Gamma Phi Circus '24 Preview with Marcus Alouan

During rehearsal/media night of Gamma Phi Circus, we chatted with executive director Marcus Alouan about the 2024 theme - The Magic of Musicals. The show opened with a song from 'Burlesque' with a live singer. The night will also include live musicians to accompany the performers. Marcus tells us t…

Slow Art Day on Route 66 2024 Preview

This year’s Slow Art Day on Route 66 is set for Saturday, April 13th from 10a to 2p. I sat down with Aianna Zachary and Santino Lamancusa to talk about the 2024 event that spans both Bloomington and Normal and features 20 locations. Hear how the art community came together to create the first city …

Ryan Peake talks honesty in new documentary Hate to Love, history of it, and proudest part

Nickelback are no strangers to 'hate' when it comes to the internet. In fact, it's a center point of their documentary 'Hate to Love.' There's a lengthy section of the film dedicated to internet's hate of the band, how they each dealt with it personally and within the band itself. 'Hate to Love' al…

Throwback: Shallow Side 2019

From time to time, I'm going to rewind to some past interviews with folks who've either stopped by the studio or chatted with us on the phone/video/etc. For this Throwback we're going to 2019 and when Shallow Side swung by our old studios in Downtown Bloomington. Actually they were one of the fina…

Citizen Soldier's Jake Segura

Jake Segura, lead vocals, of Citizen Soldier joined me ahead of their performance at the Castle Theatre on October 12, 2023. The band is currently on an acoustic tour, which Jake says was simply due to them having some 'time off' from recording their next album in Nashville. The band's producer was…

Dave Mustaine on Megadeth's legacy

Before their show on September 27, 2023 at Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington, IL Wes Styles sat down with Megadeth's Dave Mustaine. Dave touched on what it takes to put the band's setlist together these days, the energy level in the band's performance, taping their shows for review purposes, s…

Hear from the couple who got engaged during Atreyu at The Castle Theatre

September 19 was a special night at The Castle Theatre. Not only was it a packed house for Atreyu, Memphis May Fire, and Catch Your Breath... but we also had an engagement in the crowd! I chatted with Sarah, who's boyfriend of three years proposed to her while Atreyu was on stage performing 'When …

Jan 'Mama' Lancaster on Pridefest in Downtown Bloomington

Jan Lancaster, who's better known as Mama, owns The Bistro in Downtown Bloomington. She's the creator of the annual Pridefest which hosts its fifth event on Saturday, July 29 (2023). This year will take place on the 300 block of North Main Street, right between Jefferson and Monroe, will be filled …

The Barrel House 'Gladiator Challenge'

Ready for a challenge? Get your stomach ready for a gladiator of a challenge thanks to the Barrel House in Bloomington! Ray Ceresa from the Barrel House caught up with Styles to talk about their challenge including how many of attempted it and how few how have fully completed it. For perspective, …

VisitBN Gift Shop Celebrates 1st Anniversary

The VisitBN Gift Shop, located inside Grossinger Motors Arena, is celebrating it's first anniversary. A hidden gem in Downtown Bloomington, the store highlights and sells products from area vendors that you might not be able to get elsewhere. We chat with store manager DeAnne Ziemer about what the …