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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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."
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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.”
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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.
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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.
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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."
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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.
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The Peoria-based neo new-wave Fantastic Plastics are now primarily digital, streaming their upbeat live show on Twitch. But their theatrical visuals and gorgeous melodies often frame pointed critiques of technology itself and modern society in general.
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Peoria-based folk/soul trio Sarah & the Underground's "Ripple Songs" EP was released on Father's Day. It's a love note from band members Sarah Marie Dillard and Branson Mooberry to each other, and their family.
