We are pleased to report that the WIDB 50^th 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.

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.

We on the committee (and the folks at Giant City) are VERY READY to put on the BEST REUNION EVER!!

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.

YOUR HARD WORKING (AND PERSEVERING) WIDB 50^TH 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.  

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.  

“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.

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:

Vic’s dog Bookie rode on the boat designed to look like a “pink Cadillac.” Vic and Ilene tell the story:

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.

Among the greatest production directors ever at WIDB, Tom was a freshman in 1974 when, encouraged by then Production Director Gary Goldblatt, Tom made his first production: a promo for “Underground:”

Succeeding Gary as Production Director from 1974-76, Tom rose to the occasion when advertising on WIDB began in January, 1975. Spot production increased tenfold. During the first years of sales, many others at WIDB produced commercials, and a friendly competitive rivalry developed, but everyone knew Tom was unequaled. In fact, Luke Banks, one of those “other” producers when Tom was there, produced this tribute to Tom Sheldon:

After WIDB, Tom spent some time working at KGMO, Cape Girardeau, and many years working at WMYX, Mt. Vernon. No longer with us, Tom’s great production live on.