…at least that’s the perception given by Barack Obama’s new commercial that is running on WTMJ. The spot plays off of John McCain saying that he would “hate to live in Milwaukee.”

Here’s the script:

Hi. This is Steve Cagle. You know, the other day I heard something outrageous. John McCain actually said in an interview with the Washington Post that he would, and I quote, ‘hate to live in Milwaukee.’ Hate to live in Milwaukee? Home of the Harley Davidson, Kopps custard and the Brewers? Well, this is the same John McCain who’s called laws making the federal government buy American-made products - quote - disgraceful. The same McCain who is going to keep giving tax breaks to companies that ship our jobs overseas. And the same John McCain who owns seven homes scattered around the country. Hey, I own just one, and I’m proud to be born and raised here in Milwaukee. So when John McCain says he’d hate to live in Milwaukee, I say, it’d be worse to see him live in the White House. We just can’t afford John McCain.

Woah! Harley Davidson and the Milwaukee Brewers are very protective of their brands! I’m about 95% sure that the Obama campaign did NOT get permission to refer to the Brewers, HD, or even Kopps in their spot. In fact, as a radio station, we are not allowed to mention Milwaukee Brewers in commercials even if we are giving away Brewers tickets. They do this to protect their brand and make sure their names aren’t tied to anything that could be construed as controversial. They also do it to make sure that nobody is making money off of their names without a fair cut.

I don’t think that they got permission, and I encourage the lawyers to send out the same cease and desist letters that they send to local radio stations when they air commercials for “a chance to win Milwaukee Brewers tickets.”

If the Brewers, Harley Davidson, and Kopps custard ARE endorsing Barack Obama, then it looks like I won’t be buying any Brewers tickets, I will make my first motorcycle purchase a Kawasaki, and I’ll only be eating custard at Culver’s.

Here’s the spot (via ABC - hence the ABC tones in the beginning - and I’m sure they endorse Obama anyway).

This should keep crime down. Hat tip - my dad. (the ordinance is on hold, btw)

Unless by rain you mean my kickballs raining down into base-kick territory. We managed to get our kickball game in last night at Wick Field in Tosa. Mashuganas got beat 5 to 3, which sucks. We had the lead most of the game, got tied up in the 8th, and lost it in the tenth. OOS blew out his knee in the mess, too. But… I didn’t make a fool out of myself, so it’s aaaaaalllll good.

I’ve been in the radio industry since 1996. I’ve seen my fair share of concerts cancelled. Here are the real reasons behind the cancellations:

Reason:
“Due to a scheduling conflict…”

Actual Reason:
“Ticket sales are slow.”

—

Reason:
“Due to Laryngitis…” (or even more telling: “illness”)

Actual Reason:
“Ticket sales are slow.”

—

Reason:
“Due to a miscommunication…”

Actual Reason:
Usually means that there was an argument between the venue and the tour manager. - i.e., the venue won’t pick the blue marshmallows out of the singer’s Lucky Charms.

—

Reason:
“Due to weather…”

Actual Reason:
This one’s usually correct. The band is getting paid either way. Yeah, it sucks, but that’s what insurance is for.

—

Reason:
“Due to security issues…”

Actual Reason:
This usually happens at rap concerts where the venue hasn’t secured ample security for the crowd that the local police department expects. It also shows up when death threats are made against the artist. (sometimes that one is actually written as, “cancelled due to death threat.”)

—

Reason:
“Due to lackluster sales…”

Actual Reason:
Holy shit… they actually told the truth. It’s about the money, not the fans.

—

For the record, the Brooks & Dunn concert that was scheduled for Friday, May 30th at the Marcus Amphitheater in Milwaukee has been cancelled “due to a scheduling conflict.” Trust me… these guys’ schedules are well accounted for, and they would have known that something else was going on before booking a gig at an amphitheater. George Strait cancelled a show at the Bradley Center due to “laryngitis” a few years ago. This was right after his promotion company called me 20 times the week before the show to convince me to get more people to buy tickets to the show. It’s a business… it’s a game… and the only people who get the shaft are the fans.

Refunds are available. However, Ticketmaster doesn’t refund per-ticket fees - only the face value of the ticket. What a racket.