Get ready, Portland! 98.7 The Bull is shaking up its morning lineup, and it's bringing some familiar and fresh faces to your airwaves starting Tuesday, January 20th. This new show promises to be a must-listen for country music fans, but what makes it so special?
The new morning show will feature the dynamic trio of Jeff 'JR' Ramsey, Jake Byron, and Mallory Santic. JR Ramsey is no stranger to the radio world, having hopped from station to station. He's bringing his experience to KUPL after a stint at Townsquare Media's CHR station, Q97.9 in Portland, ME. Before that, he spent time at stations like WNFN Nashville and KDHT Denver. JR himself is enthusiastic about the new gig, exclaiming his excitement to wake up with Portland every weekday morning.
Then there's Jake Byron, who's returning to KUPL for the third time! He's a familiar voice, having been part of the station's morning show in various iterations from 2014 to 2020. After a brief departure, he returned in October 2021 and has been holding down different time slots. Byron is thrilled about the opportunity, expressing his excitement to be back in the morning show.
And rounding out the team is Mallory Santic, a social media personality and former 'Love Island' contestant. She's eager to connect with listeners and the city, adding her unique flair to the show.
Operations Manager Ross MacLeod believes this is a perfect combination. But here's where it gets interesting... Connoisseur Media is investing in local talent. This strategy is echoed by Connoisseur SVP/Programming Keith Dakin, who emphasizes the importance of a strong local presence for radio's success in 2026.
The new show will replace Premiere Networks’ “The Bobby Bones Show”, which was dropped from KUPL and Connoisseur Media Country stations in Palm Springs, San Francisco, and Tyler/Longview TX to start 2025.
What do you think of this new lineup? Are you excited to tune in? Let us know in the comments if you agree or disagree with this strategy.
