Best Of XRT: Recent Episodes
Audacy
In celebration of 50 Years at 93XRT. Terri Hemmert joins Marty Lennartz on the morning show. They told stories and shared memorable moments from her career so far, we played some of Terri’s favorite songs and shared your comments about what Terri means to you, throughout the day.
Jacob Slater, lead singer & guitarist of Wunderhorse, joined midday host Annalisa in studio today, on the heels of a 93XRT Pop Up Concert at Empty Bottle yesterday, and ahead of a sold-out show tonight at Schuba's. He spoke at length about his influences, his foray into acting, and Wunderhorse's new music that they just finished recording at Minnesota's famed Pachyderm Studios.
This morning, Marty Lennartz memorialized the legendary singer / songwriter Gordon Lightfoot, whose "Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" memorialized one of the fabled shipwrecks on the Great Lakes in 1976.
Baseball devotees always gather on Opening Day to mark a new beginning. One where hope springs eternal. The first in a 162-step journey that'll bring excitement, joy, heartache, and disbelief to all.
Last week was the Miller Lite 93XRT Opening Day celebration from our longtime home of YakZies, 3710 N Clark. And while XRT & YakZies enjoy a familial relationship of about 30 years, yesterday was different. We missed the biggest baseball and rock n' roll fan out there, our collective best friend in the whole world, Lin Brehmer. Before the Cubs honored Lin with a Wrigley Field scoreboard tribute, The Regular Guy did, from the same humble stage that we gather at year after year to lay down our long burden of winter as we look ahead to a season of infinite possibility. Take nothing for granted. It's great to be alive.
Lin Brehmer returned from his medical sabbatical Monday morning and brought us a new Lin's Bin answering the question he received a lot while out, "How are you doing?"
Marty Lennartz remembers Bob Gelms former Music Director in the 70's and 80's for 93XRT after his passing on Sunday, October 2nd.
Patrick Carney of The Black Keys joins Marty Lennartz to talk about the band's new album.
What is Chicagoland? Where is Chicagoland? The Lin's Bin Naked Remix of Lin's Bin of June 7, 2021. Listen here and share anywhere.
How Will We Celebrate Thanksgiving?
Lin’s Bin
How will my favorite holiday compare to years gone by? A question from a listener helped me remember and helped me look to the future.
(Music is “Great Big God of Hands” by master guitarists Nathan Salzburg and James Elkington from the album Ambsace.)
Chris & Rich Robinson of The Black Crowes stop by our studio for a conversation with Lin Brehmer on their acoustic Brothers Of A Feather Tour, why the time was right to reunite, and more.
A sold out crowd was on hand to witness a wonderful night of music at Classic Cinemas Tivoli Theatre in Downers Grove as Poi Dog Pondering got the audience up and dancing right from the very first note.
Here's Lin Brehmer's fantastic interview with Poi Dog Pondering's Frank Orrall as the two discuss the band's travels from Hawaii, to Austin, to Chicago, how Frank escaped danger from Hang Gliding, and much, much more!
After 28 years, Lin finally gets the chance to sleep in as he moves to middays this Monday beginning at 10 AM. Richard Milne will be taking over morning duties with his show starting at 5:30 AM.
Here's the sign off Lin played right before spinning Garland Jeffreys' "R.O.C.K." as his final track.
Chicago Cubs President of Business Operations Crane Kenney joined Lin Brehmer & Marty Lennartz at the 2020 Cubs Convention to talk about the Marquee Network and share stories of his many years behind the scenes with the Cubs, including one time when Jeff Samardzija was nearly killed by Blue Man Group.
At the 2020 Cubs Convention, Lin Brehmer & Marty Lennartz had a chat with Chicago Cubs infielder David Bote about his time in the minor leagues, how his preparation has informed his clutch hitting, and why he chose the number 13.
At the 2020 Cubs Convention, Lin Brehmer & Marty Lennartz sat down with Cubs Radio 670 WSCR color analyst Ron Coomer to chat about who gave him his "Coom-Dawg" nickname, his thoughts on the Astros & Red Sox cheating scandals, and a whole lot more.
Lin Brehmer shares fond memories of watching Monty Python's Flying Circus alongside other red-eyed college students back in the 70's.
Welcome to the Linside Podcast: addressing the great podcast shortage in America, where today we speak with Jason Narducy (Split Single, Bob Mould, Superchunk) about the new rock and roll musical, Verboten. Verboten is based on the true story of Chicago’s own young punks. Written by Brett Neveu with music and lyrics by Jason Narducy. Info at TheHouseTheatre.com. We also talk about Dave Grohl, Sonic Highways, Steve Albini, Bob Mould, Mike Mills, Jon Wurster, Cubby Bear, Nora O’Connor, The Decemberists and the original members of Verboten.
The Bears open the 2019 football campaign against the Green Bay Packers. It’s a rivalry that goes all the way back to the birth of the NFL. An earnest listeners asked Lin, What do you have against Wisconsin and The Packers?
Lee Smith was inducted into the Hall of Fame and Lin Brehmer pays tribute to the dominant Cubs closer.
Just Jeff Garlin from The Goldbergs and Curb Your Enthusiasm stopping by to alphabetize the CDs ...
He’s got two shows at Park West Wednesday June 12 at 7 & 9:30pm for his Netflix special that’ll be releasing in the coming months. Tickets available right here.
We catch up with Cage The Elephant frontman Matt Shultz ahead of the release of their new album Social Cues.
Ben Lovett & Ted Dwane from Mumford & Sons stopped by the XRT studios prior to their big show at the United Center to discuss their new album Delta, bringing an intimate feeling to a large stage, and their long relationship with Chicago.
The unseasonably warm weather hearkens to a summer evening under the stars on the beautiful lawn of Ravinia Festival. President & CEO Welz Kauffman called Frank E. Lee to give us a preview of what those nights will entail this year.
President & CEO of Ravinia Welz Kauffman Gives Frank E Lee A 2019 Preview
Today is International Women’s Day which recalls this piece I wrote and recorded for Lin’s Bin when a fellow asked me simply, Why are women crazy?
Hear which songs the longest-tenured member of Pink Floyd enjoys playing most, and his fond remembrances of the earliest days of the band in this exclusive conversation with Lin Brehmer.
Tickets are available via Ticketmaster to catch Nick Mason's Saucerful of Secrets tour stop at the Chicago Theatre April 4th.
As the Rolling Stones' No Filter Tour was announced, Lin spoke with Keith Richards about his favorite songs to play on tour and his passion for the guitar.
Ahead of the No Filter Tour, Lin chatted with Mick Jagger about the early days of touring with the Rolling Stones and how he prepares to go out on the road.
Ahead of his Holiday Concert for the Kids tonight at Copernicus Center, Little Steven Van Zandt joined the XRT Morning Show to talk about his Disciples of Soul (latest album Soulfire Live! is out now), his Rock And Roll Forever Foundation, which provides free curriculum at teachrock.org, and more!
When you go to Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul tonight at Copernicus Center, please bring a new, unwrapped book or toy for Chicago-area children who have to spend their holidays in local hospitals.
We were ushered into a private room at City Winery Chicago. 40 XRT listeners had been selected at random to join Robert Plant and me for a very special and intimate conversation.
The album Lullaby and the Ceaseless Roar had been released September 8, 2014 and this event took place October 1st.
In a wide-ranging interview, Robert talked expansively about the death of the music industry, the humiliations Led Zeppelin suffered at the Ambassador East and at The Checkerboard Lounge.
Led Zeppelin is our Friday Feature. Listen to this clip from 2014 and remember there was a time when even Robert Plant got no respect.
The Cubs sent longtime White Sox broadcaster Ken "The Hawk" Harrelson off by taking 2 of 3 from the upstart Sox on the South Side.
Catch Len & Lin every Monday morning at 8:30, brought to you by Sloan Valve and Vienna Beef.
Drew Magary is a writer for GQ & Deadspin and is a noted music fan. His weekly Funbag & Jamboroo columns on Deadspin feature a song of the week and include artists like Bob Mould, Queens Of The Stone Age, Foo Fighters, Nirvana, and more.
As someone who specializes in self-deprecation, Magary doesn't mind getting jabbed at for liking "dad rock" bands. Instead, it's something to embrace, especially in a time when rock isn't the dominant music genre.
Magary digs on on why dad rock can be appreciated, proper concert etiquette, his notorious haters guide series, and finally offers his prediction for the Bears.
It was a wet few days in our nation's capitol, so the Cubs will try again to play baseball in DC on Thursday, just in time for Hurricane Florence's arrival.
Catch Len & Lin every Monday morning at 8:30am, brought to you by Sloan Valve and Vienna Beef!
Ahead of his benefit concert with the Chicago Sinfonietta at House of Blues on Saturday, September 8th, Lin spoke with Todd Rundgren about his vast musical career.
The Cubs have won five straight at the sweltering confines as they continue to make their way towards postseason play.
Catch Len & Lin every Monday morning at 8:30, brought to you by Sloan Valve and Vienna Beef.
Aretha Franklin has died. She was 76. Lin Brehmer introduced the classic "Since You've Been Gone" this morning with some thoughts on her legacy.
What an ultimate walkoff grand slam for one David Bote! Down to his last strike and the Cubs last out, David Bote did what only a handful of major leaguers have done before. Catch it on Len & Lin, where baseball meets rock & roll. Every Monday morning at 8:30, brought to you by Sloan Valve & Vienna Beef.
We send our condolences to family and friends of Stan Mikita. Lin introduced the song, “Skating Away on the Thin Ice of a New Day” with some thoughts on this Blackhawks legend.
Some unfortunate baserunning gaffes cost the Cubs against the lowly San Diego Padres, but thankfully, the Colorado Rockies were able to best the Milwaukee Brewers to leave the Cubs in sole possession of first place in the NL Central.
Dr. Diane M. Schecklong, Au. D., CCC-A is a clinical supervisor in Audiology at NIU. XRT Morning Show Producer Chris Cwiak spoke with her about protecting one’s hearing at Lollapalooza, the aftershows, and any other live music events in and around Chicago.
We touched on preventative methods to combat hearing loss such as distance from loudspeakers, active methods such as earplugs and rest, and the warning signs of hearing damage. She also gave a cautionary tale about a 14 year old she treated following a concert.
A legend among the extended family that is WXRT: Val Camiletti, Val of Val’s Halla Records in Oak Park, has passed away. Lin shared some memories on The XRT Morning Show.
The Cubs continued their winning ways by taking 3 of 5 from the Cardinals folloiwng the All-Star break. Catch Len Kasper & Lin Brehmer every Monday morning at 8:30a, brought to you by Sloan Valve & Vienna Beef.
A touch warm out at the ol' ballpark over the weekend, and it wasn't just the Cubs offense. Catch Len & Lin every Monday morning at 8:30a, brought to you by Sloan Valve & Vienna Beef.
The Cubs lose four straight to the Reds in Cincinnati for the first time in 35 years ahead of a test out west against the Dodgers. Len & Lin, where baseball meets rock n' roll every Monday morning at 8:30am is brought to you by Sloan Valve & Vienna Beef.
President Trump says Kim Jong Un's pledge to denuclearize must be total and verifiable. They've wrapped up a historic meeting in Singapore, in which Trump announced the US would suspend military exercises with South Korea. This was news to Seoul and good news for Pyongyang, which has long complained about the war games.
Plus the rest of the day's news, sports and weather forecast ...
Catch Len & Lin every Monday morning at 8:30, where baseball meets rock n' roll. Brought to you by Sloan Valve & Vienna Beef!
Anthony Bourdain. 1956-2018. Like you, Lin Brehmer was a fan. And Bourdain was more than just another TV personality.
Pete Yorn discusses what he likes about Scarlett Johansson's voice and how she's evolved as a musician since their 2009 record Break Up.
Pete Yorn & Scarlett Johansson are no strangers to one another. The two have been friends since 2001 and came together to record an album in 2009.
With the recent release of their EP Apart, we caught up with Yorn to discuss how this collaboration came about, what he likes about her voice, and how much she's grown as a musician since their first album.
If you could choose your super power, what would it be? Lin Brehmer dashed into a phone booth and emerged as... PARKING MAN. #linsbin
Lin's Bin airs every Monday at 7:15am & 6:15pm. Ask Lin a question; if he selects your question, you receive a $50 gift card to City Winery Chicago!
Catch Len & Lin every Monday morning at 8:30, where baseball meets rock n' roll! Brought to you by Sloan Valve and Vienna Beef.
When David Byrne released his album "American Utopia", Lin realized he had first met the former lead singer of Talking Heads 40 years prior. But this was his first chance to interview one of the most creative and innovative characters in rock and roll.
Catch Len & Lin every Monday (or today after the holiday) morning at 8:30, brought to you by Sloan Valve & Vienna Beef!
CFD officials say 46-year-old Juan Bucio lost contact with his partner as they looked for a missing boater in the Chicago River at 26th and Ashland last night.
Plus the rest of the day's news, sports and weather forecast ...
With Lindsey Buckingham and the rest of Fleetwood Mac offering mixed messages about his exit from the band, it's brought upon a familiar feeling for some. Here we go again!
But is it a bad thing? The latest episode of Inside The Archives looks at whether or not feuds can have a positive effect for bands and increase album & ticket sales. Marty Lennartz joins the show as we also discuss some of the most outlandish feuds in rock history.
If you're enjoying Inside The Archives, please subscribe and leave us a review!
No early exit for them ahead of the holiday weekend, unless the #NoCopAcademy coalition manages to block the Chicago City Council's vote this afternoon. It's filed a lawsuit claiming the Emanuel administration has violated the Open Meetings Act by failing to allow appropriate public comment.
Plus the rest of the day's news, sports, and awesome Memorial Day weekend forecast ...
Chicago aldermen Sophia King and Brendan Reilly think so. Balbo was named for an Italian pilot who made the first transatlantic flight from Rome to Chicago; Italo Balbo was also a member of Italy's Fascist party who supported Benito Mussolii. Ida B. Wells was a Chicago journalist, suffragist and civil rights leader. Italian American leaders in Chicago defend Balbo's legacy and say another, more major road should honor Wells. Plus the rest of the day's news, sports and sunny weather forecast.
Plus the rest of the day's news, including an obituary for writer Philip Roth, whose "The Plot Against America" is one of the scariest books ever written. Also, Lin is bad at math and says everything on the internet is true.
Chicago police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi says two groups of people started fighting at a gas station at Belmont and California early this morning. It ended in gunfire and at least one death. Plus the rest of the day's news, sports and foggy forecast.
Catch Len & Lin every Monday morning at 8:30, brought to you by Sloan Valve and Vienna Beef!
The memorable bookends of the XRT Irish Tour 2018 involve madrigal singers from a small college in Indiana. Listen to Lin’s story here.
Catch Cubs broadcaster Len Kasper & our best friend in the whole world, Lin Brehmer, every Monday morning at 8:30a. Baseball meets rock n roll, brought to you by Vienna Beef & Sloan!
Lin Brehmer knows a thing or two about songwriting. After all, he routinely introduces a track as "the greatest song ever written" before playing it on the radio.
The latest episode of Inside The Archives digs deep into songwriting. What is it? What makes a great song? Why is the songwriter stereotyped as someone sitting in their kitchen with an acoustic guitar? Why isn't the blues associated with the image of a classic songwriter?
Plus, we get Lin's prediction on how the Cubs 2018 season will fare.
Lin & Mary had an early guest help them announce our annual Taste of Chicago Concert taking place Saturday, July 14th; The Flaming Lips! Plus, hear Mayor Emanuel's spot-on Bill Clinton impersonation.
Chicago police are looking for the men who were arguing in a Northwest Side gangway and injured the little girl when they opened fire on each other. Plus the rest of the day's news, sports and sunny weather forecast.
The state House will debate allowing patients to trade their opioid prescriptions for medical marijuana. Illinois senators approved the measure yesterday. Plus the rest of the day's news (a historic agreement on the Korean peninsula, Bill Cosby convicted), sports and springy weather forecast.
Chicago police are investigating after the Archdiocese discovered mass collections were lighter than usual ... and signs of trespassing at the Cathedral. Plus the rest of the day's news, sports and weather forecast.
Justices will hear arguments on the Trump administration's third attempt at a travel ban on people from primarily Muslim-majority countries. Hawaii officials allege it's unconstitutional, and violates federal immigration law.
Jack White launched his 2018 tour last week with shows in Detroit and Milwaukee, which made Jack fans here in Chicago say, “Detroit and Milwaukee but not us?”
We just have to wait until August, to be touched by his Boarding House Reach when Jack headlines Lollapalooza, Marty Lennartz and XRT Digital Producer Marty Rosenbaum didn’t have the patience to wait.
They packed up the car and right after work on Friday and hit the highway to sit in rush hour traffic and make our way slowly up to Brewtown to see Jack play at The Eagles Club.
The trip gave them plenty of time to talk and the two preview and review one of the first shows of Jack White's lengthy tour.
There's so much serious stuff in the news today, but none more serious than this science story out of the Genesis Observatory in Hawaii. Plus a White Sox win, the Cubs return to Cleveland for the first time since November, 2016, and a springy forecast.
Catch Len & Lin every Monday morning at 8:30am, brought to you by our friends at Sloan Valve and Vienna Beef!
Police in Nashville are hunting for the central Illinois man who killed four people with an assault-style rifle at a restaurant ... the guy who developed the app used by Cambridge Analytica to scrape Facebook users' personal information for the Trump campaign says he's sorry ... there's a new royal baby in London ... and a numerologist with a shaky record says this is day of The Rapture - when the righteous will be lifted up to heaven. I'm sure it's all a coincidence.
Students in Chicago and around the country are planning walkouts to mark the 19th anniversary of the deadly mass shooting at Columbine High School ... though school officials note some kids often walk out on 4-20 for other reasons. Speaking of which, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) says he'll propose legalizing marijuana at the federal level. A new CBS News poll shows support for legalizing it is growing: more than 60% of Americans surveyed say pot should be legal, and even those who disagree support letting states decide.
Plus the rest of the day's news, sports and weather.
We of the concert-going community can appreciate the work it takes to make our favorite bands sound fantastic. How does it happen? It's not as simple as plug in your instruments and start playing. No no no, there's a lot more that goes into it!
On the latest episode of Inside The Archives we chat with XRT's Engineer Dominic Mendicino about the nuances of being a sound engineer, what factors go in to putting on a live show, and explaining the process for how XRT's famed BlueCross BlueShield Performance Stage was built.
If you've been curious on how a concert gets put together, this is a must listen episode!
We'll find out this morning whether Carver County, Minnesota prosecutors will charge anyone in the fentanyl overdose death of Prince. The Artist died two years ago at Paisley Park. Plus the rest of the day's news, sports, weather, and Lin's giving away tickets to see The Record Company at The Park Formerly Known As Wrigley (now Gallagher Way).
Len & Lin can be heard every Monday morning at 8:30. Baseball and rock n roll; where else, but 93XRT?
We preview the Regular Guy's review of the very creepy "A Quiet Place" and report on Northwestern University findings on the health benefits of being an early bird. Plus the rest of the day's news, sports and weather forecast.
Ryan (R-Janesville, WI) was facing a potentially tough re-election race against one of two Democrats, Randy Bryce (Iron Stache) and school teacher Cathy Myers. Ryan's exit from the GOP primary leaves -- for now -- an avowed anti-Semite, Paul Nehlen, on the ballot. Plus the rest of the day's news (presidential Tweet storm, Yvonne Staples RIP), sports and a springy weather forecast.
April snow shut down Wrigley but not the White Sox's G-Rate yesterday. The Cubs will try again today. Plus the rest of the day's news, including Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg on Capitol Hill and President Trump complaining about the FBI raid on the office and home of his personal attorney.
Illinois public health officials say two deaths and 90 illnesses around Chicago and Peoria are tied to synthetic pot. It appears to laced with rat poison and is making users bleed out. I think on a day when we're featuring Led Zeppelin, we can agree that everyone should just skip the fake weed.
Plus the rest of the day's news, sports and weather forecast.
The White Sox host the Tigers in their home opener at the G-Rate/G-Spot/Sox Park this afternoon while the Cubs play a semi-home game in Milwaukee tonight, and the forecast is terrrrrrible.
Plus the rest of the day's news, including the newly-announced purchase by NYSE's parent of the Chicago Stock Exchange.
"Well, I don't know what will happen now; we've got some difficult days ahead. (Amen) But it really doesn't matter to me now, because I've been to the mountaintop. (Yeah) [Applause] And I don't mind. [Applause continues] Like anybody, I would like to live a long life–longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. (Yeah) And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. (Go ahead) And I've looked over (Yes sir), and I've seen the Promised Land. (Go ahead) I may not get there with you. (Go ahead) But I want you to know tonight (Yes), that we, as a people, will get to the Promised Land. [Applause] (Go ahead, Go ahead) And so I'm happy tonight; I'm not worried about anything; I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord." [Applause]
-Dr. Martin Luther King, Junior on April 3, 1968 at Mason Temple in Memphis, TN. He was assassinated the next day.
Three men are accused of selling Spice, or K2, laced with rat poison out of their Lawndale convencience store. Plus the rest of the day's news, sports and weather forecast.
Len Kasper joins Lin Brehmer for the first iteration of Len & Lin of the 2018 baseball. Len breaks down the Cubs weekend split in Miami and the two look forward to next week's Opening Day Live Broadcast from Yakzies!
Illinois Public Health officials say synthetic pot, also known as Spice or K2, is causing users to bleed out. Plus the rest of the day's news, sports and chilly weather forecast.
There's a lot of gnarly news out there (Mayor Emanuel deposed in two wrongful death lawsuits, President Trump attacking Amazon) - so baseball fans are especially happy to hear the good news: Major League Baseball opens the 2018 regular season today. The Cubs are in Miami and the White Sox start in Kansas City.
Some Chicago aldermen are critical of Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson's decision to support an officer who shot and killed Quintonio LeGrier and Bettie Jones in 2015. Johnson disagrees with the Civilian Office of Police Accountability, which has determined Officer Robert Rialmo should be fired. The Sun Times quotes aldermen Roderick Sawyer and others who say the shooting was unjustified. Plus the rest of the day's news, sports and weather forecast.
Bloomberg reports Tim Cook may roll out new Apple products for the educational market at Lane Tech on the North Side, even as CPS students are off for spring break. Plus the rest of the day's news, sports and weather forecast.
The CEOs of the Social Network and Chicago-headquartered United Airlines are apologizing: Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg for the data breach of users' profile data to Cambridge Analytica, and United's Oscar Munoz for the recent death and mishandling of dogs in transit.
Plus the rest of the day's news, sports (Go Loyola/Gryffindor!) and weather forecast ...
The two candidates spent a total of $120 million of their own money just on the primary. Republican Governor Bruce Rauner wins a tighter-than-expected challenge from Wheaton IL Rep. Jeanne Ives; Democratic voters have nominated J-B Pritzker over Daniel Biss, Chris Kennedy and three others.
Plus more election news, sports and the weather forecast.
We remind everyone to A) vote, and B) wear some pants today.
Plus the rest of the day's news including early word of a shooting at a Maryland high school, as well as sports and the blustery forecast.