AR Radio: KXNA Loses Morning Show To KRMW

Jon Williams, Derek Kastner

Longtime morning personalities  Jon Williams and Derek “Deek” Kastner have resigned from KXNA 104.9 FM, popularly known as “The X.” Their last show, known for its avid base of listeners dubbed the Loyal and Royal Army, aired June 30.

Williams, one of the most recognized media personalities in Northwest Arkansas, told the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal that “The Jon and Deek Show” will be back on the airwaves later this month at frequency KRMW 94.9 FM.

Williams said the station — currently a country format called “Nash Icon” — is being rebranded to 94.9 “Radio Jon/Deek.”

Kastner, who will be the music director, said the station should launch July 15 and the first show will air Monday, July 18. Williams and Kastner will host the show weekdays from 6 to 10 a.m. and they will be the station’s only radio personalities.

Portions of the show — which is heavily caller-driven — may be replayed through the rest of the day, to go with a mixture of classic and adult rock, with artists ranging from The Police, Pearl Jam, Rolling Stones and Tom Petty to Mumford & Sons, Coldplay and The Black Keys.

The station is owned by Cumulus Media — which owns seven stations in Northwest Arkansas — but Williams will have independent ownership of his show and be responsible for securing all his own advertising. The show currently has 29 advertising partners.

Williams, 45, and Kastner, 40, have a combined 43 years’ experience in the Northwest Arkansas market, and have worked together for 10 years. They’ve worked for Butler Broadcasting, owned by Steve Butler, since September 2011.