Bill:
Birthplace:
Dekalb IL is where I was born while my parents were students at Northern Illinois University but my family has called Kankakee and Iroquois counties home for generations.
Education:
Graduated from Lewis University
Career Highlights:
I started in radio at college and got my professional job broadcasting high school sports. I grew into hosting a Saturday sports show and eventually started doing Saturdays on WKAN in 2006. For the past 9 years I’ve been part of The Bill and Allison Morning Show on WKAN AM 1320. When I’m not hanging out with my radio family on X-Country 106.5, I’m working as the Community Engagement Specialist for Kankakee School District 111 Grounds Manager for the Merchant Street MusicFest.
Music I like:
Right now I am getting more and more into Chris Stapleton, old Woody Guthrie recordings, Lady Antebellum, Jason Isbell and a bunch of others. I am into such a variety of music. I really do love passionate local and regional acts as much as I love acts that are filling stadiums. I love the Talking Heads, Tom Petty and Bruce Springsteen but I also love music that I have been a part of helping make happen live in our community like Nick Lynch, JC Brooks and Ha Ha Tonka. I am a big fan of that vast place in American music that is on the outskirts of rock, county and blues. Authentic passionate music... the sort of music you hear live passing a random bar that makes you say, “We’re gonna hang out here for a while.”
What I Do For Fun:
For me, there is not much that beats a night of dirt track racing! I started announcing races in college and it is so much fun. To stand in victory lane and see how genuinely happy people are... it is pretty awesome. I also love theatre, creating art, basketball, bike riding, running and finding reasons to have a good time and laugh with my boys, wife and friends.
Favorite Beverage:
I love some coffee with the morning show. But other than that if you have something cold I’ll take it. A Miller Lite tastes great in the pits leaning on a fender, but also feel at home experimenting with local craft beers. I drink skim milk.
Favorite Places:
I love my neighborhood! I love the Kankakee Farmers’ Market and seeing our downtown become the Merchant Street MusicFest each summer on the last weekend of July. Some other favorite spots include, turn three at the Fairbury American Legion Speedway, any sidewalk you can dine on, and any peice of smooth water where rocks will skip.
Favorite Sports Team:
I am a Chicago Cubs fan but my biggest passion in sports are local events like the Kankakee Holiday Basketball Tournament and the Illinois High School Basketball version of March Madness.
Pet Peeves:
People and situations that derail a good vibe. I am sensitive to injustices. When I see something wrong I want to find a way to make it right. Black olives... can we stop putting them on things?
Passions:
Authenticity! I love things that are real.people, music, art, theatre. I love the energy of people making wonderful things happen! I am also into the strange, the weird, the quirky.
BIRTHPLACE: Little Rock, Arkansas (NOW you recognize that accent!)
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: I started in radio 17 years ago at a small station in Nashville....Arkansas! :) I have done Middays at many stations in the South including Texarkana, Fort Smith and El Dorado, Arkansas, Kennett and Malden, Missouri and I did nights in Tyler and Lufkin, Texas. I love radio and I'm so happy to be in Kankakee!
WHAT I DO FOR FUN: I am a self proclaimed nerd (which everyone else happens to agree with). I love bird watching, hiking, writing poetry and song parodies. I can't sing a lick but that seems to HELP my parodies! ha! I'm all about new adventures and I'm so thankful to be married to my very best friend that loves going on all these adventures with me.
FAVORITE MUSICIANS: Keith Urban, Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood and Miranda Lambert are some of my favorites but I'm also an Eagle's fan. I haven't found a genre of music yet that I can't find at least one song that I can love.
INSTRUMENTS I PLAY: I am currently learning the Ukulele. I can also play the spoons because I'm from Arkansas and we can all play the spoons. Ok, not really but the Ukulele part is true. :)
FAVORITE PLACES: Hawaii, the Colorado Rockies and any trail that leads me into nature. I love being outside!
FAVORITE BEVERAGE: Black coffee in the darkest roast I can get. If I'm ever upset with you, bring me a cup of joe and all is forgiven.
PASSIONS: I love helping raise money for good causes! I've been involved in many fund raisers for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, The National MS Society, local food banks, Toys for Tots and many more. Reach out to me if I can help your non profit!
Birthplace: St. Louis, MO. (Don't hate me!)
Education: B.A. in Communications, Fontbonne University, St. Louis.
Career Highlights: Being locked in a coffin for 24 hours (no joke!), earning a 50% market share at a former station in Quincy, and being back on X-Country!
What i Do For Fun: Relax! I'm really good at it too. I also like to learn how to cook great BBQ on YouTube, and fix up my house.
Favorite Musicians: Gosh...There's so many! Eric Church, Jamie Johnson, Jason Aldean, Miranda Lambert, Brian May of Queen, Missy Elliott...and a lot more!
Instruments: I Play: Air guitar, and invisible drums
Passions: My kids, mainly. What and how they're doing...really important to me.
Favorite Sports Teams: Cardinals, Blues, Arsenal football club.
Favorite Places: My house, and wherever I am with my family or friends. Doesn't matter where.
Favorite Beverage: Either Fat Tire or Blue Moon beer, and cheap red wine.
Pet Peeves: Inconsiderate people, especially behind the wheel. Your turn signal works, you should try it more. Greed is another one. We only have each other, so why not just be nice to one another?
