When Joe Alengo signs on to his radio program, “Big Swingtime” on Huntley Community Radio, he might say something like, “If you like what you hear, be of good cheer! Tell a friend and let him capture the rapture.”
Sun City resident Alengo, or “Pal Joe” as his listeners refer to him, can be heard over the airwaves Saturday and Sunday nights playing tunes from the Big Band era by the greats such as Glenn Miller, Woody Herman, Count Basie, and Stan Kenton.
Joe Alengo is the host and creator of “Big Swing,” broadcast from HCR. (Photos by Chris LaPelusa/Sun Day)
Alengo grew up listening to swing music, and he says Big Band is part of his DNA. Before he ever dreamed of hosting his own radio show, Alengo recalls listening to longtime Chicago jazz deejay Holmes “Daddy-O” Daylie, who immediately caught Alengo’s ear.
“He spoke in lines that were rather poetic,” said Alengo.
Daylie, “your musical host who loves you most,” became a role model to Alengo, who speaks to his listeners in a similar upbeat, lilting tone that leans toward poetry.
Surprisingly though, Alengo’s primary career wasn’t in broadcast at all: it was in education. He started as a teacher, followed by a long career as a school principal in Lombard’s District 44. In 2002, Alengo published a memoir, Tales Out of School, about his career in education.
Around the early 90s is when Alengo discovered radio — or rather, radio discovered him. While listening to the now-defunct Elmhurst station WKDC-AM, the deejay announced a contest: call in and correctly identify the singers being played, and win free tickets.
Joe Alengo (right) and HCR Executive Director Allen Pollack at work recording an episode of Big Swing in the Huntley Community Radio studios.
“I don’t know what the tickets were for, but I was going to the drug store for a prescription. I asked them if I could use their phone,” remembers Alengo.
Not only did Alengo answer correctly, but the person from the station said, “I like what I’m hearing. Have you ever worked in radio?”
The rest, as they say, is history. Alengo auditioned and won the radio spot. He worked at the Elmhurst station until it was ultimately sold to another owner.
Retired from the world of public education, Alengo is a staunch believer in the old saying, “Do what you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life.” In the old days at the radio station in Elmhurst, Alengo remembers saying, “I’m enjoying playing this music so much, I would do it for nothing!” As it turns out, Huntley’s 101.5 FM WHRU-LP is a non-profit organization.
“Here I am at an all-volunteer station,” he said with a laugh. “And I don’t mind it a bit.”
“Big Swingtime” garnered notice from Stream Licensing, a royalty company providing streaming services for independent radio stations. This summer, they granted WHRU-LP a citation of excellence, with special mention of the Big Band programming. “That’s me!” says Alengo. “Son of a gun — there’s hope for the old boy!”
Citations of excellence aside, Alengo says he most treasures letters he receives from community members who listen to the radio show each week. With 170 shows under his belt, it means a lot when a listener writes in to say, “I wish you were on every night!”
“Big Swingtime” airs on Huntley Community Radio 101.5 FM WHRU-LP Saturday and Sunday evenings starting at 7:30; listen to a podcast at huntleyradio.com.
