This week we explore the history of country music in Chicago. (Photo credit: Mike Stephen/WGN Radio)

Mike Stephen talks with Mark Guarino, the author of a new book called Country and Midwestern: Chicago in the History of Country Music and the Folk Revival about the history of country music in Chicago and then reconnects with former Outside the Loop producer, Andy Hermann, about his new gig as a public radio producer and host at Nebraska Public Media. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.

Mike Stephen discusses the legacy of the 1919 Chicago Race Riots.

Mike Stephen gets the story of the 1919 Chicago Race Riots, learns about Openlands’ strategic plan for conservation, and discusses how WVMO-LP serves the community of Monona, WI.  The local music on this week’s show comes from Purple Mountains.   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

Mike Stephen talks to first time candidate for alderman Katie Sieracki about what she learned during her campaign.

Mike Stephen learns about a new Chicago history podcast called Windy City Historians, recaps what Katie Sieracki learned after her aldermanic campaign in the 33rd Ward, and discovers the Secret History of late local blues talent Louis Myers. This week’s local music is brought to you by OIO. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

On a special edition of the program, Mike Stephen explores the history of tied houses/bars in Chicago.  Joining him at Toons Bar and Grill and at the Happy Village bar is local historian Liz Garibay. The two chat about the history of tied houses over a pint. Then Mike heads to Lakeview to talk to Mike Schuba, operator of Schuba’s Tavern, about the special history of that building.  And to round out the show, Mike and Producer Collin try to figure out how to tie OTL to a Chicago bar with some help from Hampshire High School industrial technology teacher Mike Jakubowski. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.