Show Biz: Friday 01/30/09

*** Today is Phil Collins' birthday. The longtime member of Genesis, and successful solo artist is 58.

I have to admit, I'm a big fan of Genesis -- mainly the early years with Phil as singer.

Back in the 80's, before the internet age, I can remember assembling my library of Genesis albums. After gaining commercial success with "Misunderstanding", and "Turn It On Again" from the "Duke" album in 1980, I knew that all albums after that had Phil on vocals.

But, I also knew that there was a time in the 70's that Peter Gabriel was the lead singer, while Phil was simply the drummer.

However, trying to find out which albums had Phil singing vs. Peter singing wasn't that easy to come by back then. I only had one friend that was also into the group -- and he didn't know much about their past, either -- so, the only way to know for sure who sang on what album was to buy it, and play it.

With their late 70's albums, me and my buddy would go to a music store, grab a cassette, purchase it, take it out to the car, and give it a listen.

The moment we heard Phil on lead vocals, we cheered.

I didn't get out much.

Phil went from prog-rock drummer to pop superstar in the span of about 10 years. Let's face it, he owned the mid 80's with the combination of solo success ("No Jacket Required") and Genesis success ("Invisible Touch"), and who can forget his guest turn on Miami Vice.

There are probably a lot of you out there that may be a fan of Phil's, but are only familiar with his solo work, the Disney years, or just the most recent Genesis hits, or at least the ones we play a lot on WJDK.

While I like many songs from that era, it's those late 70's - early 80's albums that I always head back to for my Genesis fix.

If you're curious, here are a few of my faves...

Check out a bearded Phil from 1976 on a live version of "Dance On A Volcano", off the album "A Trick Of The Tail".

Also from that album, here's a 1980 live version of "Squonk."

In 1978, Genesis became a three-man group. They're album "...And Then There Were Three" contained one of my all-time favorite Genesis songs, "Undertow". The chorus is very inspirational.

Yes, I am a man.

Some other gems...

1977's "Blood On The Rooftops", from "Wind and Wuthering". Here's a 1981 song that didn't officially make it onto a full studio album -- although it does appear on "Three Sides Live", "You Might Recall", a song that Megan and I often sing together. Finally, the instrumental that closes "A Trick Of The Tail", "Los Endos".

For the birthday tie-in, I chose "I Missed Again" from his debut solo album, "Face Value"




*** Sticking with the early Phil Collins solo career angle, the 80's Escape today was "I Don't Care Anymore", with a raw, angry, recently divorced Phil shouting and banging away on the drums in a very simple, yet intense song.

One of my favorites from his second solo LP, "Hello, I Must Be Going"

Sage's Appetizer Winner

Congratulations to Leslie Kolezar, the winner of an appetizers prize from Sage's Old Fashioned Butcher Shop in Morris.

We drew Leslie's name Thursday morning from a stack of qualifiers -- thanks for entering, everyone -- and Leslie wins appetizers for six people just in time for the Super Bowl on Sunday.

Fortunately, there isn't a shortage of Buffalo Wings this year.

Just Buffalo Bills.

WJDK Listeners Pet's Pics

As suggested to me in an email from a loyal listener, we're opening up a very informal Listener's Pet's Pics wing of the blog.

It's not a contest -- yet -- so don't feel like you have to dress up your pets, or put them in goofy poses, although doing either, or both, would certainly be entertaining.

Send along your snapshots of your pet to my email, and after we assemble a handful, I'll put them in a blog post. If you can, give us your name (first name is fine), and the pet's name.

Depending on how many we get, I may just keep adding photos to the original post, which will probably be added to the links section on the right-hand side of the blog, so you won't have to scroll through several pages of old posts.

I'll keep the upper right-hand corner reserved for the pet's pics for awhile as well, so it's easy to find.

Have fun!

Show Biz: Thursday 01/29/09

*** Our tie-in for the birthday segment had more to do with something that happened on this date back in 1983.

In other words, nobody of note in the music world -- at least as far as our format -- has a birthday today.

Twenty-six years ago, Australian group Men At Work went to No.1 on the British and American singles and album charts simultaneously with 'Down Under' and 'Business As Usual'. The last artist to achieve this was Rod Stewart in 1971.

The song of choice for us, "Who Can It Be Now"




*** The drummer from Los Lobos has a birthday today as well. Louie Perez is his name, and rockin' out on "La Bamba" is his game.

The song, from the soundtrack of the movie La Bamba, was our choice for today's 80's Escape.

Interesting that Perez's birthday, and our selection of this Richie Valens song comes just a few days shy of the 50th anniversary of the day the music died.

Show Biz: Wednesday 01/28/09

*** I'm getting better at my "Blago" impression. Although, I like to pronounce it Blow-go. Seems more fitting for some reason.

He keeps talking on all of the gabfests in New York that his comments caught on tape during his wiretapped conversations of the last few months have been taken "out of context".

According to the Sun-Times, he even wants all of the conversations to be heard...

"I'm just the opposite of Nixon. I want all the tapes heard," his publicist reported him saying during the second day of his national media blitz. The governor also greeted New Yorkers on the street, saying, "Hi, I'm the governor of Illinois, and I did not try to sell a Senate seat."

Well, if all these conversations were "out of context" as he claims, then you'd think he'd be more willing to fight his case in person in Springfield, and not running away to go appear on Fox and Friends.

Blagojevich, as mentioned in the article, has helped his family cope with the ordeal by getting them a dog.

In describing the toll on his family since his Dec. 9 arrest, Blagojevich said that their new puppy -- a white maltipoo named Skittles -- is helping ease the stress.

"In terms of what we tell our kids, it's a very difficult time for our family," he said on "The Early Show" on CBS. "And our little girls, my wife and I, we got them a little puppy during the Christmas holidays, something I was resisting for the last couple of years.

"But when all this happened, it was a therapeutic thing for our girls, and they love their little puppy and I think she's helping them through this."

Speaking of dogs, keep checking the blog for a link in the upper right hand corner that will allow you to email us pics of your pets. Dogs, cats, goats, whatever.

A listener emailed me the idea back when Jay's dog, Slater made an appearance recently.

Nothing fancy, just photos of your pets that we can post on the blog down the line.

Another way to help connect with our beloved listeners.

Rod, feel free to send in a pic of Skittles, too.


*** Sarah Maclachlan turns 41 today. I went with a song that I like, but doesn't get a lot of radio play -- especially on WJDK -- for the tie-in during the birthday segment, "Sweet Surrender"




*** The 80's Escape this morning featured a song that we played a lot at my college radio station, "Rain In The Summertime" by The Alarm.

Their singer, Dave Sharp turned 50 today.

2008 Darwin Awards

After today's opening bit -- which highlighted some past Darwin Award nominees -- I thought it'd be the right time to look back at the 2008 Darwin Award winner.

You know the Darwin Awards, right? Each year they honor the stupidest deaths from across the globe, or as they put it...

"Named in honor of Charles Darwin, the father of evolution, the Darwin Awards commemorate those who improve our gene pool by removing themselves from it."

Without further ado, here are the two finalists for 2008:

Runner-up: July 16, 2008, Italy) Ivece Plattner, 68, was queued at a traffic light in his Porsche Cayenne sportscar. Before one reaches the light, there is a railroad crossing. As you might imagine, given Murphy's law, a train was coming.

The man did not let the queue progress forward far enough before he crossed the railroad. The safety bars came down, leaving the Porsche trapped on the rails. It took the driver awhile to realize he was stuck, according to witnesses. Finally, he jumped from the car and started to run -- toward the oncoming train, waving his arms in an attempt to save his car!

The attempt was successful. The car received less damage than its owner. He was pushed hard enough to land 30 meters away, and attempts to revive him were unsuccessful.

WINNER: In homage to Larry's Chair Larry's aerial adventure, a Catholic priest recently ascended towards heaven on a host of helium party balloons. Adelir Antonio de Carli, 41, was attempting to set the world record for clustered balloon flight to publicize his plan to build a spiritual rest stop for truckers*.

The priest took numerous safety precautions, including wearing a survival suit, selecting a buoyant chair, and packing a satellite phone and a GPS. However, the late Adelir Antonio made a fatal mistake. He did not know how to use the GPS.

The winds changed, as winds do, and he was blown inexorably toward open sea. He could have parachuted to safety while over land, but chose not to. When the voyager was perilously lost at sea, he prudently phoned for help. But rescuers were unable to reach him since he could not use his GPS! He struggled with the control panel as the charge on the satellite phone dwindled.

Instead of a GPS, the priest let God be his guide, and God guided him straight to heaven. Bits of balloons began appearing on mountains and beaches. Ultimately the priest's body surfaced, confirming that he, like Elvis, had left the building.

Congratulations?

Show Biz: Tuesday 01/27/09

*** Seth Justman -- the keyboardist for the J. Geils Band -- turned 58 today. Our tie-in was their early 80's hit, "Freeze Frame"




*** The 80's Escape brought on another obscure birthday reference: Gillian Gilbert, also a keyboard player, turned 48 today.

Gilbert was part of the group New Order, so we played "Bizarre Love Triangle"

Media Day

Embattled Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich made the rounds yesterday, doing interviews on Good Morning America, The View, and Larry King Live.

I don't blame him for skipping the impeachment hearings -- the green rooms are much better at the talk shows.

One of Blagojevich's statements yesterday is making some minor waves today, the revelation that he considered Oprah Winfrey for the open Senate seat.

She must not have been willing to pay up.

Blagojevich said yesterday he was concerned that such an offer could have come across as a gimmick, and he didn't think the talk show host would have accepted the position.

Oprah confirmed as much while speaking to her best friend Gayle King on the latter's satellite radio show -- there's a show I never miss -- saying she was surprised and amused by Blagojevich's comments, adding, quote, "I think I could be a senator, but I'm not interested."

Can you imagine Oprah as a senator?

"Helllllooooooooo fellow Senatorrrrrrrrrrrrrs!"

"If you vote for my bill...everyone here today gets a brand new car!!!!!"

"I will give you my vote on this bill in a moment. But, first, let me introduce to you...Tom Cruuuuuuuuuuuise"

Show Biz: Monday 01/26/09

*** With Andrew Ridgely of Wham celebrating his 46th birthday today, it gave us not one, but two chances to play some Wham classics.

And, when sifting through the Wham catalog, it's obvious that they are all classics.

The birthday tie-in was "Freedom"




*** For the 80's Escape, we chose "I'm Your Man".

Food Giveaway

Free food alert!

Stay tuned during the next few days on the morning show for your chance to qualify for a food giveaway courtesy of Sage's Old Fashioned Butcher Shop in Morris.

Be listening for the :10 audio clip from The Superbowl Shuffle. When you hear it, be one of the first three callers at 815-941-9570 to qualify for the food prize.

The winner -- to be announced Thursday -- will win appetizers for six people for your Super Bowl party.

You don't have to be listening to win, but, gosh, it sure would be nice if you do.

Show Biz: Friday 01/23/09

*** Robin Zander of Cheap Trick turns 56 today. We chose "Surrender", which also is appropriate for our Flashback Friday feature.

Radio symmetry...catch it!

This clip is extra special because you get Ted Nugent at the beginning introducing the band, and Wolfman Jack at the end.




*** Another birthday provided us the inspiration for our 80's Escape choice. Anita Pointer of The Pointer Sisters turned 61 today.

As tempting as it was to play "Neutron Dance", I went in a different direction, mainly because every time I hear that song, it reminds me of junior high when we had to dance to that song -- among many others -- in gym class.

Yeah, we had a dance segment in our P.E. class.

Other songs that make me cringe because they unleash similar memories include "You're The Inspiration" by Chicago, and "Islands In The Stream" by Kenny and Dolly.

Our backup choice was "Automatic"

Again, no actual video here, but it is a Soul Train clip. Ladies, get your lip-sync on.

Oscar Nominations

I brought out my Benjamin Button voice this morning, and I thought it was darn good. Maybe not Brad Pitt good, but good nonetheless.

Pitt is nominated for an Academy Award in the Best Actor category.

The list of nominees for the major awards are below.

The complete list can be found here.

Best Picture
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Frost/Nixon
Milk
The Reader
Slumdog Millionaire

Best Actor
Richard Jenkins, The Visitor
Frank Langella, Frost/Nixon
Sean Penn, Milk
Brad Pitt, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler

Best Supporting Actor
Josh Brolin, Milk
Robert Downey Jr., Tropic Thunder
Philip Seymour Hoffman, Doubt
Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight
Michael Shannon, Revolutionary Road

Best Actress
Anne Hathaway, Rachel Getting Married
Angelina Jolie, Changeling
Melissa Leo, Frozen River
Kate Winslet, The Reader
Meryl Streep, Doubt

Best Supporting Actress
Amy Adams, Doubt
Penélope Cruz, Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Viola Davis, Doubt
Taraji P. Henson, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Marisa Tomei, The Wrestler

Best Animated Feature Film
Bolt
Kung Fu Panda
WALL-E

Free Download Of "Where I Stood"

Missy Higgins is offering a free download of her hit song, "Where I Stood" in conjunction with The Sierra Club.

All you have to do is promise to be more green.

Missy is teaming up with the Sierra Club to offer the unreleased version of the track to anyone who signs the club's "2% Solutions Campaign" -- where you pledge to reduce your carbon emissions by 2% in 2009.

If you visit SierraClub.org, you can fill in the form to make the pledge, and presto, you've got access to the free song.

Show Biz: Thursday 01/22/09

*** On this date in 1962, Michael Hutchence of INXS was born. Hutchence died in 1997.

As a tie-in, we played one of my favorite songs of the 80's, a song currently on my iPod as a matter of fact, "What You Need".

Couldn't find an embeddable version of the actual video, so instead, here's the song played live with Hutchence on vocals for his last tour with the group, in 1997.




*** I've read hundreds of birthdays over the years, but for some reason, it was Steve Perry's birthday announcement today that made me feel old.

Perry turns 60 today!

Again, having trouble finding the actual music video for this, so we'll go with a live version of Journey's "Who's Crying Now" from 1982.




And, just because it's so much fun to watch, here's "Separate Ways" as well.

Get "Lost"

I'm really looking forward to the return of Lost tonight on ABC.

It's been about eight months since the last new episode aired, so you may need a refresher course on what's happened up until now.

Therefore, I present for you the following recap that comes from the A List Of Things Thrown Five Minutes Ago blog, written by Isaac Spaceman.

Very funny stuff.

PILOT: So, we have a little time and the auto-pilot’s on. How ‘bout you tell me about the island?

JACK: Well, we lived on the beach, mostly, except for the time we lived in the cave with the skeletons and the time we lived in the secret underground bunker with the lending library and the time we lived in the village built by the scientists that the people who don’t age gassed to death with the help of their leader, my third nemesis, the nebbishy con man with spine cancer, which we took over when the freighter people came to kill everybody. We ate wild boar and fish, and then the supplies stashed in the storeroom of the bunker, and then the scientists who the people who don’t age gassed to death were nice enough to replenish our food by airdrop, but only once, but that was okay, because the people who don’t age had some agriculture that we completely ignored while we stood in front of their refrigerators with the doors open. And I saw my dead dad just hanging around on the island, which I didn’t think too much about because I was preoccupied with the smoke monster and the baby stealing and the mind games with the nebbishy guy and my TOTALLY AWESOME tattoo which got my ass kicked in Thailand and the power struggle with my second nemesis, the formerly paralyzed bald survivalist mystic, who was, frankly, nuts.

PILOT: Nuts, you say?

JACK: Yeah, man of faith, thought the bunker wanted you to punch Hurley’s lotto numbers into the computer every few hours, and I was like, it’s a GAME, you lose, sucker.

PILOT: And?

JACK: So he finally came around after the shipwrecked sailor who lived in the bunker for two years told him that you had to punch the numbers, which obviously meant you didn’t have to punch the numbers. Which, come to think of it, I guess he was right in the first place. Missed the numbers, cratered the whole freaking bunker, knocked the guy who used to live there right into last Tuesday. Literally.

Oh, I forgot to mention that my dead father came back and kidnapped my secret sister.

PILOT: Um, okay. So … happy to be getting back?

JACK: Yeah, you know, I’m looking forward to having the time to grow a beard.

PILOT: How about you, freckles?

KATE: Don’t call me that.

PILOT: Sorry.

KATE: You know, I’m a convict. I didn’t even want to get off the island. I killed my boyfriend.

PILOT: So what was so good about the island?

KATE: Well, when my boyfriend and I …

PILOT: The dead guy?

KATE: What? No, Jack. My boyfriend and I had a good thing going on the beach and in the cave and in the bunker, except for everybody dying and the smoke monster. And then our friend led us into a trap, even though we knew it was a trap, but it was okay, because while we were captured I got it on with my boyfriend in a cage …

PILOT: With Jack?

KATE: What? No, Sawyer. Jack was watching, though. Anyway, I got back together again with Jack, kind of, but he was really into this doctor that the gassy people kidnapped from Oregon, and then I got back together again with Sawyer, and then I left him for Jack. I forgot to mention that I had a nice proper date with a new dress and dinner on the beach …

PILOT: With Jack or Sawyer?

KATE: What? No, with the nebbishy spine cancer con man who loves me – KEEP UP. But it didn’t go well, which is why I ended up having sex in the cage in the zoo.

PILOT: There was a zoo on the island?

KATE: What? No, different island. The polar bears on our island were free-range.

PILOT: Well, at least I understand how you have a baby.

KATE: What? No, he’s not mine. The island is actually a contraceptive, THANK GOD.

PILOT: Okay, forget it. You, what’s your story?

SUN: Pretty simple, really. I was trying to run away from my emotionally abusive hit-man husband, but he was on the plane with me when we crashed. So I pretended not to speak English for a while, and then I got pregnant and he’s really just a sweetheart, really. Just my luck, though, he missed the helicopter when he and our friend who killed our other friends and later went undercover on the murder-freighter on behalf of the nebbishy guy took too long unsuccessfully trying to defuse the giant bomb. So I’m going home to buy my jerk dad’s conglomerate with funding from the guy responsible for blowing up my beloved ex-soon-to-be-ex-husband, the father of the long-lost lover of our time-traveling sailor friend who was living in the secret bunker.

PILOT: Is this a joke?

HURLEY: No, all of the jokes around here are mine.

PILOT: Oh, great, tell me a good one.

HURLEY: What has two thumbs and is dead?

PILOT: I give up.

HURLEY: My girlfriend and my best friend and the French paramilitary lady and her daughter and Arzt. Wait, that’s eight-to-ten thumbs.

PILOT: Ouch.

HURLEY: But at least I got to hotwire a 20-years-abandoned VW bus, because 1970s VW electrical systems never go bad when untended in humid weather, and drove it over Big Tom, the murderous teleporting gay non-aging gasser who sometimes wears a fake beard and wool cap that he keeps in a locker in the abandoned medical and child-care bunker.

PILOT: Okay, last guy. What’s your story?

SAYID: I tortured a boatload of people.

PILOT: I meant on the island.

SAYID: I tortured a boatload of people.

PILOT: That all?

SAYID: Got tortured.

PILOT: Well, new day, and all that. What are you going to do now?

SAYID: Go to work for a guy I tortured.

PILOT: Doing what?

SAYID: Torturing, mostly.

PILOT: Say, look at the time, gotta get back and check on the autopilot.

JACK: Wait, what did we miss when we were on the island for a flexible length of time?

PILOT: Every financial institution you’ve ever heard of is out of business, America fell in love with a gay cowboy movie, and we elected a Black college professor President instead of a war hero.

JACK: We find your story implausible.

Show Biz: Wednesday 01/21/09

*** The drummer for Sister Hazel has a birthday today. Mark Trojanowski is his name, and for the segment we played their biggest hit, "All For You."




*** Billy Ocean turns 59 today.

Haven't heard much from Billy in a long time, but upon reading about him this morning -- show prep -- turns out he's got a new album coming out in February.

For the 80's Escape, there were so many choices for a Billy Ocean song, but we settled on "Loverboy".

Check out this video! This must have set budget records back in 1984.

National Hugging Day

Today is National Hugging Day, especially for family and friends. Probably not good for strangers or random people you pass on the street, but, who knows.

You can find out more at National Hugging Day's website.

Apparently at some point today, someone named Kevin Zaborney of Clio, Michigan is going to announce "The Most Huggable People of the Year".

Can't wait.

My guess is one of the finalists won't be the guy in the red shirt. At least I'd hold off on giving him a bear hug.

Show Biz: Tuesday 01/20/09

*** An exclusive here on the blog. We have the opening 1:31 of Barack Obama's inauguration speech.

It should certainly be entertaining.



All kidding aside, I rarely talk about politics, or share my political views on the show, or here on the blog for that matter, so all I'll say is, whether you agree with Obama, or not, it's hard to ignore the excitement in the air today.

Americans are hopeful again. Whether it's justified or not remains to be seen.

But, the country is in a bad way in a lot of areas, so, regardless of your political leanings, let's give the guy a chance to hopefully help pull us out of our problems, and give everyone what we all want...a college football playoff system.

Don't forget to tune in for inauguration ceremonies today on our sister station, 103.1 FM, WCSJ from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

It's awfully cold in Washington D.C. this morning. So cold in fact that congressmen are keeping their hands in their own pockets.


*** Edwin McCain turns 39 today, and the birthday tie-in song was McCain's "I Could Not Ask For More"




*** There was a Barack Obama tie-in for the 80's Escape today.

Ashford and Simpson rewrote some lyrics to their 1984 hit "Solid (As A Rock)" and made it "Solid (As Barack)"

Here's the original...




And the redo...

Show Biz: Monday 01/19/09

*** Dewey Bunnell from the music group America has a birthday today, so for the birthday tie-in, we played "Ventura Highway".




*** With Dolly Parton turning 63 today, "9 to 5" was a layup for the 80's Escape.

Young kids most likely have very little knowledge of Dolly's music career, and her starring role in the 9 to 5 movie, but they probably know her as one of Hannah Montana's grandmas -- along with Vicky Lawrence.

In case the youngsters out there aren't sure which of Hannah's grandmas is Dolly, she's the one with the bigger...hair.




*** My brother, Rick also celebrates a birthday today. I was with him and several other gents at an establishment watching our beloved Eagles fall yet again in an NFC Championship game.

Yesterday's loss to Arizona was their 4th defeat in 5 conference title games.

Of course, once Philly got behind 24-6, they couldn't just fold the tents and get blown out, which overall would have been much easier to handle, they had to make a comeback, take the lead in the fourth quarter, and then blow the game.

So, we were a roller coaster of emotions.

The day was filled with (way too many) beers, (not quite enough) cheers, and in the end, a few tears.

Well, no one actually cried, but the three rhymes went well together.

There's nothing like a big sporting event involving one of your favorite teams to bring out just about all possible emotions.

When DeSean Jackson's touchdown catch put the Eagles in front 25-24, everyone at our table jumped up, cheered, high-fived, screamed, yelped, etc. Just a great moment.

Within 15 minutes, though, it was nothing but dejection after watching Arizona re-take the lead, and then Philly's last chance drive come up short.

The ebb and flow of a major sporting event.

By the way, there's even more room on the bandwagon now.

When does spring training start?

O' Christmas Tree

Our most recent poll question asked whether or not you had taken down your Christmas tree. 78% of you have.

I am in the minority, as our tree is still up. We usually try to take the tree down the weekend after New year's Day, but this year we've just been lazy about it.

One of our listeners is also in the minority as their tree is still up. Or should I say trees.

She emailed to talk about them, and what may have turned into a new tradition at their house.

Thought I'd share it with you...

Mike,

I voted on your blog today, but wanted you to know that we had three Christmas trees up this year. Two are artificial, one decorated in a soccer theme and the other one decorated with snowmen ornaments.

They are still up, I don't usually take them down until Superbowl weekend.

The third tree was live and decorated in black, red, silver and white and smelled wonderful!

We moved the live tree (without ornaments) out to the back deck. This is the first year we have done this, but we've enjoyed seeing the lights shining through the ice and snow.

We put pine cones on it, dipped in peanut butter and bird seeds. So the birds have been enjoying our tree, too. I think this will be a new tradition.

Thanks for the story! Here's hoping that the birds don't get salmonella poisoning.

If you have something you'd like to share with us, you can email us here.

There's also a link to email us on the right hand side of the blog.

Show Biz: Friday 01/16/09

*** Just a reminder to stay tuned for a chance to win a family four-pack of vouchers for the Disney on Ice: Worlds Of Fantasy show.

It's at Allstate Arena and United Center the next few weeks.

We've given away a couple of sets of tickets so far, and the rest will be given away next week.


*** Sade celebrated a birthday Friday. As tempting as it was to roll out her biggest hit, "Smooth Operator" -- featuring the lyrical faux pas, "Coast to coast, L.A. to Chicago" -- we chose "No Ordinary Love" instead.




*** For the 80's Escape, it was Ronnie Milsap's turn. He had a birthday Friday as well.

You all remember "Any Day Now", don't you?

Playing Catch Up

Between getting a new computer in the studio, and the craziness of the weather, it's been a little slow here in blogland the last couple of days.

Ok, the weather excuse is a bit lame, which is at least better than a lame bit.

A few things from the last couple of days...

*** Wednesday's birthday tie-in was actually an event that took place on January 15th, 1978.

Player's "Baby Come Back" hit number one, and stayed there for three weeks. Always fun to see these old videos. Whoever knew what the guys from Player looked like?

Now, you'll know.




*** For the 80's Escape, we went with "Our House" from Madness. Band member Chas Smith had a birthday on Wednesday.

In the early days of MTV, this video was a monster smash. Fun, irreverent, and memorable. Just like our show!




*** On Thursday we were able to celebrate the birthday of Melvyn Gale, who played the cello with E.L.O. When it comes to cello players in rock bands, there's Melvyn Gale, and...

...and...

Well, anyway, we played "Evil Woman" in honor of Melvyn.




*** Lisa Lisa also had a birthday Thursday, and "Head To Toe" was our choice for the 80's Escape.

I think I heard that song 286 times in the summer of 1987.

For some odd reason, embedding is disabled on the actual video of the song, which you can still see here, so enjoy a live performance below instead.

The Triple Digit Plateau

This is the 100th post on the morning show blog!

Part of me didn't want to even bring it up, because I'm sure this post will be very underwhelming. But, then again, you're already used to that.

I was going to try to tie it all together with a list of the 100 best moments on my show over the years, but could only think of two or three. And even those weren't very good.

That said, considering this is a bit of a milestone post for the blog, perhaps I can at least put a little meat on this bone for you.

I can't tell you much about it yet, but let's just say that you'll be noticing a few different things on WJDK in the near future.

We're looking forward to it, and we certainly hope you'll like what you hear.

As always, stay tuned.

Show Biz: Tuesday 01/13/09

*** Julia Louis-Dreyfus turns 48 today. Hard to believe 'Lainey is pushing 50.

She still looks fantastic.

I know we just played "Shining Star" recently -- the song Elaine "dances" to in the "Little Kicks" episode, but today is also the birthday of Earth Wind and Fire drummer Fred White.

So, naturally, "Shining Star" got another spin.



I hope Elaine likes the gifts we got her.




*** American Idol starts tonight. Ugh. It's such a grueling show to watch. Four months of torture.

I pay attention to about 50% of each episode. It's one of those things that because of what I do, and because my wife and daughter like the show so much, that I feel I watch it almost because I have to.

My interest level varies as the season progresses. The segment of the show I actually like the best are the Hollywood rounds.

Naturally, they gloss over that in an episode or two.

Who will win this year? Who knows. Will it be as interesting as last season's battle of the Davids?

I can only hope the reactions to the winning announcement are as entertaining.



A reaction like that, even from innocent young girls, was bound to be mocked...




*** Trevor Rabin turns 55 today. These days, Rabin is a very successful composer of soundtracks.

Rabin spent a chunk of his career in the rock group Yes, and penned their first number one hit, "Owner Of A Lonely Heart".

Big MTV hit, too. How can it not be when the lead is washing his face with maggots.

Show Biz: Monday 01/12/09

*** Today I gave the audience a rehash of Megan's tooth troubles from Friday. Everything is fine, and she's pretty much back to eating regular foods today.

On Sunday, while on a "soft foods" diet, she -- and I -- looked forward to a chocolate chip pancake breakfast, made by my wife.

I'm usually the breakfast cooker in the house, but my expertise is limited to egg dishes. And, that "expertise" is limited to scrambled eggs, and omelettes.

Right. Not much expertise at all.

I've tried making pancakes, but they never turn out right. So, my wife, Laurie makes them, and they're excellent. She just uses the chocolate chip muffin mix from Betty Crocker, and follows the pancake recipe on the back.

So, Megan and I were up Sunday morning by about 7:00, and all we needed was the pancake maker to wake up and whip up some delicious pancakes. Problem was, my wife didn't get up until about 9:00 -- along with Sarah, who slept for over 13 hours that night!

To add to the already dangerous amounts of hunger pangs, Laurie decided she needed to have something to eat first, before spending the next 20-30 minutes making the pancakes.

By the time she had a couple of pieces of toast, Megan and I were drooling. I think we would have been satisfied eating the actual muffin mix package -- with maple syrup on it, of course.

Eventually, the pancakes were made, and they were fantastic. Thanks, honey.

The muffin mix package was tasty, too. Adding butter was the key.


*** The birthday tie-in today was a no-brainer. Mel C turned 31 today, so it was a Spice Girls Monday with "2 Become 1".




*** Motown turns 50 today. For the 80's Escape, we went for some Diana Ross, and her 1980 Top 5 hit, "I'm Coming Out".

Thankfully, I couldn't find a legitimate video for the song from Diana, which means you get to enjoy a Japanese dude singing it karaoke style.

Classic stuff here.

Eagles 23, Giants 11

"Hello? Yes, it's Donovan McNabb.

Yeah, we're handing it to the Giants in their own stadium, and are about to go to the NFC Championship Game.

Oh, you're a Mike Williams' Morning Show fan? Me, too.

Sure there's still time to get on the bandwagon.

Time, too."

We Don't Need No Stinkin' Baby Teeth

Everything went fine Friday at the oral surgeon. The hardest part was getting Megan to go.

It was a morning filled with a lot of tears and apprehension, because she didn't really understand what was about to happen to her, and whenever we wanted to take time to explain, she didn't want to hear.

Once we leveled with her that it wouldn't be that bad -- saying that she'd be asleep during all of it -- she started to come around.

But, when I went to take her to the appointment, and again when we were getting out of the car, the waterworks returned.

As a parent, there isn't much worse emotionally than watching your child cry from being afraid. Heart breaker.

We comforted her the best we could, and I got her into the office without any problems.

When we went into the first room to go over things, she was quiet and a bit nervous.

Then the surgeon came in to talk to Megan and explain how things would go. After that, it was time for me to go back to the waiting room, and for Megan to go to the procedure room.

One more round of tears and hugs, and off she went.

One of the nurses came out a few minutes later and told me she was doing fine, laughing, and feeling more relaxed.

Pain meds will do that.

About an hour later, five baby teeth had been pulled out, Megan was doing very well, even with two big wads of gauze in her mouth, and we got home at around 11:15 Friday morning.

She was numb, but not sore for most of the rest of that day.

The doctor ordered diet of ice cream and jello helped her spirits, too.

By Saturday she was her normal self, dancing, laughing, playing. She just couldn't eat all that much.

Now that it's Sunday, more normal foods -- at least the softer kinds -- are open game.

We're proud of her. She's dainty at times, but she came through alright.

And, now that it's Sunday, which for me means an Eagles divisional playoff game at the New York Giants, I might need to go find the anesthesiologist for something to numb me and dull any possible pain that would arise from today's game.

By the way, there's still time to get on the Eagles' bandwagon.

I Hope The Magazines Are Good

Greetings and salutations. If you haven't already noticed, I'm not at work today. I took the day off to accompany my oldest daughter, Megan, to the oral surgeon this morning.

Megan is having five baby teeth pulled to help make room for her big teeth to come in.

My wife is staying home with our youngest daughter, Sarah.

There will also most likely be other -- mostly minor -- additional things over time that Megan will either have to wear or have done.

Before the inevitable braces.

We're heading over there this morning, and once the surgery is done, we've been told the recovery time shouldn't be that bad, or that long.

Megan's at least a little excited about the recovery, because ice cream and jello has been prescribed as a heavy component of her Friday menu.

So, enjoy a little Norm Duvall this morning, catch all of the local news with Jay, and I'll be back in the chair tomorrow morning.

Show Biz: Thursday 01/08/09

*** Sorry for the lateness of this post. Today's excuse is a faulty PC at work. It's a completely unrelated problem to the one I dealt with a couple of weeks ago.

Different computer, different problem.

Today's issue dealt with the PC locking up at various points during operation, forcing a reboot. It was out of control this morning. I rebooted the machine a half-dozen times before my shift was over.

After our engineer looked at it, the best advice was to try to stay off the internet as much as possible, as the problems were arising when a browser was in use.

There could be some motherboard/hard drive issues, so, while the computer is working -- which it does just fine, you know, except for the whole locking up part -- my main objective is to archive as much as I can onto an external hard drive.

An external archive, as I like to call it. Hopefully by next week things will be back to normal with the computer.

To make a longer story less long, my inability to get online at work caused a delay in posting.

Plus, this afternoon after I picked up Megan from school, she accidentally slammed the car door on her thumb. After the throbbing and sobbing subsided, I took her to the doctor to get the thumb x-rayed (everything is fine).

By the time we got home, had dinner, cleaned up and I collapsed in my computer chair at the house, it was so late that I'm now having a hard time even remembering what we did on the show today.

I at least remember the music tie-ins...


*** For the birthday segment we recognized R. Kelly, who turns 42 today. I think I read somewhere that a few scenes from his "I Believe I Can Fly" video were filmed in Sandwich.

While it was tempting to show you clips of other videos in R. Kelly's arsenal, I think that may be illegal, so we'll just stick with the video of the song we played today.




*** My original plan for the 80's Escape this morning was to roll out a little "Let's Dance" by David Bowie, who turns 61 today.

The song is housed on my PC, and rather than take the chance of having the computer -- and, thus, the song -- freeze in the middle of it, I chickened out, and went with the 1980 classic, "Working My Way Back To You Babe/Forgive Me Girl" by The Spinners.

Loved this song as a kid. Always a treat to try to sing, too, as the low parts ("They're playin' every day"), and the high note at the end are almost impossible to reach.

So, as you watch the video below, don't even bother trying to hit any of the notes. Just do your best Soul Train dancers impression.



And, for the Bowie fans, "Let's Dance" gets equal time below. Trivia buffs will note that Stevie Ray Vaughan handles the guitar on this gem.

Gotta love Bowie's vocals in this. I always get a kick out of how all over the road the vocals are in the "Put on your red shoes and dance the blues" at the 3:11 mark.

Show Biz: Wednesday 01/07/09

*** Quick-hitter today. There's a lot going on at the station this morning -- you'll know more about that later -- so just a couple of brief show related items.

The birthday tie-in for today centered around Kenny Loggins, who turns 61.

I've always been partial to "I'm Alright," as a song by itself, and because it's part of the soundtrack to one of the best comedies of the last 30 years, Caddyshack.




*** Here's the story we told you this morning about the skier that got stuck on the ski lift, losing his pants in the process.

Thankfully, someone captured the moment forever by taking a picture.


*** The 80's Escape today saluted the Go Gos. Bassist Kathy Valentine turns 50. The tune of choice, "Head Over Heels".

Show Biz: Tuesday 01/06/09

*** Today is Schoolhouse Rock Day. The popular animated lesson series debuted on this date in 1973 on ABC.

Although I know many of the classics, like How A Bill Becomes Law, Conjunction Junction, Lolly Lolly Lolly Get Your Adverbs Here (not "Libby, Libby, Libby" as I said this morning), and many others, I was more of a Bugs Bunny guy on Saturday mornings, so I'm not as up to speed on these three-minute gems as you may be.

It's also Wheel Of Fortune Day. That show premiered on this date in 1975. With original host, Chuck Woolery. One of my top 5 game show hosts, right in there with Bert Convy, Jim Perry, Richard Dawson and Gene Rayburn.

Although that list would probably change each time I made it.

The birthday tie-in was in honor of Kathy Sledge's 50th birthday. "We Are Family" by Sister Sledge. And, yes, I still think of the Pittsburgh Pirates 1979 season every time I hear this song.

Hated the Pirates back then. The Phillies had won the division in '76, '77, and '78, only to come up short in the NLCS. The Pirates -- our main competition in the NL East -- won the division, and eventually the World Series, in 1979 with a bunch of drug addicts in ridiculous uniforms in '79 with this song blaring every five seconds.

Of course, the Phillies won it all in '80, and this year, too, while the Pirates are back to being irrelevant, so it all worked out okay.




*** For the 80's Escape, we celebrated Kim Wilson's birthday by playing "Powerful Stuff" from Kim's band in the 80's, The Fabulous Thunderbirds.

Scrubs Returns

I almost added Scrubs to this week's poll question -- which can be found on the right hand side of the blog -- about which TV show's return this month are you looking forward to the most.

Scrubs is one of my favorite comedies, but, based on its consistent low ratings, I expected a low vote total for it on the poll as well, so decided to leave it off.

It's the same reason I left off Friday Night Lights.

NBC constantly tinkered with the timeslot for Scrubs -- a quirky, smart, and most importantly, funny sitcom -- over the years and hardly ever promoted it.

Fortunately, ABC scooped it up, mainly because the show is produced by ABC Studios.

So, for (at least) 18 more episodes, the show comes back beginning tonight (ABC, Channel 7, 8 p.m.).

It would take too long for me to list my favorite moments, or give you a recap of certain characters, etc. If you've seen it, you know. If you haven't, just watch an episode or two and you'll be hooked.

Here are a few clips to demonstrate the silliness and brilliance that is, Scrubs.

Space Invaders




A montage of moments




J.D. and Turk in two classic songs: "It All Comes Down To Poo", and "Guy Love"




Turk does the Bel Biv Da Voe dance




"More Than A Feeling"




Ted's barbershop quartet montage




Sanford and Son