The majority of the airstaff of KOKE-FM Austin will make the move to Audacy’s new “95.9 Texas Country” K240EL/KKMJ-HD3 Austin starting Monday, June 24.
Bob Cole and Eric Raines will host mornings from 6-10am. Deena Blake will follow in middays from 10am-3pm with Raines also hosting afternoons from 3-7pm. The trio had been heard in those timeslots on Genuine Austin Radio’s 99.3 KOKE-FM Thorndale/98.5 K253AN Sunset Valley/KTXX-HD2 until the lease of those stations to Norsan Media ahead of a sale took effect on June 1 and the brand moved online only. Audacy launched their new Texas Country brand the week prior on May 24.
Cole and Raines were both minority partners in KOKE-FM owner Genuine Austin Radio. The pair were involved in the 2012 launch of KOKE-FM. Cole previously spent 21 years at iHeartMedia Austin hosting mornings on Country 98.1 KVET-FM and serving as Operations Manager after a previous stint at the original 95.5 KOKE-FM as PD/morning host. He was inducted into the Country Radio Hall of Fame in 2003 and Texas Radio Hall of Fame in 2008 and also serves as the stadium announcer for University of Texas football and baseball. Raines, who also programmed and hosted afternoons at KOKE-FM, also worked with Cole at KVET-FM and programmed KUSJ/KLTD Temple TX. Blake has previously spent time at KASE Austin, WSIX Nashville, WMZQ Washington DC, and WUSN Chicago.
Audacy Austin VP/Programming and Operations Nikki Nite commented on their addition, “Bob, Eric and Deena are homegrown talents that have connected with listeners beyond the state of Texas by capturing the true essence of Country: authenticity. This is a robust lineup that will easily bond with Austin through their commitment to the city and its culture. We are eager to begin this chapter at Austin’s 95.9 Texas Country with this charming trio!”
Cole stated, “I’ve been a proud ‘local radio guy’ my entire life. Audacy has gifted me the ability to continue my long-standing relationship with listeners in Austin and serve my community on another level. Thank you to Doug Abernethy, Nikki Nite and Tim Roberts for their leadership and support.” Raines added, ““Thank you, Audacy, for the opportunity to do what I love most – get on the air and champion music from this scene. I look forward to fueling the shared passion my listeners and I have for this format on Austin’s 95.9 Texas Country and building up the community we’ve already established. It’s going to be one great ride together!”
Blake commented, ““I’m thrilled to continue my radio journey and join the team at Austin’s 95.9 Texas Country, a brand new station that shares my love of Texas and Classic Country,” said Blake. “Here’s to making memories, great music and a new home!”
Audacy states that additional on-air staff and programming updates will be made in the coming weeks.
