In this episode, Vicki Atkinson and I are talking with author, podcaster, publisher, and former radio producer, Rick Kaempfer.
Rick has recently published The Loop Files: An Oral History of the Most Outrageous Radio Station Ever. It’s a celebration of a time when radio, rock and roll, and comedy all came together. Here’s a great clip of the time he re-routed Aerosmith:
We talk about how Rick prepared to meet celebrities as a DJ and producer in the pre-Internet era. He tells us about his regimen to subscribe to all the magazines he could and read 7 newspapers a day.
Rick, who claims he is fueled by eye rolls, tells us great stories from his book, Father Knows Nothing, that pulled from his weekly column when he was a stay-at-home dad. We pulled a clip from his poignant description of why it was important to capture these great stories of parenting:
We recorded this conversation on opening day for major league baseball which was a great segue to his book, Every Cub Ever. And we talk about his fiction and his work as a publisher supporting authors and encouraging the full publishing lifecycle including promotion.
This is a great episode with an incredibly prolific author, supportive publisher, and powerful presence. We know you’ll love it!
Search (and subscribe!) for Sharing the Heart of the Matter on Apple, Amazon, Spotify or Pocket Casts OR Listen to on Anchor Episode 62: The Loop Files with Rick Kaempfer
Transcript for Episode 62 of the podcast
Links for this Episode:
Episode 62: The Loop Files with Rick Kaempfer on Anchor
The Loop Files: An Oral History of the Most Outrageous Radio Station Ever | Eckhartz Press
EveryCubEver–6th Edition (2024) | Eckhartz Press
Back in the D.D.R | Eckhartz Press
Father Knows Nothing | Eckhartz Press
From the hosts:
Vicki’s personal blog: Victoria Ponders
Wynne’s personal blog: Surprised by Joy
Vicki’s recently released book: Surviving Sue
Wynne’s book about her beloved father: Finding My Father’s Faith
The Heart of the Matter 
During your interview with Rick, he comes off as a great story teller. “The Loop Files” sounds like a must read for radio lovers of rock music and talk shows-which is everyone. Thanks for introducing Rick and having him share his entertainment bio. 🙂
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I thought the same about Rick – master storyteller! Thanks for listening, Nancy!
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I love the ability to stream music and skips songs that I don’t like, but when you’re young, there’s nothing like a cool radio station. I tell my kids all the time that they’ve missed out by not having that experience. They laugh at me, but I loved the great stations that I grew up with. Interesting podcast Wynne.
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I tell my daughters the same thing, Brian. My influence rubbed off on my one daughter. I used to tell her stories about saving up my allowance to buy LP records. Now, she’s a big vinyl collector with a bigger collection than mine.
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I love that, Michelle!
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I can still remember the call signs. And calling in to request songs. Yes, such a great experience of our youth! 🙂
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Loved this episode. It took me back to the days when I watched “WKRP in Cincinnati” and wanted to be a radio personality. And then I’d watch The Love Boat and want to be a cruise director. LOL
I think we all had that favourite radio station in our youth. I’m pretty sure I would have listened to The Loop if I had grown up in Chicago.
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Oh, I’d forgotten about WKRP in Cincinnati, Michelle. yes! There are some careers that just seem like they’d be so much fun — or at least so much fun to tell stories about!
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Loving every bit of this!
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Thank you, Mary!
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