Bonneville News/Talk 92.3 KTAR-FM Glendale/Phoenix AZ will make multiple lineup changes starting Monday, February 5.
Bruce St. James, who most recently hosted mornings at 890 WLS Chicago from November 2020 until April 2022, will return to the station to co-host afternoons from 4-7pm with Larry Gaydos. St. James previously spent a decade hosting at KTAR-FM from 2011 to 2020 after previously programming Rhythmic CHR “Power 92” KKFR, “101.5 Jamz” KZON and Country 107.9 KMLE in Phoenix. Gaydos had been teamed with Chad Benson since January 2020 after a long run teaming with Mac Watson.
They will be preceded by a new 2-4pm show hosted by Chris Merrill and Joe Huizenga. Merrill has been serving as a fill-in host at KTAR since September 2020. He previously hosted afternoons at iHeartMedia’s 550 KFYI Phoenix from 2014-17 and had runs in nights, mornings, and middays at KOGO San Diego and middays at KMBZ Kansas City. Huizenga has been with KTAR-FM since 2008 and and currently serves as Assistant Program Director, afternoon producer, and weekend/fill-in host under the name ‘Lloyd Banks’.
With Benson leaving the afternoon show, his Radio America syndicated show moves up from 9pm to 12am to 7-10pm. Leaving the lineup are the 6pm hour “Arizona Evening News” hosted by Becky Lynn and the 7-9pm replay of the Dave Ramsey Show.
Bonneville Phoenix has announced an exciting update to the weekday programming lineup for KTAR News 92.3 FM, effective Monday, February 5.
The revamped schedule signals the return of Bruce St. James to the KTAR lineup during afternoon drive where he joins longtime host Larry Gaydos. In addition, the heritage station will add a new midday show with news/talk veteran Chris Merrill and Joe Huizenga, and Chad Benson will move to evenings.
“We are thrilled to add new shows that will keep our community informed and connected at such an important time,” said Ryan Hatch, Bonneville Phoenix SVP/Market Manager. “In addition to being one of the most dynamic and fastest growing cities in the country, Phoenix is also the epicenter of the 2024 election with Arizona being a key battleground state.”
St. James returns to the station where he had a decade-long run from 2010-2020. Merrill is coming back to the Phoenix market where he hosted a local show from 2014-2017. He will be joined by Huizenga, who is currently the Assistant Program Director and has been a familiar voice for a longtime on KTAR as a fill-in host. Benson is returning to evenings where he had a very successful show for many years.
“I am excited to welcome back Bruce and introduce Chris and Joe to our already impressive news and talk teams,” stated Martha Maurer, KTAR News Program Director. “This new lineup will bring exciting new energy and depth to our live and local coverage, both on-air and on our growing digital platforms.”
Updated KTAR weekday primetime lineup beginning Monday, February 5:
5 a.m. to 8 a.m. Arizona’s Morning News
8 a.m. to noon: The Mike Broomhead Show
Noon to 2 p.m.: The Ramsey Show
2 p.m. to 4 p.m.: Chris Merrill and Joe Huizenga
4 p.m. to 7 p.m.: Bruce St. James and Larry Gaydos
7 p.m. to 10 p.m.: The Chad Benson Show
