
Our Staff

John Stephens, Founder
About John
John M Stephens, Founder, TheRootsFM
John brings a 40 +year background in media management and entrepreneurial experience to The Roots.FM.
John's media career started at the St. Louis Post Dispatch in the 1970s. In the 1980s John moved on to CBS Television and later NW AYER, an advertising agency in NYC. John's final position before going into business for himself was as VP of Marketing at the St. Louis Regional Commerce and Growth association. There he created a regional marketing program called "I'm Sold on St. Louis."
In 1991 John founded Media Pulse, Inc in St. Louis, Missouri. In 1995 INC Magazine honored Media Pulse as one of the fastest growing high-tech companies in the USA. The St. Louis Business Journal honored Media Pulse as one of the 20 fastest growing high-tech companies in St. Louis. Seven years later he sold the business to the Observer Group AB in Stockholm, Sweden.
In 2005 John founded Pulse Productions, an Emmy Award winning video production company and Caption Midwest, a closed captioning service.
In 2016 founded TheRootsFM with a simple goal of becoming the finest Internet radio station in the country. Playing a unique blend of 1960s and 70s Free Form Album Rock, "The Roots" went on to be honored 3 times as the best music radio station in St. Louis, MO.

Kathie Tate
About Kathie
I grew up in Florissant, Missouri, listening to just about every type of music available. On the radio there was country, rock, pop, and Mystery Theatre. I indulged regularly in my parents’ record collection that ranged from Rachmaninov to Sergio Mendes and Brazil; from Blood, Sweat, and Tears all the way back to Hank Williams, Sr., and everything in between. Music has always been a big part of who I am. In college, I majored in Mass Communication with a goal of becoming a radio DJ. I was fortunate to work at KRXL/KIRX in Kirksville for a year and a half before graduating, but my career path didn’t lead where I thought it would once I came back home. I went back to college to be a teacher, and that didn’t come to full fruition for nearly 25 years. I’ve worked in various fields over the years, and I finally found my place teaching High School Special Education in the Winfield School District. Early in 2023 I heard about The Roots, listened to and loved the music, and decided to go check it out and tour the station. John Stephens told me they needed a female voice on the staff, so I jumped on the opportunity to get back on the air. You can listen to me on Sunday mornings from 10 to noon, and soon on Saturday afternoons 3-6 as well.

Mark Hyken
About Mark
I've programmed and hosted 60's-70's rock radio shows since 1999. I've also been collecting and enjoying all this great music since it was new. The crazy thing is that I've worked on air at several big St. Louis commercial radio stations that mostly play "adult pop hits" and even "top 40". I know it sounds dull and you're right, the music was literally awful but it was still fun. That being said, I decided that life is too short to spend time spinning top 40 music so I walked away.
I started out as a dedicated Roots listener. Every time I turned the station on I would think "I could work there and I'd fit right in". My voice of reason would say "nope, you're too busy!" After about 3 months of listening, my will broke and I reached out to John Stephens to see if he'd answer back and shockingly he did! Sometimes you make room for things that you believe in!
When I'm not working at theRootsFM, I'm usually out on my bicycle or working out at the gym. As John Stephens jokingly says, "I'm in training for the Olympics"!

Bill Neal
About Bill "Neal"
Bill's radio career dates back to the 70's while hosting late night free form "progressive underground" and top 40 shows on AM and FM stations in Norman, Tulsa, Broken Arrow and Lawton, Oklahoma. In 1984 Bill moved to St. Louis to continue a career outside of radio but in 2016 he found his way back to radio as a weekend member of the original ROOTS air staff. Since 2018 Bill has been doing weekends at St. Louis's K-WULF 101.7fm, Rock and Americana format. Bill really enjoys the ROOTS Free Form Album Rock format which allows for the creativity to produce shows like, the Friday AMERICANA show, Friday Night Happy Hour, the Saturday Night Rocks show with the Psychedelic Lounge and Long Song Hour and the Sunday Evening show with a set of Blues, Long Song Hour and Laid Back and Mellow hour at 11pm. When not working at radio Bill enjoys spending time with his wife, Judy, their adult children and grandkids. In addition you can always find Bill browsing used record shops or guitar stores as he continues to add to his collections. Bill is thrilled to be at the ROOTS playing the greatest music ever recorded!

David Michaels
About Dave
Celebrating 29 years on the air that began in 1992 on August 23rd at KYMC at Maryville College in Town and Country, Mo. where I produced and hosted a 3 hour show called, "The Ultimate Vision" til December of 1996.
I came on board at KCLC as the host of the metal show called, "The Concrete Expressway" (Hard, Heavy and Fast Rock and Metal) from Midnight til 2am. In January of 1997 I moved to the 7pm -10pm slot.
Later, in January of 1999 I became the Music Director/Producer of Crossroads 6 hour Rock Show, continuing to host 7pm-10pm. I am currently hosting 8pm-Midnight in 2021.
Over the years we have reported our songs to charts run by CCM, Progressive Air Journal, Pure Rock Report, Radio and Records, Billboard and Christian Music Weekly. I was the Music Director of KCLC HD2 "The Experience" from May of 2016-November of 2019.
I met with John Stephens in January of 2021 and started the night shift Monday and Friday 7pm-11pm and Tuesday-Thursday 6pm-11pm.

Tim Powers
About Tim
Tim is a voice actor in video games like Final Fantasy and Call of Duty. He has provided voices for Disney, Netflix, Warner Music Group, The St. Louis Zoo, and radio stations all over the world. Tim is also a stand-up comedian and a veteran of the stages at LA's Comedy Store and Hollywood Improv, as well as a trained improviser and an alum of St. Louis' "CityImprov" cast formerly housed in Union Station. He was raised on the great music and radio from St. Louis and brings years of studious knowledge in Rock history to our air.
He's a Pisces and firmly believes the best pizza in the entire world is a Shelley's Deluxe pizza from the Fortel's Pizza Den in Affton. Tim Powers (Duchesne High School in St. Charles, Class of 1987)(UMSL, 1992)

Tom DeGeare
About Tom
Tom is a proud graduate of the University of Missouri and a retired mailman. Music has always been a part of his life. He is a Grateful Dead freak who loves all types of music. Growing up in the 60’s, rock music was first and foremost. Big Band, hard-core country, soul and R&B were all part of the mix that surrounded him. He loves attending live music shows and live theater.
Tom produces Fridays 7-9pm for The Jamband Show. He will shake your bones with the best Jamband music from the Grateful Dead to Phish to Goose and more! All handpicked tunes to thrill your ears and move your soul.
On Wednesdays 8-10pm, Tom hosts Special Delivery. This show has a wide variety of music for your head, heart and soul. Rock, Blues, R&B, Country and Jazz go into the blender and come out all First Class – No Junk! Sign in for a Special Delivery!
Tom brings a passion for music and a desire to share that love of music to the Roots

Jim Davis
About Jim
Jim Davis has worked in the radio and media business for 15 years. He created an evolving Morning Show for The Roots.fm, that focuses on specific genres within Free Form Album Rock that provides our listeners a different experience each day.
Jim Davis pioneered a new concept that celebrates the enduring legacy of Pink Floyd and the tribute bands that honor them worldwide. This concept, initially launched in the St. Louis Area, has now grown into a global phenomenon, reaching audiences in 15 countries.
Jim's creation has fostered a vibrant community that impacts fans every day, inspiring others with its potential for global reach. Jim also created a live remote broadcast from a boat on Lake Egypt in Illinois while a recent solar eclipse was underway. Jim produced a synchronized soundtrack featuring Darkside of the Moon featuring six different Pink Floyd tribute bands from around the world.
“There is still great creativity in Album Rock, and Jim Davis shares it every day”. John M Stephens, Founder of The Roots.Fm

Joe Meyer
About Joe
Joe Meyer is a St Louis native, whose upbringing led him to the diverse array of music that St. Louis is known for.. blues, rock, soul, and jazz. Joe is a professional drummer who has played with Nikki Hill, Ricky Montgomery, Mama’s Pride, Superjam, Kim Wilson and Preston Hubbard, amongst many others.
Like many professional musicians, accepts a limited number of high-potential private students.
Joe’s Roots show, Blue Grooves taps directly into the music that Joe loves and loves to share with others. Spread the word, so the music can be HEARD! Monday's at Noon, with a replay at 6 PM.

Danny Liston
About Danny
Danny Liston has been a professional musician since about the age of 14, when he was a drummer for a soul review with his brother Pat, who is a guitar player. In 1972, he and his brother Pat, and Max Baker put a band together called Mama’s Pride. They signed a record deal in 75 with Atlantic Records CEO Ahmet Ertegun.
Through the years, Liston was fortunate enough to perform with artists such as Greg Allman, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Marshall Tucker, Charlie Daniels, and Ringo Starr, along with a host of other amazing artists. Recently he released a solo CD called Everybody, produced by Grammy award-winning producer, Jim Gaines.
He has found a new passion along with music and that is doing a radio show on The Root FM, a listener-supported, commercial, free radio station in St. Louis Missouri. His show is called Uptown and Lowdown, which by the way is the title of their second Mama’s Pride album. His show airs on Wednesdays from 12 to 2 with a replay from 6 to 8.

Drea Stein
About Drea
Drea has worked in St. Louis community radio for 28 years. Drea and three other KDHX program hosts have joined The Roots in the past year. Being on the airwaves all these years, Drea has interviewed many artists, including David Bromberg, Mickey Hart, and Victor Wooten. She enjoys getting to know the artists and allowing her listeners to get to know them. Stein is looking forward to sharing new artists and their music on TheRoots.fm and using her extensive music knowledge to showcase various classic rock artists and their music.
Stein and her husband, Tom, have traveled to twenty-seven different countries. Drea has already utilized The Roots’ live broadcast capabilities to originate her “Touch of Drea” show from Sweden and Belize, in Central America. Drea and Tom produce unique tie-dyed clothing that helps them get to know people. “Bright colors make people smile,” she says, opening the door to conversation. She even carries tie-dyed shoelaces to give out to people she makes connections with along the way….. shoelaces….
Drea and her team of volunteers also produce Tie-dye parties. Lucky participants learn the art of creating tie-dyed clothing and leave the event with their unique hand-made creations.
Stein’s transition to TheRoots.FM marks an exciting new chapter in her career. Her enthusiasm is palpable as she discusses the unique opportunities that Internet radio presents. Drea is eager to bring a fresh perspective with ”A Touch of Drea,” Tuesdays at Noon, with a replay at 6PM.

Rick Comello
About Rick
I’ve been passionate about music since my early teenage years, I began my journey collecting LPs and 8-Tracks. A few years after a brief military stint, the Internet opened up a new world of progressive rock that captivated me.
In 2013, I began programming and hosting C-Sides on KDHX, sharing deep track rock with listeners.
Since joining TheRootsFM in 2023, I've been thrilled to continue this journey!
Join me Monday and Thursday nights from 8-10pm for a guaranteed musical adventure.