Kelli Lynch

WRRG is celebrating its 50th Anniversary on the air this month. Congratulations! Share with us how you first heard about the station, when you got involved, and when you stepped into your role as Program/Music Director.

I started listening to the station in the 1980’s when I was in HS. It was the start of my musical education. I would write down band names and albums and go to the local record store to buy them. I continued to listen to various college radio stations throughout my adulthood. I moved back to the area in 2000 and took the Radio Broadcasting Class. I started DJing and was hired in 2004.

What sort of plans does the station have to celebrate this milestone anniversary?

Our DJs will be playing music across the decades. We have a celebratory event on our actual anniversary, 4/28, The President of the college will speak, along with myself and 3 WRRG DJs who went on to have careers in radio. We will also unveil our new logo and give tours of the station.

Tell us about the duties of your job and what part(s) of it you love the most and what you find the most challenging.

I am responsible for the day to day operation of the station, the programming and the DJs. I review all the new music that comes in. I train people to be on the air.
I love introducing new artists and bands to the DJs. The most challenging part is when I’m reviewing new music and listening for swears.

What is the process for reviewing new music there and what sort of commitment does the station have to exposing your listeners to new releases?

I review all the new music we receive and decide what fits our format. I always pick a wide variety of genres. The majority of our programming is DJs playing new music.

Who is an artist or band that you’ve discovered in the past year or so that has become one of your favorites? What is it about their music you love?

Kneecap. I love that they rap in the Gaelic language and I love their politics. I’ve visited Ireland 5 times.

Do you have an all-time favorite artist or album you never get tired of listening to?

Soo many…The Replacements, The Jam, The Mekons and Elliott Smith.

What upcoming 2025 release are you anticipating the release of?

Tunde Adempe from TV on the Radio.

If you had the power to instantly change one thing going on in the world at the moment, what would it be?

Abolish all greed.

What event in your life would you say has shaped you the most as a person?

The birth of my son Nico in 2009.

If you could choose, what time period in the past would you most want to travel back to visit and why?

The 1960’s for the music and the political movements.

Do you have a favorite Chicago restaurant that you recommend people try?

Strings Ramen

What in your life brings you the most joy?

My son and music.

Lightning Round:

Dog or Cat? Dog, I have 2. Grover and Logan.
Morning Person or Night Owl? Was a night owl. After my son was born I had to become a morning person.
City or Country? City
Beach or Mountains? Mountains
Watch TV or Read A Book? Watch TV
Sunny or Rainy? Sunny
Restaurant or Home Cooking? Home Cooking. Both my son and I are good cooks.
Pants or Shorts? Skirts or Dresses.
Warm or Cold drinks? Warm.

Do you have any current favorite shows you’re enjoying/binging? How about a movie (new or old) that you’ve watched recently that you loved?

My son and I are watching Supernatural. Otherwise I watch a lot of mysteries on PBS. I watched The Conversation with Gene Hackman which was excellent.

Finally, If you could have a lifetime supply of anything, what would it be?

Vinyl Records