JBK On Air

Mark Grainda is Director of Content Communications for the United Soccer League's Indy Eleven. He also spent 3 years as Media Relations Director for the Indy Fuel, a professional hockey team based in Indianapolis, IN. Mark describes his daily responsibilities working for a professional sports franchise and the impact it can have on work/life balance. Mark reflects on his shared high school experience with Jimmy as classmates in American Sign Language. They both appreciate the opportunity to gain better perspective on life because of their ASL teacher Joseph Wheeler. Finally, Mark recalls his athletic career as a hockey player at Carmel High School & how being a student athlete helped him get to where his is today!

Ray Steele is the local host for NPR's Morning Edition on WFYI 90.1 FM in Indianapolis. He joins Jimmy to talk about his responsibilities as a broadcaster to promote positive content around Indianapolis and help underserved communities with his platform. Ray provides expert analysis on professional wrestling and explains the peace it brings him when needing to disconnect from the stress of work.

Finally, both recall their experience being involved with Timmy Takedown, a charity pro wrestling event organized & performed by people with disabilities. For more about Timmy Takedown & how to donate to Timmy Global Health, visit https://www.timmyglobalhealth.org/timmytakedown

For more with Ray, tune in weekdays 5-9 AM ET on WFYI 90.1 FM in Indianapolis, stream online, & follow him @RaySteeleWFYI on Twitter!

Brenda Williams is a singer and actress based in Indianapolis, IN. She joins Jimmy to talk about her career in entertainment, recalling the joy she felt performing with Jimmy's dad, Chooch as part of The Jackson Street Orchestra.

Brenda shares her experience competing in the Mrs. America beauty competition as Mrs. Montana, finishing 2nd runner up for the title. She also shares her earliest music influences & how singing in church with the encouragement of her father inspired her to become a singer.

She has been the opening act for headliners such as Ray Charles, The Beach Boys, Lee Greenwood, Chuck Mangione, and Meryl Streep. She reflects on a stellar career that has spanned over four decades and still continues today. Ms. Williams has established a large following of fans in Central Indiana over the years, through her ability to perform a wide variety of settings in her own defining style.

For more information about Brenda, follow her page BRENDA WILLIAMS ENTERTAINMENT on Facebook!

Marquone Edmonds is a fitness specialist and coach based out of Lake Bluff, Illinois. He is a former wide receiver at the University of Indianapolis playing from 2009-2012. He is the all-time leader for UIndy Football in career receptions (256), receiving yards (3,254) & touchdown catches (41).

He talks about his experience playing multiple sports in high school, the hours that go into developing timing with a quarterback, and what it is like to physically recover following a football game. Marquone reflects on having the opportunity to play professional football in Germany and getting to experience a different culture. Finally, Marquone reveals his favorite professional wrestler & go-to football movie!

For more information about Marquone including his services as a fitness specialist/coach follow @quone86 on Instagram!

Eric Davidson is a former college basketball player at the University of Indianapolis. He reacts to John Rahm winning the 2023 Masters, the satisfaction of seeing LIV Tour players lose, and if Tiger Woods will ever win again on the PGA Tour.

He first recalls his high school basketball experience at Hamilton Southeastern, playing alongside two Indiana Mr. Basketball award recipients, Gary Harris and Zak Irvin. Before enrolling at UIndy, Eric won the 2014 American Family Insurance High School Three-Point Shooting Championship in Dallas, establishing himself as one of the best shooters in the country. He emphasizes the need for confidence and repetition as keys to becoming a prolific shooter.

Eric is also UIndy's all-time leader in career free-throw percentage, converting on better than 93% of his attempts. Much like his favorite NBA player, Steph Curry, ED points to his steady free throw line routine as a major reason for the consistent success. Finally, he reflects on the best life lessons basketball has taught him and the joy he feels seeing his younger brother Jack play professionally overseas!

For more information about Eric, follow him @ericdavidson5 on Instagram!

Diamond Dan Garza is newly inducted into the Indiana Wrestling Hall of Fame for his work as a wrestler, promoter & trainer. Dan reflects on his career in the ring including matches with Rick Rude and Mick Foley. He reveals the painful realities of the business and the physical injuries he suffered when maneuvers weren’t properly executed.

Timmy Global Health founder and former pro-wrestler, Dr. Chuck Dietzen, AKA Dr. Doom, aids wrestlers to help them showcase their ability in a safe arena. This one-of-a-kind sporting event allows participants to become a professional wrestler for the day with family and friends present, putting the focus on what they can do instead of their limitations. All proceeds & donations go toward Timmy Global Health’s mission of expanding access to quality healthcare worldwide. For more information about this event, visit https://www.timmyglobalhealth.org/timmytakedown

For more information about Diamond Dan & his career in pro-wrestling follow @diamonddanpwi on YouTube!

Zach McRoberts is a former college basketball player at Vermont and Indiana University. He joins Jimmy to discuss their shared high school experience at Carmel, winning back-to-back state titles for the Greyhounds under head coach Scott Heady, and growing up in a basketball family. Zach's brother, Josh, was a highly recruited player out of Carmel High School, being named a McDonald's All-American and projected as a lottery pick in the 2005 NBA Draft if he declared. Josh would go on to play 11 years in the NBA for 7 teams, including his hometown Indiana Pacers. Zach recalls getting to meet Coach K at Duke during Josh's recruitment, being brought in by Tom Crean as a walk-on at Indiana & much more.

Avery Woodson is a former college basketball player for Memphis & Butler Men's Basketball. He has professional experience playing in Greece, Finland, Sweden, Ukraine, and Belgium. He discusses his recruitment including time spent at East Mississippi Community College, the same school seen on the Netflix documentary series "Last Chance U".  Avery opens up about the pressures of being a college basketball player including work/life balance outside of team commitments. He also recalls his final season with Butler, advancing to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament.