John Malone is a Central Illinois native and no stranger to Peoria area radio listeners. Over two decades, John’s voice has appeared on 10 of the market’s 18 commercial radio stations! For ten of those years, John was in management, serving as Operations Manager and Program Director on three separate occasions. He also spent 5 ½ year hosting a highly rated afternoon drive talk show, ending in July 2004.

Originally from Canton, Illinois, where he began his radio career at age 16 at WBYS, John holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from North Central College in Naperville, Illinois, and a Master of Arts degree from University of Illinois at Springfield.

John left radio full time in July 2004 to accept a position on the faculty of Lincoln College in Lincoln, Illinois, where he teaches broadcast communications, mass communication studies, and speech communication. He is also General Manager of the school’s student-operated radio station, and he serves as a student advisor.

In April 2005, John joined 97.3 River Country in a part-time capacity, working a weekend shift and filling in for vacations when school is not in session.

Outside of radio, John is a member of the Kiwanis Club of Lincoln, where he also serves on its Board of Directors. His interests include his beloved Chicago White Sox, vintage television and radio, politics, reading, and cats. He lives in East Peoria, Illinois.