After stunting all weekend with novelty songs as “The Worm“, Tucson Radio LLC has launched Oldies “The Drive” on 830 KDRI Tucson/101.7 K269FV Oro Valley AZ.
In addition to owner Fletcher McCusker who will serve as Chairman of the new station, the group includes two other longtime Tucson personalities in management positions. Jim Arnold, who hosted mornings at 1290 KCUB through much of the 1970s and then later served as General Manager of Raycom Media’d KOLD-TV and Scripps KGUN-TV in the market, will take on the General Manager duties. Serving as President of the company and Program Director/morning host is longtime KMXZ PD/morning host Bobby Rich.
Rich led “94.9 Mix-FM” from 1993-2007 before being let go over a comment made. He will be joined in mornings by Hill Bailey, who just depareted nights at Cumulus Media Classic Hits “K-Hit 107.5” KHYT. Bailey has also worked at KILO and KKMG Colorado Springs, KTCL Denver, and KWOD/KZZO Sacramento in her career.
Middays will be hosted by former 106.3 KGMG PD/morning host Ken Carr while longtime San Diego personality Mike Esparza returns to his hometown for afternoons. Esparza recently exited afternoons at TEGNA Variety Hits “100.7 San Diego” KFMB-FM after runs in mornings at KBZT and KIOZ. Tucson native Tyler Russell, who operates Alternative “KX 93.5” KXRN-LP Laguna Beach CA, will track nights.
The station will target audiences 45-64 with a broad music mix.
Legendary radio personality Bobby Rich, legacy Tucson TV and Radio general manager Jim Arnold and Tucson downtown business leader Fletcher McCusker have joined forces to launch a new locally owned-and-operated The DRIVE Tucson.
“This is a dream come true for all of us,” said Rich, a 25-year Tucson talent/PD who anchored the top-rated morning show on KMXZ since 1993, “a chance to select our own music, manage content that matters to Tucson and have fun making great radio without corporate oversight.”
The trio of well-known Tucsonans recently acquired the stations from Family Life Radio and have converted to The DRIVE with an original format of music and local, live personalities. New owners D.B.A. as Radio Tucson L.L.C. with McCusker as Chairman of the Board, Rich is the President, Arnold is Partner and General Manager.
“Bobby has full creative control,” said McCusker, “branded as The DRIVE, KDRI Tucson is designed to appeal to adults who identify as 45-64 whose radio options have become overlooked and underserved by radio.”
“KDRI-AM 830 carries from the Mexican border to Phoenix,” McCusker continues, “The DRIVE 101.7-FM signal can be heard all over Tucson, so we will provide frequent road reports and local information. The music will be familiar without playing the same 40 songs over and over.”
Every Jock comes with Tucson Cred. Partnering with Bobby Rich in mornings is Hill Bailey, a Tucsonan since 1987 with gigs in Colorado and California; Middays Ken Carr, in Tucson radio and TV since 2001 as a PD and jock; Afternoons, Mike Esparza, a 30-year pro who started his career in Tucson returns after years of San Diego success as “The Mikey Show”; Nights Tyler Russell, born and raised in Tucson, started his career as an intern for Bobby Rich and later Los Angeles, Palm Springs and Laguna Beach, CA.
The DRIVE launched the new format at 6 a.m. on Aug. 5 after four days of stunting as “The WORM, The Greatest Novelty Hits of All Time” that had many Tucsonans wondering what happened to their former Christian stations.
Original Report 8/1: Fletcher McCusker’s Tucson Radio LLC has closed on its $650,000 purchase of 830 KFLT Tucson/101.7 K269FV Oro Valley AZ from Family Life Broadcasting.
With the ownership change has come a shift back to commercial operation for the station as it has begun stunting with a mix of novelty songs as “The Worm“. New KDRI call letters are pending.
It's here! The greatest (novelty) hits of all time is now on a radio near you in Tucson. The Worm – FM 101.7 AM 830. Listen now! #ad pic.twitter.com/pEGWTpeqWP
— Whats Up Tucson (@whatsuptucson) August 1, 2019
