August 21, 2023

This blog is about a project that my wife and I have been working on for five years! "The Carl Zimmermann Story" is now complete and published. It's a really nice book available for purchase from us.

In the future it may be available elsewhere but for now we are the outlet for the 200 page book that is nicely printed on high quality paper with color and black and white photos.

My father had an amazing life starting in radio at WEMP in Milwaukee at age 14 where he camped out every morning before school for weeks until they hired him.

He became a soldier for the U.S. Army and a battlefield reporter doing live broadcasts from the front lines of WWll all across Europe and Africa. While researching we learned that he was also a spy for the U.S. Army OSS/CIA while reporting!

Back to Milwaukee and then the Korean conflict happened to start and Dad started broadcasting "The Big Picture" television show with the U.S. Army in New York.

After three years of that he returned to Milwaukee for a career in radio and then television ending with WITI-TV6 for many years and then retiring in 1986.

The book is available for $50 plus a $5.shipping fee in the U.S. Payment can be made with Zelle or contact me for more information.

It's a great read and an interesting story about their wonderful marriage along with a great history of radio and television. A few of the photos in the book are below.  My mother saved every article about my father and every telegram he sent to her through the years.  They are all in the book.

Thanks,

Rich Zimmermann

August 7, 2023

I've had the privilege to photograph a lot of different things in my life and I never take it for granted.

This year at Gathering on the Green I photographed Rise and Shine In The Park on Sunday July 16th at Mequon Rotary Park.  Wisconsin's Frankie Moscato and the national act ,Cain, also performed.

That was a unique experience like I've never witnessed, and was good to see people having fun with religion and music together. There was also a live painting being done as the show was going on for charity.

Frankie Moscato is a young American Idol contestant. The band Cain is a brother with his two sisters performing. It was great music and fun on a really windy day. Frankie lost her hat at the beginning of the first song and I even retrieved it for her! You can see it on top of the piano as she didn't wear it for the rest of the set.

Saturday night July 15th was the rock night with the bands Starship featuring old friend Mickey Thomas and Ann Wilson from the band Heart.  Guitars for Vets, contests and raffles were also going on.

I've known Mickey Thomas since his days with Elvin Bishop in 1977 at Milwaukee's Summerfest and again in 1979. I photographed a meet and greet with Mickey and Starship singer Cian Coey. We talked a bunch before the show about the old days. Included here is a meet and greet photo with me in it!!

Mickey is probably most famous for his song "Fooled Around and Fell in Love" from the Elvin Bishop days and he ended his show dedicating the song to me!! Very cool and appreciated Mickey!

Ann Wilson from Heart played after Starship and it was good to hear some old tunes and a few new ones.

Guitars for Vets opened up the night with a nice set.

WAMI and Guitars for Vets have been around for a few years and it was cool to see veterans having fun! Plus, they are great musicians doing it all for a very worthy cause. 

Enjoy a look at a fun filled weekend for me!

Thanks,

Rich Zimmermann