If you grew up listening to KBPI, Willie B was probably the voice behind at least a few things you couldn’t believe were happening on the radio. He first hit the station’s airwaves on April 3, 1993, beginning a Denver career that’s now stretched 33 years. On the IM FROM DENVER Podcast, Willie sits down with WIGNZ to talk about how a dairy farm kid from Kentucky found his home in Colorado, and everything that happened along the way.
There’s plenty of the chaos longtime listeners will remember. Willie revisits throwing a Subaru off a parking garage, listener-driven stunts, and the Mudfest invitation that he says turned into an 11-mile truck convoy, followed by court and a $42,000 bill. He also gets into moving from nights to mornings, KBPI’s signal changes, and what it takes to stay connected to listeners through three decades of changes in radio. With WIGNZ bringing his own Denver radio background to the conversation, there’s plenty to unpack behind the microphone.
Then there are the cars. Willie’s love of working on them started with his dad and eventually became part of his television career as a co-host of Two Guys Garage. That same passion helped fuel Cars for Christmas, repairing vehicles and giving them to people who need dependable transportation. By October 2018, KBPI reported the effort had already been running for 14 years and had given away more than 100 cars. Local volunteers, shops, and supporters help turn donated vehicles into a way for families to get to work, school, and appointments.
The conversation gets especially personal when Willie talks about losing his home in a fire during COVID and the people who helped his family start over. Hearing him describe that support adds another layer to what he means when he talks about the “BPI Family.” After years of rallying listeners around other people, his own family needed help, and the community showed up.
Watch the full conversation with Willie B and WIGNZ below for the wild stories, the radio history, and the experiences that shaped his life in Colorado. To support the vehicle giveaways, donate a car, or nominate someone who needs reliable transportation, visit the Willie B Foundation.
