Can you Dig these Artifacts?

Posted on October 25, 2019 by Gary Goyle

The WIDB 50th Anniversary Artifactural Dig Contest rolls on! Here are highlights of entries so far:

1. ROGER (RAMJET) Davis had a 6 hour shift every Sunday in 1971. He played 120 songs every shift. See his playlist below.

2. JOE ROWE found WIDB in a dream! Read his 1987 story below.

3. Production Director, DAN GOLDBERG made a 2008 produ8ction compilation. Click icon below to listen.

4. CHARLIE STEWART’S very nervous 1972 freshman audition led to 44 years in radio. Read his story below.

Send us your stories and stuff! How to do that and contest details here. Deadline extended to December 15, 2019.

ROGER (RAMJET) Davis Playlists

Roger Ramjet playlist part I Fall 1971

Roger Ranjet playlist part II Fall 1971

JOE ROWE

“How did Joe Rowe find his way to WIDB? In a dream!

“Someone who was kinda Gothy in the dorms my first year told me there
was a radio station where I could hear the cure and other indy music.
One day in Boomer III, 1987 I heard music. It was Brian Eno and I
thought I was awake in my own dream because I only heard Brian Eno on
one tape from a friend and that tape was not in my cassette player.

“But I was in my dorm room. I had forgotten that I had set WIDB on my alarm
clock to wake up every day for class. The WIDB DJ that day on the
radio asked me in my dream to come to a meeting if they wanted to be a night DJ.
I soon woke up. Both literally and figuratively. I went to the
meeting. Dale Gardner was leading that first meeting and gave me my first shift
I got a late night spot, and in a short time I had the noon shift.

“I had grown up in Chicago and went to the Metro often. I was so shocked that everyone liked the music I liked. XTC, the Cure, Smiths, Eno etc . And after a few night shifts of being forced to play a rotation had me hooked. Then I learned about Main Street East and stopped going to the Lewis Park Parties! I found my people in a dream!”

Signed, Joe Rowe, Class of 1989

DAN GOLDBERG MONTAGE

CHARLIE STEWART

“As a snot nosed freshman in the fall of 1972, I entered SIU to major in one thing – R/TV. My passion was to be a radio star.

“I lived in 1531 Schneider, just a short walk to the radio station in Wright. I knew of WIDB once I moved into Schneider Tower. There were signs on the message board promoting the station. We could pick it up in the dorm and on cable FM. My first audition freshman year was a flop. However, Tom Cooper was News Director and made us feel comfortable despite our nervousness auditioning for the first time.

“A year later I auditioned again and was one of four who passed. Adrien Kaplan, Gene Fritz, Joey Helleny and me. From there I would do news and sports, was the sports director I think my junior year, originated the program “The Jazz Message” The Jazz Message was the first formal WIDB program dedicated to just Jazz. We started it around 1974 or 75 so I’m not sure where it went after that. I also worked with Todd Cave , Walt Leisering , Joe Halpin and Luke Banks, and I’m sure they helped encourage the show. Those are great names from the past and I hope they are in attendance next June. It was a fun time, and a great group! I would stay in radio another 44 years. WIDB was one of the many great memories of SIU! I will be at the reunion next year!”

Charlie Stewart

What’s your WIDB story? Send it to mailto:contest@widbnetwork.org.

WIDB 50th Anniversary Reunion Committee

Music Gateway Beckons Chris to WIDB

Posted on October 6, 2019 by Gary Goyle

by Chris Wissmann

I wasn’t interested in radio per se. I had done radio speaking for my high school speech team, mainly because I had a crush on one of the girls on the team—and nobody else wanted to do radio, so I was on the team. Neither of those things worked out—I was terrible at that kind of speech competition and the girl left the team. But I got to spend a few extra Saturdays with one of my best high school friends, Jeff Whitten, who also started competing in radio.

After high school I came to SIU in 1987, and Jeff went to Augustana in Rock Island, where he started DJing for his college station, WAUG. Jeff encouraged me to see if SIU had any similar opportunities—and it turned out it did.

I came to WIDB in spring 1988, my second semester at SIU. The only thing I knew about it was that WIDB was on the Student Center’s fourth floor. I still didn’t care about radio. I was just interested in music—mainly recording engineering, because I can’t play an instrument or sing—and thought that ‘IDB might get me moving in the right direction while giving me access to an amazing record library.

What WIDB was playing when Chris came

Sure enough, it did. The music was amazing—records by bands I read about but had never even found in record stores, let alone had a chance to hear anywhere else. And it was all there for us to play.

Chris and Kevin (Tyrant) Lange at WIDB

About a year later, I was able to join radio with recording engineering and began a local band show where I recorded and mixed live performances for broadcast.

But most importantly, WIDB was populated by an amazing assortment of freaks and geeks with whom I fit in perfectly. It was home. Starting in my junior year, I lived with WIDB coworkers and former coworkers until a few years after I graduated. I formed most of my best and deepest friendships—particularly with Mark Venegas, Kevin Lange, and Jeff Stapleton—at WIDB.

Chris (left), Slimb, Jazzy Jeff, Kevin (right) and Mark Venegas, foreground

I can’t wait to see them, or many others I befriended over the years, in 2020.

Randy finally makes it to WIDB–and the rest is history!

Posted on October 6, 2019 by Gary Goyle

The story of how I got started is a pig of a tale, so let me get the lipstick out right away.

I transferred to SIU in the fall of 1977 after 2-1/2 years at Champaign/Urbana. Since I had plenty of credits in my bank, I took the beginning Radio/TV classes 300M and 300P in my first semester in Carbondale. As you recall, 300P was the lecture class, and I was lucky to have Dr. Lynch(no relation) as my teacher. The focus in 300P was solely on Dr. Lynch, and rightly so. He knew everything about TV, and was able to present it in a very entertaining fashion.

300M was the practical beginners class, small groups learning studio operations under a TA. I don’t even recall who my TA was, but I did have three WIDB folks in my 300M class; Amy Elvart, Roy Millonzi and Maria Bernardi.

Roy Millonzi

I enjoyed great camaraderie with these three as well as the rest of our classmates. Amy baked me a cake for my 21^st birthday. Roy invited me over to his place once, showed me his Les Paul Jr. and shared some.. .inspiration. Roy and Maria were the stars of my class final project, a one minute commercial. Maria nailed the money shot that got me an A.

It appears that I’m fresh out of lipstick.

As for how they got me involved at WIDB, well, they didn’t. I wasn’t ready. I knew it was what I wanted to do, but was just afraid to fail. Publicly. So I kept muddling along in R&T classes, meeting more people. Eventually I landed in a TV criticism class with Al Levy. We seemed to be on the same wavelength with regards to TV, so Al must have presumed that maybe I knew a little radio too. He specifically told me I should be stopping by WIDB, that there would be a place for me, and that I would enjoy it there.

After the semester ended, I checked for auditions to be on air during the summer, when the competition was less fierce. And the listenership was smaller. Especially doing the midnight to 4am shift. I was afforded the opportunity to fail, and I failed at failing. I actually got better, probably lifted myself up to mediocrity over the couple of years that I DJ’d. It was my love and knowledge of music that kept me afloat. Garble a backrap, you get embarrassed. But come back in to a new set with Santana’s “All I Ever Wanted”, and you’re back in the game.

Randy Lynch and his jacket (John Amberg background right)

Randy Lynch and his jacket (in the background, Kerry Peace, John Amberg, and Cyril Radwin)

The game, as played at WIDB in the late 70’s, was tremendous fun and highly educational. Still some of the best times of my life.

48 Hours in Carbondale is Never Enough!

Posted on August 31, 2019 by Gary Goyle

By Maria Bernardi and Chris Wissmann

Here we go again! Another chance for us to revisit the natural beauty of Southern Illinois as we prepare for the WIDB 50^th Anniversary Reunion!

So many reunioners blow into Giant City on Friday as the reunion formally begins and head out Sunday morning right after breakfast. They see little more than Giant City—and maybe the station, if they can get up early enough to head over there after an all-nighter. But there’s a lot more to this area than Giant City—and most of our formative experiences didn’t even take place there.

Downtown Makanda

Many come a long way. You could spend almost as much time traveling as reuniting. That’s why we invite you to come early and stay late! Don’t turn the reunion into a light speed trip. Slow it down and give yourself the opportunity to savor the moment. There is so much more to experience.

Garden of the Gods

Shawnee National Forest has everything.

Check out the Shawnee Wine Trail. Tastings, tours and scenic vistas. 800-248-4373. After visiting Garden of the Gods, stay at Tree House Cabins, 618/264-9091

Cave-in-Rock is a city, state park and former pirate outpost.

Pomona Natural Bridge is close to Giant City.

Pine Hills offers spectacular views of the Mississippi River and sunsets.

Pine Hills sunset

Bald Knob Cross is still seen for miles from Alto Pass and still says “Peace hope, faith and charity.”

Bald Knob Cross

Cache River (30 min. from Giant City) offers a unique ecosystem, waterfowl and flora not found for 1000 miles.

Cache River Wildlife Refuge Cypress Trees

Cape Girardeau and Paducah, each about 45 minutes from Giant City, are historic restored river towns featuring booming arts, education and restaurant areas. Paducah has the McCracken County Fair June 24-29, 2020.

Revitalized downtown Cape Girardeau

Paducah floodwall murals

Journey to Chester (less than an hour from Giant City) to see Fort Kaskaskia, where pirates operated bordellos and fired on ships before taking prisoners. The fort overlooks the town of Kaskaskia, first capital of Illinois, now at the bottom of the Mississippi River.

Town of Kaskasklia (under water) from Ft. Kaskaskia

And—lest we forget—there’s Carbondale itself. Look around at all of the changes. The Strip looks great—especially at night. Come in time for the Sunset Concerts on Thursday—still one of the area’s best traditions, where great music provides an incredible soundtrack for a parade of the city’s always wondrous freakscape. Head out afterward to check out more live music and keep the party going. Food offerings have grown by leaps and bounds, with an amazing farmers’ market and many excellent restaurants, wineries, and breweries (but at Carbondale prices!).

Looking southwest Main & Illinois, Carbondale

Meanwhile, back at Giant City, there’s camping, hiking and horseback riding. And don’t forget the 50^th Smokie Links WIDB Golf Event Thursday June 25, 2020, 9:30 am, Keller’s Crossing at Stone Creek.

How can anyone experience any or all of this (and the Reunion too) in 48 hours?

To enjoy all that Southern Illinois has to offer—everything that made this place magical for you as a student and WIDBer—and that the busy schedule of the reunion won’t begin to allow for—remember: Come early and stay late! Giant City Cabin rates are lower weekdays. You can count on cabins being available weekdays (with lower rates) before & after the reunion weekend (trust us).

Young reunion attendee

Visit SouthernmostIllibnois.com for more info.

Stephanie Finds her Voice and Career at WIDB

Posted on August 15, 2019 by Gary Goyle

by Stephanie Wiewel

I found out about WIDB during my Sophomore year at SIU from my suitemate, Sarah Maher. Before being active in WIDB, I would often accompany Sarah to WIDB remotes for Dawgs Nite Out or events at the student center.

Sarah Maher Mike Maxwell and Malcom Turner at this WIDB remote

Sarah Maher Mike Maxwell and Malcom Turner “person” the WIDB remote.

Through these events and the welcoming environment that WIDB had for anyone who was a little on the strange side, I decided to join the station as a “behind the scenes” member, helping with remotes here and there.

Stephanie and Maggie having fun at the station

Stephanie and Sarah having fun at the station

During my time at WIDB I went from just lending a hand at remotes, to being News Director writing music reviews, to ultimately taking over as Operations Manager where I was in charge of new DJs and also hosted my first On-Air show during my senior year at SIU. I loved getting to work with new DJs to develop their show ranging from gossip shows to 80s rock and everything in between and watching them rise through the ranks at WIDB.

WIDB staff heads 2014 including Mike, Karl Stegeman, Chris Crow, Brad Henning, Tom Marcinak among others.

Some favorite memories at WIDB include just hangout out at the station catching up on classwork or just chatting with fellow staff members Mike Maxwell, Sarah Maher, Amber Dorney, Chris Crow, Maggie Batson,

Kevin Hart and Sarah

Kevin Hart and several others including former WIDB’ers I was able to meet at the 45th reunion. The ugly Christmas sweater parties,

WIDB Ugly Christmas Sweater party featuring Rachel Geller, Sarah, Kevin, Brad Mike, Danny Valle, among others.

staff parties, Cardboard Boat Regatta, and bowling events were always a fun time as well.

Having fun at Little Grand Canyon with Sarah, Stephanie and Eric Hirshci.

Because WIDB is such a hodgepodge of mismatched things (including the furniture in the station itself) it always seemed to be a welcoming environment for all majors – not just those limited to Mass Comm and that is what made it a fun station to join.

Best Promo Award 2015 Stephanie and Sarah

Since graduating at SIU, I have worked at STARadio Corp. in Quincy, Illinois where I have worked as on On-Air Talent for WCOY 99.5 and Real 92.9 in addition to serving as the Production Director for the 5 stations STARadio houses for the past 3 years.