Jon Norton
Program DirectorContact Jon at lhjelle@ilstu.edu.
Born and raised in Northern Minnesota, Jon Norton has adapted well to what he considers the warm climate of Central Illinois.
He has been a Central Illinois native since 1984. In that time, he has played in the old Corn Valley Baseball League (for Wapella and Bloomington), coached 7-10 year-old American Junior Baseball teams, and had a blast covering the Central Illinois music scene for WGLT and WCBU.
Norton is an ardent ISU men’s and women’s basketball fan and treasures his time at home with his wife.
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The annual Blues Blast Music Awards will be held in Peoria for the first time. This after holding court at Buddy Guy’s Legends in Chicago for a few years and venues at other sites. -
'Old soul' Christone 'Kingfish' Ingram brings modern blues to the Peoria Blues and Heritage FestivalChristone "Kingfish" Ingram is often described as the future of Blues music. Though he's been described as on 'old soul,' he has his sights on updating blues to include modern, contemporary sounds, including rap. His band plays the Peoria Blues and Heritage Festival this weekend. -
Songs by Khruangbin and Leon Bridges, Lo Moon, Manny Fresh, and Hurray For The Riff Raff were among the most played on Highway 309 in 2022. -
Peoria singer-songwriter Jared Grabb found his way through the pandemic shut-down by writing and recording songs for the just released 10-song album "Domain." -
Peoria’s emerging 3-piece queer girl group Emily the Band lays out their angst on the just released hooky pop-gem “The Heartbreak Album.” -
The long-awaited stretch of the Rock Island Greenway connecting Harvard Avenue to Glen Oak Park is finally complete. WCBU's Collin Schopp talks to the city of Peoria's Nick McMillion about the updates to the Rock Island Greenway. You’ll also hear a local economist explain why he believes the country isn't in a recession just yet... And on our Arts Feature Out and About, Sarah Marie Dillard and Brandon Mooberry join host Jenn Gordon to talk about Ignite Peoria. -
Peoria County is drawing up its first-ever flag. On today’s All Things Peoria, learn more about the Peoria County flag design contest and the student who inspired it. You’ll also learn why some top Republicans are concerned about Darren Bailey's gubernatorial campaign. Hear about a mural dedicated to civil rights pioneer C-T Vivian in his hometown. And a major new study takes a closer look at long-term ecological and geological trends in the Illinois and Mississippi rivers.
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The founder of the Peoria Music Community Women’s Cooperative Facebook page says the dearth of women musicians in Peoria was one motivation for her to start the page - which has expanded to in-person meetings. -
Singer-songwriter Neal Francis said he feels a kinship to 1970s soul, funk, jazz, and blues and the analog sonics available for recording during that time. He brings all of that to his just released ATO Records album "In Plain Sight." -
When Delavan native Cody Diekhoff returns to Kenny's Westside Pub in Peoria on Nov. 6, the longtime solo artist will bring his full band The Field Notes with him.
