Monthly Archives: September 2016

This weekend, you can have the first crack at buying an autographed copy of Jim Merkel’s newest book, The Colorful Characters of St. Louis. Come to the release party for the book, meet some of the characters featured in the book, and have plenty of fun. It’s from 2-5 p.m Sunday, Oct. 2, at TheContinue reading “Don’t Miss Jim Merkel’s Latest Book!”

KMOX’s Kevin Killeen did his usual great job of interviewing me about my new book for his regular “Whole ‘nother Story” feature, which aired early Friday. Here’s the segment, as broadcast by the Player FM website. Kevin’s interviewed me about all four of my books. I’ve known him since I started covering  City Hall forContinue reading “On the Air With Kevin Killeen”

For months, I’ve thought that this Sunday (two days from today – mark the date), I’d hold a release party for my new book, The Colorful Characters of St. Louis. I’ve told everybody it’ll be from 2-5 p.m. at The Royale, which is just south of Arsenal, at 3132 South Kingshighway Blvd. Now comes aContinue reading “Don’t Miss This Very Unusual Thing”

I talked by phone today with Frank Cusumano of KFNS 590 about The Colorful Characters of St. Louis. Much of our on-the-air conversation was about sports characters in St. Louis. To listen to the conversation, press here.

As I’ve said before, an author’s job isn’t done when he finishes his manuscript. After the book comes out, he’s busy promoting the book and doing interviews. I’ve been honored this week to be interviewed several times about The Colorful Characters of St. Louis and my release party from 2-5 p.m. Sunday at The Royale,Continue reading “Interview Time”

  Some run from violence, but the Rev. Kenneth McKoy walked toward it. Today he spends the late night hours leading groups walking around some of the bloodiest parts of St. Louis. He  would have been safer had he remained as pastor of Blackwell Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in Webster Groves. But GodContinue reading “He Chose The Unsafe Life”

Bob Uecker bombed in six years as a Major Leaguer, but cashed in afterward by joking about it. As a movie star, comedian, late night talk show regular and Milwaukee Brewers broadcaster, he showed the comedic timing he lacked as a .200 lifetime hitter. Let’s face it. As a ballplayer, he stunk. But he hadContinue reading “Champion Tuba Player”

For many Baby Boomers who grew up in St. Louis, Don Pietromonaco provided the soundtrack for the late 1960s. He was the second “Johnny Rabbitt” on KXOK Radio, but was the one that most Baby Boomers remember. Writing his profile for The Colorful Characters of St. Louis brought an abundance of memories. Pietromonaco’s child appearancesContinue reading “A Look Back at Don Pietromonaco”

  I’ll be on the air twice in the next couple of days to talk about The Colorful Characters of St. Louis.  At 12:40 p.m., Tuesday, I’ll talk with John Carney of The Carney Show on KTRS, The Big 550 AM.  I wouldn’t be surprised if we didn’t talk about one of the subjects inContinue reading “The Colorful Characters Are On The Air!”

That’s right. There’s only six days to go until the MegaAmazing Book Release Party for The Colorful Characters of St. Louis. God made the universe in six days, but He’s really good at multitasking. For the rest of us, it’s time to cancel everything else, get busy and make time for the party from 2-5Continue reading “6 Days, Count ‘Em!”