Drake and Zeke

Today's Date is

6/27 - Austen L Onek, superstar weatherguy - Jun 27 2008 10:24AM

On Friday, News Channel 3 Meteorologist Austen L. Onek called in to warn of possible storms this weekend, commiserate with Drake & Zeke about the annoyance that is audio feedback, and discuss dispensing with backyard pests like birds and squirrels. Austen also promoted the American Radio Relay League’s Field Day 2008, a day of fun for “Ham Radio” operators, reminding Drake & Zeke that “When all else fails, amateur radio works.”

6/24-6/27: Auction for Plant-Krauss tickets! - Jun 25 2008 12:48PM

You can participate in the Drake & Zeke email auction for Shelby County Books from Birth.

We have a pair of front row seats to the Robert Plant - Alison Krauss show at Mud Island on Tuesday July 8th.

They are available for to highest bidder who submits their bid (by Friday 6/27) to:

mail@drakezeke.com.

The proceeds will benefit SHELBY COUNTY BOOKS FROM BIRTH, providing free books to area children from birth to age five.

Every registered child receives a new, age-appropriate, hardcover book every month from birth until age five – at no cost to the family and regardless of income. There are 60 books in all. These books are each child’s to keep forever!

The program seeks to foster a love of book ownership as a way to also encourage a love of reading as an everyday activity.

6/25 - Grizzlies and Carlin - Jun 25 2008 12:16PM

On Wednesday, Memphis Grizzlies GM Chris Wallace previewed the NBA draft. When asked about the Grizzlies’ possible choices, Chris said, “We have to find those that will have the best career in the NBA and advance the team.”

Also on Wednesday, Comedian Dennis Blair talked about the death of his friend and mentor, George Carlin. Dennis said though Carlin “went the darker route” in recent years, “off-stage, he was not angry. He got all his anger out on-stage.” Dennis also spoke of Carlin’s legendary work ethic.

6/25 - Drake & Zeke, home of musical randomness - Jun 25 2008 11:45AM

no, Drake wasn't high this morning... at least not any more than usual...
he just wanted to play the most random musical selections...
We started the morning with a selection from My Morning Jacket... Then actor Richard Harris' suprise hit Macarthur Park (someone left the cake out in the rain... and I'll never have that recipe AGAIN!)... then George Jones, She thinks I still care... Snow Patrol, Chasing Cars... Rick James singing about very kinky girls, the kind you don't take home to mother (Superfreak!)... Bobby Vinton's Blue on Blue (from 1963!)... The new hit from Weezer, called Pork and Beans (check out the video - it's hilarious!)... we shopped at the Funplex with the B-52's... played our new favorite summer song, Mr. Bruce Springsteen's Girls in their Summer Clothes... the big fat lovely mama Wynonna (Judd) dropped by to sing No One Else on Earth (and get Drake & Zeke all hot and bovvered)... it's Wednesday, so you know what time it is, girl - it's Business Time (by the Kiwi Neo-Folk-Rap group Flight of the Conchords).... Return to Sender by the King, Elvis, got Wes and Jarman singing involuntary backup in the studio.... at Jarman's request, we returned to Macarthur Park with Richard Harris (spotlight on the psychedelic randomness of the green icing melting in the rain)... and also visited Camelot with the late Robert Goulet... and learned that "life is beautiful" from Sixx AM....
And, of course, in between all these songs were your normal Maximum Rock selections... You want variety? That's MF-ing variety, kids!

6/23 - Weekend fun, Drake v Zeke - Jun 23 2008 10:41AM

Your quiz... compare and contrast the respective weekends of your two beloved hosts:

Zeke:
took out seven squirrels in his yard. As a Karmatic (karmic?) balance – invasion of blackbirds. Zeke to his wife: “How do you get rid of these?” Zeke's long-suffering wife: “Quit feeding them, honey.”
Junior achievement charity gig, downtown, lots of fun and food.
no bandwidth in the wireless network at home. being sucked up by the teenager and his media needs.
Mattress on the interstate... and a rolled-up carpet (aka, dead body) in the middle of the road.
Saw on the Neely’s Food Network show this weekend: Deviled eggs – rolled in flour, egg, and bread crumbs, and then deep fried. Good eating, and good for you!

Drake:
Becky’s Red Dog Saloon in Jackson, Tennessee. Had a really great time.
Drake had a night bird around his crib. Sounded like a tape recording of bird calls. Ran though 8 or 9 different calls, then start over. Drake was amazed. Nature is awesome.
Tried to buy a fishing license from Miss Gertie.
The old country store, where they aren’t using the Wi-Fi or texting the friends. They've got potted meat, crackers, and good times, with Frog, kin of some kind.
100 days of summer. Heat on the road. They ain’t kidding. The State Police every couple of miles on the road, which led to driving 70-50-30 in a matter of moments.
Experienced, at a cookout, pigs in a blanket sprinkled with honey and brown sugar. OMFG! Delicious, and unhealthy as hell!

6/23 - Buzz Bissinger, our new friend - Jun 23 2008 10:31AM

Sportswriter Buzz Bissinger (author, “Friday Night Lights”), joined Drake & Zeke to discuss modern sports writing, and how the rise of blogging has lead to the death of proper sports journalism. Buzz called most sports blogs “malicious, unfunny, cruel and sophomoric”, and said they often “pride themselves on disinformation”, leading sports players to a distrust of all sports reporters, including the legitimate ones. Buzz also praised the makers of the “Friday Night Lights” movie and television show, saying it’s rare to have a great book, great movie, and great TV show.

6/23 - RIP George Carlin - Jun 23 2008 9:28AM

COMEDIAN GEORGE CARLIN PASSED AWAY LAST NIGHT AT THE AGE OF 71. CAUSE OF DEATH WAS HEART FAILURE.
ACCORDING TO HIS BIOGRAPHY, CARLIN STARTED HIS CAREER AS AN ORDINARY STAND-UP COMIC. HE SAID “ONE DAY A FRIEND GAVE ME SOME LSD. I STAYED UP 3 DAYS AND RE-WROTE MY ENTIRE ACT.”
HIS NEW MATERIAL WAS SO DIRTY, HE’D SOMETIMES GET BUSTED FOR OBSCENITY RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF A SHOW. THAT’S UNIMAGINABLE TODAY.
HIS MOST FAMOUS BIT WAS THE “SEVEN WORDS YOU CAN NEVER SAY ON TELEVISION”. HE HOSTED THE FIRST EPISODE OF “SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE”, AND THEN STARRED IN A NUMBER OF HBO SPECIALS OVER THE NEXT FOUR DECADES.
FUNERAL DETAILS HAVEN’T BEEN RELEASED, BUT ONE THING’S FOR SURE: IT WON’T BE A RELIGIOUS CEREMONY. CARLIN, RIGHT UP TO THE END, WAS AN OUTSPOKEN ATHEIST.

some of our favorite bits
Stuff
Baseball and Football
The Hippy Dippy Weatherman

6/20 - Dr. Bertha, drug czarina... - Jun 20 2008 11:05AM

On Friday, Dr. Bertha K. Madras, Deputy Director for the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) discussed national school-based random student drug testing programs, which are currently deemed to be “beyond the scope of the state’s constitution” in Tennessee. Dr. Madras advocated for stopping drug use amongst the young, quoting a statistic stating that “kids who start using drugs before the age of 14 are 6 times more likely to become addicted.”

6/19 - Summer heat = minor crime spree - Jun 19 2008 12:42PM

The summer heat and inertia is already getting to Drake... and he's considering a minor crime spree. Zeke suggests a shoplifting run at Wal-Mart, where they grab a couple of Handi-fat carts, load them up with cases of Miller Lite (the beer, not Rooster McC's son), and take them out the door past Grandpa The Greeter in his vest.

Oh, and chicks - learn you to use a shotgun, and you might win Radio's Drake Hall's heart. That segment on the TV news the other night, with those little bitty girls learning how to blow things away wiht big guns... Drake thought that was awesome to watch, and that all girls should know how to handle firearms.

6/19 - Carl LaBove always ROCKS! - Jun 19 2008 12:35PM

On Thursday, comic Carl LaBove rejoined Drake & Zeke to share stories about his phenomenal life and promote his return appearance at Comedy Tennessee. Carl and his feature act, comic Mark Riccadonna, filled an hour with stories of Carl’s early days as an extra in a Charles Bronson film (he was “third guy running”), Carl’s adventures in car-free dating after his most recent divorce, the fun that is airline travel these days, scary statue mime stories, and pranking other comedians. Mark’s best line, in reference to fickle hand of fate: “Every time a door opens, the window gets locked”.

6/18 - Shea Flinn, keeping it real - Jun 18 2008 12:39PM

Memphis City Councilman Shea Flinn (District 9, Position 2) addressed Mayor Herenton’s proposals from last night’s City Council meeting. Shea said, “Mayor Herenton is such a strong personality that sometimes he overshadows his ideas”. Shea also said of his fellow Councilmembers, “there is a frustration level over the level of panic in the community” over their proposals to cut funding.

oh, and because he rocks, Shea requested a song (Five Stairsteps' Ooh Child) and gave a shout-out to his buddy (“Make sure Lambo knows he really sucks!”)

6/18 - Human Swap Shop... our future? - Jun 18 2008 12:31PM

Medical Ethicist Donna Dickenson (author, “Body Shopping”) discussed the shocking modern trade in human body parts. Donna spoke of the “Unprecedented commercialization of the body from before conception to after death”. Donna touched upon the trend of umbilical cord blood banking (an unnecessary and risky procedure that increases the chances of maternal hemorrhage), the practice of harvesting and selling human eggs (often at a great profit to the donor and the fertility doctor), and how the vulnerability of a person needing an organ can lead to risky choices.

6/18 - See Zeke shoot squirrels! - Jun 18 2008 12:19PM

See Piper learn how to dress squirrels and tan their hides, then make clothing out of their soft little pelts.

Okay, so Zeke is going postal on the little fuzzy-tailed tree rats... but that is because they are raiding his bird feeders.

Drake revealed his country beginnings, admitting his mama could dress a squirrel, and that squirrels taste like chicken, but gamey. And Drake suggested the above homeschooling experience for Zeke's grade-school-aged daughter - learning how to deal with the squirrel carcasses now littering the Logan Ranch.

6/17 - Voyage Long and Strange - Jun 17 2008 11:26AM

Journalist Tony Horwitz (author, “A VOYAGE LONG AND STRANGE: Rediscovering the New World”) explored some of the real stories behind the myths of American history. Tony pointed out Americans’ lack of true historical knowledge: “We know a little about Columbus and the Pilgrims, and the rest is blank.” Tony also highlighted explorer Hernando DeSoto, a homicidal maniac Spaniard “who did more damage to the South than Katrina”, leading a death march across the South. DeSoto can take credit for one major innovation - introducing pigs to the Americas. As Tony said, “Many Southerners don’t realize they have the Spanish to thank for pork barbecue.” Said Tony of our lacking and misinformed history, “The pity to me is not only are we forgetting history or remembering the wrong history, it’s that we are ignoring the fun interesting history. Pilgrims aren’t that fun. Kids like a high body county; they’d love DeSoto. We’re stuck with stodgy Pilgrims and Columbus and powdered wigs founding fathers.”

6/17 - Bill Morrison vs King Willie & School Board - Jun 17 2008 11:16AM

On Tuesday, Memphis City Councilman Bill Morrison (District 1) phoned in to share his reactions to Mayor Willie Herenton’s most recent proclamations about the Memphis City Schools. Bill said, contrary to the impression the Mayor and School Board are presenting, “the sky is not falling, and schools will re-open in August”. In terms of the school funding cuts, Bill said, “If you care about children, start with the bureaucracy and cut there”. Bill also welcomed newly selected Superintendent Dr. Kriner Cash to Memphis, and derided the City School Board for their scare tactics.

6/16 - RADIO'S DRAKE HALL LOVES YOU... - Jun 16 2008 1:09PM

but hates your fake, disingenuous, Hallmark emotions... and the commercial holidays that seem to grow in significance and marketability each year.

oh, he also hates your wedding (and your need to get married), your funeral (really, can't we all be burned up and not waste time and space with services and burial plots?)....

He also hates your fat, bad-clothes-wearing and attitudinal ass... and your ugly, snot-nosed, red-faced, wall-eyed, inbred babies.

oh, and hang up your gosh-damned cell phone, learn to signal, don't drive slow in the fast lane or speed in the slow lane, and get out of his damn way when you are driving on Goodman Road, I-55, or I-240.

P.S. He also hates the media obsession with celebrity pregnancies (we get it, you had sex, congratulations), reality television, the ladies from The View (even Whoopi, who is tainted by association), and most of America.

But he loves you, the Drake & Zeke listener! Seriously. He means it.

6/11 - Disaster & Politics... - Jun 12 2008 12:11PM

On Thursday, TIME Magazine journalist Amanda Ripley, (author, “THE UNTHINKABLE: Who Survives When Disaster Strikes”), shared what she has learned about how people react in a disaster. According to Amanda, most people do nothing or move very slowly, instead of reacting hysterically. Amanda also revealed that “The vast majority of rescues done in big disasters are done by regular people.”

Rolling Stone Political Columnist Matt Taibbi (author, “The Great Derangement”) shared his observations on the current state of the Presidential race. Matt said that McCain is at a disadvantage heading into the race against Obama, especially as he is showing signs of being exhausted. Said Matt of the racial threats against Obama: “We expected racism in the election, but we didn’t expect it so out in the open.” Matt also made his informed predictions of vice-presidential running mates for both Obama (a Southern white male with military credentials) and McCain (Mitt Romney, who was “born to be Vice President. He’s got the hair.”).

6/11 - Weddings, or, is it love or showmanship? - Jun 11 2008 12:26PM

Drake found a survey, from “You and your wedding” magazine (seriously, i'm not making that up), that said the average wedding, all told, costs about $48K. that's a big chunk of change, to get dressed up and party and feed relatives and friends you don't really like all that much.

Drake (again) says you shouldn't get married. He says, live in sin, and save the money.

Lawyer Bill disagrees. Saith Bill, "Nothing should stand in the way of wedding your significant other. Marry quickly and often. Lawyers never lie. These are my opinions."

After many of your emails and calls, we have come to the conclusion that the best wedding (if you go against Drake's orders and get married) is a redneck backyard wedding, with your relatives officiating, planning, and coordinating, and some nice barbecue either cooked or catered. Otherwise, it's a waste of time and money.

6/10 - Frank Deford, erudite sports dude - Jun 10 2008 12:44PM

Sportswriter and Commentator Frank Deford (author, “The Entitled”) discussed the highs and lows of modern baseball, the pitfalls of being a sports celebrity, ESPN, the rise of blogging (“it’s just people screaming with opinions”) and the fall of long-form journalism, and mourned the passing of the late, great sportscaster Jim McKay. Said Frank of McKay, “The first people I ever saw on the TV were Howdy Doody and Jim McKay.”

6/10 - Sheriff Joe, one tough MF - Jun 10 2008 12:13PM

On Tuesday, Drake & Zeke were joined by America’s Toughest Sheriff, Joseph M. Arpaio, (author, “JOE’S LAW: America’s Toughest Sheriff Takes on Illegal Immigration, Drugs, and Everything Else That Threatens America”). Sheriff Joe talked about his controversial and innovate law enforcement measures in Maricopa County, Arizona (including the “tent city” jail, citizen posses, and chain gangs for men, women, and juveniles), referring to himself as an “Equal Opportunity Incarcerator”. Sheriff Joe recently returned from Adamsville, Tennessee, where he was awarded the Buford Pusser Award for Law Enforcement.

6/5 - Dwight Slade, railing against something - Jun 5 2008 12:35PM

Caustic, glib, and easily annoyed comedian Dwight Slade joined Drake & Zeke Thursday to rail against whatever has ticked him off recently… and promote his appearance at Comedy Tennessee. Dwight recently returned from performing in the UK, where they are fascinated by American comics, but are scared by the screaming loud and passionate American stand-up comedians. Dwight also recently confirmed his heterosexuality by kissing a man (repeatedly)... for a film role. (Said Dwight, “what killed it was the stubble.”). Dwight’s take on sex: “Heterosexuality is abnormal and perverted, if you are doing it right. Unless you are ashamed of yourself in the morning, you’re not doing it right.” Dwight’s new comedy CD is called “Evil Monkey”, about the natural rebellion of your soul, personified in the imaginary little creature that sits on your shoulder and encourages you to do bad things.

6/5 - Home Buying Tips from an Expert - Jun 5 2008 11:06AM

On Thursday, Attorney Diana Brodman Summers (author, “The Home Buyer’s Answer Book”) shared her secrets to making correct home buying decisions in today’s gloomy economy. Diana warned people who are in the market for a home that, “Unfortunately, even people who have what was considered good credit are having trouble getting loans”, and even remodeling loans are hard to get. Diana also warned against moving to the woods, as what were the woods a couple of years ago may now be an up and coming development, with construction and higher development taxes. Diana said that in the current economic climate, renting makes sense, and discouraged mortgage refinancing, while encouraging borrowers to pay extra on their loans to reduce the principal owed.

Get by with a little help from our friends - Jun 4 2008 10:35AM

Paul B. Miller, at NOW! Technical Solutions
862 Goodman Road East, Southaven, MS 38671
(662) 349-1717, www.desotocomputers.com, pbmiller@desotocomputers.com
(Here is an article about Paul in the Commercial Appeal):
Tech support for small companies: NOW! contracts out to firms that embrace technology

Allen VanLandingham at Allen's Automotive Center
1195 Winfield Rd, Memphis, TN 38116
(901) 332-3279

Bill Fowler's Bodyworks
8600 US Hwy 51 N, Southaven, MS 38671-3636
(662) 280-0920

Our attorney of record, "Lawyer Bill", is really William W Jones IV, Attorney-At-Law. His new firm is the Jones Law Firm, and he can be reached at (901) 761-5353. Or check out his website, www.midsouthdivorce.com.

Help Project Package! - Jun 4 2008 10:30AM

Project Package is local armed forces benevolence organization that sends care packages of comfort items overseas to military personnel from the Mid-South area.

Project Package is headed by Rick Pope, U.S.M.C. Master Sergeant Retired. Sgt Pope relies completely on volunteers and donations.

Project Package mails about 300 packages per month to Mississippi, Tennessee, and Arkansas units stationed in the Middle East.

Postal rates just increased to $9.80 a package, meaning it costs $3000 a month to send out packages. Project Package mails out these boxes monthly.

Project Package needs your help - they need volunteers, donations of stuff, and money.

Some of the things they need for care packages are:
sunscreen and lip balm, bug spray (pump, not aerosol), hand sanitizer, and hand lotion.
They also appreciate flavored drink powders (like Gatorade, Kool-Aid, Crystal Light, etc) and individually wrapped snack foods - snack cakes (without chocolate), granola bars, meal/energy bars, cookies, Pop-Tarts, crackers, chips, nuts, seeds, trail mix, beef jerky, and canned tuna.

Can you help? Call Project Package Coordinator Ret. Master Sgt. Rickey Pope, 662-609-0372.
Or check the new website, http://www.msprojectpackage.org/.

5/28 - People Who Talked To Us - May 28 2008 11:55AM

On Wednesday, author David Gilmour (NOT the Pink Floyd guy) discussed the lessons he taught (and learned) during the year he spent watching movies with his high-school dropout son, chronicled in his book “The Film Club”. Said David of fatherhood, “The sweet yet sad thing is saying goodbye to your children. The healthy ones always leave you…. If you do your job properly as a father, you have to accept that they will shake your hands and say goodbye.”

Also on Wednesday, journalist Melody Petersen spotlighted the slick marketing practices of the pharmaceutical industry detailed in her book “Our Daily Meds”. Melody pointed out that, in one way or another, most of the drug company’s marketing money goes in to the pocket of the doctor, to help convince you, the patient, to take the newest drug. Melody offered this advice to consumers: “Don’t let a doctor or a drug company convince you that you need a drug that you really don’t.”

5/27 - Dr. Nancy Snyderman, Health Advice goddess - May 27 2008 1:00PM

NBC’s chief medical editor Dr. Nancy Snyderman (author, “Medical Myths That Can Kill You: And the 101 Truths That Will Save, Extend, and Improve Your Life”) shared medical tips and advice. Dr. Snyderman says that in the war on cancer, we’re winning some battles and making great strides in the war. Dr. Snyderman also recommends annual health check-ups, so you and your doctor know each other, and advises you let your doctor know about any natural things you are taking, to avoid medication interactions. Dr. Snyderman warns against casually drinking sports drinks, as they eat away at tooth enamel, and staying away from bacon, as nitrates may be linked with stomach cancer. As for herbal love potions, Dr. Snyderman instead suggests “Good lingerie and a drink”.

5/22 - Crystal Zevon: tears, laughter, and joy - May 22 2008 1:06PM

Thursday, Crystal Zevon (ex-wife of the late singer Warren Zevon) shared stories of her life with Warren, including those collected in her narrative biography, “I’LL SLEEP WHEN I’M DEAD: The Dirty Life and Times of Warren Zevon”. Crystal said the book was written at Warren’s request, that he wanted her to “tell the whole truth, even the awful ugly parts.” Crystal said the process of writing the book and interviewing their friends was very cathartic. Crystal told stories of Warren seeking out friendships with people he admired, including Carl Hiaasen and Hunter Thompson. Crystal described the pain that Warren’s drinking caused her and their children: “Warren NEVER had just a few cocktails. He was a REAL alcoholic.” Crystal also admitted that if she hadn’t been there to write down “Werewolves of London”, it wouldn’t have been a song.

5/22 - Pauline Frommer, travel goddess - May 22 2008 10:26AM

On Thursday, Travel Guru Pauline Frommer shared her tips for budget travel, including the list of Top 10 Budget Destinations for Summer 2008. Pauline is the daughter of travel legend Arthur Frommer, and started travelling at 4 months old, sleeping in hotel room drawers with her globe-trotting parents. Pauline says her Pauline Frommer’s Guides are for adult budget travelers to “have vacations with dignity and class”. Pauline suggested cheap vacations in Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, the cheapest spa vacation in the US; in Oregon’s winemaking Willamette Valley; and in Peru - “the airfare will take a chunk of your change, but you can live like a king in Peru”.

5/20 - P Allen Smith is FABULOUS! - May 20 2008 12:28PM

On Tuesday, Gardening Expert P. Allen Smith (host of Public Television’s “P. Allen Smith’s Garden Home”) answered gardening questions and shared tips. Allen’s advice included tips for starting your own home vegetable garden (raised beds are key); suggestions for good summer vegetables (Sun Gold and Jet Star tomatoes, Malabar spinach, Swiss chard, and asparagus beans); the joys of gardening with children; the most effective and efficient way to water your plants during the summer months (drip hoses and timers); using an integrated pest management approach; and the practice of beekeeping as a conservation method. Allen was, as always, fabulous!

5/19 - Andy Hillstrand, fisherman & horseman - May 19 2008 11:58AM

On Monday, Drake & Zeke were joined by Andy Hillstrand, boat captain of “Time Bandit” on Disovery Channel's Deadliest Catch and the co-author (with brother Johnathan) of “TIME BANDIT: Two Brothers, the Bering Sea and One of the World’s Deadliest Jobs”. For being the star of a hit cable show, Andy is a real down-to-earth guy, who has been fishing 27 years professionally, and been on boats since the age of three. Andy said he spends his time “keeping John out of fights.” When asked about the other crab fishermen in Alaska, Andy says, “Half of them hate you, the other half want to be on the show.” Andy says the show isn’t contrived or plotted out by the producers, because, “If they tried to tell us what to do, they’d screw themselves over. We’re not actors, we don’t know how to follow storylines.” And there is a reason alcohol is banned when the boats are out at sea: “You can’t have wacked out people on the boat because it would be instant death.” Andy spends his downtime in the off-season raising horses and teaching kids how to ride.