Meet the DJs

Volunteering since 1997
DJ on Roots Rockin’ Reggae
WDBX has been a part of my family’s life for over 25 years. It all started with my husband and daughter volunteering for the early Saturday morning shift, and has wound up being my “retirement” job, as I am now the manager of the station. I guess you could say, WDBX is my 4th child!

At WDBX since October 1999
DJ on ’80s HADES

Did you have a college station that you loved? A station where you could hear blues, disco, bluegrass, reggae, jazz and punk tunes back to back just because the DJs answered to no one? WDBX is that station, with a southern Illinois twist. It’s the coolest station in town, running on a shoestring budget and staffed by volunteer DJs who play music you won’t hear on the radio anywhere else. It’s the perennial underdog. It’s community. It’s freedom. It’s the American dream made real, throbbing away 24/7/365 at 91.1 megahertz in the middle of the heartland. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry…it will become a part of you. For Pete’s sake, how could you not love it?

’80s HADES started out as a GeoCities website in the late ’90s. After I arrived in Carbondale in August 1999, I stumbled upon a WDBX information table at an event at Turley Park. As a bona fide member of Generation X whose teenage years were smack dab in the middle of the ’80s, it had always been a dream of mine to share ’80s music with the peoples of the world. I filled out an application to create a show along those lines, and by October 1999, I was on the air. ’80s HADES has bounced around ever since, from Friday mornings to Friday afternoons to Tuesday evenings, where it now resides. The original goal of the show was to return the forgotten hits of the 1980s to the airwaves, but as the decades have passed and my music collection has grown, the show has become more eclectic, focusing on pop, rock, alternative, punk, postpunk and new wave, but stretching from country to reggae to blues to thrash.

At WDBX since 1996
DJ on Folksounds, Not Necessarily Bluegrass. Previous show Back 2 Bluegrass

I love the freedom to share anything I want with the audience including my opinions. Most folks probably just want to hear the music, but I think informed and reasonable commentary is critical to counter the fake news that’s out there. So far, I’ve received only positive feedback to my programming. Being able to have live performances in the studio is fantastic! We are unique in that regard. I believe the audience loves to get to know our local artists and hear the stories about how their songs were written. WDBX has such great listener support. It takes a community to raise a radio station!

My first experience in radio was performing parodies live on the air in Little Rock, Arkansas where I’m from. Then I was given the opportunity to have a show one summer on the student radio station WIDB at SIU. After recording a couple of successful television shows on WSIU-TV8, I was asked to host a popular radio program on WSIU-FM when the long time host was leaving. That cemented my love of broadcasting and led me to this brand new community radio station which I was instrumental in helping plan. I attended the first volunteer meeting and landed a time slot for a show that began the first week that the station went full time in March 1996. Back to Bluegrass was the biggest fundraiser of any show for the first ten years. My co-host and I decided to retire the show after twenty years when our sons started playing school sports. We couldn’t do the show along with practices and games and such. I came back to WDBX in November 2023. The following June I was handed the key and the manual to the transmitter processor. Now the station sounds better than ever and we are constantly making improvements to the rest of the facility. It is amazing that this building is 28 years old as of this writing (9/14/24) and we are showing no signs of slowing down! The future is bright and LOUD here at WDBX 91.1FM Community Radio for Southern Illinois!

DJing at WDBX since 1997
DJs on Waking up with Porter
We love being able to lift up the name of Jesus in Word and Songs of Glory for the last 26 years
Solidly Souled Out to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

At WDBX since 2021
DJ on Think Again, Please

Although I rarely, if ever, see my fellow volunteers, I always feel a kind of camaraderie among us. It feels like a family ready to support its members and the community.

I retired 22 years ago and am busier now than at any time in my working career. That wonderful career has allowed me to spend my final years giving back in gratitude for the privileges I’ve enjoyed.

At WDBX since 2000
DJ on Her Turn Radio

I’m just an Old Girl spreading love through music.

I love WDBX because it represents the diversity of Carbondale residents. I enjoy many genres of music and WDBX is the only radio station that plays them all.

At WDBX since November 2003

DJ on Professor Wittman’s Lollypop Shoppe
Previous shows: The Frodis Room (2003-2008), Apples & Oranges (2008-2013)

I enjoy being able to share music I find and enjoy myself. In a way, having a radio program keeps the excitement of finding new (old) music enjoyable. When I find something I truly enjoy, I keep the listeners in mind. I have been on the air since late 2003. Through life we have some rough patches and sometimes those two hours on the air can be the best medicine. The station luckily remains a staple of the community. With ever changing economic developments in our area, it’s still one of the few things left that gives Carbondale it’s unique identity.

Growing up, my mother sat me in front of the television to watch The Monkees. Not long after, she brought the Beatles into my life. Her old records were of those groups along with an array of other 1960’s (and beyond) artists. My thirst for more sounds from the 1960’s period developed and it still goes on. It truly is a never ending pool of recordings that may or may never have gotten past being a regional hit (or non-hit), a demo, an unreleased session, or even past someone’s basement. These are the recordings I seek and want to share with my listeners.

At WDBX since January 2013
DJ on Isn’t It Queer

I love being a part of the WDBX family. I like being part of something that is truly made for and by the community. I also like co-hosting a show that was started by others in the community and (I hope) will be passed on to others when I can no longer do it.

When I’m not puttering about with sound equipment and software, I enjoy being a Communication Studies professor at SIU where I teach courses in rhetoric and performance studies and specialize in environmental communication. I split my time pretty evenly between LGBTQ and environmental advocacy. I am particularly interested in sparking people’s aesthetic creativity to address the many challenges that face us, and exploring those beautifully queer spaces where art and science meet.

At WDBX since 7/21/2020
DJ on Marvelous Music of the Midwest

I listen to WDBX every day here in Carbondale. I love Carbondale and am proud to have been born and raised in this area. I believe in the permanence of community radio

Born in Carbondale and raised in Benton, I’ve taken in a large dose of Midwestern culture. I’ve been playing music since I was 3, and the two collide naturally. Growing up in the Midwest define who I am as an artist. As a co-host of Marvelous Music of the Midwest, we will pinpoint the particular characteristics that make up a midwestern artist as we dig into all genres of music coming from the Midwest.

At WDBX since June 1999
DJ on Your Community Spirit

DJ BIO: Aur ‘Da Energy Mon’ Beck, chief tech of Advanced Energy Solutions, educator and radio personality, has lived off grid for 18 years and empowers YOU to get energized with renewable energy. Learn real, fun, interesting and low cost ways to start living the off grid mentality now. Start Simply, Start Now!

Aur is an energy efficiency advocate and is double NABCEP Certified with his company, AES Solar, installing solar since 1999. He is a founder and on the board of the Illinois Renewable Energy Association. He has a weekly radio talk show, Your Community Spirit, but he would like to be known mostly for Oil Addicts Anonymous International (a real 12 step program). For fun he cooks, dances salsa and volunteers with Rotary.

WDBX Alumni – At WDBX since June 2020
DJ on Bring in the Night

DJ BIO: I like long walks on the beach, going to the mall, and talking on the phone with my friends.

A Southern Illinois native, happy to be home and playing a small role in the music scene.

At WDBX Since: 2000
DJ on Your Community Spirit, The Climate Book Review. Previous show: The Library of Alexandria

I am a father, husband, author, talk radio host, and Real-Life Superhero. I enjoy hearing from listeners who liked my show or have read my books! You can find me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

I love the fact that WDBX is a community radio station that broadcasts such a wide range of music and talk that isn’t available elsewhere. I like to say that WDBX features every type of music you can imagine — and some that you can’t! I’m glad to do my part by talking on the air about climate justice, local events, and local authors.

On Air Since 2015, Volunteer Since 2004
DJ on Unintelligible

Keep WDBX weird! In addition to DJing I also maintain the WDBX website. I enjoy unicycling, searching for four-leaf clovers.

The best thing about community radio is that if you don’t like what’s on right now you can just wait a few hours and there will be something completely different playing.

WDBX DJ SINCE: February 1996
DJ on Stoned Soup, Previous shows: The Sarah Mae Show & Goulash

DJ BIO: I like to play music without much talking. If you tune in you’ll hear classic rock, golden oldies, some folk, and even some more modern tunes I love. Be aware of the occasional ‘off genre’ tune or set.

I love WDBX not only for all of the unique and wonderful programming but also because of all the people I’ve met through the station. WDBX is truly a community effort and I love that. Whether it’s just in passing before or after a show, volunteering at or attending one of our events, or even the process of training new DJs, I’ve gotten to acquire several new friends I may never have met otherwise.

WDBX DJ SINCE: Before I was married to my sweet precious wife. Been married 12 plus.
DJ on Starchild & Rose Marie, Board Technician for the Met Opera and Murphysboro Sports

DJ BIO: “@–)— :O)” is my broadcast goal. If I can help just one person to laugh and forget problems, that is my goal. :O)

May you be filled with love and kindness. May you be peaceful and at ease. And may you be well. Can’t we all just get along on this teeny little thing called earth!

WDBX DJ SINCE: November 2018
DJ on Encouragementology

DJ BIO: I’m a Professional Life & Addiction Recovery Coach and director of multiple support groups in the area. I love to #sharelearngrow and connecting people is the best way to do that! I started with WDBX with the hopes of providing positive alternatives to some of life’s challenges. It’s a fun way to pick up meaningful tools for your own journey to self-discovery.

I love community radio and especially the dedication and energy of WDBX. It’s so important to give community members a voice and we have a strong and diverse group. Connecting, informing, and entertaining in this manner is important for our are and adds a level of community spirit that can’t be matched.

WDBX DJ SINCE: 2015

DJ BIO: Hey howdy hey I just love talkin’ and I’m getting a handle on reeling in the shriekin’.

I was born on the floor in Murphysboro, raised in the back room in Makanda, and refined to a luxurious laminate in Carbondale. I’m a slice of baloney on the car paint of Jackson County and while we’re not all in the same boat, we’re all in the same storm. Yeehaw.

WDBX Alumni – DJ SINCE: June 2018
DJ for Dr. Oskar’s Listenin’ Prescriptions

Too many radio stations, commercial and non-commercial rely too much (in my opinion) on replaying the same material too often. WDBX Dj’s do a great job of not following that norm. However Dr. Oskar guarantees a new, unique show every week, without replays unless a song is requested to replay. There’s too much unheard music out there that deserves radio airtime, and listeners deserve to hear it. So Dr. Oskar is here to “prescribe” it!

The variety anyone can experience on any given day is what makes this station and the community it serves so special.

WDBX DJ SINCE: 5/21/20 (previously 1998-2001)

DJ BIO: From the late 80’s through the late 90’s I worked commercial radio at several local stations (WDDD & WOOZ), as well as commercial stations in Springfield/Taylorville, Il. – Hawesville, KY and Tell City, IN. I did my first run on WDBX from 1998-2001. I also did this show for about 5 years give or take (2002-2007?), at WCOM in Carrboro/Chapel Hill, NC. I returned to WDBX in May of 2015.

I’ve lived in several states and cities, Carbondale is home. 🙂 The best part of coming back into the WDBX fold, is hearing from folks that used to listen to the show in the 90’s. Repeat customers are the best. 😉