling very soon to fill the many pre-orders (pre-order yours today) and future orders (and books for our upcoming book signings). The book ships in mid-to-late November.
While we eagerly await holding it in our hands, here's a little preview of what you'll find inside. The book is called an oral history because I interviewed over 100 different people who worked there, and the story of this radio station's amazing history is told in their own words, in a narrative style.
Among the Loopers featured in this book: Dorothy Humphrey
Dorothy was a key member of the Kevin Matthews show, You may remember the times Kev made her join the LuvaBulls, or jump out of an airplane, or do a show lying in a funeral home coffin. She tells those stories and more in the book.
Dorothy is just one of the people telling the Loop story. In the coming days I'll feature a few more. In the meantime, pre-order your copy today
Monday, October 09, 2023
The Sting
Chuck is right on the money with this. The Sting was huge, and I was one of the die-hard fans. Best logo ever. https://t.co/ajhZWZpjKd
— Rick Kaempfer (@RickKaempfer) October 8, 2023
Countdown to The Loop Files: Bobby Skafish
Our professional Eckhartz Press team is currently putting the bells and whistles on my upcoming book The Loop Files: An Oral History of the Most Outrageous Radio Station Ever, and the printing presses will begin rolling very soon to fill the many pre-orders (pre-order yours today) and future orders (and books for our upcoming book signings). The book ships in mid-to-late November.
While we eagerly await holding it in our hands, here's a little preview of what you'll find inside. The book is called an oral history because I interviewed over 100 different people who worked there, and the story of this radio station's amazing history is told in their own words, in a narrative style.
Among the Loopers featured in this book: Bobby Skafish
During that second Loop heyday, Bobby interviewed the biggest stars in rock and roll. He tells about his encounters with members of Led Zeppelin, Van Halen, the Rolling Stones and more.
Bobby is just one of the people telling the Loop story. In the coming days I'll feature a few more. In the meantime, pre-order your copy today
Friday, October 06, 2023
Media Notebook--10-6-23
MEDIA NOTEBOOK
A curation of news items about the media from this past week, with a particular emphasis on Chicago
(By Rick Kaempfer)
RADIO/PODCASTS
*Chicago Radio Ratings
=The ratings for September came out this week. These are the top ten stations according to Nielsen...
WLIT (6.8)
WDRV (6.8)
WBBM-AM (4.9)
WXRT (4.7)
WVAZ (4.2)
WTMX (4.1)
WOJO (3.6)
WLS-FM (3.4)
WGN (3.4)
WBMX (3.3)
=The Score finished just outside the top ten but had one of their best overall numbers in a long time (3.2)
=The Mix and the Drive both shot up the rankings. WTMX went up 0.7, and WDRV went up 0.4, to claim a share of the top spot. WGN also had their best month in a long time (up 0.4)
=WLIT had the biggest drop, down 0.9 since last month. On the other hand, they are still tied for first and doesn't Christmas music start up in a few weeks?
*Internet-FM interview
=The October issue of Illinois Entertainer is out and includes my interview with Internet-FM founders Steve and Eric Leventhal.
*Rick O'Dell Leaves Me-TV FM
=His last day at the station was Wednesday. One of radio's good guys, Rick O'Dell, has left his PD job and his coworkers threw him a going away party. Bob Lawson is in the interim PD. Neal Sabin is interviewing PD candidates. I asked Rick what was coming next for him and he wasn't quite ready to call it a full retirement. "I enjoyed much good fortune during my time in radio, getting to spend my entire career in my hometown and work for several very successful stations. No immediate plans, and I'm totally fine with that."
*WLS Adds Two Hours of Local Talk
=In a bit of a surprise move, WLS-AM announced yesterday that they are adding two local news hours in the afternoon. Bret Gogoel, Nick Gale, Annie Krall and Kim Gordon will anchor from 3-5pm weekdays. The 3pm show is called The Closing Bell, and the 4pm show is PM Chicago Radio Insight has more information.
*Audacy Financial Woes
=I’m no financial expert, but after reading this piece about Audacy’s financial woes, I’ve come to the conclusion that they are in deep
trouble. I had to read it several times because the jargon is so thick you can
cut it with a knife, but after you cut it away, the bottom line is they skipped
an $18 million loan payment. That can’t be good.
*iHeart Breast Cancer Walk
=The seventh annual Sista Strut Pink
Celebration will be held tomorrow (October 7) at the Salvation Army Community
Center on the Southside of Chicago. All seven iHeart-Chicago radio stions will
participate: 107.5
WGCI, WVAZ (V103), WGRB (Inspiration 1390), WKSC (103.5 Kiss FM), WLIT (93.9 Lite FM), WCHI (Rock 95 FIVE), and WMFN-AM (Chicago's BIN 640). The walk benefits Sisters Network Chicago, a Black breast
cancer survivorship organization. The sponsor for the event is Your Local Ford
Dealers.
*Brian Noonan update
=The former WGN host is now hosting nights
at WTMJ in Milwaukee, but he’s also co-hosting a new podcast that might
interest you. It’s called Crafty Brewers: Tales Behind Craft Beer. The
executive producer of the show is Noonan’s longtime producer Cody Gough. The
co-host is Katherine Vallaeu, co-owner of Exit Strategy Brewing Company in
Forest Park. Find it on all podcast platforms and YouTube.
*Garry Meier on WLS
=Look who was back in town last week hosting the
afternoon show on WLS. It was only a guest shot, but he certainly
sounded comfortable saying the call letters WLS. The whole week of shows is here.
*Kevin Matthews Movie Premiere
=Last night at the Arcada theater in St. Charles, Kevin Matthews premiered his documentary about his band Ed Zeppelin to several hundred fans. I wanted to be there not just because I directed the film, but also because my son Tommy edited it. I understand it was received warmly. Kevin was kind enough to snap this shot with Tommy after the show...
*New Radio Hall of Famers
=These are all people who have passed away and are being
inducted posthumously. Bob Grant (On-Air Personality); Dave Robbins (Programming Executive); Ed Christian (Executive); Eduardo Caballero (Executive); Jack "The Rapper" Gibson (On-Air Personality / Writer); Joe "Butterball" Tamburro (Programming Executive); Long John Nebel (On-Air Personality); Marty Glickman (Play-by-Play Host / Executive); Mary Turner (On-Air Personality); Steve Rivers (Programming Executive); Terry Dorsey (On-Air Personality); and Tom Rounds (Executive).
=Robbins spent part of
his career in Chicago (WBBM-FM, WJMK-FM, US-99), and he has one claim to fame
the others on this list can’t match: He is the only person in radio who ever
fired me. He was very upbeat about it. Said he was jealous of all the time I’d
get to spend with my kids. (Not kidding, he really said that)
*Q-101’s Twisted X-mas
=Pretty strong lineup for this year’s concerts. Click on
the picture for see artists and dates. Pre-sale tickets are available at
Ticketmaster.com
*FCC allows foreign ownership
=The company is Alpha Media, and they have successfully lobbied the FCC to allow them to sell a 70% stake in the company to foreign investors. The old cap was 25%.
*The Voice of the CTA
=Cool story about the man who has been the voice of the CTA for the past 25 years.
*Rest in Peace
One of the pioneering club DJs (Smart Bar). She was 66.
*Countdown to the Loop Files
=Follow the countdown on my blog, teasing the stories told in the book by Lee Abrams, Matt Bisbee, Danny Bonaduce, Jonathon Brandmeier, Chet Coppock, Steve Dahl, and Sky Daniels.
=And of course, you can pre-order here. It ships in mid-to-late November.
MEDIA BIRTHDAYS/MILESTONES
*October 1--Norm Winer birthday.
=Norm was the driving force behind
WXRT for many decades. He’s currently the co-founder and chief content curator
at Noteworthy.
*October 2-- Michelle
Damico birthday.
=Former WBEZ broadcaster
*October 4—Pete Kastanes
birthday
=Pete is the administrator of Vanished
Chicagoland Facebook group.
*October 6—Jay Goeppner
birthday
=Former Beatle Brother and frequent
radio guest
*October 7--Melissa McGurren birthday.
=I previously interviewed
her for Shore Magazine (2008), when she was still part of the morning show at the Mix.
She is now morning co-host at US-99.
*October 7--John Owens birthday
=Chicago/Midwest chapter President of
the the National Academy of Arts and Sciences until July of this year. Owens
currently works at ABC-7 in Chicago and is the co-author of the book
Chili Dog MVP.
TELEVISION/STREAMING
*A new star hits Chicago
=After that bad ending to Cubs season,
and horrible start to Bears season, who is up for some hockey?
*Bulls on NBC Sports-Chicago
=After that bad ending to Cubs season, and horrible start
to Bears season, who is up for some basketball? 78 Bulls games will be telecast
this year on NBC Sports Chicago, but don’t forget your streaming options. Every Bulls game
telecast, along with surrounding pre/postgame coverage, will also be live
streamed to authenticated NBC Sports Chicago viewers on NBCSportsChicago.com and the “NBC Sports” app.
For more information about NBC Sports Chicago’s live streaming of its Bulls
telecasts, viewers are urged to visit the following link: Bulls Streaming – NBC Sports Chicago
*End of writer’s strike
=At least one of the strikes is settled now. SAG/AFTRA
won’t be far behind.
*Rupert Steps Down
=Last weekend media titan Rupert Murdoch finally stepped down as chairman
and handed the reigns to his son Lachlan. Tech and media journalist Kara
Swisher described Rupert Murdoch’s legacy perfectly: “the single
most destructive force in America, England and Australia.”
*Cable News Corner
=Watching Fox News with Gavin Newsom
This is a pretty interesting piece about learning the depth of the media silo.
*News and documentary Emmy Awards
=The full list is here and includes David Muir, Anderson Cooper,
and Frontline, but the much-maligned CNN newsroom really cleaned up.
*Roy Wood is leaving The Daily Show
=Once he found out that he isn't being considered as Trevor Noah's replacement, he decided that his eight year run is over.
*Byron Allen’s Pitch for ABC
=This is his pitch to ABC. Sounds like something Bob Iger
will at least consider.
*Rest in Peace
You probably remember him as Dumbledore
As
always, if you have any media story you’d like to share or think that I might
be interested in sharing, drop me a line at rick@eckhartzpress.com or amishrick@yahoo.com. If
you're in Chicago media and wondering why I didn't mention your birthday, it's
probably because I don't know it. Drop me a line and let me know and I'll put
you on my calendar.
If
you're interested in some of my other projects...
I haven’t been able to
podcast recently because of arm surgery (I’m also typing one-handed, bear with
me), but these are my latest episodes…
Minutia Men Podcast: Sweet Home Chicago
Minutia Men Celebrity
Interview Podcast: The Sultan of Slowjamistan
Free Kicks with Adam &
Rick: Premier League
Predictions
The
Fifth Edition (2023) of EveryCubEver is out now! Buy your copy today
The
Fifth Edition (2023) of EveryCubEver is also on amazon. Buy your copy today.
Windy City Reviews Back in the D.D.R.
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