JJ Gerard

JJ Gerard

Photo: 100.5 WYMG


Afternoons with JJ Gerard!

How it all started (radio)

My radio career started in the Spring of 1985 at the University of Iowa campus station, KRUI – where I did news one afternoon a week

How it’s going

All these years later & I’m still having fun on the radio.  I’ve been doing mornings in Springfield since December 1st, 2015

My favorite local hobby

Sitting on the tailgate of my truck, having a cup of coffee on the Lake Springfield shore on an early Spring or Fall morning.

My favorite local event

The Glenwood High School show choir invitational “The EVENT.” My kids were part of the Glenwood Show Choir TITAN FEVER.  -AND- I enjoy the plays at the Legacy Theater.

My family

Married to Karen for 20+ years, with 2 kids – Nate is in college at the Univ of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, & Katie is studying at LLCC. We have 2 dogs – Fozzie & Sully – & several brightly-colored fish.

Where I came from

I was born & raised in Dubuque, Iowa (travel to the upper left corner of Illinois, cross the Mississippi River & you’ll be in Dubuque) Since I finished college at Iowa I have lived & been on the radio in Cedar Rapids, Cincinnati, and Milwaukee before I moved to Springfield.

My claim to fame

I have been in 2 Hollywood movies: The Sylvester Stallone movie F.I.S.T. – it’s about the trucker’s union in the 1940’s, and Take This Job & Shove It -yes, based on the Johnny Paycheck song. Both were filmed in my hometown when I was a teenager (the local casting director is a good friend of my parents – so…)  I got to see myself on the big screen in each of them.  BTW: that same casting director is the reason the Field of Dreams is in Eastern Iowa, also.

Recent Headlines

19 hours ago in Entertainment

Man pleads guilty to plotting attack on a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna

A man accused of pledging allegiance to the Islamic State group and plotting to attack one of superstar singer Taylor Swift's concerts in Vienna nearly two years ago pleaded guilty as his trial began on Tuesday, his lawyer said.

2 days ago in Entertainment, Music

Michael Jackson streams skyrocket after ‘Michael’ biopic opening weekend, up 95% in the US

Michael Jackson once sang "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough." For fans of the King of Pop's music, it's words to live by: Streams of his catalog jumped 95% in the U.S. over the weekend when compared with the same dates the previous weekend.

1 day ago in Business, Entertainment, IL State News, Lifestyle, Local, Route 66 100th Anniversary Guide

Tourism is up in Springfield, but downtown businesses are hurting

While Illinois’ capital still grapples with post-pandemic challenges in the city center, officials anticipate record tourism numbers for 2026.