MICK KAHLER'S WORLD

There’s a scene in the late 80’s movie “Murphy’s Romance” where Murphy (played by James Garner) is buying his favorite shirt at a store.  The store clerk complains he should try a different kind of shirt but Murphy holds true to his own choice.  The clerk then tells him he’s out of style and Murphy smiles and says, “I wouldn’t doubt it for a minute.”  I can identify with staying with the tried, true and favorites.  Here are three examples.

SIMPSONS WALL CALENDAR- After a one-year hiatus from having a Simpsons calendar, I have one set for 2024.  Let me explain- Since 1993, I’ve had a Simpsons calendar hanging in my house each year.  Yes, a little old school for the I-pad, Apple watch thriving so many people do, but I like the visual of a wall calendar to suit my daily needs. The reason I passed on ordering one for 2023 was the year before that, my calendar was printed with Monday being the first day posted on the far left.  This screwed me up for all of 2022.  It was a total break from most calendars which have Sunday as the first spot on the left.  So, when I saw 2023’s Simpsons calendar was set up the same as 2022’s, I passed on it (breaking the thirty-year tradition) and opted for a Major League baseball stadium calendar.  But now the makers of the Simpsons calendars wised up and went back to Sunday being the first day on the left for each month so now I start a new streak of ordering that calendar for my wall.

And I sure hope 2024 is a better year in the world and for all of us than 2023 has been.

Thanks to the printers going back to traditional calendar grids, I’m back with a Simpsons wall calendar for 2024.

I like to keep life consistent whenever possible in other ways too.  Case in point, my VH-1 key ring fob that I’ve had bind my car and house keys since 1992.  I got this once green colored but now faded to dull gray charm while attending one of the coolest concerts I ever saw. The fob was in a goodie bag given out to guests at a VH-1 event held at the WTTW studios in Chicago.  I was one of about a hundred folks who witnessed a two-hour acoustic performance by Neil Young.  It was just Neil and his guitar playing tracks from his newly released “Harvest Moon” album along with songs dating all the way back to his days with Buffalo Springfield.  I remember him opening the show with the timeless classic track “Mr. Soul.”  Young also brought along a pipe organ which was saved for his last song of the night, a haunting version of “Like a Hurricane.”  That was a special night of music and that VH-1 key ring fob has been with me ever since.

It’s well worn but still durable. My VH-1 key ring fob.

CHECK HOLDER– For years, like anyone else, I had a bank issued checkbook.  A flimsy plastic binder that held a load of to be used checks and my register.  Then at Christmas of 1994, I asked my mother for a leather-bound check holder.  The idea came to me when I remembered seeing the leather check holder my dear friend and mentor Lee Swanson used to have.  His was emblazoned with the Record Gallery logo, which was a music store he owned back in the 70’s.  Lee had just passed away a couple months before Christmas of 1994 and I was thinking of him and how I wanted a similar leather-bound check holder.  I’ve had that same check holder for almost thirty years and will use it until it’s my time to leave this world.

My leather checkbook holder. I’ve had this one since 1994.

So, while there’s nothing wrong with the new, with certain things, I prefer some personal items that are tried and true. 

NEXT BLOG- Ringing out 2023 and ringing in 2024.

I’m always up for listening to different versions of old songs recorded by artists other than the original.  In other words, cover songs.  Some singers, who weren’t really songwriters, made a career out of doing that.  Linda Ronstadt and Johnny Rivers leap to mind on that score.

Anyway, while cruising through YouTube I’ve come up with five cover songs that do justice to the original recordings.  So, let’s check them out.

Mitch Ryder — “When You Were Mine.”  First off, that Prince track is my favorite that he ever wrote. Cyndi Lauper put a cover of it on her smash album “She’s So Unusual” and I’ve seen her sing that one in concert.  Mitch’s version of this Prince tune came out in 1983 on the aptly titled album “Never Kick a Sleeping Dog.”  While Lauper’s recording of it is good, somehow “When You Were Mine” sounds better sung by a man. 

Miley Cyrus– Tom Petty’s “Wildflowers.”  Miley writes some good songs herself but her real forte is covering and putting special touches on rock and country compositions.  She performed this Petty tune with her father Billy Ray on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.  Just a tender and effective read on a sweet song by the late great rocker from Gainesville, Florida.  This version is when Miley did it on the Howard Stern Radio Show.

Everything But the Girl–Simon & Garfunkel’s “The Only Living Boy in New York.”  There probably isn’t an S&G song that I don’t love but my two personal favorites are the less known cuts; “Baby Driver” and “The Only Living Boy in New York.”  The latter being one I was drawn into when watching the small but fine movie “Tadpole.”  EBTG does Paul Simon’s song justice with a sweet choral read that I never get tired of listening to.

The Jayhawks — Dixie Chicks’ “Everybody Knows.” Jayhawks lead singer Gary Louris co-wrote this track with the Dixie Chicks (now known as just “The Chicks”) back in 2006 for their “Taking the Long Way Around” album.  Ten years later, the Jayhawks recorded it and did well with this introspective song.

Travis Tritt –Steve Earle’s “Sometimes She Forgets.” Easily my favorite Steve Earle song and years ago Travis covered it beautifully.  In concert Tritt often also plays Earle’s “Copperhead Road.”  A couple of times I got to tell Travis in person that he’s the only guy who should ever be allowed to cover anything written by Earle.  He laughed at that and appreciated the compliment.

There’s plenty of other cover songs to discover and appreciate.  I’ll get to more of them in the near future.

Next Blog- Holding on to the tried & true.

Got a few things on my mind so here we go.

The actor’s strike is finally over.  This means during sex women everywhere can now go back to “faking orgasms” if they need to.

With the actor’s strike over, during sex, ‘faking it’ is now allowed again.

Netflix has been on a roll with some new offerings I really enjoyed.  The first being “Sly”, the documentary on Sylvester Stallone.  Lots of great early footage of the actor along with tales on “Rocky” that I never knew before.  Growing up, Stallone had a really rough relationship with his father and those issues dovetail into the actor’s film career.  The ‘Rocky’/’Rambo’ star also comes to serious realizations about the time he’s missed with his own kids.

“Nyad” is the drama about open water swimmer Diana Nyad and her struggle to swim from Cuba to Florida when in her 60’s.  Annette Bening is great in the lead role and it wasn’t until when the end credits rolled that I realized her close pal and coach was played by Jodie Foster.  “Nyad” does well covering the swimmer’s long athletic history by mixing in old clips and pics with real life videos from her past. You don’t have to be an avid swimmer to appreciate all that Nyad went through to make history.

“The Killer” is a tense drama as Michael Fassbender plays a well- traveled assassin.  The film starts out a little slow but picks up the pace after Fassbender blows a murder assignment and is forced to seek revenge on those who attacked his girlfriend.  The battle he has with “The Brute” is the wildest man to man fight I’ve seen onscreen in years.  “The Killer” was directed by David Fincher who brought us “Seven”, “Fight Club” and “Gone Girl” and it is as slick, clever and dark as those films were.

It was good to get back into a movie theater for the first time in over a month as I checked out Paul Giamatti as a boarding school teacher in “The Holdovers.”  The film takes place in 1970 and I don’t want to say much more except that I did not want this two-hour movie to end.  Stay away from looking at the movie trailer for “The Holdovers” because like many previews, it gives away too much.  Movie studio bosses need to stop treating us filmgoers like idiots.

“The Holdovers.” By all means, see it!

A couple months ago, Netflix started running “The Return of Tanya Tucker” a and I just caught up to it.  The documentary was first released in 2022.  Fantastic coverage of the making of Tanya’s first album in almost 20 years.  It was all thanks to the fandom and passion of Brandi Carlile.  Back in my radio days, I got to meet Tanya a couple of times and she’s always been a favorite of mine. Seeing this special just reinforced that!

The Eagles are coming back to Chicago for 2 shows in March of 2024 as their “Long Goodbye” tour rolls on.  I missed the band the last time they came to town and am not a big fan of being in big crowds anymore.  However this time around, I’m thinking about heading out to the United Center to hear “One of These Nights”, “Take It Easy”, “Life in the Fast Lane”, “Hotel California” and other favorites live one more time. Ticket prices are ridiculous right now but waiting until the last minute to score seats could save me money.

One of the coolest ways to open a concert.  With Vince Gill and Glenn Frey’s son Deacon in the band the past few years, this cover of Steve Young’s song has more of a bluegrass romp to it than when they performed it years ago. This is how the Eagles do it every night.

On the subject of concerts, Mariah Carey is taking her Christmas show to the United Center on Sunday December 3^rd.  The debate over her mega-holiday hit “All I Want for Christmas is You” continues.  Some love it, some hate it.  And some of us (like Al Flash and I) make fun of it with some help from Al’s very talented daughter Michelle.

NEXT BLOG- Getting on top of some covers.

Warning: This blog should not be read if you’re currently eating or just finished a meal.

You may know from my past writings, as a teen I used to work at a White Castle Restaurant.  My memoir “Raised on the Radio” will share a few of the tales from my time as a slider server, but I digress.  Right now, I have to own up to a plain fact: I need to give up eating White Castle burgers.

Since age 16, I can’t count how many White Castle burgers I’ve eaten in the ensuing 46 plus years.  Way too many, along with fries or their tasty onion rings and washed em all down with a Diet Coke.  I can’t drink regular Coca Cola because the sugar and the carbonation gives me a bad stomach ache after just a sip or two.

WHITE CASTLE DRIVE THRUS HAVE BEEN A FREQUENT STOP FOR ME OVER THE YEARS. BUT NOT ANYMORE.

It turns out the Castle’s burgers are also wreaking havoc on my stomach.  Oh, we’ve all heard the jokes about how sliders run through our bodies or give us gas three or four hours after ingesting them, but for me it’s became worse.  For years the miniature meat, cheese and onion packed burgers never bothered my internal system.  That immunity to bad effects has ended.

 I noticed the change in my gastrointestinal reactions to downing 3 or 4 double cheeseburgers a couple months ago.  At first, I thought it was just a once or twice off deal.  Turns out it’s not.  Without getting too graphic, the morning after having a few Castle burgers is not pleasant.  Quick sprints to the bathroom are needed and I don’t feel better until every last bite of slider has been flushed through my small and large intestines and into the toilet. 

SADLY, WHITE CASTLE BURGERS HAVE BEGUN TO WREAK HAVOC ON MY STOMACH AND IN TURN MY HOME’S PLUMBING SYSTEM.

An old friend of mine says when he stinks up one of his bathrooms with whatever comes out of his backside, he shuts the door afterwards and tells his family, “This ride is closed!” I live alone but yes, after a bout with post-slider eating reactions, my ride is closed too.

Of course, White Castle burgers often taste best as a post-drinking or partying meal at three in the morning.  How many of us have been through that experience a few dozen times in our lifetime?  The good news being I haven’t howled at the moon with loads of beer or other substances in many, many years; so there’s really no need for the late night Castle run and even in the light of day, for me, my slider swallowing is done.   

HAROLD AND KUMAR CAN MUNCH AWAY ON WHITE CASTLE EATS, BUT MY DAYS OF DOING THE SAME ARE OVER.

Will I miss those greasy low grade meat meals?  Maybe, but since I am way overdue in plans to eat healthier, I’ll just consider my slider embargo just part of that plan to put better things in my system.

So long White Castle, you were fun while I had your bill of fare, but it’s time to walk away. 

NEXT BLOG: When I know, you’ll know.

“There are places I remember all my life though some have changed…”  ‘In My Life’/The Beatles.

One of my favorite Facebook pages is the “I Remember Elmhurst” platform.  Many times, old photos from way back are posted by lifetime Elmhurst resident Vince Spaeth and others as well.  Almost every street shot or aerial view brings me back to some great memories.  Here’s just a few of them.

Plunkett Park back in 1972. Ballfields galore and that large structure on the lower right is The Courts still under construction. On the lower left is Elm Field which had a homerun fence and brick dugouts which made us little leaguers feel like we were in the big leagues.

PLAY BALL! From age 9 to 16 I played in the Elmhurst Baseball League and loved every game and every practice.  For Farm through Pony League, I was a member of the Orioles then in Colt league I played 2 seasons with the Red team.  So many games were won and some lost as plenty of those contests were played at these locales.  The field on Plunkett Park’s west side had lights and playing the occasional night game was a huge thrill for us ballplayers. 

Butterfield Park was loaded with fields too and on the one furthest to the north east is where I hit two triples in a game against the minor Tigers.  (Guys of average speed would’ve legged out homers, but that’s O.K.)    

There were other parks too that housed our games.  East End, Elm Field with the dugouts, Armitage, Sandburg, Jefferson, Eldridge and even York Commons.  York Commons was where I threw my first ever 7 inning complete game beating the Brewers from the Elmhurst North team 6-5. They tried stealing home on me twice and twice were called out; the 2^nd time being the last out of the game! 

Seeing these aerial photos makes me smile when they get posted.  The games were special as were all the friends I made on my teams and our opponents.  Some of those guys I still stay in touch with to this day. 

Butterfield Park, another baseball haven along with picnic grounds and tennis courts.

SAM’S FOR A SNACK-Sam’s Place 4 Hotdogs was located at the corner of Spring Road and Eggleston street.  Our Orioles manager Mr. Parilli treated to us to more than a few post-game ice cream treats at Sam’s.  This hot dog joint was popular among York High School students who would take quick lunches there since it was just 3 blocks south of the school.  Whenever our dog Coach would escape the house and go for a run looking for love, my mom and I would get in the car and catch up to our pooch.  Coach loved car rides so we’d open a door and he’d hop right in.  To show there was merit in his coming back to us, my mom would drive us to Sam’s where we’d get some eats and share a hot dog with Coach.  I always thought it was cool that Sam’s female employees could work in cut off jean shorts, t-shirts and flip flops.  I remember them being several years older than me and being very cute.

Long gone but never forgotten, Sam’s Place for Hotdogs.

GOOD SPORTS-For any Elmhurst athlete (young or old) Chipain’s Sporting Goods was the home for all equipment needs.  Walking into that narrow but packed floor to ceiling store, the rich and engrossing aroma of leather footballs, basketballs, Adidas & Converse shoes, cleats and Wilson baseball mitts was what hit you first.  Jerseys, jockstraps, swim goggles, letterman’s jackets, hockey sticks, football helmets, fishing tackle & licenses, Chipain’s had everything any sports enthusiast needed.  My last two baseball mitts, both Wilson A-2000s, were bought there along with loads of other sports needs.  Even when the huge Sportmart store opened in Lombard, most of us still opted to buy our athletic equipment from Chipain’s. These days that store space is called Sandlot Sports which sells trading cards and other sports memorabilia which is fitting to the legacy of my childhood sports mecca.

For any Elmhurst athlete, Chipain’s Sporting Goods was THE place to go to get needed gear.

EVERYBODY IN THE POOL! While the newer built and kiddie friendly Smalley Pool is the current swimming spot on Elmhurst’s south end, York Commons Pool was in that original location.  This is  where I and my neighborhood pals spent a dozen summers starting at age six.  I remember having a plastic-coated card pass the first year. After that, each of us who got a season pass was given a small metal token that was sewn on to the only swimsuit we wore for the whole summer.  For my first 3 summers at York Commons, I took swim lessons which taught me all sorts of strokes and skills for the water that remain with me to this day.  This past summer I got to better know Peggy Babyar, a retired educator.  We ended up realizing Peggy was one of my swim instructors way back then!  She must’ve done a good job training me because I haven’t drowned yet.  The 12 foot deep end housed the low and high diving boards and there was plenty of room to swim throughout the place.  Teen girls would cover themselves in baby oil and suntan lotion as they laid out on angled wooden loungers.  Night swimming until 9 pm was also a regular happening, that is if we weren’t playing a baseball game that evening.

Looking to the northwest from this angle, photos of York Commons Pool are not easy to find. The ladder on the lower right was in the 12 foot deep end where you’d find the diving boards; two low dives with the high diving board in the middle. Countless hours were spent here every summer.

So there are just a few of the locales from my past and I wouldn’t trade those places and times for anything. Although one more hotdog or ice cream from Sam’s would sure be nice.

NEXT BLOG- Not sure. When I know, you’ll know.

One of the things I love about my blog is how I can pour out and post up my ideas and feelings at a moment’s notice.  No editors or censors and if others read it great; but the most important thing is to just get it written.  So here we go.

So long #51.  Bears legend Dick Butkus died in his sleep yesterday at the age of 80. This was a shock because he was just seen at the Bears home opener a couple weeks back.  So many things can be said about Dick Butkus’ years in football and his post-football career as a TV star and beer pitchman.  What most of us my age or older will remember is just how awesome and FEARED Dick Butkus was.  Strong, smart, fierce and dedicated to stopping the other team’s offense from going anywhere.  Back in Butkus’ day, there were no ‘sack dances’ or other on field showboating by the defense.  It was hit em hard and move on to the next play.  I even recall the time Dick Butkus caught a touchdown pass when he lined up as a tight end on a goal line play.  Butkus was the best and a great template for all other linebackers to follow. So sorry such an icon is gone.

Like retired sportswriter Barry Rozner posted, Payton, Sayers and Butkus. Without those guys, there is no Bears Mt. Rushmore!

On the same day of Dick Butkus’ passing away, I learned of the death of a former high school classmate.  Tim Grosser died this past Tuesday in a car accident down in Tennessee where he was living.  He was a year older than me in school and we met as part of the York High School Yearbook Staff. Tim was one of our photographers and a very well-liked guy among his classmates.  He had a sly sense of humor and nobody ever had a bad thing to say about Tim.  I knew Tim’s family as my older sister dated his older brother Roger for a time.  In the mid-70’s, the Grosser family bought the Candy Bar candy & notions store on Spring Road.  Lord knows how many 3 Musketeer bars and wiffle balls I bought from that place!  Mrs. Grosser ran the place and on the morning of my 8^th grade graduation I came in to buy cigarettes for my mom who was waiting in the car out front. (This was our common practice) Anyway, I was in my graduation suit and Mrs. G knew it was grad day and told me to pick out whatever candy bar I wanted for free.  Just a top notch family and I’m so sorry that Tim is no longer with us.  The York class of 78 also just lost another alum, as Karen Reynolds Gomoll died after a battle with A.L.S.  The class of 78 has a 45^th year reunion happening next month and both Tim and Karen will be fondly remembered by many there.

THINKING OF THE YORK HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 1978 AS THEY MOURN THE RECENT PASSING OF TWO CLASSMATES.

My dear friend Tom Hassler who I’ve known since I was 5 and he was 10 has brain cancer and is putting up a big fight.  In the Spring, he had successful surgery and is doing both chemotherapy and radiation.  Tom’s wife Linda updated me on the toll these treatments are taking on him but he soldliers on.  Tom and his brother Pete who is just 3 months older than me were my first 2 best friends. We all still stay in touch often with other guys from the Swain & Mitchell neighborhood. Tom was my first and most influential sports playing and sports fan mentor and gave me my nickname of ‘Mick’ when I was very little.  My daily and nightly prayers are with Tom and his family.

MY FRIEND FOR OVER 57 YEARS, TOM HASSLER SURROUNDED BY HIS BROTHER PETE AND PALS ERIC HARRISON, BILL SPICER AND SCOTT STAVRAKAS. THIS WAS AT THE RECENT WEDDING OF ONE OF TOM’S DAUGHTERS.

Among all this tough news to take, here’s a bright spot.  Our school held its annual Parent-Teacher night this week.  I met with parents and talked to them about their kids’ progress.  One mom, after looking over her high schooler’s graded papers was thrilled over the work completion and spot on accuracy that was happening with her child.  She cried happy tears, quickly grabbing a tissue from the table where we sat.  THIS is why we do this teaching in Special Education.  I’ve had other parents overcome with this same sweet emotion and it just confirms that I’m doing O.K. and in the right place. 

Teaching kids with behavior and learning issues is not easy but it’s needed, I can do it and I love the challenge. In the song “Calling All Angels” by Train, they sing “I won’t give up if you don’t give up.”  Well I don’t give up, even when our students have.  There’s nothing more to say than that.

Next Blog- Looking back on some old places.

 

Forget about the Chicago Bears, how about them York Dukes?

York High School’s football team is enjoying another killer season.  These gridiron guys are mowing down any and all comers and I catch some of their action live on YouTube on the York Sports Network. It’s fun hearing young aspiring sportscasters call the games and the outcomes are all good.  Oh, to have that kind of access to broadcasting back when I was in high school!  (Sigh)

YORK HIGH SCHOOL’S DUKES FOOTBALL TEAM IS ROLLING THROUGH AN UNDEFEATED SEASON SO FAR. WAY TO GO GUYS!

Staying local. My next-door neighbors recently tore down their six-foot high wooden fence that borders their property with mine.  It was getting a bit worn but looked O.K.  That’s until it was replaced by a new fence with fresher and brighter wood. It really spruces up not just their house but also my humble abode.  I’m friendly with these neighbors, knowing them since they moved in thirteen years ago. I owe them some thanks for this new construction that matches up well with my newly sealed driveway.

With that said, one trend in Elmhurst that I’m not a fan of is the high vinyl fences I see built around most new homes and remodeled houses.  These fences are great for privacy and security but they say to me, “We’re living in our own private Idaho and stay the hell away.” That’s not the Elmhurst I grew up in since 1966.

THESE HIGH FENCES DO PROVIDE PRIVACY BUT THEY ALSO SAY “LEAVE ME ALONE IN MY OWN PRIVATE IDAHO.”

So long Sir Michael.  Actor Sir Michael Gambon has died at age 82.  While Harry Potter fans will remember Gambon as Professor Albus Dumbledore, I’ve never seen one Potter movie.  No, I recall Michael Gambon for being in “Gosford Park” and playing a very smooth but scary tobacco company CEO in “The Insider.”  Still, my favorite Gambon role was him being big money financier Eddie Temple in the underrated drug caper “Layer Cake.”  Check out this scene as he schools Daniel Craig on the facts of life.

Over the years, it’s easy to notice the changes that have happened to Howard Stern’s radio show.  The guy has gone from getting wild stories out of porn stars and mocking celebrities and their scandals to the modern day shows where really introspective interviews are taking place between Howard and his big name celebrity guests.  Last year’s long visit with Bruce Springsteen was a great example of that metamorphosis.

Just last week Howard did a fine sit down with Paul Simon.  All the segments I caught on You Tube were fantastic but the best piece was Paul talking about the lines in songs that came to him in a mystical way. Simon said some lyrics were coming through him.  Or as the late Robbie Robertson said to Paul. “Oh yeah, you’re a conduit.” 

In a lesser and much more humble sense, I know exactly what Paul Simon is talking about with my own writings. I don’t know where some of my ideas for parody songs or Facebook & blog postings come from but they just float into my head.  On the fine Bee Gees documentary “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart”, Coldplay’s Chris Martin talked about the same thing.  He noted there are waves of creativity and inspiration that can fall into place and you have to ride those waves and see where they take you.

On the subject of songs, here’s the latest from me and my close buddy/collaborator Al Flash.  We mock ABC’s new “Golden Bachelor” series as a widower in his 70’s looks for love with women near his own age.  Truth be told, I wrote most of this song two years ago but COVID put a hold on the actual production of “The Golden Bachelor” show.

The Channel 9 Morning News gave our new parody a nice play last week.  I think this is the best video Al and I have done this year.

NEXT BLOG- When I know, you’ll know.

One of my all-time favorite singer-songwriters is Clint Black.  Besides being into his music for almost 35 years and seeing him in concert several times, I’ve met Clint a few times back in the 90’s.  He was always friendly and damn funny with a very dry sense of humor.

On the humor side, Clint made two appearances on the Larry Sanders, the second one being on the series finale of Garry Shandling’s great show.

Clint Black aiming to so the ‘Bette Midler’ singing bit for the last episode of “The Larry Sanders Show.”

When Jimmy Buffett passed away earlier this month, I was interested to see Clint’s reaction to his good friend’s leaving this world.  He posted warm memories of their relationship, touring with Jimmy one summer as guest harmonica player and also co-writing a great song together, “Happiness Alone.”  It’s one of the best wistful and wishful toned tunes I’ve ever heard.

Years ago, a very good friend of mine did promotions work for Clint Black. She fondly shared memories with me of those days doing business with Clint and his management team. 

In the summer of 2020 when COVID shut down most large crowd gatherings, Clint and I got into some interesting exchanges on Twitter for a couple of weeks.  He wanted to keep working and get his band on the road for a tour but the worries about that bastard virus made that impossible.  Clint was venting his frustration and I offered some ideas on how to adapt and play live but do it safely at drive-in movie theaters and other locales.  He volleyed back to me that there weren’t enough venues for him to mount a road run that could make a profit.  I felt bad for Clint and his band along with all the other touring acts who were shut down back then.

Here’s me with Clint Black in Nashville back in 1994. The guy has always been fun to be around.

Clint Black was recently honored with the Academy of Country Music’s Poet’s Award. It’s a lifetime achievement and Clint’s acceptance speech showed why he was given this honor.  It was wry, funny and had just the right touch of warmth and humility.  Check it out here.

Finally, with the fall season here it seems right to post up Clint’s re-working of his mid-90’s song “A Change in the Air.”  He recorded this newer version a year ago with his wife Lisa and their lovely daughter Lily Pearl.   Mother and daughter have often joined Clint on tour do some part time stage sharing with him.

Speaking of the Black family, I was at the very show back in the fall of 2000 when Clint first made it public that Lisa was pregnant with Lily.  That was twenty-three years ago and also the last time I saw him in concert. I need to catch another Clint Black gig, ASAP.  To quote some of the past songs penned by the man from Katy, Texas; I’m ‘Killing time’, ‘Untangling my Mind’ waiting to see him again, it’ll change my ‘State of Mind’ and make me a ‘Better Man’. Hurry back to Chicago Clint, there’s “No time to kill.”

NEXT BLOG- Some more random thoughts.

ALWAYS UP FOR SOME CLOSE BONDING IN THE US*99 MORNING SHOW OFFICE.

Recently, Big John Howell signed off for good from his afternoon talk show on WLS AM 890.  Whenever I hear John’s name I smile broadly and remember the loads of great times we had years ago as brothers in sound.  Though we haven’t seen each other in person for some time, he’ll always be a dear friend to me and I hope I am to him as well.

We first met back in 1987 when John and some pals came down from Grand Rapids Michigan to watch through the lobby viewing window as Larry Lujack did his afternoon show at WLS. I was Lujack’s producer at the time and John brought Lar a hairbrush with Elvis Presley’s likeness on it.  I came out to the hall to pick it up and Larry talked to the group on the air.  Lar loved that hairbrush and used it!

Less than a year later John and I would meet again as I was producing the morning radio show at WCKG FM. John was the new hire to replace John Fisher and his co-host would be Rochester, New York radio star Stephanie Miller.  I was to be the show runner for the Miller and Howell show and that’s when John and I bonded like super-glued Legos both on and off the air.

JOHN HANDLING THE MORNING SHOW CONTROLS AND ME EDITING TAPE DURING OUR DAYS AT WCKG. ON THIS DAY, WE HAD AN UGLY SHIRT CONTEST AND I THINK WE TIED.

John Howell and I shared very similar sensibilities in radio presentation, attitude and dedication.  This was so important because like any other job, just because you work with someone, it doesn’t mean you click and ‘get each other.’  John and I got each other and I dare say we still do.

My book “Raised on the Radio” (to be released next year) will share plenty of stories of Howell & me, so I don’t want to spoil too much right now.  But I will give you a taste of what’s coming.  By the way, John will try to downplay my stories by putting his own spin on the past. However, with my keen and eidetic memory you can trust only me for the real and unvarnished truth to our history together.

BROTHERS IN SOUND AT A RADIO FUNCTION ON THE LOOK-OUT FOR SOME FREE BEERS AND FREE EATS.

Some of what you’ll read in “Raised on the Radio” include things like:

How I was responsible for John meeting and marrying his first wife Cindy and me being one of John’s groomsmen at their fantastic wedding. I think both sides have forgiven me for that.  I mean they both still talk to me.

Our many adventures at concerts like the Rolling Stones and yes, the Rod Stewart debacle.

Hanging out at Cubs and Sox games in box seats and luxury skybox suites.

Listener parties on night time cruises, the Navy Pier Ballroom and many bars and night clubs.

Carousing with women. (This before John met and married Cindy and me, I’m still looking for the right woman who can stand my presence enough to marry me)

The post-morning show breakfasts at Le Bordeaux which vacillated between omelets and pancakes and other times, vodka and beer slamming.  There were also power lunches at Redamaks back when they had an eatery on Lincon Avenue.

The morning show remote broadcasts including a weeklong stone groove in Ocho Rios, Jamaica.

Then there’s us being canned from WCKG which would eventually lead to our reuniting at country music juggernaut WUSN US*99 when I signed on there in June of 1993.

Some of the US*99 fun included Bears trips to Tampa Bay with listeners, lots of ratings success, the rise of Garth Brooks and other country stars, the 9/11 evacuation and more memorable times both on and off the air.

The best thing besides working with John as I did, was that he showed me how to get the most fun out of a job that was a f—ing blast at all times.  Thanks for that Big John!

HANGING OUT IN TAMPA BAY WITH SOME BUCS’ CHEERLEADERS. GOOD CLEAN FUN AS ALWAYS.

So, John Howell is off the air.  No word on if he’s actually going to retire or not but I think we’ll hear from him again. Howell still has a lot to say. The funny thing is back at WCKG when we were a struggling morning show trying to find its groove, John often fretted to me that his time in Chicago would not last long. I told him to not worry and take things one day and one show at a time.  The guy lasted from the spring of 1988 until the late summer of 2023.  Through classic rock, country music, oldies and talk radio, thirty-five years is a damn fine run!  Well done pal, well done.

NEXT BLOG: Not sure yet. I’ll let you know…

Some random thoughts from my head to your eyes.

Cubs Craze- While I’ve always been more of a White Sox supporter than a Cubs fan, watching David Ross’ club this year has been lots of fun.  I realized I’m just a fan of baseball and like seeing the game played well.  That’s happening way more on the north side of Chicago than down on the south side.  Sox fans, maybe next year.

CODY BELLINGER’S HOT BAT AND GLOVE IS ONE OF THE REASONS THE CUBS ARE CONTENDERS THIS YEAR.

HBO No.  Last month in an effort to trim down my cable bill I put a deep six to subscribing to HBO.  This is the first time I haven’t had that set of channels on my TV in 36 years.  Guess what?  I really don’t miss it!  I mean how many times can you watch “Knocked Up” or “Doc Hollywood” in your lifetime?  I will miss the monthly “Real Sports” show but can always re-up to HBO if I get the right deal from Comcast.

MISSING HBO CHANNELS? NOT SO FAR.

Stone Groove– I really like the new Rolling Stones single “Angry.”  It’s their first original recording in 18 years and their new 12 song album “Hackney Diamonds” comes out next month.  While I believe the concept of full album releases is outdated, “Angry” has a great guitar riff and Mick Jagger and the backing vocals bring this cut alive. It’s probably the band’s best single since tracks from the “Voo Doo Lounge” album which came out almost 30 years ago.  By the way, the video featuring “Euphoria” hottie Sydney Sweeney is fun to watch.  (Though I do wish she was wearing a seatbelt)

HOTTIE ACTRESS SYDNEY SWEENEY RIDES THRU L.A. IN THE BAND’S NEW VIDEO.

A hungry heart but an upset stomach- It’s a good thing Chicago concert fans got to see Bruce Springsteen rock Wrigley Field last month because the Boss has now pulled off the road due to illness.  In a surprisingly open statement, Bruce announced he’s battling a peptic ulcer and needs to follow doctor’s orders to take a few weeks off from playing live.  Earlier this year I remember reading that Springsteen was following a fitness regimen where he only ate one meal a day.  I’m no doctor but I wonder if that strange food plan contributed to his ulcer issue. 

SPRINGSTEEN TURNS 74 THIS MONTH AND IS RECUPERATING FROM A PEPTIC ULCER. HOPE HE’S BACK ON THE ROAD SOON.

Morons, your bus is leaving!  I don’t want to dedicate a whole blog to these goofs but I’ve had enough seeing TV and online updates on the following twits:

Britney Spears cutting loose and slutty since news of a coming divorce came out. The more skin Britney reveals the more desperate she looks.  (P.S. on B.S. – I’ve NEVER found her to be attractive. She tries WAY too hard to look hot)

Kevin Costner’s soon to be ex-wife whining that she could not raise her kids on $161,000 dollars a month.  Bravo to Costner and his lawyers who got a judge to knock his monthly support down to a more sensible $63,000 a month.  Maybe next time the monthly draw can be bumped down to $6,300 a month.

Kanye West has taken to parading his new wife around in tight, bizarre clothes that make her look like a shiny mannequin.  I never thought Kanye would stoop to the point where ex-wife Kim Kardashian looks like the sane and normal one. However, that has happened.

Next blog– A tribute to Big John Howell.