Music Deaths: Howard Hesseman (Dr. Johnny Fever)

HOWARD HESSEMAN, 81

Died January 30, 2022

Okay, he didn't sing any songs and wasn't in a band, but he was one of the greatest not-real deejays ever as Dr. Johnny Fever in "WKRP in Cincinnati."  My all-time favorite TV sitcom. I also liked him as teacher Charlie Moore in "Head of the Class."

"WKRP" ran from 1978 to 1982 and had one of the greatest casts ever.  It could and should have been on longer, but the show kept switching days and times.

Fellow babies.

Beware the Phone Police.

JSIS: Denny's Chili-- Reality Show At Pier West and Angelo's-- SOS

JSIS--  Just Some Interesting Stuff


1.  DENNY'S CHILI--  I see my buddy Denny has been going to various places noted for their Cincinnati Chili and reviewing them.  Most recently he did one called "5 More 4's."  You can get your chili three-way, four-way or even five-way.  I don't know whether to thank or condemn him for getting me hooked on the stuff.  You can read it at www.dennygibson.com/blog.


2.  REALITY SHOW AT PIER WEST AND ANGELO'S--  Last week one of the Reality shows on the Food Network filmed at Pier West in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin.  This week, they are filming at Angelo's on the square in Woodstock, Illinois.  I forget the name of the show, but it has something to do with helping failing restaurants succeed.  Last Tuesday, we met some of the show's people at Donovan's.  We were not impressed at all.


3.  SOS--  We are in the midst of the ten-day SOS Spring Safari Party in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.  That's Shaggin' On the Strand and it is a big Beach Music celebration.  Sure would like to be there.  If it keeps raining, we might just float over to there.  By the way, here shagging refers to the dance.

My, Oh My, It's SOS Again.  --RoadDog

Arrived-- First Day on Road

Got into Goldsboro last night after a little over 1000 miles on the road.Mostly drove on Illinois Highway 47 to I-74 to Cincinnati. Then I-275 around that city.

Gas prices Tuesday were anywhere from $2.60 to $3.00 (this price at two stations in Illinois along Il-47. As usual, the stations around Crawfordsville, Indiana, (west of Indianapolis, were the cheapest at $2.60.

I was looking to meet up with buddy Denny at a BW3 (Buffalo Wild Wings) on Montgomery Road (US-22, Ohio-3). As I found out, there are two B-Dubs on Montgomery Road.

And, I was delayed at the first one, by the appearance of a Skyline Chili place across the street. If you go to Cincinnati, you absolutely have to try some of their 3-way to 5-way chili. And don't forget a chili Coney Dog.

Went to the B-Dub and asked where the upstairs was and was told they didn't have one. This is where I was to meet Denny and his live trivia team. They said there was another B-Dub up the road and gave me the address so drove there and met up with them.

A Day on the Road. --RoadDog

Hitting the Road Again

Tomorrow, I head out for points south.

I'll be in Cincinnati to check out their St. Patrick's Day shenanigans.

Then, hopefully if I'm early enough, a Snappy Lunch pork chop sandwich in Mt. Airy, NC, the next day.

Saturday, I'll be at the huge Civil War reenactment at the Battle of Bentonville, North Carolina. Around 3,500 reenactors are expected. I've never seen more than 300 at one time.

I'll be spending time with family for the next week in Goldsboro, NC, and down at Topsail Beach as well.

I've got to get my travelin' in before BO and the commod folk get the price of gas too high.

On the Road Again. --RoadDog


A journey of a thousand miles begins with a cash advance.

On the Road Again

As Willie would say.

I'm leaving today for an American Road Magazine Forum Group trip through Indiana and Ohio. Road Maven and Denny Gibson will be with us and in general leading the procession as they have set it all up. These guys know their road stuff.

I high point for me will be a visit to the grave of Carl Fisher, the father of the Lincoln Highway, Dixie Highway, Indianapolis Speedway, and Miami Beach. Sunday, we will be going to the American Sign Museum in Cincinnati.

There will be all sorts of old places in between, including a drive along the old National Road/US-40 from Indianapolis to Richmond, Indiana.

I'm not taking the laptop so there will probably be not entries until next Tuesday.

Good Times, Good Folks, Lots of Miles. --RoadDog

WKRP is Back

WKRP is back on the air again in Cincinnati, and this time for real. A low-power TV station in the city has changed their call letters to those used by the radio station in the popular 1970s sitcom "WKRP in Cincinnati."

It was formerly WBQC to promote its new digital format.

While in Cincinnati a couple weekends ago, I went by the building where the station's studios were located, the Flim Building, actually the home of the Cincinnati Enquirer. I had always thought it to be in the taller building with columns on the top.

If I had to pick one all-time favorite sitcom, it would be "WKRP in Cincinnati." It is too bad the network kept changing its times and days throughout its run, or it would have been even more popular.

Dr. Johnny Fever Would Be SO PROUD. --RoadDog

On the Road-- Cincinnati

Saturday, the 22nd, Denny and I met Jennifer and Pat at the Echo, a great breakfast place dating to the 30s. I had a famous GERMAN SAUSAGE goetta breakfast plate. Goetta is a Cincinnati specialty made by simmering pork parts in stock with spices, onions, and oats. This is mighty good.

We went to the 1800s observatory and then downtown where I saw the location of the Flim Building where my favorite all-time TV show "WKRP in Cincinnati" supposedly took place. I always had the wrong building pegged as the site.

Took a tour of the great art deco edifice, Union Terminal, and the Sign Museum after that. See http://roaddogsroadlog.blogspot.com. for more on these places.

We ate at Terry's for dinner and had some great burgers. Although this is a new place, it looks like it dates from the 20s.

After Pat and Jennifer left, Denny and I hit two more places for NTN, Coaster's and 2 Putt, and then saw the Goshorn Brothers at 20 Mile Station, which dates back to the 1840s, and, was twenty miles from Cincinnati. The Goshorn Brothers were members of one of my favorite groups, Pure Prairie League.

Mighty Good Time in the Queen City. --RoadDog

On The Road-- Home to Cincinnati

This last Friday, I left for my Thanksgiving trip back to North Carolina to be with family.

I took the usual way to avoid the Chicago hassle, Illinois-47 all the way to I-74 by Champagne, and then east through Indianapolis to Cincinnati, where I met up with my buddy Denny.

Gas was still $2 along Il-47 in the northern part, but dropped to $1.88 in Morris and remained in the $1.60 to $1.70 range most of the rest of the way. Never expected to see gas under $2 again so will enjoy it until Big Oil sends it back up to $4-plus next spring.

Friday night, we did some NTNing at three places: Blue Goose, Peg's and Bargos. We're both hooked on NTN.

Had planned to get some of Cincy's famous chili at a Skyline Chili place, but arrived at 11:01 and they closed at 11. Had to settle on a nearby White Castle. Oh well.

No Chili for Me!! --RoadDog

Just Got Back-- Carolina-Style BBQ, Philly Cheese Steak, and Autumn at Topsail

I was gone and On the Road the last two weeks from October 11th to the 25th.

The first day, I drove to Cincinnati via Illinois Highway 47 and I-74. Got together with road buddy Denny and had a great chicken meal at the Silver Spring House which dates to the 1930s. Then played NTN with his team at Buffalo Wild Wings and we had three Number threes on some games I really wasn't able to help much on as they were movies.

October 12th- Friday-- Drove on two of the great two laners I've ever been on, both in southern highway, Ohio 247 and Ohio 125. Talk about your roads following the contours of the land. Plus, 125 went through the beautiful Shawnee State Park. Caught I-64 and took it to the West Virginia Turnpike. I know that we two lane types disparage the interstates, or, Superslabs, as we call them. But, this drive is equal in beauty to anything a two lane can offer. I'd put it right up there with I-70 from where it starts in Utah , to Denver.

Took I-74 past Andy Griffith's hometown of Mt. Airy, NC, and picked up I-40 at Winston-Salem and all the way to Raleigh. I-40 is some of the heaviest driving you'll find anywhere. I mean, there are a LOT of cars and trucks on this road. Never a real pleasure to drive this road because of the congestion.

Decided to stop and get my first taste of Carolina-style pulled pork vinegar-based bbq at Smithfield's in Mebane, NC, about 12 miles east of Burlington. There are about twenty stores in this chain, many along interstates, so if you're ever int he area and would like to find out what I'm talking about, give it a try. Nothing like bbq, cole slaw, hush puppies, and sweet tea. Now, that's good eatin', or as Andy would say, "Gooooooodddd."

Got to Mom's after getting a bit lost in Goldsboro, as usual.

Drove 985 miles over these past two days.

Gas was usually around $2.80 with a high of $2.95 in Elburn, Illinois, and a low of $2.54 just south of Wytheville, Virginia. For some reason, this is always cheaper. They must actually have competition to sell that gas.

On Da Road Again, Even if It Was Mostly Superslab. --RoadDog