Finding Aid for Homegrown KIO Radio Show Records, ca.1970-2024 | The Sousa Archives and Center for American Music

By Nolan Vallier

Service Location	Boxes
Digital files: May require 24 hours notice for retrieval	Radio Show Records

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Collection Overview

Title: Homegrown KIO Radio Show Records, ca.1970-2024

ID: 12/9/182

Primary Creator: Leake, David (1961-)

Other Creators: Fredrickson, Larry (1953-), Miller Brown, Terry

Extent: 7.2 gigabytes

Date Acquired: 05/06/2024. More info below under Accruals.

Subjects: American folk music, Blues-rock music, Champaign, Illinois, Country Music, Interviews, Local History, Popular Music--Illinois--Urbana-Champaign, Radio Broadcasting, Radio Station, Radio Station -- WKIO, REO Speedwagon, Rock Music, Rock musicians United States, Urbana, Illinois

Formats/Genres: Business Records, Sound Recordings

Languages: English

Scope and Contents of the Materials

Consists of digital administrative records including audio files of interviews conducted by Larry Fredrickson and David Leake with local musicians; research about and weekly playlists featuring the work of local artists and groups; and both studio and live audio recordings used on the show, documenting the Homegrown Radio show on KIO since 2021. Of note are interviews with members of Feathertrain, Alan Gratzer of REO Speedwagon, Mark Hamby of the Ship, and John Baruck of John Baruck Management and Azoff Management.

Collection Historical Note

Homegrown is a radio show and podcast, which was founded by Larry Fredrickson and David Leake in August 2021. Broadcasting on KIO Radio (originally on 107.1 and then on 105.5 FM) every Sunday night at 7pm, the show features musical selections from Champaign-Urbana music scene from the 1960s to the present including bands and artists like REO Speewagon, Alison Krauss, the One Eyed Jacks, the Elvis Brothers, Braid, and American Football. In September 2021, Fredrickson and Leake began interviewing individuals connected to this scene on a KIO podcast of the same name. Portions of these interviews were played on the weekly radio broadcasts.

Biographical Note

David Leake (1961- ) was born in Decatur, IL. After graduating from Decatur High School in 1979, Leake was admitted to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign where he studied physics. After graduating with a degree in physics in 1983, he worked for six years as a production specialist at APL Engineered Materials in Urbana, IL. In 1985, he began teaching adult education courses in astronomy and in 1986 he founded the Champaign-Urbana Astronomical Society. When the William M. Staerkel Planetarium opened at Parkland College in 1989, Leake began leading live shows and was hired that same year as a planetarium specialist. In 1995 he earned a masters degree in secondary education with a science focus from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. In 2000, he was named the director of the Staerkel Planetarium, teaching classes in astronomy and physics at Parkland College until his retirement in 2019.

During his career as a science educator, Leake recorded several radio and television shows. Between 2003 and 2007, he served as the host of "Live and Learn" on PCTV, which was followed by "Surrounded by Science," which ran from 2006 to 2013. From 2008 to 2010, he served as a co-host with Ed Keiser on WILL's program "Sky Guys." Beginning in 2021, Leake served as a co-host with Larry Fredrickson for the program "HomegrownKIO" on WKIO 107.9, a weekly podcast that featured interviews with and historic recordings by bands and musicians from the Champaign Urbana area.

Subject/Index Terms

American folk music
Blues-rock music
Champaign, Illinois
Country Music
Interviews
Local History
Popular Music--Illinois--Urbana-Champaign
Radio Broadcasting
Radio Station
Radio Station -- WKIO
REO Speedwagon
Rock Music
Rock musicians United States
Urbana, Illinois

Administrative Information

Repository: The Sousa Archives and Center for American Music

Accruals: Full radio shows from 2025 were donated by Leake on September 12, 2025. Additional radio shows dating from 2024 and 2025 were donated on December 1, 2025 by Leake. Radio shows from 2023 were donated by Leake on January 17, 2026.

Acquisition Source: David Leake

Acquisition Method: Gift

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Series:

[Series 1: Administrative Records, 2021-2024],
[Series 2: Audio Library, 2021-2024],
[Series 3: Homegrown Radio Show Playlists, 2021-2024],
[Series 4: Homegrown and CU Bands and Fans Podcast Interviews, 2021-2024],
[Series 5: Radio Shows, 2021-2025],
[All]

Series 1: Administrative Records, 2021-2024

Consists of digital administrative records created in support of the Homegrown radio and podcast program, including artist research; master programming lists; background music, sound effects, and non-interview clips used for broadcasts; and library catalog records. Materials are arranged batch upload and alphabetically therein.

Digital Folder 1: Radio Show Records, August 2021 - April 2024

Digital File 1: Homegrown Artist Background Information, May 21, 2023: Word document containing short introductions and biographical information for the featured artists.
Digital File 2: Homegrown Master Songlist, March 1, 2024: Excel file containing master list of program audio library.
Digital File 3: Homegrown Week by Week Radio Show Plan, August 2021 - April 2024: Excel File documenting the scope of radio shows and containing information related to podcast interviews.
Digital File 4: John, Steven - Frozen Through Time, 2003: MP3 file.
Digital File 5: Leake, David - Eye on the Sky Demo, 2020: MP3 File.
Digital File 6: Strater, Gary - Bass Lesson and Solo Mix, undated: MP3 File.
Digital File 7: Strater, Gary - Bass Lesson Introduction, undated: MP3 File.
Digital File 8: Third Trip - Illinois Game Blooper, undated: MP3 File
Digital File 9: WDWS Weather Jingle, undated: WAV File.