Jason “Budman” Paige is done in Fort Myers. The morning host has officially left CHR “B103.9″ WXKB, ending a six-year run at the Sun Broadcasting station.
What We Know: Budman joined WXKB in June 2019 as a producer and co-host. He later moved into the lead morning role alongside Marija Puidak in 2022. Sun Broadcasting acquired WXKB this year after purchasing Beasley Media Group’s Fort Myers cluster. His departure follows that ownership transition.
What They Said: Budman addressed listeners directly on Facebook, writing: “I QUIT B1039. If it’s not fun, it’s not worth doing. And man… WE had FUN.” He also teased future plans, adding: “This isn’t the end. It’s a new beginning… BIG things are coming.”
What Remains Unclear: No replacement has been announced for the morning slot. It’s also unclear whether Budman’s exit is connected to the ownership change. He hinted at big upcoming news but offered no specifics. A timeline for what’s next remains unknown.
What It Means: Six years is a long time to build a morning audience. Budman did exactly that at B103.9 — and now both he and the station face an open road. With stops in Sacramento, San Antonio, and Honolulu on his résumé, where does he land next? And more urgently, who steps into that Fort Myers morning seat?
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David Hill serves as a Music Radio Editor, Columnist and Features writer for Barrett Media. A radio lifer with more than 30 years behind the mic, in the control room, and in the program director’s chair, David’s career spans influential stops at brands such as WIYY 98 Rock, WBAL-AM, and 99X. He has worked across multiple formats and ownership groups, including iHeartMedia and Cumulus Media, developing talent, breaking music, and navigating every major industry shift from diary to PPM and terrestrial dominance to streaming disruption. When he’s not writing or analyzing the industry, Dave runs The Tune Farm, a marketing firm built to help artists and brands grow audience the same way great radio always has—by creating connection, not just impressions. He can be reached at David@BarrettMedia.com.
