Dave Hoekstra’s 25 years of ‘adventure and discovery’
Robservations on the media beat:
Dave Hoekstra
- A hearty high five to my old pal Dave Hoekstra, one of the great unsung writers, columnists, storytellers and journalism treasures in town, on his 25th anniversary at the Chicago Sun-Times. The pride of Naperville Central High School (Class of 1973), Hoekstra, 54, brings the heart of a newspaperman and the soul of a poet to everything he covers — from his odysseys on Route 66 and around the world to his definitive profiles of Chicago legends. On his Sun-Times blog last week, Hoekstra posted a beautiful reflection on his career. (Here is the link.) Asked how he continues to do such great work after so many years and so many miles, Hoekstra told me:
“Basically what keeps me going is the ability to make the unknown known. I love the sense of adventure and discovery that comes in our jobs. Always tell students about the Jimmy Breslin at JFK gravesite story — to paraphrase — how everyone flocked around the gravesite; Breslin wandered off in the distance to interview the gravedigger. That’s kind of how I approach my job. Don’t know how much of that remains in fashion, but I try to fight the good fight.”
- “An Evening with Sarah Palin” will be presented May 12 by WIND-AM (560), the Salem Communications conservative news/talk station. Tickets for the event at the Rosemont Theater go on sale Monday via Ticketmaster and the theater box office. “We are so excited to bring Gov. Palin to Chicago,” said Jeff Reisman, general manager of WIND. “There is no stronger voice for the conservative movement than Sarah Palin, and our listeners want to hear what she has to say.” The former Alaska governor and 2008 Republican vice presidential candidate now delivers commentary for Fox News Channel.
- Three Chicago stations are among 50 finalists for the National Association of Broadcasters’ 2010 Crystal Radio Awards. Two Bonneville International outlets — hot adult-contemporary WTMX-FM (101.9) and classic hits WDRV-FM (97.1) — and Tribune Co.-owned news/talk WGN-AM (720) are competing for recognition of their “year-round commitment to community service.” Winners will be announced April 13 at the NAB Show in Las Vegas.
- Polnet Communications, Chicago-based owner of four time-brokered radio stations here, just closed on its long-awaited acquisition of WPVN-Channel 24, a Class A television station and its digital companion, licensed to Aurora. Bob Heymann of Media Services Group brokered the $1.6 million deal with Nelson TV Inc.
- Chuck Buell, one of the top rock jocks at WLS-AM (890) in its late ’60s and early ’70s heyday as “The Big 89,” makes a fascinating subject for this week’s “Chicago Radio Spotlight.” Buell, now a busy voice-over specialist, tells Rick Kaempfer: “People ask all the time if I miss being on the air. . . . After morning shows now though, there’s no longer the opportunity to have fun and, most importantly, be entertaining. Unfortunately, what I miss does not exist.” (Here is the link.)
- Wendi Power, a 15-year veteran of WGN, resigned Monday as director of sales to become general manager of three FM stations owned by Cox Radio in Tampa, Fla. Succeeding her at WGN is Jeff Hill, who was promoted from local sales manager.
- Georgeann Herbert, former operations manager at CBS Radio all-news WBBM-AM (780) and the late WMAQ-AM, has resigned after nearly 10 years as program director of WWJ-AM in Detroit. She plans to launch her own business involving music, according to AllAccess.com.
- Speedy recovery wishes to Dick Kay, the veteran Chicago newsman and weekend host at Newsweb Radio progressive talk WCPT-AM (820), who’s having knee surgery next week. After this Saturday’s show, he’ll be off recuperating for several weeks.
blogs.vocalo.org
Why is Dave Hoekstra unsung ? I remember his covering Chicago’s blooming
music scene – he always gave special attention to musicians who were helping
each other – rather than just advancing their careers. His musical tastes
opened our eyes to new sounds – and maybe underappreciated old sounds.
He has been well-rounded, descriptive and curious – exactly what a writer must be !
I referred to Dave as unsung because I don’t believe he has received the full recognition he deserves for his great work. The definition of “unsung” is “not celebrated or praised.”
Never thought of Hoekstra as unsung, either. Great writer with lots of followers. But hardly under appreciated. Jeff Hill…deserves the bump up. Sarah Palin coming to town – who’s the opening act?
I’m so glad to hear that Sarah Palin is the strongest voice for the conservative movement. That really gives me a lot of hope that things will get better. I hope Sarah keeps speaking for the conservative movement.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery to Dick Kay. Hope he is back on the beat again soon. He is a knowledgeable and professional broadcaster with an engaging and informative show every Saturday on WCPT.
Jeff Reisman, general manager of WIND: “There is no stronger voice for the conservative movement than Sarah Palin,…
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Sarah Palin’s embrace of the Bush doctrine of preemptive war (a crime under the U.N. charter) would seem to make her a neo-conservative.
Authentic conservatives, like Pat Buchanan, oppose reckless militarism and U.S. hegemony.
That’s what she said!
Thanks for the kind words Rob,
Tracking down Carl from the Buckinghams in the next couple days.
I will share our idea with him if that’s cool with you. Last night I was thinking about all the charity work Dick has done over the years.
Stay tuned!!!
Thanks again,
Dave
It’s always refreshing to be educated on conservative matters by a liberal.
Sarcasm, it’s not just for breakfast anymore. ;-) “It’s good for ya!”
Perhaps She Who Swims With Monsters can introduce Sarah to Chicago’s nightlife.
She might not have time. Sarah’s doing a beer night with me at the Loyal Order of Moose Lodge after we try on shoes at DSW.
I will pass on “An Evening with Sarah Palin,” but will really enjoy “A Night with Sarah Palin,” which can be purchased at your local adult book store. Oh, yes, I did!
Jeff Hill is a class act.
Dave! You are meeting with Carl Giammarese? Very cool!!! Be sure to ask him about “Times Change” by Tufano and Giammarese. One of my all time favorite songs.
A night with Sarah Palin??? You betcha! *wink*
Polnet actually owns 2 time-brokered radio stations in the Chicago area: 1330 WKTA and 1430 WEEF. Polnet’s other 2 stations, 1030 WNVR and 1500 WPJX are programmed in-house which are not brokered.
Its unfortunate that radio stations have to have an affiliation with a political party. Used to be on talk radio the host introduced the subject and took calls from all sides of the issue. Similar to WSCR-AM.
Is the caller there?
“uh, yeah”
What is your opinion?
“uh, frabba, jabba, wabba”
Sir, you make no sense!
“uh, winkie, dinkie, minkie”
Oh, that’s good. Thanks for clarifying, makes perfect sense. It’s good to hear from the other side sometimes. It reinforces my beliefs. :-)
liveandlocal, I agree with you. Where is Dave Baum when you need him?
So, when does POLNET have the call-in show where they discuss lightbulb changing? Jeszcze Polska nie Zginela! Where’s Connie Szerszen when you need her???
Methinks Mr. Brockman, moi, has been censored. tsk tsk
I was only having some harmless fun.
C’est la vie
“I wanna be your sledgehammer”
Rev. Pat, finally someone who remembers when WIND was a talk station to listen to. It really is more interesting to listen to calls from all sides of the issue, instead of the current format on some stations. Dave Baum’s show was really good radio.
Sports Talk Radio and Political Talk Radio are two different formats that cannot be compared. Thus to suggest that the WSCR format is the way to do all shows is simply not feasible. And for those who really listen to WSCR, it is quite clear that any opinion that differs with the host is met with laughter or condescending acknowledgement. Boers and the other goofball are pompous puds that do not let a soul get a word in before they are stamped down as morons.
Carl used to shop at Mike’s Market in Villa Park. You’d see him wandering in and out on Saturday mornings. Maybe he still does. I agree about Dave Hoekstra. He’s had a wonderful career. My favorite Dave Hoekstra columns are when he slips out of town in his trusty old Pontiac and heads south toward Memphis, and then wanders across northern Mississippi. He just gets lost and let’s the car mosey where it will–and then writes the best travel pieces. I like to imagine him looking up Jerry Lee Lewis and Sam the Sham and Morgan Freeman, and maybe a few old baeball players when he’s down that way. Dave Hoekstra and Jerry Lee and Cleo James sneaking off to the Killer’s favorite fishin’ hole. Sitting around, loafing in the sunshine. I understand he’s never done that–but the style of Dave’s writing makes you believe it’s entirely possible. He has a rare talent.