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PAXTON GRIFFITH, NEWS DIRECTOR

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Before joining River Radio, Paxton built years of experience on stage and screen. He appeared in productions with Pyramid Players, ArtStarts, and Southern Illinois University Theater, taking on roles in classics like Bye Bye Birdie, Oliver, The Music Man, Hairspray, and Ragtime. He also played Young Wyeth in the feature film Dig Two Graves.

Paxton studied acting at the Academy of Art in San Francisco, where he focused on improv, movement, voice work, and the Meisner technique before transitioning into broadcasting. Before Attending Academy of Art Paxton Graduated from Frankfort Community High School and then began doing  color commentary for West Frankfort Basketball until his move to San Francisco.

Now the News Director for WJPF, Paxton is happy to bring his talent back to Southern Illinois, where he was born and raised. You can catch Paxton on WJPF, CIL-FM, New Country Z100, and Steve-FM.

 

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MATT VARNEY, PROGRAM DIRECTOR 103.5 ESPN

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Matt Varney is the 103.5 ESPN Program Director and also the morning sports anchor. He graduated from Illinois State University in May 2016 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Mass Media and a focus in Radio.

Matt was born and raised in Bloomington, IL. He came to River Radio in January, 2017.

Matt lives in Herrin with his wife Marisa and son Cooper. They also have two cats, Jedi and Lily.

 

Matt has been the play-by-play voice of the Murphysboro Red Devils since 2019. He has done play-by-play for John A. Logan women’s basketball since Spring 2021.

He is a Detroit Tigers fan and, thus, well-acquainted with misery.

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MIKE MURPHY, SPORTS DIRECTOR (6a-9a Fridays, 6a-8a Saturdays)

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Mike started at WJPF in 1976 while still attending SIU, working under News & Sports Director Mike Powell. Mike has been News & Sports Director, Program Director and served two separate periods as General Manager of WJPF.

Mike is currently Sports Director at River Radio and co-host of the award winning SportsVoice program which airs Saturday mornings from 8:00 am to 10:00 am, Mike also does play-by-play for the Herrin Tigers and the John A Logan Volunteers.

Mike won the Merle Jones Award for Outstanding Sports Journalism in 2001, is a member of the Herrin High School Sports Hall of Fame, has been tabbed top Play-by-Play Announcer twice in voting by the Illinois Broadcasting Association, and winner of Best Broadcast Team with partner Scott Hudson.

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Part-Time Staff

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ROBERT THIES

Contact: robertt@riverradio.net

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After graduating Trico High School in 2011, Robert attended SIU-Carbondale, majoring in Radio/Television with a concentration in electronic journalism.  At SIU, Robert was a reporter, producer, and weathercaster for the student-run television newscast, winning the best TV weathercast trophy in 2014 from the Illinois Broadcaster’s Association.  At SIU, Robert was also the host of Scholastic Hi-Q, a weekly quiz show featuring local high school students.