Ex Wifes and husbands that can never go away....

Ok I need some help here, I used to have what I thought was a pretty good relationship with my ex, But as time goes on it has seriously gotten worse.

Nary a day goes by when someone calls, talks divorce and complains about child support.  For many years I made my child support payments, Not one was late and they were quite a lot of money. No big deal they were for my daughter, and its not cheap to raise a child. No worries. I get it.

I have an awesome daughter, Her Mom is a good mother. we raised a good girl.

Now I'm no angel. I can be a handful but there was a time when she needed my help and I was there. I was always there, She's the mother of my baby. And divorce seriously saddens me. There's an old George Jones called "Choices", Its about living and dying with the choices that we have made. I live with that every day.

The choice we made to divorce was the correct one, We just are like oil and water and its sad. I just understand how someone after all these years can have such resentment.

With out divulging too much information, I just get tired of being treated like crap.

We got along really good for a really long time, But its crazy how things changed.

Problem is if you treat me like crap, I treat you like crap so I don't see this ending. I guess I just don't understand.

If your getting divorced, and your going to have a party because your free. Save the party. Because if you have kids it never goes away. You guys know me pretty well, I can get over just about anything but I'm pissed today.

I will be in a bad mood for a few hours. I'm just glad I don't live my life mad. I have to imagine that's a bad way to go through life.

Thanks for letting me vent.

 

Redneck or just American?

I just think this picture screams redneck. This is my friend Tommy, He lives up north we often listen to my Buddy Rowdy Yates on Country Gold Saturday night and we drink beer in his shop.

This picture was taken at the Miller Gay View farms in Maple Parkensaw.

 
 

 

On any given weekend my life can be this way. sorry if this picture  disturbs you. But if your a meet eater this is how it all happens .

This was a free range hog that died in its sleep.

Bon appetite

RR 

William Beavers doesn't give a Sh*t what you think.

This is priceless! this city is nuts! I really have to wonder how Blogo is in a federal lock up for 14 years when the Jacksons skate buy with nothing and Actually broke the law.

Now we have the gravely voiced William Beavers the self proclaimed "Hog with big nuts" saying  he doesn't care what his constituent's think about him, And he doesn't "give a shit" what we think of him.

Stay classy big hog, stay classy.

Here Is the problem, we wonder why there is a vast wasteland in cook county, areas that have been left deserted with no food stores and no commerce That's because tools like this guy are corrupt. They steal from people and get away with it. Gee wonder why no one wants to do business there?

We wonder how people and get shot everyday we wonder why kids sell drugs and get a way with it. All we really need to do is look at our elected officials. This guy is a scumbag, just remember he doesn't care what we think.

He says he's a hero in his neighborhood because he fought the government and won, Really?  You were the government. That's how you got off all these charges. Because you are entitled. Too bad the Cook country doesn't have "Big enough nuts"  to put you away longer.

Next time someone we elected stands in front of a TV camera and says "how can this happen", "Oh this is so sad", "What has become of these neighborhoods", tell them to look in a mirror. If the big boys can get away with it, It only makes sense that this kids think they can.

Enjoy your six months in the lock up. that's right six months. Its laughable.

Once you get passed the faux good looks of this city and see what this place is really made up of you cant help but be ashamed.

Smile pretty the whole nation is looking at us, and they are laughing too!

RR

We are the losers my friend!

Ah I can recall opening day on the North side this year when "Hope sprung eternal" It was a beautiful day on the North side for baseball. It came with all the fanfare of an opening day with the Cubs. The Ricketts. The fans. The hope. Ah the hope.

Well here we are, Now I admit I'm a Sox fan but for some reason my boss seems to think they don't deserve our presence on opening day. I will also say that the Cubs have been very good to me. I like the Rickets and Crane Kenny is a good of a man as I know. And although its blaspheme to say in this town when your a Sox fan, I really wish the Cubs would win a World Series. The fans deserve it.

My dad who's growing older by the second deserves it.  He was with me and witnessed a World Series but it was my team not his. If it were the cubs I think we would lose him. My sister would just cry. These fans have suffered long enough!

So my question is this, Why don't We in the media do a closing day broadcast? So we can celebrate our disappointment. I mean we are there every home opener, The Ivy is brown, its cold but alas there is hope. But its the end and there is no  hope. There's no press conference of a Jason Aldeen concert.
Tom Tunney still thinks he's in control(and that just proves that delusion runs rampant near the friendly confines)!

If you think the beer sale are good in the beginning just think how good they would be at closing time.

We could all brag on the fact that the Bears are 3-0, We need to brag on that now before we have to play the Packers. We can take solace that our beloved Blackhawks are the best this town has to offer and that hockey season starts next week. But in the end lets just take stock that when it comes to Americas past time we are LOSERS!

Oh and Sox fans 2005 is in the  rear view mirror let that one go. There's no future to holding on to holding on!

I'm sure my request for a "We are the losers" party will fall on deaf ears, But I will try. I will try for you the baseball fans of Chicago. I mean I have to try. at least we have hope that we can have on more party to toast our ineptitude.

RR

 

Another story of why I'm misunderstood. Another in a series of how I got to be this way.

So Friday night I'm in Nashville, The sole purpose of this trip was for me to see my daughter. That is until my lunatic buddies got involved. What was supposed to be two days with my daughter was now a party with my lunatic friends.

So we go see a friends band play at the Wildhorse. Now you have to know something about me, No matter how well you think you know me from the radio. I don't take my kids to bars. They don't need to party, and they don't need to see me party. Period. And on this night we were drinking Diet Cokes.

But this band is awesome, and my kids a singer so I want her to see how these guys work the room.

This is an all ages restaurant. Its basically Chucky Cheeses with Music. No guy with any Country music Credibility would never be caught dead there. Unless his friends band is playing there and he wants to support them.

She's only 19, has no fake Id, and really other than when she's gigging doesn't go to clubs. the following  is what happened when a punk Tennessee  kid thinks he's a tough guy and he grabs the wrong Dads daughter in a tourist trap bar.

When you go into this bar, They write M in really big black marker on your hand if your a minor. No big deal, I get it. Its the law.

So Cheyenne goes to the lady's room and washes her hands like we taught her since she could comprehend. However I guess the overzealous bath room attendant (Whom she even tipped) thought she was trying to get the marker off.

She than tips off a bouncer that this rough kid, Who didn't know she was there with her dad was trying to scam the system of this joke bar. That's because every college kid wants to get a a buzz with all the 65 year olds that are there visiting from Opryland. Trust me no college kid goes to the Wildhorse looking for fun. It would be like me going camping and getting back to nature at the Busse Woods forest preserve. You get the idea.

That's when my daughter makes her way back to me with the bouncer in hot pursuit. When I see fear in my kids eyes she's 2 years old again and its time for me to protect her. Now here we are , its me, and 8 of my Chicago guys and the bouncer.

I wont go into details but I can tell you this, Don't mess with someone's kid at a family venue. Just because you have an ear piece doesn't mean you have authority to put your hands on someone.

I will go to jail, die, take a punch, do anything to protect my kid. In this case on this night this guy wishes that ear bud was a direct connection to God.

As we walk out my daughter says, Thanks daddy. Oh and this too, I love you.

If you go to Nashville hit the cool clubs on Broadway. And for the love of God don't go to the Wildhorse.

RR
 

Chicago back in the killing news! This time we have gone Worldwide!

Well here we go again, In Nairobi, The mall shooting and standoff continues. And while we revel in our headlines and our new Chicago "Slogan" Homicide capital of the nation,we now have a Chicago connection in the Kenya siege.

the Islamic group that attacked the mall was looking for more than an Ann Sather's pretzel. and are ya ready for this?

They have done most their recruiting from the Great Lakes region, Mostly Minnesota. And one of the men is identified Shaker Masri. he's from Chicago! The Streeterville neighborhood to be exact.

Perhaps we can now add that to our new found name. Good thing I'm the one they are frisking at the Bears games, Good thing I take my shoes off for security at the airport. Good thing the politicos want to take my guns.

Lets continue to over legislate the law abiding. As we can tell its been working really well (tongue in cheek)

Hey if all the Jihadists are coming here perhaps instead of Wisconsin this weekend I can do a weekend in Iran. Cant get much worse. Heck the way they behead people I bet the can clean the heck out of a fish.

If we didn't laugh we would die!

RR

 

My daughters in jail!

That's how she describes her Dorm at her college. And I have to tell you for what this college is costing she should have 5 star accommodations.

I went to school at Columbia in Chicago and had an apartment downtown, So I never lived the dorm life. Unless you count my 15 minutes at Arizona state. Her suite mates (4 girls share a bathroom) are pigs. And I have to say her and her roommate (a very lovely young lady from Long Island don't seem all that tidy either).

At the start of the school year, I guess there was a little dust up between the suitemates. I mean one kid is from Chicago and one from New York, I would hope they can stand their ground.

This weekend was the first time I saw Cheyenne's room and its a little rough. But looking back at it I lived 6 months in a tent in Colorado and took baths in a river, however my folks weren't paying insane amounts of money for the accommodation's...... ah well.

The cool thing is the kids doing fine working on her future and it seems she has a roommate that's a perfect fit.

Its cool to see people chase dreams, It gains instant respect.

My job now is just remind her how silly Nashville is and how to decipher the difference between who is real, and what is just fake Nashville crap.

We spent Saturday feeding her non College food and stocking up her fridge and popcorn supplies. I think the Girls dig the school although they did tell me they think jail cells have better accommodation's, I hope for her sake she never finds that out!(unlike her old man when he was in college)

If you have young kids try and save for school, It ain't cheap!

RR

what the F*&^% is wrong with this world?

If you follow this blog you know what I wrote on 9-11, That I don't hate. I subscribe to the fact that there is more good in the world than bad.

In the wake of the Naval ship yard I kept my fingers off the keyboard, What more can you say about the mental breakdown of society? I'm trying to be a better person But some people are making it hard.

A friend of mine recently adopted a dog, and I'm trying to learn form it. The dog was used in pit bull fighting. It was abused, Bitten, then left for dead on the west side of Chicago. The things I'm learning from this dog are as follows:

We don't know what someone has been through.
we don't know how bad they are scared from the past.
we do know that if you love something and nurture it back to health it can be good again.
and I Personally know that a tail that was once between the legs can wag like a puppy again.

Last night in Chicago 13 were shot in a single shooting in town, One of those a 3 year old. That's right a 3 year old. If that doesn't piss you off you don't have a pulse.

I'm sorry about the problems of the world, Syria sickens me. However the war is in my hometown and we need to do something about it. I don't want to hear the local grand standing preacher talk crap about how its the guns.

We don't need more gun laws, As I have said in the past these guns are not being bout at the local sports stores. They are being bought from the gangs that if they wanted to could take over this town.

We don't need a Mayor on the Late show with David Letterman telling us how crime has gone down, Rham is a Salesman and like any good salesman he can spin the numbers. What we need is for this joke of a state to stop stealing money, We need Madigan to stop being a bully and start working on behalf of the people. This city and state are laughable.

Sorry for the rant but this is a joke and more and more kids are getting killed, A summer basketball game in the USA shouldn't turn into a war zone, A little boy named Deante, Shouldn't be fighting for his life.

These neighborhoods are a bad place, and I wouldn't want to be there, But if we are going to change this pattern we need to be there, But you and I cant do it. We need our Chicago guy in the Oval office to send in the national guard.

Than we need to start acting like American's, and be our brothers keeper. Remember we don't know where people have been, We don't know what they have been through, We don't know how much they hurt, But with a little help and love perhaps we can at least try to make it better. Because whatever we doing, and whomever we have elected its not working.

RR
 

Homework, Homework....

Alright time for my yearly rant on my kids homework load. Its insane. Now before you think I'm just sticking up for my kid let me share my thoughts.

My son has 4 classes a day, The classes are long, He gets 20 minutes for lunch and no study hall. I just wonder how much homework your high school kid gets. This kid works hard and gets good grades but with all this homework when do he and I get to fish? Or goof around and prank the drive up at Mc Donald's?

Every night after football, its home at 6:30 then up till midnight doing homework. Can someone tell me how this helps a kid learn? We want our kids to be involved, Sports, band, Choir, whatever they do helps keep them involved and Focused. But it's hard to watch your kid be  constantly tired. and I don't want him to burn out. And it makes you wonder if its worth it.

It's no secret that most kids have a better chance of an academic scholarship than sports, But I bet the local High School is making more money and has more interest through its sports booster program than its interested in the kids schooling once they are gone.

I respect the teachers and what they do, and most are overwhelmed with class size. The amount of education they need to be able to teach is unbelievable.

So where does all this fall? I know that schools pound their chest and want good test scores so they can get that coveted state ranking. Which I'm sure equals money.

Bottom line is this: we want our kids to do well, we want them to be involved, but how do we do this with not stressing them out? Now I know the scholars will say school is more important than football. But that's not the case in my house, It drives the kid. It shows him how to work as a team, and it teaches him to trust the players that surround him. All things that will serve him well as an adult.

HOWEVER! If you don't keep your grades up you don't play, and if that happed to my kid, It would  set him sideways. So I guess its up till the kid falls asleep on his face, I just hope the lack of sleep doesn't lead to a tired kid which will lead to injury.

Again keep in mind he takes school seriously, and gets good grades, But its taking a toll!

Moms and dads I wish you well, As Gina says she's passing high school all over again!

Good luck.
RR

 

What exactly is Country Music?

I always love this question "What is and what isn't" Country?  Lately Luke Bryan has come under fire from Zac Brown for his new song My Kinda Night, I always love it when someone thinks they have the credibility to bust on someone else. I mean lets be honest Zac Brown has won critical acclaim. But in the history of country music he has been here for 10 minutes.

I could go on about the two of these guys and what they have accomplished and the list would be long, and they are both viable artists, albeit very different. and I think Different is what makes country so cool.  Zac Brown has almost a cult following and is an Artist in every term of the word. He is a brilliant business man and hit the ground running with a work ethic and business acumen that would make Steve gates blush. He's very good and very smart.

Now Luke is just a zenith, He dances like no one is watching, His smile is worth a million bucks and he's just Dam entertaining! And Luke is the guy most my buddies would want to hang out with, He hunts, Fishes, and his music goes Boom Boom, and the beat is what moves you in music. Don't get me wrong country music is the format of the story, But music needs the boom to make you tap your toes and shake your butt. Its what gives it  the feel good baby!

The county format has to encompass many things, How do we take care of new artists and those that have paved the way? Personally I think there needs to be a place on every radio dial for classic country. There's no way one single radio station can be all things to all people.

If I had a dime for everyone that said how can Taylor be country? Why don't you play Haggard? The answer is simple why doesn't the hit station play the stones, and why doesn't the classic rock station play Bieber? Its because we play "Todays Country music" Its current based country. And country music has evolved just like the world has.

This kinda thing happens  all the time. Right now Elton John is in a Fight with Miley because he thinks she's ready to implode, Guess what Miley doesn't care what Sir Elton thinks.

Since the invention of the opinion, we have had these debates, But since the invention of Social media, Its gotten worse. Now when ever we have a thought everyone needs to know it. And as we have seen with the Luke, Zac thing it can take on a life of its own.

Here's all "this guy knows" and again this is that "dreaded opinion", Country music is the best thing going period. I have listened since I was a kid in my dads truck, It was great then and its great now. And if you don't like what your hearing on the radio in 3 minutes it will change. And remember its "Broadcasting" That means we have to Try and please a lot of people, It would be much different if it were called Narrowcasting.

Now if you don't agree, You can hit me up on twitter and we can have a fight!

RR
 

What drives you nuts?!

Its always interesting to hear what our listeners come up with on the phone lines.

Today it was what does your family or significant other do to drive you nuts? And the calls came in. And for the most part they were pretty dam gross!It got me to thinking what is it that drives me crazy?

Any one that knows me know I cant stand when someone stirs with a spoon in a cup and just bangs the side of the glass, It makes me crazy. Crazy to the point that my kids do it just to piss me off. I have to laugh because when ever I did something that drove my folks crazy I would just keep doing it!

The other thing is when I eat with my parents, Now this isn't a bad habit it just makes me laugh. I guess it has to do with their age. My mom is an awesome cook, She can make or bake anything and she can do it like a boss! However....Every time we eat, I mean it can be something as simple as eggs and bacon and my Dad will say " Wow this is really good" every time she does anything they sit and talk about how good it is. Prompting me to say, "Its the best ever" Its cute that after all these years they are still complementing each other but c'mon man!

Now I'm sure if this was written from the point of the people in my life the list would be much longer.

I think you just have to have a respect for those you live with, and here's how it works for me: You want your allowance this week? Don't bang your glass with a spoon!

RR

Oh and I hate it when Lisa Dent slips her coffee!


 

High School haters, Why I did'nt like them then and I dont like them now.

The other day I was writing about my kids and what they do, My kids are strong, Tough, and very good kids.

Today as a topic on the radio we had a topic that basically asked what your like in High School, and how you had changed.

let me take you back to the other day when I was writing about my kids football, and a woman who I went to school with asked me if my "Kids were bullies like I was", Then didn't leave her name although I know who she was. Which in todays world would be considered being a bully wouldn't it? Isn't that cyber bullying?

Here's the difference between a bully and me. I don't take crap. When Sam Michaels hit me in the head with a file when I was a freshman I didn't back down, Trust me this guy was like the Rock, I didn't want to fight this guy but I didn't back down. We than became friends. He wasn't a Bully he was a kid. And kids do stupid things.

So to answer today topic I'm the same as I have ever been, a little on the loud side, Fun, and Honest. And out of all the things in this world I miss honesty the most. The thing with me is you always know where I stand. There's no grey area. And if you don't like me I don't want you too. But be ready for the same thing because at this point of my life I know who my friends are.

So to the Woman I may have been to honest too, I'm sorry I said something that hurt you. Remember kids sometimes do and say stupid things, That's part of growing up and no one is perfect.

Now in this honest and open letter I hope you can now take the apology, and do what most adults do Let it go and grow up. Although that means you cant try and bully me anymore! and as far as I can tell letting go of something that may have happened to you  35 years ago may mean that your now responsible for your own life.

I wish the haters well. But to quote my Friend Gary from Rascal Flatt's "I moved on" about 35 years ago

To those that like me because we share our morning together remember we get nowhere by looking back.

RR

Five things you don't need to know.

Every hour on our Little morning show we give you "Five things you need to know" I always like it better when its five things you "Don't need to know"

Mark Walberg from Marky Mark and the funky chunky bunch just graduated High School. I always love these feel good story's. I like Mark Wahlberg, But why is it news when one of destiny child's graduates high school? Further more if you say the word "car" and it sounds like "cow", You don't even pass the 8th grade!

Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth call the marriage off. We pretty much knew this yesterday when she took him off her twitter feed faster than she took her clothes off for the wrecking ball video.

Jesse Jr and Sandi (Ms. Jackson if your nasty) are having all their stuff that they bought with campaign contributions  auctioned off, Nothing funny here except for the fact they are both going to jail. However, if it were memorabilia from Alan Jackson I would be in!

Cutler and Robbie Gould were spotted at Chicago Cut having dinner, They should be on the phone begging #54 to come back, I know he may be slower and older but watching Lance Briggs get knocked out of bounds by the Viking quarterback is like watching Eric Ferguson knockout  John Howell. These are things that shouldn't happen!

And finally the latest study of twins show that, Twins may be more apt to become heavy drinkers, In case you didn't know I'm a twin. And now I can explain to my Mother way my first words were, "Beer me"!

That's Five things you didn't need to know!

RR

Welcome to the Blog!

So lately this little blog has gotten some pretty big traffic, So I have come up with a plan. If you want to post comments you will need to register, Just look down to the right and become a follower. You wont have to drink any cool-aid, and I will be singling out some of the better posts for a chance to win my personal concert tickets. I will also be giving away dinners to some of my favorite places around town!

Have a great weekend!

RR

Batiava, by way of Geneva, and it started in West Chicago.

Last nights Thursday night lights brought me to Geneva, My kid plays for Batavia. To say this is a big rivalry is a massive understatement.

I have covered a ton of ground in Chicago and its suburbs, As a matter of fact as Chicago radio peeps go I would like to find anyone who has as much Chicago land cred as me.

So last night I'm in Geneva and I'm looking across the field, there they are the dreaded enemy the Geneva Vikings. Not only did they spank the Bulldogs, But there was a familiar old face. I could spot this guy anywhere.

It was Jeff Ansiworth former West Chicago Football coach. All of the sudden I was a kid again. After the game I went over to see the "Coach" He said "where's your kid I want to tell him story's" Luckily Conner was already on the team bus.

I thought how cool is this? He must be like 75 and he's still got a passion for these kids and football, and his hometown!  He then went on to tell me about how he played for Geneva, watched his kid play there and subsequently now coaches at the school he loves. He said tell your boy he played strong and teach him about what this means to these towns.

This year my sons football will also take me back to my hometown of West Chicago. So far at every game I have run into old friends, Listeners, Coaches who listen. It makes the game all that more fun.

It made me remember that I'm not from Chicago, I'm not From Batavia. I'm from West Chicago. And no matter where I go in this city that's where it started. My job has taken me all over the world, But no matter where I go, I still know that tonight just off Joliet street in We-Go the Cats will be playing Metea valley. And as always I will want them to win.

I hate that my kids team lost, But knowing that an old Coach, was at the Helm made worse! (Kidding)

Also a shout out to Geneva's Jordan Soto, He and my kid met more than a dozen times yesterday, He's a good kid and a great Running back. He and My kid are friends and are on the same Club Wrestling team. So it makes it fun to see kids you admire do well.

Here's to the kids and the folks that teach them, you may not know it but you mean the world to your town, If we could get the whole world involved it would be a better place.

Stay healthy this weekend!

RR







 

Ramblin Ray possible death alert: Today High!

On a scale of 1 to 10 I usually roll on a 3 out of a possible 10 on the "Ramblin' Ray death scale" Now when race season rolls around and I'm on the Ice with my idiot race buddies that number rises slightly.

Yesterday on 9-11 I thought about how many people after that day dedicated their life to the military, Moms and Dads sending kids off to fight a enemy we didn't really understand. I thought  how in the world  can parents handle the fact that their baby's are in harms way?

Now don't get me wrong I don't think about death, But I wonder while I watch my kid play ball how most parents can handle it, I'm a ball of stress, My heart pounds. I just watch and try to take in every play so when we go over game film I can offer his some type of direction, (Though I'm quite sure at this point he knows more about this game than I ever will).

That's when I started to wonder how Moms and Dads do it when their kids grow up and become cops, Fireman, tight rope walkers, Radio partners with the likes of a Lisa Dent, These are all things that can send you to an early demise.

I'm not a yeller, I don't scream, I watch. and I understand that every kid out there has worked hard to be on the field. But High school ball ain't little league. Your kid plays  because they are good. Not everyone gets a ribbon, You don't have cookies after the game. This is where is get serious, And thank God My kid can handle it.

I get a kick out of the difference between Moms and Dads, Moms don't want the kids to get hurt, Dad just wants the kid to kick ass. The guys stand together, so do the Moms. Pretty interesting.

Today the Bulldogs play Geneva.This is more than just a game, In Batavia you are taught in little league that this is most important game of the year, No pressure, just win, Or you cant come back to town. Seriously I think if you lose this game you get shipped off to some desert camp south of Kuwait.

This weekend again kids take to the fields everywhere, no matter what your kids are doing. they are have worked hard, Its up to us to just be there to support them. I just hope we don't cancel out in the process.

Batavia with a win and the death scale is very low, a loss and its way passed ten. But I know these kids, I know my town. Today we not in any danger!

Here's to a healthy weekend for kids playing games everywhere.

Go Dawgs!

RR







 

I rememeber 911, I try not to hate. But its hard. And I cant help it.

It was 12 years ago today when all our lives changed, We know where we where when that first plane hit. We didn't understand, Then a second plane hit. It didn't take a rocket scientist to deduct that on a clear day in Manhattan it was more than a coincidence.

I was doing afternoons at US99.5 at the time so I was sleeping in. Gina came upstairs and woke me up, The look on her face told me something bad happened , My friend Big John was doing the morning show  on US99 and basically did play by play and called it out as terrorism before anyone else. He was the best guy on the radio that day.

It goes without saying we cant forget, and personally  I cant forgive. If that makes me a bad guy, Then I'm a bad guy.

I don't live my life afraid, and I'm pretty much sure I can take care of my family in most any situation, What I don't like is that since that day my kids have never known this country to not be at war. It pisses me off.

Lets face it most that want to interrupt the way we live our lives in this country are from the middle east, This isn't a raciest statement this is a fact. But for some reason we cant speak the truth. Because the truth has been lost to political correctness.

Today, Stop and be thankful for what wet have in this great country, remember how we talked that day, Neighbors stood in the street and just talked. We were Americans, for the most part we stood together.

There are people that want to kill us based on where we live that's a fact, But more and more these days the threat comes from within our borders. The ideology behind that same peaceful religion always seems to be the common denominator.

Do me a favor today, Remember what happened on this day in 2001, Remember those that have laid down their life's to make this nation what it is. Stop at a VFW and say thanks to a Vet. Respect first responders, and love your fellow Americans. Its the best way to remember all the innocent life's lost on the Anniversary of 9-11. This was a tragedy, But lets be honest tragedy's are hurricanes, and tornados. This was murder.

Don't get me wrong, I do not hate, and understand by and large this in a small faction of people that did this. But I do find it an egregious task  to forgive.

If you promise not to forget I will promise you I will try and forgive. I hope we can do both.

RR 

A little insight (again) on how I got to be this way.....

I guess it all really started at an early age and If I had to credit anyone for pointing me in the direction of radio it would be my mom. She was the one who bought me my first Mr. Microphone when I was but a child. I loved to talk. I would goof off in school as many in radio did but I didn't do it to the point of distraction, Just to the point of amusement.

 

Fast forward to my senior year of high school. My life consisted of snowmobile racing, Cars and fishing. Pepper that in with working for my dads construction company and I was king of the world. At least till I had an epiphany. Working outside on Chicago's buildings when it was 100 degrees and a almost cutting off my hand after a night of too little sleep, and it didn't take long to figure out this wasn't a job I wanted to do all my life.

 

So off to college I went, My mom and dad had friend in Scottsdale Arizona so it was only natural that I tried my hand at Arizona State. That was brilliant plan. Why in the world my folks would set me loose in the desert southwest is still a mystery to me. For the most part these people were successful smart parents, until this move! I was at ASU  for three months before I made my way to Colorado. I Spent the next semester on the Eldora ski slopes learning the craft of barely getting bye.

 

After I ran out of money I made my way back home to Chicago and the local community college and back to work part time in construction, Exactly what I didn't want to do.

 

It was clearly time to reset, and refocus, The best way for me to do this was spring break. Nothing like endless cases of cheep Keystone light to help a college kid get on track, My friend Bobby French and I were set free in Daytona Beach, It was really something to see local radio and club D.J,s hosting beer party's. It was debauchery at its finest. And they got paid!

 

This next part is how Radio finally became the clear choice for my next endeavor.

 

My friend and I were awaiting a big party at Pendrods Plaza in Daytona, It was a spring break party sponsored by Budweiser,  the only problem with this epic party was  the D.J. that was suppose to host the event  didn't show up. There was no one to host the silly contests that make up a MTV type mid 80s party. That's when I offered my services and stepped in. 

 

I hosted that party for Budweiser and Penrods for the next 2 weeks.

 

When I came back to Chicago, again to a set of unhappy parents my mom said "Ever think about radio"? a trip to 600 south Michigan Av to Columbia college in Chicago and I was ready to be the next Jonathon Brandmeier .

 

I recall the teachers (who were all in Chicago radio) saying you need to pay your dues and get an internship, So after the first day of school I set up a meeting at 107.9 WAUR in Aurora in Chicago's burbs.

 

This is where the aforementioned Car came into play, I was getting out of my car, a sweet 87 mustang Gt convertible. As fate would have it the program Director was getting out of his car in the station parking lot, He introduced himself to me and said " I could use that car for a parade"  I then said " I could use a job on your radio station"

 

He used my car and after a few months of Interning I was on the air! That was 1987 that started a career that has kept me in Chicago radio for over 25 years. That PD was Bruce Summers, He and I share  a friendship to this day.

 

I may have been a little crazy  and unfocused, and I know I wasted too much time and money on my youth, But that cool car got me that first gig!

 

RR

 

 

 

 

Chicago says goodbye to Don Wade.

Almost a year ago Don Wade and his Bride Roma headed to New York for the wedding of his daughter Heather, That's when Don passed out and was later diagnosed with brain cancer.

He would have to step down from the job he had held for more than 27 years, Before WLS he and Roma were the morning show at the frequency I can be found at, US99.5.

When your from Chicago and its your wish to do radio in your hometown you appreciate the great ones, From Wally Phillips, To the great Steve Dahl, Johnny B, Kevin Matthews, Spike O'Dell, You understand that from friendly talk, to Political conservatism, to shock it can all be done. And we can all survive.

I had met Don and Roma several times, We stood on the same side of the issues that would be considered conservative all though we understood that most of our listeners stood in the middle of most political issues. Don always had the luxury of Roma to soften up his grumpy side. And that's why they worked for so long and so well.

Friday Don lost his battle with Brain cancer at 72. Chicago land lost a radio legend, But Radio and WLS listeners know what they lost a year ago when Don and Roma had to step aside at WLS. In this business we can all be replaced, But when you have built a bond with listeners and you have time on your side it gets hard for a radio station to fill the void.

Radio aside, Don was a good guy, always engaging and fun to talk to. He was always proud to share story's of his kids Heather and Hunter. I loved hearing about Hunter and his service to our country.

Today WLS has a tough job. Its not easy to say goodbye. They have had a harder time filling the time slot that Don and Roma have left behind.

There aren't many Don wades left in radio, Brutal honesty and those that speak their minds are defiantly a vanishing breed.

To a great radio man and a better person, I say good bye thanks for always giving a radio kid from West Chicago the time of day!

Rest my friend.

RR

 

Country Music and what some of these guys mean to me.

This morning we were talking about Randy Travis and his health.

As we read on the show his in very bad shape, this is all a result of the stroke he suffered earlier this year.

My job on this show is to be fun and Funny, Its more than a little disturbing to me that this topic is even a reality, I mean Randy Travis, he was as big as it got in Country music. I believe in the George Jones/ Randy song,"Few ole country boys" George said this line:

From the smoke its hard to tell what's coming down the line
we heard you were a fast train comin' out of Caroline

What that means is Nashville is full of so much crap its hard to know what the real deal is. That's an honest line delivered by Jones. Randy Travis had no smoke, Just pure talent and a great work ethic.

And from the seat in one of Americas premiere radio stations, I have had the good fortune of calling Randy a friend. He is a health nut, a workout zealot. and was always working on something from movies to horses to his love of shooting.

I pray for Randy, He was always a gentleman to Me .Not all who are in this business have the grace that he does, Its sad to think that a few missteps and drunken nights may tarnish his image.

Before we put this guy in the grave it needs to be said just what a good guy he really is, always very private, and very professional. A guy with a big heart who always has time for fans.

We live in a world with a thirty second memory and the business I'm in in is a  contributor on steroids. Its the way of the world. We all long for the next big deal and sweep the old under the carpet, It happened to Randy, It happens everyday in the work place and it will eventually happen to you and me! Hell its happening to Kenny Chesney.

Its not easy to be fun or funny when someone that you consider one of the greats is fading away, But today lets be thankful for that "Fast train out of Caroline.

Peace

RR

Gonna die today

No seriously this may be the day for the grabber!

As a dad I never thought there would be anything more nerve racking than watching my daughter on a balance beam, I would sit and watch her on that thing and wince knowing at any time I could see a misstep turn into instant pain.

Than there was last Saturdays football game ........

It was a 9 a.m. start, that was delayed by the lightening, than started than? delayed by more bad weather.

I was a wreck. Felt bad  for the kids that had practiced all summer, Football camp starts early in the summer, there's weight training, there's practice , than the dreaded two a day work outs and here the kids sit and wait. They took it well, Me and mom not so much.

Finally after a two hour lighting and weather delay the game started, This level of football is different. Its now ok to yell at a blown call by the refs, and there were plenty of blown calls but the kids team (Batavia) came out on top.

He had a good game and was defensive player of the game. We have looked at the tape and gone over where he was good and not so good. He loves the game and his coaches. And and Its keeping him busy so its working out well for the kid.

The Glenbard North game was like a homecoming of sorts I grew up just down the street but went to West Chicago, as a kid I used to play football on their field, The field was awesome and so were the Glenbard north kids. I made sure to try and say good game to as many kids as possible. Its insane how hard high schoolers work at sports. Combine that with homework and its a shame there has to be a losing team.

Today the game is at Richards in Oak Lawn and I will be the guy with the EMTs next to me. This is crazy fun. If you read this silly diatribe and have a kid that plays at Richards  there come say hi. Competition is cool and parents and kids that work this hard at something have more than a little in common.

a good injury free weekend to all who take the field this weekend , I just hope

I'm not taken out on a stretcher.

RR





 

Syria iously!

This blog is pretty light hearted  most the time, Today I should be blogging about the kid who was the defensive player of the game Saturday for the Batavia Bulldogs, and I will later on.

But lets talk about the world, and the three things you need to know today.

The guy who kidnapped and kept the three young Cleveland women and kept them hostage for 10 years killed himself in his cell last night. Ok that's the good news, Now for this.

Its time for the president and John Boehner to hold hands and unite as we get ready to take "Limited action" against Syria, Now I don't know about you but I don't want your son or mine going to war in "Limited action" I want them to be able to see a plan and go kick ass. But we don't do that anymore, the only thing that "Shocks and awes" us any more is Dennis Rodman.

I think we agree that we cant allow Syria to use chemical weapons, It reminds me of the last guy that went and tried to find chemical weapons and never found any.

President Obama needs to be careful with this, He doesn't want to upset Barbra Streisand, this "Peace President" is running the risk of not being the Ba-rock star anymore.

Perhaps we can send Dennis Rodman to Syria to hang with Assad, and Assad can "Do him a solid" and pretty please not kill their people anymore.

My kids have never not known us to be at war in their lifetime, I'm all about being the big kid on the block. But we can no longer be the big stupid kid on the block. Please Mr. President don't go lead anymore troops into a war we can not win, and If you have ever been in a fight you know what the object is. Its to win. we learn that in grade school.

Go take care of this for us Dennis Rodman, You a colossal dumbass, and our elected officials are not much better.

RR