Carl Rosenbaum, who co-founded The Flip Side with his brother Larry, joins Ray to look back on one of the best loved record stores in Chicago and how the two brothers built the business, revolutionized concerts in the Windy City, and even faced off with the Mafia.

"The Flip Side: Where Chicago Rocked" is available now through Eckhartz Press.

Carl Rosenbaum, who co-founded The Flip Side with his brother Larry, joins Ray to look back on one of the best loved record stores in Chicago and how the two brothers built the business, revolutionized concerts in the Windy City, and even faced off with the Mafia.
"The Flip Side: Where Chicago Rocked" is available now through Eckhartz Press.

Ray Stevens brings the RIGHT side of the conversation to mornings on 890 WLS-AM live from 6am-9am. If you missed the show, come here to catch up on the right side of Chicago talk.

Ray Stevens brings the RIGHT side of the conversation to mornings on 890 WLS-AM live from 6am-9am. If you missed the show, come here to catch up on the right side of Chicago talk.

The Ray Stevens Show

Ray Stevens brings the RIGHT side of the conversation to mornings on 890 WLS-AM live from 6am-9am. If you missed the show, come here to catch up on the right side of Chicago talk. 

Ray Stevens brings the RIGHT side of the conversation to mornings on 890 WLS-AM live from 6am-9am. If you missed the show, come here to catch up on the right side of Chicago talk.&nbsp;

The Flip Side Record Store Co-Founder Looks Back on The Golden Era of Rock in Chicago

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The Ray Stevens Show covers major issues impacting Illinois taxpayers, Chicago communities, and the future of technology regulation. Chris Plante joins the show, while LyLena Estabine of the Illinois Policy Institute discusses new concerns over schools allegedly “double-dipping” taxpayer dollars for teacher pension costs. Former gubernatorial candidate Rick Heidner reacts to BP removing its chairman despite posting record profits, raising broader questions about corporate leadership and the energy industry. Later, Pastor Corey Brooks of Project HOOD talks about mentoring Chicago youth and combating violence as summer “teen takeovers” begin across the city. The show also features tech attorney Nelson Rosario discussing Illinois’ growing debate over AI regulation and whether lawmakers risk driving innovation and startups out of the state with burdensome policies.

Key Segments:


Teacher pension funding controversy


BP leadership shakeup amid record profits


Chicago youth mentoring and teen takeovers


Illinois AI regulation debate

The Ray Stevens Show covers major issues impacting Illinois taxpayers, Chicago communities, and the future of technology regulation. Chris Plante joins the show, while LyLena Estabine of the Illinois Policy Institute discusses new concerns over schools allegedly &ldquo;double-dipping&rdquo; taxpayer dollars for teacher pension costs. Former gubernatorial candidate Rick Heidner reacts to BP removing its chairman despite posting record profits, raising broader questions about corporate leadership and the energy industry. Later, Pastor Corey Brooks of Project HOOD talks about mentoring Chicago youth and combating violence as summer &ldquo;teen takeovers&rdquo; begin across the city. The show also features tech attorney Nelson Rosario discussing Illinois&rsquo; growing debate over AI regulation and whether lawmakers risk driving innovation and startups out of the state with burdensome policies.
Key Segments:
<ul>
<li>
Teacher pension funding controversy
</li>
<li>
BP leadership shakeup amid record profits
</li>
<li>
Chicago youth mentoring and teen takeovers
</li>
<li>
Illinois AI regulation debate
</li>
</ul>

The Ray Stevens Show (May 27, 2026) | Teacher Pension Controversy, Chicago Youth Crisis & AI Regulation Fight

Nelson Rosario, founder of Rosario Tech Law and former executive director of the Illinois Blockchain Association, joins the show to discuss the growing fight over AI regulation in Springfield and what’s at stake for Illinois businesses, startups, and consumers. Rosario argues the real question is not whether artificial intelligence should be regulated, but whether lawmakers can do it without crushing innovation and driving tech companies out of the state. He warns overly broad regulations could create massive compliance costs that only Big Tech companies can afford, leaving smaller startups and entrepreneurs behind. The conversation focuses on Illinois’ economic future, how other states are approaching AI policy, and why lawmakers face increasing pressure to balance consumer protections with innovation and job growth.

Nelson Rosario, founder of Rosario Tech Law and former executive director of the Illinois Blockchain Association, joins the show to discuss the growing fight over AI regulation in Springfield and what&rsquo;s at stake for Illinois businesses, startups, and consumers. Rosario argues the real question is not whether artificial intelligence should be regulated, but whether lawmakers can do it without crushing innovation and driving tech companies out of the state. He warns overly broad regulations could create massive compliance costs that only Big Tech companies can afford, leaving smaller startups and entrepreneurs behind. The conversation focuses on Illinois&rsquo; economic future, how other states are approaching AI policy, and why lawmakers face increasing pressure to balance consumer protections with innovation and job growth.

Illinois About to Regulate AI? Tech Leaders Warn Springfield Could Crush Innovation

The Ray Stevens Show covers major political and national security headlines as lawmakers face mounting pressure in Washington and Illinois. Fox News Radio’s Eben Brown discusses President Trump signaling progress in Iran negotiations while nuclear material concerns remain unresolved. Illinois House Minority Leader Tony McCombie joins the show to talk about stalled negotiations surrounding the proposed Bears stadium deal as lawmakers approach a critical deadline in Springfield. Later, Congressman Jim Jordan explains why he is sending letters to Chicago and Illinois officials over sanctuary city policies and immigration enforcement concerns. Fox News Radio reporter Jeff Monosso also provides the latest details on the White House gunman who was shot and killed by Secret Service agents.

Key Segments:
Trump and Iran nuclear negotiations
Bears stadium deal deadline in Illinois
Jim Jordan targets sanctuary city policies
White House security shooting investigation

The Ray Stevens Show covers major political and national security headlines as lawmakers face mounting pressure in Washington and Illinois. Fox News Radio&rsquo;s Eben Brown discusses President Trump signaling progress in Iran negotiations while nuclear material concerns remain unresolved. Illinois House Minority Leader Tony McCombie joins the show to talk about stalled negotiations surrounding the proposed Bears stadium deal as lawmakers approach a critical deadline in Springfield. Later, Congressman Jim Jordan explains why he is sending letters to Chicago and Illinois officials over sanctuary city policies and immigration enforcement concerns. Fox News Radio reporter Jeff Monosso also provides the latest details on the White House gunman who was shot and killed by Secret Service agents.
Key Segments:
<ul data-start="1107" data-end="1285">
<li data-section-id="rfczv" data-start="1107" data-end="1146">Trump and Iran nuclear negotiations</li>
<li data-section-id="1343f2e" data-start="1147" data-end="1190">Bears stadium deal deadline in Illinois</li>
<li data-section-id="1lwyvh" data-start="1191" data-end="1237">Jim Jordan targets sanctuary city policies</li>
<li data-section-id="ukoeia" data-start="1238" data-end="1285">White House security shooting investigation</li>
</ul>

The Flip Side Record Store Co-Founder Looks Back on The Golden Era of Rock in Chicago

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