The regal legacy of Syl Johnson began at Federal, a subsidiary of King Records in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Dominoes put Federal on the national landscape in 1951 with their pre-Viagra hit "Sixty Minute Man."

And Johnson was up from the jump with the Numero Group's dazzling Syl Johnson box set "Complete Mythology" that features 81 rhythm and blues songs on 6 LPs, 4 CDs replicating the LPs and a 52 page book ($75, Numero Group)

He listened to every track and the label spent a week interviewing Johnson.
What was it like to walk backwards through his 50-year-recording career?

"Teardrops," Johnson answered during a straight ahead, no-chaser interview in the Numero offices on the near south side of Chicago.......

The connective thread of travel took me to the Nov. 5 Colombian Dance Party at the Las Tablas Steak House, 4920 W. Irving Park in Chicago.

I've been to Bogota' and Cali in recent months and my soul was captured by the warmth of the people and the spirit of cumbia and salsa. Even though things don't always run on time in Colombia. And even though I am still hurtin' from my laptop, briefcase and Chuck Taylor biography being ripped off at the Bogota' airport just before my departure.
Did I tell you about that?
Well, that could happen anywhere.

But Colombia is completely unique, a destination on the come.
I was invited to the benefit party by people I met at the Chicago Latino Film Festival. All proceeds from the door went to Fundacion Batata, a non-profit in the town of San Basilio de Palenque, Colombia which is being created by the music group Las Ambulancias Alegres (Vehicle of happiness, the regional philosophy of the passage of death).......

Former Chicago WMAQ-Channel 5/now HLN news anchor Robin Meade makes her debut Saturday night at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville and will release a country music album next year. This opens the door for "America's News Idol":

Chicago sportscaster Mark Giangreco sings Frankie Valli--"Let's Hang On!"
The persona of overly intense weatherman Tom Skilling is perfect for Devo.

Kathy Brock does cabaret.

There's always a place in the Spinners for weatherman Steve Baskerville. He seems like a "Rubberband Man.".....