Open Door: My Radio Studio

Indy 500 correspondent and WJJK classic rock queen Laura Steele let us into the broadcasting hub of her Carmel home.
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Photography by Tony Valainis/Indianapolis Monthly

(1) Steele first attended the Grammys in the ’90s, interviewing Bonnie Raitt. This poster display is a prized possession.

(2) One of six shadow boxes Steele has filled with concert and sporting event ticket stubs. “It’s sad it’s all electronic now.”

(3) Artwork from a photo of Steele and her late mom. “My head is resting on her shoulder. I look at it every day for inspiration.”

(4) Steele grabbed this homage to rock ’n’ roll frontman Robert Plant at a charity auction. “I’m a huge Led Zeppelin fan.”

(5) Steele’s colleague at Channel 13 Emily Poe made this illustration of a mic flag with the call letters WTHR.

(6) “Everyone should have a radio for news and music, not depend on technology. I have four around the house.”

(7) The sound of this button is Roger Penske telling Indy 500 drivers to start their engines. “It makes my dogs bonkers.”

(8) A commemorative Indy 500 bottle of (faux) milk signed by Josef Newgarden. Steele has covered more than 20 races.