Tournament Time Is Here!! Whoopee!!

MARCH 21--  THURSDAY

Well, we are upon my favorite sporting event of the year, the NCAA Road to the Final Four and National Basketball Championship.  And it arrived today (well, other than the four play-in games).  

This is a time I pull for the Little Guys vs. the Big Guys, even if the Big Guy is one of my favorites like Duke, UNC or Kansas.  For me, it's all about the upsets and especially Cinderella stories.  I remember when Gonzaga made that deep run which sent everyone to maps looking to find the location of Gonzaga.

I also like to see a high seed upset a low seed.

And, every year we get a lot of upsets and close games.  I am no fan of blowouts, even when it is one of my teams doing it to someone.  I especially liked it the last years when a #16 beat a #1.  Now that is just plain fun.

And, it is here.

I went to Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, and watched the game with my buddy Rich who knows aa while lot about college basketball.  I then came home and continued watching games in Margaritaville while enjoying my Ultimate 300-disc Juke Box.

--RoadB-Ball

2021 Cure Bowl Ranked at #3 Best Bowl on 247 Sports.

Okay, from over a year ago, but still a great game and it involved my school, Northern Illinois University.  Unfortunately, we lost, but that was one enjoyable game to watch.  Neither defense could stop the other's offense.

It was Coastal Carolina versus NIU.

From 247 Sports.com "College football bowl games:  Ranking  top ten from 2021"  by Riley Gates.

He ranked the Cure Bowl at #3.

"With Grayson McCall coming back, you just knew we were in for a fun shootout.  The Chanticleers star threw for 315 yards and  four touchdowns, while Northern Illinois' Rocky Lombardi (is that not a great football name or not?) threw for 181 yards and two touchdowns.

"Both teams ran the ball for massive numbers too, as the Huskies had 335 yards on the ground to the Chanticleers' 199.

"Down six with just a little more than three minutes to go, Northern Illinois looked  done for.  But the Huskies forced a punt and went for a 15-play, 83-yard to try to win the game.  With seven seconds remaining, Northern Illinois had the ball at the Coastal 8-yard line.  Lombardi threw a complete pass for the first down but the receiver did not get out of bounds and time expired.

Finakl score was Coastal Carolina 47 NIU 41.

--RoadDog

Our 49th Wedding Anniversary-- Part 3: Bringing It All Back

THURSDAY, AUGUST 25

We were married on this date 49 years ago.  The ceremony took place at the Newman Center in DeKalb right by the campus of Northern Illinois University where we both graduated.  The reception also took place in DeKalb at what was the Holiday Inn on Lincoln Highway (that Lincoln Highway, America's first transcontinental paved highway).  It is now still there and is a Red Roof Inn.  It is right across the street from one of out favorite places, Pizza Pros.

We sat outside for awhile and I went to the office for coffee and a Dubuque newspaper.  Yep, they still give guests a newspaper.  How quaint.

Forty-nine years ago, I woke up in our apartment in Des Plaines and Liz woke up at her parents' house in Palatine.  Then, we drove to DeKalb.

I didn't know Dubuque had three colleges: the University of Dubuque, Clarke College and one other one.  Plus, one of their parks is named Comsikey Park.

--RoadDog

POINTS TO PONDER:  How does a building burn up as it burns down?

WLS Top 27 for Week of August 14, 1972-- Part 3: 'Lean on Me'

Fifty  years ago this week these were the songs being played on Chicago powerhouse, 50,000 watt WLS, 890 AM.

*  Means the song was climbing the charts.  The number behind the artist is how high it got on the Billboard Hot 100 National Charts.

15.  COCONUT-  Nilsson    #8    Talk about your laid-back Beach Song!!  What do you put in the coconut?

14.  LEAN IN ME--  Bill Withers      #1      You just gotta love this song.  It takes me right back to the University of Georgia during junior year.   #1 for three weeks.

13.  *HOLD YOUR HEAD UP--  Argent      #5    That's as in Rod Argent, former members of the Zombies.  Their only Top 40.

12.  HOLD HER TIGHT--  Osmonds      #14     Never heard it before.  Pretty rockin' stuff.

11.  *HAPPIEST GIRL IN THE WHOLE U.S.A.--  Donna Fargo    #11        From Andy Griffith's hometown, Mt. Airy, North Carolina.  Also where the famed Siamese Twins Chang and Eng Bunker lived and are buried.  A country song on the pop charts.  Her next song went all the way to #5.  Bet you can't name it (without looking it up.)

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "And Said, 'Doctor, Ain't There Nothin' I Can Take?' "  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Coconut"

Summer of 1972 Again-- Part 8: 'Too Late to Turn Back Now'

Songs that were on the radio and in our record collections on August 7, 1972, fifty years ago.

It's Bob Stroud's annual trip back fifty years to a great summer back in our youth on Chicago's WDRV, 97.1 FM, The Drive.

I was still in Georgia at the University of Georgia, finishing up my summer school classes, but getting ready to transfer back to Northern Illinois University where I had gone freshman and sophomore years.  Slowly, I was becoming aware that as much as I was enjoying college life, and I sure did, it was getting time to go to the next phase of my life.

HAPPY--  Rolling Stones

SUMMER SUN--  Jamestown Massacre

SATURDAY IN THE PARK--  Chicago

TOO LATE TO TURN BACK NOW--  Cornelius Brothers & Sister Rose

BRANDY (YOU'RE A FINE GIRL)--  Looking Glass

JACKIE WILSON SAID--  Van Morrison

HERCULES--  Elton John

LONG COOL WOMAN (IN A BLACK DRESS)--  Hollies

WITCHY WOMAN--  Eagles

I NEED YOU--  America

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "But He Made It Clear He Couldn't Stay, No Harbor Was His Home."  --Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Brandy"

Summer of 1972 Again. June 12, 1972-- Part 1: 'I Need You'

Every summer Bob Stroud takes us back fifty years ago to, as he calls it, "The songs on the radio and in your record collection" that date.  He'll do it three more times in July, August and September.  His Rock and Roll Roots show runs on Chicago's WDRV, the Drive, at 97.1 FM and streams from 9 am to noon CDST.

Going Back,  WAY BACK.  These were the songs on the radio and in our record collections fifty years ago.  If you can remember these, you're about as old as Bob is.  Hey, I was in college going to UGA.

TAKE IT EASY--  Eagles      Something about standing on the corner on Route 66, you know.

BARE TREES--  Fleetwood Mac    Before the big change.

I NEED YOU--  America

ME AND JULIO DOWN BY THE SCHOOLYARD--  Paul Simon   Without Garfunkel.

HERCULES--  Elton John

RUN, RUN, RUN--  Jo Jo Gunne

TUMBLING DICE--  Rolling Stones

AFTER MIDNIGHT--  J.J. Cale

YOU COULD HAVE BEEN A LADY--  April Wine  A really good one.  If you don't remember it, go to You Tube.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Standing On the Corner in Winslow, Arizona."  Answer below.  --Old RoadDog

"Take It Easy"

WLS Top 30 for Week of June 12, 1972-- Part 4: 'Morning Has Broken'

Fifty years ago.  Where does the time go?

Back then I was going to summer school at the Univ. of Georgia in Athens and living in a trailer of campus.  I had to get some more credits as I was transferring back to NIU senior year and wanted to graduate in June 1973 after four years of college.

15.  *I NEED YOU--  America     #9     Those great harmonies.  Soft rock trio formed in London, England, even though they were Americans.

14.  MORNING HAS BROKEN--  Cat Stevens     #6     My buddy Ski turned me on to him as he had a copy of Cat Stevens' "Tea for the Tillerman."   His many hit songs serve as a great soundtrack to the 70s.

13.   LITTLE BITTY PRETTY ONE--  Jackson Five      #13      They were just as good with their version as the original singer, Thurston Harris.

12.  OH GIRL--  Chi-Lites      #1      Do you know what the Chi in their name stood for?  Not Milwaukee.

11.  *OUTA SPACE--  Billy Preston     #2      A real funky instrumental.  Pribably one of the greatest keyboardists ever.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Mmm, mmm, mmm, mmm,  mmm, mmm."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Little Bitty Pretty One"

36 Things That Are Obsolete... Or Soon Will Be-- Part 1: Shopping Malls, Cash and Payphones

From MSN by Gael  F. Cooper.

1.  Shopping malls

2.  Cash

3.  Payphones

4.  Calculators

5.  Paper maps

6.  Print catalogs

7.  Business cards

8.  Parking meters

9.  House keys

10.  Manual-transmission cars

11.  College textbooks

12.  Chalkboards

--RoadBoard

Ending March: NCAA Tournament, Fish Fry, Legion, St. Peter's Wins

FRIDAY, MARCH 25

How could the Sweet 16 NCAA Tournament games be any better.  Of the four games yesterday and four today, I counted seven close games and three major upsets, including two #1s knocked off!!  Looking forward to the Elite 8 games now.

Met Kevin and Kelly at 'Cuda's on Grasslake Road for their AUCE fish fry ($10.99) and then went to the Fox Lake American Legion.  Watched the NCAA games at both places.  Big crowd at the Legion watching and pulling for St. Peter's (#15) in their game against Purdue (#3).  Even though I am a Big 10, 11,12, 13, 14 fan (except Michigan and Ohio State and the two newest teams Maryland and Rutgers) I was pulling for St. Peter's.  I always pull for underdogs against any team.

And, St. Peters won a close one 67-64.

Attendance at the Friday 50-50 is climbing again after a big drop off back before the virus hit.

--RoadDog

Bob Stroud Goes Back to September 6, 1970, Today on Chicago's WDRV. 97.1 FM

 That would be the songs played on the radio and in your record collections FIFTY years ago today.  It streams from 9 am to noon CDST and will be repeated from 9 pm to midnight CDST.  This is the fourth and final Root Salute of the Summer of 1970.  Previous ones were on the first Sunday of June, July and August.

I was a sophomore at Northern Illinois University and living at the Delta Sigma Phi frat house out on Greenbrier in Greek Row.  This was my first year as an active, having pledged during spring semester as a freshman.  Probably the most fun I has while a college student (and I sure had a lot of good times).

The songs he will be playing will sure bring some memories back.  I will be recording the show on my cassettes (that's how far behind I am).  

Looking Forward to the trip Back.  --RoadFrat

Back to Summer 1970, Fifty Years Ago-- Part 1: Setting the Stage

Bob Stroud has been doing four three-hour shows Root Saluting Summers from 40 Years Ago, starting with 1967 on his Rock and Roll Roots show on Chicago's WDRV, 97.1 FM, the Drive.  .  Last year it was the Summer of 1979.  At that point there was a problem, as his show covers music from the 60s and 70s.  And, this summer from forty years ago would be 1980.  I was wondering what Bob would do.

I was definitely hoping he wouldn't drop the summer shows.  I kind of build my summer's around being home so I can listen to the shows (and record them on my cassette tapes).

I was happy to find out that he was going back to fifty years ago, 1970.

He will be doing a new show about the Summer of 1970 the first Sunday of each month June, July, August and September.  The show first airs from 9 to noon CDST and then a repeat from 9 to midnight.  www.wdrv.com

Anyway, here are the songs he played on June 7.  These are songs on the radio and in your record collection (no downloads) for June 7, 1970.

I was home from college, Northern Illinois University, after completing my freshman year.  However, I had to take a summer school course at Harper College because I wasn't sure if I had passed a geography final and that might have made me short hours needed to stay in college.  And, with a draft lottery number 22, that meant I might end up overseas, if you know what I mean.

I went back to my high school job working at the Burger King in Palatine.

Going Back 50 Years.  --RoadOldie

THOSE CRAZY COUNTRY SONGS:  Flushed From the Bathroom of Your Heart"

Going Back to 1969 (BCV)-- Part 1: "In the Year 2525"

In case you're wondering about the (BCV) after 1969 in the headline, it means Before CoronaVirus.

This past Saturday, Chicago's WXRT, 93.1 FM did their Saturday Morning Flashback to 1969, a really great year for me as it marked senior year at Palatine High School in Palatine, Illinois, and freshman year at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb.

That means of course, those songs are some of the best ever made.  Of all the music I like, those tunes from 1964 to 1973, my junior high to end of college years the best.

This took me back, other than most of the commercials which were about you-know-what.

Richard Milne was the host.

SING A SIMPLE SONG--   Sly & the Family Stone
TIME OF THE SEASON--  Zombies
PRESENCE OF THE LORD--  Blind Faith

I'M FREE--  Who
IN THE YEAR 2525--  Zager & Evans
POLK SALAD ANNIE--  Tony Joe White

We Are Great, We Are Fine, We're the Class of __.  --RoadDog

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "What's Your Name?  Who's Your Daddy?  Is He Rich Like Me?"  Answer below.  --RoadDog


"Time of the Season"

How I Pull for NCAA Basketball Tournament Teams

Regardless of my picks, I always pull for the Little Guys in the games.  Like Siena vs. Kansas or Stephen F. Austin vs. Ohio State.  This regardless of whether or not I like the Big Guy team.

As far as Big Guy teams, in the past my big two teams were North Carolina and Duke.  However, North Carolina  students pulled down the Silent Sam Confederate statue a couple years ago, plus they are getting a lot of the one-and-done freshmen players.  That is the same with Duke.

I also liked Virginia a lot, but not now since its town Charlottesville is so intent on pulling down its Confederate statues.

Of course, I have never liked Kentucky, Ohio State or Michigan in the Big Guys.

Go Little Guys.  --RoadDog

LAUGHTER HELPS WITH THE "V.":  "Dance like nobody's watching. Wash your hands like everybody is."

About This Super Bowl

Since neither of our two NFL teams are playing (Bears and Packers, Yep, that's right, Bears and Packers) Liz and I become free agents.  Especially since the hated New England Patriots are not in it.  Whenever that happens, we pull for the other team.  Thanks, Tennessee for knocking them out of the playoffs.

Normally, we pull for the NFC team, but not this time since Kansas City is in it.  They haven't been to the Super Bowl since IV, and it wasn't even called the Super Bowl back then.

However, San Francisco has two players of local interest on their team.  Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is from Arlington Heights, Illinois, played football at Rolling Meadows High School and college ball at Eastern Illinois.  Safety Jimmie Ward played college ball at Northern Illinois University, our alma mater.

Both played for non- Power 5 conferences which makes them playing in the NFL even more difficult.

So, we will be pulling for Kansas City to win, but Garoppolo and Ward to do well.

--RoadDog

TAX FACTS:  Nearly 300,000 trees are cut down yearly to produce the paper for all the IRS forms and instructions.

I Really Knew My College Football Team Logos

I took a test on Arca Max Comics given by Sideline Topix.  On it you were to give the name of the college by looking at the school's logo.  It definitely helps to know the school nickname.

I had to guess on the Baylor Bears and Washington State Cougars, but got them right.

I'd have to say the Oregon Ducks is absolutely the worst looking logo.  Of course, ducks just don't strike fear into the hearts of most folks.

Some of the answers would have been really hard except for the made-up names.

The teams were all Power 5 conference members until the final 12.

Take it at Sideline Topix.  "Can you name the college football team by the logo."

Where Was Northern Illinois?  --RoadDog

It's A Creedence Thing For Me: "Lodi" and CCR Getting Back Together?

I was listening to Bob Stroud's Rock and Roll Roots just a little while ago, 7 am to 10 am Sundays on WDRV, 93.1 FM, Chicago, the Drive, something I do most every Sunday (I record Terri Hemmert's Breakfast With the Beatles, 8 to 10 am on Chicago's WXRT, 93.1 FM on my cassette tapes to listen to during the week.)

Anyway, Stroud played "Lodi" by Creedence Clearwater Revival and that song, of course, perked up my ears and is one that really takes me back to my college days because it was my fraternity's song (Delta Sigma Phi), that we sang about a special girl.  Only our words were different.  I couldn't tell you them here, but believe me, at our parties, we really belted our version out.

The new words were written by Cyzck and Beasey.

But, after the song, Stroud said the words I gave been waiting so long to hear, that Doug Clifford, Stu Cook and John Fogerty have been meeting and talking about burying the hatchet.  John's brother Tom Fogerty has since died.  When the band broke up in 1972, there were really hard feelings.

I consider CCR my favorite 1960s band.

Can a tour be long in coming?

CCR Forever.  --RoadFan


EGGCELLENT EASTER JOKES:    Q:  What would you get if you crossed the Easter Bunny with an over-stressed person?   A:  An Easter basket case!!

It's That Tournament Time Again, I'm Talking 'Bout "March Madness"

Spent a lot of time yesterday watching the NCAA March Madness games.  As I've said before, I regard this as the best sporting event anywhere.  There are so many upsets, so many close games, so many who-are-theys.  Had to look up Belmont and Northeastern.

Yesterday, of the sixteen games played, I count two  upsets and a whole bunch of near upsets.  Six of them in fact.

In the first round, I always pull for the underdogs or little guys.  Even if they are playing a favorite of mine like Michigan State, Kansas or North Carolina.  Even if they end up getting blown out while doing that horrible intentional fouling at the end.  If the game is close, or the little guy is winning much of the game, I like it.

It is now so much better now that we can watch every game on the four different channels.  I used to hate it when Duke would be blowing someone out by fifty points and there was a close game going on elsewhere and we had to watch the boring Duke game.  Now, I can flip over to the "fun" games.

And speaking of Duke, which used to be my second favorite "Big Guy" team (behind UNC), I no longer support this team because they gave joined Kentucky as a one-and-doner team.  That cheapens college basketball.  I am so ashamed of Coach K going this route.

Doesn't Matter Who Finally Wins It As Long As It Is Not Duke or Kentucky.  --RoadDog

NOT THAT BASEBALL PLAYERS ARE GETTING PAID TOO MUCH, BUT:  With Mike Trout's new contract, he is getting paid $222,222 a game.  Good work if you can get it.

Biggest Party Schools In Illinois

Using student reviews and nightlife stats.

10.  Univ. of Illinois
79.  DePaul
85.  Southern Illinois
88.  Western Illinois
100.  Columbia College
108.  Eastern Illinois
128.  Illinois State
195.  Northern Illinois

As a graduate of NIU, I demand a recount.

I Had Plenty of Fun at Northern and Still Do.  --RoadDog

IN 50 YEARS OF LIVING YOU LEARN:  No matter what happens, somebody will find a way to take it too seriously.

Biggest Party Schools in United States-- Part 1: U of I Is #10

From the June 11, 2018, Champaign (Illinois) Patch "Here Are the Biggest Party Schools in Illinois" by Shannon Antinori.

Based on student reviews and nightlife.

1.  Tulane
2.  Georgia
3.  Miami of Ohio

4.  Iowa
5.  Florida State
6.  West Virginia
7.  Texas- Austin

8.  Penn State
9.  Indiana
10.  Illinois

For It's Not For Knowledge That I Come To College.  --RoadDog

IN 50 YEARS OF LIVING YOU LEARN:  A person who is nice to you, but rude to the waiter, is not a nice person.

Please, No More Bowl Games for NIU: Northern's Bowl Woes Continue

After sitting through the latest debacle of Northern Illinois' football team, all I can say is, "Please, No More Bowl Games!!"

Northern was dominated and thrashed by a so-so Duke team 36-14 to finish the season 8-5 after losing three of the last four games it played.  Other than one brief exciting three minutes when Northern scored twice on some great plays to tie the game at 14, it was horrible.

Northern has won just two of its last ten bowl games and have been absolutely blown out in the last three.

2006  Poinsettia Bowl  Lost TCU  37-7
2008  Independence Bowl  Lost  Louisiana Tech 17-10
2009  International Bowl  Lost  South Florida  27-3

2010  Humanitarian Bowl--  Won  Fresno State  40-17
2011  Go Daddy Bowl--  Won  Arkansas State  38-20
2012  Orange Bowl--  Lost  Florida State 31-10

2013  Poinsettia Bowl--  Lost to Utah State 21-14
2014  Boca Raton Bowl--  Lost  Marshall  52-23
2015  Poinsettia Bowl--  Lost  Boise State   55-7

2017  Quick Lube Bowl--  Lost Duke  33-14

I Am a Huskie Fan, But This Is Just Too Sad.  --RoadDog

ACCIDENT REPORTS:  The accident happened when the right door of a car came around the corner without giving a signal.