I had the pleasure of working with HT back in the 90s. The man taught me a lot and I will always be grateful! Boogie on my friend! You will be missed!

HT was good people. He knew no strangers. Few could work a room like H. If you could not dance do his music you could sit back, tap your foot and watch him work. He was natural and real. What you heard was what you got. And Debbie was HT's guardian angel. To my longtime friend and brother I say, “Rock on wit ‘cho bad self”.

Links to the old comercial seem to be broken. I hope you get them fixed would love to hear the old comercial

just stopping in to say hi

The Mighty 1290! Great to see a site about my very first station ... 1963-68.

I remember Robin Weaver giving the school menu in the morning..."...and you'rrrrrreeeee gonna get a cookie!"

My mom told me a story which I never knew if was true...that some friends went to his house to play a surpise/trick visit on him...he surprised them coming around to the front of the house by coming from the backyard or the garage on his riding mower wearing nothing but his birthday suit.

I remember Robin Weaver, and the WIRL "Good Guy" window stickers. (Around 1968 to 1973). I do miss Peoria, Hardly know it anymore when I come back to visit.

What happened to Dan Durmody in the morning?

Question: in late 1990 - 1992 (approx.) There used to be a guy who worked for WIRL, I think his name was Jeff. His wife, Tammy, was a manager at one of the old Lum's Restaurants. What was his name? Whatever become of him? Sorry you guys in Peoria lost "Corky's BBQ" We have the original here in Memphis. Although it would be nice to have Avanti's here!

man has time changed. left in 1977 for the usaf when this station played rock & roll if you will.lots of memories :O) i will crap if they switch the spanish!!

whatever happened to larry roberts....does anyone know?

i grew up in peoria and remember robin weaver up to mark trulove, im sorry you went country. long live rock and roll.

Your site is good..EXCEPT...all your audio links go nowhere!! What happened??!!

Air America is on 1270 in Moline. Wow, it's getting closer, Wayne. Build a wall around Peoria to keep the ideas out.

if you scroll down the page, you'll see that Ira Bitner died in january 2001.

Ira Bitner passed away some 2 or 3 years ago. This man was a great Newsman.

Does anyone know the whereabouts of Ira Bitner?

i still dont understand the decision to change the format from sports talk to yet another country station. Jesus does anyone around there have a business degree or even just an 2nd grade sense of business? Why in the hell is there ANOTHER country station in Peoria? This is a move in the record books. Hey I think im going to go start another classical station in the area that no one will listen to!!!!

ha ha you lost the rivermen!!! get ready to lose the cubs now you losers!!!

BEST THING TO HAPPEN IN CENTREL ILLINOIS, ha ha you freaking hicks, learn to spell!!

Why do we need another Country Station.Not all country station play the old music like WIRL does.I know at least two dozen people that listen to this station all day.The Best thing to happen in this area. I guess people like the old music because here in Bloomington every time a club or bar as old country music band the plsce is packed.Keep up the GREAT work!!!

Thanks 1290. Great move to classic country. Appreciate it even more after watching the ACM awards the other night. Keep up the good work.

Dan, I am so glad to hear of a Classic Country station and it is even better hearing you on it! The music is great, you sound great, and I am hoping that it is here to stay! Keep up the good work!

Dan, do you live at the radio station or is the station located in your home. I don't know how you do it , but I love it. Thanks for all the GREAT country songs.

If you have a couple of spare hours listen to Larry's tribute to Harry Harrison on reelradio.com Those WPEO airchecks are great and you even sneaked in a Robyn Weaver snippet.