As we enter a new year, 97.9 The Hill will begin a new, exciting lineup of its live programming to continue bringing local shows to the Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Orange County community.
On January 4, 2021, new morning and afternoon weekday shows will be debuting on 97.9 The Hill’s airwaves. Aaron Keck, who has hosted a live afternoon show with the station for eight years, will wake up the community with “This Morning with Aaron Keck.”
The show, which will air from 6 a.m. through 9 a.m. Monday through Friday, will blend local news with interviews, music, traffic and weather reports. He will be joined by on-air talent Victor Lewis throughout the show to provide fun segments to help community members start their day.
“I fell in love with Chapel Hill-Carrboro as soon as I arrived back in 2008,” says Keck. “I still believe it’s the greatest community in the world, and I’m really looking forward to waking up with you each morning and giving you a fun, smart, funny, and informative way to start your day.”
The change will come after the retirement of long-time morning show host Ron Stutts, who will be hanging up his headphones after 43 years with the radio station.
“Aaron Keck is always the smartest person in the room, no matter where he goes,” says Stutts. “He’s the natural choice to host the morning show because he’s been at WCHL for a decade, he’s already well established in the community, and he really cares. Aaron’s vast knowledge of what happens here, and what it means, is remarkable. Our listeners already know him from his afternoon show and all his work in the community, so he will hit the ground running!”
“Of course there’s no way to replace Ron Stutts, who’s been a legend in our community for decades,” says Keck. “His shoes are far too big to fill. But I’m grateful for the opportunity, and I’m excited about what we’ll be able to build together, next year and beyond. And as Ron always says, I look forward to seeing you on the radio!”
From 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., listeners can tune in to hear the live “Afternoons on the Hill with Brighton McConnell.” Hosted by 97.9 The Hill news director Brighton McConnell, the show will feature the latest local news from Orange and Chatham Counties and updates on traffic as people head home.
“I’m looking forward to continuing to help inform our great community about everything from breaking news to local government to UNC sports and beyond,” says McConnell. “The chance to host a radio show is a thrilling opportunity and I can’t wait to continue to connect with our listeners even more starting in January.”
Keck will continue to host the Live & Local hour on 97.9 The Hill each weekday from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
97.9 The Hill’s music hours will continue to bring listeners alternative songs throughout the midday and evening hours. Music and Morse, hosted by Nicki Morse, will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with her “90’s with Nicki” hour playing from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. Additionally, the show will debut a new acoustic music, coffeehouse-inspired hour from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. called “Nicki’s 9 O’Clock Grind.”
The full weekly broadcast calendar for 97.9 The Hill can be found here.
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