Erik Austin
Where are you from? - Born and raised here in Eau Claire, WI. I spent a year at college in Tuscaloosa, AL (Roll Tide!) and another year living on Prairie Lake in Chetek, WI...but for the most part, Ive lived in Eau Claire for 26 of my 28 years.
Family? - Still single and loving it! Most of my family lives in Eau Claire including my amazing parents, loving grandmother, my sister and her husband, and my adorable nieces. My brothers family lives in Wisconsin Rapids where he is the head hockey coach for the highly successful Lincoln Red Raiders.
How did you get into radio? - I started doing board-op work for Milwaukee Brewers games here in Eau Claire, but my true love was waiting in country radio. Im one of those weird people whos heart and soul revolves around Nashville. Its truly a passion!
What else do you do? - Yes, I have a real job. I deliver beer, and I love it! Very long, hard days...but its great! Nothing like the love I get for being the Beer Man! Between playing the music that people love on WAXX, and bringing a smile to their faces by delivering them their beer...my life is indeed, grand!
What makes you happy? - Backpacking on Isle Royale National Park and in Southern Utah, Lower Broadway in Nashville, campfires with the blues, Camp Randall Stadium and Lambeau Field in the fall, Miller Park on a gorgeous summer evening, pontooning in Chetek...and having a well-deserved Budweiser after work at The Table!
Favorite Artists? - Tim McGraw, Keith Urban, and Kenny Chesney are my absolute faves. I also branch out into other genres...Pink Floyd, The Black Crowes, Phish, Jimmy Buffett, and Stevie Ray Vaughan. I have another passion for great guitarists!
Favorite Foods? - I love food!! I live alone, and love cooking...so I eat like a rock star! Ribeyes and T-Bones a few times a week with a good bottle of red zinfandel...ribs, wings from BW3s, brats, and a good ol bacon cheeseburger put a smile on my face!
What three Americans would you want to have dinner with? - Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Nettles, and Taylor Swift :o) Oh...its not a date? OK....lets try that again! Brett Favre, Jimmy Buffett, and ESPN Radio host Colin Cowherd. The laughs and stories that would come from that table would be gut-busting!
Favorite Country Jam memories? - We North High School grads have always been a staple at Jam. The summer that Tim and Faith hooked up was amazing! I'll never forget Tims show from 1996 when he opened with Renegade. I was hooked. It was at Country Jam where my fire for country music was forever lit.