Publishing Portal--July 30, 2024

The latest news from Eckhartz Press, and a chance to peek into some of the great previous offerings from our humble little publishing company.

Happy Birthday!

=Eckhartz Press co-founder and one of our most prolific authors, Rick Kaempfer, is celebrating a birthday this week (July 28). Rick has written Father Knows Nothing, $everance, Back in the DDR, The Loop Files, and EveryCubEver for us, and co-written The Living Wills, Records Truly Is My Middle Name and Grun Weiss Vor.

=On the tenth anniversary of $everance's release (August 1, 2017), Rick updated the "Who Owns What in the Media" section at the back of the book. Here's radio. Here's the rest of traditional media. Time for another update soon.

=This week in 2019 (August 2), Rick made a few appearances promoting EveryCubEver. First he did a morning show in Elgin, then in the evening he did an appearance at Club 400 in Lake in the Hills and met former Cubs reliever Pedro Strop.

 

Happy Birthday!

=Another Eckhartz author is celebrating a birthday this week (July 29). Happy birthday to Mob Adjacent co-author Mike Gentile. Mike is the older of the Gentile brothers, and the one who really sounds authentically Mob-Adjacent. Jeffrey is the more urbane of the brothers.

First Copy of the Book

One of the most rewarding days in publishing is the day the author gets his or her first copy of their book. To Nudge the World's Jim Slusher had that moment last week. So what did he do with his first copy? Naturally, he gave it to his mom. That's her in the photo below...

Surviving Sue

=Tonight's the night...

To The Men I've Loved

=Author Pat Motto is having the launch party for her brand new Eckhartz Press book To the Men I've Loved in just a few weeks. Mark your calendars. 

Last Comiskey

=Our book Last Comiskey is actually the companion piece to the documentary film Last Comiskey by Matt Flesch. Matt came to the book's launch party. In a few weeks (August 22) he'll be doing a mini-screening of the film at the Arlington Heights Public Library. (You can register here). It will also include a Q&A with former White Sox pitcher Don Pall. Get your books signed by Matt & Don, by ordering them from us before the event, and bringing them that night.

Close Encounters of a Chicago Kind

=Vicki Quade is the author of our book Close Encounters of a Chicago Kind, but she is even more well known as a playwright and stage performer. She has three big shows coming up this fall, and sent word that tickets are available. Great fun, especially for Catholics. The shows are called Late Nite Catechism, Holy Ghost Bingo (for Halloween) and Are You Smarter than Your Eighth Grade Nun. Here are the details...

* Madison Street Theater, 1010 Madison St., Oak Park

Late Nite Catechism, at 3 p.m. Sunday, September 8

Holy Ghost Bingo: God, Goblins, & Games!, at 3 p.m. Sunday, October 27

Christmas Bingo: It’s  Ho-Ho-Holy Night, at 3 p.m, Sunday, December 1.

Tickets are $35, available at https://madisonstreettheater.org/events/

* Beverly Arts Center, 2407 W 111th St, Chicago

Holy Ghost Bingo: God, Goblins, & Games!, 7:30 p.m, Friday, October 18.

Tickets are $35.50, at https://ci.ovationtix.com/36129/production/1208998

* Christ the Servant Church, 8700 Havens Dr, Woodridge, IL 

Are You Smarter Than Your 8th Grade Nun?,  7 p.m., Friday, November 8, 2024,

Tickets: 630-910-0770, http://www.ctswoodridge.org/

A Reluctant Immigrant

=This week in 2013, we lost one of our authors, Felizitas Sudendorf. Her book about her courageous immigration to America was a big early hit for us. It was the only book we ever released on our imprint, Helgard Press. She combined war stories with old German recipes. It was a revelation. When she passed away, Rick wrote this tribute to her. We have since lost a few other authors including Chet Coppock, Joel Daly, Pat Colander, Dena Mendes, and Mark Gelinas. All of their books live on at Eckhartz Press.

 Protecting Children

 =This week in 2018 (August 3), Eckhartz Press released retired Judge Michael Ian Bender's book Protecting Children. It  provides unique insight into aiding children of divorce, custody, and parentage disputes so that they grow into healthy adults. 

Selling Dead People's Things

=Duane Scott Cerny owns one of Chicago's funkiest antique stores, and it inspired him to write the highly acclaimed Selling Dead People's Things. The book came out this week in 2017 (August 2). You can get a good feel for Duane's larger-than-life personality in this podcast interview. The man's an absolute stitch.

Best Seat in the House

=This week in 2014, Bruce Bohrer had a book signing in one of the most obvious places imaginable, Murphy's Bleachers. Several of his old Cub-usher colleagues showed up to say hello. So did at least one former Cub, Rick Sutcliffe.

Always a Pleasure

=One of the people featured in Chuck Swirsky's book Always a Pleasure is celebrating a birthday this week (July 28). Former Bulls coach and long-time basketball announcer Doug Collins is a Swirsky friend and confidant. Another famous basketballer is former Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban. It's his birthday this week too (July 31)

Your Dime My Dance Floor

=Two of the people Chet Coppock wrote about in Your Dime My Dance Floor have birthdays this week. Neither of them were really sports people, although the late Irv Kupcinet (July 31) did do color commentary on Chicago Bears games (with Jack Brickhouse) for many years. Would you believe that Chet also knew Arnold Schwarzenegger (July 30).

 

Nose Over Toes & I C U Copper

=This week in 2019, two Eckhartz Press authors, Deb Tokarz and Janet Sutherland, appeared on the same radio show, Playtime with Bill Turck...

  

Wicker Park Wishes

 =This week in 2021, Chicago media writer Robert Feder wrote about Eckhartz Press author Margaret Larkin in his Daily Herald column. Here is what he wrote...

Margaret Larkin, production assistant at Audacy all-news WBBM 780-AM/WCFS 105.9-FM, instructor at Columbia College and host of the long-running “Radiogirl Podcast,” can now add author to her credits. Chicago-based Eckhartz Press has published Wicker Park Wishes, Larkin’s debut novel. (Here is the link to order.) The story is set in 1994 in Chicago’s Wicker Park and Lincoln Park neighborhoods and downtown. Larkin will highlight the book at the 36th annual Printers Row Lit Fest September 11.

Transatlantic Passage

=This week in 2021, Paul M. Banks was making the rounds promoting his soccer book Transatlantic Passage. One of the stops was the Sports Beezer show (July 28). The following day (July 29) he appeared on WGN-TV News with Larry Hawley. 

Chili Dog MVP

=This week in 2022 (July 28), Dr. David Fletcher, the co-author of Chili Dog MVP gave a well-attended chat at Cantigny in Wheaton. It was a fun celebration of the 50th anniversary of the 1972 White Sox. 

=Two of the 1972 White Sox are celebrating birthdays this week, Pat Kelly (July 30) and Tony Muser (August 1). Both are featured in Chili Dog MVP

 

Inside Melania

=This week in 2020 (July 29), Eckhartz Press author Lauren LoGiudice debuted as a podcast host on the Radio Misfits Podcast Network. Her show is called Reconcile the Aisle. She later did a show with Eckhartz Press publishers Rick Kaempfer and David Stern.

Cubsessions & We Have Company

=What on earth could tie these two books together? The answer is Steve Trout. The former Cubs pitcher appeared in the book Cubsessions, and We Have Company author Bobby Skafish came out to that massive book launch party. Here's a photo to prove it...

=Trout is celebrating a birthday this week (July 30). Three of the rock stars Bobby features in his book are also celebrating birthdays this week, Rat Scabies (July 30), Robert Cray (August 1), and Jim Capaldi (August 2)

Fun with Animals

Animal stories about a decapitated seagull, an overturned wiener-mobile, a depressed bear, and hamsters in your pants, along with tributes to the recently departed Bob Newhart, Dr. Ruth, Richard Simmons, and Walter Shapiro are among the minutiae discussed by Rick and Dave.

Listen to the latest episode of Minutia Men here. 

Media Notebook--7-26-24

MEDIA NOTEBOOK

A curation of news items about the media from this past week, with a particular emphasis on Chicago.

RADIO/PODCASTS

 

*Rest in Peace

=Don Buchwald

One of the most famous talent agents in America. This is what one of his former clients, former Chicago radio morning man Paul Barsky, wrote on Tuesday to eulogize Don…

        Today I learned that legendary broadcast talent agent Don Buchwald passed away. He's quite famous for being Howard Stern's long-time agent and in my opinion, he's the main person responsible for Howard's financial success. But a couple years before he became Howard 's agent, Don was my agent. Here's how I met him :

In the early 80's I was hired to be part of a new coast to coast music radio network that ABC radio constructed called " Superadio". One of the personalities on the network was the greatest top 40 DJ of all time...Dan Ingram of 77 WABC fame. Anyway, a month before the network was supposed to launch all over America...the entire staff was called into a conference room for a 2pm meeting at the ABC building in NYC and given the bad news that the project was " postponed indefinitely", which was another way of saying " canceled".

After the meeting, Ingram asked me who my agent was. I said I didn't have one. Then he said..." you need one, and I'm going to introduce you to mine.. his name is Don Buchwald....let's go". So now I'm walking down East 44th st. in NYC with Dan Ingram heading over to meet his agent. We get to the building, head up in the elevator , the doors open and Dan leads me directly into Buchwald's office and shouts, "Superadio's dead, and here's one of the casualties ...Paul Barsky...you need to sign him..he's gonna do big things". And right then and there , and without ever hearing a sample of my work...I became Don Buchwald's brand-new client.

Not long after that, Don went to work quickly and literally changed the trajectory of my broadcasting career. He landed me my first major market morning radio hosting job.... the morning show on WCAU-FM in Philly, and then a few years later he secured for me the morning drive hosting job at WLS-FM in Chicago. Always impeccably dressed, I used to call him " Dapper Don"... he was brilliant, wise, laid back yet fearless. May he rest in peace.

 

*Sound Exchange Sues AccuRadio

=Kurt Hanson is the long-time Chicago radio guy who created the internet radio powerhouse AccuRadio. Sound Exchange is the service that collects royalties for recording artists. The RAMP newsletter has the blow by blow of this lawsuit.

 

*Musberger Media Buys Back VSiN

=A few years ago (2021) Brian Musberger and former Chicago Tribune writer Bill Adee sold their multi-platform sports betting site to DraftKings. This week they bought it back from them. In a release, Musberger said:  "We truly appreciate the work we've done with DraftKings and look forward to continuing to collaborate on future projects. Bill and I couldn't be more excited about leading VSiN into the future and cementing our position as a trusted authority in sports betting."

 

*Blues Brothers, on Audible

=Dan Ackroyd is at the helm of this project on Audible. Count me in. The Associated Press has more information about it.

 

*Ex-Chicago Radio

=Jay Styles, who was here in Chicago at WSHE for about five years as the afternoon man/MD, has re-emerged on the radio dial. He is now hosting afternoons at WHEL in Ft. Myers, Florida.

 

*New Illini Announcers

=Two former Illini players will join the radio coverage of University of Illinois football this year, Carey Davis and Kevin Mitchell.  Davis was a co-captain for the 2003 Illini and later became a Super Bowl winner with the Steelers. Mitchell was one of the co-captains of the 2008 Illini team that went to the Rose Bowl.

 

*Rest in Peace

=John Mayall

British blues musician. He was 90.

=Abdul “Duke” Fakir

Last surviving member of the Four Tops. He was 88.

=Dick Asher

Former president of Polygram and Columbia Records. He was 92.

 

 

MEDIA BIRTHDAYS/MILESTONES

 

*July 21—Mary Ann Ahern birthday

=Political reporter at NBC-5 Chicago. Winner of multiple Emmy awards, and a Lisagor Award for Lifetime Achievement (in 2012). A native of Michigan City, Indiana.

 

*July 21—Danielle Tufano

=Danielle was a morning personality and program director at the River for several years before leaving the radio business. This has always been my favorite photo of her, strangling her fellow River air personality Mitch Michaels at one of Mitch’s book signings. I interviewed Danielle for Illinois Entertainer.

 

*July 21—Spike Manton birthday

=Probably best known for his years paired up with Harry Teinowitz at various different Chicago radio stations. Spike also co-hosted with Steve Dahl at WCKG and was the morning man at the Loop with Dobie Maxwell and Max Bumgardner in the early 00s. In addition, Spike is an award-winning playwright. I interviewed him on my podcast a few years ago.

 

*July 21—Tim Virgin birthday

=Tim is the afternoon man at WLS-FM but also had a long and successful stint at both Q-101 and WLUP. I interviewed him for Illinois Entertainer.

 

*July 21—Rich Strong birthday

=Rich has worked at WMAQ radio, CBS-2 television, and still works as a news anchor for USA Radio Networks. He now lives in Denver.

 

*July 22—Sam Alex birthday

=Nationally syndicated country music radio personality, originally from the Chicago area.

 

*July 23--Ray Rayner birthday

=The beloved children’s TV host of the 1960s and 1970s at Channel 9 was also a war hero. He was one of the men who escaped the German POW camp memorialized in the film “The Great Escape”.

 

*July 24—Sky Daniels birthday

=Sky was the evening jock and music director of the Loop during its initial heyday in the late 70s, early 80s. (PHOTO: Paul Natkin). I interviewed Sky for Illinois Entertainer just last year.

 

*July 24--Kathy Brock birthday

=Kathy was an anchor at ABC-7 in Chicago for 28 years. She retired in 2018. It was clear her co-workers thought very highly of her…

 

*July 25--Anna Davlantes birthday

=Anna has worked at high profile gigs in both radio and television in Chicago, WGN Radio, and Fox-32, NBC-5, and WTTW.

 

*July 26—Steve King birthday

=Steve had a famous run at WLS during their music radio days but is best known for his two-plus decade run as the overnight host at WGN Radio along with his wife Johnnie. He’s also the writer of a cult rock and roll hit. I wrote about that in the Illinois Entertainer in 2021.

 

*July 26—Charlie Van Dyke birthday

=One-time WLS-AM morning man during the station’s music radio days. Really made his mark out on the west coast at KHJ. Voice of television stations around the country. Father of Kiss-FM’s morning man Christopher “Brotha Fred” Frederick.

 

*July 26—Jim Avila birthday

=Award-winning television journalist, best known for his years at ABC network. He also worked here in Chicago at Channel 2 and is originally from the Chicago area (Glenbard East High School grad). Currently working in local television again in San Diego.

 

*July 27—Jon Hansen birthday

=Jack of all trades. Has worked in both radio (WGN) and television (WCIU, Fox-32), and also provides the in-arena entertainment at Chicago Blackhawks games. He’s also in the Illini Media Hall of Fame. I interviewed him for Illinois Entertainer.

 

July 27—Will Byington birthday

=Will is one of the premier photographers in Chicago. He’s also a frequent radio guest. He combined those two back in November when he came out to the first book signing for The Loop Files, hopped on the bar at Pippin’s, and took this photo.

 

TV/STREAMING

 

*Olympic Coverage

=There’s no excuse to miss any part of the Summer Olympics you’d like to see. NBC-5 Chicago and Telemundo Chicago will have 500+ hours of coverage beginning today with the Opening Ceremonies. The newscasts on both Channel 5 and Telemundo will also feature locally-focused coverage in every newscast through the closing ceremonies on August 11.

*Gaynor Hall Leaves WGN

=She announced the news on Friday just a few hours after my last column came out….

 

*Jon Lester on Marquis Network

=They gave Lester a tryout in the TV booth alongside the Hall of Famer Pat Hughes. If you want to see how he did, here’s a little taste of it.

 

*Ernie Johnson Takes a Leave of Absence from TBS

=He was the in-studio anchor for TBS baseball coverage, but he’ll be taking off the rest of the regular season and post season to attend to a personal matter. More info here.

 

*He’s Back

=Meanwhile, it appears someone else’s exile is over.

🚨 NEWS: Thom Brennaman, who has been exiled from broadcasting for fours years after using a homophobic slur on air, has been hired to call nationally televised college football games for The CW, The Athletic has learned.

Full story: 👇👇https://t.co/Elp1WpwbtS

— Andrew Marchand (@AndrewMarchand) July 21, 2024

 

*The BBC to Lay Off 500 People

=That’s a big number, even if it’s over a two-year period as this article explains. 

 

*Rupert Murdoch’s Battle with his Children

=Reading this article it’s almost impossible not to think about the show Succession. Rupert is trying to change his “inviolable trust” so that his oldest son inherits it all because he has the same politics as Rupert. Murdoch considers his other three children too politically moderate to “maintain the value of his media properties”. He’s pitting his children against each other exactly the way Logan Roy would have done it.

 

*One more Newhart item

=This was one of my favorite pieces about Bob Newhart in the wake of his passing. Block Club Chicago explained the opening sequence of his show set in Chicago, and why he was hopelessly lost every day.

 

*Rest in Peace

=Autumn Crittendon

The former 16 and Pregnant star was 27.

16 and Pregnant alum Autumn Crittendon has passed away at 27 years old. pic.twitter.com/lv6NMFohgR

— E! News (@enews) July 23, 2024

=Ester TerBlanche

South African actress who appeared in All My Children. She was 51.

 

DIGITAL/PRINT

 

*RIP Walter Shapiro

=Jeff Greenfield announced the news via Twitter

Some very sad news this morning: Walter Shapiro, died. A political journalist for half a century, he was steeped in political lore, leavened with a love for history a wicked sense of humor, and a rich abiding love for his wife, Meryl Gordon. (1/2)

— Jeff Greenfield (@greenfield64) July 21, 2024

=In addition to being a great political commentator, Walter also wrote a book about one of his ancestors who hustled Adolf Hitler. I talked to him about that for my podcast just last year.

 

*Gershkovich sentenced to 16 years in Russian Prison

=Evan Gershkovich was given a 16-year sentence. 

=Meanwhile another US/Russian journalist (Alsu Kermasheva) was given 6 ½ years in a Russian prison after a rushed and secret trial. The AP has that story.

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.