Gary O'Brien

Gary O'Brien is the host of the afternoon show "Gary O'Brien and Friends" which airs weekdays from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

After graduating from Illinois State University, Gary was hired by the great Assembly Hall director Tom Parkinson to work with local media to promote events at University of Illinois Assembly Hall. Among the many events, he promoted included Frank Sinatra, Red Skelton, Elton John, Mikhail Baryshnikov, U2, Garth Brooks, Johnny Cash, Barry Manilow, Bob Hope, "Les Miserables," and hundreds more. Among the many highlights of his more than 20 years at The Assembly Hall include being the point person planning a Stevie Wonder "Don't Drink and Drive" rally/mini-concert on the University of Illinois Quad that received massive local news coverage as well as national coverage on CNN.

After a more than 20 year career at The Assembly Hall, Gary became the afternoon host of "Gary O'Brien and Friends" on February 23, 2004. Influenced by the easy-going and entertainment-oriented style of Chicago radio legend Roy Leonard, Gary features interviews with stars of television, film, music, and theatre as well as interesting guests on such topics as history, pop-culture, news of the day and local events.

Past guests include Maureen O'Hara, Henry Winkler, Little Richard. Roseanne Barr, Merv Griffin, Phyllis Diller, Ed McMahon, Kenny Rogers, Tim Conway, John Wooden, John Dean (Watergate), Johnny Mathis, Mike Love of The Beach Boys, Carl Reiner, REO Speedwagon, Larry The Cable Guy, Donny Osmond and many more.

Gary is just as excited to introduce Midwest audiences to brilliant performers best known in New York or Los Angeles, such as Tony-nominated actor Brian Lane Green, songwriter Marty Panzer, Lee Lessack, Karen Mason and Jim Caruso.

A fan of all genres of entertainment, especially entertainment history, has a large memorabilia collection and a record collection that includes more than 15,000 albums, 45's, 78's and CD's, many of which are often heard on the show.

Gary lives in Champaign with his son Justin. Justin, who is the show's official announcer, introduces the show each day.

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