Connoisseur Media is bringing Dayton listeners familiar voices and bold new sounds as the city’s radio dial undergoes a major shakeup. The legendary Z93 returns to the Miami Valley, while the brand-new 101.5 The Fridge debuts with an alternative rock format.
The revival of Z93 brings back one of Dayton’s most iconic stations, reuniting longtime personalities and music that defined an era for listeners across the region. Connoisseur Media Market Manager Brett Beshore said the return will bridge the station’s storied past with a fresh presentation designed for 2025.
“Z93 was a powerhouse in Dayton, and we’re thrilled to bring it back for a new era,” Beshore said. “By reuniting popular voices like Scott Sharp and Dayton’s most iconic personality Kim Farris with a high-energy presentation, we’re delivering a station that feels both legendary and fresh. Listeners will experience a station that sounds like nothing else on the air today.”
Operations Manager Kevin J. Washington echoed the sentiment, noting the personal significance of the relaunch. “It’s truly an honor to help bring Z93 back to Dayton,” Washington said. “The station meant so much to me back in the day when I was an intern. To be part of its return is a full circle moment.”
Program Director Joel Murphy confirmed the station will lean into the music that made Z93 famous. The playlist will spotlight hits from the 1980s, 1990s, and early 2000s, with artists like Prince, Michael Jackson, Phil Collins and Whitney Houston.
Morning show host Scott Sharp, who returns to the mic, said the comeback is especially meaningful for longtime fans. “Z-93 is the station that I, and many other Daytonians, grew up with,” Sharp said. “Hearing ‘Eaton, Dayton, and Springfield ALIVE!’ will be a goosebumps moment, and I am honored to have the opportunity to be part of a special station and legacy.”
While nostalgia drives Z93’s return, the market is also gaining something brand new thanks to Connoisseur Media. 101.5 The Fridge enters the scene as Dayton’s modern alternative rock station, playing artists like Foo Fighters, Green Day and Mumford & Sons. The brand pays homage to the city’s history with Frigidaire while carving out a unique sonic identity.
“With 101.5 The Fridge, we’re giving Dayton the coolest alternative rock station it’s ever had,” Beshore said. “The name pays tribute to the city’s proud Frigidaire heritage, while the format delivers a bold, modern sound that will stand out and connect with listeners and advertisers across the market.”
Washington added that The Fridge will feature “a fresh, energetic sound with jocks to match.” Program Director Kevin Begley was even more direct. “Alternative has been missing from Dayton for way too long, and that ends now,” Begley said. “The Fridge isn’t just a name, it’s a signal that alternative in Dayton is alive, loud, and impossible to ignore.”
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