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Remembering jazz and Motown drummer Billy "Stix" Nicks

Billy "Stix" Nicks and the Motown Machine

We were saddened to hear the news that drummer Billy “Stix” Nicks died Wednesday, Nov. 15, at the age of 82 after an illness. He died just one day after being inducted into the South Bend Community Hall of Fame.

Bill Nicks founded the popular jazz bands The Rhythm Rockers and the Billy Nicks Jazz Trio. He’s also known for having played and recorded with the prestigious Motown label with Junior Walker and the All Stars.

Billy performed at many WVPE events over the years, including one of the Meet Me on the Island events earlier this year with his band The Motown Machine.

In 2015, Billy “Stix” Nicks was featured as one of the “South Bend Stories” aired on WVPE as part of a celebration of the city’s 150th anniversary. He talked about growing up in South Bend and the beginning of his music career.

Music: "Junghetto" by Billy "Stix" Nicks

Tony became WVPE's program director in 2022, after working as operations manager since 2014. He also produces Michiana Chronicles and works on other special programming and digital projects. He joined the station as All Things Considered host in 1997, hosted Morning Edition in 2000 and 2001, then returned to the ATC host chair from 2007 to 2016. One of his Morning Edition newscasts earned WVPE a Best Radio Newscast Award from the Associated Press in 2002. An Iowa native, Tony got his start in radio as a student at Eastern Mennonite University (EMU), Harrisonburg, Va., and managed the radio station there for three years after graduating. He also worked in commercial and Christian radio prior to his time at WVPE. Tony lives in Goshen.