Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, Rick Stephenson has lived the life radio has to offer, working in many different cities like Minneapolis, Albuquerque, Shreveport, and Phoenix, Arizona. Rick now makes his home in Peoria, Illinois and is the morning personality at 97.3 River Country. Although he's a "60's child" and grew up with the Beatles, Beach Boys, and the rock revolution, his choice of country radio has spanned over three decades.
Rick's resume is impressive to say the least, having worked at KNEW in Oakland, where he performed every job from morning jock to production director. Ten years later, his company moved him to the Twin Cities where Rick became the morning air personality at WDGY, Minneapolis. He was a top five finalist for Billboard Magazine's "Radio Personality Of The Year" in 1989, and in the same year, he and his partner were voted by readers of a local paper, one of the top three morning teams in the city. He was also a panelist or USA Today for 18 months, picking top albums along with four other program directors from across the country.
From there, Rick programmed in Albuquerque, New Mexico and Phoenix, Arizona, and enjoyed his most rewarding accomplishments in Shreveport, Louisiana where he programmed at KRMD for nearly five years. He led his staff to three consecutive LAB Station of the Year awards, two CMA and an NAB nominations. He also programmed at Clear Channel's KITT and KWKH, Shreveport, the home of the legendary Louisiana Hayride.
But after being a program director for fourteen years, Rick moved to Illinois to become "Just a radio personality." And his experience continues to pay off! In June 2004, the Illinois Broadcasters Association awarded Rick a Silver Dome Award for "Best Local Morning Show of the Year In A Medium Market" for the 2nd year in a row. Rick's "Pledge of Allegiance" also won the Silver Dome Award for "Best Radio Self Promotion!" The accolades continued in June 2005 as the IBA awarded Rick a Silver Dome Award for "Best Community Service Activity" for "Do Me A Favor Friday." Rick has also won ADDY Awards from the Peoria Ad Club for his "Pledge of Allegiance" feature as well as "Ronald Reagan Remembered," vignettes memorializing the former Illinois resident and President. In June 2006, Rick, and partner Lisa Franks, were awarded The Silver Dome Award for "Best Local Morning Show" at the IBA Convention in Springfield, Illinois.
The love of his life is his daughter, Megan. "God has blessed me with the most beautiful young lady you can imagine, and I am very proud of her in so many ways! We talk every day, and never take our love for granted. She is my candle in the dark!"
Lisa Franks has experienced the small town life-- having grown up in Waverly, Iowa. "It is not exactly a Hick Town, but it is just down the road from a few." Lisa's high school friends were instrumental in getting her adjusted to a future career in country music. During homecoming week, friends would bring her cowboy hats and dare her to "dress country" for hat day. Those same friends also programmed country music on her car stereo. It took a bit of time- but she has 'Gone Country" the way Alan Jackson intended.
Lisa's background in radio is very diverse-- like a winding road. "I started in adult contemporary music at KWAY at the age of 15. KWAY was a radio station located in my home town of Waverly, Iowa." From there, Lisa switched to hard rock alternative, went to public radio for classical music, came back to classic rock, switched the gear into news, dabbled back in adult contemporary music and here she is-- country. Lisa admits that the Country Genre is her favorite, mostly due to the kindheartedness and passion of country listeners.
Lisa has been the honorable recipient of several radio broadcast awards. Most recently, Rick and Lisa in the Morning won the Silver Dome Award for the Best Local Morning Show in Illinois from the Illinois Broadcaster's Association in 2006. Lisa also received several news awards while working at Newsradio 600 WMT in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. During a three-year span, Lisa won first place for a newscast, first place for beat reporting, second place for editing, second place for beat reporting and was a proud group recipient of the newsroom of the year in 2002. Lisa also received several awards while attending the University of Iowa-- including a broadcast scholarship from the Iowa Broadcaster's Association and the Quarton-McElroy Foundation.
Lisa enjoys spending time with family. "I have two young nieces that I want to adopt-- but I am happy just being their God Mother." Delaney and Katelyn live with Lisa's sister, Jennifer and her husband in Omaha, Nebraska. The rest of her family lives in Iowa. Lisa says she loves to go home and ride her dad's John Deere Mower. (Did she say John Deere?) One time, Lisa mowed the lawn in 5th gear. Let's just say a few strands of grass were left untouched.
Lisa's Monday nights are usually spent cooking or eating someone else's food. "About 6 months ago, a group of friends began a Monday Night Dinner Group. It has grown from 6 people to about 26! It is amazing what happens when you cook good food and offer a little wine!"
Most of Lisa's passion in life revolves around non-profit groups in the community. She has volunteered for Big Brothers/Big Sisters. Constance, who is Lisa's Little Sister, is now 16 and driving. "It is hard to believe that the little girl I used to make snow angels with is actually maturing." Lisa also enjoys devoting time and energy to the Peoria Art Guild, MDA, Red Cross and other organizations around the Peoria Area.