Top of the Morning, Sept. 29, 2026
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Sep. 29—Since Jan. 5: Hundreds of guests — in studio, on the phone, in Lot 31 — and growing.
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Before Illini home games, we visit with fans pregaming outside Gies Memorial Stadium during "The News-Gazette Tailgate Show" (WDWS, WHMS, WSOY, WDAN). This week's program kicks off at noon with a bang — a Lot 31 concert put on by Champaign-based Rolling Stones tribute band, the Voodoo Exiles.
It's the third year in a row Illini fans will sing along to "Gimme Shelter," "Jumpin' Jack Flash" and "Start Me Up" outside Gies Memorial Stadium in a gig organized by TONY JOHNSTON and other Lot 31 regulars.
"It's been a blast," guitarist Mike Connell said. "The fans are all fired up and intent on having a good time already. This just adds to it."
The band, formed in 2022, plays on a flatbed trailer set up just west of the main entrance to Grange Grove.
Connell (Farmer City-Mansfield High Class of 1982) and his cohorts — ranging in age from 52 to 72 — are on to something. This year's schedule includes more than 20 gigs, including a Friday night tuneup at Pipa's in Champaign.
On Saturday, they'll play "Paint It Black" before the Illini take it to the black-and-gold Boilermakers.
"For me and most of the guys, we're all Illini fans," Connell said. "It's great to play in that atmosphere and get ready to cheer for the team."