JJ Gerard

JJ Gerard

Photo: Rewind 93.5


Mornings

How it all started (radio)

My radio career started in the Spring of 1985 at the University of Iowa campus station, KRUI – where I did news one afternoon a week

How it’s going

All these years later & I’m still having fun on the radio.  I’ve been doing mornings in Springfield since December 1st, 2015

My favorite local hobby

Sitting on the tailgate of my truck, having a cup of coffee on the Lake Springfield shore on an early Spring or Fall morning.

My favorite local event

The Glenwood High School show choir invitational “The EVENT.” My kids were part of the Glenwood Show Choir TITAN FEVER.  -AND- I enjoy the plays at the Legacy Theater.

My family

Married to Karen for 20+ years, with 2 kids – Nate is in college at the Univ of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, & Katie is studying at LLCC. We have 2 dogs – Fozzie & Sully – & several brightly-colored fish.

Where I came from

I was born & raised in Dubuque, Iowa (travel to the upper left corner of Illinois, cross the Mississippi River & you’ll be in Dubuque) Since I finished college at Iowa I have lived & been on the radio in Cedar Rapids, Cincinnati, and Milwaukee before I moved to Springfield.

My claim to fame

I have been in 2 Hollywood movies: The Sylvester Stallone movie F.I.S.T. – it’s about the trucker’s union in the 1940’s, and Take This Job & Shove It -yes, based on the Johnny Paycheck song. Both were filmed in my hometown when I was a teenager (the local casting director is a good friend of my parents – so…)  I got to see myself on the big screen in each of them.  BTW: that same casting director is the reason the Field of Dreams is in Eastern Iowa, also.

 

Recent Headlines

20 hours ago in Entertainment, History, Lifestyle, Local, Route 66 100th Anniversary Guide

Downtown Springfield becomes the starting line for the 2,300-mile long Great Race

The busy weekend kicked off with a downtown drone show celebrating Juneteenth and the arrival of the Great Race. Dahl called the event a success and credited cooperation among city, state and federal partners.

1 day ago in Education, Entertainment, History, IL State News, Local, Music, National

‘A home for hope’: Obama Presidential Center christened in grand opening ceremony

The project, under construction on Chicago’s southside since 2021, will open its doors to the public on Friday.

2 days ago in Entertainment

Former child actor Daveigh Chase, ‘The Ring’ villain and Lilo voice, dies at 35

Former child actor Daveigh Chase, known for her youthful voice in Disney's "Lilo & Stitch" and her villainous performance in the thriller "The Ring," has died. She was 35.

2 days ago in Business, Entertainment, Food Scene, Lifestyle, Local, Music

Bus Stop is latest attempt for a downtown bar

The building at Fifth and Monroe was most recently Whiskey Jack's.