Life 2.0

John Berry

Since 1979, John Berry has recorded more than 20 studio albums, including one platinum album and two gold albums. In his career, Berry has also charted 19 songs on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, including the Number One single "Your Love Amazes Me" from 1994 and six additional Top 10 hits: "What's In It for Me," "You and Only You," "Standing on the Edge of Goodbye," "I Think About It All the Time," "Change My Mind," and "She's Taken a Shine."

A Country Weekly article said of Berry "John's greatest strength is his pure, soulful tenor" and The Entertainment Nexus described him as "one of the most remarkable voices in music."

But that's those are just the headlines. The lifelines are very different.

In 1981, at age 21, while riding his motorcycle, Berry was hit by a car, breaking both of his legs and his left hip. He had just lost his mother earlier that year. Doctors were afraid that he may not walk again. He spent several months in physical therapy, working to regain the use of his legs. Early in 1994, Berry began to have terrible headaches, lost his appetite and finally blacked out during a concert. He was rushed to the hospital on May 9, 1994, in Atlanta, where a cyst was found in the third ventricle of his brain. The same day he underwent brain surgery, he celebrated his first No. 1 single, "Your Love Amazes Me", from his hospital bed in Atlanta. Fast forward to 2019, Berry was diagnosed with throat cancer, requiring 35 treatments of radiation and chemotherapy. Again, Berry's voice survived, adding to the emotional layers of his sound. 

A great conversation with an incredible singer/songwriter, about life lessons and the musical influence of John Denver. 

NEVER GIVE UP

Marcia Kimpton is a force of nature. She's considered a "quadruple talent" as a director, producer, writer and actress in the media world. She has 40+ film awards for her work, is a best-selling author and champion for women filmmakers. Marcia joins me for a rousing conversation about her roller-coaster ride in the world of entertainment, how she pushes back on the darkness of depression, and is learning unconditional love, by testing herself in the customer service line. If you are in the greater (or lesser) Chicagoland area, she will be Jen Weigel's guest at Madame Zuzu's in Highland Park. You can get your tix online at https://madamezuzus.com/pages/calendar

Super Bowl Memories with Jerry Kramer

Rolling into Super Bowl LVI weekend, I thought a little retrospective was in order, so I reached out to my longtime pal, Green Bay Packers HOF guard Jerry Kramer, who played for Vince Lombardi in SB I & II for a little perspective on the spectacle, 56 years after the first kick-off. Kramer is one of a handful of men, who is still alive (and kicking) from those gridiron games from over one-half century ago. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the fourth round (39th player overall) of the 1958 NFL Draft and starred for the Green Bay Packers from 1958 to 1968 playing most of his 11-season career under the direction of Hall of Fame Coach Vince Lombardi. Kramer played 130 games as the Packers guard and his leadership and talents helped the franchise capture five NFL championships and victories in Super Bowls I and II. He earned All-NFL acclaim five times (1960, 1962-63, 1966-67) and was voted to three Pro Bowls. Kramer was also named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1960s, the NFL’s 50th Anniversary Team in 1969 and the Super Bowl Silver Anniversary Team. After being overlooked for Canton ten times, Jerry was inducted into the Pro Football HOF in 2018, at the age of 82.

Snow Machine Memories

So, what do the first outing of the year with a snow blower, the Creature from The Black Lagoon, a Windy City Clincher Softball and Batman have in common? They are all part of the puzzle of this Saturday Morning Rant, as reminders of a time, when my biggest concern was where to build a snow fort, and whether or not the ice would be ready at the playground for endless hours of skating.

The Building Blocks of Success

So, what does a immigrant from Italy, who didn't speak a word of English, and yet built LaVilla Restaurant, brick by brick into a Chicago institution, with a legacy that endures through his daughter 45 years later, have in common with arguably the greatest guard, and Hall of Fame Green Bay Packer, Jerry Kramer? Nothing...and yet...everything. Success leaves clues, and there are no shortcuts, whether you are making the best pizza on the planet, or winning the Super Bowl.

TBT with Nate Boyer

Throwback Thursday features my conversation with Nate Boyer from 2016. After serving six years and multiple tours for the Army in both Iraq and Afghanistan, as a Green Beret. Boyer played college football as a walk-on at the University of Texas, despite never having played a down of organized football in his life. He was signed by the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 2015. He co-founded MVP (Merging Vets and Players) with Fox Sports Analyst Jay Glazer, and a film about his life, is in the works. Nate dropped one of the all time memorable quotes in this show..."We should be doing something every day to earn our Americanism." Yea-what he said.

Remembering Pete

Pete Huttlinger was a true force of nature. By the age of 12, Pete had begun music lessons and by 14 he had settled on the guitar. Soon after he graduated from high school, a relative left him a small inheritance. He decided to use this windfall to study at Berklee College of Music. Pete would go on to perform around the world with such artists as John Denver, LeAnn Rimes, Sara Evans, Brad Paisley, Wynonna, Donna Summer, Brenda Lee, Engelbert Humperdinck, and George Burns.  In 2000, he won the National Fingerpick Guitar Championship and soon after emerged as one of the Nashville Chamber Orchestra’s most popular guest soloists. and many others. As a solo artist, he performed across the U.S. and Europe. He battled his entire life with a congenital heart defect, and passed away on January 15th, 2016 at the age of 54. This remembrance of Pete, is my conversation with him and his wife Erin, about their book "Joined at The Heart." More info at www.petehuttlinger.com 

Remembering John

It's New Year's Eve, and John Denver would have been 78 years old today. Ever since John's passing in 1997, I have produced a tribute show to my friend on his birthday, and this year I am thrilled to have shared a wonderful conversation with Conrad Reeder, who was a backup singer for JD and whose husband, the late, great Roger "The Immortal" Nichols engineered and produced some of John's best albums, and captured the incredible and ground breaking U.S.S.R. concerts in 1985. 

"Though the singer is silent, there still is the truth of the songs."

Christmas Memories & Music

Finding the vintage Grundig Stereo my folks bought in 1958, brought me back to Christmas in a much simpler time. It's a great lineup of music and memories, as we once again celebrate the season. I am also reminded of those who are no longer here to celebrate the season, and its with them in mind, I offer you a little respite from the sadness that often comes this time of the year.

Merry Christmas!

A Christmas Carol

From the first time I watched "A Christmas Carol" (starring the incredible Alastair Sim as Ebenezer Scrooge) on a little black & white Sears TV set, back in the late 60s, I have been captivated over and over again, not only by his performance, but the theme of the movie. It has reminded me time and time again, that humanity is my business. This episode includes audio from the 1951 film version of the Dicken's classic. Enjoy.