Our latest episode. radiomisfits.com/fk243/
— Rick Kaempfer (@rickkaempfer.bsky.social) March 14, 2025 at 11:27 AM
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Saturday, March 15, 2025
Free Kicks
Thursday, March 13, 2025
Minutia Men Celebrity Interview--Billy Gardell
Our latest interview. Former "Mike & Molly" star Billy Gardell. radiomisfits.com/mmci271/
— Rick Kaempfer (@rickkaempfer.bsky.social) March 13, 2025 at 10:38 AM
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Monday, March 10, 2025
Publishing Portal--March 10, 2025
The latest news from Eckhartz Press, and a chance to peek into some of the great previous offerings from our humble little publishing company.
=Big weekend for Chili Dog MVP...
=One of the main characters of Chili Dog MVP is former White Sox organist Nancy Faust. Her birthday is this week (March 11). The co-author of Chili Dog MVP, David Fletcher, talked about Nancy's importance in this podcast interview. This photo of Nancy with Eckhartz Press publishers Rick and Dave was taken at a Chili Dog MVP book signing.
=On March 15, 2022, Rick Kogan reviewed Chili Dog MVP in the Chicago Tribune.
=Ken Churilla was also out and about in NW Indiana promoting The Flip Side. First, he and Flip Side co-owner Larry Rosenbaum appeared on Tom Lounges radio show on Tuesday night (3/4). Listen here.
=Then, Tom did his column about the book in the NW Indiana Times on Thursday.
=And then Saturday they made two library stops--one in Merrillville and another in Highland. Thanks to everyone who came out to say hello.
=Yet another appearance coming soon. Details below.
=From the Flipside archives, Robin Trower (March 9) is celebrating a birthday this week. Black Oak Arkansas released their first album this week in 1971 (March 10). Naturally we have pictures of both (with the Rosenbaum brothers) in the Flip Side book...
=Pre-order time is over for Mark Wukas' debut novel, The Kiss of Night. The books are now in stock! If you are one of the first 250 to order, you'll be receiving your autographed copy any day now.
=If you still want an autograph, come on out to the Book Launch party. Mark it on your calendar. It will be on April 5th from 1-3pm at is/was brewing in the tap room at 5121 N. Ravenswood in Chicago.
=The seventh edition manuscript has been completed and is now in the able hands of our book designer Jeff Waggoner. This is going to be the last one for a few years, so author Rick Kaempfer went all out. Hundreds more entries have been included, and hundreds of classic Cubs photographs as well. In the meantime, check out Rick's Just One Bad Century facebook page and his Bluesky account, because he is posting something every single day. For instance, this one from last week...
=It's been out for a few years now, but it's incredible how often new reviews still come in about Vicki Atkinson's wonderful memoir, Surviving Sue. Here's another great example.
=Eckhartz Press author Dobie Maxwell released his memoir Monkey in the Middle on his birthday in 2016 (March 14), and it remains one of our top selling books. He made the Chicago media rounds when it came out, including an interview on WGN radio, hosted one of the all time great book launch parties at Zanies comedy club on Wells in Chicago, and then did another media tour in Milwaukee, which is where the book takes place.
=Eckhartz Press author Jim Slusher will be presenting News Media, Truth, and Trust. That timeliest of topics will be presented on Tuesday, March 25, 7 p.m at the Mt. Prospect Public Library (10 S. Emerson Street in Mt Prospect). Explore the evolving news media landscape with someone who knows what he's talking about. Jim is the Daily Herald Opinion Editor and will share insights and tips for discerning reliable sources and navigating biases in modern journalism.
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=When Donald Trump lost in 2020, we assumed the interest would wane in this book written by Lauren LoGuidice. It's about the things she learned touring the country as a Melania impersonator. Well, it turns out she doesn't need to retire the act after all. Lauren is returning to town for another show...
Why I'm coming back: The world is on fire and every post on social is either "this is how it's burning" or "self care for surviving the flames." 🔥 We're all so sad - for good reason - but the most important thing is that we spend time in community. So I'm bringing the Misfit Variety Show back to the Chicago to gather the misfits together so we can laugh - together. It's the only way we're gonna get through this! So meet me at the Misfit Variety Show on Wednesday, March 26th 9PM at Lincoln Lodge.
=Dan McNeil does a deep dive into the Bears with this book, including what happened to some of the Bears after their playing days were over. One of them, tight end Chris Gedney, came to a very unhappy ending this week (March 9) in 2019.
=One of the players featured in Ken Smoller's book Last Comiskey was outfielder Phil Bradley, who was part of that 1990 White Sox team. He is celebrating a birthday this week (March 11)
=This week in 2013, John Landecker started doing his media tour for his memoir Records Truly Is My Middle Name. It began with this incredible review of the book by Chicago media writer Robert Feder. Then John appeared on the television show Windy City Live. He was surprised live on the air with a phone call from his old friend, Larry Lujack.
=This week in 2018 we signed these two guys to a publishing deal, Bruce Bohrer and Russ Fahrner. (Photo with EP Co-publisher David Stern). A few months later they delivered the manuscript of their book Embrace Retirement.
=One of Bobby Skafish's interview subjects from We Have Company: Four Decades of Rock and Roll Encounters is celebrating a birthday this week: Adam Clayton of U2 (March 13) rates his own chapter in Bobby's book.
=This week in 2017, Skafish appeared on WGN Radio with Dave Hoekstra.
The Balding Handbook
=David Stern's self help book for balding men is currently sold out, but not before it made its mark. This week in 2014, Dave appeared on Steve Cochran's show to talk about the book.
=This week is also the anniversary of the Ken doll (March 11, 1961). This photo from the Anger & Rage chapter (The subtitle of the book is: The five stages of grieving for your hair loss), might give you an idea of one of Dave's suggestions.
=Eckhartz Press author Chuck Swirsky has known the great Stephen Curry since he was a young boy. Chuck was the Toronto Raptors announcer when Steph's dad Del Curry was a Raptor. That heartwarming story is in the pages of Always a Pleasure. Curry's birthday is this week (March 14)
=This week in 2014, Joel Daly appeared on Windy City Live to talk about his book The Daly News. It was a homecoming of sorts for Joel, because the show was filmed at Channel 7 in Chicago, where Joel had starred as an anchorman for nearly 40 years. After the interview we visited the news studio and chatted with his old friends and colleagues.
=This week in 2019, Janet Sutherland began her publicity tour for her book Nose Over Toes. One of the stops on that tour was a visit to WGN Radio.
Close Encounters of a Chicago Kind
=Famous Chicago playwright Vicki Quade (Late Night Catechism) wrote a book for Eckhartz Press a few years ago about her entertaining encounters with everyday Chicagoans. She broke the book up into chapters based on topic. Considering that this week is the anniversary of O'Hare being named (March 13), it's a good week to pick up Close Encounters of a Chicago Kind and read the travel chapter.
=This week in 2015, the two Rick K's (Kogan and Kaempfer) chatted on the radio about Father Knows Nothing.
=One of the great things about the Gentile brother's book about growing up near the mob, Mob Adjacent, is the intersection of the crime world and Hollywood. For instance, this week's birthday girl (March 12) Liza Minelli, makes an appearance in the pages of the book.
=When Eckhartz Press author Chet Coppock died unexpectedly in a car accident in 2018, his friends gathered to hold a tribute for him in Arlington Heights, Illinois. Among the people there that day was fellow broadcaster (and former Chicago Bear) Dan Jiggetts. Jiggetts celebrates a birthday today, March 10. (Photo L-R: Dan Jiggetts, Cheryl Raye Stout, Jim O'Donnell, Rick Kaempfer)
Saturday, March 08, 2025
Monday, March 03, 2025
Publishing Portal--March 3, 2025
The latest news from Eckhartz Press, and a chance to peek into some of the great previous offerings from our humble little publishing company.
National Woman's Month
=March is National Woman's month, and we wouldn't be where we are today without the contributions of our female authors. We've published more than 20 books written by talented women, including three Pats (Pat Camalliere, Pat Motto, Pat Colander ) and two Vickis (Vicki Atkinson, Vicki Quade), plus Jeanne Bellezzo, M.L Collins, Jessica Hagy, Beth Jacobellis, Judy Ann Jamerson, Margaret Larkin, Lauren LoGiudice, Deena Mendes, Kristin Oakley, Lori Oster, Becky Sarwate, Maggie Smith, Kim Strickland, Felitzitas Sudendorf, Janet Sutherland (who won a children's book award this week), Deb Tokarz, and Ann R. Wilson. We can't thank them enough.
=Dan McNeil was making the rounds in his native Northwest Indiana this past week. He appeared on the Tom Lounges radio show on Tuesday night, then made a few library appearances in Highland and Merrillville this past weekend. Thanks so much to everyone who came out!
=This week (March 5) is also the birthday of former Bears quarterback Justin Fields. Dan McNeil wrote about Fields in I Bear Witness.
=This week is Flip Side week in Northwest Indiana. Author Ken Churilla is also a native of the area, and tomorrow night (Tuesday) he'll be on with Tom Lounges. The interview/music program airs live from 7-8pm Central and can be streamed live in real time on the station website at: www.lakeshorepublicmedia.org.
=He'll then will make treks to the two local libraries on Saturday March 8th. Details below.
=If you haven't seen it yet, the March issue of Illinois Entertainer is out and includes an interview with Flip Side co-owner (and author) Larry Rosenbaum.
=The Flip Side is still getting great reviews. Click on this one below to read it.
=Big event this week for Chili Dog...
🚨 Join Chicago SABR for a special Dick Allen Hall of Fame celebration 3/8/25 at 10:00 am at the Elmhurst Public Library 🚨
— SABRChicago (@SABRChicago) February 22, 2025
We will review Allen’s career, visit his hometown of Wampum, PA, and speak with authors John Owens and Dr. David Fletcher, along with Richard Allen Jr. pic.twitter.com/C2vYqGd4jt
=Of course, there's a reason that date was chosen. Dick Allen, the star of the book Chili Dog MVP, was born March 8,1942. Chili Dog MVP was released on his birthday in 2022. This summer Dick will be inducted into baseball's Hall of Fame and the entire Chili Dog MVP crew will be on hand to witness the festivities
=Last Comiskey author Ken Smoller will be there too. He's now the official photographer of the Dick Allen Hall of Fame celebration.
=Two of the people Ken features in Last Comiskey are celebrating birthdays this week as well. Former White Sox pitchers Scott Radinsky (March 3) and Wayne Edwards (March 7).
=Eckhartz Press author Jim Slusher has a presentation scheduled entitled News Media, Truth, and Trust. That timeliest of topics will be presented on Tuesday, March 25, 7 p.m at the Mt. Prospect Public Library (10 S. Emerson Street in Mt Prospect).
Explore the evolving news media
landscape with someone who knows what he's talking about. Jim is the Daily Herald
Opinion Editor and will share insights and tips for
discerning reliable sources and
navigating biases in modern
journalism.
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=The lucky 250 early purchasers of The Kiss of Night will begin receiving their autographed copies in the coming days. For the rest of you, we have some good news. Author Mark Wukas has scheduled his official Book Launch party. Come one, come all. It will be on Saturday April 5th, from 1-3pm at is/was brewing in the tap room at 5121 N. Ravenswood in Chicago.
The Loop Files
=This is actually a momentous week in Loop history. March 6, 2018, The Loop was put to death. Illinois Entertainer told the story. The last three songs The Loop played on the air were Motley Crue's "Shout at the Devil", Iron Maiden's "The Number of the Beast", and AC/DC's "Highway to Hell".
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=Two Loopers are celebrating birthdays this week, Laura Witek (March 4) and Scott Dirks (March 5). Both tell great stories in the book, including the stories behind these photos.
=NBC news anchor Lester Holt made news this week when he announced he will soon be stepping down from that show. This week's birthday boy (March 8) is also featured in the pages of Rich King's book Ike & Me.
=Rick Kaempfer is hard at work on the 7th edition of EveryCubEver, which should be coming out around opening day in Chicago. In the meantime, he has been posting daily EveryCubEver profiles on the Just One Bad Century facebook page and his personal Blue Sky page. Here's an example from last week...
EveryCubEver. Grover Cleveland Alexander. His 373 wins are the third most in baseball history. His story was told in the film The Winning Team, starring Ronald Reagan. Grover remains the only player in baseball history to be named after a president, and portrayed in a movie by a president.
— Rick Kaempfer (@rickkaempfer.bsky.social) February 26, 2025 at 11:36 AM
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=Author Bobby Skafish was making the publicity rounds this week in 2017 talking about his Eckhartz Press book We Have Company: Four Decades of Rock and Roll Encounters. Among his appearances, a visit to WCIU-TV's morning show.
=Legendary Bears safety Doug Plank celebrates a birthday this week (March 4). This is what he had to say about Your Dime My Dance Floor author Chet Coppock...
"When I think of Chicago sports, I think of Chet Coppock. Chet is everywhere and he knows everyone. He has done everything there is to do in sports reporting and broadcasting."
=Janet Guthrie is a trailblazing female race car driver. Her birthday is March 7. Chet Coppock got to know Guthrie during his days in Indianapolis, and wrote about her in Your Dime My Dance Floor.
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=This week in 2020, Roger Badesch's book The Unplanned Life became available for the first time via pre-sale. It immediately garnered praise from the dean of Chicago media. (Photo: L-R: Rick Kaempfer, Roger Badesch, Rick Kogan)
“You may think you know Roger Badesch if you have listened over the years to his exact and artful news reports on radio, but between the covers of this book you will find so much more–a man of great depth, many passions and skills. His is a wonderful life that you can now share.”
Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, WGN Radio
=Chuck Quinzio's harrowing tale of his life as a TV News cameraman has fans from across the spectrum, including Rob Reiner, who is celebrating a birthday this week (March 6)
=Chicago media critic Robert Feder wrote that one of the highlights of Joel Daly's memoir The Daly News was the inclusion of a few examples of his nightly commentaries from the Channel 7 News in the 1970s. One of those was delivered on the air this week (March 8) in 1972. You can read that free excerpt from Joel's book here.
=On March 7, 2013, The Living Wills became the first Eckhartz Press book to be used in a high school's literature curriculum. Co-author Brendan Sullivan was on hand at Marist High School the day it was introduced at the school.
=Pat Colander's book would go on to become the CWA Book of the Year in 2016. One of the book's biggest fans was Saturday Night Live alumnus Tim Kazurinsky, who is celebrating a birthday this week (March 3). Here's what Tim had to say...
As Paul Simon bookended…”Time it was, and what a time it was….A time of innocence. A time of confidences.” Chicago in the ’70’s was surreal, scary and freaking hilarious. My Second City kith and kin may have found brighter lights in N.Y. and L.A. — but we were spawned and fermented at North and Wells. Good thing Pat Colander thought to take notes and chronicle everything.
=Author Randy Richardson is a die-hard Cubs fan, so naturally his murder mystery takes place in Wrigleyville. Fellow Cubs author Stuart Shea provided this blurb for the back cover of the book...
"Randy Richardson’s Lost in the Ivy expertly captures the weirdness and excitement of the streets that the Chicago Cubs—baseball’s weirdest and most exciting franchise—call home. And aside from being a terrific “I’ve been there” walk through Wrigleyville, it’s a cracking murder mystery to boot!"
Stuart Shea, author of "Wrigley Field: The Unauthorized Biography" and "Wrigley Field: THE LONG LIFE AND CONTENTIOUS TIMES OF THE FRIENDLY CONFINES"
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=Randy Merkin's behind-the-scenes look at sports talk radio is full of great pictures of Randy with the movers and shakers of the Chicago sports world, including this week's birthday boy, Chicago Cubs Cy Young Award winning pitcher Jake Arietta (March 6).
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