Today we salute Leigh Kamman, who just ended a broadcasting career that began at the height of the Big Band era with the final broadcast of "The Jazz Image", a program he has hosted on Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) since 1973.
Kamman's long career included interviews with just about every major (and minor) personality in jazz and stints at various Twin Cities radio stations in the 1950s and 60s. At 85, he's leaving to write a book or two.
What Kamman did for three hours every Saturday night (it used to be all night in the early years) was to take his listeners on a journey to another world, in words and sound, where the drinks flowed, the music was hot, and the mood was mellow.
That quintessential piece of Americana called jazz, once the most popular sound in the land, has been relegated in recent years to that audio museum called public radio. And it's no mystery why: it's an insomnia cure compared to rock, country and pop--not to mention more marketable. We're not counting "smooth jazz", the province of such luminaries as Kenny G and George Benson, which has seen two Twin Cities radio stations come and go.
MPR has not announced a replacement for Kamman yet, nor is it known if the show will continue in some form. Whatever happens, whoever sits behind the microphone has a hard act to follow, with a different set of images to conjure.
UPDATE (10/20/14): Kammann died on October 17. He was 92.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Stalling For Time
The media circus came to Hennepin County District Court on Wednesday, not far from the Southdale shopping mall in Edina, Minnesota. A new Super Target across the street is weeks away from opening, with the road next to it being torn up and paved over, and a hotel is under construction a few blocks away. But that's not why they were here.
They were in the courtroom to witness attorneys representing Senator Larry Craig (R-Idaho)--who could not be bothered to leave Washington--asking a judge to let him withdraw his guilty plea on a charge of disorderly conduct. Craig, as you know, was arrested back on June 11 at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport for allegedly soliciting gay sex to an undercover officer in the men's room.
The officer wrote in his report that he and Craig were in adjoining stalls, touching feet and making signals indicating that the Senator wanted sex. It sounds like a sordid version of how Paul Revere knew the British were coming (for those of you who forgot your history lessons, it was "one if by land, two if by sea"). Craig, claiming he was using a "wide stance", now denies everything.
Judge Charles Porter said he won't make a ruling until sometime next month, so Craig is delaying his resignation from the Senate--much to the chagrin of embarrassed fellow Republicans who wanted him out ASAP.
The stall at the airport where the sting allegedly occurred is now a tourist attraction, right up there with the Mall of America and the bridge that fell into the Mississippi River. Wonder if that will make the next edition of "Weird Minnesota"?
The building next door to the District Court is the library I usually frequent at least twice a month. Had I gone there on Wednesday, I wouldn't have found a place to park with all the news vans, satellite trucks and security But Thursday, the media circus was gone, setting up their tents at the next big story. When the judge makes his decision, they'll be back.
They were in the courtroom to witness attorneys representing Senator Larry Craig (R-Idaho)--who could not be bothered to leave Washington--asking a judge to let him withdraw his guilty plea on a charge of disorderly conduct. Craig, as you know, was arrested back on June 11 at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport for allegedly soliciting gay sex to an undercover officer in the men's room.
The officer wrote in his report that he and Craig were in adjoining stalls, touching feet and making signals indicating that the Senator wanted sex. It sounds like a sordid version of how Paul Revere knew the British were coming (for those of you who forgot your history lessons, it was "one if by land, two if by sea"). Craig, claiming he was using a "wide stance", now denies everything.
Judge Charles Porter said he won't make a ruling until sometime next month, so Craig is delaying his resignation from the Senate--much to the chagrin of embarrassed fellow Republicans who wanted him out ASAP.
The stall at the airport where the sting allegedly occurred is now a tourist attraction, right up there with the Mall of America and the bridge that fell into the Mississippi River. Wonder if that will make the next edition of "Weird Minnesota"?
The building next door to the District Court is the library I usually frequent at least twice a month. Had I gone there on Wednesday, I wouldn't have found a place to park with all the news vans, satellite trucks and security But Thursday, the media circus was gone, setting up their tents at the next big story. When the judge makes his decision, they'll be back.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Trials and Strib-ulations
In the ongoing turmoil that is the Minneapolis Star Tribune, a Ramsey County judge ordered Par Ridder, the man whom new owner Avista Capital Partners brought over from the rival St. Paul Pioneer Press to serve as its new publisher, to go on a one year suspension as punishment for violating state laws regarding trade secrets when he jumped across the river.
Apparently, Ridder was not a well-liked man. Staffers at both papers cheered the ruling, which is pending an appeal by the Star Tribune. The paper's own coverage of the ruling was on the front page, top fold, when you would have expected to see it on the business pages. But then again, the media doesn't usually do a very good job of covering itself.
The Star Tribune (and, for that matter, the Pioneer Press) has been shrinking in its size and reputation these days. Circulation is in the tank. Half its staff has been axed, including Doug Grow, Al Sicherman, Eric Black and Deborah Rybak. Other aspects of the business have been outsourced. And still no one knows what in heck Avista Capital Partners is, or how long it will be before they sell the paper to someone else.
Reading the paper is another matter. Coverage is so skimpy, with wire-service headlines of things you've already heard on TV and stories missed because of the lack of staff. And do we really have to get our media coverage from CJ? It's almost as if the Star Tribune is inviting its readers to drop the paper and log on to its web site.
Not to end on a gloomy note, but we think the Twin Cities will become a one-newspaper market by 2010. Which newspaper survives is anyone's guess.
Apparently, Ridder was not a well-liked man. Staffers at both papers cheered the ruling, which is pending an appeal by the Star Tribune. The paper's own coverage of the ruling was on the front page, top fold, when you would have expected to see it on the business pages. But then again, the media doesn't usually do a very good job of covering itself.
The Star Tribune (and, for that matter, the Pioneer Press) has been shrinking in its size and reputation these days. Circulation is in the tank. Half its staff has been axed, including Doug Grow, Al Sicherman, Eric Black and Deborah Rybak. Other aspects of the business have been outsourced. And still no one knows what in heck Avista Capital Partners is, or how long it will be before they sell the paper to someone else.
Reading the paper is another matter. Coverage is so skimpy, with wire-service headlines of things you've already heard on TV and stories missed because of the lack of staff. And do we really have to get our media coverage from CJ? It's almost as if the Star Tribune is inviting its readers to drop the paper and log on to its web site.
Not to end on a gloomy note, but we think the Twin Cities will become a one-newspaper market by 2010. Which newspaper survives is anyone's guess.
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Black Eye
To the surprise and dismay of most of his media colleagues, Dan Rather has filed a $70 million suit against CBS, claiming they damaged his reputation over a story he did in 2004.
It's the one Rather reported for "60 Minutes II" about George W. Bush's military service records during the Vietnam war, and how much time he allegedly did serve. The President's supporters in the blogosphere (who had been waiting for years to pin something on the allegedly liberal Rather), among others, called the network and Rather on it. After further checking, CBS concluded that they were right about the way the story was handled, and that they and Rather issued apologies. As a result, four staffers were fired, and Rather was dropped from the 'CBS Evening News" and "60 Minutes II".
CBS has responded to Rather's suit by saying it was "old news" and that it was without merit.
These days, Rather hosts a program for HDnet, a cable channel which happens to be one of Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban's properties. Besides the lawsuit, Rather has been taking shots at his old network for hiring Katie Couric to take his place on the evening news, as well as decrying the "dumbing down" of TV news in general.
Let's see . . . when Rather left the "CBS Evening News", it was mired in third place behind NBC and ABC. Interim anchor Bob Schieffer brought the numbers up a little bit. Then, after much ballyhoo, Couric took over. Today, the broadcast is still in third place. But it's not all Couric's fault. Unless you live in places like Minneapolis, the local news ratings on CBS stations are in the tank. Not as many people watch the evening news any more. Also, CBS News itself is not the journalistic powerhouse it used to be in the Walter Cronkite era.
This lawsuit might have the unintended consequence of making Rather seem like a bitter old man whose best days are behind him. You've heard the phrase "it's not the money, it's the principle of the thing"? It's the money, Dan.
It's the one Rather reported for "60 Minutes II" about George W. Bush's military service records during the Vietnam war, and how much time he allegedly did serve. The President's supporters in the blogosphere (who had been waiting for years to pin something on the allegedly liberal Rather), among others, called the network and Rather on it. After further checking, CBS concluded that they were right about the way the story was handled, and that they and Rather issued apologies. As a result, four staffers were fired, and Rather was dropped from the 'CBS Evening News" and "60 Minutes II".
CBS has responded to Rather's suit by saying it was "old news" and that it was without merit.
These days, Rather hosts a program for HDnet, a cable channel which happens to be one of Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban's properties. Besides the lawsuit, Rather has been taking shots at his old network for hiring Katie Couric to take his place on the evening news, as well as decrying the "dumbing down" of TV news in general.
Let's see . . . when Rather left the "CBS Evening News", it was mired in third place behind NBC and ABC. Interim anchor Bob Schieffer brought the numbers up a little bit. Then, after much ballyhoo, Couric took over. Today, the broadcast is still in third place. But it's not all Couric's fault. Unless you live in places like Minneapolis, the local news ratings on CBS stations are in the tank. Not as many people watch the evening news any more. Also, CBS News itself is not the journalistic powerhouse it used to be in the Walter Cronkite era.
This lawsuit might have the unintended consequence of making Rather seem like a bitter old man whose best days are behind him. You've heard the phrase "it's not the money, it's the principle of the thing"? It's the money, Dan.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Running Into Trouble--Again
Twelve years after being acquitted of the murders of his former wife and her male friend, in a trial that still resonates today, football hero-turned-pariah Orenthal James (O.J.) Simpson faces prison once again.
Simpson and five others were charged on ten felonies by Nevada police including kidnapping and armed robbery, allegedly for attempting to steal back sports memorabilia (which Simpson says originally belonged to him) at a Las Vegas casino hotel. If convicted, Simpson could get up to 60 years in prison.
The families of the victims, Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman, have been on Simpson's case since the verdict, waiting for the $33.5 million that was due the Goldmans after winning a wrongful death lawsuit, as well as believing Simpson got away with murder. Which is why Simpson now resides in Florida, just to get away from them,
Before the arrest, the Browns and the Goldmans were all over TV debating the wisdom of publishing Simpson's book "If I Did It", whose rights now belong to the Goldmans. In the book, Simpson speculated on what would have happened if he really did kill Nicole and Ronald. The resulting firestorm of criticism caused Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. to yank the book and Simpson's TV interview, firing the publisher in the process.
Up until the murder trial, Simpson was best known as a Heisman Trophy winner at the University of Southern California, a record-setting running back in the NFL, and an actor in movies and TV commercials. He's still in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and some say he shouldn't be there. If the various Halls of Fame cared more about its inductees' athletic credentials and less about their being solid citizens, Pete Rose, Michael Vick and Barry Bonds would have been voted in.
If the case goes to trial, the question will be: Can O.J. do it again? Will his team of attorneys be successful in getting an acquittal on armed robbery charges, just like they did in the murder trial? Sure, the situation and the locale are different, but things haven't changed much since the last time O.J. Simpson walked into a courtroom with his life on the line.
Simpson and five others were charged on ten felonies by Nevada police including kidnapping and armed robbery, allegedly for attempting to steal back sports memorabilia (which Simpson says originally belonged to him) at a Las Vegas casino hotel. If convicted, Simpson could get up to 60 years in prison.
The families of the victims, Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman, have been on Simpson's case since the verdict, waiting for the $33.5 million that was due the Goldmans after winning a wrongful death lawsuit, as well as believing Simpson got away with murder. Which is why Simpson now resides in Florida, just to get away from them,
Before the arrest, the Browns and the Goldmans were all over TV debating the wisdom of publishing Simpson's book "If I Did It", whose rights now belong to the Goldmans. In the book, Simpson speculated on what would have happened if he really did kill Nicole and Ronald. The resulting firestorm of criticism caused Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. to yank the book and Simpson's TV interview, firing the publisher in the process.
Up until the murder trial, Simpson was best known as a Heisman Trophy winner at the University of Southern California, a record-setting running back in the NFL, and an actor in movies and TV commercials. He's still in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and some say he shouldn't be there. If the various Halls of Fame cared more about its inductees' athletic credentials and less about their being solid citizens, Pete Rose, Michael Vick and Barry Bonds would have been voted in.
If the case goes to trial, the question will be: Can O.J. do it again? Will his team of attorneys be successful in getting an acquittal on armed robbery charges, just like they did in the murder trial? Sure, the situation and the locale are different, but things haven't changed much since the last time O.J. Simpson walked into a courtroom with his life on the line.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Patriot Spy Games
The National Football League put the hammer down on the New England Patriots, fining them heavily (though not as much as some would like) and taking away draft choices. All because someone on the coaching staff had the bright idea of allegedly bringing video cameras to the sidelines to film signals of New York Jets coaches during a game. This is why you see coaches hiding their faces behind clipboards. It looks stupid on TV, but it does serve the purpose of stymieing lip-readers.
Patriots coach Bill Belichick, heretofore known as the genius who led his team to three Super Bowl titles in this decade and is going for a fourth, came across as Vice President Dick Cheney in blowing off the media inquiries during his news conferences last week. Belichick's reputation might have taken a hit--in fact, some have wondered why he wasn't suspended by the NFL, but his coaching style won't change any. Not that his team's been affected by all this, as they defeated the San Diego Chargers 38-14 Sunday night.
One thing that might come from this incident is that, in the NFL's never-ending attempts to dictate what you and I are allowed to see in the name of image management, sideline reporters and cameras might become a thing of the past. (Come to think of it, the NFL sounds a lot like the Bush administration)
Just to clarify, there are sideline reporters (see Andrea Kramer of NBC, Suzy Kolber and Michele Tafoya of ESPN, among others) who give out good information on injured players and summaries of what coaches thought of the game so far, etc. But there are also those who insist on giving us the juicy details about the patches on players' uniforms, or the terrible odds a player had to overcome just to play football. And then there's Tony Siragusa, for whom we're still scratching our heads as to why Fox Sports put this guy on TV.
Patriots coach Bill Belichick, heretofore known as the genius who led his team to three Super Bowl titles in this decade and is going for a fourth, came across as Vice President Dick Cheney in blowing off the media inquiries during his news conferences last week. Belichick's reputation might have taken a hit--in fact, some have wondered why he wasn't suspended by the NFL, but his coaching style won't change any. Not that his team's been affected by all this, as they defeated the San Diego Chargers 38-14 Sunday night.
One thing that might come from this incident is that, in the NFL's never-ending attempts to dictate what you and I are allowed to see in the name of image management, sideline reporters and cameras might become a thing of the past. (Come to think of it, the NFL sounds a lot like the Bush administration)
Just to clarify, there are sideline reporters (see Andrea Kramer of NBC, Suzy Kolber and Michele Tafoya of ESPN, among others) who give out good information on injured players and summaries of what coaches thought of the game so far, etc. But there are also those who insist on giving us the juicy details about the patches on players' uniforms, or the terrible odds a player had to overcome just to play football. And then there's Tony Siragusa, for whom we're still scratching our heads as to why Fox Sports put this guy on TV.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Our Detailed Analysis of the President's Address to the Nation
We were going to do a detailed analysis of President Bush's speech on Thursday night. But since the President used many of the same talking points (9/11, defending freedom, etc.) to justify the continued occupation of Iraq he's used in past speeches, and since General David Petraeus already did much of the work for him during appearances on Capitol Hill, why bother? So let's, uh, move on . . .
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