After Hours with Rick Kogan

Singer Sam Fazio joined Rick Kogan in the studio to talk about his upcoming performance with Kimberly Gordon, “Legends of the Empire Room.” They talked about Sam’s childhood, why he came back to Chicago later in life and how he decided to pursue his musical dreams. Then, Kimberly joined the conversation to talk about working with Sam and the group commented on the importance of celebrating these classic, nostalgic songs and how magical and intimate live music can be. Find out […]

Rick gets to know his new producer, Lise Graham. They talk about how she got started in radio, her roots at WGN and how she wants to be involved with the show. He welcomes her to the Sunday night family.

Thomas Allen Pauly joined Rick Kogan in the studio to talk about his journey from being a telephone repairman to a world-renown horse racing artist. With him was Brand Ambassador Johnny Costello from the official bourbon of the Kentucky Derby, Woodford Reserve. Johnny made a couple of mean mint juleps and told Rick about his love for racing, which began as a teenager, ditching school to sneak into the Arlington Racetrack. Then, the group talked Thomas’ special edition Woodford Reserve Kentucky […]

The Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie is a natural national treasure tucked away just outside of Chicagoland – and most residents don’t know about it! Midewin Public Affairs Officer Veronica Hinke and Prairie Supervisor Wade Spang joined Rick Kogan on the air to tell him about what the prairie has to offer, why it is so important to preserve such an ecosystem and to promote their upcoming event this Saturday.

Ten years ago, Mike Lowecki’s life changed when he was sent to prison for bribing Shirley McMayon to secure Chicago Park District work for his Mundelein-based business, James Michael Inc. He reflects on the experience in his chilling new memoir “Pay to Play: My Odyssey from Multimillionaire to Prisoner #18099-424.” Rick asks him about his writing process and Mike reveals how life after prison has been. http://serve.castfire.com/audio/3345979/3345979_2017-05-01-030219.64kmono.mp3?ad_params=zones%3DPreroll%7Cstation_id%3D3807.mp3

Rick Kogan talks with author David Hamlin about his book Winter in Chicago: Drugs, Death and Rock n’ Roll on Chicago’s AM Radio Dial, the story of a young reporter at a Chicago radio station who attempts to uncover the story of a friend’s mysterious death amid a web of drugs, corruption, sexism and abuse of power.  Hamlin also talks about his previous career as the head of the Illinois chapter of the ACLU, his time in Chicago that saw […]

Tonight on After Hours, Rick Kogan explores the fascinating and intricate art of collaboration in art, publishing, theatre and music. To begin, writer Pat Cannon and photographer Jim Caulfield joined Rick in-studio to talk about their book, The Space Within: Inside Great Chicago Buildings, which explores the striking architecture of Chicago. As it’s their fifth book together, they are no strangers to the collaboration process, and they tell Rick about how they chose the featured buildings and gained access to their interiors. […]

Move aside, Hamilton! There’s a new rap musical in town. Rick spoke with the cast and crew of the Stage 773 production of “Dundee: A Hip-Hopera.” He heard from the show’s writer Gabe Caruso, musical director Brad Kemp, director Molly Bierman, and actors Andrea Lattanzio, Ross Comptton and Surena Pridgen, who told him about the writing process, the concept of a “rap-play” and the creative challenges that it provides. They all agree with Rick that collaboration is the height of creativity. […]

Tonight on After Hours, Rick welcomes singer Spider Saloff to talk about her life and career as well as listen to some of her music, including a stunning rendition of “How Long Has This Been Going On” by George and Ira Gershwin. Peter Kahn, one of the editors of “The Gold Shovel Anthology: New Poems Honoring Gwendolyn Brooks”, and distinguished English Professor Kenneth Warren of the University of Chicago also join Rick to discuss Centennial Brooks, a three-day celebration of […]

This week on After Hours with Rick Kogan: Author Fern Schumer Chapman and illustrator Tom Greensfelder are in-studio to discuss their latest book, “Stumbling on History: An Art Project Compels a Small German Town to Face Its Past.” You can find out more about the book and all of Fern Schumer Chapman’s work at fernschumerchapman.com. Amelia Bethel, one of two writer/performer/creators of the new “Drinking & Writing” show “Feminism & Other Things”, is on the phone to talk about the new […]