We’d love it if you could join us, Friday, Sept. 9, at 7 pm, when our “A Little More Les” book tour heads to Les Paul‘s home state of Wisconsin for an appearance/book signing in Kenosha at the Kenosha Public Museum (5500 First Avenue, Kenosha, WI 53140).
Because it’s the state Les was born in, we’re bringing a VERY special Les Paul guitar with us.
Steve & Johnnie holding a VERY special Les Paul guitar.
We’ll be happy to share the story behind the guitar when we see you.
Yes, we’re doing another “drive by” on the “Mighty 720” this Labor Day!!
We’ll start off our Labor Day celebration in the WGN Radio Showcase Studio as we fill in from 9-Noon for Steve Cochran and Bill Leff & Wendy Snyder. Among the goodies we’re planning to serve at our Labor Day Fest is having some fun with Svengoolie a/k/a Rich Koz and Freddy “Boom Boom” Cannon.
Svengoolie & Freddy “Boom Boom” Cannon
Freddy created a new song all about Sven called “The Svengoolie Stomp” and if you think it might be coming out of your radio speakers while we’re on the air, you’d be correct.
We’ll have some back to school computer tips from our Website Wednesday Night Cybersquad guru, Patrick Crispen.
We’ll also have an in studio performance with Josh Solomon and Erika Brett from The Empty Pockets.
And, we’ve got a few more surprises planned. Don’t forget, you can listen AND WATCH from anywhere in the country just by clicking on WGN Radio’s live stream!
Our latest Video Road Test of the redesigned 2016 Kia Optima SX-L has just been posted on Consumer Guide Automotive’s Daily Drive website.
Just click on the link above to take a spin with us and see what you think.
2016 Kia Optima SX-L
And don’t forget, if you want to check some of our previous road tests and some of the other goodies we’ve been pouring into the Daily Drive tank, just point your browser right here.
If you’re up in the “wee hours” Friday morning, we hope you’ll tune in to WGN Radio.
In the 2 AM hour, we’ll be stopping by the Tribune Tower to hang out with Nick Digilio. Any time we get to hang with Nick is always a good time.
Johnnie, Nick Digilio & Steve at WGN Radio
If you’re not in the Chicago area, you can listen in online just by clicking this link.
Remember, as we’ve always said, sleep is highly overrated!!
We’re back in Chicago and, just in case you haven’t checked our Events page recently, our “A Little More Les” book tour is landing in Grayslake this weekend for an appearance/book signing.
Here’s all the details.
Saturday & Sunday, 8/13 &14/16
9 AM — We’ll be doing an appearance/book signing in Grayslake, IL, at the Chicagoland Vintage Guitars Vinyl Records Classic Drums Rock N Roll Memorabilia Show & Sale.
If you’re in the area, we hope you’ll stop by and say hi.
And don’t forget we’re always updating our Events page, so you might want to pop in there now and then.
Our Video Road Test of the 2016 Toyota RAV4 SE has just been posted on Consumer Guide Automotive’s Daily Drive website. Just click on the link above to take a spin with us.
2016 Toyota RAV4
And don’t forget, if you want to check some of our previous road tests and some of the other goodies we’ve been pouring into the Daily Drive tank, just point your browser right here.
Ok, that post title probably sounds like a blatant plug, but we don’t apologize. Really, go see Paul Thorn!
We’ve been Paul Thorn fans for years and, several years ago, were lucky enough to have him stop in to the WGN studios and hang out with us.
Johnnie & Steve with Paul Thorn at WGN radio
Over the years, Paul’s recording of “Lovers Vacation” seemed to always find its way into our CD player as we made the drive from Chicago to Panama City Beach. In fact, we were headed to Panama City Beach when we found out about Paul’s June 11th appearance in the Chicago area at one of our favorite venues, SPACE, in Evanston. Since, other than his in-studio performance with us, we’d never had the chance to see Paul and his band perform live, we decided to rectify that and reservations were quickly made.
It wouldn’t be overstating the fact to say that seeing Paul Thorn and his band live is a “religious” experience. Paul approaches his sets with the zeal of a preacher and has the showmanship and timing to quickly make all of his “converts” members of the choir. The intimacy of a club like SPACE only added to the church like atmosphere (That is, assuming you’re used to having alcohol served to the faithful!:-) Very quickly into his set, he had the crowd in the palm of his hand and singing along. His crack band’s ability to turn on a dime and Paul’s ability to use his in-between song stories weave a humorous, but often meaningful narrative into the “service” easily stoked the smiles and applause meters.
Paul Thorn performing at SPACE
For those of you who have never been to SPACE, the point should be made that, unlike too many venues today where you can hardly hear the performer over the crowd noise, SPACE is a listening room. That’s one of the many reasons it’s a favorite of ours. Also, the sound is not turned up to Madison Square Garden levels. It’s loud enough for the performer to fill the room, but the people living a few blocks away are not going to be privy to the good time you’re having.
The crowd this evening at SPACE came to listen, sing along and, for those like the couple we were sitting with who had never heard Paul Thorn, be converted. And convert them he did. By the evening’s last number, Paul was in the crowd bestowing his blessings and good vibes on anyone who wanted to sing and dance with him.
Paul Thorn in the crowd for a “healin'” encore
By the show’s end the house lights were up and we could see smiles all around. After the show we got the chance to say hello to Paul, get a copy of his latest album and, thanks to our new friend, Susan, get a new picture taken with him.
Johnnie & Steve with Paul Thorn at SPACE
At the end of the evening, along with feeling energized from the show, we both felt that, while we will, hopefully, see more great shows, we know we will not see a better show than the one Paul Thorn put on at SPACE.
So, we end this post with the way we started out, if he’s ever in your area … Go See Paul Thorn!
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