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WKJO Staff Exits: The staff of Triangle Marketing Associates WKJO/Smithfield, NC has exited ahead of the station's impending sale to Curtis Media (which also owns WQDR in nearby Raleigh). Affected are PD/afternoon host Brody Smith, morning hosts Carlie Rye and Josh Zach and Dir. Prod./midday host Kristen Lawrence. Two-year station vet Smith tells Country Aircheck, "I’ll be continuing to be a podcast contractor for the time being. As for radio, I’m open to opportunities but in a limited geography." Reach Smith here. Rye had been with WKJO for seven and a half years; Zach joined WKJO in August following 11 years at News-Talk sister WPTF/Raleigh, and Lawrence had been with WKJO since May 2021. A photo was posted on the station's Instagram yesterday (12/15), with the caption, "Going out on top. Thank you so much for supporting us. We love you!" No word on Curtis' plans for the station, which is just two weeks shy of its eighth anniversary in the format.



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2026 CMA Voter's Guide
A quick reference guide to the 2026 CMA Nominees



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The Fall 2026 Print Special featuring: 

Country Aircheck Turns 20!

Power 31: Then & Now

The Interview & More



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Inside This Issue: 

MC-Yay At Ryman Lunch
Disruption Junction
You Look Like You Love Me
The Day Ahead