On-Air Talent – Jonesboro Radio Group

Trey Stafford
5 a.m. to 10 a.m. on 104.9 The Fox

Trey Stafford is the not only the president and general manager of Jonesboro Radio Group, he has also been co-host for Fox Morning Show for the past 24 years with Jim Frigo.

Trey’s love for radio began in fourth grade in 1971. He grew up listening to “The Treehouse”, a daily talk show on KPCA-AM, which was based in his hometown of Marked Tree. Trey realized the hosts never shared information about his school, so he wrote some school news down, took it to the station, and was welcomed to read the report on air himself. Since that moment, he was hooked on broadcasting and gave up a normal childhood to spend the rest of his life in the business.

Fifty years later, Trey has received numerous awards and served in major roles for a variety of associations and committees. These include multiple awards for Best Radio Personality from Jonesboro Occasions Magazine, past president of Arkansas Broadcasters Association, past Small Market Radio Committee Representative National Association of Broadcasters, past president of Paragould Rotary Club, Paul Harris Fellow presented by Jonesboro Rotary Club, Vocational Excellence Award from University Rotary Club, past president of Arkansas Officials Association, Manager of the Year (Viking Award) from Saga Communications, Book of Golden Deeds Award from Jonesboro Exchange Club, and Member of the Year from Paragould Chamber of Commerce.

He is heavily involved with community service and activities and enjoys working with Make-A-Wish, Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas, and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

He and his wife, former KAIT anchor and reporter Jenna (Newton) Stafford, have four children—one daughter and triplet sons.

He is interested in sports, music of all kinds—especially live music, news and politics and serving the community.

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Jim Frigo
5 a.m. to 10 a.m. on 104.9 The Fox

Jim has been part of Fox Morning Show for the past 24 years with co-host Trey Stafford. Originally from Los Angeles, he has spent over 40 years in the broadcast industry.

He fell in love with the career field by listening to morning personalities growing up—Ray and Ram, Rick Dees, Joe James, etc. Once he noticed that a new radio station was being built in his area, he decided to jump at the opportunity and literally showed up on the owner’s doorstep to ask for a job. He hasn’t looked back since.

Through his time in radio, he has won several awards, including Best Station Marconi Award, Best Station from Occasions Magazine, Station Award for 1994 Arbitron Success 39.6 AQ 51% CUME, and two-time Station Presidents Award.

Jim loves all music having to do with country and western. He also enjoys classic rock, blues, and gospel.

He has two children and one grandson. In his spare time, enjoys fishing, cooking, beer, and travelling. He also likes to raise funds for the Make-a-Wish Foundation.

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Christie Matthews
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on 104.9 The Fox

Christie Matthews, a born-and-raised Arkansan, arrived in Jonesboro in 1990.

Christie has been honored with numerous industry accolades over her 32-year radio career, including Top 25 Country Program Director Honoree multiple times by Country Radio Broadcasters and Radio Ink Magazine; 2014 Top Small Market Program Director in America by Radio Ink Magazine; Third Best Program Director in America in 2015; Saga Communications Best of Brand Award Winner and Top Program Director; and Make-a-Wish Foundation Fundraiser of the Year. She serves as a Wish Ambassador for the Make A Wish Foundation and is on the Board of Directors for the Rotary Club of Jonesboro. In addition to her on air position, she holds the role of General Sales Manager and Station Manager at Jonesboro Radio Group.

Christie has a passion for family, radio, and her community. Christie’s love for children and community is evident in her role as a longtime volunteer and fundraiser for the Make-a-Wish Foundation of the Mid-South. In addition, she is dedicated to helping raise awareness and funds for women’s health.

Country music is her favorite, with Eric Church, Chris Stapleton, Kenny Chesney, and Blake Shelton in heavy rotation.

Christie and her husband, Jeff are the proud parents of two daughters Kait and Abbey. They are also “Chi Chi” and “Dude” to two adorable grandsons Pearson and Hatcher.

Christie loves Christmas, ( she puts up the tree early and leaves it up late) cooking, travelling and spoiling her grandsons!

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Skeeter Nash
2 p.m. to 7 p.m. on 104.9 The Fox

As far back as I can remember, radio and music have been my passions! As the youngest of eight boys, I remember my mom putting me down for naps with the radio playing just loudly enough to cover up whatever noises my older brothers were making in the house.

I was born and raised in Fresno, CA. The ‘big’ radio station in town back then was 13/KYNO. This was back when a Top-40 (or, in the case of KYNO, the “Boss 30”) stations played a wide variety of music…Pop, Rock ‘n’ Roll, Motown, the British Invasion, and even Country “crossover” hits. And the Boss Jocks sounded like they were having the best time, playing all this great music! I knew by the age of 7 that I wanted to be one of ‘those guys,’ and used to pretend to be on the air, playing records on my phonograph and talking into anything that resembled a microphone. At the same time, I became enamored with playing the drums, and singing…which is pretty much what I’ve been doing most of my life, starting a lead singer in a couple of high school Rock bands, eventually moving into Country music as a singing drummer.

My radio career started in and around the Fresno area, with stops along the way in Tulare and Bakersfield, CA. Then in the Spring of 2000, I moved to Nashville to pursue playing music in whatever capacity I could. I played most of the then-existing clubs and honky-tonks on Lower Broadway. I also did some radio part-time, first on The Big 98 WSIX, then on 650-AM WSM (home of the Grand Ole Opry). When the company that owned WSM decided to reduce their staff early in 2003, I was laid-off (hey, it happens!). I worked at other part-time jobs in the meantime (including in the Mail Order department at the historic Ernest Tubb Record Shop in downtown Nashville) while I started looking around for another radio gig. In July of ’03 I was referred to KDXY-FM 104.9 The Fox. Christie Matthews was the Program Director at the time, and somehow, I got hired to do Afternoon Drive on The Fox. For the next 9 years, I was part of the incredible staff at Jonesboro Radio Group. I also performed with many great singers/musicians all around Northeast Arkansas, including at the Roundup Country Music Show in Brookland, several times as part of the Chad Garrett & Friends series of shows in Paragould, and at the NEA and Greene County fairs.

In early Summer of 2012, my wife “Sweetie Nash” and I moved to south Texas to be closer to a couple of her sons. After 2 years as Morning Drive host on KIXS 108 in Victoria, TX, I was offered a similar position at KTPK-FM “Country Legends 106.9” in Topeka, KS. In less that 6 months, I was named Program Director for the station. Shortly after that, new owners came in and slowly started paring down the staff. My position was eventually eliminated, so I obtained my Commercial Driver’s License, and spent the next 4 years as an over-the-road trucker, eventually moving back to Tennessee. However, I never lost my desire to someday be back on the air. The opportunity to do so came in early-2022, and I left trucking to work at a Classic Rock station in Shelbyville, TN hosting the morning show. That led a year later to being offered the Operations Manager/Program Director position at a pair of stations owned by Elk River Media, LLC in Fayetteville, TN in April of 2023.

I was pretty content with the Fayetteville gig, with no real intention of ever leaving. Then, just before Christmas of 2023, I got a phone call from Trey Stafford, offering me the opportunity to come back to Jonesboro to be Program Director of 104.9 The Fox, and to once again host afternoons on the air. Well, it only took me and Sweetie a day or so to decide that the offer was too good to turn down, so we have come back to a place that always felt the most like ‘home’ for us, with many friends with whom we had stayed in touch in the years we were gone from the area. That includes members of the amateur radio community (my wife and I are both licensed ‘hams’), as well as musicians and other wonderful people friends.

“Who says ‘you can’t go home?'” Well, after nearly a dozen years away, we ARE home…in Fox Country! And always remember and never forget: Skeeter loves ya!

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Phil Jamison
2 p.m. to 7 p.m. on 100.5 The Eagle

My name is Phil Jamison. I’m 58 years old and a radio veteran. I certainly don’t feel my age. Maybe this job keeps me young. But the fact is, I’m old enough to remember when most of the classic rock you hear on the Eagle was first released.

I DO IT ALL! These days in radio you have to many skills. It makes you a more valuable employee. That’s why when it comes to on-air and programming, I bring a lot to the table…or the microphone, I guess. I can be an air personality on a variety of music formats. I can write, voice and produce professional radio commercials. I can also handle live broadcasts from client locations or station events. I am completely comfortable being in front of large crowds. I love doing all of this. But, that’s not all I love about radio.

I LOVE CLASSIC ROCK! Some of the songs I love because of the lyrics and what they mean. Some songs, it’s the energy that just hits me the right way. Other tunes resonate with me because they remind me of certain times in my life when the particular song was popular. And, I LOVE PLAYING THIS MUSIC FOR YOU! My friends say it sounds like I’m having fun on the radio. It’s true! I AM HAVING FUN, singing along with the songs, playing air guitar in the studio, and talking to our crazy Eagle listeners. So when you hear me laughing, it’s genuine.

MY LIFE IS AN OPEN BOOK. I live my life on the radio. I’m just like you. I have a wife, kids, co-workers, bosses, bills and other issues I deal with on a daily bases. When you call and request a song to make you feel better, I UNDERSTAND WHY. I try very hard to let the listeners be a part of my afternoon show. LOCAL LISTENERS give my show a unique flavor. I want you to call and participate, make request, tell jokes, ask questions, and more. Active listeners make this a better station for everyone.

I ADORE MY WIFE AND KIDS! My wife’s name is Joy and she’s awesome. She’d rather watch football than the Bachelorette. She’s a petite blonde who drives a Dodge Ram 1500 Big Horn WITH a Hemi. YES, I’M A VERY LUCKY MAN. My son Josh is 29 and a Staff Sergeant in the United Stated Air Force. My daughter Jaclyn is 29 and graduated from ASU Cum-Laude. By the way, she has Asperger’s, a form of Autism. She’s also 29. I was born and raised in Helena, Arkansas. This is my second stay in Jonesboro. I was here for 10 years the first time. I’ve been back for about 17 years this time.

RESCUE A PET! We also have 4 rescue dogs. YOU WILL HERE ALOT ABOUT ANIMAL RESCUE ON MY SHOW. It’s my passion. I think dogs are the most amazing creatures. The relation between dog and man is the greatest collaboration between two species on Earth. Save a life and change yours forever.

So to answer the question, “WHY AM I HERE”. The answer is…I don’t know. I guess God decided to give me chance to work in RADIO HEAVEN….an afternoon shift on a classic rock station…for a great broadcast company….Saga Broadcasting’s Jonesboro Radio Group.

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Ryan “DJ Ice Tre” Beavers
6 p.m. to Midnight on Hot 107.5

A native of Newport, Arkansas, Ryan Beavers has had eight years of experience in broadcast. Earning his degree in Digital Media and Design with an emphasis in Radio and Television from Arkansas State University’s Department of Media, he was given the opportunity to DJ part-time for Hot 107.5.

He said wanted to be in the industry because he was already involved in music and DJ life, so he thought it was something that would always keep his interest.

His favorite songs are “Song Cry” by JayZ, “Dollar Dream” by J. Cole, and “Jammin” by Bob Marley.

Beavers supports City Youth Ministries and American Red Cross.

In his spare time, he is interested in music, sports, gaming, and being around dogs. He also has a mobile DJ service and does mix-tape hosting.

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Brett Hall
5 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Mix 106.3

Brett Hall, a native of Dallas, is a long-time friend and cherished employee of Jonesboro Radio Group. He got into radio at a young age just because it seemed fun and has been a part of the industry for over 35 years.

In addition to being an on-air personality, Hall also is a Realtor with Westbrook & Reeves Real Estate Company and owns Local Culture, a yogurt shop in Jonesboro.

Hall says he regularly donates to Make-A-Wish, Stumo, and Axis and is interested in reading and is a die hard movie fanatic.

He shares his life with wife, Selena Barber, and his two grown sons.

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Ellie Smith
7 p.m. to Midnight on 104.9 The Fox
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Mix 106.3

BIRTHDAY: October 5

FAMILY: I am married to my best friend Nick Smith, and we have been married for 1 year but have been together since 2017. We met during our freshman year of college and have been inseparable ever since. We have a chocolate labradoodle named Remington who is 3, and the light of our lives, and we look forward to starting a family in the next few years! You might also recognize my dad, Trey Stafford, who is the reason I am now doing this today!

MY RADIO HISTORY: Well, I just started! The only radio history I have is studying my dad and all of the on-air talent of the Jonesboro Radio Group since I was a little girl. I used to love getting up with my dad, going through the McDonald’s drive-thru and getting a Cinna-Melt & an Orange Juice, and laying on the couch outside of the Fox Hole and listening to him do his show in the morning! I interned under Christie Matthews in sales in 2019 while I was in college, and I worked there for almost 2 years as the Digital Product Specialist, before deciding to pursue my love of coaching dance at Arkansas State as well as doing social media for A-State and local businesses here in Northeast Arkansas. Before I could get out of the door on my last day, I was presented with the opportunity to do my own show on 104.9 The Fox, and I couldn’t say yes fast enough! I am so excited for this opportunity and to expand my radio history even more!

FAVORITE MUSIC: Anything country or pop! My favorite artist of all time is George Strait, who I’ve gotten to see TWICE! My second favorite is Chris Stapleton, who Nick and I have seen 4 times, and one of those times was WITH George!!! It was incredible!!! However, from the day after Thanksgiving until Christmas night, all I listen to is Christmas music!

MOVIES: The Proposal & The Parent Trap are two classics I could watch any time, any day!

TELEVISION: I’ve been on a Shark Tank kick lately, but typically I’m a reality TV girl! I know, it’s awful!! I have danced since I was 2, so Dance Moms is always a good classic to reminisce on, but I’m also a huge Bachelor and Bachelorette fan!

ADDICTION: I would probably say my dog, Remi. I treat him like our first-born child, always worrying about him, wanting to entertain him or include him on our trips and adventures. If we go to Andy’s, I do not go without him so he can get a puppy cone! I don’t know what he’s going to do when we actually have a child… I really think he has only child syndrome!

HOBBY: I love to cook, and surprisingly I love to cook for people! When I’m at events or gatherings, oddly enough, I hate sitting down. I feel like I need to be doing something, so I usually try to take on the role of cooking so I can talk with everyone but stay busy at the same time! I know… it’s weird! But I love to cook and bake, I sometimes am scared or hesitant to try new recipes, but you never know until you try! If it doesn’t work, never do it again, and if it does, add it to the list of meals to rotate!

CHARITIES AFFILIATED WITH: I have been involved with the Make-A-Wish Foundation since I was 6 years old, all thanks to the Jonesboro Radio Group. One of the days I went to work with my dad in the morning as a little girl was the day of the Have-A-Heart Wish-A-Thon, and it opened my eyes to the opportunity to give back through such an incredible organization. From that day on, I have fundraised at my elementary, junior high, and high schools, raised thousands of dollars through baking strawberry pies with my Papaw’s recipe, and volunteering and advocating for the organization through my time in the Miss America Organization.

FAVE APPS: As a social media manager, I spend 100% of my time on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok. Honestly, if I had to choose between the 3, I would easily say TikTok. That app makes me laugh, makes me smile, makes me cry, and has taught me a lot of great life hacks and recipes too!

MEMORABLE ON AIR MOMENT: Well, since I just started, I would say my first night! I got to spend it with Mitch Mahan who showed me the ropes, and I was SO nervous! I had never even touched the computer screen before that is in the Fox Hole, let alone do my own show! He was so encouraging and supportive, however, and made me feel so much more confident in myself that this is exactly where I was meant to be. I am so excited to learn so much and to be able to look back on that first night years from now and be proud of how much I’ve grown!

COOLEST CELEBRITIES I’VE MET: My favorite celebrity I have ever met was Alison Krauss when I was a little girl. I played the violin from the time I was 4 or 5 until the time I graduated high school. I went to Alison’s concert at a very young age and sat in the front row with my violin in hand, hoping she would sign it. We had no backstage passes, we were just hopeful that she would notice me! Sure enough, after I fell asleep in the middle of the concert, one of her stage hands invited us back to meet her after the concert. She signed my violin, and it still sits on the piano at my parents’ home to this day. It was an incredible moment!

FAVE DRINK: Orange Juice is my favorite drink of all time. If I’m getting Shadrach’s, it’s a “St. Shaddy” Rad Shaddy (the March edition of their Rad Shaddy is unmatched and I still order it every other time of the year) or a Hot Chocolate, because I don’t drink coffee. And if it’s a night out, I am a Margarita connoisseur!

FAVE RESTAURANTS: Sumo is the G.O.A.T. and you won’t convince me otherwise! When I’m on a budget, however – Papitos or Texas Roadhouse (Nick and I split the Bone-In Ribeye and the sides)!

PET PEEVE: Honestly, when people burp out loud! That grosses me out so much. And after being together for 7 years, my husband still forgets that, lol!

BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE EVER BEEN GIVEN: On my last day as the Digital Product Specialist, my co-worker, Lynn Stillwell, got me a card. In the card, she wrote, “Your Job is What You Do, but Your Family is Who You Are.” In a stage of life where I’m still figuring out what I’m being called to do, it can become very overwhelming to the point where I catch myself prioritizing my work over my personal time with my family. At the end of the day, however, family

should always be the priority because it is what fills you with joy and love the most. I am so incredibly thankful for Nick who has supported me through this crazy journey, and Lynn provided a great reminder that my family will always be who I am, not what I do for work.

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Mitch Mahan
Program Director for 100.5 The Eagle
9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on 100.5 The Eagle

Mitch served nine years in the Jonesboro market prior to joining JRG. He also served for 10 years as Program Director for WIRK-FM in West Palm Beach Florida. In total, he has been in the radio industry for 40 years.

The Fruita, Colorado native loves mostly Classic Country, but is interested in all generes. He has won various Addy awards, and enjoys golf, not falling down, not falling down while golfing, and his dogs (who like to knock him down).

Mitch is engaged and is the father of two good children out of three.

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Kevin Box
7 p.m. to Midnight on 100.5 The Eagle
2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Mix 106.3

Kevin Box was born just outside of Los Angeles, California – and for reasons unbeknownst to him he moved to Arkansas at age 18.

Kevin believes that the most important thing in life is helping other people. Even people like Mitch Mahan and Phil Jamison. He is a Deacon at the Southwest Church here in Jonesboro. He will probably invite you to church when you meet him.

He has three stunning daughters; each extraordinary in their own way. There is nothing he is more proud of than these three. Alongside his daughters he has danced ballet and performed in musicals at the Foundation of Arts in Jonesboro – where he is a member of the board.

Kevin is bald and getting old, but he can still smoke you in any sport you choose. He played Football at Harding University and Rugby with the Jonesboro Chiefs. Marathons, Triathlons, Tough Mudders, did them all…just don’t ask him to do them anymore.

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Quinton Sanders
Nights on Mix 106.3
Afternoons on Hot 107.5

Quinton Sanders is a vibrant and captivating person who is enthusiastic about the radio industry. He has joined the Jonesboro Radio Group as a radio host, bringing a new and alluring voice to the NEA soundwaves. Quinton has a deep love for music, entertainment, and connecting with listeners.

Quinton holds an associate’s degree in theater as well as a bachelor’s degree in sales and marketing. As a host of “Let’s Talk About It” on the KLEK radio station in Jonesboro, Arkansas, Quinton has prior radio experience. He is an active member of the community and has participated in numerous community performances.

With an infectious energy and a genuine desire to entertain and inform, Quinton is committed to creating an engaging radio experience that leaves a lasting impact on his audience. He believes in the power of radio as a medium to inspire, connect, and uplift, and he is dedicated to delivering top-notch entertainment that resonates with listeners of all backgrounds.

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Delilah
7 p.m. to Midnight on EZ 92.7

Delilah, the most-listened-to-woman on radio in the U.S., embraced the medium when she was a middle-schooler in Reedsport, Oregon, reporting school news and sports on KDUN-AM, a small station in her hometown. Delilah’s soothing voice, open heart and love of music expanded her audience from the folks in Reedsport to more than 8million monthly listeners across the United States and internationally on the American Forces Network in Japan, Korea and Central Europe, along with her channel on iHeartRadio and her new podcast, Conversations with Delilah. Many of those listeners engage Delilah beyond the airwaves via social media, especially on Facebook, where more than 1.6million friends connect with her to share their stories and request songs.

Delilah, who celebrated the 30-year anniversary of her nighttime radio program in 2016(the program was launched nationally in early 1997), was honored with the radio industry’s highest accolade the same year–the NAB Marconi Award for “Network/Syndicated Personality of the Year.” She was also inducted in the National Radio Hall of Fame in 2016 and joined the NAB Broadcasting Hall of Fame in 2017, which marked the first time a woman had been honored in the last 35 years. In addition to yearly honors by Radio Ink as one of the “Most Influential Women in Radio,” Delilah took home the trophy for “Outstanding Host -Entertainment/Information” at the Alliance of Women in Media’s 37thAnnual Gracie Awards Gala. Delilah’s distinctive blend of story-telling, sympathetic listening and encouragement –all scored with adult contemporary soft rock–makes her top ranked in most markets among women 25-54. She says her how is a “safety zone where listeners take off their armor, slip into a ‘Mr. Rogers’ cardigan, sit around the electronic hearth and share their secrets.” She adds that her audience is “just like me and the two women working on the show, who were once listeners. We are single parents who work hard to strike a balance between family and work life. We also enjoy our friendships and remember to laugh as much as possible.”

Often referred to as the “Oprah of Radio,” Delilah is the author of four books, including her most-recent work One Heart at a Time. Published by Rosetta Books, it features an inspiring, uplifting, and motivating look at life, love, and faith. As a mother of 14 children, 11 of whom she adopted, Delilah established a foundation called Point Hope as a voice for forgotten children everywhere. Now in its 15th year, the immediate focus of the Foundation is on refugee children in Ghana and on special needs children in the foster care system nationwide and in her neighborhood of White Center in Seattle. Delilah also recently partnered with Feed The Children, an international non-profit relief organization which distributes food, medicine, clothing and other necessities to those in need. Delilah has joined the effort to help provide food and necessities to hungry children in America by raising awareness of the heartbreak of hungry children with her millions of nightly listeners.

In addition to a passion for children and radio, Delilah is devoted to music because “it touches the heart the way nothing else can. ”Her father had a Country-Western band, and her brother played in a Jazz band. Though she writes lyrics, she cannot sing. Delilah says, “I always wanted to be a performer, but I can’t sing, dance or act. Luckily, I found I could talk!” Delilah, loves her work “because it has allowed me to bring together a distinct community of people who reach out to help one another. We don’t try to fix people. We listen. We sympathize. We empathize. If the show has a message ,it’s listen to your own gut. Trust your own intuition. Go where it leads. Don’t give up.” Daily broadcasts, caring for her children, running a foundation, writing books, traveling and public speaking add up to a very busy life for Delilah. And she wouldn’t have it any other way.