John Boy & Billy: (5am-9am) Johnny “John Boy” Isley and Billy James were at the forefront of the modern wave of radio syndication when they launched the John Boy & Billy Radio Network in 1993. The success of “The Big Show” has made it a template borrowed from by other syndicated programs for over a decade.
John Boy & Billy have been working together since the Fall of 1980. Paired by legendary radio programmer Bob Kaghan, their morning antics quickly made them one of Charlotte’s top morning shows. The duo first began discussing the idea of syndicating their program to other cities in the early 1990s. The John Boy & Billy Radio Network signed on its first affiliate, WROQ-FM in Greenville, SC, in February, 1993.
John Boy & Billy have been providing an insider perspective on NASCAR racing since the late 1980s. The Big Show was the first program to bring regular NASCAR coverage to the Rock radio audience. Since most of the sport’s top teams are based in the Charlotte area, John Boy & Billy have unparalleled access to the drivers and crews that have become household names since NASCAR’s explosion in mass-market popularity. The pair have hosted both a half-hour racing special televised on TNN, and a regular weekly weekend radio program called “John Boy & Billy’s Rock & Roll Racing.”
MCKENZIE RAE: (9am-2pm) McKenzie hit the ground running in a major market with her very first job over thirty years ago. Writing, producing, programming, and being a top rated personality, she’s done it all. McKenzie’s a big fan of the outdoors. Exercising, walking her dogs, playing softball, and spending time with her daughter. She likes all kinds of music but has a passion mostly for classic rock. Led Zeppelin, Rush, Eric Clapton, and Van Halen are what she grew up with so they bring back fond memories.
Bryan Jester: (2pm-7pm) Bryan first hit the air just as Disco Music and 8-Tracks were starting to die off. In his career, he’s locked himself out of a live studio, ridden in a Chevy Chevette with George McGovern, and destroyed his hearing at SO MANY up close concerts–including AC/DC, The Kinks, The Stones, The Who, Tom Petty, Aerosmith, and The Moody Blues. He once asked Gene Simmons a stupid question backstage and paid the price. Classic Rock, classic car shows, and swap meets are what Bryan enjoys in his off time. Bryan has done a little bit of everything in radio. He loves it, and is quick to say “It sure beats working for living!”
STEVE GORMAN: (7pm-12am) Steve cut his rock-teeth in Bowling Green Kentucky and was a communications major at Western Kentucky University. That’s where he became a founding member of the band that became The Black Crowes. Steve was the Black Crowes drummer for more than 15 years, and has toured the world relentlessly, leaving a small piece of his sanity at every stop. Not only is Steve well-connected in the Classic Rock world, he’s also an author, former host on Fox Sports Radio, and an incredible story teller. Steve and his wife Rose Mary have two kids and entirely too many pets.
CARL RUSSO: (12am-5am) Carl grew up with plenty of street & strip drag racing, stock car racing, and playing musical instruments and having a good time. He would then apply that energy into rock & roll and a career in radio. A major market radio personality, TV personality, and radio station owner, he did it all. His sense of civic duty was also a priority for Carl wherever he went. He served as a fireman in many cities where he’s worked.