- Speaking At Will - Thursday, Oct 2, 08 @ 11:17 am:
As a radio station manager, and talk show host I am biased. I like my own radio station the most, WXAN 103.9 FM.
However with my own bias aside, In Southern Illinois there is no better source for news than 1340 AM WJPF. Tom Miller is professional and asks the right questions of all the local state reps and senators.
For music, 91.1 FM in Carbondale is the best. They have a huge variety of music, blues, jazz, opera, stuff you cant get anywhere else.
The station is completly staffed by volunteers and they do a great job. Check em out at www.wdbx.org
- Pot calling kettle - Thursday, Oct 2, 08 @ 11:17 am:
WXRT, best variety, DJs get to pick the tunes.
WNIJ all day. News, news, news, no commercials. NPR takes the time to explore and explain, no other network does that.
- Pot calling kettle - Thursday, Oct 2, 08 @ 11:18 am:
(I really wanted to rewrite the con-con question today…oh,well, at least the Cubs lost.)
The Score. Harmless, mindless sports talk. Can be amusing at times.
Are there any classic country stations in Illinois? There’s a ton of classic rock. I picked up on classic country driving around the east coast and in Michigan. Great station concept for old hillbillies like me, if anyone wants to reach us (doubtful).
I don’t have one any more. I really don’t listen to radio. Not even for music.
When Mancow was on I would listen to Q101. These days it would either be WGN for the Cubs or WLS for Rush Limbaugh. LOL! That is if I could actually stand listening to the radio.
I hope your next QOTD will be about TV stations.
- The Federalist - Thursday, Oct 2, 08 @ 11:26 am:
WLS Don Wade and Roma WDWS Champaign for local news and talk.
My favorite is WLS-AM because it has Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Mark Levin, and “Beyond the Beltway.” It also has a strong signal. I heard it while I was in northwest Arkansas, a 13-hour drive from Chicago.
IMHO, there is a proliferation of “classic rock” stations these days because there is a proliferation of older folks, like me, who listen to that type of music and thus are attractive to advertisers. Same goes with news/talk stations and country stations which generally include a healthy dose of “classic” country in their formats.
There are much fewer “modern” rock stations since most of that potential audience downloads most of their music and listens to their iPods. If this trend continues, the future of radio don’t look too good. Same probably holds true for TV as we now know it. Younger folks are simply too tied to the Internet .
Honestly, the only time I listen to the radio is to learn what songs I want to D/L with Pepsi points. Most of my music listening is via burned CD or from my cell phone (you can use memory cards for songs, too. No need for an iPod *^^* )
WSCR. Mike North is gone, Murph will leave next, i hope. I like B&B, Mully & Hanley. Steve Stone is a demi-god.
WLS-Don and Roma -Roe, and Deb Rowe.
- not on the clout list - Thursday, Oct 2, 08 @ 11:55 am:
As much as i love Farmer and Stoney’s broadcasts i gotta go with WDCB 90.9 FM-College of Dupage-Jazz all day with some funky vibes throw in-how can you not love a Saturday night of Blues,Reggae and more Blues? oh..and on Fridays they have a State House update @ 6:30
I listen to KTRS 550 AM for Frank O. Pinion (afternoon drive mindless humor) and to root against the Cardinals, but for Illinois station I’d give my vote to WMAY–Jim Leach is crazy good! (Or at least one of them.)
BTW—you don’t have to spend $400 on an ipod to listen to music. I bought a MP3 player for $40 that holds 300 or so songs—downloaded my CDs onto it and I have a larger playlist (commercial free, dog!) than most radio stations still around.
So yeah, Deep South, those ‘younger kids’ might have something there–I think this internet thing is going to stick around for a while…
- Dr. Johnny Fever - Thursday, Oct 2, 08 @ 12:03 pm:
WKRP
- Louis G. Atsaves - Thursday, Oct 2, 08 @ 12:16 pm:
WGN. Right talk of mix and news. Calls in on news stories of the day are a good gauge as to the mood of the people on that issue. And of course, sports like the Cubs.
was 88.3 “the rocket,”, now 88.3 “the edge,” student station at CAVC; can’t remember just now what the call letters are but great retro country on Tues nights and Bill Hickerson, “The Doctor”, on Sunday mornings. If you can ever catch “Fast” Eddie Ruebling doing either oldies or country what a treat it is. Straight-up unvarnished Ozark goodness. The real deal man, he flat out loves America & Elvis & I do, too.
wbez. although i listen to everything online now. i listen to chicago public radio in the car AND when i see a story i’m interested in at the links in the right hand column. you ought to charge ‘em for that space…
- Marconi and cheese - Thursday, Oct 2, 08 @ 12:44 pm:
Don’t get to hear much radio in the workday unless I’m on a road trip, then my choices up north are WXRT, WBEZ, or “The Nine FM” which is the same channel fed to three different stations, all with a 9 in their frequency.
WLS you can hear anywhere because of the signal strength, so in the afternoon drive, Roe is often fun, especially when he’s got the 3 PM update segment with his channel 7 buddy.
South, around the capitol It’s 88.3 FM The Edge with their eclectic, non-commercial mixes, and WUIS (NPR), especially for “State Week In Review” on fridays, but really almost any time, the weekend programming is also very good.
Way south, depending on the mood, it is KSHE sometimes, or the Carbondale university NPR station. The southern half of the state is a wasteland filled mostly with radio preachers and pop-country music, with a few automated AOR robots playing freebird one. more. time.
Mid days though, half the time at least, I’m jamming to mp3s because there’s too many commercials on most radio stations, particularly the Clear Channel stations and frankly WLS. I think if I totaled up the commercials versus the programming minutes for Roe, I would get very depressed.
Wordslinger, if you are in the Springfield area, see if you can tune in Taylorville’s 94.3 FM WMKR. That’s a station that plays a fair amount of classic country throughout the day.
Anon24, 88.3 FM “The Edge” is WQNA. That station truly will play anything!
It’s hard for me to pick a single station, because what I listen to depends on my mood at the time. I tend to channel surf on my car radio, mostly among these four Springfield-area FM stations:
93.9 “Abe” (any rock/pop in the last 40 years!)
97.7 “Alice” (adult alternative)
100.5 WYMG (classic rock)
“Cool” 101.9 (oldies, plus Beatle Brunch on Sundays)
As Eric Clapton once sang, “I’ve Got a Rock ‘n Roll Heart.”
Right, cover, and yes, good call on 94.3 especially on Saturday mornings—–great, great retro country on that one. They play that David Alan Coe (Steve Goodman) song every week that never fails to crack me up. ” I was drunk the day my mom got out of prison….”
- Dan S. a Voter and Cubs Fan - Thursday, Oct 2, 08 @ 1:38 pm:
X
R
T
Lin (and his bin), Terri, Frank, Jason, Mars, Wendy, Regular Guy, Marty, Richard, Marker, Kristin.
On top of all that they play great music (most of the time. Some of the specials are what make me change stations).
They tend to be Cubby lovers, but they don’t bash the Sox so that can be overlooked.
I find your synopsis of Southern Illinois radio to be right.on.the.money…at least for the most part. There are a few exceptions that would prove your rule.
WBBM on occasion for local news and traffic. Other than that, satellite radio (Sirius) exclusively - car, office and home. No commercials on the music channels and an infinite variety of musical choices.
- Give Me A Break - Thursday, Oct 2, 08 @ 2:05 pm:
WKRP in Cincinnati Play list is a little dated though.
97.1 The Drive. It reminds me of care free summer days, hangin with friends, pre-house payment, car payment and mounds of responsibilities. On the drive to and from the office, I let it all go, and for a while I’m 16 again. Not a care in the world.
WMAY in Springfield IL. Good Talk, informative, and very accessable to callers. Great during the tornado disaster 2 years ago when the other stations in Springfield were knocked out of commission.
Didn’t like that Mike Wilson was handled badly though.
Also like 91.9 UIS/NPR Other source of news, and a decent weekend linup. Cant stand Garrison Keilor though.
From their web site: Playing the best in blues, bluegrass, alternative and traditional country, rock, gospel and American Roots music.
They play all of that. It’s one of the strangest formats around and I don’t think there’s another one like it in Illinois. It’s fantastic cruising down the road music. Kind of like a slice of Americana.
For news in Central IL - WTAX
For Illinois oriented political talk - WLS
For Chicago area news - WBBM, WLS or WGN
- Team America - Thursday, Oct 2, 08 @ 11:13 am:
WBBM. Traffic and weather on the “eights”.
- Speaking At Will - Thursday, Oct 2, 08 @ 11:17 am:
As a radio station manager, and talk show host I am biased. I like my own radio station the most, WXAN 103.9 FM.
However with my own bias aside, In Southern Illinois there is no better source for news than 1340 AM WJPF. Tom Miller is professional and asks the right questions of all the local state reps and senators.
For music, 91.1 FM in Carbondale is the best. They have a huge variety of music, blues, jazz, opera, stuff you cant get anywhere else.
The station is completly staffed by volunteers and they do a great job. Check em out at www.wdbx.org
- Pot calling kettle - Thursday, Oct 2, 08 @ 11:17 am:
WXRT, best variety, DJs get to pick the tunes.
WNIJ all day. News, news, news, no commercials. NPR takes the time to explore and explain, no other network does that.
- Pot calling kettle - Thursday, Oct 2, 08 @ 11:18 am:
(I really wanted to rewrite the con-con question today…oh,well, at least the Cubs lost.)
- wordslinger - Thursday, Oct 2, 08 @ 11:21 am:
The Score. Harmless, mindless sports talk. Can be amusing at times.
Are there any classic country stations in Illinois? There’s a ton of classic rock. I picked up on classic country driving around the east coast and in Michigan. Great station concept for old hillbillies like me, if anyone wants to reach us (doubtful).
- VanillaMan - Thursday, Oct 2, 08 @ 11:22 am:
XMU
- Pat collins - Thursday, Oct 2, 08 @ 11:24 am:
I like RFD Illinois, farm based news
- Levois - Thursday, Oct 2, 08 @ 11:24 am:
I don’t have one any more. I really don’t listen to radio. Not even for music.
When Mancow was on I would listen to Q101. These days it would either be WGN for the Cubs or WLS for Rush Limbaugh. LOL! That is if I could actually stand listening to the radio.
I hope your next QOTD will be about TV stations.
- The Federalist - Thursday, Oct 2, 08 @ 11:26 am:
WLS Don Wade and Roma WDWS Champaign for local news and talk.
- S. Illinois - Thursday, Oct 2, 08 @ 11:37 am:
WLDS in Jacksonville. I learned a great deal from Gary Scott and Jerry Symons. They are both true professionals.
- Phil Collins - Thursday, Oct 2, 08 @ 11:37 am:
My favorite is WLS-AM because it has Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Mark Levin, and “Beyond the Beltway.” It also has a strong signal. I heard it while I was in northwest Arkansas, a 13-hour drive from Chicago.
- DzNts - Thursday, Oct 2, 08 @ 11:38 am:
1320 WKAN
- Deep South - Thursday, Oct 2, 08 @ 11:40 am:
IMHO, there is a proliferation of “classic rock” stations these days because there is a proliferation of older folks, like me, who listen to that type of music and thus are attractive to advertisers. Same goes with news/talk stations and country stations which generally include a healthy dose of “classic” country in their formats.
There are much fewer “modern” rock stations since most of that potential audience downloads most of their music and listens to their iPods. If this trend continues, the future of radio don’t look too good. Same probably holds true for TV as we now know it. Younger folks are simply too tied to the Internet .
- wordslinger - Thursday, Oct 2, 08 @ 11:46 am:
Unfortunately, US 99 up here just plays the young hat acts and crossover divas. No Cash, Haggard, Jones or Nelson.
- Pat collins - Thursday, Oct 2, 08 @ 11:49 am:
Younger folks are simply too tied to the Internet
Honestly, the only time I listen to the radio is to learn what songs I want to D/L with Pepsi points. Most of my music listening is via burned CD or from my cell phone (you can use memory cards for songs, too. No need for an iPod *^^* )
- Wumpus - Thursday, Oct 2, 08 @ 11:55 am:
WSCR. Mike North is gone, Murph will leave next, i hope. I like B&B, Mully & Hanley. Steve Stone is a demi-god.
WLS-Don and Roma -Roe, and Deb Rowe.
- not on the clout list - Thursday, Oct 2, 08 @ 11:55 am:
As much as i love Farmer and Stoney’s broadcasts i gotta go with WDCB 90.9 FM-College of Dupage-Jazz all day with some funky vibes throw in-how can you not love a Saturday night of Blues,Reggae and more Blues? oh..and on Fridays they have a State House update @ 6:30
- Vote Quimby! - Thursday, Oct 2, 08 @ 11:56 am:
I listen to KTRS 550 AM for Frank O. Pinion (afternoon drive mindless humor) and to root against the Cardinals, but for Illinois station I’d give my vote to WMAY–Jim Leach is crazy good! (Or at least one of them.)
BTW—you don’t have to spend $400 on an ipod to listen to music. I bought a MP3 player for $40 that holds 300 or so songs—downloaded my CDs onto it and I have a larger playlist (commercial free, dog!) than most radio stations still around.
So yeah, Deep South, those ‘younger kids’ might have something there–I think this internet thing is going to stick around for a while…
- Dr. Johnny Fever - Thursday, Oct 2, 08 @ 12:03 pm:
WKRP
- Louis G. Atsaves - Thursday, Oct 2, 08 @ 12:16 pm:
WGN. Right talk of mix and news. Calls in on news stories of the day are a good gauge as to the mood of the people on that issue. And of course, sports like the Cubs.
- anon24 - Thursday, Oct 2, 08 @ 12:20 pm:
was 88.3 “the rocket,”, now 88.3 “the edge,” student station at CAVC; can’t remember just now what the call letters are but great retro country on Tues nights and Bill Hickerson, “The Doctor”, on Sunday mornings. If you can ever catch “Fast” Eddie Ruebling doing either oldies or country what a treat it is. Straight-up unvarnished Ozark goodness. The real deal man, he flat out loves America & Elvis & I do, too.
- chic ster - Thursday, Oct 2, 08 @ 12:21 pm:
XRT Lin Brehmer loves baseball………GO WHITE SOX.
- bored now - Thursday, Oct 2, 08 @ 12:24 pm:
wbez. although i listen to everything online now. i listen to chicago public radio in the car AND when i see a story i’m interested in at the links in the right hand column. you ought to charge ‘em for that space…
- A Citizen - Thursday, Oct 2, 08 @ 12:31 pm:
AM1710 Antioch http://radio.macinmind.com/ streaming on internet Old Time Radio shows from 30s, 40s, 50,s.
- Kevin Fanning - Thursday, Oct 2, 08 @ 12:33 pm:
97.1 FM - The Drive, listening to it right now on itunes radio even while I’m in Champaign.
- wizard - Thursday, Oct 2, 08 @ 12:43 pm:
WLS-Don & Roma and Rush
- Marconi and cheese - Thursday, Oct 2, 08 @ 12:44 pm:
Don’t get to hear much radio in the workday unless I’m on a road trip, then my choices up north are WXRT, WBEZ, or “The Nine FM” which is the same channel fed to three different stations, all with a 9 in their frequency.
WLS you can hear anywhere because of the signal strength, so in the afternoon drive, Roe is often fun, especially when he’s got the 3 PM update segment with his channel 7 buddy.
South, around the capitol It’s 88.3 FM The Edge with their eclectic, non-commercial mixes, and WUIS (NPR), especially for “State Week In Review” on fridays, but really almost any time, the weekend programming is also very good.
Way south, depending on the mood, it is KSHE sometimes, or the Carbondale university NPR station. The southern half of the state is a wasteland filled mostly with radio preachers and pop-country music, with a few automated AOR robots playing freebird one. more. time.
Mid days though, half the time at least, I’m jamming to mp3s because there’s too many commercials on most radio stations, particularly the Clear Channel stations and frankly WLS. I think if I totaled up the commercials versus the programming minutes for Roe, I would get very depressed.
- lifer - Thursday, Oct 2, 08 @ 12:45 pm:
WGN (Kathy and Judy, Bob Sirott etc.) then WLS (Roe Conn and Don Wade and Roma)
- xrt listener - Thursday, Oct 2, 08 @ 1:08 pm:
WXRT
- Excessively rabid - Thursday, Oct 2, 08 @ 1:15 pm:
88.3 is WQNA. I like that one too.
- cover - Thursday, Oct 2, 08 @ 1:24 pm:
Wordslinger, if you are in the Springfield area, see if you can tune in Taylorville’s 94.3 FM WMKR. That’s a station that plays a fair amount of classic country throughout the day.
Anon24, 88.3 FM “The Edge” is WQNA. That station truly will play anything!
It’s hard for me to pick a single station, because what I listen to depends on my mood at the time. I tend to channel surf on my car radio, mostly among these four Springfield-area FM stations:
93.9 “Abe” (any rock/pop in the last 40 years!)
97.7 “Alice” (adult alternative)
100.5 WYMG (classic rock)
“Cool” 101.9 (oldies, plus Beatle Brunch on Sundays)
As Eric Clapton once sang, “I’ve Got a Rock ‘n Roll Heart.”
- anon24 - Thursday, Oct 2, 08 @ 1:29 pm:
Right, cover, and yes, good call on 94.3 especially on Saturday mornings—–great, great retro country on that one. They play that David Alan Coe (Steve Goodman) song every week that never fails to crack me up. ” I was drunk the day my mom got out of prison….”
- Dan S. a Voter and Cubs Fan - Thursday, Oct 2, 08 @ 1:38 pm:
Family Friendly WIBI
- Been There - Thursday, Oct 2, 08 @ 1:40 pm:
X
R
T
Lin (and his bin), Terri, Frank, Jason, Mars, Wendy, Regular Guy, Marty, Richard, Marker, Kristin.
On top of all that they play great music (most of the time. Some of the specials are what make me change stations).
They tend to be Cubby lovers, but they don’t bash the Sox so that can be overlooked.
- OneMan - Thursday, Oct 2, 08 @ 1:48 pm:
WDCB — Get some news, get some Jazz. Only place I can do both anymore (thanks WBEZ)
- Deep South - Thursday, Oct 2, 08 @ 1:57 pm:
Hey Marconi,
I find your synopsis of Southern Illinois radio to be right.on.the.money…at least for the most part. There are a few exceptions that would prove your rule.
- Captain Anerica - Thursday, Oct 2, 08 @ 2:00 pm:
I give NPR, WBEZ, 91.5FM the edge over WBBM-AM 780 the edge becasue of a much greater variety and depth of news/public affairs coverage.
- Just the Facts - Thursday, Oct 2, 08 @ 2:04 pm:
WBBM on occasion for local news and traffic. Other than that, satellite radio (Sirius) exclusively - car, office and home. No commercials on the music channels and an infinite variety of musical choices.
- Give Me A Break - Thursday, Oct 2, 08 @ 2:05 pm:
WKRP in Cincinnati Play list is a little dated though.
- Bluefish - Thursday, Oct 2, 08 @ 2:08 pm:
WLS - Roe Conn and Don Wade and Roma for the commute back and forth.
- Say WHAT? - Thursday, Oct 2, 08 @ 2:25 pm:
97.1 The Drive. It reminds me of care free summer days, hangin with friends, pre-house payment, car payment and mounds of responsibilities. On the drive to and from the office, I let it all go, and for a while I’m 16 again. Not a care in the world.
- JonShibleyFan - Thursday, Oct 2, 08 @ 3:16 pm:
I’m with OneMan.
Don’t know if it’s my favorite, but I enjoy listening. It is the Chicago-area’s home for State Week in Review, too.
- Ben - Thursday, Oct 2, 08 @ 3:57 pm:
WXRT
WBEZ
WDCB
WLUW
WNUR
WHPK
- JZJL23 - Thursday, Oct 2, 08 @ 4:32 pm:
ESPN Radio 1000
- How Ironic - Thursday, Oct 2, 08 @ 4:45 pm:
WMAY in Springfield IL. Good Talk, informative, and very accessable to callers. Great during the tornado disaster 2 years ago when the other stations in Springfield were knocked out of commission.
Didn’t like that Mike Wilson was handled badly though.
Also like 91.9 UIS/NPR Other source of news, and a decent weekend linup. Cant stand Garrison Keilor though.
- JAZZ FAN - Thursday, Oct 2, 08 @ 5:20 pm:
WFMT
WLUW
WNUR
WDCB
WHPK
- Ken - Thursday, Oct 2, 08 @ 6:18 pm:
Flame away, but WCPT 820 AM Chicago.
- Peter - Thursday, Oct 2, 08 @ 6:43 pm:
WGN. No one else comes close.
- Roadkill - Thursday, Oct 2, 08 @ 8:36 pm:
WWHP, The Whip in Farmer City.
From their web site: Playing the best in blues, bluegrass, alternative and traditional country, rock, gospel and American Roots music.
They play all of that. It’s one of the strangest formats around and I don’t think there’s another one like it in Illinois. It’s fantastic cruising down the road music. Kind of like a slice of Americana.
For news in Central IL - WTAX
For Illinois oriented political talk - WLS
For Chicago area news - WBBM, WLS or WGN
- Captain Flume - Thursday, Oct 2, 08 @ 9:23 pm:
WXRT–great variety of music, DJs with wit (not nitwits). I listen every time I get north of Dwight where the signal’s limitations seem to begin/end.
- Michael - Friday, Oct 3, 08 @ 12:14 am:
I listen to quite a bit of WILL-AM as well as the U of I student station, WPGU.
- jessica - Friday, Oct 3, 08 @ 10:46 am:
91.5 for the public radio, 90.9 for All things Jazz, 94.7 for the oldies!