Monday, January 2, 2017

Phoenix Radio: Matt McAllister OUT At Country KNIX-FM

Personality Matt McAllister has confirmed he is out at iHeartMedia's KNIX 102.5 FM.

McAllister, who joined the station in 2008, posted Friday on his Twitter account: “Unfortunately the rumors are true. Producer Joe (Wallace) and I were let go on 12/21 and will no longer be a part of the morning show.”

Working with on-air partner Ben Campbell, the team of Ben and Matt were named Personalities of the Year by the Academy of Country Music in 2009 and the Country Music Association in 2015, according to AZCentral.com.


McAllister, who said via text message that he was unable to comment on the issue, also responded to a fan on Twitter that he had recently signed a five-year contract with the show.

In March, the show added Brooke Hoover to the morning team; later, the show’s branding changed to “Ben, Matt and Brooke.” On Twitter, a listener suggested that had something to do with the change, which McAllister denied.

“That was actually my idea,” he wrote on Dec. 28. “@KNIXBrooke is a star and I wanted her to name to be included. But that doesn't mean I wanted my name taken off!”

On Friday, Dec. 30 and Saturday, Dec. 31, Tim Hattrick of Tim and Willy fame appeared during the morning slot. He posted on Facebook. “What the Front Door? Yep- I'm guest DJ-ing on KNIX right now! I can't believe they invited me back and are letting me play all this music.”

Beginning in the mid '90s, Hattrick and his partner, Willy D. Loon, had a wildly successful 10-year run at KNIX-FM sandwiched in between stints at KMLE 107.9 FM. The duo parted ways with KMLE in 2012, then later moved to a podcast edition of their show, which ended in 2014.

Kelly Manders, senior director of marketing for iHeartMedia, indicated "an official press release (will be) out the week of January 9th. We will be back on the air with a morning show in early January."

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