30 Years

In 1996, Whip Radio Founder Lonesome Larry Williams brought his American Roots format to the 98.3 FM dial in Farmer City, IL. The terrestrial station served Central Illinois from Champaign-Urbana to Bloomington-Normal and all the towns and rural communities in between. The transmitter was old, needed costly upgrades and mouse traps, and didn't transmit as far as the FCC broadcast map indicated it should.  Despite that, loyal Whip listeners found ways to tune in (usually on their car radios). One of our savvy listeners built an antenna tower on his barn specifically to be able to listen to The Whip. Those were the days!

In 2014, Lonesome Larry sold the station (at a profit, we might add) and Auntie Industries took The Whip online to backlandradio.com October 1 that year. And here we are 30 years later.

We're so excited to be partnered up with the Historic Rose Bowl Tavern in Urbana, Illinois for the majority of our anniversary events.  


The Whip's Anniversary Events

Saturday, May 2, 2026

Fred Eaglesmith

Fred Eaglesmith

Kicking off The Whip's 30th Anniversary!
Saturday, May 2, 2026, Doors 2pm, Show 3pm
The Historic Rose Bowl Tavern, Urbana, IL

TICKETS at Eventbrite.com

Doors at 2, Show at 3

Longtime Whip playlist standard and friend of the station, Fred Eaglesmith's vast catalog of music has influenced musicians and music lovers all over the world. We are thrilled to welcome him back to kick off The Whip's 30th Anniversary at the Historic Rose Bowl Tavern. 
fredeaglesmith.com
rosebowltavern.com



May 14, 2026

Mac Leaphart

Mac Leaphart w/Cody Gentry

A Whip 30th Anniversary / Rose Bowl Acoustic Happy Hour show! 
Thursday, May 14, 2026, 5pm-7pm
Acoustic Happy Hour - No cover, tips gratefully accepted

Our pal & Friendly Neighborhood Singer-Songwriter Mac Leaphart returns for another Acoustic Happy Hour with Cody Gentry. Grab yer take-out dinner and come celebrate with us at the Rose Bowl.

The Historic Rose Bowl Tavern, 106 N. Race Street, Urbana, IL
macleaphart.com
rosebowltavern.com


Saturday, July 11, 2026

Kyle Fields

Kyle Fields, Comedian 

Part of the Whip 30th Anniversary series
with special guests Colonel Fields and ESPN's 93.5 Kurtis Allen
Saturday, July 11, 2026
Mattoon American Legion Post 88, Mattoon, IL
TICKETS at Eventbrite.com
This is a Comedy Supper Club event suitable for Adults 21+. Eats at 5:30, Show starts at 7pm. Show only tickets are also available!

Thousands follow his YouTube Pro Wrestling parodies on his channel @funnymanfields. He’s a stand-up comedian who has toured with many national comics. Renowned for his quick wit and hilarious improv interaction with his
audiences, you’ll love Kyle Fields.

youtube.com/@funnymanfields
kylefieldscomedy.com
facebook.com/MattoonAmericanLegion
Presented by Lunchtime Laughs, The Whip and Backland Radio, Mattoon American Legion Post 88

Sunday, August 2, 2026

Deidre L Sanford

Deidre L. Sanford
Psychic-Medium 
NATIONAL PSYCHIC DAY  

Sunday, August 2, 2026, 1pm CDT
An online event with renowned Psychic-Medium Deidre L Sanford
TICKETS HERE 
Deidre Sanford is a certified Psychic-Medium and Oracle Card Reader with ancestral roots in the Scottish Highlands. She approaches each reading with respect, integrity and an understanding that being invited into someone’s inner world is an honor. Audiences are wowed by the clarity that comes through and Deidre's warm and authentic interaction with them and their visitors.

A limited number of tickets will be sold. We respectfully request only one person in the room per purchased ticket. This is an online group reading and there is no guarantee that every person attending will get a reading. All sales final; no refunds.
*Disclaimer: Be advised that all readings are for entertainment purposes only. Readings may not be 100% accurate. The client receiving the reading is responsible for their own life, decisions and interpretations (free will).

Presented by Auntie Industries, The Whip and Backland Radio

Tuesday, August 11, 2026

Janet McNamara

Janet McNamara, Comedian 

A Whip's 30th Anniversary Event
with special guest, Gretchen Conlin
Tuesday, August 11, 2026, Doors 6pm, Event 7pm
The Historic Rose Bowl Tavern, Urbana, IL
Advance Tickets $20
Door/Day of the Show $25
TICKETS at Eventbrite.com

JANET McNAMARA is a Boston native with an idiosyncratic perspective and finely tuned joke writer. Her unbothered approach and plainspoken delivery have been featured on America’s Got Talent and American Idol (yes, really) and endeared her to audiences across the country. Janet has opened for Maria Bamford, Jessica Kirson and Eugene Mirman, and performed at the Women in Comedy Festival, Asheville Comedy Festival, Rogue Island Comedy Festival, Boston Comedy Festival, Big Sky Comedy Festival, and Hampton Beach Comedy Festival. Her debut comedy album, Not Smart Enough, is available now on PGF Records and can be heard on The Whip's Lunchtime Laughs.
facebook.com/janetisfunny
janetmcnamara.com
rosebowltavern.com

Presented by Lunchtime Laughs, The Whip and Backland Radio, Rose Bowl Tavern

Event Location

The Historic Rose Bowl Tavern, 106 N Race, Urbana, IL

Event Location

Mattoon American Legion Post 88, 1907 Maple, Mattoon, IL

© Copyright 2026 Auntie Industries