Local radio: DJ honored Oct. 15

From press release

Rockford radio announcer John Russell Ghrist will receive a lifetime membership in the Chicago Federation of Musicians on Oct. 15. The free event honoring his membership will be at the Willowbrook Ballroom in Willow Springs, Ill., from 7 to 10:30 p.m. Ghrist, who uses just his first two names on the air, has been the volunteer host of Midwest Ballroom for the past nine years.

The show airs on Rockford’s community radio station, WTPB LP 99.3 FM, and on WDCB at College of DuPage near Chicago. The program features local big bands and singers. That evening, three Chicago bands—the Rich Weiss Orchestra, Steve Cooper Orchestra and Jay Witcher Orchestra—will play for three hours of dancing. Free dance lessons will also be offered.

Ghrist is the fourth person to receive this honor. Previous recepients have been Chicago TV news anchors Joel Daly, Harry Porterfield and author Charles Sengstock Jr. The event is free and open to the public. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Phone (708) 839-1000 for information. Bandleader Jay Witcher is coordinating the event.

From the October 7-13, 2009 issue