"Keeping that spirit alive has been the vocation for a local radio professional who has volunteered hundreds of hours to produce an hourlong big-band program on the College of DuPage's public radio station, WDCB, in Glen Ellyn.
Since 2001, John Russell Ghrist has produced more than 200 episodes of 'Midwest Ballroom,' including the four-year anniversary show that will air Feb. 12."
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Since the Chicago Tribune Archives are not available after a certain period for free.. Here is the text of the story for anyone interested.
Before stadium concerts and compact discs, music lovers went to ballrooms and dance halls or gathered around radio sets to enjoy the sounds of Count Basie, Glenn Miller, and others. Keeping that spirit alive has been the vocation for a local radio professional who has volunteered hundreds of hours to produce an hourlong big band program on College of DuPage's public radio station, WDCB in Glen Ellyn, IL. Since 2001, John Russell Ghrist has produced more than 200 episodes of "Midwest Ballroom," including the four year anniversary show that will air on Feb. 12. "It's more than just a big band jukebox," said Ghrist. "It differs from a traditional big band music show because it features great tunes and standards performed by local orchestras that are still playing around Chicago." The program also offers interviews with area bandleaders, a history segment about a past performer and during the summer months, the "Garage Sale Record of the Week." "Big band listeners are an underserved audience," said Ken Scott WDCB Marketing Director. With WDCB programming also broadcast on the internet, Ghrist said that he receives e-mail from listeners "around the Chicago area, across the U.S. and from other countries like Canada, Australia, and Greece." Ghrist, 56, has worked for 14 radio stations in the Chicago area. Most recently, he was a traffic reporter for Shadow Traffic. "Working in public radio allows me to concentrate on program content," said Ghrist who uses just his first two names on the air. "Midwest Ballroom," airs at 5 p.m. every Saturday on WDCB-FM 90.9. It can also be heard on the Internet at www.wdcb.org.
