Shows
Storytellers StudioS1 E121 WLS Radio UNWOUND: AGAIN - Another Radio Reunion ShowYour podcast host Tim Larson had the honor of being part of the Unwound production team...AGAIN! Tim's off microphone duties included photography, video and promotional products. This time Ted Gorden Smucker gathered Chicago radio legends while in town for the National Radio Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Two WLS alum joined that prestigious group...Fred Winston and Charlie Van Dyke. This episode was hosted by Scott Childers and included studio guests Fred Winston and Lyle Dean and satellite remote guest Jeff Davis from Hollywood, California. You'll hear airchecks from many familiar voices from the...
2026-10-111h 27Storytellers StudioS1 E119 TIM LARSON'S tribute to DOLLY PARTONTim Larson mentioned the day Dolly Parton died that her full story will now be told. Dolly was not one to brag about her charitable reach to others. She was, however, a big and bold entertainer on stage, television, radio and at the Grand Ole Opry. She made an impression. Here's Tim's personal tribute to Dolly.Recorded September 24, 2026
2026-09-2418 minStorytellers StudioS1 E117 ERIC ANDERSON - Director of the USA National KUBB ChampionshipKUBB is a Swedish lawn game that is on fire! Tournaments around the world are growing by leaps and bounds. There's a new documentary out called The Kings of KUBB. Learn all about what your host Tim Larson has loved since 2011. This game has brought Eric and Tim together and the friendship circle is about to widen in 2027 during the national championship's 20th year. See a preview online at usakubb.org.Recorded in Eau Claire, Wisconsin on September 15, 2026.
2026-09-1836 minStorytellers StudioS1 E116 GRANT DePORTER - President of Harry Caray's Restaurant Group Chicago, IllinoisTim Larson and Grant DePorter met just ten minutes before hitting the record button for this episode. Their paths crossed decades ago through the Chicago Cubs. Sports fans often feel like they know each other because of their shared experiences. And, needless to say, this baseball team has given us plenty as they celebrate their National League fanchise anniversary of 150 years.This show also features recordings of Harry Caray, Cubs fans at Wrigley Field, Bob Costas, Tim Larson's radio friends Scott Childers, Liz Wylder and Doug McDuff. So step up to the plate and enjoy personal heartfelt...
2026-09-0439 minStorytellers StudioS1 E115 JEAN GINNER with Pam Osborne of Keep Northern Illinois BeautifulYour host Tim Larson was on Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful's first Board of Directors in 1987. Since then it's been a passionate partnership in promoting recycling and re-using eveything possible. They have introduced and built unique partnerships between companies thatthrive today. You'll will learn how Rockford, Illinois does it and how you can participate in your respective communites worldwide.Recorded in the KNIB collection warehouse.August 20, 2026
2026-08-2341 minStorytellers StudioS1 E114 TIM LARSON - More Songwriting and Ai Studio ProductionTim Larson has many more songs to share. He has written all the lyrics of every song. He then uses an Ai production company either in London, England or Cambridge, Massachusetts to add vocals and music. Tim has the thoughts, but zero musical ability.Recorded at Rotary Botanical Gardens in Janesville, Wisconsin.August 17, 2026
2026-08-181h 11Storytellers StudioS1 E114 TIM LARSON - More Songwriting and Ai studio productionTim Larson has many more songs to share. He has written all the lyrics of every song. He then uses an Ai production company either in London, England or Cambridge, Massachusetts to add vocals and music. Tim has the thoughts, but zero musical ability.Recorded at Rotary Botanical Gardens in Janesville, Wisconsin.August 17, 2026
2026-08-171h 11Storytellers StudioS1 E113 CANDICE KING - Longtime Rockford Meteorologist at WTVO-TV and WQRF-TVTim Larson will tell you that Candice King is one of the nicest media people he's ever known. She was raised on a dairy farm in northern Illinois and knows firsthand what accurate weather forecasting means to farmers. She shares over seventeen years worth of weather events. Regardless of where you live, you'll appreciate her stories and her take on bringing forecasts to the audience during tense situations.Recorded at the new studio at Edgebrook: August 6, 2026.
2026-08-0647 minStorytellers StudioS1 E112 CHICAGO CUBS FAN STORIES FROM OUTSIDE WRIGLEY FIELDTim Larson was dressed in a pitch black Chicago Cubs jersey with gold logos and the number forty-two across his back. This is just one way Tim honors Jackie Robinson. With his portable microphone in hand, he entered with purpose into the crowd lined up for the bleachers gates in hopes of receiving a 60's replica jersey from Budweiser. Fans from all over the country, a vast variety of Cubs stories and baseball tales connected to many other teams The random group of folks truly upheld the Wrigley Field reputation of baseball's Friendly Confines.This show was...
2026-08-0252 minStorytellers StudioS1 E111 SUSAN AASEN - Ojibwa Tribe and Al Capone Hideout partnershipTim Larson met Susan Aasen at the Al Capone Hideout near Hayward, Wisconsin thanks to Mike and Tam Kahler. The Lac Courte Oreilles Band of the Lake Superior Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin have combined efforts to hold events at the property and restores its buildings.A 1925 stone and log home with an eight car garage and machine gun turret. Once use for bootlegging and prostitution will hopefully soon be for holiday meal events and weddings.It's located just off Highway CC south of Hayward, Wisconsin near Couderay. The Ojibwa tribal band and Susan have begun...
2026-07-1848 minStorytellers StudioS1 E109 ED HARTIG - Chicago Cubs baseball historian celebrating their 150th yearTim Larson attended the 2026 Cubs Convention in January of 2026 when it was minus seven degrees in Chicago. Cubs fans banded together that weekend and broke attendance records. Ed Hartig was a presenter for Cubs history and also myths surrounding Chicago baseball.Tim wanted to learn more. So, by chance, Tim later that day was introduced to Jennifer Martinez the Director of Cubs Communications. She mentioned do some kind of a collaboration. They brainstormed as the season approached and the upcoming shows are the result.You'll likely learn more about the Friendly Confines and understand the...
2026-07-0834 minStorytellers StudioS1 E108 CHUCK BUELL - Radio industry icon and all around good guy!Tim Larson met Chuck Buell in August of 2022 at a radio event in Chicago, Illinois. They've made sure their paths have crossed frequently since then. They purposely reflect on great memories in and out of radio studios and then consciously build new ones. You'll hear several aircheck inserts throughout their conversion just outside Denver, Colorado.Recorded July 1, 2026.
2026-07-071h 12Storytellers StudioS1 E107 TIM LARSON at CMA Fest 2026 in Nashville, TennesseeAfter being in country music radio for several years, Tim Larson found his was to Nashville for the largest country music festival in the world. This episode is his stories from the five day shindig...seeing old friends and meeting plenty of new ones. Concerts, songwriters sessions, meet and greets, tours, museums and, of course, performaces at The Grand Ole Opry.Recorded May 7 & 8, 2026 both in Nashville and northern Illinois.
2026-06-101h 11Storytellers StudioS1 E106 PETE BATTISTINI - American Top 40 with Casey KasemPete Battistini has more American Top 40 memorabilia than anyone in the world. Tim Larson met up with him among the vast antique radio collection of Rick Washburne. Pete is the author of two books covering both decades of Casey Kasem's history making countdown show. (Find them at AT40books.com or on Amazon)Special thanks to Ted Gorden Smucker for introducing us, Art Vuolo for arranging the location and videography, and Kevin O' Neill for his voice work. Johnny Marks supplied the audio for the four WROK mentions.Recorded on Memorial Day May 25, 2026 in Indianapolis...
2026-05-2637 min
Lifes 3x5sS5 E8 - Words Always Mean Much Than You'll Know - Ink Well Book StoreAndrea hosted this episode at her new book store in Rockton, Illinois. The Ink Well proudly features local authors including three books from your podcast host Tim Larson Dingus.Liz and Tim covered more territory in this show than any other. Grab some paper and a pen before you join in.Recorded January 21, 2026.
2026-01-231h 01Storytellers StudioS1 E104 ANDY LITTLETON - Defining "Friendly Confines" at the 2026 Chicago Cubs ConventionAndy Littleton and Tim Larson were among thousands of Chicago Cubs fans waiting in line for autographs at the 2026 Chicago Cubs baseball convention. Those generic pleasantries went much farther than either expected. They shared the pride of thier baseball card collections and took each other's pictures with our favorite players from the 1970s...Ray Burris and Jose Cardinal. Then it became obvious that they should record these stories and see where it goes.Recorded January 17, 2026 along the river in downtown Chicago.Here's more on Andy Littleton...2000 Miles to Wrigley Project (maybe the book...
2026-01-2053 minStorytellers StudioS1 E103 STEVE YORK - Bitten by the radio bug and then the entertainment bugSteve York and Tim Larson met through Ted Gorden Smucker in Joliet, Illinois at the Illinois Rock n Roll Hall of Fame induction concert. He was representing WCFL radio along with Chuck Knapp and Bill Taylor. Tim knew there was more to Steve's story after hearing about Tony Bennett.Recorded on Decembe 5, 2025 at Saz's Steak House in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
2025-12-1046 minStorytellers StudioS1 E102 MELINDA HAGERMAN - Stories about Rockford, Illinois from the center of the cityMelinda Hagerman and Tim Larson have been friends for decades and it was high time to capture some of their stories centered around Rockford, Illinois. They have always learned something new from each other and neither have no idea where any conversation will go. Today's episode at Benson Stone and Hearth Rock Cafe is no exception.Recorded December 3, 2025.
2025-12-041h 32Storytellers StudioS1 E101 - ART VUOLO's 80th birthday party storiesTwenty two friends contributed to this episode. We were gathered in sunny Michigan for Art's Radio Reunion/Birthday Party. It was a milestone so folks came in from all over the country. Art's passion for radio and his circle of friends is obvious to all who've met him. This is everyone's chance to be a part of the day. In order appearance: Joey Reynolds, Chuck Knapp, Scott Childers, Johnny O., Don Beno, Andy St. John, Brian Major, Denny Schaffer & Kim Carson, Barry Mardit, Mike Austerman, Phlash Phelps, "Radio's Best Friend" song by Mike Lamb, JoJo Shutty-McGregor, Rob...
2025-10-091h 01Storytellers StudioS1 E100 MARTY ROSS - The Wrecking Crew and Monkee Mania RadioTim Larson got a call from Marty Ross at 10:42am. Marty was leaving Rockford, Illinois for Los Angeles, California that afternoon at four. Within three minutes, they agreed to meet each other for the first time to do this episode at the Potato Shak diner. They had absolutely no idea where the conversation was to begin and more so where it would end. Buckle up for a tilt-a-whirl of chatter like neither of these guys had ever experienced.Recorded September 17, 2025.
2025-10-0258 minStorytellers StudioS1 E97 Celebrating 815 Day in Rockford with short stories!Everyone has experienced Rockford, Illinois in a genuinely original way.Whether you’re 22 years old or 92, you have a very unique short story. To help celebrate 815 Day (August 15th, 2025), your host Tim Larson has collected snippets from longtime friends and complete strangers. This is the ultimate Storytellers Studio podcast episode. See much more and other shows at timlarsonmedia.com.
2025-08-091h 00Storytellers StudioS1 E96 - WLS Unwound Radio Reunion showThe Big 89 WLS radio celebrated the 65th anniversary of the Musicradio format of the 60's and 70's. They were the Rock of Chicago! In addition to an epic party, Ted Gorden Smucker gathered the finest radio announcers of that era for a roundtable conversation and on-air excerpts from the past. It was a beehive.Scott Childers hosted the show. Guests included Tommy Edwards, Chuck Knapp, Catherine Johns, Chuck Buell and Jim Kerr.The behind-the-scenes production team included Art Vuolo, Ted Gorden Smucker, Bill Shannon, Tim Larson, Don Beno, Tyler Bravo, Joey Domenick and Kipper McGee.
2025-07-291h 40Storytellers StudioS1 E95 STEVE SCORFINA - Early legacy member of REO SpeedwagonSteve Scorfina and Kathleen Sullivan had only met your host Tim Larson two weeks prior to the recording of this episode. They were all attending a charity event at the Hard Rock Casino in Rockford, Illinois. One conversation led to another very quickly and the next thing ya know Tim was photographing the REO Speedwagon Legacy Reunion Concert in the city where it all began. Steve's stories are amazing and will leave you saying, "There's no way a person can make this up!"Recorded the day after the show on the terrace of the I Hotel in...
2025-06-221h 18Lifes 3x5sS5 E3 From Fork to Frantic at NED'S DINERWhen we find nice people and good food we squat for a bit and do a show. Strap in for a huge array of topics and recorded inserts. From Paul Harvey and Gil Gross from 1983 to current songs from Tim Larson's pen. Liz takes us to Texas and we introduce our new website!Recorded at Ned's Diner (between Rockford and Belvidere on Business Route 20) May 15, 2025
2025-05-161h 17Storytellers StudioS1 E92 DUNCAN GEDDES - Former Head Golf Pro at Aldeen Golf ClubDuncan and Tim Larson are connect eight ways to Tuesday. You'll find out how during the episode. Learn about The Masters at Augusta, Georgia, Norris Aldeen and the restoration of the golf course's famous barn. You don't have to be a golfer to enjoy this episode. After the exit of the show, listen for the song "Hooked on Hayward" referenced in the conversation.Duncan is currently the Executive Director at the Park Chamber of Commerce for Loves Park and Machesney Park, Illinois.Recorded April 15, 2025 in the clubhouse of the Aldeen Golf Club in Rockford, Illinois.
2025-04-1554 minStorytellers StudioS1 E91 TIM LARSON - Songwriting and AiYour host Tim Larson decided about two months ago to try his hand at songwriting. Actually laying down his thoughts that were scribbled on many small sheets of paper over the previous year. With absolutely no musical skills, he sent the lyrics to London, England. The producers magically use Ai to combine genre, tempo and singer gender choices into a song.Here are the inspirations and back stories for each of Tim's first nine songs. You have complete freedom to rate these songs as if you were in the audience of American Bandstand with Dick Clark.
2025-04-041h 01Storytellers StudioS1 E87 - WHITNEY MARTIN - Director of Made For Rockford at Visitors BureauWhitney Martin and Tim Larson have known each other for a long time. Sharing the back stories of television and radio is just the beginning. Charity work together, bloopers and dancing. You'll have to tune in to sort it all out.Recorded at the Rockford Area Convention and Visitors Bureau in downtown Rockford, Illinois on January 30, 2025.
2025-01-3053 minStorytellers StudioS1 E86 - KELLIE OLIVENCIA & LAURA GIBBS-GREEN - ILLINOIS SNOW SCULPTING COMPETITION 2025Tim Larson founded his promotional advertising company the very same year the Illinois Snow Sculpting Competition handed out their first awards. Tim has sponsored, volunteered and supplied trophies even since. Between the three of them, Laura, Kellie and Tim will draw back the curtain and share little know facts about what it takes to conduct this 39 year old winter display.Recorded in the Rockford Park District Board Room on January 27, 2025.
2025-01-2733 minStorytellers StudioS1 E85 - TIM JOHNSON - General Manager of KSAM & KHVL radio in TexasTim Johnson and Tim Larson worked side by side at WROK radio in Rockford, Illinois in the med '80s. Our promotional meetings were always a high level of brainstorming. They mastered the art of connecting listeners and sponsors to the overall on-air experience for the good of the station. Say it was simply fun would be a huge understatement. Tim Johnson was also a terrific host in the Houston area when Tim Larson needed it most.Recorded at the Edgebrook Studio in Rockford, Illinois on December 23, 2024.
2024-12-241h 18Storytellers StudioS1 E82 - BRIAN THOMAS - Professional photographerBrain Thomas and Tim Larson have known each other since the late 80's. They met as members of the Ski Broncs Water Ski Show Team in Loves Park, Illinois. They have literally shared life with each other on so many levels...projects, business, campfires, photo shoots and more. Recorded on November 20, 2024 in the twelfth floor bar of the Embassy Suites Hotel in downtown Rockford, Illinois.
2024-11-211h 04Storytellers StudioS1 E81 - RILEY O'NEIL - Veteran Morning show host at WROK radio in Rockford, IllinoisTim Larson and Liz Wylder have known Riley O'Neil since the 80's. He celebrated his twenty third anniversary as WROK's morning show host on Halloween 2023. We all grew up in the radio industry together...getting our feet wet, stumbling and setting several broadcasting milestones. Our memories of course are all contributions to the one hundred year history (est. 1923) and legacy of WROK radio in Rockford, Illinois. WZOK-FM still is the sister station and was established in 1949. Recorded at the Edgebrook studio in Rockford, Illinois on November 8, 2024.
2024-11-091h 46Storytellers StudioS1 E80 - JOHN LOMBARDO of Smashed Plastic Record Pressing in ChicagoTim Larson and John Lombardo had only met just before the tour of Smashed Plastic Record Pressing factory in Chicago, Illinois. The recent resurgence of music on vinyl and the need shown by the region bands encouraged John and his two partners to go all in. You'll find it is a very thoughtful and purposeful manufacturing facility. They and others are housed in the former Hammond Organ plant.Recorded September 26, 2024.
2024-10-0747 minStorytellers StudioS1 E79 - SCOTT CHILDERS - WLS Radio historian, announcer, news reporter and more.Scott Childers is the definition of a radio station's utility person...he can do everything...and does. Tim Larson spent all afternoon in the WLS studios in downtown Chicago reliving the Big 89 days. It's WLS's 100th birthday! And thanks to Michael Garay for sharing his career from behind-the-scenes. You'll hear many audio inserts from past WLS air talent throughout this conversation. We are very proud to also include a highlight reel from the WLS Rewind Reunion which aired on Memorial Day 2008.Recorded September 25, 2024.
2024-10-012h 09Storytellers StudioS1 E77 - IRLENE MANDRELL - Musician, National television show host, Model and much more!Irlene is the youngest of the Mandrell sisters. Tim Larson has known Barbara and Louise for decades, but had only known Irlene for seventeen minutes on the phone before sitting down for this chat in her kitchen. She is personality plus and willing to talk about anything thrown at her. It was 96 degrees that day in Tennessee.Recorded September 20, 2024.
2024-09-2756 minStorytellers StudioS1 E76 SAMANTHA HOCHMANN - Deep Inside the Tinker Swiss CottageTim Larson and Samantha Hochmann had known each other for a grand total of sixty seconds, but, as it turns out, their common ground stories stretched for centuries. Robert Tinker was a generous man to the city of Rockford, Illinois. Mary and Jessie followed suit in so many ways. Learn how and enjoy this historical conversation surrounding the mansion on the bluff in the mid 1800's.Recorded August 20, 2024 in the parlor of the Tinker Swiss Cottage.
2024-08-2157 minStorytellers StudioS1 E75 KATHI KRESOL - Author of books and articles about Rockford, Illinois historyKathi Kresol is the author of Murder & Mayhem in Rockford, Illinois and Haunted Rockford. Tim Larson had only known Kathi for ten minutes and decided to record this episode on 815 Day (August 15, 2024) at the Edgebrook Shopping Center. Since Kathi is a thorough researcher and Tim is a Rockford native, everyone thought it was a safe bet that these tow would have a lot to chat about in our very freeform format. The house lost a truck load of money that day.
2024-08-161h 33Storytellers StudioS1 E74 2024 INSPIRATIONAL COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS Red Carpet InterviewsSteve Bridgmon invited Tim Larson to be part of the Media Team at the Inspirational Country Music Awards at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tennessee. Tim talked to sixty six people in a little less than two hours just before they stepped onto the red carpet.Recorded May 29, 2024.
2024-07-061h 23Storytellers StudioS1 E72 CICADAS - The show with a million guests!This episode was recorded in Tim Larson's backyard as he was surrounded by a countless number of cicadas.
2024-06-1712 minStorytellers StudioS1 E71 SPIFF CARNER - Former WZOK Morning Host with Randy Cook & WROK/WZOK Continuity DirectorRick "Spiff" Carner is joined by John Strandin along with Tim Larson. Spiff was the director of the commercial writing department and co-host of the WZOK morning show with Randy Cook. Spiff's time with Nolte Communications in Rockford, Illinois was 1981-1986. John was a member of the award winning news department for twenty four years.Recorded in Rockford, Illinois on June 14, 2024.
2024-06-161h 02Storytellers StudioS1 E70 LOUISE MANDRELL - Country music artist and television personalityTim Larson and Louise Mandrell first met on her tour bus at a northern Illinois county fair in 1979. They visited again in backstage dressing rooms in 1980 and 1981 before Louise and her sisters, Barbara and Irlene, kicked off their successful variety television show on NBC. Louise and Tim literally bumped into each other backstage at the Grand Ole Opry in October 2023. They scheduled another visit just north of Nashville followed by a tasty lunch. It's a truly genuine conversation from the heart among renewed friends.Recorded May 30, 2024.
2024-06-121h 24Storytellers StudioS1 E69 BILL CODY - Morning man for 30 years on WSM radio in Nashville, TennesseeBill Cody and Tim Larson had only talked briefly on the phone six months prior to sitting down in the showcase studio of WSM Radio inside the Opryland Hotel. Their careers oddly have run parallel so the stories were very easy. Even if you're not a huge country music fan, you are sure to enjoy this conversation.Recorded May 28, 2024.
2024-06-0555 minStorytellers StudioS1 E68 TONY WOLFE - East Tennessee stories from a first cousinTony Wolfe and Tim Larson are first cousins. We can ride around the mountains of east Tennessee in a truck and never have the same conversation twice.Recorded in Tony's kitchen on Memorial Day, May 27, 2024.
2024-06-0544 minStorytellers StudioS1 E67 TIM LARSON - Radio in Charleston, West Virginia 40 years ago!Tim decided to set up his equipment on the shores of the Kanawha River in Charleston, West Virginia on the Friday before Memorial Day Weekend 2024. The state capital was over his shoulder as the radio stories from forty years ago poured out. Tim worked at WKAZ/WQBE and WVSR radio stations from 1982-1984 when he was in his early twenties.Recorded May 24, 2024.
2024-06-0351 minStorytellers StudioS1 E65 TIM LARSON - The Story of Arthur and SanfordThis story aired on WLUV radio in Rockford/Loves Park, Illinois by your podcast host Tim Larson on March 31, 2021. It was written in a Paul Harvey "Rest of the Story" format.
2024-03-2507 minStorytellers StudioS1 E64 EMANUEL LARSON - The Cremation of Sam McGee by Robert ServiceTim Larson's grandfather could recite Robert Service's The Cremation of Sam McGee by memory until the day before he died at the age of ninety six. Emanuel Larson's goal was to verbally paint within your mind with the poetry he spoke.Recorded in Rockford, Illinois June 6, 1979.
2024-03-2212 minStorytellers StudioS1 E62 - LARRY KANFER - Professional Photographer and AuthorLarry Kanfer and his wife Alaina were connected to Tim Larson in 2009 through the Aldeen Golf Club barn renovation. Tim's grandfather Emanuel Larson built the barn in 1928 when the property was a dairy farm. The Kanfers were working on their book Barns of Illinois. The two projects intersected and they have been friends since.Recorded March 12, 2024.
2024-03-141h 23Storytellers StudioS1 E61 STEVE BRIDGMON - Inspirational Country Singer/ SongwriterSteve Bridgmon and Tim Larson met on the on the front steps of the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tennessee because of Steve's bowtie tattoo. We were part of the media frenzy and red carpet call of the Josie Awards nominees. They kept in touch and decided to sit down for a lengthy talk on a very rainy day just north of Music City USA.Recorded in Ashland City, Tennessee on January 27, 2024.
2024-01-301h 25Storytellers StudioS1 E60 ROYCE DeGRIE & BRITT CHAMBERS - Musicians Hall of Fame & MuseumYour host Tim Larson stumbled upon this museum while on a segue tour in Nashville, Tennessee sometime in October 2023. He kept it on his radar for a return trip. After having a three minute conversation with Royce, Tim scheduled a sit down. You will learn a ton! Bring a notebook and pen to this episode. Recorded in the Board Room of the Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum on January 26, 2024.
2024-01-291h 20Storytellers StudioS1 E58 WILLIE PARHAM - A Friend of 54 years!Your podcast host, Tim Larson, and Willie Parham have been friends since fifth grade in 1970. Learn how Willie has put his positive attitude to work and lived life to its fullest after his accident in 1987. He is the poster boy for "genuine."
2024-01-171h 37Storytellers StudioS1 E57 HEIDI OGNIBENE - Rock River Valley Blood CenterTim Larson and Heidi Ognibene have known each other since 1988. Their lives have crossed paths eight ways to Sunday. On this episode, you'll learn all about donated blood in an entertaining conversation among old friends.Recorded at RRVBC's founding location on 6th Street in Rockford, Illinois on December 18, 2023.
2023-12-1847 minStorytellers StudioS1 E56 J.R. SULLIVAN - New American TheaterTim Larson has known J.R. Sullivan since the early eighties. Tim on WROK radio and J.R. at New American Theater in Rockford, Illinois. Their stories are many and far reaching including the explosion of the Space Shuttle Challenger in January of 1986. Recorded backstage at the now Nordlof Center December 6, 2023.
2023-12-0644 minStorytellers StudioS1 E55 ABBIE THOMAS - Josie Music Award Female Multi-Genre Artist of the Year 2023Abbie Thomas and Tim Larson had only known each other for exactly two weeks when they sat down for some biscuits and gravy...again! It's catch up time at the Goshen Brewing Company in Indiana. Recorded on a bright Sunday morning in Indiana on November 5, 2023.
2023-11-061h 12Storytellers StudioS1 E54 BILL TAYLOR - Former WCFL & KHJ Radio AnnouncerLegendary Chicago radio announcer Bill Taylor and host Tim Larson met in August of 2022 at an impromptu dinner after the Rock Radio Revisited event in near Chicago, Illinois. From there, it was many more radio stories at a birthday party in Michigan. Our third visit is this conversation at Frankie's Deli in Oak Brook Terrace, Illinois. Recorded October 27, 2023.
2023-10-281h 22Storytellers StudioS1 E53 JEFF SWANBERG of the Stone Front band and the Garwood mansionJeff Swanberg has led an interesting life. From Paul Newman to Jimi Hendrix and everything in between. Tim Larson and Jeff have known each other for well over twenty five years on a business level. Learn the personal sides of what interests them and how those topics intersect. Recorded in Rockford, Illinois at Edgebrook on October 17, 2023.
2023-10-2455 minStorytellers StudioS1 E52 JONELLE & TERRY CARTER - River Road TrioTim Larson met Terry and Jonelle Carter during their performance at Edgebrook's Music on the Mall 2023. They hit it off immediately and got to know each other only in fifteen second spurts. During this episode they dug deep on a variety of topics. Three of their songs are included in this show. Recorded in Rockford, Illinois on October 4, 2023.
2023-10-051h 30Storytellers StudioS1 E51 JOHN LANDECKER SHOW on WGN radio with Tim Larson - 9pm HourThis is hour number three from Tim Larson's co-hosting opportunity with John Landecker on WGN radio in Chicago, Illinois. You'll hear plenty of late-breaking stories in the Sunshine, Lollipop and Rainbow Newscast...where nothing bad ever happens! Recorded September 20, 2023.
2023-09-2543 minStorytellers StudioS1 E50 JOHN LANDECKER SHOW on WGN radio with Tim Larson - 8 pm HourIn hour two, John Landecker and Tim Larson are joined by Sam Panayotovich of FOX Sports Network for football picks and Marnie Shure from Takeout Magazine for all things new in the food world. Recorded in Studio A at WGN radio in Chicago, Illinois on September 20, 2023.
2023-09-2543 minLifes 3x5sS4 E6 WGN RADIO's JOHN LANDECKER PLAYS 3x5s with TIM LARSONTim Larson donated to the Museum of Broadcast Communications in Chicago, Illinois during their 40 Experiences at 40 Years fundraiser in April of 2023. He won the bid to co-host John Landecker's show on WGN Radio. John immediately loved the idea of our 3x5s and wanted to play a couple of rounds. Recorded September 20, 2023 in Studio A at WGN in downtown Chicago during the 7pm hour.
2023-09-2309 minStorytellers StudioS1 E49 JOHN LANDECKER SHOW on WGN radio with Tim Larson - 7pm HourStorytellers Studio co-founder Tim Larson donated to a charity auction conducted by the Museum of Broadcast Communications for co-hosting The John Landecker Show on WGN radio in Chicago, Illinois. This is the first of a three hour show (7pm hour) from that evening on September 20, 2023.
2023-09-2144 minStorytellers StudioS1 E47 BRETT WHITACRE - Muralist and DrummerAs you'll hear, Brett Whitacre and Tim Larson met on a "job site." One thing led to another and here we are...which is the way it works with most artists. Recorded in Rockford, Illinois on September 5, 2023.
2023-09-0558 minStorytellers StudioS1 E46 ART VUOLO, JR. - National Videographer & Radio's Best FriendArt Vuolo is a walking, talking media encyclopedia. He has video recorded everything worth watching from Marines and Paul Harvey to University of Michigan football and Dick Biondi. We talk about his Rock Radio Guides, radio reunions, John Landecker and his 29 years at Morning Show Boot Camp conventions. He's known Shotgun Tom Kelley and The Bob & Tom Show from the beginning. Recorded with host Tim Larson in southwest Michigan on August 17, 2023.
2023-08-231h 15Storytellers StudioS1 E45 TED GORDEN SMUCKER - Rewound Radio Chicago Rivals WLS & WCFLTed and a team of passionate volunteers have once again gathered WLS and WCFL airchecks from our favorite radio personalities. They have magically made those fifty year old reels and cassettes on-air ready again. You will hear folks like Fred Winston and Lyle Dean doing promos for the more than sixty hour broadcast on Labor Day Weekend 2023. Simply go to Rewoundradio.com, listen through the iHeart or TuneIn apps or ask your smart device.This episode was recorded with host Tim Larson on August 16, 2023 on a deck at sunset overlooking a lake in southwest Michigan.
2023-08-1758 minStorytellers StudioS1 E44 JOHN SCHWEISBERGER - Formerly Chris Kelly on WROK radioJohn worked for WROK/WZOK in the mid to late 70's. He's an ultimate collector of everything radio. He joy to talk to. We made sure he had a two and a half hour lunch on Swedish pancakes for show prep for this podcast. John gave several personal collectibles to Tim Larson for everyone to enjoy. T-shirts, music surveys, station of the year folder and a little something from the reporting department of the Animal Stories News Team at WLS-AM/FM.You'll always be surprised from these two brothers from different mothers.
2023-08-141h 34Storytellers StudioS1 E43 TED O'DONNELL - Dirty Fishnet Stockings lead singerTed is the popular front man for the band Dirty Fishnet Stockings. During this episode, you will learn that host Tim Larson has known Ted since he was five years old. Ted is the powerhouse behind the Festival of Lights and Fourth of July Fireworks both in Rockford, Illinois. And, has a rich history of flying hot air balloons. Grab a note pad. Recorded in the Storytellers Studio at the Edgebrook Shopping Center in Rockford, Illinois August 7, 2023.
2023-08-071h 20Storytellers StudioS1 E42 EMILY HURD - Singer/ SongwriterEmily Hurd and Tim Larson are both Rockford, Illinois natives and graduated from the same high school yet only met ten minutes before sitting down for this episode. Tim was drawn to calling Emily after seeing her perform a couple of weeks prior at Anderson Japanese Gardens. Recorded on July 10, 2023.
2023-07-101h 05Storytellers StudioS1 E40 JACK LAMBIOTTE - Former Chief Engineer at WROK/WZOK.Jack Lambiotte and Tim Larson reunited after 37 years just outside of Denver, Colorado in a cafe at the top of Lookout Mountain. The stories flowed faster than the coffee. Buckle up for two and a half hours of conversation among two lifelong radio friends. Recorded on April 20, 2023.
2023-04-232h 34Storytellers StudioS1 E39 NEAL ANGELL - Creative Director for Commercials at Midwest Family BroadcastingNeal Angell has been the Creative Director for Commercials at Midwest Family Broadcasting for twenty years. He and Tim Larson have known each other for a long time, but never worked together. Neal does writing and production for several of the company's stations in various cities, but mainly in Rockford, Illinois at 95.3 The Bull WRTB, B-103 WGFB, The X 104.9 WXRX, FM 100 - Rockford's Greatest Hits WXRX-HD2 and Sports Talk 1330 WNTA. This episode was recording at the Storytellers Studio in Rockford, Illinois on March 11, 2023.
2023-03-131h 01Lifes 3x5sS3 E13 First Anniversary Episode RecapTim Larson mentions some of the highlights from Lifes3x5s podcast's first 42 episodes. It may be time for you to catch up on missed shows, listen again, or jot down a location suggestion and submit it to Lifes3x5xs.com on the Contact tap. Please consider supporting our project for as little as $5 and Buy Me A Coffee through our Tip Jar tab.
2023-03-0704 minStorytellers StudioS1 E38 First Anniversary Episode RecapThis is a short recap of just a few of the stories shared by our many guests. Recorded by co-host Tim Larson on March 3, 2023 in Rockford, Illinois.
2023-03-0305 minStorytellers StudioS1 E36 CHUCK DOYLE (Sit down #2) - Former WZOK AnnouncerLiz Wylder and Tim Larson sat down on January 27, 2023 to gather Chuck Doyle's version of the WZOK radio history guided by a chronological list of morning men from WZOK newsman John Strandin.
2023-01-292h 08Storytellers StudioS1 E35 HOWARD HALL - Former Engineer for WROK and WZOK radioHoward Hall was another one of the amazing engineers at WROK and WZOK. Announcers and programmers would come up with hair-brained ideas and people like Howard would figure out a way to make it happen...every time! His sit down was in Rockford, Illinois on January 21, 2023 with Liz Wylder and Tim Larson.
2023-01-221h 13Storytellers StudioS1 E33 SHOTGUN MARK RIVERS - Former WROK AnnouncerShotgun Mark Rivers (Mike Lamb) and Tim Larson have known each other since 1977. Then Shotgun helped Tim start up a high school radio station after having a short conversation at a prom dance. Fast forward to 2018 and Tim became the first voice on now Mike's SKY7 radio stations. Access via SKY7music.com. This sit down took place in Mesa, Arizona on December 21, 2002...the day after Mike's surprise birthday party and the day before Tim's birthday. Enjoy!
2022-12-261h 32Storytellers StudioS1 E32 JIM LYKE - Former WZOK Announcer & Former WROK Morning Show ProducerJim Lyke and Tim Larson were two ships that passed in the night during dark rough radio seas. You'll enjoy meeting Jim and hearing his stories from 1983-1985. His life after radio should be on a billboard...literally. We'll surely see him on a theater stage in southern Wisconsin very soon. This sit down took place in Rockford, Illinois on December 6, 2022.
2022-12-0658 minStorytellers StudioS1 E31 ROB CUTTER - Former WFRL Freeport, Illinois AnnouncerRob Cutter and Tim Larson grew up in radio together in their early twenties. They created on-air stunts as management allowed, interviewed country music's top artists and continue to this day assisting each other with current voiceover and individual radio and podcast projects. These two are the definition of "pick up right where you left off." Recorded inside the tiny Hilton Gardens Inn business center in Columbia, Missouri on November 11, 2022.
2022-11-1356 minStorytellers StudioS1 E30 AARON WILSON - Former WROK "Live at Five" hostAaron Wilson has rolled out of bed at 2:45 am for the last 25 years and traveled northern Illinois, southern Wisconsin AND the world for 23 News This Morning. Weather has never been so interesting. He also simultaneously (for five and a half years) hosted WROK's Live at Five program. Those were very long days. Tim Larson's son Erik is currently his video photographer. Aaron's sit down took place in Rockford, Illinois with Tim Larson on October 27, 2022.
2022-10-2755 minStorytellers StudioS1 E0 - STORYTELLERS STUDIO TRAILERS1 E0 - The Storytellers Studio Trailer offers the explanation about the origin of this project and podcast. Recorded in Rockford, Illinois on October 25, 2022 by co-founder Tim Larson.
2022-10-2504 minStorytellers StudioS1 E29 KIPPER McGEE - Former WROK & WZOK Operations ManagerKipper McGee manned the WROK and WZOK ship in the mid 80's, but went on to program giant radio stations like WLS in Chicago, Illinois. He was a master at pulling off unique promotions. Enjoy his stories including a long list of the nation's top radio announcers. He traveled to Rockford, Illinois from Milwaukee, Wisconsin for a sit down with Tim Larson and Liz Wylder and then lunch with Bill Shannon, Fred Speer and Doug McDuff on October 19, 2022. We created the "flip jingles" Kipper suggested from our recent days at WLUV in 2021. You'll find them after the exit segment...
2022-10-201h 09Storytellers StudioS1 E28 SKY DRYSDALE - Former WKGL (96.7 The Eagle) AnnouncerSky Drysdale spent twenty eight years in broadcasting and he has the stories to prove it. He sat down with Tim Larson over glazed donut holes in early October 2022. These two have never worked together at the same radio station, but continue to share common interests. They have truly earned the title of "radio brothers from different mothers."
2022-10-041h 40Storytellers StudioS1 E27 JOHNNY MARKS - Former WROK and WZOK AnnouncerJohnny Marks and Tim Larson have known each other since 1981 in their college years at Northern Illinois University. This conversation promises to button up all the details of their forty plus year friendship. Tim sums it up this way, "Some people leave a mark. Only with you, we were fishing for the same thing, in the same boat and in the same lake. And, all along the way, we baited each other's hooks."
2022-09-231h 31Storytellers StudioS1 E26 - KIM CARSON - Former WROK announcer.What could possibly happen if Tim Larson connected with Kim Carson, who he listened to on WROK when he was in high school? Better yet, they had never met and ironically both lived in Rockford...Tim in Illinois and Kim in Michigan. Well buckle up and find out. It's conversations like this one that proves once again that the Storytellers Studio is a worthwhile project.
2022-09-181h 01Storytellers StudioS1 E25 ROCKFORD RADIO REVISITED LIVE ON WIFR-TV23 with Aaron WilsonSeason 1 Episode 25 - WIFR-TV's weatherman Aaron Wilson is always looking for remote locations to do "live shots" during the morning show. When he literally stumbled upon the Storytellers Studio, Tim Larson got the call to crate a WROK/WZOK morning show party focusing on October 26, 1985! (The date on the dashboard of the DeLorean in the film Back to the Future.) Within days we hit the record button with Liz Wydler, John Strandin, Fred Speer and Tim Larson. During post-production editing, Tim dropped in the songs, jingles, commercials, and custom promos from national radio hosts like Casey Kasem, Wolfman Jack...
2022-09-1329 minStorytellers StudioS1 E23 KRIS TUMILOWICZ - WROK Advertiser and Specialty Program HostKris founded Dental Dimensions in 1980 and has been a pillar of community involvement. He hosted Tooth Talk on WROK for many years. Tim Larson also knows him through Loves park Rotary and the Boy Scouts of America's Blackhawk Area Council in Rockford, Illinois. The sit down with Kris took place on August 19, 2022.
2022-08-211h 01Storytellers StudioS1 E22 PHIL DAVIDSON - FORMER WROK SALES EXECUTIVEPhil spent forty-four years in radio sales for WROK and others. He has always been very involved in the Rockford community, both at the stations and personally. This dedication continues today. Doug McDuff and Phil worked side-by-side at both groups of stations on Brendenwood Road and Sandy Hollow Road. Tim Larson joined them on August 19, 2022 in Rockford, Illinois.
2022-08-211h 02Storytellers StudioS1 E21 TIM LARSON and ROCK RADIO REVISITED EVENTTim attended the Rock Radio Revisited event on August 14, 2022 in the Chicago area for the Museum of Broadcast Communication. This is his account of the day which turned out to be so much more than listening to a panel of radio legends on stage.
2022-08-2027 minStorytellers StudioS1 E20 THE KNOLL FAMILY - GARY, STEVE & CAROL - 8-17-22The Knoll family worked at WROK and WZOK in various positions over the years. You may know Steve and Carol by several air names and Gary represented the WROK sales department. Steve is still in the radio industry at the news department at KRMG in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Chuck Doyle, Liz Wylder and Tim Larson joined in on this episode because everyone is a very different puzzle piece to the Knoll's overall time at the radio stations. Our visit was on August 17, 2022.
2022-08-202h 39Storytellers StudioS1 E10 John Strandin - Former WROK and WZOK News Reporter and Anchor.John’s quick wit made the transition from a newscast back into programming a joy. A true professional. Just as many stories from both the AM side and down the hall in FM. Former WROK colleague Tim Larson and former WZOK colleague Liz Wylder joined him for a sit down on April 13, 2022.
2022-08-021h 10Storytellers StudioS1 E17 Bill Shannon (Sit Down #2) - Former WROK radio announcer.Bill told Liz and Tim during his first visit he had enough stories to keep us behind the microphones for three plus hours. They certainly held him to his word. Former WROK colleague Tim Larson and former WZOK colleague Liz Wylder buckled up for more stories about radio in other cities, celebrities and how radio is done today. His second sit down was in Rockford, Illinois on July 25, 2022.
2022-08-021h 22Storytellers StudioS1 E14 Tim Larson – Former WROK and WZOK radio announcer.Tim did two tours at WROK/WZOK in the early to mid-1980’s. He is an avid collector of radio memorabilia and audio recordings. Being the middays host and Promotions Director for WROK were the highlights of his career. Former WZOK colleague Liz Wylder not only shared the microphone with Tim for this sit down in Rockford, Illinois on May 27, 2022, but she is also his Lifes3x5s podcast co-host, co-author of an upcoming behind-the-scenes in radio book, and co-executive producer of locally filmed movies. Tim and Liz created the Storytellers Studio on 2-22-22!
2022-08-021h 57Storytellers StudioS1 E16 Fred Speer with Tim Larson – Former WROK and WZOK News Reporter and Anchor.Fred and Tim decided to sit down again to talk more about more personal aspects of his career and the advice he would give to a rookie in today’s news environment. They did, of course, drift into the news stories which still have emotional impact on the news reporter who saw it firsthand. No one minds hearing Fred’s recollections of those days again. His second sit down was in Rockford, Illinois on July 22, 2022.
2022-08-021h 31Storytellers StudioS1 E12 Don K. (Kronberg) - Former WZOK radio announcer.Don’s short radio career was jam packed with great experiences and he tells them in such an entertaining way. His love for music led him into a wonderful career as a concert promoter. Former WZOK colleague Liz Wylder, along with former WROK middays host Tim Larson, joined him for a sit down on May 5, 2022.
2022-08-021h 22Storytellers StudioS1 E2 Chuck Doyle (Sit down #1) – Former WROK radio announcerChuck worked for both WROK and WZOK for a very long time. He has mentally catalogued hundreds of memories. Former WROK colleague Tim Larson and former WZOK colleague Liz Wylder shared the microphones with Chuck on several occasions over our forty-five year friendship. Chuck’s first visit with us was in Rockford, Illinois on March 11, 2022.
2022-08-021h 29Storytellers StudioS1 E15 Bob Presman with Ken DeCoster – Former WROK and WZOK News Director & Mr. Baseball.Bob has covered every story topic imaginable…from United States Presidents to the world’s top athletes. His love for sports evolved into the amazingly knowledgeable Mr. Baseball on multiple WROK morning shows over the years. Ken DeCoster (also a former WROK/WZOK News Director) guided Bob through their careers together and we all learned something about Bob, who we’ve all known for decades. Former WROK colleague Tim Larson and former WZOK colleague Liz Wylder joined in on the conversation. Bob’s visit was in Rockford, Illinois on July 19, 2022.
2022-08-021h 44Storytellers StudioS1 E9 Dean Ervin - Former WROK Sales Executive and Sports announcer.Dean has always been a bucket of unpredictability. And April 7, 2022 was no exception. Dean was a great conduit between programming departments and clients to weave promotions together. Former WROK colleague Tim Larson and former WZOK colleague Liz Wylder joined him for a free-for-all sit down that surprisingly did not involve any alcohol.
2022-08-021h 42Storytellers StudioS1 E11 Fred Speer with Doug McDuff - Former WROK and WZOK News Reporter and Anchor.Fred’s ability to scoop all other media was uncanny. His stories are fresh in his mind and still link to his emotions. One of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet. The definition of radio professional. Broadcasting veteran and good friend Doug McDuff along with Tim Larson and Liz Wylder joined him for a sit down on April 29, 2022.
2022-08-021h 11Storytellers StudioS1 E13 Lisa Fielding, Joe Soto & Jim Mulvaney – WROK/WZOK alumni.Lisa was in the WROK news department. Joe was an announcer on both the WROK and WZOK sides. Jim was the Continuity and Commercial Production Director. We gathered in Chicago, Illinois at WBBM Newsradio. Five live mics with folks who can finish each other’s sentences…Oh my! Former WZOK colleague Liz Wylder and former WROK middays host Tim Larson stirred the pot to get the memories flowing on May 14, 2022.
2022-08-022h 13Storytellers StudioS1 E8 Lisa Dent - Former WZOK radio announcer.Lisa had been all around this country with country music in her headphones. We were fortunate enough to be able to join here in the downtown Chicago studios of WGN radio. Tim and Liz were thrilled to meet Bob Sirott, John Williams, Ernie in Creative Production Services and Steve Bertrand from News. Former WROK colleague Tim Larson and former WZOK colleague Liz Wylder joined her far above Navy Pier for a sit down eighteen floors above East Wacker Drive on April 5, 2022.
2022-08-011h 00Storytellers StudioS1 E6 Ken DeCoster – Former WROK News Director.Ken came amazingly well prepared for every aspect of his days at WROK and WZOK radio stations. Former WROK radio colleague Tim Larson and former WZOK colleague Liz Wylder joined him for a sit down in Rockford, Illinois on March 21, 2022.
2022-08-011h 14Storytellers StudioS1 E3 Sandy Engstrom Dingus & Ami Cox Yagle – Former WROK Continuity Writer and Business Office staff, respectively.Sandy and Ami joined their former WROK radio colleague Tim Larson for a sit down in Rockford, Illinois on March 11, 2022.
2022-08-0135 minStorytellers StudioS1 E7 Bill Shannon (Sit Down #1) - Former WROK radio announcer.Bill Shannon is the walking encyclopedia of radio details. He came with a mental scroll reaching far behind his days at WROK and WZOK. Former WROK radio colleague Tim Larson and former WZOK colleague Liz Wylder joined him for a sit down in Rockford, Illinois on March 25, 2022.
2022-08-011h 27Storytellers StudioS1 E1 Doug McDuff - former WROK radio announcer & Sales ExecutiveDoug McDuff, former WROK radio announcer & Sales Executive, sat down for a conversation with former colleagues Tim Larson and Liz Wylder in Rockford, Illinois on March 4, 2022.
2022-07-3153 min