Dennis Green, General Manager (dennis@kcck.org) Dennis Green has been entertaining audiences on the radio and onstage for more than three decades, and is one of Eastern Iowa’s most popular and well-known media personalities. Dennis’s past adventures as a DJ were covered by media in places as far away as Anchorage and Los Angeles. Awards include the Peggy Whitworth and Larry Eckles awards for Cultural Advocacy, and multiple Billboard Programmer of the Year nominations. He has is also a published sci-fi author whose books have dozens of 5-star Amazon reviews. He has served as general manager of KCCK since 1999.
Michelle Collier, Development Director (michelle@kcck.org) Michelle was born and raised in rural Benton County just outside of Cedar Rapids. Michelle’s experience with radio started as a junior in high school with a part time promotions position at local radio station KWOF/KTOF (now Air 1 KXGM). Following her passion for music, she attended Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, and was accepted into its renowned Music Business Program – graduating with a BA in Music Business. Michelle stayed in Nashville 13 years working as a Production Coordinator at Inpop Records, then as Contract Administrator for national concert booking agency, GOA. While she loves Nashville, she felt the pull to return home to be closer to family. Michelle started at KCCK in June of 2015. As Development Director she is primarily responsible for fundraising, sponsorships, donor relations and marketing. When not at KCCK, Michelle loves spending time with her family – husband Jeff and children Piper and Harrison. You will find them outdoors or on an adventure!
Bob Stewart, Program Director (bobs@kcck.org) Bob Stewart is a Cedar Rapids native and did his studies at the University of Iowa. His life in broadcasting began at the campus station KRUI where he did on-air work and was Program Director. He took his jazz show to KKRQ in Iowa City on a part-time basis and, after graduation from the U of I, began his professional career there. After a few years doing rock and top-40 formats, Bob moved to KRNA in Iowa City, the top rock station in the market, where he spent nearly fifteen years and became a fixture on the Eastern Iowa radio scene. An opportunity arose in 1999 to combine his passion for broadcasting with his lifelong passion for jazz and he took a gig at the public radio station KCCK in Cedar Rapids. Twenty-three years and numerous awards later, Bob continues in his role as Program Director and on-air producer. Outside of plying his trade, Bob’s passion for singing has been fulfilled by performing in numerous choirs including the Chamber Singers of Iowa City, the Cedar Rapids Concert Chorale and, for the past 27 years, Chorale Midwest. And his quest to attend all 30 of the Major League Baseball parks is two-thirds complete as of this writing! Bob Stewart is on air every weekday morning from 6-10 am with the KCCK Morning Show.
George Dorman, News and Operations Director (george@kcck.org) George is a native of Castlewood, S.D., with a degree in Printing and Journalism from South Dakota State University. He’s an Army veteran who spent a year in Korea during which time he worked weekends as a radio newscaster at the American Forces Korea Network in Seoul. Prior to coming to KCCK in 1986, George worked at KCRG-TV and Radio; KSFY-TV in Sioux Falls, S.D., and KORN Radio in Mitchell, S.D. His reporting has won awards from the Iowa Broadcast News Association and the Associated Press. During his spare time, George enjoys competing in the Iowa Games track meet, walking, attending sporting events and spending time with the families of his four sons, including 13 grandchildren.
Hollis Monroe, Music Producer (hollis@kcck.org) Hollis Monroe is a five-time recipient of the Eric Sevareid Award, and has also been recognized by the Northwest Broadcast News Association. Most recently he has been hosting a jazz show on KHOI radio in Ames. He has also been a host and producer at Iowa Public Radio, KHOI, WOI, and WVIK. He has a BA in Vocal Performance from Marycrest College. Hollis Monroe has toured and performed around the country as an actor, as well as singing both jazz and opera, including a stint with the Des Moines Metro Opera. He may be best known as the voice of Iowa State University graduation ceremonies, where he has read the names of thousands of degree candidates as they receive their diplomas. Hollis is on air every weekday with Midday jazz from 10- 2 p.m.
Ron Adkins, Music Producer (ron@kcck.org) Ron Adkins has worked in media and entertainment since age 16, when he began at KCIM-AM and KKRL-FM in Carroll, Iowa. After graduating from Coe College, he returned to KKRL as Music Director. Ron has lent his voice to television, nightclubs, announced triathlons, and emcee’d events across the state. A working writer throughout his career, Ron is the author of one novel and a shelf-full of fiction, poetry, and librettos. His work has appeared in print, on-line … and once, on a minor league baseball JumboTron. Ron is producer and co-writer of KCCK’s nationally-syndicated, Eric Sevareid Award-winning series, “Soundtrack to the Struggle,” that spotlights jazz’s contribution to the fight for racial equality. Ron is on the air weekdays 2-6 p.m.
Laura Carson, Office Manager (laura@kcck.org) has been an employee at Kirkwood Community College for the past 20 years joining KCCK in 2018. Prior to joining KCCK, Laura helped open the Apple Store and ran the Appy Hours on campus at Kirkwood. In addition to her full-time gig at KCCK, Laura enjoys teaching online computer courses at the college. Laura has been involved in several musical productions since High School and college, including show choir, and has enjoyed singing in several choirs including Chorale Midwest, St. Mark’s Lutheran choir, and Temple Judah. Laura has enjoyed extensive travel with these groups including choir trips to Italy, Ireland, Scotland and England. Laura is a partner with her husband Bill, administrating the Iowa Ambassadors of Music trip to Europe (England, France, Austria, Switzerland, & Germany) every two years since 2010, helping to bring nearly 3000 High School musicians to perform for European audiences! When not at KCCK, or traveling, Laura enjoys time with her family, including her two dogs and granddaughter. And of course loves listening to jazz music all day long!
J
ohn Heim, ‘da Blues Producer (bigmo@kcck.org)
John Heim aka Big Mo’ served more than 25 years as a music educator in middle and high school, and hosts evening jazz and blues shows on KCCK. He also performs around the region in a variety of blues, jazz, and Dixieland music. He also helps direct KCCK’s Blues in the Schools education program. John Heim produces ‘da Blues every Friday from 2-6 p.m. following with The Beaker Hour from 9-10 p.m., Backstage Blues from 10-11 p.m., and KCCK Jams to finish out his Friday show from 11-12 a.m.
Bob Naujoks, Gentle Jazz & The Short List Producer (naujoks@kcck.org) Born near Cleveland, Ohio, art and jazz have been dual loves over Naujoks’ lifetime, starting at South Milwaukee (Wis.) High School. Naujoks attended the University of Wisconsin in Madison. While a 19-year-old student, his first big interview was with the members of one of the biggest acts of the day: The Four Freshman, who were playing a school prom. Bob has his MA and MFA in Design from the University of Iowa. He served two years at Ft. Leonard Wood where he announced ball games and interviewed two famous names when they played the military base: big band leaders Harry James and Stan Kenton. After the army, Naujoks went into radio work at Wausau, Wis., later taking a TV job in St. Joseph, Mo. He came to Cedar Rapids as WMT-TV’s art director in October, 1966, and has been in the area ever since. Bob Naujoks has worked in radio and television, writing, producing and announcing, and creating graphic arts. He retired after 30 years teaching art at Mount Mercy College, and became an adjunct professor teaching drawing and 2-D design at our very own– Kirkwood Community College. His work has appeared in many regional exhibitions, as well as magazines and several books. Three large stained glass panels are on permanent display at Wartburg College, Waverly, and another at First Presbyterian Church in Cedar Rapids. As an artist, Bob calls himself a “generalist” because he does artwork in a wide variety of media. In 1987 he began sharing his love of jazz at KCCK 88.3, and he’s still on the air 30 years later. Naujoks produces the weekly program, “Short List,” which airs each Saturday morning from 7-8 a.m. His show, “Gentle Jazz,” airs each Sunday morning from 7-10 a.m.
Craig Kessler, Jazz Corner of the World Producer (craig@kcck.org) Craig Kessler has worked in the jazz record business for over 40 years. Kessler in an Iowa City native where he is the owner and producer of Realtown!Records. Craig began his retail music career in the Chicago area, where he got to know many of the Windy City’s musicians and label owners. He aids in booking acts for several Iowa City venues. Craig Kessler is also a member of the board of directors for the Iowa City Jazz Festival. He seasonally teaches jazz courses at the University of Iowa. Craig Kessler produces Jazz Corner of the World on every Saturday from 12-4 p.m. also on Monday from 7-11 p.m.
Bob DeForest
DeForest grew up in the Los Angeles area, but he visited his relatives in Cedar Rapids often. Bob DeForest has been very active in the Blues scene in Iowa and one of its staunchest supporters. Spreading the “gospel” of the Blues began earnestly for “Bobby D” 40 years ago when he became a radio DJ for KOJC in Cedar Rapids, spinning Blues, Soul, and Funk for his listeners. In 2002, Cedar Rapids proclaimed Saturday, April 6 as ‘da Blues 10th Anniversary Day in recognition of Bob’s achievements. DeForest is a charter member of the Linn County Blues Society, also serving on their board. He has also emceed the Bluesmore festival since 1994. For his longtime and continuing devotion and support for the Blues, Bob DeForest becomes just the second non-musician honored with induction into the Iowa Blues Hall of Fame. He has been playing the best of Blues for his loyal listeners since 1992 here at KCCK. ‘da Blues with Bobby D is on every Saturday from 6-10 p.m. Following with an hour of Blues and Jazz on Crawfish Circuit from 10-11 p.m. and an hour of Blues, Funk, World Beat, Jazz Fusion, and Rock & Roll on The Melting Pot from 11-12 a.m.
Murray Kent, Big Band Memories Producer (murray@kcck.org)
Excelling as a saxophonist, clarinetist and flautist, Saul stands as a great cog in the Eastern Iowa Music scene. Saul has released two CD’s as the leader of the Saul Lubaroff Quartet and performs at local jazz clubs with his group. An accomplished free-lance woodwind artist, Saul has played with Orchestra Iowa, Theater Cedar Rapids, Revival Theater Company, . Bernadette Peters, NYC pianist and former Cannonball Adderley sideman Michael Wolff, Herbie Hancock drummer Mike Clark, Blues legend Rico McFarland, Austin Texas band Tomar and the FC’s, George Clinton and Liquid Soul, among others. Locally he is a member of Vandello, Anji & the Toy Souldiers, WeFunk, (George Clinton PFunk Tribute Band), James Mons and his NOT so little Monsters, Saul was inducted into the Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the powerful Soul band Shade of Blue, as well as a 30 yr member of the Johnny Kilowatt Band as well as subbing and free lancing with many wonderful bands and musicians around the Midwest. Saul is a private music instructor and adjudicator teaching woodwinds and jazz improvisation.
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Address/Phone
KCCK-FM 6301 Kirkwood Blvd. SW Cedar Rapids, IA 52404 Note: Do not rely on your GPS or other map device to get you to our office. It will land you on campus, but not near our studio in Linn Hall. Click here for directions. Phone: (319) 398-5446 Fax: (319) 398-5492 Local Iowa City Number: (319) 887-3600