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.
Allison:
Birthplace:
Champaign, IL, but I’ve lived in Kankakee County most of my life
Education:
Graduated from Eastern Illinois University with a degree in Radio and TV.
Career Highlights:
I spent 9 years on 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 Assistant Director at the Kankakee Public Library and planning Merchant Street MusicFest.
Music I like:
Luke Combs
Lady Antebellum
Alison Krauss
Jason Isbell
Dan + Shay
But I also love Americana/bluegrass/roots/gritty music - the kind of music that needs the dirt wiped off of it! Tom Petty, The Cars, Fleetwood Mac, Wilco, Brandi Carlile, Steve Earle, James McMurtry.
What I Do For Fun:
Cooking with friends, listening to live music, sarcasm, dancing with my dogs, drinking with friends, reading everything and never stop learning! I’ve yet to meet someone who doesn’t have something to teach me!
Favorite Beverage:
Captain and Diet Coke with a lime, or wine - the cheaper the better... don’t waste your good wine on me - I honestly can’t tell the difference. Or margarita on the rocks - but if I’m drinking a margarita there needs to be chips and salsa!
Favorite Places:
Wherever my husband, sons, friends and my dogs are! In a boat on the Kankakee River, Utica/Starved Rock, Southwest Michigan, a divey bar in any city where you’ll meet the most interesting people, Williamsburg, VA, and Tennessee.
Favorite Sports Team:
Chicago Cubs, but I just love baseball in general... you know the kind of love for baseball where you drink beer and eat nachos out of a hat.
Pet Peeves:
People who are rude to waiters - I think you can sum up a person not by who they voted for, but if they’re rude or nice to wait staff. That will tell you all you need to know about them!
Passions:
Music! I book music for Merchant Street MusicFest and other Kankakee-area events, so I love listening to, supporting and finding new local and regional bands. I can appreciate most all genres of music - as long as they’re talented and passionate about what they’re doing, I’m here for it!
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:Philadelphia,PA-"The City of Brotherly Love" & Birthplace of America
Education: Millersville U of PA
Career Highlights: I've worked at great radio stations in PA (Philly,Harrisburg,Scranton/Wilkes-Barre,Allentown),New York,Alabama,Kansas,Washington State,Texas,Ohio and New Mexico.
What i Do For Fun: wander all over in my Jeep Wrangler,travel,cook,watch movies(though with a son and being a family guy the only Oscar nominees I usually see are animated) playing sports,collecting naked photos of Bea Arthur,learning how to do things on You Tube,poker and blackjack.
Favorite Musicians: Eric Church,Luke Bryan,Kacey Musgraves,George Strait,Garth Brooks,Miranda Lambert,and a few others in country music. Growing up in Philly I was exposed to and love me some TSOP Philly rhythm & soul, Motown,Elvis,Led Zeppelin,The Beatles,KISS,Rolling Stones,and tons of 80s & 90s Top 40 pop & rock.
Instruments: I Play: Air guitar and steering wheel bongos.
Passions: I'm a type 2 diabetic so I like to find new ways to have the foods I love without tons of carbs or sugar spikes,as well as related causes fundraising and outreach. My son was born 10 weeks ahead of schedule so I'm a big backer of programs for NICUs and the March of Dimes.
Favorite Sports Teams: Philly kid so I'm a big Phillies,Eagles,Flyers,& Sixers guy. College football it's gotta be Penn State (though for a while it was more like State Pen). And whatever sports team my son is playing for.
Favorite Places: My hometown,the outer banks of North Carolina,too many minor league ballparks to count,and London UK.
Favorite Beverage: On the air it's Dunkin Donuts hot coffee (with cream & Sweet N Low) but unlike Bama Dave I like mine light to medium roast,or i'll drink spring water at closer to room temperature. Off the air it's Miller Lite or Corona Light and Jack & Ginger (diet ginger ale).
Pet Peeves: Those who think Seinfeld quotes are humorous,racism & bigotry, people who are trying to be funny but really are just mean,& those who think it's OK to take 30 items in the 15 item speedy grocery/department store lane (and the cashiers who let them get away with it).
