We are pleased to report that the WIDB 50th Anniversary Reunion Committee has unanimously decided to PROCEED with the reunion this June 24, 25, 26 2022 in Giant City and Carbondale!
We are aware that some covid risks still exist. Each person must decide the level of risk they are willing to accept, and we will respect these decisions.
(L) Al Levi, Lisa Crocker, Amy Elvart, Tim Cawley
It has been 7 years since we’ve been together, and it takes a tremendous effort to gather WIDB people. It is a rare event you will regret missing. For many reasons, it could well be the last time we are able to assemble like this.
(L) Vic Lentini, Slimb Landgraf, Dale Gardner
We on the committee (and the folks at Giant City) are VERY READY to put on the BEST REUNION EVER!!
Dan Manella, Patty Reilly
The current reunion fee is $199.50. It will increase soon. You can sign up and pay here. You can see more reunion info here: List of lodging options here.
Priceless joy
YOUR HARD WORKING (AND PERSEVERING) WIDB 50TH ANNIVERSARY REUNION COMMITTEE
John Bernstein was a fierce, unstoppable force at WIDB 1982-5 for great production, motivating WIDB’s only entry into the annual Cardboard Boat Regatta, and appearing on David Letterman (albeit in the audience—more than once). Since WIDB, John spent years as a longtime producer at Disney Studios in California, and before that at CNN. He ran the Atlanta Film Festival, and curated others including AFI Fest and Sundance.
John at WIDBJohn Bernstein on WIDB, 1984.
Remembering his days at WIDB, John decided to (what else?) join up with producers of a documentary about college radio. It will review history, and the current state, but focus mainly on the period of “biggest cultural impact” about 1970-98 or so. John joins the documentary’s director Michael Millard, (from college station KTXT, Texas Tech, Lubbock) who shares the spirit.
John at 2015 reunion
“I wish I had been a better DJ. Listening to some of my old air checks is a bit painful,” admits John. “Even though I had no idea what I was doing at the time, I took my time at IDB very seriously and look back on it fondly. No, I didn’t go into radio, but working at WIDB absolutely had an impact on my career path, and my taste in music to this day.” John will be at the reunion and will probably have more to share about the project. To check out their early teaser trailer for the documentary (that includes a few WIDB images and even a moment of an aircheck with Dan at the beginning) go to 35000watts.com/kickstarter.
WIDB 25th Anniversary glass–what could it be used for?
Past reunions featured impractical, virtually useless tchochokies, such as the brain hat, flashlite/beacon, and the immortal fez. Never to underestimate the relentless creativity of our group, we encountered Jill Gardner’s creative innovations with this old, forgotten item. Here is her story, in her words and writing.
by Jill Gardner
Thanks to Jill for sharing! This may be just the thing you need!
As we all know, SIU’s annual Cardboard Boat Regatta became a world-renowned event, but WIDB almost never participated. HOWEVER, in 1984, John Bernstein got a full head of steam (as only he could do) and motivated everyone. This was due in part to his quest to appear on David Letterman.
It was a fantastic group effort in the great WIDB tradition. The triumphant moment was the parading of the boat before the race:
The crack WIDB crew carry “S.S. WIDB” to race launch pointLincoln Fuson gets ready for the big race.
Vic’s dog Bookie rode on the boat designed to look like a “pink Cadillac.” Vic and Ilene tell the story:
Vic and Ilene blame Bernstein for the great WIDB CBR effort.
This was WIDB’s only entry into the race for at least 30 years. No results from 1984 are available. You can ask Vic what happened.
Friends, I had some memorable experiences in my WIDB days, triumphs and tragedies alike. The day Slaga handed over the keys to the Program Directorship embodies the former, while the night John Lennon was killed is over-qualified for the latter.
But it’s the silly things I remember best. They just seemed to be in the air at WIDB, ready to ignite at a moment’s notice. Some return in a flash as indelible images (“JOEY RAMONE ATE THIS BREAD!!!”) and some inspire a more substantial reminiscence. Below is one of a handful of my favorite silly WIDB episodes. Fair warning: I don’t swear to recalling events exactly as they happened, etc, disclaimer, fog of war, blah-blah, woof-woof…
Dr. Kerry Peace (center) with Uncle Briggs (left) and Don D’Augistino
Change was always in the air at the station, and in the Spring of 1980 it was time for school administrators to pick a new General Manager to replace our beloved graduating GM, Al “Big Guy” Linton. Al approached me one day and asked me to throw my hat in the ring for GM. Two other station members had already stated their intention to apply and he feared that one of them, someone whose judgment he questioned, was going to get the job. I wouldn’t hear of it, though. I was “all about the music, man,” and couldn’t be bothered to give up my cherished Program Directorship. Al tried some more, but I wasn’t budging and that was the end of it, or so I thought.
Al “Big Guy” Linton
A few weeks later I was at my desk in Wright One when Al walked in. He put his backpack down and calmly asked me if I’d care to step out into the hallway with him. And why not? We were pals, chums and comrades in arms, were we not?
As soon as we got into the hallway though, he put his big hands around my throat and began throttling me up against the wall, all the while asking me if I knew who had been awarded the general manager’s position for the coming school year. I did not (and in fact hadn’t given it a moment’s thought since he asked me to apply), but quickly gathered that it had gone to he whom Al did not want it to go to.
Al Linton (right) and Brian Colin. Giant City, 2005.
Just as I began to think Al was not just joking, but seriously choking, he loosened his grip, gave me a playful slap on the face and walked away. That’s how much that silly Big Guy loved WIDB.
