Wgn - The Nocturnal Journal With Dave Hoekstra Podcast

Casey Barbknecht, Director of Volunteer Services at Bernie’s Book Bank, joins the conversation as she emphasizes the importance of physical book when teaching children to read and more. Bernie’s Book Bank is the leading provider of quality books for at-risk Chicagoland children. For more information on Bernie’s Book Bank visit BerniesBookBank.org. Keep the conversation going with Dave on Twitter! @DaveHoekstra66

Tonight on Nocturnal Journal: Rock band Canned Heat prepares for their upcoming performance this Sunday, July 21 at the Heroes of Woodstock show at Arcada Theatre in St. Charles. In lieu of their performance,  Host Dave Hoekstra talks to Canned Heat Drummer Fito de la Parra about what ongoers should expect. According to Fito, there will be a healthy mix of Canned Heat hits and songs less known, but “just as good.” Plus, Fito mentions his new movie and book, […]

Rock band Canned Heat prepares for their upcoming performance this Sunday, July 21 at the Heroes of Woodstock show at Arcada Theatre in St. Charles. In lieu of their performance,  Host Dave Hoekstra talks to Canned Heat Drummer Fito de la Parra about what ongoers should expect. According to Fito, there will be a healthy mix of Canned Heat hits and songs less known, but “just as good.” Plus, Fito mentions his new movie and book, answers questions about what […]

Tonight on Nocturnal Journal: Son of legendary Rock n’ Roll Hall of Famer Jerry Lee Lewis, Jerry Lee Lewis III joins the conversation with WGN Radio host and Chicago Tribune columnist Dave Hoekstra joins the conversation over the phone as he gives more details on the tour of his father’s Mississippi house, Dave talks his experience on the tour and what’s next for his father after his most recent stroke. “I just think it’s really cool… it’s an ever changing […]

Plus, Milwaukee songwriter John Sieger joins the conversation in the studio with this band Semi-Twang as he talks about his latest release “Kenosha” and performs for us LIVE. Be sure to see John perform live opening for Steve Forbert this Sunday at City Winery. “Production I’ve learned less is more,” says Sieger as he talked about the production of “Kenosha.” You can find more on iTunes or SemiTwang.com Keep the conversation going with Dave on Twitter! @DaveHoekstra66

Owner and producer of Chicago’s Earwig Records Michael Frank joins Dave Hoekstra to discuss the August re-issue of the 4-CD Cadillac Baby’s Bea & Baby Records featuring various local soul and R&B artists. For a copy of Cadillac Baby’s Bea & Baby Records go to Target, Ebay, and the Vinyl District, The last surviving member of Doo-Wop group Daylighter Tony Gideon joins Michael and Dave in conversation as they reminisce on  Cadillac Baby Records and more. Keep the conversation going with Dave on Twitter! @DaveHoekstra66

Son of legendary Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Jerry Lee Lewis, Jerry Lee Lewis III joins Dave Hoekstra with details on the tour of his father’s Mississippi house  Dave describes his experience on the tour and we learn what’s next for the music legend after his recent stroke. For more pictures and text on the Jerry Lee Lewis Ranch read Dave’s story here. Keep the conversation going with Dave on Twitter! @DaveHoekstra66

Host Dave Hoekstra sits with a panel of White Sox vendors. Lloyd Rutzky, Doug North, Abe Rapuch and Robert “Chico” Chicoine join Dave in the Allstate Skyline Studio as they reveal their secrets to success and favorite memories inside White Sox Stadium. Photographer Lloyd Rutzky talks about his upcoming book White Sox Park’s Amazing Vendors. Keep the conversation going with Dave on Twitter! @DaveHoekstra66

Paul Rock of the Wild Honey Foundation joins the conversation with Dave Hoekstra as he talks about the foundation, their fund raiser for singer-songwriter Syd Straw, his experiences with his autistic son, solutions that help and the screening of Dave’s documentary “Center of Nowhere” July 27 in L.A. For more information on tickets for Center of Nowhere click here. Keep the conversation going with Dave on Twitter! @DaveHoekstra66

Son of legendary singer Jim Croce joins the conversation with host Dave Hoekstra as AJ prepares for his upcoming appearance at City Winery July 11 for his newest album “Just Like Medicine.” Plus, AJ takes us down memory lane as he remembers his days under r&b pianist Floyd Dixon and more. Keep the conversation going with Twitter! @DaveHoekstra66

On a special Friday edition of Nocturnal Journal: Host Dave Hoekstra sits down with Historian/Author Dominic A. Pacyga, rockability artist Ken Mottet, Steve Mendel and nephew of Wanda Kurek; Walter Kurek as they pay tribute to the proprietor of Stanley in the Back of the Yard neighborhood. The guys reminisce on their favorite memories of Wanda and Stanley’s. Wanda Kurek passed June 18 at the age of 95. Director of Consumer Launch for Reed Exhibitions Jon Fontane joins the conversation […]

Host Dave Hoekstra sits down with Historian/Author Dominic A. Pacyga, Steve Mendel, rockability artist Ken Motett and nephew of Wanda Kurek; Walter Kurek as they pay tribute to the proprietor of Stanley in the Back of the Yard neighborhood. The guys reminisce on their favorite memories of Wanda and Stanley’s. Wanda Kurek passed June 18 at the age of 95. Keep the conversation going with Dave on Twitter! @DaveHoekstra66

Punk Rock band The Mekons perform live in our performance studio and takes a walk down memory lane as they detail the goods, bads and greats of the business with host Dave Hoekstra. Jon Langford and Sally Timms of The Mekons talk about their newest album Deserted and Jon’s band the Waco Brothers who will perform during Fitzgerald’s 38th Annual American Music Festival. For more information on The Mekons visit bloodshotrecords.com. Keep the conversation going with Dave Hoekstra on Twitter! @DaveHoekstra66

Tonight on Nocturnal Journal: Host Dave Hoekstra talks film, jazz and more with movie producer Bill Horberg whom recently added painting to his list of skills. According to Horberg, he was in the tunnel of film making for so long and drawing has given him an a new outlet. You may also find more of Bill Horberg’s work Protraits in Jazz on display at Firecat Projects located at 2124 N. Damen. He will perform a live reading Sunday, June 30 from 2PM […]

Fitzgerald’s 38th Annual American Music Festival begins July 3-6, that’s why owners of Fitzgerald’s Night Club in Berwyn and club promotor Donnie Biggins joins Dave in the Allstate Skyline Studio with all the details on how the music fest got started and what people should expect during this years fest. For more information on Fitzgerald’s 38th Annual American Music Festival visit fitzgeraldsnightclub.com. Keep the conversation going with Dave Hoekstra on Twitter! @DaveHoekstra66

Host Dave Hoekstra talks film, jazz and more with movie producer William Horberg whom recently added painting to his list of skills. According to Horberg, he was in the tunnel of film making for so long and drawing has given him an a new outlet. You may also find more of William Horberg’s work Protraits in Jazz on display at  Firecat Projects through August 30 located at 2124 N. Damen. He will perform a live reading Sunday, June 30 from […]

On a special Nocturnal Journal podcast, Singer-songwriter-producer Bernard Fowler dropped by WGN on the eve of the Rolling Stones’ historic “No Filter” tour to do a deep dig with Dave Hoekstra about his eclectic musical journey: Providing background vocals for the Stones since 1988, his seminal work with house music legend Larry Levan, encounters with Lemmy of Motorhead and Alice Cooper. the profound influence of New York City salsa and more. Fowler’s latest album “Inside Out” (Rhyme & Reason Records) […]

Tonight on Nocturnal Journal: Despite a late start, Host Dave Hoekstra gets the ball rolling as he and owner of the historic Jubelt’s Bakery & Restaurant on Route 66 Jean Jubelt talk tourism on Route 66, the history behind Jubelt’s Bakery & Restaurant, and their most popular items on the menu. The now full service restaurant that began as a small bakery in 1922 and has grown into Route 66’s most well known tourist spots. You can visit Jubelt’s Bakery […]

Tonight on Nocturnal Journal W/ Dave Hoekstra: Kicking off the show with a music tribute to the late Emmet Broderick of the Kane County Cougars Minor League team has always believed in the power of teamwork that’s why he’s in the Allstate Skyline Studios to talk with Host Dave Hoekstra about the history of his team, the Kane County Cougars, and his past volunteer work with the Walt Disney Birthplace here in Chicago. For more information on the KC Cougars […]

LIVE in our performance studios Ethel Shank performs hits from their new album and give all the details on their upcoming tour, Blubird. You can find tickets, locations and dates to Blubird here. The alternative rock band includes Ben Russell on guitar and vocals, Ryan Gowdy on the drums, Trevor Smith on keyboards and percussion, Sean Swanson on the bass, and Dominic Lacalamita lead guitar and vocals. Keep up with Ethel Shank on Instgram, Facebook, and Twitter. Listen and download their music […]