DARYL “DAZZA” KIRKUP (Host of HOT FM Breakfast Show & “Open Road”)

After graduating from the Australian Institute of Radio and TV (AIR-TV) as Dux of Class with Honours, Daryl “Dazza” Kirkup began his radio career at 4VL in Charleville and now hosts the HOT FM Breakfast Show (The Breakfast Club) every weekday morning from 6 and “Open Road”, Hot FM’s weekly travel show every Friday from 1.  During his career, Daryl has compered numerous corporate events, working alongside such names as Wayne Bennett, Dr Harry from Network 7’s “Better Homes and Gardens”, Ranger Stacey from Network 10’s “Totally Wild”, Olympian Natalie Cook and comedy legend, Col Elliott to name a few.  With a strong passion for our country music industry, Daryl has also spent over 25 years as an MC at the Gympie Muster, Urban Country Music Festival, Tamworth Country Music Festival, Mildura Country Music Festival and Mud Bulls and Music as well as hosting and producing successful country radio programs “Urban Country” and “Heatwave Country”.  Daryl also owned and operated CRS Publicity, Australia’s longest established distribution platform for country music single releases to radio and media worldwide. Daryl’s other passion is tourism, having operated a successful 4WD tour business for over 10 years, winning 2 Business Achievers Awards for Hospitality and Tourism Services.


KIX BROOKS (Host of “American Country Countdown”)

Kix Brooks is a country music legend! With his duo partner, Ronnie Dunn, Brooks and Dunn became the most successful duo in country music history winning 17 CMA Awards, 26 ACM Awards and 2 Grammy Awards.  As part of Brooks and Dunn, Kix Brooks was also inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2019.  Kix Brooks now joins the HOT FM team with “American Country Countdown” every Friday night from 6. 


COL ELLIOTT (Host of “Coming To A Town Near You” Classic Comedy Hour)

The word legend is used in everyday language these days but if anyone can claim title to that word, especially in the world of Aussie comedy, Col Elliott is up there with the best! For more than 40 years, Col Elliott has been making us laugh in every corner of the country, from the biggest cities to the smallest country towns.  Along the way, Col’s hosted his own TV shows, achieved 13 Gold and Platinum albums and won countless entertainment awards.  This Aussie comic legend now hits the HOT FM airwaves with “Coming To A Town Near You”, your weekly dose of the best in classic comedy, special guests, mad characters, funny segments and great music, every Sunday afternoon from 4.


JOHNNY J (Host of “The Big Rock”)

Johnny J is a fan of real rock music, recording songs off the radio from a very young age.  Since the purchase of his first cassette, Billy Joel’s “Glass Houses” album, he has collected thousands of records, cassettes, CDs, and MP3s over the years.  Johnny J’s love of classic rock comes alive every Monday night from 10 on HOT FM with “The Big Rock”, rockin’ the 70s, 80s and the 90s.


Ben Golledge (Host of “Chartered Classic Hits”)

Every Monday from midday, join Ben as he counts down the biggest charted hits from the 70s and 80s – the songs that have stood the test of time and are still hugely popular on radio across the world today. HOT FM’s “Chartered Classic Hits” – that’s got your Monday lunchtime sorted!!