Outside the Loop RADIO

Mike Stephen chats about the resulting pollution from the demolition of a smokestack in Little Village with the Little Village Environmental Justice Organization, discusses the struggles of Reggie's, a venerable music venue in the South Loop during this time, and learns about what it's like opening a brewery during a pandemic. And in the OTL Wrap Party segment, Mike welcomes an old friend back to the show: Producer Emeritus Andy "The Count" Hermann!  The local quarantine music this week comes from Tom Carey.

Mike Stephen discusses how local musicians are coping without the ability to play gigs with Mike Jeffers, host of Chicago Music Revealed, learns about Tone Deaf Records, a Portage Park record store that now delivers albums, and discovers the Secret History of 60s pop-rockers The Apocryphals. Plus, we debut a new song about COVID-19 from The Black Oil Brothers and in the OTL Wrap Party segment Mike and Producer Collin express hope that local venues will rise again. The local quarantine music this week comes from the late great John Prine.

Mike Stephen discusses how COVID-19 impacts prisons with the executive director of the John Howard Association of Illinois, learns how local breweries are navigating the pandemic with Josh Noel of the Chicago Tribune, and chats about the impact of a pandemic on our local transportation with John Greenfield, editor of Streetsblog Chicago. And in the OTL Wrap Party segment, Mike and Producer Collin discuss the choice of whether or not to use grocery delivery services during this time.  The local quarantine music this week comes from Red Cent.

Mike Stephen talks about the impact of the recent pandemic on educational practices with the hosts of the Teachwell Teachers podcast, discusses whether our tech infrastructure is ready for our work from home scenarios with the co-owner of TMC Squared, and learns the Secret History of local blues guitarist Lurrie Bell.   The local music this week comes from The Kynd.

Mike Stephen discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on local bars and taverns, chats with the Metropolitan Tenants Organization about the recent halting of evictions in Cook County in the wake of the pandemic, and learns how community radio helps towns during times of uncertainty with WHIW-LP in Harvard, IL.  The local music this week comes from Matt Piet.

Mike Stephen closes out the Winter Tavern Tour at The Lantern Haus in Forest Park, learns about an online throwback to Chicago of yesteryear called Vanished Chicagoland, and discovers the Secret History of blues pianist Big Maceo Merriweather. This week the local music comes from The Babin Brothers.

Mike Stephen chugs along on the Winter Tavern Tour and drops by The Green Lady in West Lakeview to learn its history, discusses the possibility of Illinois loosening restrictions on wine sales, and explores efforts for more transparency when it comes to police accountability.  All this plus Attic Salt brings us the local tunes!

Mike Stephen stops by Rose’s bar in Lincoln Park while on the Winter Tavern Tour, discusses the importance of the Equitable Restrooms Act, and learns the Secret History of Frank “Little Sonny” Scott Jr.  This week the local music comes from Bloom.

Mike Stephen keeps the Winter Tavern Tour going and visits the Nisei Lounge in Wrigleyville, learns about Illinois’ pathway to renewable energy, and discusses the state’s finances in the wake of the state budget address this week.  The Golden Horse Ranch Band brings us the local tunes!

Mike Stephen continues the Winter Tavern Tour and stops by The Water Hole on Western Ave., discusses the possible impact of Amazon coming to the Pullman neighborhood, and learns the Secret History of blues guitarist Jimmy Johnson.  This week the local music comes from Motel Breakfast.