Episode 1: Home Mechanics, Turkeys, and Rocky Hockey

Always For Love, Never For Money

Big Jim's always had a job, and those jobs took him places and introduced him to all sorts of people - even famous people. In High School at age 15, he worked as an usher at several theaters on the North Side. His favorite, which you'll probably hear about again and again, was the Uptown Theater - the most beautiful theater in Chicago. But, he also worked at the Grenada, which is where he met someone very special, Darlene. He was chased by her father on their first date, but he finally reconnected with her after the Usher's Softball League game in Grant Park. This is their origin story, marriage, and honey moon. Those were the days.

Episode 3: Big Jim's Musical Career

Some people don't just wake up one day and decide they are going to be a musician. Their Mom's do. Big Jim's musical journey takes him from the Player in the living room to WGN radio and then his picture on the wall at the Tribune Building in downtown Chicago. In the course of this short 1-take segment, we learn how he got his start, how to succeed without even trying, his favorite instrument, and which era of music was the most romantic.

Episode 2: Born at the Chicago World's Fair

Big Jim thought it would be a good idea to establish his origins, which literally begins at the Chicago World's Fair on June 3, 1933. This, of course, leads to some discussions about how people got around in Chicago at that time, which was mostly by Streetcar. Listen closely, as Jim wanted to include an almost-free gift for the first 5 people that mail him a penny. What you'll get is a signed t-shirt that he made for the 2016 Chicago Cubs World Series commemorating the fact that he was at the last World Series in 1945. If you would like one of these, mail that penny to: The Penn-Dutchman Antiques 4920 N. Western Ave. Chicago IL, 60625

Episode 1: Home Mechanics, Turkeys, and Rocky Hockey

For our first episode, Big Jim wanted to take us back to the 6th Grade to talk about the Home Mechanics class he had with Mrs. Souter. This of course leads to an encounter down Devon at the Turkey Farm, which then reminds him of winter sports on the empty lots during the Depression.