(Ed. Note:  Frank Pace – The Mook – produced Don Rickles series, DADDY DEAREST. Frank didn’t write this blog, but he could have.),Don Rickles has been gone for exactly 6 years. He made it to the age of 90, and for about 65 of those years, Don Rickles made people laugh…and laugh hard.Not all people found Don funny, and that’s fine. If he wasn’t your cup of tea, or if he made you wince at

David Vincent Williams is a country music singer-songwriter who has written over 550 songs. His songs have been recorded and released by major country recording artists, including: “I’m Movin‘ On” by Rascal Flatts, Ty Herndon’s “Hands of a Working Man” and James Otto’s “Just Got Started Lovin’ You”.Williams will be joining Billy and Frank on the April 12th episode of A Mick A Mook and A Mic.Born in Houston, Texas, Williams spent his early years

With the 2023 Men’s Final Four decided, only one team heading to Houston has made it to the event before. UConn will be making their 6th Final Four appearance. The others – San Diego State, Florida Atlantic, and Miami have never been to the prestigious event.I guess gone are the days of North Carolina, UCLA, Duke, Kentucky, and Kansas making their regular appearances.I must admit, I’m not a college basketball fan as I once was

Julian Gant is a television and film actor who is widely recognized for his performance as Carter on the series Call Me Kat. He has also starred on Oddballs and the 2019 series Good Girls.Gant will be joining Billy and Frank on the April 5th episode of A Mick A Mook and A MicJulian, born in Detroit, made his professional acting debut on The Suite Life of Hudson & James in 2003. Recently, he guest-starred on a 2020 episode of Reno

Artis Gilmore, one of the greatest centers in the history of professional basketball, will join Billy and Frank on the March 29th episode of A Mick A Mook and A Mic.Inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2011, Gilmore played for the Chicago Bulls, San Antonio Spurs, and Boston Celtics in the NBA, and the Kentucky Colonels of the former ABA. Artis was, arguably, the greatest player in the history of the ABA.Standing 7‘2”,

With Saint Patrick’s Day behind us, I’m reminded of all the great Irish actors, singers, inventors, scientists, and politicians. But I’d rather take this opportunity to mention my favorite Irish quipster, playwright, and author.Oscar Fingal O’Fflahertie Wills Wilde was an Irish poet and playwright. After writing in different forms throughout the 1880s, he became one of London’s most popular playwrights in the early 1890s.You may know his popular name…. Oscar Wilde.He lived only 46 years

Editor’s Note: A respite from sports talk with a lighthearted, personal piece, as we welcome in Spring.When you live by the water in New England, spring can’t come fast enough.Don’t get me wrong, I love my little beach house. It’s on a decent size lot with about 150’ of beachfront property overlooking beautiful Buzzard’s Bay. I’ve owned it for over 40-years.As an old guy who lives alone, my little piece of heaven is what keeps

Actor and Author, Ryan Cassidy, will join Billy and Frank on the March 22nd episode of A Mick A Mook and A Mic. Ryan recently authored the book, “James Cagney Was My Baby Sitter.”Ryan is the youngest of the famous Cassidy brothers and the son of Academy Award-Winner Shirley Jones for Elmer Gantry, plus the hit, The Music Man.Ryan embarked on an acting career after graduating from Beverly Hills High School. During this time, he

If you merge the league stats of the NBA and ABA, which the NBA is considering for the record books, Julius Winfield Erving Jr. would easily rank in the Top 5 greatest players in pro basketball history. After all, in his five ABA seasons, Erving won three scoring titles. He also won three Most Valuable Player awards and two championships.During his 11-year NBA career, Erving was an All-Star each season, the MVP in 1981, and

JC Currais, a Cuban American comedian and actor, will be joining Billy and Frank on the March 15th episode of A Mick A Mook and A Mic.  JC grew up in Miami and first started stand-up comedy while enrolled at the University of Florida. Currais’ stage presence is larger-than-life, and his performance style is high-energy. He has been on Conan and Comedy Central on TBS, and was named one of TBS’s Top Comics to Watch at

You’ve got to love March. Spring is less than three weeks away…and MLB Spring Training has begun.As a die-hard baseball fan and one who loved to play the game, March couldn’t come fast enough for me, especially during my youth. And now, with a few years under my belt, I look forward to having something to watch every day. Hence, the reason baseball is America’s pastime – a way in which to pass time.So, as

Man One, Alex Poli, developed his love for art developing his skills as a graffiti artist on the streets of Los Angeles. Alex honed his talents as a fine artist and understanding of art history at Loyola Marymount University where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts.Alex joins Billy and Frank on the March 8th episode of A Mick A Mook and A Mic.Man One’s art is comprised of his trademark bold, colorful art

With the Super Bowl behind us, the game segued me to memories of my old pal, Sid.The first time he saw me he barked, “Get out. You get the hell out.”It was the late 1970’s and Sidney Brooks was throwing me out of the San Diego Chargers locker room. I deserved it, but one must admit that it was a hell of a way to strike up a lasting friendship.   Sid was the San Diego Chargers’ equipment

Former MLB Umpire Cowboy Joe West is back with the guys on March 1, as they discuss amongst other things: behind the scenes stories about baseball managers and players, what goes on in the bullpen, the art of rubbing up baseballs, and the vison of Walter O’Malley’s moving the Dodgers west in 1958.  Other topics will include: the future of the Big 10,  Huey Lewis and the News, Sudden Sam McDowell, The Andy Griffith Show,

Roy Firestone is a seven-time Emmy Award Winning and seven-time cable ACE Award-winning host, interviewer, narrator, writer and producer. He will join Mick and Mook on the February 22nd episode of A Mick A Mook and A Mic.Roy was the original host of ESPN’s legendary Up Close, Up Close Classic, and Up Close Primetime.As an actor, Roy was featured in the Academy Award-Winning film, Jerry Maguire, where he played himself in a scene with Award-Winner,

It could be 1959 or 60. Possibly, 1961.They could be 17, 18 years old, still wearing leather.It could be the beginning of Hamburg, when they performed long, exhausting sets in sleazy strip bars.Still, this is one of the earliest photos of Paul and John singing and writing a song, just the way you see it.See, in the early years, Paul and John, with left and right-handed guitars, made it easy for them to stare into

Bruce Ferber is a novelist and an Emmy Award-sinning writer. He joins Mick and Mook on the February 15 episode of A Mick A Mook and A Mic.Ferber’s first job in TV was writing for Bosom Buddies starring Tom Hanks and the late Peter Scolari. Bruce recalls it being “a magical introduction to the business.”Other Ferber show credits include Growing Pains, Duet, Coach, Home Improvement and Sabrina the Teenage Witch, among others.Ferber’s first novel, Elevating

Another Super Bowl is upon us. It’s hard to believe that this is SB LVII (#57)!However, for those of you old enough to remember, this is actually Super Bowl #55. The first two games were called the AFL-NFL Championship Game, which commenced in 1967. The name ‘Super Bowl’ was initiated in 1969, and called Super Bowl III, thus retro-activating the first two games into the new name.In addition, the AFL-NFL merger didn’t take place until

Jim Breech, a former placekicker in the National Football League, will be joining Mick and Mook on the February 8th episode of A Mick A Mook and A Mic..Jim played for the Oakland Raiders in 1979 and Cincinnati Bengals from 1980-1992. His 1,151 points with the Bengals is a franchise record.Breech also played in Super Bowls XVI and XXIII, and was perfect in both games – not missing a field goal or extra point in

With January ending, I thought it would be apropos to reminisce about two American icons, both born in the month of January…Elvis Presley, the King of Rock ‘n Roll (born 1/8/35), and Civil Rights Leader, Dr. Martin Luther King (born 1/15/29). You might be surprised to learn of their relationship and that one of Elvis’ great songs and performances was dedicated to MLK.As the years fly by, I’m increasingly appreciative to have grown up in

Did Tom Brady just throw his last pass? Only he will tell us…and only he should.10 Super Bowl performances. 7 wins.5 Super Bowl MVPs. 3 League MVPs. 15 Pro Bowls.Record for most regular season starts and wins.Most passes. Most completions. Most TD’s.Oldest player to ever win MVP (40 years old).He’s the only player to beat all 32 NFL teams.He’s the best…ever.Nothing to prove. Nothing to come back for. And yet, he might.Reports that 3 different

Tony Sepulveda is the Senior Vice President of Casting at Warner Bros Television. During his 28-year stint at WBTV, he has been the casting director on such shows as “Family Matters,” “Knots Landing,” “Friends,” and “The West Wing.” He has three Emmy nominations.Born in Santa Rosa, California, Tony graduated from UCLA, where he originally studied to be an actor.Here’s Tony’s first-hand look back at how his career path changed:“I went to UCLA to be an

As I watched the recent horrific happening on Monday Night Football regarding Bills’ player Damar Hamlin, I was touched by the two emotions that evolved during that life-or-death situation. They were emotions that I also experienced while watching…both heartbreaking and heartwarming moments.The way Damar went down and the immediate reaction of the players, one knew this was a serious issue. It was heartbreaking to watch. However, as time elapsed, it also became heartwarming watching how

For 40 years, Tony Hernandez was a mainstay on the sports television screens for his work in San Francisco, WCBS in New York City, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles. Tony also pioneered LA Dodgers play by play on cable television in their World Championship year of 1988.Now retired and living in Montana, Tony has authored a marvelous book, ‘ALWAYS TURN DOWN THE FIRST OFFER.” The book recounts his days with the likes of Reggie Jackson, Howard

I’m a very sentimental person. Always have been. Always will be. New Year’s Eve is often a wistful time, not a raucous time for me.I can’t wait for a better year next year, but aside from the song “Auld Lang Syne”, which is a Scots-language poem written by Robert Burns in 1788 and set to the tune of a traditional folk song, we have very few, if any, memorable New Year’s Eve songs.But one song