Mary Lockrem has a new radio home. She joins 98.5 The Bull (KDES-FM) in Palm Springs as its midday host.
What We Know: Connoisseur Media Palm Springs slotted Lockrem into weekdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Moreover, she arrives with four years already on Coachella Valley airwaves. Listeners know her energetic style, country music passion, and genuine community focus. Now she carries that everyday connection straight into Bull Country.
What They Said: Regional Vice President Sommer Frisk framed the hire as a deliberate strategy. “We’re intentionally building a team of difference-makers, and Mary is exactly that,” Frisk said. Additionally, Operations Manager Todd Violette called her a strong fit for the community. Both leaders praised her authentic voice and winning, service-minded spirit.
What Remains Unclear: The station has not detailed Lockrem’s specific previous on-air role. Furthermore, it did not name who preceded her in the midday slot. Other programming shifts across the cluster also stay unannounced for now. Still, her hours, start date, and streaming home all hold firm.
What It Means: Connoisseur keeps stacking familiar local talent across its 170-plus stations nationwide. Because Lockrem already connects with valley listeners, the handoff should feel seamless. Meanwhile, the move reinforces the company’s locally focused country music strategy. Ultimately, trusted voices help stations keep loyal audiences in crowded markets.
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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.
I love Mary Lockrem! When she suddenly was off the air at 106.1 I was lost and devastated as many others were! I immediately stopped listening because I missed Mary’s voice and knowledge. I’m so happy now I can hear her on The Bull! She brought me to The Bear Bull and as long as she’s here then so will I be!