PUBLICITY IN THE 1970'S
BOSTON HOUSE PROMO / NORTHBROOK, IL.
A COOL CAT
I used to show Warner Brothers cartoons to my daughter (Shannon) as she was growing up. She developed a wonderful talent for art and has taken a big interest in the world of Anime and Manga.
Seen here is a work sheet of a character she was developing for a graphic publication.
I have various pieces of her amazing work that I will display in the future.
Seen here is a work sheet of a character she was developing for a graphic publication.
I have various pieces of her amazing work that I will display in the future.
NEVER COULD PLAY WELL...BUT I LOVED IT!
I have always loved baseball and this photo was taken of yours truly holding a bat that probably weighed more than I did. This was the back yard of our old brownstone apartment.
It was easy to get to Wrigley Field. Just walk one block to the el and take it to Addison..about 20 minutes.
The funny thing is, I have no memory of this baseball uniform. All I recall is that my mother would take a sprinkle hose and shove it out the window for kids (including myself) to run through on horrifically hot days!
It was easy to get to Wrigley Field. Just walk one block to the el and take it to Addison..about 20 minutes.
The funny thing is, I have no memory of this baseball uniform. All I recall is that my mother would take a sprinkle hose and shove it out the window for kids (including myself) to run through on horrifically hot days!
WSUX Radio Sux In Chicago
After performing on Mackinac Island for the summer of 1983, I kept in touch with Jeanne and Gary Albrightson via expensive long distance calls. Fellow entertainers. There were no cell phones back then.
So, we kept in touch via cassette recordings. However, as time went by the recordings I made became more detailed involving made up characters and news. It transformed into a "make believe" radio show. Soon, I was producing these shows for people I knew all over the world.
The show became very popular and some fans actually had tee shirts and coffee mugs produced.
Many years later, I reached a lot more people on my podcasts. But these shows are archived and ...you never know...might wind up in
this museum!
So, we kept in touch via cassette recordings. However, as time went by the recordings I made became more detailed involving made up characters and news. It transformed into a "make believe" radio show. Soon, I was producing these shows for people I knew all over the world.
The show became very popular and some fans actually had tee shirts and coffee mugs produced.
Many years later, I reached a lot more people on my podcasts. But these shows are archived and ...you never know...might wind up in
this museum!
JUST SHOOT ME NOW
I'm certain that from time to time as lounge entertainers, we have been witness to an occasional patron who sits quietly in the audience to draw a portrait of us. Sometimes these artistic offerings are created on napkins. My artist chose to produce a pencil sketch inspired.....mostly by beer.
CHICAGO TRIBUNE ARTICLE
Shout Out: Wayne Richards, Skokie pianist and Cubs fan
By Myrna Petlicki
Chicago Tribune
Chicago Tribune
Skokie native Wayne Richards has been playing the piano and singing at venues throughout the Chicago area for five decades. Richards will celebrate his career with a concert, "50 Years and Counting," on March 4 at the Skokie Theatre.
Q: Why did you decide to celebrate your 50 years of performing at the Skokie Theatre?
A: Growing up, I used to go there all the time when it was a cinema. It was kind of my playground. Years later, when it became a concert venue and a place where cabaret shows are done, I started doing some work on the Skokie Theatre stage.
Q: Where did you perform professionally for the first time?
A: A slew of piano lounges that don't exist anymore. The earliest success I had performing was playing in the Gold Coast area in Chicago. Then, when I moved out to the suburbs, I was at the Lincolnwood Hyatt for 2-1/2 years. Then I came out to Schaumburg and I was at the Marriott for 6 years, and the Pheasant Run Resort for 10 years.
Q: What's your favorite musical experience?
A: Completing and having my musical, "The Summer Storm," performed. I've worked on it for close to 20 years. For the past year, I've been working on a very detailed concept album of this musical which will be available for sale and also available to producers who might want to do this musical.
Q: What's your favorite song—that somebody else wrote?
A: "The Long and Winding Road" by Paul McCartney.
Q: What was the first song you wrote?
A: That's a song that's going to be featured in my concert at the Skokie Theatre, "Today."
Q: What was your biggest success as a songwriter?
A: Writing a song called, "Mackinaw Dreams," after working on that island for an entire summer season. It was released on the island in 1989 and sold in the gift stores. It became sort of an unofficial anthem of the island. A documentary filmmaker asked if he could use "Mackinaw Dreams" in one of his videos. I said, "I'll let you use the song if you'll let me write the entire film score." That turned into about 16 documentaries that I did and one of them won an award.
Q: What's your favorite movie?
A: "Once Upon a Time in the West," because it breaks all the rules and it probably has the greatest film score ever.
Q: What book are you currently reading?
A: "The Cubs' Way" by Tom Verducci. I'm a big Cubs fan and it's about the winning season.
Q: What do you do to relax?
A: I watch films. I'm a film collector. I enjoy reading.
Q: What's the best advice you've ever been given?
A: Always remember how you started—the first feeling you had when you got into the business.
Myrna Petlicki is a freelancer.
Q: Why did you decide to celebrate your 50 years of performing at the Skokie Theatre?
A: Growing up, I used to go there all the time when it was a cinema. It was kind of my playground. Years later, when it became a concert venue and a place where cabaret shows are done, I started doing some work on the Skokie Theatre stage.
Q: Where did you perform professionally for the first time?
A: A slew of piano lounges that don't exist anymore. The earliest success I had performing was playing in the Gold Coast area in Chicago. Then, when I moved out to the suburbs, I was at the Lincolnwood Hyatt for 2-1/2 years. Then I came out to Schaumburg and I was at the Marriott for 6 years, and the Pheasant Run Resort for 10 years.
Q: What's your favorite musical experience?
A: Completing and having my musical, "The Summer Storm," performed. I've worked on it for close to 20 years. For the past year, I've been working on a very detailed concept album of this musical which will be available for sale and also available to producers who might want to do this musical.
Q: What's your favorite song—that somebody else wrote?
A: "The Long and Winding Road" by Paul McCartney.
Q: What was the first song you wrote?
A: That's a song that's going to be featured in my concert at the Skokie Theatre, "Today."
Q: What was your biggest success as a songwriter?
A: Writing a song called, "Mackinaw Dreams," after working on that island for an entire summer season. It was released on the island in 1989 and sold in the gift stores. It became sort of an unofficial anthem of the island. A documentary filmmaker asked if he could use "Mackinaw Dreams" in one of his videos. I said, "I'll let you use the song if you'll let me write the entire film score." That turned into about 16 documentaries that I did and one of them won an award.
Q: What's your favorite movie?
A: "Once Upon a Time in the West," because it breaks all the rules and it probably has the greatest film score ever.
Q: What book are you currently reading?
A: "The Cubs' Way" by Tom Verducci. I'm a big Cubs fan and it's about the winning season.
Q: What do you do to relax?
A: I watch films. I'm a film collector. I enjoy reading.
Q: What's the best advice you've ever been given?
A: Always remember how you started—the first feeling you had when you got into the business.
Myrna Petlicki is a freelancer.
WE GOT BASEBALL-WGN RADIO SONG ENTRY
WGN radio and television used to carry Chicago Cubs games. This historic broadcasting giant held a song writing contest and invited Chicago area artists to submit efforts. The song was not intended to replace the classic GO CUBS GO. Plans were to use it as an intro to every radio broadcast of a game.
I decided to put something together. To the left, you will find the original hand written draft of WE'VE GOT BASEBALL. Since Chicago has been known as a BLUES town, I decided to go that route with the song.
One of the judges in this contest was the great Ernie Banks! I am about to reveal something I never have shared. Although I didn't win the contest, I did get a two sentence e-mail from Mr. Cub. It simply said, "YES INDEED! WE'VE GOT BASEBALL!"
I have good news and bad news about that e-mail. The good news is it made me feel like a million books to hear from Ernie. The bad news is that I accidentally deleted it. I also empty out my garbage file regularly. But what a thrill!
If you'd like to hear this song....CLICK HERE
I decided to put something together. To the left, you will find the original hand written draft of WE'VE GOT BASEBALL. Since Chicago has been known as a BLUES town, I decided to go that route with the song.
One of the judges in this contest was the great Ernie Banks! I am about to reveal something I never have shared. Although I didn't win the contest, I did get a two sentence e-mail from Mr. Cub. It simply said, "YES INDEED! WE'VE GOT BASEBALL!"
I have good news and bad news about that e-mail. The good news is it made me feel like a million books to hear from Ernie. The bad news is that I accidentally deleted it. I also empty out my garbage file regularly. But what a thrill!
If you'd like to hear this song....CLICK HERE
MY FRIEND ROGER
WGNS RADIO'S Roger Badesch braving the cold air of Chicago with what I think is hot chocolate.
I interviewed this gentleman in connection to a newsletter I piece together for CUBS WORLD...an over 400 member club dedicated to the Cubbies based in the Villages. Roger is more of a Sox fan, but he has great stories.
We're hoping he can come down for a visit down here in Florida!
I interviewed this gentleman in connection to a newsletter I piece together for CUBS WORLD...an over 400 member club dedicated to the Cubbies based in the Villages. Roger is more of a Sox fan, but he has great stories.
We're hoping he can come down for a visit down here in Florida!
A SPOONFUL OF WORKING WITH LEGENDS
The legends I speak of are the remaining active members of the classic rock band, THE LOVING SPOONFUL. In late 2021, I had the pleasure of performing on stage in Ft. Myer, Florida, along with Darell Morgan.
Here is the itinerary given to us in connection to this show.
The rehearsal room was an interesting place where many famous musicians have played. In a way, it's almost like a museum filled with musical history.
For instance, they have Elvis's old barber chair from Graceland.
The show, as I've stated, had the original drummer from Spoonful. A SPOONFUL OF LOVIN is a reincarnation of the original. I had a great time on stage!
Here is the itinerary given to us in connection to this show.
The rehearsal room was an interesting place where many famous musicians have played. In a way, it's almost like a museum filled with musical history.
For instance, they have Elvis's old barber chair from Graceland.
The show, as I've stated, had the original drummer from Spoonful. A SPOONFUL OF LOVIN is a reincarnation of the original. I had a great time on stage!
GETTING OUR SHIRT TOGETHER
On the evening of the SPOONFUL OF LOVIN show, every band member was distributed a tee short to wear.
At first we admired them until we realized the letters resembled
"ASS HOLE" upon further study!
At first we admired them until we realized the letters resembled
"ASS HOLE" upon further study!
WHO'S SOIREE NOW?
Chicago has always provided a wealth of amazing musical talent. Clubs and lounges were plentiful and everyone seemed to be working.
The Soiree was the brain child of entertainer, Esther Hana. Performers from throughout the Chicagoland area were invited to come in for fellowship and an opportunity to render a song or two.
The beautiful venue sat alongside the Chicago river. The photo you see displayed is actually a stencil for tee shirts. I recognize some legends and many friends.
I held a piano festival once at my musical home in Arlington Heights at BIG SHOT. I don't think they quite understood the concept because it didn't work as well as the get together downtown.
But I am grateful for many of the musicians who have touched my life more than you know.
The Soiree was the brain child of entertainer, Esther Hana. Performers from throughout the Chicagoland area were invited to come in for fellowship and an opportunity to render a song or two.
The beautiful venue sat alongside the Chicago river. The photo you see displayed is actually a stencil for tee shirts. I recognize some legends and many friends.
I held a piano festival once at my musical home in Arlington Heights at BIG SHOT. I don't think they quite understood the concept because it didn't work as well as the get together downtown.
But I am grateful for many of the musicians who have touched my life more than you know.
Being a fanatical fan of Chinese cuisine while being invited to perform at one was a dream come true! I did several talent showcases and eventually was offered an evening of my own. Eggs rolls and a great audience. What could be better?
Believe it or not, this wonderful restaurant featured a very original dish. Chinese pizza! I kid you not! It was made with rice flour and had bamboo shoots, peppers and other items. I fell in love with this pizza.
The owner and I became good friends. One evening, very late, he called me on the phone and told me to come over as quickly as possible. I was confused because this was way past closing time.
When I arrived, I was surprised and delighted to see the great Mickey Rooney sitting in a booth stuffing his pie hole. A very nice man was he. Very funny too.
We sat, enjoyed a very late dinner and just enjoyed the evening.
Believe it or not, this wonderful restaurant featured a very original dish. Chinese pizza! I kid you not! It was made with rice flour and had bamboo shoots, peppers and other items. I fell in love with this pizza.
The owner and I became good friends. One evening, very late, he called me on the phone and told me to come over as quickly as possible. I was confused because this was way past closing time.
When I arrived, I was surprised and delighted to see the great Mickey Rooney sitting in a booth stuffing his pie hole. A very nice man was he. Very funny too.
We sat, enjoyed a very late dinner and just enjoyed the evening.
This was an ad for a wonderful concert held at the Schaumburg Public Library. It was great fun bantering back and forth with these two incredible ladies. Great harmonies. Great time! I would perform with these two anytime.
If I'm not mistaken, this show was recorded on audio and is sitting somewhere in my yet to be processed archives.
If I'm not mistaken, this show was recorded on audio and is sitting somewhere in my yet to be processed archives.
PUBLICITY PHOTO FROM THE SEVENTIES
Restaurant owner Gene Sage used to say I looked like Sir Lancelot. I see what he meant.
