M.L. Elrick (Twitter @elrick/Facebook ML ELRICK/Instagram ml_elrick), Marc Fellhauer (Twitter @MarcFell) and Shawn Windsor (Twitter @ShawnWindsor) rock out with Dirtbombs […]

* M.L. Elrick (Twitter @elrick/Facebook ML ELRICK/Instagram ml_elrick), Marc Fellhauer (Twitter @MarcFell) and Shawn Windsor (Twitter @ShawnWindsor) rock out with Dirtbombs drummer and Third Man Records impresario Ben Blackwell (www.thirdmanrecords.com). Matt Jennings (Twitter @MattRJennings) administers his Soft History midterm while Joey Zuver considers transferring.* THE STRAIGHT DOPE:  Before he was a Rock God, Ben was a student in ML’s journalism class at Wayne State University. They reminisce about Ben’s most excellent excuse for missing most of his classes that semester.* Ben came on to discuss his adventures as one of the Dirtbombs two drummers, how he started Cass Records, his role as an executive at Third Man Records, and the upcoming White Stripes Greatest Hits album. But first, he wants to talk about disgraced former WSU Journalism Prof. Jack Lessenberry, whose lechery ML called out and who was later taken down by some of ML’s former WSU students.* While ML’s former students did a superb job, Wayne State’s investigation found he was even worse than we thought.* You might think Ben’s early advocacy of vinyl while everyone was still buying CDs was a stroke of genius. But he would just laugh at you. On the other hand, the guy who gave him his first gig hawking vinyl now works for him, so you might not be as wrong as Ben would have you think you are. Listen to get the whole story.* Ben has never met a Beatle, but Third Man Records is pressing a Paul McCartney album RIGHT HERE IN DETROIT. Ben did meet a Rolling Stone. He tells the boys who — and what caused him to holler: “Find me some effing ear plugs!!!”* There are all kinds of amazing things going on at Third Man Records. Ben ticks some of them off, including how you can see records being pressed right before your very eyes.* Listen and learn about life on the road with the White Stripes. You’ll also hear about an early late night appearance that Jack White (incorrectly) said “is as good as it gets,” as well as the time they went bowling with Conan O’Brien at the Garden Bowl on Woodward.  * Before he goes, Ben turns the tables on ML with a series of questions — some of which ML dodges. Then Ben exposes Oasis as phony tough guys. Then we find out that Shawn used to be a lot cooler than we thought.* After a plug for some great local shops — Nest, City Bird, Hugh, Pure Detroit and Leon & Lulu — ML welcomes Better Made honcho Phil Gusmano on to talk about the amazing journey every chocolate covered chip takes before it lands in your mouth. www.bettermade.com* Better Made Snack FoodsAdd Better Made’s line of best-selling seasoned potato chips such as BBQ, Red Hot, Sour Cream and Onion, Salt an…* THE GREAT DEBATE: Almost everyone loved it when Vanderbilt drafted the goalie of the university’s woman’s soccer team to fill in for their COVID qua...

M.L. Elrick (Twitter @elrick/Facebook ML ELRICK/Instagram ml_elrick), Marc Fellhauer (Twitter @MarcFell) and Shawn Windsor (Twitter @ShawnWindsor) grab some popcorn while […]

* M.L. Elrick (Twitter @elrick/Facebook ML ELRICK/Instagram ml_elrick), Marc Fellhauer (Twitter @MarcFell) and Shawn Windsor (Twitter @ShawnWindsor) grab some popcorn while Freep Film Festival Executive Director Steve Byrne (Twitter @AtTheRiv) gives them the inside scoop on instant classics like “Dope Hookers and Pavement.” Matt Jennings (Twitter @MattRJennings) waits by the side of the road while Joey Zuver polishes his Doc Martens.* THE STRAIGHT DOPE: In a bit of foreboding foreshadowing, ML’s nominal authority is over before it even begins as Marc upstages ML’s careful crafted intro with some, admittedly, more timely content. (Sigh)* After ML left Fox 2, but before he rejoined the Detroit Free Press, he and former colleague-turned film impresario Steve Byrne spent many hours crafting elaborate plans for the Soul of Detroit and the Freep Film Festival to work together to take the fest to bright new heights … and then this coronavirus thingee hit. Listen to find out what happened next …* You know about Motown. You know about Alice Cooper and Bob Seeger and The Romantics. You know about Kid Rock. You know about Eminem. But did you know that Detroit had a thriving, writhing, seething punk rock and hardcore scene tucked in between? A documentary, well, documenting those days is just one of the great films you’ll find at this year’s virtual Freep Film Festival.* If there is a silver lining to the delay in the festival’s launch, it’s that Steve and his crew got more time to land a film they might not have been able to nail down earlier in this year. Here is the only play you’ll hear what’s coming here.* Switching gears to the much-maligned Wayne County Board of Canvassers, ML reveals how the canvassers did their job and, along the way, put a surprise ending to a story ML has been following.* How the canvassers made national news and how their work impacted ML’s work.* Shawn and Marc pillory ML for being rather pedestrian in his tastes. Then the faux fancy boys go on and on and on about how great the McRib is! Oh, the marbling, er, the humanity!* THE GREAT DEBATE: Shawn and Marc swore they wanted to debate Kelly Stafford’s controversial “Michigan dictatorship” tweet. ML tried to demure, calling her a nice kid who survived a frightening health scare. Nevertheless, he got talked into it. Turns out it was a trap! Here’s what Shawn wrote about Kelly.* Here’s a slightly more famous trap.* GEEK OF THE WEEK: ML goes first. Marc goes second. Shawn goes third, but then goes on and on about going number two in Drew’s loo.* THIS WEEK IN SOFT HISTORY: Matt pulls off to the side of the road to take us on a journey through the way it wasn’t.

M.L. Elrick (Twitter @elrick/Facebook ML ELRICK/Instagram ml_elrick), Marc Fellhauer (Twitter @MarcFell) and Shawn Windsor (Twitter @ShawnWindsor) try to bring calm […]

* M.L. Elrick (Twitter @elrick/Facebook ML ELRICK/Instagram ml_elrick), Marc Fellhauer (Twitter @MarcFell) and Shawn Windsor (Twitter @ShawnWindsor) try to bring calm to their contentious countrymen and countrywomen by … arguing (sigh). Matt Jennings (Twitter @MattRJennings) observes the melee from the safety of his ivory tower, while Joey Zuver works on his resume.* THE STRAIGHT DOPE: ML barely gets the phrase “whore’s bath” out of his mouth when Shawn seems to accuse him of being sexist — totally failing to recognize that the term is gender neutral, as this film clip demonstrates.* Gift givers take note: ML’s peace offering of a long-sleeve T-shirt and hoodie for Shawn is met with criticism … even if Shawn was right.* ML wonders how we can have spirited conversations without intellectual honesty, and recounts his exchange with Anthony on Twitter to make his point.* Marc and Shawn feel that tempers are not as hot as ML would have you believe. But they’re wrong. Which makes ML angry. Which makes his point. Kind of. * The boys look back in a bid to find the root of the river of hatred running through American politics. Perhaps not surprisingly, they don’t agree on the “born-on” date.* ML shares a Dick Swett story. Dick Swett was a congressman. Really. No, REALLY!* You might be surprised at who else one of the alleged would-be Gov. Whitmer kidnappers is mad at. Listen and learn why this gentleman from Delaware had a taste for Cheetos. It’s a story first reported by 2020 Michigan Journalist of the Year Tresa Baldas in the Detroit Free Press. * ML reads excerpts from the search warrant request. Spoiler alert: Some of the language is quite colorful.* Marc asks ML for updates on investigations he did for Fox 2 and the Free Press.* Remember Strawberry, the exotic dancer rumored to have danced for Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick? She’s still in a better place, but ML tells a story about another Strawberry who dances and is in a worse place (unless you really like Florida).* THE GREAT DEBATE: ML is wearing tan pants — Wolverine brand — but says it’s time for a Wolverine in tan pants to hit the bricks. As usual, he wins the debate. But who casts the vote that puts him in the majority: Shawn of Marc?* GEEK OF THE WEEK: Shawn calls out an expert. Marc calls out a mayor. ML calls out two governors who were slow to mandate common sense. Tune in to find out who’s who.* THIS WEEK IN SOFT HISTORY: Professor Jennings has a good connection this week — with everything but Marc and Shawn’s funny bones. * ROOM 7609: Cover month continues with Breach of Trust’s metal-tinged version of The Payola$ “Eyes of a Stranger.” And they’re not the only band to cover this NuWave classic, as you’ll learn from ML’s “more than you ever wanted to know” look back at the under-appreciated Canadian rockers. * FIRST AMENDMENT TIME: We share your comments … which are much nicer than last week’s installment!* HARD OUT: Clean up your act with Manscaped’s Weed Whacker and Lawnmower — each are built for a man, but strong enough for a woman! Go to www.manscaped.

M.L. Elrick (Twitter @elrick/Facebook ML ELRICK/Instagram ml_elrick), Marc Fellhauer (Twitter @MarcFell) and Shawn Windsor (Twitter @ShawnWindsor) put the spotlight on […]

* M.L. Elrick (Twitter @elrick/Facebook ML ELRICK/Instagram ml_elrick), Marc Fellhauer (Twitter @MarcFell) and Shawn Windsor (Twitter @ShawnWindsor) put the spotlight on Tim Pamplin (Twitter @NightCam), WDIV/Local 4’s streetwise one-man band best known as the Night Cam. Then Detroit Free Press contributing columnist Darren Nichols (Twitter @dnick12/Facebook Darren Nichols) and University of Michigan-Dearborn journalism professor and elections guru Tim Kiska (Facebook Tim Kiska) zoom in to discuss some surprising election results from Detroit. Matt Jennings (Twitter @MattRJennings) hits the books while Joey Zuver wonders why the perfesser keeps using his CompuServe dial-up to connect with the show.* THE STRAIGHT DOPE: You know the voice, you’ve seen his video, but you can’t see him. Not even now! Tim explains why Mr. Night Cam wants to remain in the shadows. Then he explains how people recognize him anyway. (Spoiler alert: It’s with their ears!)* ML and Tim spent some time on downtown streets last Friday with a very agitated protester with a 12-gauge slung over his shoulder. Were they worried? Tune in and find out.* Tim explains what he watched as a toddler that inspired him to cross the pond, hoist a P2 camera and tell the stories of the mean streets of Detroit. You’ll even hear about the night the Night Cam was born in blaze that ended in glory!* About that pond … it’s the Atlantic, not the Pacific. Which means he’s English, not Australian. Tim tells how he got here — and whether he’s here to stay.* If you’ve ever wondered whether the Night Cam ever worries about his safety when he’s rolling solo in the middle of a generally hairy live news situation, you’ll have to listen to learn.* ML just could not let an episode pass with a reference to Kwame Kilpatrick. So he recounts that night he spent in the Night Cam van after Hizzoner barred him from attending the 2006 State of the City.* Because it’s all about him, ML also reminds Tim about the time they collaborated on one of ML’s last stories at WDIV. It involved a fish and a potential felony. Intrigued? You bet you are!* By now, you may think you know a thing or two about ol’ Night Cam. But unless you’ve checked out his Moments of Zen, it’s time to guess again.* Still hungry for more? Visit his website: https://www.timothypamplin.com* After Tim dashes off for, oh, I don’t know, a car crash or crime scene, ML explodes some election myths, promote’s Charlie LeDuff’s latest podcast episode and welcomes in Darren and Tim to break down election results in Detroit. Among the issues they explore is how Joe Biden got FEWER votes than Hilary Clinton and how Donald Trump got 5,000 MORE votes in 2020 than in 2016.* One reason Darren says Trump did so well in Detroit? Ice Cube. You heard that right. The genius behind “AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted” is now a Trumper. And that’s just some of the cogent election analysis from our panel of experts. To get the rest,

M.L. Elrick (Twitter @elrick/Facebook ML ELRICK/Instagram ml_elrick), Marc Fellhauer (Twitter @MarcFell) and Shawn Windsor (Twitter @ShawnWindsor) find no news can […]

* M.L. Elrick (Twitter @elrick/Facebook ML ELRICK/Instagram ml_elrick), Marc Fellhauer (Twitter @MarcFell) and Shawn Windsor (Twitter @ShawnWindsor) find no news can be good news when it comes to the election, fake Kwame Kilpatrick news can be exhausting, and it’s never a good thing when a Bond dies. Later, Matt Jennings (Twitter @MattRJennings) checks in with historical jokes, while Joey Zuver keeps everyone online and in line.* THE STRAIGHT DOPE:  ML is a little frantic. It’s almost as if he’s been covering the counting of a never ending election.* Marc asks ML how his Sunday went with the breaking “fake news” that former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick would be getting out of prison. ML defends the decision the Free Press made in not running the story. Unlike other outlets that did and then had to remove it… again.* Both people that pushed the Kwame Story forward, Sam Riddle and State Rep. Karen Whittset, turned down the offer to come on the show today.* ML & Sean pay respects to the best James Bond ever as Sean Connery rounds out a terrible year for Bond deaths.* THE GREAT DEBATE: Everyone was mad at Justin Turner for celebrating with his Los Angeles Dodger teammates after testing positive for covid-19 during the series clinching game. One person (besides his teammates) didn’t seem to mind.* GEEK OF THE WEEK: Shawn’s mad at the pollsters who got the 2020 election way wrong, Marc puts a gangster priest up for penance and ML doesn’t want to hear your whining if you did exorcise your right to vote.* THIS WEEK IN SOFT HISTORY: Professor Matt returns strong with some lessons and jokes. The jokes get ruined as someone felt the need to explain every one.* ROOM 7609: NuWave covers month is extended. This time it’s Windsor, Ontario band Neverending White Lights with their take on New Order’s “Age of Consent”.* HARD OUT: Find out how you can sponsor the show and get a one-of-a-kind token of our appreciation. For a donation for $20 or more via the link on our homepage, www.mlsoulofdetroit.com, we will record a message meant JUST FOR YOU. We call it “cam-e-soul.” * Clean up your act with Manscaped’s Weed Whacker and Lawnmower — each are built for a man, but strong enough for a woman! Go to www.manscaped.com and get 20% off and free shipping with promo code ML. Send proof of your purchase to [email protected] and you’ll be able to sit in via Zoom for an entire future broadcast of Soul of Detroit!* Need a new ride? Roy O’Brien has been putting metro Detroiters on wheels for 74 years. Before you shop anywhere else, get on the right track to 9 Mile and Mack and check out their super groovy showroom. Find our more at www.royobrien.net.* When it’s time to kick back with a tasty hometown classic brew, reach for an Altes! Learn more about which stores and other quality establishments carry these authentically Detroit suds at www.altes.beer* You can’t beat the meat you get at The Butchery! Mention ML and get a free pound of bacon with a purchase of $50 o...