Tyler Media is making a move behind the music at Oklahoma City’s Country KJKE (93.3 Jake FM), promoting evening personality Josh Connett to Music Director. The appointment gives Connett an expanded role in shaping the station’s musical direction while allowing another familiar Jake FM personality to devote more attention to his growing responsibilities outside the music department.
Connett, who currently handles the station’s 7 p.m. to midnight shift, takes over the position previously held by Owen Pickard. The change keeps the responsibility for music programming within the station’s existing talent lineup rather than bringing in someone unfamiliar with its sound and audience.
Pickard isn’t leaving Jake FM. He will continue co-hosting the station’s Wake With Jake morning show while dedicating additional time to his television program, The Spotlight.
For Connett, the new assignment means balancing his evening on-air duties with the behind-the-scenes decisions that help determine what Oklahoma City country listeners hear throughout the day.
And anyone who has worked in country radio knows that being Music Director involves considerably more than deciding which song sounds good between commercials. There are currents to evaluate, recurrents to manage, established artists to balance against emerging talent, and the occasional record that somebody insists will become a monster hit despite evidence suggesting it may struggle to become a mildly irritated house cat.
Still, the position remains one of radio’s most important programming responsibilities. Music Directors help establish the identity of a station, and the strongest ones understand that a playlist isn’t simply a collection of songs. It’s a reflection of the audience, the market, and the station’s competitive strategy.
By moving Connett into the position while retaining Pickard in mornings, Tyler Media is redistributing responsibilities among two established members of the Jake FM team.
It’s a reminder that developing talent doesn’t always require looking outside the building. Sometimes the next person ready for a larger role is already sitting in the studio, taking requests, talking to listeners, and learning what makes the station work.
And in a business where broadcasters frequently find themselves wearing more hats than a country music merchandise booth, Connett has just added another one.
On The Dial congratulates Josh Connett on his new responsibilities and wishes Owen Pickard continued success with Wake With Jake and The Spotlight. When stations recognize opportunities to develop their existing talent, both the people and the programming have a chance to benefit.
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