Listeners of DeKalb-based "B95" (WDKB-FM) recently heard the final local newscast from longtime newsman Brian Adams. Adams accepted a position as a reporter at KNIA/KRLS in Knoxville, IA.
Adams was a newscaster at B95 for the past 22 years. During that time, he covered countless local government meetings as well as breaking news events, including blizzards, tornadoes, a monster truck accident and the fatal campus shooting at Northern Illinois University in 2008.
Each year, he also coordinated the Community Stage for the city's Corn Fest which took place again last weekend.
"I found myself doing more and more each year," Adams explained. "It pretty much became a six month a year project just getting ready for those two days."
Adams said he often split his shift over the years, covering city council and county board meetings at night and then getting to work early to write news copy for use on the air by 6 a.m.
Adams said he takes issue with the term "fake news." Instead, he said the problem arises when real news is done poorly.
"There are still an awful lot of people in this business who don't give care into how a story is presented," he said. "It's not political, it's just a matter of competence."
Adams said he worked hard to provide news and information to the adult contemporary audience he served. Sometimes that meant being the bearer of sad news, like crime or national tragedies.
"I just want people to remember that the story was always more important than the storyteller," Adams said.
On a lighter note, Adams said he considered changing his name early in his career to avoid confusion with the Canadian pop star Bryan Adams. "At the time, I thought it's like you're trying to hide something," Adams explained. "I've learned the hard way that there's nothing wrong with using a different name. It puts the focus back on the story."
And yes, he has heard every joke, even a suggestion years ago to play "Run to You" at his wedding.
"A song about a guy cheating on his girlfriend didn't really set the right tone for the wedding," he said.
Adams starts his new job in early September.
