The DJs
As a child, Johnjay Van Es always dreamed of being on the radio. He applied for an internship in San Diego and eventually started working in sales but he never let go of his lifelong dream to be on the air. It wasn’t until 1996, after training with the LA-based improv troupe The Groundlings that he would get his first on-air job hosting a morning show in Cincinnati. After just three months on the air, he won the “Best of Cincinnati” award. After years of dominating the market in Cincinnati, Johnjay moved on to Houston, Texas and made his mark in the Country format.
A St. Louis native, Rich Berra was captivated by radio at 14 during an afternoon bike ride. After stumbling upon a small local station, he’d found his calling in the studio and jumped on board as a part-time employee. By the time he was 17, Rich was running the entire station, while also working a part-time gig that kicked off his career in morning radio. A chance meeting in New Orleans found Rich teaming up with Johnjay. The beginning of The Johnjay and Rich era began in 2001 with their first show airing in Tucson. In 2006, the program moved to Phoenix.
The queen of the good, the bad and the gossip (GBG) dishing on the latest celebrity news from Hollywood, and the voice of reason, keeping Johnjay & Rich in check! A native of the “Mile High City” of Denver, Colorado, Kyle graduated from the Walter Cronkite School of Broadcast Journalism at Arizona State University. Kyle joined the Johnjay & Rich show in 2008. She’s a wife and mother and supports several charitable foundations, including the Boys & Girls Club, Gabriel’s Angels, and the Johnjay and Rich Care for Kids Foundation. She also loves doing anything outdoors, including swimming and riding her beach cruiser, and has never passed up an adventure with friends.
Payton is an Arizona native and was born and raised in Chandler, AZ. During Payton’s freshman year of college, she played Division 1 basketball at Weber State University in Ogden, Utah. She then wrapped up her collegiate athletic career in Portland, Oregon at Warner Pacific University earning a degree in Criminal Justice.
After being a part of the JJR crew for a year behind the scenes… she had the opportunity to become a co-host on her favorite morning show! Payton has been a listener of the Johnjay and Rich show since she was little so being a part of the show is truly a surreal moment for her.
Phoenix Cannon is a native of Salt Lake City. She has a background in broadcasting and has worked on television and radio shows like The Matt Townsend Show, The Lisa Valentine Clark Show, New York’s In Focus, and Salt Lake’s Studio 5. She has a background in news, lifestyle, and talk show hosting and now loves the world of music DJing! Phoenix has a passion for building the community and has felt a warm welcome from Idahoans. When she’s not behind the mic, she’s out trying new foods, traveling, acting in films and commercials, or thrift shopping!
Hi! I’m McKenna. I grew up as an Army brat and spent most of my childhood living in Hawaii and South Korea. I moved to Idaho in 2014 where I met my husband and settled in Idaho Falls! We have two children. As a young child I gravitated towards music. I love to sing, dance, and teach myself how to play different instruments. As a busy Mom I often have to multitask, and my hobbies double as self care! I enjoy running, working out, makeup and fashion.
When not chasing down the latest in trending pop culture news, listening to new music, or keeping my finger on the pulse of the latest social media crazes, I am sing-speaking to my dogs, chasing waterfalls, or attempting a makeup or fashion tutorial. I am bottom-heavy, but don’t let that fool you. I’m athletic and always have a dance and playlist prepared. Everywhere I go, you will find me “dropping it like it’s hot” – even in the produce aisle at the grocery store. Sorry, not sorry for my HYPE. Let’s connect, laugh, and rally together! Come say hi and join the party!
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Carson Daly is a pioneer of pop culture across a multitude of media, including radio, television, the recording industry and digital platforms. He is the host of the Daly Download each weekend where he counts down the week’s top 30 biggest hits! He also serves as host and producer for “The Voice,” the NBC Television Network hit vocal competition show which debuted in 2011. Last year, Carson began his role as the host of the TODAY show’s Orange Room, where he provides constant communication between the viewers and the show as well as delivering original content and reporting.