Screenshot of Tony St. James on the set at RFD-TV on Music Row in Nashville, TN. He serves as a Market Specialist for Market Day Report (courtesy photo)
NASHVILLE, TN – Rural Media Group is excited to announce the addition of Tony St. James as Market Specialist, effective Monday, August 5.
After an extensive search, St. James will collaborate with Scott “The Cow Guy” Shellady to provide radio and TV audiences with the latest updates on ag commodity markets from the RFD-TV studios on Music Row.
“Tony’s gracious demeanor first stood out in our initial conversations. His knowledge of agriculture commodities, ability to wear many hats, and solid work ethic will resonate with rural America, which is our bread and butter”, said RFD-TV News Director Ashlee Pitzl.
Tony brings a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective to RFD-TV, The Cowboy Channel, The Cowgirl Channel, and Rural Radio Channel 147 Sirius XM. In addition to his role in market analysis, he will serve as talent for trade show coverage and host “Rural America Live,” airing this Thursday at 9:00 pm CDT on RFD-TV.
St. James serves as President and CEO of Paramount Broadcasting Corp., a powerhouse in rural radio focusing on ag and farm programming, and is the driving force behind the content on the “All Ag, All Day” radio stations – which feature a 24/7 farm talk format. He also produces over two hours of syndicated programming aired on radio stations from California to New York. With 42 years of broadcasting experience, Tony has worked in various formats, including Top 40, Country, Oldies, Classic Hits, News/Talk, and Tejano, and will continue to host a daily afternoon shift on Paramount Broadcasting’s FM station.
Interestingly, Tony’s journey into agriculture was born out of necessity. Coming from a non-farming background, he began learning about farming and ranching 28 years ago when he needed to fill the farm director position at his stations. He has become a knowledgeable and respected voice in the ag community through interviews, trips, and observations.
Tony recently celebrated 35 years of marriage with his wife, Pamela, a high school guidance counselor and former Spanish teacher. They have two adult children, Remington (and fiance Hannah Kidd), Kylie (and husband Daxon Allen), and a hairless cat named Tallulah.
“When I met Patrick Gottsch eight years ago, I saw his passion for serving agriculture and rural America. I’ve shared this passion as well,” he says. “I live in a small farming community (Floyd County), and as a business owner, I know the challenges that rural communities face firsthand. Serving rural America and agriculture through RFD-TV is the honor of a lifetime.”
You can see St. James weekly from 8:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. on RFD-TV’s Market Day Report. You can also hear him almost every hour on 900AM KFLP (All Ag, All Day!) and 106-1 Flip-FM every weekday from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. The daily operation continues locally with Steven Orr and Remington Ricketts.
“Steven and Remington are so well-adapted to manage the day-to-day operation in Floydada,” he explained. “Steven has been our Sales Manager and Director of Affiliate Relations for two decades and is so entrenched in the community that most will never notice any difference.”
St. James added, “For Remington,” he has “literally grown up around the radio stations and brings a fresh approach to what we’ve been doing since 1996 in Floyd County.”
He concluded that as the only locally owned and operated media company in Floydada and Lockney, Paramount Broadcasting continues to serve the communities through on-air programming and the Floyd County Record, the only daily news site covering the county. “Without local businesses supporting this effort through advertising and promotion, the county would join many others in the state that no longer have a daily or live media presence.”
