May unofficially starts Chicago’s neighborhood festivals that include street closures, music, food, beer, face painting, etc. Last weekend I targeted a festival sponsored by local brewers Begyle and Dovetail in the Ravenswood ‘hood: https://www.mayfestiversary.com/ These generous sponsors graciously donate 100% of admissions ($5 voluntary, but why not throw in a twenty?) to The Friendship Center …
Beloved Children’s Author Chats About New Book by Steve Stav Children’s author/illustrator Nancy Tillman may work with a keyboard and tablet in this digital age, but her true medium is less tangible: love. From book to book, themes may range from self-esteem and reassurance to holidays and an afterlife for animals. However, the longtime Tualatin resident’s …
Catherine O’Hara was born to play Kevin’s mom. In every film and television production in which she appeared, O’Hara seemed born to play her part. The Toronto native was also born with a rare condition in which her internal organs were reversed in her body – a condition which may or may not have contributed …
During my primary school years, I dressed in a red tomtë outfit, sang Nu Är Det Jul Igen* (It Is Christmas Again) with tomtën in a church basement, and danced around the Christmas tree to celebrate St. Lucia.Day (or Sankta Lucia). “Lucia,” an older female dressed in a white gown, would then appear, wearing a crown …
I heard Midnight Oil before I saw them. Not everyone had cable in those early days of MTV – and Midnight Oil music videos didn’t often appear on that channel, anyway. Not then. I heard Midnight Oil before I saw them, in early 1983. “The Oils” were played on local college radio and “New Wave” …
The other day I received an email from the EPB Admin who advised, “The Farhad spike is still going on…It’s an 11-year-old post buried in a minor blog site, but it’s getting 1000 views every 30 days. Some people out there are obviously very curious about Farhad.” I then realized I needed to provide an …
In October 1968, the Viking football team fielded by North Park College (Chicago, IL) highlighted its season with a Homecoming pasting of the North Central College Cardinals (Naperville, IL) by a final score of 104-32!! The Vikings finished the season with a winning record of 6-3, and three players from the team got selected during …
By America’s National Parks™ In 2026, the United States will celebrate a significant milestone: 250 years since declaring its independence. Since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, America has endured high points, low points, and everything in between. Today, our nation’s national parks have been stewards of the American story, preserving important locations and …
Pexels Image – CC0 Licence Are you a musician? If you said yes to that question, how serious are you about turning your love of music into a career? Because if you’re very serious, you’re going to want to get involved with your local music scene. In doing so, you can set yourself up for …
Nashville, TN (August 22, 2025) – International country-pop sensation Twinnie recently partnered with Musicians On Call (MOC) to bring joy and healing through music to patients at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. The singer, songwriter, and actress performed a live set at Seacrest Studios, treating patients and their families to an intimate performance, Q&A session, and meet-and-greet. Twinnie performed some …
The new revision will be unveiled at Sacred Harp convention in Atlanta, GA in September The Sacred Harp, first published in 1844 in Hamilton, GA, has been in continuous use since its original publication and has been the musical life blood of first, 19th century southerners and now, both 21st century rural farmers and young …
At everything he ever attempted, professionally, he was the best of the best – and what he attempted, what he achieved, should’ve humbled every American in his wide wake. He flew into space four times. The last mission – Apollo 13 – nearly cost him his life, but really, he could’ve easily been killed countless …
Before officially becoming Metallica, James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich jammed together, bounded by leather, denim, and the new wave of British heavy metal (often abbreviated as NWOBHM), in Los Angeles circa 1981. They recruited bassist Cliff Burton while visiting and playing in San Francisco. If they wanted Burton, he demanded the group base itself in …
Photo Credit: © Sid Grossman TWENTY-TWO TRACKS PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED AND 13 SONGS THAT GUTHRIE NEVER RECORDED ELSEWHERE SHAMUS RECORDS SHARES ANTI-FASCIST SINGLE “I’M A CHILD TA FIGHT” RECORDINGS PAINSTAKINGLY RESTORED USING VINTAGE TAPE MACHINES AND DE-MIXING & RESTORATION SOFTWARE OUTLETS FROM NY TIMES TO PITCHFORK SPOTLIGHT LANDMARK RELEASE “Treasure trove.” – NY Times “Historically significant.” – Washington Post Home recordings by …
She was Jayne Mansfield. She was Thelma Todd. She was most importantly, WKRP’s all-powerful receptionist Jennifer Marlowe. The St. Paul, Minnesota native was, impossibly, just two days shy of her 80th birthday at the time of her passing this Sunday. Loni Anderson was my #2 screen siren, in order of appearance – and in 1984, …
By America’s National Parks™ In 2026, America will celebrate the 250th anniversary of declaring independence from the British. This milestone invites families, history buffs, and travelers to walk in the footsteps of Revolutionaries and reflect on the ideals and sacrifices that created the foundation of our nation. One of the best ways to honor the …
By America’s National Parks™ In 2026, America will celebrate 250 years of declaring its independence, a significant milestone that will be commemorated in a variety of ways. To celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence and other key Revolutionary War moments, parties, picnics, and parades will pop up from coast to coast. Another way …
Portland-based Chicano rocker Joshua Josué is releasing his debut full-length album Beneath the Sand (Electric CholoLand Records, August 8th), a genre-defying album that blends the grit of Americana with the soul of Latin folk and rock ‘n’ roll. This stunning journey through loss, love, and rebirth is a must-listen for fans of artists like Steve Earle, Alejandro Escovedo, Jesse …
Stream First Single, “As Alive As You Need Me To Be,” HERE Sold-Out North American Leg Of “Peel It Back” World Tour Launches August 6 TRON: Ares (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack), featuring all original music by Nine Inch Nails, will be released on September 19 via Interscope Records. Created for the third installment in the groundbreaking TRON film franchise, TRON: …
[July 17, 2025] A new trailer has been released for YUNGBLUD. ARE YOU READY, BOY?. Watch HERE. The documentary film, featuring the globally recognized British artist, Yungblud, will receive its worldwide theatrical release with screenings on August 20 & 24, courtesy of Trafalgar Releasing. Tickets are now on sale at Yungblud.film, where you can also find full screening details. The newly released …
The great Deanna Durbin, star of many Universal Pictures and Anne Frank’s favorite actress. Deanna and I were quite close in the 1980’s. Basically she would call me at the studio to ask when to expect her next royalty check but we would chat each time. Soon, she would just call, wanting to talk. Even …
Photo Credit: Joe Vaughn LIVE WITH THE NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRAFEATURES CLASSIC HITS AND NEW MUSIC SPANNING FOLDS’ GENRE-BENDING BODY OF WORK JOINED BYTHE NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA CONDUCTED BY STEVEN REINEKE AND SPECIAL GUEST ARTISTS REGINA SPEKTOR AND TALL HEIGHTS Ben Folds celebrated Independence Day with the release of Ben Folds Live with the National Symphony Orchestra, a brand-new album …
Photo by Original photographer unknown – e24.se, attributed to Scanpixtrelleborgsallehanda.se, Public Domain, Link The notorious J. Edgar Hoover served as the first Director of the FBI until his death in 1972 – a whopping 37 years. Scandals, for example, shielding mob interests from FBI enforcement, creating COINTELPRO and its mass surveillance, and hounding the alleged …
Directed by Laurence Harlan Jacobs, the feel-good visual stars Conor Sherry (Happy Gilmore 2, Snack Shack) and Abby Ryder Fortson (Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret, The Pitt) with a cameo by Norman Greenbaum himself Few riffs can spark instant joy like the opening fuzz-box blast of Norman Greenbaum’s “Spirit in the Sky.” First released in 1969, the four-minute-long …
Sam Fender & Olivia Dean, St. James’ Park, Newcastle, June 2025Credit: India Fleming LISTEN HERE – WATCH VIDEO HERE (June 20, 2025) Sam Fender is pleased to share a new recording of “Rein Me In” featuring BRIT Award and Mercury Prize nominated British artist Olivia Dean. Watch the “Rein Me In” video featuring footage from Sam’s recent sell-out stadium run in London and Newcastle, shot by …
Brian Wilson made me cry on two separate occasions. The first time was during a 2000 concert at the Washington State Fair; he was performing the Pet Sounds album, plus assorted Beach Boys hits, with LA band the Wondermints as backup. It was so damn beautiful, the sound of it all; I wasn’t the only …
Photos by Russ Dillingham New public monument by Philadelphia sculptor Zenos Frudakis honors the legacy of ‘The Greatest’ near site of iconic 1965 rematch with Sonny Liston LEWISTON, Maine — June 6, 2025 — A 10-foot bronze statue of boxing legend Muhammad Ali—the largest in the world—was unveiled Saturday, May 31, in downtown Lewiston, Maine, near …
Icon Loretta Swit, gone at 87. Eighty-seven, wow. Knock me over with a feather. Damn, this century is a time warp. Coincidentally, last week I realized that Loretta Swit was beautiful. Though she was the 4077th’s reigning – albeit forbidding – sex symbol, I never thought much about her appearance until I caught an old …
(Michael Dean Damron, Andrea Miller, 2013. Photo by Steve Stav.) My old friend Michael Dean Damron of Portland, Oregon has passed away – days before a benefit concert by his old band. Mike had recently been struggling with liver failure. He was an extraordinary, unique, and supremely compassionate person. The kind of guy who seemed …
I was asked why a Railroad Approved watch cost $50.00 to $80.00 in 1910 when a regular pocket watch from that time cost $2.00. Read that little booklet page, first three paragraphs.. After all, a RR worker made maybe $10.00 a week.. He was not allowed to work on the railroad without the approved watch …